Attractive but Dangerous Tourist Spots in India

Attractive but Dangerous Tourist Spots in India

India is a melting pot of experiences and cultures, a quality that also bleeds out onto our everyday lives and what we do daily. With the diverse cultural heritage and some amazing architectural marvels, India is a delight for everyone. Everyone has obviously been to the carved out places present in India. However, the country has certain places that give you an adrenaline rush like no other. Obviously, with all the craziness and fervour in our country, our surroundings had to reflect the people we are. Some of these places are man-made, some have been naturally around since time immemorial, but all of them are guaranteed to give you a thrill. Hereby we are presenting list of some of the most beautiful but dangerous places in India that will give a thrill to everyone!

Siju - Caves and Bridges

Siju Caves is the 3rd longest cave in the Indian Subcontinent and is popularly referred to as the Dobakkol and the Cave of Bats. These caves are situated on the banks of River Simsang and comprise several chambers along with unexplored labyrinths.

The Siju Caves are one of the most significant sites that adorn the area of Meghalaya. Spotting the western area of the Garo Hills, these caves are just awesome in their appearance and that they are quite popular amongst the tourists who come to visit the area concerned.  These caves are naturally made up of limestone rocks and the interiors of these are scattered with magnificent stalactites and other formations which are simply outstanding. Situated in the Naphak Lake, this site is not very difficult to reach and a trip to the Siju Caves is quite rewarding for the ones in love with nature.

Tura, Meghalaya

Located in the West Garo hills, Tura provides a spellbinding as well as serene environment being quite an unexplored town.

This relatively large town in Meghalaya is located in the West Garo Hills. The main attraction of this town is the Nokrek National Park which is 12km from the town where various animals such as the leopard, golden cat, wild buffalo, pheasant and many more find habitat. One may also visit the Rongbang Dar Falls, while a trip to this area, without visiting the Siju caves, would remain somewhat incomplete. The entire area has the simple nature of an unexplored destination, with a shifted world. 

Aksai Chin, Jammu and Kashmir

Aksai Chin is one of the two large disputed border areas between India and China. India claims Aksai Chin as the easternmost part of the Jammu and Kashmir state. China claims that Aksai Chin is part of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The line that separates Indian-administered areas of Jammu and Kashmir from Aksai Chin is known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and is concurrent with the Chinese Aksai Chin claim line.

Aksai Chin covers an area of about 37,244 square kilometres (14,380 sq mi). The area is largely a vast high-altitude desert with a low point (on the Karakash River) at about 4,300 m (14,100 ft) above sea level. In the southwest, mountains up to 7,000 m (23,000 ft) extending southeast from the Depsang Plains form the de factoborder (Line of Actual Control) between Aksai Chin and Indian-controlled Kashmir.

The western part of Aksai Chin region is drained by the Tarim River. The eastern part of the region contains several small endorhec basins. The largest of them is that of the Aksai Chin Lake, which is fed by the river of the same name. The region as a whole receives little precipitation as the Himalayas and the Karakoram block the rains from the Indian monsoon.

Bastar, Chattisgarh

Bastar, district of Chattisgarh is home to beautiful and wide ranging forests and rivers.

The large and unmanned woodland is also the perfect spot for guerilla activity, making this green paradise a hotbed of Naxal movement. Several attacks and firefights in the region have ensured low footfalls but high body counts.

Phulbani, Odisha

Phulbani is the Headquarters of the Kandhmal district which has a variety of attractions including a rich tribal culture and colourful flora & fauna for the tourists as indicated below. Phulbani is the most convenient base for touring the various places of interest in the district.

Major attractions in Phulbani are Lord Jagannath Temple, Madikunda Chaka,  Stadium, Gopabandhu field (Coronation ground).Although it is claimed that name of Phulbani was changed to ‘Boudh-Kandhamal' according to public demand, residents of Kandhamal district say they are ignorant about this demand and do not know who made this demand. Even reports were out of peoples planning to throw huge protests if name was to be changed.

