15 Unexplored Places to Visit in India

Knowing each and every corner of one’s country is the best way to become rich intellectually and culturally. Similarly, India has so much to offer that if people decide to explore it properly, it can keep them busy for an entire lifetime! Many of these are unexplored places. These are the best places for explorers, photographers, and travelers.

Perhaps many of you have celebrated New Years' Eve in the normal destinations of India - a party in the white town of Pondicherry, a farmhouse beach-side bash in Goa, or a cold night in Shimla. But how about doing an uncommon New Years this time around? Consider a bonfire dinner huddled on the sand dunes of the Thar desert.

Or maybe deciding to give back by volunteering on a tea plantation in Assam. Have you ever explored the unexplored of the Himalayas - Mukteshwar, Jilling, and Chamba? Or rented a private island off the coast of Kerala? This New Years don't just go all out. Go beyond what meets the eye, and uncover India in a way you never have before.

India is blessed with stunning beauty and a rich culture that give globetrotters massive travel goals. With its diverse and enchanting natural elements like the mighty mountains, the thriving valleys, the long meandering rivers, the lively sea coasts and more, traveling in India is truly an incredible experience. Here are some of the best ways to explore India in all its glory.

Here are a few underrated places in India to get you started

1. Gurez Valley, Kashmir

While the world flocks to Gulmarg and Sonamarg, Gurez Valley remains a silent sentinel in the high Himalayas, separated from the rest of Kashmir by the Razdan Pass. Located just south of the Line of Control, this valley was off-limits to tourists for decades, which has ironically preserved its pristine beauty.

The Experience: Gurez is surreal. The Kishanganga River flows through the valley floor, turquoise and urgent, flanked by pyramidal limestone peaks—the most famous being the Habba Khatoon peak, named after the famous Kashmiri poetess. The locals, known as Dards, speak the Shina language and claim ancestry from the ancient Aryans. Their wooden log houses and warm hospitality offer a glimpse into a life untouched by modernity.

Why Visit: For the absolute silence and the star-studded skies. It is one of the few places where you can witness the Milky Way with the naked eye. Best Time: June to September (The pass is closed in winter).

2. Unakoti, Tripura

Deep in the thick jungles of Tripura lies one of India's greatest archaeological mysteries: Unakoti. The name literally means "one less than a crore" (9,999,999). Legend says that Lord Shiva was traveling to Kashi with one crore gods and goddesses. When the entourage fell asleep and failed to wake up before sunrise, Shiva turned them all to stone.

The Experience: You walk through lush, overgrown forests to suddenly encounter massive bas-relief carvings on sheer rock faces. The central figure is a gigantic head of Shiva, known as Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava, about 30 feet high. The site feels like a scene from Indiana Jones or Tomb Raider—ancient, overgrown, and radiating a powerful, mystical aura. Unlike Hampi or Ellora, you might find yourself completely alone here with the carvings.

Why Visit: To see the "Angkor Wat of the North East" before it becomes a mainstream heritage site. Best Time: October to March.

3. Gandikota, Andhra Pradesh

While Americans have the Grand Canyon, India has Gandikota. Situated on the banks of the Pennar River, this gorge is a geological marvel of red sandstone rocks assembled in jagged, dramatic layers.

The Experience: Perched on top of the gorge is the Gandikota Fort, a 12th-century structure that has seen the rise and fall of the Chalukyas, the Vijayanagara Empire, and the Qutub Shahis. The view from the fort’s edge, looking down into the river cutting through the red rocks 300 feet below, is breathtaking. Unlike the commercialized viewpoints of other hill stations, there are no safety rails here—just you and the sheer drop of nature.

Why Visit: For the spectacular sunrise and the opportunity to camp on the canyon rim. Best Time: September to February (Summers are scorching).

4. Tharangambadi (Tranquebar), Tamil Nadu

Before the British dominated India, the Danes had a small foothold on the Coromandel Coast. Tharangambadi, or Tranquebar, was a Danish trading post from 1620 to 1845. Today, it is a sleepy fishing town where colonial history stands frozen in time against the crashing waves of the Bay of Bengal.

The Experience: Enter through the Landport Gate and the noise of modern India fades away. The streets are lined with restored colonial bungalows, churches, and the majestic Dansborg Fort, the second-largest Danish fort in the world. The air here is said to be among the richest in ozone in India. It is a place to do absolutely nothing—read a book, walk the beach, and eat fresh seafood.

Why Visit: A unique slice of Scandinavian history in the tropical heat of Tamil Nadu. Best Time: November to March.

5. Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh

Ziro is a lush, flat valley tucked away in the Lower Subansiri district. It is home to the Apatani tribe, famous for their sustainable agricultural practices (paddy-cum-pisciculture) and the older women who wear distinctive facial tattoos and large bamboo nose plugs.

The Experience: The landscape is a patchwork of fifty shades of green—rice fields, pine groves, and bamboo forests. While Ziro is gaining fame for the annual Ziro Festival of Music (held in September), visiting it in the off-months offers a serene look into tribal life. You can stay in traditional homestays, drink apong (rice beer), and learn about the Apatani's harmonious relationship with nature.

