It’s time. It’s time to bid farewell to 2016. It’s time to say goodbye to all that was good, bad and ugly this year. It’s time to empty your baggage and make room for new journeys, new experiences, new adventures. A whole lot of fun and thrill awaits you on the other side and all you need to do is turn the page and keep moving. 2017 comes with a whole bunch of possibilities and places ready for you to be explored. The beauty of India is that no matter what kind of person you are, there is always someplace nice for you to go. We are blessed to be born in a country which is so diverse in geography, traditions, culture, and gastronomy that you experience something new every few kilometers. With twenty nine states and seven union territories, each unique in its own way, India has enough for you to explore over an entire lifetime. So, get your maps and compasses, books and pens, laptops and phones ready! It’s time to start planning your trips for 2017. () Here are 17 amazing places to visit in India in 2017.
Gurudongmar Lake
Located at an altitude of 17,800 ft in the the beautiful state of Sikkim, Gurudongmar is one of the highest lakes in the world. It holds religious significance for Buddhists and must be visited for its serenity and spectacular view. The lake is three hours from Lachen and the Thangu village at 14,000 ft is the closest point to the lake. Best time to visit Gurudongmar lake is during the winter months of November to May when most part of the lake is frozen.
Poovar
Photo: Anirban Roy/Creative Commons
Emerging as one of the lesser-crowded and beautiful offbeat places in Kerala, Poovar is a must-visit for its pleasant ambiance and breathtaking views. It is located on the southern trip of Trivandram and is a great place to experience the charm of Kerala’s renowned backwaters. The best time to visit Poovar is during winter.
Andretta
Photo: Ekabhishek/Wikimedia Commons
Located in the picturesque north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, Andretta is a tiny village about 14 km from Palampur. It is worth visiting for its stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and its sleepy ambiance which is perfect for a backpacking trip of Himachal. Its cultural heritage is intriguing and its located in the Kangra valley makes it perfect for a summer respite. Andretta is also gaining recognition for its Andretta pottery with items being sold in markets all across India.
Chaukori
Photo: Shubhachemu/Wikimedia Commons
Surrounded by dense green forests and towering snow-clad Himalayan peaks, Chaukori is an absolutely stunning destination to visit in the Pithoragarh district of north India’s Uttrakhand. It is just 173 km away from Nainital and offers unspoilt views of mountains and valleys. It is also home to several tea gardens. orchards and pine forests you can embrace. If you are looking for a hidden gem amidst nature with no crowd and beautiful weather, you’ve hit jackpot with Chakouri. Best time to visit Chaukori is during summer.
Landour
Photograph Courtesy:Paul Hamilton/Creative Commons
Located about 35 km from Dehradun in Uttarakhand, Landour has been on the scene for a while and yet remains one of the lesser-explored towns. As crowds throng the nearby Mussoorie, Landour remains a better option for great views of the mountains and a pleasant hill staation vacation away from all the hoopla. It is best visited during the summer months of March to June.
Yumthang Valley
Sikkim’s Yumthang Valley remains an unspoilt and lesser-explored gem in northeast India despite its growing popularity. With some enchanting views of vast green pastures surrounded by towring Himalayn mountains, Yumthang valley is one of India’s most picturesque destinations.It is located around 150 km from Gangtok and the best time to visit Yumthang valley is from Feb-end to mid-June.
Spiti
Get over Ladakh. Once you move past the commercialization and popularity brought to Ladakh thansk to movies like 3 idiots, you will see that the nearby Spiti may be far more mesmerizing. It has all the splendor of Ladakh’s views sans the crazy number of bikers and tourists. Visit Spiti for its stunning lakes and enchanting views of rugged and snow-clad mountains.
Sanchi
This one is for history buffs and those who feel intrigued by India’s rich history and heritage. The village of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh has been famous all through the ages on account of the stupas built by emperor Asoka in the 3rd century. The intricate carvings on the stupas are absolutely marvelous. The Great Stupa is the oldest stone structure in India and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Best time to visit Sanchi is during the winter months of November to February.
Chilika Lake
Photo:Amit Rawat/Creative Commons
Located in the east India’s state of Odisha, CHilika lake is known to be one of the finest lakes in India. It is a brakish water lake stretching across more than 1,100 sq m. It is a haven for migratory birds and also home to several threatened species of animals and plants. If you are looking for a scenic destination rich in natural flora and fauna, Chilika is a must-visit for you. Best time to visit Chilika is during the winter months of November to February.
Dras
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Known to be India’s coldest inhabited place and second coldest in the world, Dras is located in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir and renowned as the ‘Gateway to Ladakh’. This picturesque hamlet is just 60 km from Kargil and is one of the best offbeat places to visit in the country. Best time to visit Dras is during the summer months of June to September as winters here are too harsh.
Sandakhphu
Sandakphu in West bengal is popular among trekkers and adventurers as it is the highest peak in West Bengal and the highest point of the Singalila Ridge in the Darjeeling district on the West Bengal-Nepal border. It provides great views of some of the highest peaks in the world like Everest and Kangchenjunga. Best time to visit Sandakphu is from April to May when the flowers are in full bloom and then from October to early December when you can see the spectacular peaks against a clear blue sky.
Lucknow
Known for its rich cultural heritage, Lucknow is oe of the best places to visit in Uttar Pradesh to get a taste of the history and culture of north India. The amazing palace complex of Bara Imambara is one of India’s most magnificent historical monuments and must be visited for its sheer grandeur. Lucknows delicious kebabs are renowned all axcross the world making it a great place for a gastronomy tour in India. Best time to visit Lucknow is during winter.
Binsar
Photo: Mohit Gupta/Creative Commons
Located in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand, Binas is famous for its wildlife sanctuary located 33 km from Almora. Located at a height of 2,412 m above sea level, Binsar provides stunning views of Himalayan peaks like Kedarnath , Shivling, Trisul and Nanda Devi. VIsit Binsar for its romantic ambiance and pristine atmosphere which is unparalleled anywhere across India. Best time to visit Binsar is during winter which lasts from October to March.
Gurez valley
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
One of the lesser explored valleys of the mesmerizing north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, Gurez valley is located 123 km from Srinagar. It is one of the remote regions of the state and provides amazing views of snow-clad mountains and beautiful rivers. If you don;t like cliches, Gurez valley is the place for you in Kashmir. Best time to visit Gurez is during the summer months of May to August.
Phaltan
An emerging tourist attraction near Satara, Phaltan is worth a visit on account of its beautiful pomegranate farms and pleasant weather. Jakson Inns offers an excellent stay with tour packages to explore nearby attractions like the Kaas Pathar plateau and Thosegar waterfalls. Best time to visit Phaltan is during the winter months of November to February.
Bir Billing
Known as India’s paragliding capital, Bir and Billing in Himachal Pradesh is an excellent choice for an offbeat vacation in the Himalayas. be it the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains or the adrenaline of paragliding, you will return with memories to cherish for life. Bir is located around 35 km from Palampur and the best time to visit Bir and Billing is from March to may and October to November.
Lepakshi
Located in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Lepakshi is a small village renowned for its 16th-century Veerbhadra temple complex. The intricate carvings on the walls of these temples and the astonishing mural paintings make Lepakshi a must-visit for history and archaeology buffs. Best time to visit Lepakshi is during the winter months of November to February as summers here are extremely hot.
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