Last updated on August 14th, 2023 at 05:20 pm
We wish everyone a very happy and fantastic 2020! New year brings a chance to do new and interesting things. As a couple who love travelling and exploring, here is our list of 20 Exciting India Experiences for 2020 you can try!
1 Explore Bangalore by foot
Let us start from Bangalore, our home city. We always feel that best experience of exploring a city is by foot. Indian cities have lot of history and enchanting places which are best explored by walking around. We have always done that. The oldest parts of Bangalore is best explored by foot. Try them on one of the weekend!
Please check out these three self guided walking tours of Bangalore. – http://traveltwosome.com/bangalore-walking-tours/
Want to explore other cities by foot? Please check this post in this blog – http://traveltwosome.com/16-walking-tours-in-india-you-should/
2 Trek in Silent Valley
Silent Valley in Palakkad district of Kerala is a pristine and endangered biosphere. The park is synonymous with the environmental movement in the country when Save Silent Valley movement started in 1973 ushered in the Environmental act. Now you have options to trek with guides and stay in tents! Try it out. It is an amazing experience.
Check all details here – https://www.keralatourism.org/ecotourism/trekking-programs/trek-silent-valley/1#tr
3 Go on a Konkan Coast drive
India has a long coast line. The drive along west coast is spectacular. Tugged by hills of Western ghats on one side and sea on the other, the road trips through Kerala and Karnataka coasts are lovely. We have posted a detailed guide for Coastal Karnataka Road trip in this blog – http://traveltwosome.com/coastal-karnataka-road-trip-guide/
Konkan Coast in Maharashtra is still unexplored and fantastic. Start from Tiracol and end at Alibaug. The rugged beauty of the Konkan coast with pristine beaches at Vengurla, Ratnagiri, Harihareshwar, Ganapatipule, Srivardhan, Divegar and many more is best explored by road! It also has fabulous sea forts at Ratnagiri, Vijaydurg and Murud – Zanjira. It is the best circuit for tasting the Malvan cuiisne!! Here is the route we suggest. Keep 4 days for the trip. The best time to do this road trip is after monsoon till February.
Here is the map for the circuit – https://goo.gl/maps/iQ2S5FAMd7rHqfc98
However, we strongly suggest that you can join facebook group known as HV Kumar Forum which is a group of avid road trippers guided by doyen of road tripping in India – HV Kumar – and get latest updates on road conditions, places to stay on the way etc. Andorid users may download Routo and ask for a detailed map. Check out details here – https://www.facebook.com/HVKRoutO/
4 Touch clouds in Megha Malai!
The name says it all! Megha Malai means “The Cloud Mountain”! We say this will be the next Kodaikanal! It is picturesque with a lovely lake in the middle. It is unspoilt. You have options to go for small treks. There are not much of options to stay. The tea Bungalows by Wood Briar group is the best bet.
Check out details here – http://teabungalows.com/meghamalai/
5 Explore Marine life in Jamnagar marine park
This is one of the rare places in the world where one can look at corals without having to dive down into the water. One just has to walk in the water, when tide ebbs, in about 1 to 2 feet of water and watch this fascinating underwater world of corals.
Narara Reef is 55 km/1.5 hr west of Jamnagar in Gujarat. The park is open mid-Oct to mid-Jun. In Dec-Jan, the weather is pleasant and there are many migratory birds. Before visiting confirm the day’s low tide timings. (Forest Department, Jamnagar; 0288-2679357). Permits and guides are available at the Forest Office in Narara (permits Rs 40-50 per person; guide fee approximately Rs 250-300, depending on size of group).
Jamnagar has many options for stay. Check out all details here – https://www.mnpcs.gov.in/index.php
6 Go caving in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh has some spectacular caves. Belum, Yaganti caves in Kurnool district and Borra caves near Visakhapatnam are must see places. See this for more details.
Belum caves, Gandikota and Lepakshi – A Weekend trip guide from Bangalore – http://traveltwosome.com/lepakshi-belum-caves-gandikota/
Borra Caves – https://www.caleidoscope.in/offbeat-travel/borra-caves-vizag
7 Go for a moonlight cruise in Marble Canyon
Have you ever thought of going for a boat cruise on full moon day in a Marble Canyon? Visit Bhedaghat to experience it! Cruising on Narmada river through the spectacular marble canyon is a wonderful experience!
Check out our experience and all details of boating in Bhedaghat – http://traveltwosome.com/bhedaghat-boating-in-magnificent-marble/
8 Get awes at India’s Niagara falls!
Chhattisgarh is still unexplored. Chitrakoot waterfalls is India’s answer to Niagara or Victoria waterfalls. The horse shoe falls is a wonder and a sight to behold during monsoon. The cruise under the falls is an experience in itself!
Check out all details here – http://traveltwosome.com/chitrakoot-falls-chhattisgarh/
9 Celebrate Diwali in Jaipur
Jaipur dazzles in Diwali. The whole city is lit up beautifully and it is a sight to behold. Amber fort looks like a palace in a fairy tale! Be there this Diwali!
