DESTINATION: DUPE-LGÄNGER
Ditching a tourist hotspot for an underrated counterpart is tipped to be an industry trend for 2024. Here are our top picks for destination dupes in India
This year, more people are ditching tourist hotspots in search of offbeat and intentional experiences with the aim to ‘dupe’ what the major destinations offer, without the cliche and the crowds. Among the many travel trends set to dominate 2024, destination dupes are a top contender, report several industry leaders.
“The surge in dupe destinations reflects a profound shift in travellers’ preferences, driven by a quest for genuine cultural immersion and value-driven experiences, particularly discernible among the younger demographic seeking authenticity,” says Daniel D’Souza, president and country head, SOTC Travel.
Skipping a widely known destination to explore a lesserknown neighbouring city or town is not new, reports such as Expedia Group’s Unpack ‘24 and American Express Travel’s 2024 Trending Destinations:
Off the Beaten Path have predicted its resurgence in the coming season.
INSTEAD OF SHIMLA, VISIT KALPA (HIMACHAL PRADESH)
When you gaze on the Sutlej river valley, take on the Kinner Kailash Parikrama trek and fixate on the intricacies of Tibetan pagoda style of architecture, it is inevitable not to question the absence of overtourism in this riverside town above Reckong Peo in Kinnaur district. On a day-long walk, ask a local about the craftsmanship of Narayan-Nagini temple, step back in time (9501055 AD) at the Hu-BuLan-Kar monastery and climb up from the KalpaRoghi road to see the Chakka Peak.
INSTEAD OF OOTY (TAMIL NADU), VISIT VAGAMON (KERALA)
The seemingly endless stretches of tea estates make Vagamon the perfect dupe for Ooty. With a relatively less busy hill station culture, Vagamon, too, is a roundthe-year destination. Start with steeping a fresh cup of tea at Vanilla County Heritage Plantation House before heading out to explore around Vagamon Falls. Take a hike in Barren Hills and go boating on Vagamon Lake.
INSTEAD OF LADAKH, VISIT LACHEN (SIKKIM)
The entire district of Northern Sikkim is dotted with a string of landmarks running along the mountain ranges, but Lachen easily rises to the top of the list — both in terms of natural and culinary landscapes. Situated at an altitude of around 8,500ft, Lachen is also the base camp for trekking to highaltitude lakes such as Gurudongmar, Green Lake and Tso Lhamo. Drive seven hours away to the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary during spring to lose yourself inside a carmine red dream, spot wild yaks at the Khangchendzonga National Park and go birding for the sight of dark hawks, streak-breasted scimitar babblers and more.
INSTEAD OF GOA, VISIT VARKALA (KERALA)
Put on the spiritual tourism circuit for its 2,000-year-old Janardana Swami Temple — which is said to be a noteworthy Vaishnavaite shrine — Varkala enjoys a pleasant summer , experiencing which doesn’t require you to overshoot your budget. Domestic beachgoers and discerning travellers looking for a laidback escape head for golden beaches burrowed inside the red laterite cliffs, chomp on traditional seafood, and traipse around British colonial attractions, like the 17th-century Anjuthengu Fort.
INSTEAD OF JAIPUR, VISIT KHIMSAR (RAJASTHAN)
Khimsar or Khinvsar is a remote village located off National Highway 62 in central Rajasthan. While you will certainly benefit from steering clear of the overwhelm of Jaipur’s year-round touristic footfall, we recommend a camel ride to Khimsar Fort, uncovering the mystique behind the hamlet’s man-made oases, and calling one of the Rajasthani dhani huts home for a day.