CHANDANNAGAR, West Bengal

S hramona Poddar

Travel Influencer (@mishti.and.meat)

With a French colonial heritage, Chandannagar in West Bengal (about an hour away from Kolkata) seems to be caught in a time-warp. Traditional Bengali life meanders past museums, churches and old homesteads with French names!

Why visit: Relics of the long French occupation stand tallInstitut de Chandernagore, also known as Dupleix Palace, which displays cannons used in the Anglo-French wars and antiques, and the French Fort, now a court. The town is also where St. Joseph’s Convent, my alma mater, is. Equally popular is Patal Bari, where Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore used to stay. The building's underground floor is submerged in the waters of river Ganges and it is said that it was used to secretly transfer freedom fighters before our Independence.

Try ghoti gorom, a popular street food made with heated sev, spices, chopped onions and lemon juice. Do not miss out on the indigenous smoked Bandel cheese!

Note: Chandannagar is famous for Jagaddhatri (an avatar of Goddess Durga) Puja, held in autumn. During this time, the city decks up with twinkling light décor that is famous all over the state!

TIRBIN, Arunachal Pradesh

Must: In and around Tirbin, you can try river rafting, jungle walks and bird-watching. Nearby, Aalo (formerly Along), is known for its fragrant orange orchards, millet and buckwheat plantations.

J enjum Gadi Fashion Designer

A mystical land carpeted with lush greenery, rolling hills, fruit orchards, gushing rivers and vibrant local tribes...that's picture-perfect Tirbin, a small and remote village tucked into Arunachal Pradesh's green heart.

Why visit: Tirbin is an unexplored paradise, with crystal-clear waterfalls cascading down velvety hillsides and paddy fields stretching till the horizon. It's much like an untouched version of Bali! Away from the tourist din, Tirbin's beauty is raw and pristine, like a dreamy tropical rainforest bursting with flowers and orchids! But Tirbin is not the only hidden gem in Arunachal Pradesh, there are many such destinations offering unseen thrills and adventures.

Note: The annual Bascon Festival that takes place around year-end is a must-experience. It showcases the traditions and culture of our tribe (Galo) with colourful dances, cuisine, sample homes, plants and way of life.

Try our food, which is cooked in bamboo containers, with a unique flavour and aroma. A typical dish would be free-range chicken and banana leaf cooked in bamboo – it’s delicious.

Note: Walk along the Silk Route, stopping at places that were associated with the trading path. You can also enjoy star gazing, yoga and mindfulness sessions with the monks at nearby monasteries.

TEGAR, Ladakh

R igzin Kalon

Hotel owner (Lchang Nang Retreat), Nubra Valley

Located on the land through which the Silk Route once passed, Tegar is a sanctum of peace surrounded by jagged peaks and dizzying depths of the Nubra Valley in Ladakh.

Why visit: Tegar is as off the beaten track as it can be with traces of the ancient Silk Route still visible. Nearby there are stupas with prayers etched on them for the wellbeing of travellers on the route. In the village, with around 400 inhabitants, people are honest, and sustainability is a part of our life. While here, you can explore the centuriesold Samstanling Gompa, the Ensa Gompa and Murgi Tokpo, with pre-historic rock carvings. Tegar is the starting point for Zamskhang Palace trek.

Must: My favourite spot is the Yarab Tso lake, a hidden and secluded waterbody that is considered holy. Its serene beauty is indescribable!

You can try pork fry with tingmo (local steamed bun), paba (barley bread) with chives and lassi, yak and goat meat, momos and the morel mushroom soup. At breakfast don't skip khambir bread (local sourdough) with butter tea.

C hef Nishant Choubey (Sattvik, Delhi & Michelin-plated Indus, Bangkok)

BOKARO, Jharkhand

Must: Drive towards Patratu Valley (about three hours away), a dreamland of lush forests, stunning views and misty mountains. The drive is as beautiful as the valley! Netua Island, on the other side of Patratu Dam, is breathtakingly beautiful. Nearby are the revered Chinnamastika Mandir and the Baba Baidyanath Dham Temple (in Ramgarh and Deoghar districts, respectively); and the majestic Hundru Falls, located between Ranchi and Bokaro.

As a chef who travels around the world, including with Indian PM Narendra Modiji, I love that the food from Jharkhand is robust and flavourful. Our tribal food is very popular and we have hundreds of varieties of saag (leafy vegetables) alone! Fish is a staple and goat is cooked whole, with nothing wasted. In Ranchi (about three hours away), try pattal chicken roast (cooked in sal leaves) at Mandi Eddpa, a tribal restaurant.

A modern industrial town born from an ancient land, Bokaro is a quiet spot of calm. Popularly known as the steel city, in reference to the iconic steel plant here, it's the gateway to Jharkhand's treasures.

Why visit: Well-laid out, Bokaro stretches out to a verdant landscape, which turns into a riot of colours during monsoon. Visit Jawaharlal Nehru Biological Park, one of the largest zoological gardens in the state, and Garga Dam, a popular picnic spot. On the outskirts, explore Luguburu Ghantabari, a pilgrimage site of the Santhal community, surrounded by River Damodar, and small rivers Katail and Sadabahar. Visit the Lalpania waterfall nearby.

Note: Do not forget to carry back some traditional art and craft pieces like the paitkar paintings, small stone sculptures, and bamboo boxes and utensils.

Meet the author

Priya Kumari Rana has been an editor for the last two decades and writes on fashion, travel, food, design, spirits, actors, sportspersons and heritage. Instagram: @priya_rana