10 Experience Pink in Chopta!
Forget Shimla, Manali and Musssorie.
Chopta is an unspoiled natural destination lying in the lap of the Uttarakhand Himalayas and offers views of the imposing Himalayan range including Trishul, Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba. It is located at an elevation of 2,680 metres (8,790 ft) above sea level.
Chopta village is surrounded by forests of pine, deodar and rhododendron and is rich in flora and fauna include rare species of birds and musk deer. In April, the trails to Tungnath is washed in deep pink colours of Rhododendrons!
11 Be at Rural games in Punjab
In January/February each year, Ludhiana becomes the destination for hundreds of sports enthusiasts, including foreigners. They come to Kila Raipur to see the special breed of bullocks, camels, dogs, mules and other animals competing in competitive events. get immersed in the rustic charm of rural olympics of Punjab. Make Ludhiana as base which has good stay options.
More details on the games – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kila_Raipur_Sports_Festival
12 Go on a Road Trip in Spiti valley
Go there before it becomes another Ladakh! In fact, the foot falls in Spiti has gone up by 200% last year! The journey is spectacular. The place is awesome!
Check out all details including detailed itinerary here – http://traveltwosome.com/spiti-valley-spectacular/
13 Check out Tawang
Think of Arunachal and Tawang comes in front of you. The little town with imposing monastery and laid back culture is a lovely place to escape to. The journey to Tawang is spectacular. Plan it as part of your next North East India trip.
14 Celebrate Christmas in Aizawl
Aizawl is a cute little town in the state of Mizoram in north-eastern part of India. Almost everyone in Aizawl are Christians and hence the whole town will be in festive mood in Christmas week.
Christmas is a three-day celebration in Mizoram. The celebration starts on 24th December. Every household gets ready for the “big-day”. Churches across the state have mass prayers.
Celebrations are held through-out the month of December. Feasts are conducted in almost all the churches and the hospitality of the Mizo people is best experienced during Christmas. Enjoy carol singing, Mizo cuisine and just relax. On par with Goa, Mizoram is one of the best states to experience Christmas in India.
15 Go on a cruise from Mumbai to Goa
Want to travel slow? On the sea? Want to have a quick experience of how luxury sea travel is? Then go for a cruise from Mumbai to Goa or vice versa!
Here is your link for more details – https://angriyacruises.com/
16 Live like a sahib in a Tea Estate in Assam!
Assam is known for its tea estates. How about getting an experience of how the “Tea Sahibs” lived in their palatial bungalows? Plan a trip to Jorhat and stay in the tea bungalows. Take this opportunity to visit wild and lovely Kaziranaga and experience the vaishnaivite traditions on the largest river island in the world – Majuli
Chemeli Saheb Bungalow – https://www.facebook.com/chamelimemsaabbungalow/
Thengal Manor – https://www.heritagehotelsofindia.com/assam/thengal-mansion.html
Banyan Grove on Gatoonga Estate – Phone : 094355 14177 https://www.heritagehotelsofindia.com/assam/banyan-grove.html
17 Visit Siachen Base camp to salute snow warriors
When you plan your next trip to Ladakh, make sure you include a trip to Siachen base camp. The journey to the base camp is beautiful. If you go in June – we strongly recommend – you will see why the the place is called Siachen – Valley of pink roses. Yes, there is a riot of pink in the valley. You will get a glimpse of the Indian soldiers living and fighting in the highest battle ground in the world – Siachen Glacier.
Check out all details here – Siachen Base Camp – A spectacular drive to salute snow warriors
18 Taste Street food in Calcutta
The Two KMs stretch from Gol Park to Dhakuria bridge is a paradise of Kathi rolls.
But you will also get a taste of Kolkata biryani. Veggies can take a heart too. Mouchak serves Puri – Sabjee and Hing Kachoris, and of course Sondesh. Savour Pucchkas at small stalls of Pushkwalas near Dhakuria bridge.
What about fish? Yes, Benfish, the Bengal Fisheries department parks its van outside Dakshinapan serving mouth-watering fish fingers etc.
Are you game to explore other food streets in India? Here is our list – http://traveltwosome.com/indian-street-food-12-food-streets/
19 Watch Migratory birds in Chilika lake
Chilika is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia and the second-largest in the world. The lake is also the largest wintering ground for migratory waterfowl found anywhere on the Indian sub-continent.
Make Barkul as the base and explore the islands and birds which are best seen in winter months of November to February. Watch lovely sun rise and sun sets on the lake. Of course for sea food lovers, it is a paradise!
Check out all details here – https://odishatourism.gov.in/content/tourism/en/discover/attractions/lakes-waterfalls/chilika-nature-camps.html
20 Play Holi in Vrindavan
This is part of our bucket list this year! Holi has to be experienced in Vrindavan. The weeklong festival is a riot of colours! A not to be missed experience! This year the Holi starts on 03 March and ends on 10 March. Be there and get drenched in colours!
Check out this for more details – Holi in Mathura/Vrindavan
What is your list? What are you planning this year? We would like to hear from you! Please write in comments section below.
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