Why Visit: To witness a UNESCO World Heritage candidate cultural landscape that is slowly modernizing. Best Time: March to October.

6. Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh

Chitkul is often touted as the "last inhabited village on the Indo-Tibetan border." Located in the Kinnaur district, the air here is arguably the cleanest in India (according to recent studies).

The Experience: The drive to Chitkul is an adventure in itself, traversing the treacherous but scenic roads of Kinnaur. The village sits on the banks of the Baspa River, surrounded by snow-clad peaks. The houses are built in the traditional Kath-Kuni style (wood and stone stacking). There is no cell service for most carriers, forcing a digital detox.

Why Visit: To sit by the Baspa River and eat the famous "Hindustan ka Aakhri Dhaba" (India’s Last Dhaba) meal. Best Time: April to June and September to October.

7. Velas, Maharashtra

On the Konkan coast lies the tiny village of Velas. It doesn't have luxury resorts or water sports. Instead, it has Olive Ridley Turtles.

The Experience: Every year, female turtles swim thousands of miles to lay eggs on this specific beach. The villagers, once poachers, have turned into ardent conservationists. During the hatching season (usually February to April), the Velas Turtle Festival is held. Tourists gather in silence at dawn and dusk to watch hundreds of tiny hatchlings break out of the sand and make their frantic dash into the Arabian Sea.

Why Visit: To witness the miracle of life and support a community-led conservation success story. Best Time: February to April (during the festival).

8. Dholavira, Gujarat

While Mohenjo-daro and Harappa are in Pakistan, Dholavira offers the most prominent Indus Valley Civilization site in India. Located on the Khadir Bet island in the Rann of Kutch, reaching it involves driving across a spectacular road flanked by the endless white salt desert.

The Experience: This is a destination for history buffs. The site reveals a sophisticated city that existed 4,500 years ago, featuring the world's earliest water conservation system, stadiums, and a mysterious 10-letter signboard that remains undeciphered. Walking these ruins, you realize you are standing in the cradle of urbanization.

Why Visit: It is a UNESCO World Heritage site that remains surprisingly empty compared to the palaces of Rajasthan. Best Time: November to February (Combine it with the Rann Utsav).

9. Chopta, Uttarakhand

While many places in India claim the title of "Mini Switzerland," Chopta actually deserves it. It is a small region of meadows and evergreen forest which is part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Experience: Chopta is the base for the trek to Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world (3,680 meters). The trek is moderate, paved, and incredibly scenic. From Tungnath, adventurous souls can push further to Chandrashila Summit for a 360-degree view of Himalayan giants like Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Chaukhamba. Unlike bustling hill stations, Chopta has no electricity grid in many parts, relying on solar power, which keeps commercialization at bay.

Why Visit: For an accessible high-altitude trek that rewards you with some of the best mountain views in the Himalayas. Best Time: April to June (Greenery) or January to March (Snow trekking).

10. Bhitarkanika National Park, Odisha

Forget the Sundarbans; Bhitarkanika is arguably the better place to experience mangrove ecosystems without the extreme difficulty of spotting wildlife.

The Experience: Located in the Kendrapara district, this park is a labyrinth of creeks and rivers. A boat safari here feels prehistoric. You glide past massive saltwater crocodiles—some over 20 feet long—basking on the mud banks. The park is also home to Spotted Deer, Monitor Lizards, and thousands of migratory birds. The silence of the mangroves, broken only by the splash of a crocodile or the call of a Kingfisher, is hauntingly beautiful.

Why Visit: To see the world's largest population of saltwater crocodiles in the wild. Best Time: October to February.

11. Keezhadi, Tamil Nadu

One of India's newest archaeological marvels, Keezhadi is unearthing an urban Sangam Age civilization, dating back to the 3rd-6th centuries CE. The discoveries here, including evidence of literacy and administration, are challenging existing historical narratives about Indian urban origins.

12. Lonar Crater Lake, Maharashtra

Prepare for an out-of-this-world experience. Lonar Crater Lake, the world's third-largest meteorite impact crater, is a hyper-alkaline, soda lake, ringed by ancient temples and unique wildlife. This geological marvel, formed over 52,000 years ago, is a testament to the power of nature.

13. Mawlynnong, Meghalaya

Can you envision a village so clean, so meticulously maintained, that it's earned the title of "Asia's Cleanest"? Mawlynnong is a testament to harmonious living with nature. Stroll along bamboo pathways, marvel at the intricate living root bridges, and breathe in the pure, unadulterated air.

14. Mechuka Valley, Arunachal Pradesh

For the truly intrepid traveler, Mechuka Valley beckons. Tucked away near the McMahon Line, this remote valley is a tapestry of snow-capped mountains, verdant forests, and enigmatic "Forbidden Pagodas." This is a place where you can truly disconnect from the world and reconnect with yourself.

15. Dras Valley, Jammu & Kashmir

Known as India's coldest inhabited place, Dras Valley transforms into a breathtaking landscape during the summer months, with vibrant green pastures, glaciers, and snow-capped peaks. Its strategic location historically limited exploration, preserving its pristine beauty.