10 Brilliant Alternatives To Overcrowded Destinations In India

While Spiti at an average elevation of 4270 meters is a barren land too difficult to cross, Lahaul is totally opposite with its lush greenery. The Spiti Valley is surrounded by lofty mountain ranges and the Spiti River rushes through southeast of this valley in order to meet River Sutlej. The valleys are characteristic desert mountainous area. Buddhist monasteries and the magnificent natural beauty have given a unique distinct look to Lahaul and Spiti. The most famous tourist attractions in the area include monasteries like Guru Ghantal, Dhankar, Shashur, Ki and the Tavul Gompas. HolidayIQ Traveller Ami Kamath from Mumbai shares, “During our stay at Spiti, we visited various places and beautiful villages like Losar, Kaza, Tabo, Ki, Kibber, Comic, Dhankar, Langza, Laung, Chandratal Lake, Pine Valley,etc. that laid peacefully in the lap of the stupendous Himalayan range. The locals being as calm and welcoming as the mountains lured us to stay back and left us craving for more. We gazed at the colorful monasteries and breathed in the bliss it had to offer. The flaming red attire draped across the lamas and the attractive Buddha statues that stood strong and handsome in contrast to the light hues of the surrounding forming its background. The treks through the mountains and the enthralling serene lakes absorbing the reflection of the fresh blue skies and the mountains surrounding it creating captivating views that left us beguiled.”

Gurez is a valley located deep in the high Himalayas, about 133 km from Srinagar. It is a beautiful combination of mountains, valleys and rivers. The Habba Khatoon Mountain peak is the main attraction of the valley.

Located in the Aravalli Ranges, Udaipur is one of the most well-known tourist destinations of the country and beautifully exemplifies the Rajasthani culture. It is a city rich in history and culture and is visited by tourists from all over who come here to get a glimpse of the Rajput way of life. HolidayIQ Traveller Devjani shares, “Udaipur is a mixed bag. It will enable you to know about our history, at the same time spoil you with good food. You can watch the old city market or simply sit by the ghats & relax. The forts within the city & in and around city are must-visits. To add to that, Bagore Ki Haveli, Pichola & Ranakpur Temple.” If you are a budget traveller, visit Udaipur during the off-season as you can get good hotels and travel deals during this time. Don’t miss the colourful festivities of the Mewar Festival, which is celebrated with huge pomp and show during the month of March and April in Udaipur.

Your romantic holiday can reduce your carbon footprint! The evergreen forests of Anamalai Tiger Reserve are perfect for a eco-friendly and romantic holiday. HolidayIQ Traveller Vasudev Betkekar says, “Valparai is a beautiful and peaceful hill station with tea plantations. It is an ideal place for honeymoon couples.”

Havelock Island is one among the few inhabited islands of Andaman & Nicobar. Havelock is commonly known for its rich marine life, white sand beaches and dense evergreen forests. HolidayIQ Traveller Anand from Mumbai shares, "If you are in Havelock, Barefoot is the place to be. The resort is located at the most convenient location. There is no TV, no network, so book your stay here only if you intend to escape the world. The resort offers good food with extremely courteous staff. It houses one of the best pubs in Havelock, tourist flock from around the island to this pub during the evening."

The word Kodaikanal in Tamil means Gift of the Forest.To the north, Kodaikanal is guarded by high hills that slope down into the villages of Vilpatti and Pallangi, while to the east, they descend to the lower Palani hills. To the south of the destination, lies the Cumbum Valley; while to the west lies a plateau which leads to the Manjampatti Valley and the Anamalai Hills. Lots of hills, isn’t it? HolidayIQ Traveller Sasikumar from Agra shares, “Nice place to spend time. There are lot of places to visit. Falls, lake and many more places are there to visit and spend time with family over there. We can go by car and it is a good for all. Sightseeing and everything during journey is nice.”

Taj Mahal, one of the most recognisable structures in the world, attracts around four million visitors annually. This proves that there’s no replacement for it and never can be! HolidayIQ Traveller Debayan Bhowmik from Kolkata shares, “It's not every day that you can visit the Taj Mahal and feel the beauty of it. So, it's a must-visit whenever you are in Agra. The architecture has its own majestic beauty and getting a proper tour guide can thrill you because of the extraordinary history of the monument.”

There are several mythological legends that are associated with the city of Ujjain.Ujjain, also known as Ujjayini or Avanti, is an ancient city located in Ujjain District of Madhya Pradesh.  Ujjain is mostly visited for its ancient temples and is a main centre of religious activities. HolidayIQ Traveller Ashu Rajput from Gwalior shares, “Ujjain, the holy capital of madhya pradesh or should I say India. The city is loaded with high number of temples. Perfect for a pilgrimage spot. Otherwise not much of sightseeing available. Food is decent although you might not like if you belong to any southern region of country. Not too many shopping options available but still you can buy some awesome stuff at decent prices. Can visit the city hoping to search spiritualism.”

HolidayIQ Traveller Mudit Satyadeep says, “Located at top of a mountain near Shimla, it has a marvellous architecture. The location can easily be part of a fable! A castle at top of a hill; in middle of wilderness; covered with snow. I had a pleasant stay.”

Meenakshi  Temple is also known as Meenakshi Amman Temple and attracts tourists and pilgrims alike. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is named after the deity and goddess Parvati. Sundareswarar means beautiful Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati is called Meenakshi. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva visited Madurai to marry Parvati since Madurai has been her abode. HolidayIQ Traveller Sanjay Gupta from Delhi shares, “Beautiful temple with intricate architecture. It is recommended to visit the temple either early in the morning or in the evening for the special aarti. The temple should make special arrangements to ensure comfortable visits for the elderly, disabled and small children.”

The views above are collated from opinions expressed by travellers onwww.holidayiq.com