The Coolest Things To Do In The 28 States Of India To Find The Chill Wherever You Go

Find just the right escape closer to nature at Araku Valley

For the adventurous traveller, Araku Valley makes for an amazing getaway that can bring you closer to nature. To make the most of your holiday in this valley in the Ananthagiri District, you can indulge in activities such as rock climbing, visiting tribal museums or going out in the wild to see animals and watch birds.

Do not miss the incredible music scene at Ziro Music Festival

India's most ardent music lovers head to this secret corner in the Ziro Valley, where every year during September, the music scene explodes. The valley is brightly decorated by compatriots who have travelled hundreds and thousands of miles to be take in the music and scenary of Ziro Valley together.

Experience life on the biggest river island in the world at Majuli

The biggest river island in the world is located on the Brahmaputra River in Assam. Majuli is a perfect vacation spot to get away from the city crowd and spend time at a village in Assam and travel back in time to enjoy the simpler joys of life. Visit the weaver village of Mishing, the surrounding temples and witness the art of mask-making.

Explore the ruins of the ancient university of Nalanda

It was once the first residential university in the world and news of the recent revival of the university has got visitors curious. Visit the ruins of the 800-year old university to indulge in some historical exploration and take a break at the Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary nearby.

Travel to the Niagara Falls of India at Chitrakote Falls

Visitors often compare the Chitrakote Falls to the Niagara Falls, and why not, because the beauty of this serene spot is sensational. The Indravati River takes a spectacular plunge down the deep gorges that are almost 100ft deep. The majestic falls are located in west Jagdalpur, in Bastar District.

Feel the wind in your hair while enjoying biking around Goa

Not the beaches or the nightlife, but the simple joy of riding bikes on the roads, makes for the coolest adventure in Goa. It's essential that you take care of all the safety measure before you venture into the roads of Goa. After all there's nothing as incredible as enjoying beach-hopping while you feel the wind in your hair on this ride.

Experience the uniqueness of the salt pans of the Rann of Kutch

The night sky at the Rann of Kutch is a much-talked attraction among travellers. To take a road trip from Ahmedabad via Bhuj and Hodka makes an amazing adventure for a week-long trip. Take a detour to the black hills of Kalo Dungar to enjoy panoramic views of the Kutch to make this trip memorable for you.

Read the complete itinerary here.

Feel the joy of spending your days at a farmstay in Rohtak

The farmstays of Haryana are slowly becoming popular among long-term travellers in India, who are looking to spend time close to nature. Banni Khera farm is just a 2 hour drive from Delhi. It is located at Samar Gopalpur Village near Rohtak city. Click here to read the couch-surfing story of Julia Steele from Banni Khera Farm.

Stay at an igloo in Manali to get the best of winters

Vikas Kumar and Tashi Dorje are winter-sport specialists who have brought an unusual experience to travellers visiting Manali during winters. The Igloo Stays promises the best amenities for accommodation and as well as adventure activities during this trip. Enjoy the exclusive skiing adventure and the thrill of snow boarding down the snow clad slopes on this getaway.

Click here to read more.

Experience the surreal beauty of Nubra in India's northern corner

It's difficult to pick just one great adventure in Jammu and Kashmir, a state that is replete with all kinds of activities for travellers. A bike ride to Nubra Valley crossing over the highest motorable pass, Khardungla, is however the ultimate travel goal for any adventure lover. The dramatic change in the landscape during this travel experience is precisely what makes it all the more special.

Volunteer at Dakshinayan in the Rajmahal Hills

Dakshinayan is a volunteer organization that pioneers in organising long-term volunteer tours for travellers who wish to make a difference during their stay here. Travellers can pick a field of interest such as education, healthcare or cultural issues and be a part of the process of development in this region.

Click here to know more.

Learn the art of backpacking at the heritage destination of Hampi

The ruins of Hampi are the hub for endless jam sessions and drum circles for the travel community. With more restaurants serving international food than local, Hampi has become an unavoidable destination on the Indian hippie trail. When in Hampi, take a boat ride to Anegundi, rent a bike and explore around, and watch the sun set over the ruins.

Read more: This is what happens when a girl and a guy embark on a backpacking trip to HAMPI!

Experience the sunset at the renowned island of crows.

Kakkathuruthu, a small island located in Alapuzha, in the backwaters of Kerala, is known as the 'Island of Crows'. This island on the Vembanad Lake has been chosen as one of best spots in the world to experience a magical sunset or a 'a final burst of vitality before the darkness falls' at 6 pm, by Nat Geo Traveller this year.

Take an offbeat escape to the mesmerizing temple town of Orchha

Right across the UP-Madhya Pradesh Border, a short distance away from Jhansi, lies the temple town of Orchha. This historical city is better known as the kingdom of Lord Rama and the numerous temples and forts in this small town make it a delight to explore. Enjoy rafting at the Betwa river and cycle at the Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary to complete the experience.

Read more: The Most Convenient Weekend Getaway From Delhi Is This Town In Madhya Pradesh

Enjoy an exclusive beach escape at Velas Turtle festival

The Olive Ridley Turtles are special visitors on the beaches of Maharashtra and in the small fishing village of Velas, the Velas Turtle Festival is organised in April every year. Almost 6 hours away from Mumbai, this festival is a marvellous site to witness hundreds of little turtles make their way to the sea over the golden beaches straight to the sea.

