We all have read and heard a lot about the seven wonders of the world. But have you ever heard about the natural wonders of India? With an area of 3.2 million square kilometers, the vast and diverse country of India is home to a treasure trove of strikingly scenic natural wonders spread across different states. From salt deserts, golden dunes, and a floating lake, to labyrinth caves, natural bridges, and a meteor crater, these astonishing natural wonders are perfect destinations for those looking for real experiences in the lap of nature as part of India tour packages. Some of these are pretty well-known and undeniably spectacular, while others are less-discovered gems. So if you are looking for some travel inspiration to reignite your wanderlust, here is a list of 10 well-known and most amazing natural wonders of India.
White Salt Desert, Rann of Kutch
One of the most enchanting natural wonders of India, the White Salt Desert is a seasonal white salt-marsh land situated in the Kutch district of Gujarat. Said to be one of the largest salt deserts in the world, covering around 2,897 square miles, it is known for its pristine and surreal white landscapes. The vast white desert against the backdrop of the mesmerizing sunset is worth every moment of being here as part of Gujarat tour packages. Particularly, the spectacular sight of the boundless white desert under the moonlight offers the stunning creation of nature, unique to this world. Mandvi Beach, Kala Dungar, Roha Fort, Dholavira, Narayan Sarovar, Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary, etc. are some of the top places to visit in Kutch. Kutch becomes alive with loads of celebrations during the Rann Utsav that will be held from December to February every year.
Book Here : Rann of Kutch Tour Packages
Magnetic Hill, Ladakh
Located at an altitude of 11,000 feet near Leh in Ladak, Magnetic Hill is another most beautiful natural wonder of India. It is a gravity hill that is alleged to have magnetic powers that pull cars uphill even if the ignition is off and force passing aircraft to increase their altitude to escape magnetic interference. There is a yellow box marked on the road which indicates that the vehicle must be parked in neutral gear. It is from here that the vehicle starts to move at a speed up to 20 kmph. This is all due to an optical illusion created by the gravity of course. The mountains, roads, and hills are placed in such a way that the downhill road appears as an uphill terrain. It is one of the most unusual places to visit in India and also among the most popular places to visit on a Ladakh Trip.
Must Read : Top Places to visit in India in May
Lonar Crater Lake, Maharashtra
Lonar Crater Lake is a saline soda lake located at Lonar in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra. It is one of the mysterious creations of nature in India and among the must include places in Maharashtra Packages. Estimated to be around 52,000 years old, it was created by a meteor impact during the Pleistocene Epoch and it is the only known hypervelocity impact crater in basaltic rock anywhere on Earth. With 1.8 kilometers wide and 137 meters (449.4 feet) deep, this bowl-shaped hole is the third largest crater in the world. Over time, the jungle took over the deep depression, and a perennial stream transformed the crater into a tranquil, emerald green lake. Today, the forest-fringed lake is a wildlife sanctuary with a unique ecology that is vastly different from the surrounding flat landscape. Also, its water supports micro-organisms rarely found elsewhere on earth while its surroundings are peppered with fragments of unique minerals like maskelynite.
Also Read : Best Maharashtra Tourist Places
Living Root Bridges of Cheerapunji
Deep in the dense tropical forests of Meghalaya and hidden in one of the wettest places on earth, are living root bridges, astonishing natural bridges that are not built but they’re grown. These are made from the roots of the Indian Rubber Tree ‘Ficus Elastica, seen only in the northeast region of India. The trees cling to the upper regions of the riverbanks and send down their roots to the riverbed. The people of the Khasi tribe have shaped them to aid as a natural bridge over small rivers and streams. With a life span of over 500 years, these roots take around 15-20 years to become fully functional. One can find more than a hundred root bridges in Mawlynnong, Nongriat, or Cherrapunji. Of these, the root bridges of Cherrapunji are the most popular ones. Besides, David Scott Trail, Maswmai Cave, Mawkdok Dympep Valley, Seven Sister Waterfalls, Nohkalikai Falls, and Thangkharang Park are the other places to visit in Cherrapunjee.
