7 Off the Map Indian Destinations for Nature Lovers

India is a treasure trove for nature lovers, with an assortment of activities for those wishing to spend a few carefree days in nature’s bosom. And how much ever far man seems to move away from nature, and seek refuge in the tangle of technology and manmade entertainment, the pull from Mother Earth is so powerful that everyone comes back, at least once in their lifetime to rekindle their relationship with nature.
Here are 7 unique and rare places in India to become one with nature, and embrace the spirit of love she offers:
1. Coorg, Karnataka

Coorg in southern Karnataka is a very beautiful hill station and known as the Scotland of India. The place is known for its lush greenery, scenic landscapes, mesmerizing coffee plantations, diverse flora and fauna and even waterfalls like Abbey and Iruppu.
You can taste one of the most expensive coffees in the world, the Civet Coffee (made from the dung of the civet cats) here. While enjoying trekking in the shola forests and camping in the wilds with the undulating mountains as the backdrop, don’t forget to relish the unique cuisine of the region.
2. Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh

Khajjiar in Himachal Pradesh is so exquisitely beautiful that it is known as the mini Switzerland of India. Being a hill station of tremendous beauty, you can enjoy nature in its true glory and beauty, with Deodar forests acting as your comrade.
It is an offbeat destination, but you can enjoy trekking, boating, horse riding and even paragliding. You can also visit the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary situated between Dalhousie and Khajjiar Lake.
3. Kolukkumalai Estate, Munnar, Idukki

Munnar is on every tourism map of Kerala, but few are aware of the tremendous beauty of the Kolukkumalai Estate, also in Idukki. It is the highest tea estate in the world, at a height of 7,900 feet, and offers breathtaking views of the Nigiris. It is a true nature lover’s delight, and people come here to get their first glimpse of the sunrise.
You will have to get on a jeep to reach this mesmerizing place, and even if you get jolted around a bit, it is truly worth the effort.
4. Sholapur District, Maharashtra

It is said that you can become one with nature only when you are ready to accept all creations as one. If you visit Sholapur District of Maharashtra, you can see this being put into practice. India has been known for being tolerant towards animals and other living beings, but going to the extent of worshipping them, that is not something we hear frequently.
But in Sholapur district, you can see an entire village worshipping snakes. You can see that every village in the house keep cobras as pets. Now that does sound scary, doesn’t it? Snakes are revered animals here, as per the Hindu belief of the depiction of Lord Siva wearing a snake around his head. The worshipping of snakes is quite a fascinating sight!
5. Kalimpong, West Bengal

The hill station in the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal is a must visit if you are looking for offbeat destinations in India. It is situated 80 kilometers from Gangtok and 50 kilometers from Darjeeling. So, if you are visiting one of these places, you can easily make a day trip to Kalimpong.
Kalimpong offers attractions like fishing at the Relli Rover, nature watching at the Teesta Rangeet Valley, mountain gazing at the Durpin Dara Hill and plenty more. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature here, with Neora National Park, Nature Interpretation Centre, cable car ride on the Samco Ropeway, monastery visit at the Tharpa Choling Monastery and Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Gompa and even catching a glimpse of the lifestyle of the tribals.
6. Agasthyarkoodam, Trivandrum

The legend goes that the sage Agasthya (one of the seven main rishis, according to the Hindu puranas) meditated atop the mountains, hence the name, Agasthyamalai. The trek to Agasthyarkoodam hills in Kerala could be a bit strenuous, but definitely worth the effort. The elevation is at 1868 meters, and it overlooks the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Agasthyakoodam belongs to Ashambu Hills, on the southern part of the Western Ghats, and is one among the tallest of all 25 peaks. It is believed that there are herbs with magical properties in these hills.
Sage Agasthya is believed to be the guru of Ayurveda system of medicine, and is often depicted as having a bowl of medicine in one hand and a stone crusher in the other. There is a small shrine dedicated to the sage here, and ‘poojas’ are done here during the trekking season.
7. Gurez Valley, J&K

Gurez Valley lies along the magnificent Kishenganga River in northern Jammu and Kashmir. It is a place where you can truly experience the beauty and wonder of the Himalayan mountain ranges. However, security is tight here because the valley is situated so close to the LoC. The township here, Dawar, is buried under the snow for about half a year, and hence will be sealed from the outer world with no plumbing, telephone or electricity.
This is an ideal place to stay if you are looking to stay away from civilization for a few days. The snow leopard and the Himalayan brown bear are the most commonly spotted ‘wildlife’ here.
Try these places for your next vacation, and enjoy a memorable trip in the lap of Mother Nature, and stay loved and nurtured by her until you are ready to take on what life has to offer.
