5 offbeat destinations in India that you must explore

Take a break and explore undiscovered parts of India. Kalyani Prasher suggests lesser-known spots, ideal for vacation.

1. South, Valparai, Tamil Nadu

FOR SOME TIME-OUT

Within minutes of leaving Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, an ordinary small city with no obvious charms, a feast of natural beauty begins to unfold. Two hours on the road will take you to one such treat, Valparai, a beautiful cluster of tea garden estates, set high in the hills near Pollachi. One of the most alluring features of Valparai is the drive - the 40 hairpin bends up the Annamalai Hills is a thrilling ride for children. This may sound scary to a person with motion sickness, but the slope is gentle and as you climb up (from a place called Azhiyar), it takes very little time and effort to reach Valparai. Not to forget the fabulous views of the dam below and the drive itself. Know this: All the bends are numbered to aid the little ones who cannot count yet!

Once you have negotiated all the bends, what awaits you is worth the climb. All the clichés you often read about misty mountain highs and tea gardens come true in Valparai. You are greeted by sprawling acres of manicured greens. Charming tea clusters line the hills in perfect symmetry and every once in a while, mist comes rolling in to cover the green with a thick white blanket.

What To Explore

Valparai is largely a private tea garden but many of these now offer homestays. You can experience the way of life of a tea estate owner and also get home-cooked meals, and, of course, great tea at all times. Little hikes across the estate will be fun (and safe) for the children - you could send them off with the father and loll in hammocks or lounges and read. If you want to sightsee, you can visit the dam nearby or drive down to Pallakad in Kerala, just a couple of hours away from Valparai. And remember to pack some fresh tea on your way home.

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Valparai is about 100km from Coimbatore. Waterfall, a huge estate that rents out couple of bungalows is a good stay option. Contact: 9847178455 or find a homestay of your choice at www.valparaitourism.com

2. NORTH EAST, Kohima, Nagaland

FOR CULTURE LOVERS

Why north-eastern India with all its wonders remains unexplored is a mystery I find difficult to solve. For those who have the desire to tour the vistas here and don't know where to start… well, here's a tip: December is a great time to visit this part of India. The "festival of festivals", the Hornbill Festival (named after the state bird) is held in the first week of December, and thanks to its popularity, has been recently extended to become a ten-day extravaganza.

You can see Naga culture in full glory during this festival - dances, music, folktales, food, tribal art and craft all under one roof. The festival kicks off as early as 8.30am and the last event of the day usually begins at 5.30pm. Indulge in some fun activities such as 'Naga-chilli eating contest' or shop for famous Naga tribal shawls. Sometimes, there is also a full-fledged night bazaar at the festival, which is great for some curio shopping.

Things To Do

I would recommend that you spare five days for the Hornbill festival, of which you choose the events and activities you want to attend and keep two days free to see places around Kohima. You can take fabulous short excursions to the heritage village at Kisama and a drive to Dzukou Valley to admire the verdant rolling hills carpeted with wild flowers.

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The airport is two hours away in Dimapur, so factor in driving time both ways. The sweet little Aradura Inn (www.classicaradurainn.com ) is a good place to stay. You need an Inner Line Permit (easy to get) to enter Nagaland. Get one in various cities listed at www.tourismnagaland.com or call 011-23012296 to know more.

3. NORTH, Valley Of Flowers, Uttarakhand

HAVEN FOR NATURE BUFFS

If phrases such as "endemic flowers", "camping in the outdoors" and "indigenous bird species" excite you, then the Valley of Flowers National Park will be a good place to introduce the children to your passion. A true delight for nature lovers and bird-watching enthusiasts, most people visit this Valley on a trek that meanders through small villages and fields of wild flowers, and also gives a glimpse of the lives of Uttarakhand locals. The 16km hike-and-trek that starts at Joshimath (connected by road to Dehradun and Haridwar) is a great place to be visiting on a break - disconnected from news and noise as you are unlikely to get even a faint mobile signal here, forget about television.

What You Need To Know

Not for very young children, this trekking holiday is best enjoyed with teenagers or preteens. Smell the wild flowers as you walk along and enjoy the cool crisp air. During December, the trek to the Valley of Flowers will be flanked on either side by snow-capped peaks. The Pushpawati River cuts through the valley dividing it into two and the walk often involves crossing over gurgling little streams. Once you reach your destination, all tiredness melts away at the glorious sight of carpets of alpine flowers.

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Joshimath is a good eight hours by road (from Dehradun or Haridwar) so keep a day on each side for the transfers to the train station. The trek takes a total of 6-7 hours. You can stay at the Himalayan Abode in Joshimath and ask the hotel to arrange your trek, www.thehimalayanabode.com. You can also opt for a six-day camping package that includes the Valley of Flower trek by Banjara Camps; www.banjaracamps.com

4. WEST, Gir, Gujarat

PURE WILDS!

India has many tiger reserves but the only remaining refuge of the Asiatic lion is at the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, glimpses of which you may have seen in the television ads promoting the state of Gujarat, featuring Amitabh Bachchan. There are several hotels outside the national park to choose from and you can ask your hotel to arrange a jeep safari into the park. Each of these early morning and evening safaris go through a cross-section of habitats including deciduous forests, grasslands, scrub jungle and wetlands.

So Much To Spot

As you chase a lion, you will spot several other animals including the indigenous Asiatic wild ass and the black buck. Some more animal species you are sure to see are the chital, nilgai, sambar and wild boar. But look out for the call of the langur - a sure shot sign of a lion prowling nearby. The safari will be exciting for the children, as the rangers track the movement of lions and follow fresh pugmarks. Gir is also one of the best wildlife reserves in India for leopard sightings so cross your fingers and give in to the call of the wild.

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The nearest railhead is Junagad connected to Ahmedabad by train. A further one-and-half hour drive brings you to Gir, where you can stay for the entire duration. Keep aside at least three nights for a good chance of a sighting. Gir Jungle Lodge near Junagad is a good stay option, www.girjungle.com

5. West, Kamshet, Maharashtra

ADRENALINE HIGH

A short drive from the most popular weekend getaways from Mumbai, Khandala and Lonavala, Kamshet is relatively a less-known chill out zone and less crowded too. Paragliding in Kamshet is a popular adventure sport, so make sure your fellow travellers are also thrill seekers. For paragliding, you need to head to Tower Hill or Shelar - flights are available at both these places depending on the direction and strength of winds. Taking off (like a bird) from the hill's edge, with a guide or solo, will be a memorable high - unless, of course, you want to just sit by and soak in the December sun. Here's a warning, once your preteen or teen gets a hang of paragliding, it will be hard to keep him/her away.

And There's More

For water lovers, the Vadivale Lake is a great attraction in Kamshet - the serene lake, created by a dam, is a restoring sight and a picnic by the water's edge is a lovely way to spend the day.

Visit the main market at Maval for a little dose of everyday life in small-town Maharashtra.

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Kamshet is about 110km from Mumbai and about 50km from Pune. The hotels here are not very good. Stay in either Khandala or Lonavala (only 15km away). That way you get to explore these popular hill-stations too. The Machan at Lonavala, www.themachan.com, is a lovely quiet hotel to return to at the end of a busy and thrilling day