5 Villages You Must Visit In India

When planning a trip to the Indian sub-continent, some urban cities and major attractions spring to mind: the beach city of Goa, the bustling Delhi and Mumbai, ‘God’s Own Country’ of Kerala, the Taj City of Agra. But India’s heart and soul lies in its small towns and villages that boasts an authentic, rural way of life, with raw beauty, old-world charm, serenity and a rich cultural heritage, making them worthy of recognition. For those planning their next trip in India, step away from the big smoke and explore the beauty of these towns and villages.

# Ravangla

Nestled at an elevation of 2133.6 metres in South Sikkim is the quaint town of Ravangla. It offers stunning landscapes with the backdrop of the snow-laden peaks of Kanchenjunga and the environs of the lush Himalayan forest and rolling valleys. This town is known for its diversity of flora and fauna, picturesque tea gardens and the ancient Ralan and Bonn monasteries. You can spot a wide range of Himalayan birds here – blue-fronted redstarts, green-backed tit, verditer flycatchers, white-browed fantails and blue-whistling thrush, thus making it a bird-watcher’s paradise. Being located at a hefty altitude, it makes a perfect place for thrill-seekers to boot. You could spend an extra day or two exploring its neighbouring villages of Bhutia and Lepcha that are equally beautiful, and devoid of modern noise.

# Tarkarli

Located in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, Tarkarli is a seaside village with sprawling coastline and pristine ecosystem. This village is known for its white sandy beaches and azure waters, and the shuru vegetation adds to its charm. The major attractions are the Tarkarli beach and backwaters of Karli river. Visitors can indulge in water activities, like scuba diving, zorbing and snorkelling. It is among the best destinations for scuba diving in India, where you can see marine life up to 20ft.

# Munsiyari

If you want to experience an organic way of life, look no further than Munsiyari; a tiny village in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. Surrounded by snow-laden Himalayan peaks, this picturesque village offer a perfect respite from the chaotic city life. Wedged between the borders of India, Nepal and Tibet, breathtaking mountain trekking trails abound in this village, such as the Namik, Milam and Ralam glacier treks. The region is also home to a variety of bird species. The short jaunt outside the village will put you amid the spectacular scenery of the surrounding villages of Sarmoli and Darkot.

# Mawlynnong

Mawlynnong is primarily famed for its cleanliness and greenery, and has even received the accolade of ‘Asia’s Cleanest Village’. Located in the East Khasi hill district of Meghalaya, Mawlynnong is a charming retreat full of natural beauty. The inhabitants are warm and amiable, and follow eco-friendly ways of living. The village is home to several attractions that allow people to be at one with nature in solitude. The worth-checking spots are the 1,000-year-old Living Root Bridges made out of the roots of the rubber tree, the 85ft-high Sky Walk made from bamboo, the waterfall and a 100-year old Church of Epiphany.

# Chopta

Lying in the lap of Himalayas, Chopta is unspoilt by urbanisation and offers a perfect retreat to relax in the nature’s midst. Rich in diversity of flora and fauna, fresh mountain air and a plethora of trekking trails, this tiny hamlet is a must-visit. If you love the snow, visit from December to February, as the village is usually wrapped up in sheets of snow.