Read more: Velas turtle festival by Travel to Moon

Visit the largest fresh water lake in Manipur

Loktak Lake in Manipur is the largest fresh water lake in the northeastern part of India and floating Keibul Lamjao is a national park that's simply one its kind in the world. The incredible lake is located in the Moirang district of Manipur, almost 40km from the Imphal City. Dine on a boat and enjoy fishing during your quiet escape to this serene corner in Manipur.

Read more: Loktak Lake, Manipur and Kaibul Lamjao National Park First person Prespective

Travel to the living root bridges near Mawlynnong

It takes almost two hours to reach Mawlynnong from Shillong and this trip could be your chance to explore the quaint village, also known to be the cleanest in Asia. The village is also known as God's own garden and if you stay in the village for the night, you can dedicate the next day to exploring the single-decker root bridge. The cab will drop you near the location, from where it is a 10-minute walk to the bridges. These root bridges date back to almost 1100 years and the bridges are a living testimony to the ingenuity of the local tribal community.

Go mountain biking through the virgin forest of Hmuifang

Hmuigang Hills is a secret paradise of mountain biking enthusiasts in the state of Mizoram. The hill is approximately 1524m and gives a unique off-roading experience to bikers who prefer to explore on two wheels. Trail Baktawng, Trail Sialsuk, Trail Lungleng are some of the best trails to explore. For a more relaxed tour around the villages, explore the trails to Chawilung, Hmuifang and the Thiak village.

Plan a trek to the stunning Dzokou Valley

Plan a trek to the Dzukou Valley during June and July. This trek is suitable even for first timers and if you're a seasoned trekker, Dzukou Valley still promises a whole new geographical belt that is mostly unexplored. You can reach the base camp at Viswema Village from Kohima by a shared car.

Surf on the East Coast at Ramchandi Beach

This festival was started in 2012 by a bunch of surfing enthusiasts, who wanted to make this silent East Coast the new hub for surfing yogis, as they call themselves. Since then, every year, the India Surf Festival is organised at Ramachandi Beach, near Konark. The festival includes a superb lineup of artists from around the world, open surfing events, skateboarding competitions, paddling for newbies and food and photography, which make it a must-visit spot on the map of India.

Get to know more about the India Surf Festival here.

Be a part of the Hola Mohalla Festival in Ropar

The Hola Mohalla Festival is organised in Ropar, Punjab during March and this is just the right spot to capture the vibrant side of Punjab during your travels. Plan your trip around this Sikh Festival that is celebrated for three days on the Anandpur Sahib Gurudwara grounds in Ropar and find yourself spellbound by this amazing local cultural experience, also featuring the martial arts of Punjab.

Enjoy stargazing amidst the Thar Desert in Jaisalmer

To witness the night sky of Jaisalmer is any travellers' dream come true. After the jeep rides and the camel rides through the incredible Thar, the end of the day brings another new experience that you're going to cherish for a lifetime. Enjoy the local performances and sleep in one of the campsites in Jaisalmer to witness the star-studded night sky.

Read more: A camel safari in the desert of Jaisalmer by Smaranika Das

Ride a cycle along the ancient silk route in Sikkim

The ancient silk route that connected India to Lhasa, passes through the hill state of Sikkim and the latest adventure that travellers have indeed fallen in love with is a cycling adventure on the silk route passing through Sikkim. Riding a cycle along the 32 curving bends of Zuluk Loops is a sure-shot bucket list goal.

Read more: Ride The Silk by Pranoy Saha

Learn to surf in Pondicherry's Kallialey Surf School

The best time to surf in Pondicherry is during June to January when the waves are as high as 12 ft at the popular surfing beaches in Pondicherry. Surfing schools such as Kallialay Surf School in Pondicherry offers short term courses for hobby surfers and beginners. The duration for the intensive surfing courses, however, can go upto 15 days.

Travel to Unakoti in Tripura to find a hidden gem

Almost 178km to the northeast of Agartala, this is a magical archaeological site that has been undiscovered by the best of travellers. The nearest railway station is 20km away from Unakoti at Kumarghat. Almost one crore rock carved figures are believed to exist in Unakoti arguably dating back to the 7th to 9th century and the sculptures have been an incredible pilgrimage site for Shaivites for hundreds of years.

Celebrate the world-renowned festival of colours in Vrindavan

The month of March in the city of Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh is the month of the festival of colours. The celebration in Vrindavan and the nearby city of Mathura is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The Banke-Bihari Temple in Vrindavan comes alive with devotees and travellers who arrive here from across the world to play with colours across the city.

Take a trek to the Valley of Flowers

The Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand is one of the UNESCO heritage sites that is home to several species of flowering plants that are unique to this stunning stretch of land. The trek starts from the village of Govindghat and takes you along the blooming mountainscape to Hemkund Sahib. The best time of the year to witness the flowering valley is during the month of July and August.

Click here to plan a trek with Indiahikes to the Valley of Flowers.

Experience the festivities during Durga Puja in Kolkata

The month of September is indeed a time of festivities in the state of West Bengal. For travellers, it's just the right time to experience the best of Bengal while pandal-hopping across the city of Calcutta. Get floored by the superb craftsmanship of the artisans of Bengal, who give you a surreal experience at every pandal in the city. The celebrations continue for nine days and the entire state comes to life during this time of the year.