India is a destination that conjures up many different images in people’s minds. The picture perfect forts and palaces of Rajasthan, the breath-taking landscapes of Ladakh and the beaches of Goa are on many visitors travel wish-list. However, there are a ton of other amazing places that should be explored. After two years of living and traveling through India, here is my top 10 list of “alternative” destinations in India. These are places which are relatively hassle-free and easy to travel to:
Pune 
Nashik 
Ellora Caves
Destinations From Mumbai:
- Pune – A medium-sized city about 4 hours from Mumbai, Pune is the perfect spot for people ready to relax a bit and see some of “modern” India. Known for the Osho Meditation Resort, the city is very tourist friendly without actually having THAT many tourists. Less tourists means less hassles. Osho is located in the delightful little neighborhood of Koregaon Park which is full of lovely restaurants, bars, hostels, hotels and cafes. I used to go there when I needed a “break” from India and it is perfect for long-term backpackers.
- Nashik – Easily accessible from Mumbai, Nashik is India’s wine region. Sula, the country’s most famous winery, calls Nashik home and they even offer wine tours. The restaurant has a lovely terrace overlooking the vineyards and they even have a music festival each year. Nashik is also home to some interesting ghats and it is a good idea to stay the night if you want to imbibe 🙂
- Aurangabad – While the city itself doesn’t have a lot of attractions besides a hilltop fort and the “Baby Taj”, Aurangabad is the jumping off point to visit the awe-inspiring Ajanta and Ellora Caves. Carved out of mountainsides over a thousand years ago, the caves show the important role that religion has played for millenia.
Hampi 
Pondicherry 
Mahabalipuram
Destinations From Bangalore/Chennai:
- Hampi – Hampi is well-known to most travellers to India but its out-of-the-way location makes it a bit difficult to incorporate into a short trip. Located between Goa, Bangalore and Hyderabad, Hampi is well worth the effort. While the city packs in some pretty significant historical artifacts, it is the scenery that steals the show. With huge boulders balancing precariously on cliffs and great viewpoints, there is certainly something to be amazed at everywhere you look!
- Pondicherry – J’aime Pondicherry! The city is a reminder of France’s influence on this region and the brightly colored buildings and oceanside promenade are a far cry from nearby Chennai. The best time to stroll around the city is at night when the Old Town transports you to another continent. Also, don’t miss the sunrise over the Bay of Bengal. When I was there, the sunset was VERY early (like 5 am) but you don’t need to worry about safety very much. Most of Pondy’s elderly population already seemed to be out for their morning walk along the beautiful promenade.
- Mahabalipuram – Although a bit of a tongue-twister, this charming ocean-side town is home to some amazing temples and carvings. Easily walkable and only a few hours away from Chennai, it is the perfect pit stop between Chennai and Pondicherry.
Orccha 
Bundi 
Bir Billing
Destinations From Delhi:
- Orchha – A little town close to Khajuraho (home of the world-famous sexy temples), Orchha is often ignored by tourists. However, there are a number of beautiful monuments that make it well worth the stopover. With a better range of accommodation than Khajuraho (I struggled to find a place with a western toilet and a real shower), it is a nice place to stay the night. You can easily combine the two cities into one section of your trip and luckily a private taxi between the cities should only cost you around $30.
- Bundi – A slightly-touristy town in Rajasthan, Bundi is the home of some amazing stepwells and a gorgeous mountaintop fort and palace offering stunningly preserved frescoes and beautiful views of the city. Centrally-located, Bundi is easily accessible from Udaipur (and the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) and Ranthambore National Park where you can see some of India’s wild tigers.
- Bir Billing – Known as India’s paragliding capital, Bir (pronounced Beer 🙂 ) is located in Himachal Pradesh, north of Delhi and Chandigarh. Many Tibetans have settled in the area and the town has a very unique feel to it. Restaurants and cafes line the main street and numerous hostels offer the perfect place to chill out for a few days.