Nicobar Islands

The Nicobar Islands are part of a great island arc created by the collision of the Indo-Australian Plate with Eurasia. The collision lifted the Himalayas and most of the Indonesian islands, and created a long arc of highlands and islands, which includes the Arakan Yoma range of Burma, the Andaman and Nicobar islands, and the islands off the west coast of Sumatra, including the Banyak Islands and Mentawai Islands.

The Nicobar Islands are believed to have been inhabited for thousands of years. Six indigenous Nicobarese languages are spoken on the islands, which are part of the Mon–Khmer branch of the Austroasiatic language family, which includes Mon, Khmer and Vietnamese languages of Southeast Asia, and the Munda languages of India. An indigenous tribe living at the southern tip of Great Nicobar, called the Shompen, may be of Mesolithic Southeast Asian origin

Manas National Park, Assam

Manas National Park is the only landscape in the world where pristine Terai Grasslands are seen merging with the Bhabar grasslands interspersed with diverse habitats ascending to Semi-Evergreen forests and then to Bhutan Himalayas. The Biodiversity is very rich here.

Manas, at the base of foot hills of the Bhutan-Himalayas in the state of Assam, with unique biodiversity and landscape is one of the first reserves included in the network of tiger reserve under Project tiger in 1973.  The river Manas flows into the national Park from the gorges of Bhutan and split into two major streams of which the main water course comes out of the National Park about 30 km downstream is known as ‘Beki”. The peace and tranquility of Mothanguri tourists site on the bank of river Manas close to Bhutan is the rarest gift of the nature and in its finest form.

Phugtal Monastery

Phugtal Monastery or Phugtal Gompa is situated in remotest corner of Lungnak Valley in south-eastern region Zanskar, Ladakh. Also, often termed as Phuktal Monastery, it is one of the most enchanting sites up there in the entire region. The fact of it being built into or around a natural cave in the cliffside, like a honeycomb, adds all the more fascination to the trek of Phugtal Monastery. Hence, it is also widely popular by the name of “cave monastery”. The remote location of Phugtal monastery leaves you with nothing but all the peace and solitude you can ask from the mother nature.

Phuktal monastery hosts an Amchi, a traditional tibetan physician who provides natural Sowa-Rigpa medicine. These medicines are mostly prepared at the traditional tibetan clinic in the monastery. The villagers comes over to see the Amchi when there is any health issues. The monks from the monastery perform tradition prayers in village at the significant events that is birth, wedding, death, etc..

Silent Valley National Park, Kerala

Home to animals as rare as the Nilgiri Tahr and Lion Tailed Macaques as well as the greenest of evergreen forests ever, the Silent Valley National Park in Kerala is among the most favourite biodiversity hubs for nature lovers and wildlife fanatics. Once inside the forest area via the main entrance of Sairandhri, you’ll be exposed to unbeatably dense and wild jungles where the most endemic of fauna lurk untamed and the most dauntless of adventures await.

One must take note that Silent Valley changes with the season. What you experience here in the Summers will differ monumentally from what you encounter in the luxuriously picturesque Monsoons. So, one must make sure to prepare and pack in accordance with the seasonal transformation of this place.

Hemis National Park

The Hemis High Altitude National Park that extends over 600 sq. km. is named after the famous monastery, Hemis gompa that is situated 40 km. southeast of Leh. Located on the west bank of the Indus River, it comprises the catchments of Markha, Rumbak and Sumdah nalas. It is known for some rare species like the bharal and the snow leopard. Hemis has in fact been identified as a snow leopard reserve under a project launched by the Central Government aimed at conserving the species, its prey base and its fragile mountainous home.

The climate is extreme and shows high fluctuations both on a daily and seasonal basis. Precipitation is quite low, averaging at 160.5 mm. In winter, temperatures are close to freezing point during the day. The Zanskar River and its tributaries are frozen and temperatures drop to as low as -150C to -200C at night. Since the winters are very harsh, so it's best to plan a trip during the summer. April to June and September to December are the best seasons for bird-watching. For animal viewing, September to June is suitable.

