India is a country known for its diverse geography, and nature lovers visiting this nation are in for a treat. From the snowy landscapes tucked in the Himalayan regions of the North to the pretty coastlines dotted with beaches in the South; from the vast desert of the West to the lush greenery of the East, the natural beauty of this country takes you by surprise. Below is a list of 5 most beautiful places in India every nature lover must visit.
Majuli Island, Assam
Formed by the Brahmaputra River and Subansiri River, Majuli is said to be the largest riverine island in the world. It is largely inhabited by tribal groups and farming communities. The untouched island hosts different species of rare and endangered flora and fauna, and is also a great place for birding enthusiasts. The best things to do here include going on a boat ride along the Brahmaputra River during the evening hours, visiting Majuli’s satras to understand the strong neo-Vaishnavite influence on its culture, exploring the idyllic villages on a bike tour, and witnessing the art of mask-making at Samaguri Satra.
Ideal time to visit: October to March
Nearest Airport: Jorhat Airport, located at a distance of nearly 45 km away from Majuli Island.
Loktak Lake, Manipur
Northeast India is home to several wonders of nature, and Manipur’s Loktak Lake is one of them. The largest freshwater lake in northeast India; this stunning lake is known for its unique floating masses called phumdis in the local language. Phumids are essentially masses of vegetation and other organic matter. Loktak Lake also boasts the only floating national park in the world. Keibul Lamjao National Park is situated on a floating phumdi and provides shelter to several animals, birds, and aquatic plants, including rare and near-extinct species. It is one of the most beautiful places in India that every traveler, especially nature and wildlife lovers, must visit.
Ideal time to visit: November to May
Nearest Airport: Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal. It is located at a distance of nearly 17 km away from Loktak Lake.
Lonar Lake, Maharashtra
A marvelous natural wonder; Lonar Lake formed some thousands of years ago when a huge meteor collided with the Earth, creating an impact crater on the Deccan Plateau in the Buldana district of Maharashtra. Surrounded by dense vegetation, Lonar Lake measures up to 1832 m in length and has an average depth of 137 m. The rim of the lake has a diameter of nearly 5900 ft. The water of this lake is both saline and alkaline in nature. There are only three other lakes of its kind on this planet; which is another highlight of this hyper-velocity impact crater formed in basalt. It is a National Geo-heritage Monument too.
Ideal time to visit: November to January
Nearest Airport: Aurangabad Airport, located at a distance of nearly 70 km away from Lonar Lake. You can book flights to Mumbai from San Francisco and then take a connecting flight to Aurangabad Airport.
Alleppey, Kerala
Alleppey, referred to as the Venice of the East, is one of the most beautiful places in India for nature lovers and peace seekers. Officially called Alappuzha, this spectacular place in God’s Own Country is best known for its palm-fringed beaches, scenic backwaters, colonial heritage, and mouth-watering seafood. Cruising on the backwaters of Kerala in a traditional houseboat is something that every traveler must experience, when in Alleppey. Most houseboat packages also offer birdwatching tours, so you can also choose to go with an all-inclusive holiday package in Alleppey.
Ideal time to visit: November to February
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport, located at a distance of nearly 80 km away from Alleppey.
Jog Falls, Karnataka
Located in the Shimoga district of Karnataka, Jog Falls is a breathtaking plunge-type waterfall formed by the Sharavathi River. The falls, also known as Gersoppa Falls, Gersuppo Falls, or Jogada Gundi, consist of four cascades, namely Raja, Rani, Rover, and Rocket, and it is among the highest plunge waterfalls in India. Falling from a height of 850 feet, against the backdrop of lush green Western Ghats, Jog Falls is a sight to behold! There are several viewpoints in the area to experience the waterfalls, which look drop-dead gorgeous in the monsoon season.
Ideal time to visit: November to February
Nearest Airport: Hubli Airport, located at a distance of around 130 km away from Jog Falls.
Apart from the above, Khajjiar (Himachal Pradesh), Munnar (Kerala), Valley of Flowers (Uttarakhand), Nubra Valley (Ladakh), Coorg (Karnataka), Araku Valley (Andhra Pradesh), Yumthang Valley (Sikkim), Cherrapunji (Meghalaya), Sundarbans (West Bengal) are some of the other beautiful places in India for nature lovers. How many of these places have you already visited? Write down your experiences in the comments below.
