Check these lesser-known tourist spots in India

India is a vast country where you could roam endlessly and still find yourself on unexplored territory, more often than not.  

Goa, Ladakh and Kashmir may be incredible in their own ways; but, there’s something extraordinary about going to a spectacular location that only a handful ever venture to. 

Here, we are listing lesser known tourist spots in the country which can give you a whole new travel experience 

Chalakudy

Still untouched by commercialization, the beauty of this small sleepy town is a treat to the eyes. 

Chalakudy is situated on the banks of the Chalakudy River and is surrounded by a hill station, wildlife sanctuary, Athirapally waterfalls, and the backwaters of Mala and the Azhicode Munakkal beach.

Location: Thrissur, Kerala

Getting there: You need to reach Ernakulam to catch the train to Chalakudy.

Best time to visit:  December to March

Chembra Lake

Trekking through the Wayanad range up to the Chembra peak offers one of the most picturesque sights. 

There's a heart-shaped lake located on the last stretch leading up to the peak. The mystifying lake is believed to never have been dry.

Location: Wayanad, Kerala

Getting there: The best way to explore this lake is to go on a trek to the Chembra peak. You can take public transport till Meppadi, the starting point for the trek up to the Chembra Lake.

Best time to visit: Between September and March

Dzongu

This small Himalayan village is an isolated place beautified by small streams, long stretches of hills, waterfalls, and lush green forests. 

Dzongu is a triangular region bounded by the Teesta River in the south-east, Tholung Chu River in the north-east and mighty mountains in the west.

Location: Sikkim

Getting there: You can go on trek to the Dzongu valley, or else take a cab from Gangtok.

Best time to visit: Late spring and summer time (March-end, April and May)

Bhimbetka Caves

The Bhimbekta caves were discovered quite recently in 1957 and were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site only in 2003. 

Viewed from a distance, these rock formations resemble a small fortress, rising nearly 100 metres above the surrounding area. 

These caves are the earliest evidence of human life on the Indian subcontinent. 

Location: Madhya Pradesh

Getting there: Bhopal is around 45 km from these caves. You can easily get a taxi from the Bhopal airport and railway station.

Best time to visit: Winter season is the ideal time to visit from October to February.

Nubra Valley

The Shyok River meets the Nubra or Siachan River to form the beautiful Nubra valley separating the Ladakh and Karakoram mountain ranges. 

The breathtaking views of sand dunes with the contrasting snow-capped mountains makes this place unique.

Location: Leh, J&K

Getting there: Closest airport is Kushok Bakula Rinpoche airport at Leh at a distance of approximately 120 km. You can also reach Leh by train.

Best time to visit: April to June and September to October are the two best times of the year to visit Nubra Valley.

Dzuleke

Just 40 kms away from Kohima, Dzuleke village is 100% organic and thrives on community-based ecotourism. 

The place gets its name from the Dzuleke river, which goes underground once it reaches Dzuleke.

Location: Nagaland

Getting there: This village is well connected to the Dimapur Railway Station. You can get shared or private taxi from here.

Best time to visit: You can visit this place any time of the year, except during monsoon.

Garadia Mahadev Temple

This temple is around 28 kms away from the main city of Kota and falls under the region of Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve. 

Also known as the Grand Canyon of India, the grandness and calmness of the place cannot be described in words. It provides one of the most mesmerizing views of the Chambal River and its gorges.

Location: Kota, Rajasthan

Getting there: You need to reach the Kota Railway Station from where you can easily get cabs to the temple.

Best time to visit: September to January.

Sea Cave

Just 15-20 kms away from the famous Palolem and Agonda beaches, Loliem Beach remains one of the lesser explored options by the tourists. 

Cupan, a wave-cut cave on the sea shore is probably the only one of its kind in, and around, Goa. 

Location: Loliem Beach, Goa

Getting there: You can take a train to the Madgaon Railway Station which is around 34 km from Loliem, or even drive your way from the Agonda beach in Goa. 

Best time to visit: November to February.

Nighoj Potholes

Nighoj is about two hours away from Pune, on the Pune-Ahmednagar road. 

Nothing is visible from far, but as soon as you go near, a new world opens up in front of you. 

This place has some of the most beautifully shaped, and largest natural potholes in Asia. 

Carved out by the Kukdi River over hundreds of years in the Basalt rock in the riverbed, they are spread over 2-3 kms at varying depths. 

Location: Ahmednagar, Maharashtra

Getting there: The best way to reach here is by road via Pune (90 km) or Mumbai (245 km).

Best time to visit: During summers from April to May.

Krem Puri Caves

It’s not been long since the world’s longest sandstone cave was discovered in Meghalaya. 

It is a vast network of sandstone caves replete with fossils that will take your breath away. 

Krem Puri Cave is an incredibly complex maze of hundreds of short passages and long stretches of corridors that are interconnected in a big network. 

Location: Mawsynram, Meghalaya

Getting there: Shillong and Guwahati are the nearest railway stations. You can then take a cab from there.

Best time to visit: September to May