Stok Kangri Trek

The Stok Kangri is the most glamorous trek in India - the trek takes you to India's highest trekking summit at 6100 mt. High altitude, steep ascent, oxygen deficiency, dry terrain, and crossing glaciers and rivers with a current that can whisk you away, makes it one of India's toughest treks.

Stok Kangri Trek is more than just a trek. It is an adventure where you will be challenged physically, emotionally and psychologically. The summit day will give you jitters for months after the trek is over. The glacier which you would trek on the last day of Stok Kangri Trek will probably be one of the toughest physical challenges ever! The dark surroundings which can make you weak in knees will resurrect the worst demons in your mind. The lack of oxygen and unforgivable wind will make you curse the day you decided to trek Stok Kangri peak. But, when you reach the seemingly insurmountable peak, it will be worth. You will look at the valley below, the sky above and thank your stars. You will thank your destiny which brought you here, amidst purest of nature and blissful landscapes, providing you a memory to cherish for lifetime!

Kishtwar Kailash Road

The road between Kishtwar and the base camp of Kishtwar Kailash is one of the scariest roads in the world. Located in the Kishtwar District of Jammu & Kashmir, the road in some places is only wide enough for one vehicle, and in many places bordered on one side by cliffs and on the other side by a drop of hundreds of meters into the valley unprotected by guard rails.

Terrifying high mountain trail, with a length of 114 km, located at the eastern extremity of the Kishtwar District of the Jammu region in Jammu and Kashmir, India. If your GPS ever thinks it's a good idea to drive on this road, it may be time to get a new one! It's a narrow, windy road with no guard rail or secure edging for about 100 miles, with views of the valley thousands of feet below.

The road is part of the National Highway 26, running along the Chenab river. It’s incredibly disorienting to look over the edge, or even just to see the valleys a couple thousand feet below you. It’s a mind numbing vertical drop of hundreds of meters so you might want to give it a miss on a windy day. The surface of the road is gravel, stones and sand and it’s carved into the side of a cliff. The one lane path had no guard rail and the overhanging cliff is so low that the cars barely fit, with over a 2,000ft drop, and rocks hanging down obstructing your view of oncoming traffic. This road has humbled many egos. It’s not for the sissies and shouldn’t be attempted by novice drivers. The road is in dreadful condition and requires strong nerves to negotiate it.

Barren Islands, Andaman

The only active volcano in India is located in Barren Island. The volcano erupted once in 1991 and again in 1994-95, after remaining dormant for about 177 years.

This island is about three kilometers in diameter and has a big crater of the volcano, about half a kilometer away from the shore. The island can be visited by chartering boats and with the permission of Forest Department. Foreign nationals are restricted to be onboard the vessel only and landing ashore is not allowed.

Chambal River Basin, Madhya Pradesh

The Chambal is the chief tributary of the Yamuna River and rises in the Vindhya Range just south of Mhow, western Madhya Pradesh state. From its source it flows north into southeastern Rajasthan state. Turning northeast, it flows past Kota and along the Rajasthan–Madhya Pradesh border; shifting east-southeast, it forms a portion of the Uttar Pradesh–Madhya Pradesh border and flows through Uttar Pradesh to empty into the Yamuna after a 550-mile (900-km) course. The Banas, Kali Sindh, Sipra, and Parbati are its chief tributaries.

The Chambal’s lower course is lined by a 10-mile (16-km) belt of badland gullies resulting from accelerated soil erosion and is the site of a major project in soil conservation.

Rohtang Pass

Rohtang Pass (or Rohtam Pass) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.979 m (13,054 ft) above the sea level, located on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas. The pass is traversed by the Leh-Manali Highway. Every new season, the road crew has to struggle with their GPS to dig out the road buried under the layers of snow. However, massive and deadly landslides continue, giving the pass its name, which translates to ground of corpses.