Book Here : Cherrapunji Tour Packages
St. Mary’s Island, Karnataka
Renowned for its unique hexagonal columns of basaltic lava, St. Mary’s Island is a group of small beautiful islands situated just off the coast of Malpe Beach near Udupi in Karnataka. This pristine little island is the place where Vasco da Gama first set his foot before reaching Kappad Beach (near Calicut) while finding a sea route to India in 1498. It was declared a national geological monument in 1979 by the Geological Survey of India. Dotted with white sands, coconut trees, blue waters & monolithic rock formations, it is one of the top places to visit in Udupi, and among the perfect places to spend some quality time with your loved ones as part of Mangalore tour packages. Also, one can watch the picturesque sunset standing on the crystalline rocks. One can reach this island by a 30-minute boat ride from Malpe Beach.
Book Here : Udupi Tour Packages
Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
Clad in the mountains like a lost paradise, the Valley of Flowers is a stunning valley situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is a national park known for its beautiful blooms, rolling hills, and a vivid collection of flora and fauna. Untouched by the chaos of civilization, it is undoubtedly one of the best natural wonders of India as it is home to almost 300 different species of wildflowers like the Himalayan blue Poppy, Dianthus, Calendula, etc. July and August are the suitable months to visit this valley as part of Uttarakhand Packages when the snow in the valley has been melted and the flowers are in full bloom and the greenery is as far as the eye can see. It has the most beautiful trekking routes bestowed with colorful orchids that are open from June to October only. This national park is also home to certain medicinal herbs along with some endangered species of animals and birds like Himalayan Monal.
Also Read : Best Tourist Places in Uttarakhand
Dudhsagar Falls, Goa
Formed by the Mandovi River, Dudhsagar Falls is the largest & highest waterfall in Goa. It is one of the stunning waterfalls in India, and one of the hundred highest waterfalls in the world. Cascading down from a height of 310 m (1017 feet), it is a four-tiered waterfall located inside the Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary, among the top places to visit in Goa. Dudhsagar literally means Sea of Milk in the local Konkani language and gets its name as it appears like an overflowing sea of milk. Since own vehicles are not allowed inside the sanctuary, the most common and easiest way to reach the waterfall is to take a forest department (or licensed private) jeep from the forest entrance (private jeeps are available near Kulem Railway Station) and hike 1 km distance from the dropping point. The cold breeze, endless flow of white water, and the sound of water hitting the rocks will captivate you.
Book Here : Goa Tour Packages
Sam Sand Dunes, Jaisalmer
Located in the city of Jaisalmer, the golden dunes of the mighty Thar desert are strangely pleasant. Sam Sand Dunes, situated at the edge of Jaisalmer Desert National Park, are one of the most popular places to experience Rajasthan Tourism. With 3 km long and 1 km wide, Sam has a truly magnificent stretch of sweeping dunes, with sparse or no vegetation, and reflects the true image of Rajasthan. Camel Safari at Sam Sand Dunes is one of the top things to do in Jaisalmer. The wonderful folk dance and music performances by the local artists add more charm to the atmosphere that draws thousands of tourists as part of Jaisalmer Tour Packages. The best time to visit the sand dunes of Jaisalmer is during the months between October and February when the heat is relatively less, evenings and night are just perfect as the silver rays of the moon spread its radiance in the entire region thereby making it glow like an ornament.
Book Here : Rajasthan Tour Packages
Amarnath Cave
Situated at an altitude of 3,888 m in Jammu & Kashmir, Amarnath Cave is one of the famous places of pilgrimage in India and among the must-visit natural wonders of India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Amarnath is famed for an ice stalagmite Lingam formed annually in the caves due to the freezing of water in the month of Shravan. It is said that the lingam in the cave grows and shrinks with the lunar cycle. The shrine is open for visitors only for a short period in summer as the cave itself is covered with snow most of the year. The Amarnath Yatra is an annual event in which pilgrims are allowed to trek to the cave temple that attracts more than 450,000 pilgrims from all over the country every year as part of Jammu & Kashmir Tour Packages. Besides, it is also a challenging trek for those who love adventure in the hills.
