We are blessed to live in an absolutely awe-inspiring country. India is one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world, and we are lucky to be within close proximity to a number of amazing landmarks and attractions. Many of them we’ve all seen or at least heard of, like the pink castles of Jaipur and Agra’s awe-inspiring Taj Mahal, but there are lots of untrodden paths and hidden gems right under our noses that are well worth exploring, our favourite which we have listed below…

Laitmawsiang, Meghalaya

Laitmawsiang is a fairy-style style village in Meghalaya filled with beautiful waterfalls, ponds, gardens, and hidden caves, many of which have been around for centuries. The caves were former hiding places for local tribes during the British rule so there is a rich history associated with Laitmawsiang, and ever since this period, the caves have been relatively unexplored. There’s a trail that leads to the entry of the caves with underground waters that are believed to contain healing properties.  

Doodhpathri, Jammu & Kashmir

Doodhpathri, aka the Valley of Milk is a lush hill station in Jammu and Kashmir, set at an altitude of almost 9000ft above sea level. It’s one of the greenest places you’ll ever see, filled with pristine verdant meadows and hillsides, plus snow-topped mountains and wild flowers. It’s a nature lover’s paradise! Doodhpathri isn’t widely known, therefore it is beautifully clean, serene, and uncrowded with great trekking opportunities and picnic spots.  

Idukki, Kerala

This is the second largest district in Kerala, yet relatively unexplored. It’s home to some of the most beautiful hill stations in the country, as well as the highest peak in South India – Anamudi that towers at a height of almost 2700m, not to mention spice plantations, wildlife sanctuaries, waterfalls, and hiking trails. Imagine the backdrop photos you could take here! Highlights of Idukki include the Idukki Arch Dam, the Calvary Mount, Thommankuthu Waterfalls, and the Hill View Park.

Chopta, Uttarakhand

Chopta is another lush green paradise filled with meadows and forests. The region forms part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and is a popular base location for treks to Tungnath, which is the third temple of Panch Kedar. Chopta is nicknamed as Uttarakhand’s mini Switzerland due to its breath-taking landscapes and high altitude of around 2600m, and the area blooms with colourful flora in the summer, mellow rain drops during the monsoon which makes it even greener, and magical snowfall during the winter. It’s popular for bird watching, camping experiences, and trekking.

Arvalem Caves, Goa

Goa has a rich history and cultural heritage that dates back to the Portuguese rule, and even further to several ancient civilisations. Some of the state’s historical sites have been well preserved to this day, including the Arvalem Caves near Bicholim Taluka which are open to the public for exploration. There are many myths and legends associated with these awe-inspiring rock-cut caves, including that they were carved by Buddhist monks. Come and explore this hidden gem of Goa and make a weekend of it with our Goa packages.

Zanskar Valley, Ladakh

Zanskar Valley, best known for its epic winter trekking experiences is set at a height of around 13154ft in the Himalayas. Here you can click snaps of gorgeous snow-topped mountains and glistening turquoise waters. Zanskar Valley is ideal for thrill seekers with a great choice of outdoor adventures like water rafting, paragliding, and trekking, and the region is also home to a number of ancient monasteries. Zanskar Valley for some reason is not that known in India and therefore seen as off-the-beaten-track, so it’s a must for your hidden gem bucket list!

Some of our epic tour packages cover visits to these hidden gems – check them out and get in touch with Brightsun to book an adventure to your favourite off-the-beaten-path attractions!