Its always pleasure dream a little. With constant reminders about following social distancing guidelines and wearing masks to fight Covid-19, travelling seems like the last thing on our minds right now. However, no pandemic can rob us of the yearning to reach new regions, explore stunning locales and visit the countryside.
Look inward and visit the gorgeous locations of our country. Therefore, we thought of listing down 11 destinations around India that were made famous by Bollywood. And in case you were wondering why now, we want to ask, why not now? There's still time till we finally travel, so grab that pen and list down all the places you have ever wanted to visit. And once this all is over, pack your bags and travel!
Spiti Valley
If there is heaven on earth, then it is in Spiti and if you don't believe us, google a few images. Long winding roads and valleys that present unforgettable glimpses of cold desert and snow-crowned mountains welcome you when you set foot into Spiti Valley. Bordered on all sides by the Himalayas, Spiti Valley, located in Himachal Pradesh, has an altitude of 12,500 feet above sea level, and gets just around 250 days of sunshine in the year, making it one of the coldest places in the country.
With the thick Himalayan snow cutting Spiti off from the rest of the country for around 6 months a year, the summer months are the only time Spiti is directly accessible via motorway. The term Spiti means 'The Middle Land', as Spiti Valley separates India from Tibet. Scantily populated, Spiti is an adventure lover’s paradise, with a number of trekking trails that tourists can choose from.
Rohtang Pass
Rohtang Pass has always been fancied by filmmakers looking for a location that truly depicts the marvels hidden in the laps of the Himalayas. Highway have immortalised the snow-clad stretches of Rohtang Pass on the big screen. It is a perfect choice for those who are yearning to take their bike out to the hills.
Pangong Tso Lake
Pangong Lake also known as Pangong Tso is a beautiful endorheic lake situated in the Himalayas and is 134 km long, extending from India to China. Pangong Lake is situated at a height of 4350 m and is one of the biggest tourist attractions of the country. The beauty and allure of this lake has attracted people from all over the country and beyond. The lake is said to be in the process of being identified as a wetland with international significance under the Ramsar Convention and if everything goes as expected then the Pangong Lake will be the first in South Asia to be a trans-boundary wetland and that too under this convention.
Shimla
Shimla and Mall Road have been a favourite among tourists for many decades now. But Bollywood made this familiar-looking hill station a favourite among Instagram-hungry travelers. Shimla is the capital Himachal Pradesh in India and a popular hill-station among Indian families and honeymooners. Situated at the height of 2200m, Shimla was the summer capital of British India. Shimla still retains its old-world charm with beautiful colonial architecture, pedestrian-friendly Mall Road and the ridge lined up with multiple shops, cafes and restaurants.
Gulmarg
Bollywood's love affair with Kashmir started a long time ago. Situated at an altitude of 8,694 feet, the hill station of Gulmarg is a popular ski destination in Kashmir. Gulmarg is all about witnessing the scenic beauty of the snow-capped mountains, sprinkled with lush green borders, calming weather, and most importantly, adventure activities like skiing, Gulmarg gondola, snow biking, and sled riding. Gulmarg, situated at an altitude of 2730 meters, with its abysmal gorges scattered on the terrain, is bound to give a spine-chilling experience to the visitors.
Manali
Once a sleepy village, the modern town cocooned in its rich cultural heritage and age-old traditions is now one of the most popular destinations of India. The place is a classic blend of peace and tranquility which makes it a haven for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts, who want to get off the main tourist trails and experience nature up close. The glacial water of River Beas after rushing down the slopes of Rohtang Pass allows adventure sport activities of rowing, white water rafting and river crossing as it meanders through the valley from Manali to Kullu.
Goa
A list talking about the attractions which were made popular by Bollywood is never complete without Goa. The best way to make the most of Goa is to hire a scooter and just explore. And in case you want to experience the less travelled places, visit the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Galgibaga Beach, Hollant Beach, Harvalem Falls and more. We don't know if your trip will materialise after the pandemic, but one can always hope.
Udaipur
The royalty and the grandeur of Udaipur's havelis have been very well captured by Bollywood filmmakers on celluloid. It is worth immersing yourself in the culture of this gorgeous city. So, when this pandemic is over, pick a weekend and hire a scooter as you go around just enjoying the cuisine, the art and the people.
Munnar
Kerala's backwaters have always been an ideal tourist spot, but Chennai Express brought forth the idyllic beauty of the South. In fact, after Chennai Express, Nishabd and Life of Pi, Munnar became one of the most sought-after destinations in South India. A very beautiful place to visit when in Munnar, which is itself situated at the confluence of three mountain streams Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala and hence is a very scenic place to visit, Echo Point got its name from the natural echo phenomenon that occurs here. Echo Point is situated at a serene, calm lake bank. When you scream here, you'll be hearing your voice echoed back at you. Placed at an altitude of about 600 ft, Echo Point is located 15 kms away from Munnar, on the way to Top Station.
Darjeeling
Jaw-dropping locales, mesmerising sunrises, the untouched beauty of the hills, the old-world charm of the past, and the welcoming smiles of the local people all add up to make Darjeeling one of the most beautiful hill stations in Eastern part of India. Spread over a steep mountain ridge, nestled amidst acres of lush green tea plantations, Darjeeling stands at the height of 2,050 meters above sea level, thus boasting of cool climes all year round. This scenic hill station is the perfect getaway for a romantic honeymoon and is just around 700 kilometres away from Kolkata.
Ooty
Nestled amidst Nilgiri hills, Ooty, also known as Udagamandalam, is a hill station in Tamil Nadu which serves as a top-rated tourist destination. Once regarded as the summer headquarters of the East India Company, the Queen of the hills is a picturesque getaway.
Nilgiris means "Blue mountains". It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. An added attraction for the tourists to Udagamandalam is the mountain train journey on a ratchet and pinion track which commences from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and wends its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens.
Dotted with tea gardens, serene waterfalls, winding country lanes, and charming colonial architecture, Ooty is the perfect respite everyone. Popular among couples and honeymooners, Ooty allures its visitors with the panoramic views of the Nilgiri mountains.
So, which destination are you visiting when this pandemic is over?