Been to the Taj? These places reward travellers who go a little further.
A golden sandstone fort rising from the Thar Desert, with carved havelis, camel rides and nights under the stars.
Oct-Mar 2 days
A small holy town around a sacred lake, with one of the world’s few Brahma temples and the famous camel fair in autumn.
Oct-Mar 1-2 days
Home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile: monasteries, momos and the Triund trek under the Dhauladhar range.
Sep-Nov, Mar-Jun 2-4 days
High-altitude desert of monasteries, turquoise lakes and the world’s highest motorable passes: India’s great adventure.
May-Sep 6-10 days
Exquisitely carved 1,000-year-old Hindu and Jain temples: a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Madhya Pradesh.
Oct-Mar 1-2 days
A clean, green Himalayan state of monasteries, high lakes and snow peaks.
Oct-Dec, Mar-May 4-6 days
The “abode of clouds”: living root bridges, crystal-clear rivers, waterfalls and some of the wettest places on earth.
Jun-Apr 4-6 days
Home to most of the world’s greater one-horned rhinos, plus wild elephants, water buffalo and tigers.
Nov-Apr 2 days
Two UNESCO cave complexes: Ajanta’s ancient Buddhist paintings and Ellora’s monolithic Kailasa temple, carved from a single rock.
Oct-Mar 2 days
The white salt desert of the Great Rann, with the Rann Utsav festival and some of India’s finest village crafts.
Nov-Feb 3-4 days
The ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire scattered across a surreal landscape of giant boulders: a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Oct-Feb 2-3 days
A temple town with a string of secluded beaches (Om, Kudle, Half Moon and Paradise) joined by coastal trails.
Oct-Mar 2-3 days
Red laterite cliffs above a golden beach, with cliff-top cafés, yoga and Ayurveda.
Nov-Mar 2-4 days
Rainforest, spice estates, waterfalls and wildlife sanctuaries in northern Kerala.
Oct-May 2-3 days
A former French enclave with mustard-yellow villas, bougainvillea, cafés and the Auroville community nearby.
Dec-Mar 2 days
Not sure where to start? Try the trip finder: tell us when you’re going and what you love, and we’ll match destinations.
See also: best time to visit India · where to go each month.
Been to Offbeat places in India? Share one tip that would help the next person. The first good one goes right here.
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