Situated about 53 km from Manali, the pass connects Kullu valley with Lahaul and Spiti which in turn provide access to Leh. It’s only open from May to November for motor vehicles and it’s so dangerous the Government of India is building an 8.8km tunnel as an alternative. Known for its scenic beauty, Rohtang Pass holds strategic importance for India. It’s the gateway to Keylong in the landlocked Lahaul Valley from Manali in the state's Kullu district.

North Sentinel Island

North Sentinel Island looks like any other idyllic spot in the Indian Ocean. Fringed with beaches and crystal cobalt waters, it lies in the Andaman archipelago of the Bay of Bengal.

North Sentinel Island, however, is unlike any other. It has been described as ‘the hardest place in the world to visit’, ‘the world’s most dangerous island’ and home to ‘the most isolated tribe in the world’. These sensational labels can’t be qualified conclusively, but they do hold some truth. For an estimated 60,000 years, North Sentinel Island has been home to a fiercely independent tribe that has violently rejected contact with the outside world.

Haflong, Assam

Also known as white ant hillock, Haflong in Assam is situated 310 km from Guwahati. Known for its beautiful Haflong hills, landscapes, valleys, and mountains, Haflong is popular among campers and nature enthusiasts. It is situated at an altitude of 680 m above sea level and is ideal for a peaceful holiday. Haflong is famous for its lakeside resorts, and is visited primarily for the adventure activity options it offers; trekking and paragliding are some of the popular ones.

Serving as the headquarters of North Cachar Hills district, Haflong is a production center for horticultural produces like pineapple and oranges. Like other hill stations of India, Haflong’s architecture reflects the British colonial past. Some of the places to visit in Haflong are the Orchid Garden, Borail Range, Maibongand Jatinga. Haflong Lake is one of the largest natural water bodies in Assam and is situated in the heart of the town.  It is also Haflong’s most popular tourist spot. Jatinga is another famous tourist spot located located on a spur of the Haflong ridge which is famous for the phenomenon of bird suicides. It is popular with the tourists are the ruins of Mailbong, the erstwhile capital of the Dimasa Kachari kingdom.

Interior Assam

The region between Lumding and Haflong are equal parts amazing and terrifying.

The lush natural forest and nature stands in stark contrast to the brutalities committed by Black Widow, the terrorist organisation that haunts these parts and routinely kidnaps train workers and engineers. This is one of the bloodiest railway routes around.

Rajabhatkawa

Rajabhatkawa is considered one of the most dangerous forests in India. Special permissions and passes are required to venture into the area, which is the entry point for the core area of the Buxa Tiger Reserve.

Forest fires in the core area, Bodo militants from Assam and poisonous weed adds to the danger of entering the core area of this reserve without proper permissions and guides.

Gurudongmar Lake - Highest Lake In Asia

Gurudongmar Lake at a height of 17100 ft., is among the top 15 highest lakes in the world and is the second highest lake in Sikkim as well as in India, the first being Cholamu lake at a height of 18000 ft, also located in Sikkim. Being the second highest lake in India, the splendid and scenic beauty of the place is breath-taking.

The Lake is located in Lachen, a small beautiful town in North Sikkim and a night stay at this town is recommended before visiting the Gurudongmar Lake. The nearest village from Gurdongmar Lake is Thangu, which is another popular tourist attraction. Named after Guru Dongmar, the lake has a lot of religious significance and the beautiful view of Mount Siniolchu and Khanchendzonga from that point is a sight to behold. Encircled by snow-capped mountains and crystal clear icy water, it is considered as a very holy lake. The lake is one of the sources of River Teesta, which flows through Sikkim, West Bengal and Bangladesh to merge with the Bay of Bengal. There lies a 'Sarva Dharma Sthal' near the lake and it is a very popular place of worship for all religions.