Into the UNKNOWN

India is a land of surprises. And that is why, it is imperative to move away from buttoned-down destinations like the Taj Mahal and the forts of Rajasthan. This year, tread off the beaten path and pick one of these 20 off-beat experiences—hunting for dinosaur fossils in Gujarat, visiting a goat village in Uttarakhand, and many more.

- SUSHMITA SRIVASTAV & RASHIMA NAGPAL

VISIT INDIA’S OLDEST POTTERY STUDIO IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

For a long time, the quaint little village of Andretta was among Himachal Pradesh’s best kept secrets—until Irish-born actor Norah Richards arrived here in 1920 and set up an artists’ colony. Today, Andretta is home to the oldest pottery studio in the country, and a visit is regarded as a rite of passage for ceramists in training. Paint terracotta pots, make functional glazed earthenware or your own set of microwave-safe ceramic ware by partaking in a 45-minute pottery session. If you want to commit to the craft completely, Andretta Pottery also offers a three-month introductory course that starts twice a year—April and September.

GETTING THERE You can reach Andretta by road from Delhi in 12 hours (468 km). The nearest airport in Gaggal is two hours away (50 km) and has regular flights from Delhi.

STAY The package at Andretta Pottery includes tuition fees, food, and stay (₹1,20,000/USD1,664; andrettapottery.business.site). You can also stay at The Mirage – Andretta (starts from ₹3,675/USD51; mirageandretta.com).

DISCOVER THE SCENIC ARAKU VALLEY IN ANDHRA PRADESH

A three-hour drive from the port city of Vizag takes you to the enchanting Araku Valley. One of the not so well-known destinations in Andhra Pradesh, Araku Valley is dotted with lofty mountains, jungles, and waterfalls. Along the winding road to Araku are the Anantagiri Hills, with acres of coffee plantations. Apart from coffee, Araku also takes pride in its spices and smoky bamboo chicken—a recipe where chicken chunks marinated with coriander and spices are stuffed into bamboo stems, covered with sal leaves, and cooked over hot coal for about 30 minutes, with no oil or water. The valley is also worth visiting for its 150-million-year-old Borra Caves.