An out-of-India holiday is one of the top few things on any average Indian’s dream list. We all want to travel abroad, at least once in our life. However, that dream remains unfulfilled for many owing to the sheer costs it demands. But if it is the extra-ordinary splendours and rare sights more than the ‘foreign’ tag that you crave for, then you can enjoy much of the world’s beauties, here in India itself! No, we are not kidding!
Here, are some Indian alternatives for some of the world’s most beautiful travel destinations that you can visit without having to pay for the exorbitant flight tickets, visa fees and foreign exchange rates. So, swap some of those expensive destinations for cheaper yet equally beautiful options in India.
1. The Grand Canyon in USA
Indian Alternative: Pennar Gorge in Andhra Pradesh
Lying far beyond the gates of the Gandikota Fort, situated in Gandikota, a small village in the Erramalai hills in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, the Pennar Gorge is 4km long and 700m deep with enormous boulders and cut by a river flowing below. The numbers may sound miniscule compared to the Grand Canyon in USA but the experience of being on the edge of the chasm is almost similar. Furthermore, the old palaces, temples and the Jamia Masjid in and around the Gandikota Fort, lend this mini Grand Canyon a historic and cultural touch as well.
2. Interlaken, Switzerland
Indian Alternative: Auli in Uttarakhand
If you crave for some spine-chilling adventure, you don’t necessarily have to wait to get rich or lucky enough to be able to afford those postcard destinations out of India. Head to Auli, instead. Located at 2,500 to 3,050 meters above sea level, and with temperatures dipping to 2 to10 degrees in December, this hill station is a paradise with snow covered terrains as far as the eye can see. If you are not much of a skier, just do a Kajol-SRK from DDLJ. Trust us; it is as good as Zurich, if not better.
3. Niagara Falls, USA
Indian Alternative: Chitrakoot falls, Chattisgarh
The Chitrakoot Falls are popularly known as Niagara Falls of India, because of its horse-shoe shape which is very similar to the Niagara Falls in USA. Located near Jagdalpur, a small city in Chhattisgarh, the Chitrakoot Falls is also the largest fall in India with three major drops of over 95 feet and a width that reaches up to 150 metres during peak rainy season. However, these are mere numbers and the visual splendour of the Indian falls is no less impressive than the videshi ones.
4. Lake District, London
Indian Alternative: Lake City, Nainital
Sitting in the lap of Uttarakhand, the Lake City of Nainital is one of the most visited hill stations and most popular honeymoon destination of India. 2,084 metres above sea level, with a pear shaped Naini lake at its heart, this place bears a very striking resemblance to the Lake District in London. So, you don’t need a passport and thousands of pounds to view the pleasant sight.
5. Bahamas/ Maldives/ Madagascar/ Hawaii Islands
Indian Alternatives: Lakshdweep Islands and Andaman and Nicabar Islands
Lying on the east and west sides of the Indian peninsula respectively, the Andaman Nicobar islands and the Lakshadweep Islands can easily step in for any of the world’s most beautiful islands. Be it the sparkling blue waters, the idyllic beaches or the vibrant coral reefs, both these archipelagos in the Indian Ocean are just as visually splendid as any of the most popular foreign islands. You can take our word for it.
6. Venice, Italy
Indian Alternative: Alleppey, Kerala
Alleppey or Alappuzha, the sixth largest city in Kerala, was nicknamed the Venice of the East by a British statesman, Lord Curzon because of the vast backwaters present here. The city is famous for its house boat cruises, boat races and numerous canals, beaches and lagoons, just like Venice. A couple of days in some of its water side hotels and houseboats are as romantic as anything you would encounter in Venice.
7. Scotland
Indian Alternative: Coorg, Karnataka
It was the British Planter community of pre-independence era that affectionately called Coorg as the Scotland of India. Most of those planters were Scots, and they found uncanny similarities between Coorg and their homeland. Located in south-west Karnataka, Coorg is a gorgeous, emerald green landscape with acres of coffee plantations broken only by lush teakwood and sandalwood forests. So, before considering spending a fortune to go to Scotland, you can first soak in the beauty of nature in Coorg.
8. Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve, California
Indian Alternative: Valley of Flowers National Park in Uttarakhand/ Kaas Valley of Flowers in Maharashtra
Every year, the Antelope Valley of Flowers in USA comes alive with bursts of poppies blanketing the whole landscape in a sea of orange. A similar blossoming phenomenon occurs in our own homeland, too, and it is just as breathtakingly beautiful. In July and August in India, around 300 varieties of flowers of different colours carpet the Garhwal hills in Uttarakhand. You can go on trek through this sea of colours in the West Himalaya. Also, if you are nearer to the west of India, then you can witness a similar spectacle closer at home on the Kaas plateau in Satara, Maharashtra as well.
9. Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Indian Alternative: Munnar, Kerala
Situated 1,600m aove sea level, Munnar is a hill station in Kerala popular for its rolling hills caressed by blankets of mist, an endangered species- the Nilgiri Tahr, sprawling tea plantations and postcard sceneries. As the pictures of both the places indicate, the wide vistas of green in Munnar closely resemble that of Cameron Highlands in Malaysia.
10. Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah
Indian Alternative: Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
Now, here is one more thing that will have Gujjus gloating all around. The dazzling snow-white Rann of Kutch, one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes of India, has a twin in the far off land of America. Thanks to Gujarat Tourism, the Rann of Kutch hardly comes as a surprise for most Indians, but it definitely becomes a much more affordable alternative to the equally stunning Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, for the rest of Asia.
So the next time you find yourself sulking over missing out on foreign sights due to budget constraints, look more closely around. You will realize India has a lot of beauty to offer as well.
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