Must Visit : Most Sacred Pilgrimage Sites in India
Sundarbans
Shares its boundaries with Bangladesh, Sundarbans is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve located in West Bengal. It is one of the largest and oldest national parks in India and among the top places to visit n West Bengal. Encompassing 10,000 sq. km of land and water, Sundarbans is integral to the world’s largest delta of 80,000 km2 formed from sediments deposited by the three great rivers, the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Meghna. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sunderbans is densely covered by mangrove forests and is home to the highest number of Bengal Tigers than any other park in the world. Some of the other endangered species in this park are Gangetic Dolphin, River Terrapin, Hawks Bill Turtle, and Mangrove Horseshoe Crab. The best way to explore the Sunderban is by boat safari along the narrow channels of the rivers with mangroves on both banks.
Also Read : Stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
Loktak Floating Lake, Manipur
Considered the largest freshwater lake in North East India, Loktak Lake is a beautiful freshwater lake located near Moirang in Manipur. Popularly called the ‘Floating Lake’, this iconic lake is known for its circular floating swamps called phumdis in the local language. Resembling miniature islands, these phumdis are the heterogeneous mass of soil, vegetation, and organic material. The lake offers a mysterious and spectacular sight. Loktak is the main source that drives the power, irrigation, and drinking water supply of the state. The lake is rich and abundant in bio-diversity. What makes the Loktak Lake even more special is the Keibul Lamjao National Park located in the southwestern part of the lake. Often considered as the only floating national park in the world, the park is home to the endangered Manipuri brow-antlered deer, Sangai.
Must Read : Beautiful Islands of India
Borra Caves, Andhra Pradesh
Perched at an altitude of 1400 m, Borra Caves are one million year-old limestone caves located in the Anantagiri hills of Andhra Pradesh. These are the deepest caves in the country, and among the best places to visit in Araku Valley. These natural caves were discovered in 1807 by William King George of the Geological Survey of India. Covered an area of 2 sq.km, the caves are filled with fascinating stalagmite and stalactite formations of calcium deposits. The caves were created due to the flow of Gosthani River that flows over the limestone area. One can see different formations of the stalactites and stalagmites as Shiv-Parvathi, Mother-Child, Rushi’s Beard, Human Brain, Crocodile, Tiger and Cows udder as part of Andhra tour packages. A Shiva lingam and an idol of a cow (Kamadhenu) are among the formations which have religious significance.
Book Here : Araku Valley Tour Packages
Chandipur Beach, Odisha
Chandipur Beach or the Vanishing Beach is a mysterious sea beach situated near Balasore in Odisha, India. Also known as the magical hide and seek beach, Chandipur Beach is one of the most unique beaches in India and among the best beaches in Odisha. The unique phenomenon of the beach is that the sea recedes by almost 5 to 6 km every day during low tide and then comes back at high tide. This phenomenon happens twice a day. It is truly a magical experience when something just disappears right in front of you. With the receding sea, it is possible to walk deep into the actual seabed or even drive a car as part of Orissa tour packages.
Must Visit : Beaches in Orissa
Majuli Island, Assam
One of the biggest river islands in the world, Majuli Island lies on the Brahmaputra River in the northeastern state of Assam. It is one of the popular places to visit in Assam and among the must-include places in Guwahati tour packages. Known for its breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, it is one of the most unique of all the islands in India where tourists can find ochre and moss on its coast instead of sand. Along with its fascinating and unique culture and lifestyle, the island’s diverse ecosystem is not to be missed. One should surely visit the twenty-one Satras which are present on the island. One can savor northeastern cuisine instead of seafood on this stunning island along with a fair taste of Assamese culture. Also home to colorful birds, one can explore this island by renting a bike/cycle which gives you a wonderful experience.
Must Visit : Tourist Places in Assam