Travel

1. Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh

Chitkul is one of India's last inhabited villages and is located in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district. The journey to the village is as scenic as the destination itself. Travellers heading from Shimla towards Chitkul pass through Kufri, Narkanda and Sangla, with apple orchards, rows of pine trees and snow-covered mountains appearing along the route. The journey through the Baspa River valley and the surrounding Himalayan landscape makes reaching Chitkul an experience that can remain memorable for a long time.

2. Lachung, Sikkim

Lachung can be reached from Gangtok by travelling alongside the Teesta River and passing through places such as Singtam, Mangan and Chungthang. The route offers spectacular views of deep valleys, dense forests, mountain streams and towering peaks. The Seven Sisters Waterfall and Bhim Nala Waterfall add another dimension to the journey, making the road trip itself an important part of the experience.

3. Periyar, Kerala

Periyar is an ideal destination for travellers who want to spend their holiday close to nature. As the journey towards Periyar continues from Bandipur in Karnataka, the landscape gradually changes. The green hills of the Western Ghats, tea plantations, dense forests and mist-covered roads create a striking setting along the way. As travellers approach the Thekkady region, the forest becomes denser and the natural surroundings become even more prominent.

4. Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh

Ziro Valley offers a unique combination of vast paddy fields, green forests and indigenous tribal culture surrounded by hills. Travelling from Itanagar along the mountain roads, visitors can see small settlements and traditional bamboo houses along the way. The Apatani community is one of the prominent indigenous communities of the region. A visit to Ziro also provides an opportunity to learn about their traditional lifestyle, agricultural practices and close relationship with the surrounding landscape.

5. Hanle, Ladakh

The journey towards Hanle offers a spectacular combination of mountains, rivers and valleys. Travellers heading towards the region can begin their journey from Srinagar and pass through Zoji La, Dras, Kargil and Lamayuru before continuing towards Leh and onward to the region. The landscape changes dramatically along the route, with rugged mountains appearing in some stretches and blue rivers and valleys in others. Hanle and Dha are associated with the Brokpa community and are also known for their apricot orchards, adding a distinctive cultural and natural character to the region.

6. Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh

Araku Valley is known for its mountain landscapes and coffee plantations. The journey from Visakhapatnam towards Araku takes travellers through the scenic Eastern Ghats. Winding mountain roads, mist-covered slopes and the green hills of Ananthagiri make the journey particularly attractive for nature lovers. Travellers can also visit the famous Borra Caves along the route and add another attraction to their trip.

7. Hampi, Karnataka

For travellers looking for a combination of history and nature, Hampi can be an interesting choice. As the journey from Bengaluru progresses, the busy urban landscape gradually gives way to the open terrain of the Deccan Plateau. Once in Hampi, visitors can explore the remarkable remains of the Vijayanagara Empire, including the Virupaksha Temple and the famous Stone Chariot. The Tungabhadra River adds to the beauty of the historic landscape and makes the destination particularly distinctive.

8. Mawlynnong, Meghalaya

Mawlynnong is widely known for its clean surroundings and traditional bamboo houses. The journey from Shillong to the village takes travellers through the green valleys of the Khasi Hills, betel nut plantations and small settlements scattered across the landscape. On a clear day, the plains of Bangladesh can also be visible from some points along the route. Apart from exploring the village itself, travellers can also visit the nearby living root bridge at Riwai, another popular attraction in the region.

For those planning a five-day Puja break away from crowded tourist centres, these destinations offer a different kind of holiday experience. From the Himalayan landscapes of Chitkul and Lachung to the forests of Periyar, the cultural setting of Ziro, the rugged terrain of Ladakh, the coffee plantations of Araku, the historic ruins of Hampi and the greenery of Mawlynnong, each destination offers its own way to disconnect from the rush of everyday life and spend the festive break closer to nature.