Offbeat Destinations Of North India

This lake is popularly known as the "Skeleton Lake" or the "Mystery Lake". It is one of the most secluded places located in the hilly regions of the snow capped Himalayas. This area is historically important and the lake is known to hold hundreds of skeletons dating back to the 15th century AD.

 

Popularly known as India's Switzerland, Khajjiar is a beautiful hill station located in the Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh. It is a picturesque hill station beautifully placed amongst the Deodar trees. There are thicket of red and luscious green paddock which adorn the place and add to the comeliness and blessing of this place.

 

Drass is a very attractive and endearing valley on the rushy riverbanks. The valley starts at the foot of Zoji La pass. It is located in the Kargil District of Jammu and Kashmir and is popularly known as The Gateway to Ladakh. It is known as the Second Coldest Colonized Place in Asia due to the snowfall that the region receives during winters. The temperature drops to as low as Minus 60 degree Celsius. This valley becomes quaint and picture perfect in springs and summers.

 

Italianate sounding Andretta is a tiny village 14 km south of Palampur. Andretta is an artists' colony and was established in the 1920s, when Irish theatre artiste and environmentalist, Norah Richards, shifted here from Lahore. Situated near Palampur in the Kangra District, with Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas as a backdrop, Andretta over the years has attracted many noted artists, theatre practitioners, painters and more recently potters.

 

Possibly the remotest monastery in Zanskar, Phugtal Gompa is also one of the most spectacularly located - it is set in a mountain cave on the sheer mountain face of a gorge through which a tributary of the Tsarap River (also known as the Lingti or Lungnak) flows. The gompa traces its history back to the 12th century and has at least one old chapel with relatively well-preserved frescoes. Since there's no road to get there, trekking to Phugtal - possible in one long day, better in two - is easiest using the south-bank trail from Padum. Rather than returning to Padum, many trekking groups continue to Darcha on the Manali Road (around four days) but you'll need proper gear and a guide to cross the 4980 m Shingo La.