Since summer is in, people would head to hill stations that we know at our fingertips. But nowadays, there is a raging trend of destination duping among travellers. But how much do you know about this concept gaining traction in 2024? Well, the term conveys a lot about it. It means duping the popular places & exploring the offbeat ones with the minimum tourist footfall. According to many industry leaders, among many upcoming trends in travel to make their impact in 2024, destination duping is one version of offbeat travel is on top.
Destination Duping: What does it mean exactly?
As has been briefed above, destination duping is a concept when travellers take a break from well-known places, & explore the offbeat ones, which are less expensive & are dotted with alluring attractions. To understand it more simply, this concept indicates places you can afford to & are least crowded. For example, to avoid the bustling streets of Shimla, travellers can visit Mashobra, which is worth exploring for its mist-bathed hills, lush oak forests, waterfall, fruit orchards, & babbling streams.
Another example is Bikaner, which represents a unique cultural blend like Jaipur. One can enjoy tasting the delectable cuisines, riding camels, and strolling through lively markets. Similarly, you can explore the cultural diversity of Guwahati and its historical significance rather than opting for Kolkata. According to a report, 47% of travellers in India are willing to change their itinerary plans when getting the best travel deals. When planning a vacation, the dupe destination travel trend has become popular.
What makes people switch to least explored places over known places?
Switching to offbeat places over well-known ones lets you become familiar with other places that often go unnoticed, giving you a break from repetitive visits to popular ones. The rise in destination duping has resulted in a profound switch in travellers’ preferences. It is all in the pursuit of adding value to their travel experience & submerging themselves in different cultures. The trend showcases preferences for unique, offbeat travel destinations, as validated by vigorous data.
Major cities to replace with offbeat ones
Now check out the places that you can dupe with less explored destinations.
Shimla with Kalpa Village
Even though Mashobra is a hill station near Delhi and an alternative to Shimla, there is another lesser-known place to dupe this hilly capital of Himachal Pradesh. It is Kalpa Village, located above Reckong Peo in the Kinnaur district. You will get an astonishing view of the Sutlej River valley when visiting this place. After exploring it, you can experience trekking at the Kinner Kailash Parikrama trek.
While exploring this amazing place, you cannot miss the stunning architecture in the Tibetan Pagoda style. The other things to explore here include the ancient Hu-Bu-Lan-Kar monastery (950-1055 AD), admiring the craftsmanship of the Narayan-Nagini temple, & watching Chakka Peak by climbing from the Kalpa-Roghi road.
Ooty with Vegamon
Vagabond is also a perfect example of destination duping. It is a must-visit place for its vast expanse of tea estates, making it an ideal alternative to Ooty. With a less frequent visit of tourists, it is a better place for those uncomfortable walking around busy streets. It is a destination to be visited around the year. The best thing to do here is behold the astonishing sight of cascading Vagamon Falls, hiking on Barren Hills, & boating at Vagamon Lake. Tea lovers here can have a fresh sip at Vanilla County Heritage Plantation House.
Jaipur with Khimsar Village
Jaipur, in Rajasthan, is one of the astonishing places to visit in India for vacation. But what if we suggest you dupe it for Khimsar, also called Khinvsar? This may seem weird because this is your first time visiting this place. So why plan it now for your next trip? If you wonder how it stands to the year-round tourist footfall of Pink City, the answer is that no matter if it is a remote village off National Highway 62 in the central part of the desert state, it is the place to discover the man-made oases of the locale. Make a day tour of Rajasthani Dhani’s (dwellings) huts.
Ladakh with Lachen
When visiting a place with a scenic ambience, picturesque surroundings, breathtaking landscapes, highest mountain passes, Buddhist monasteries, and festivals, Ladakh is one such popular destination that comes to mind. But since today our topic is based on destination duping, we would refer you to dupe this place and explore the least explored Lachen instead. Located in northern Sikkim, it will draw your attention to its landmarks.
Perched at a high altitude of 8500 ft., this base town is ideal for trekking at higher altitude lakes, including Tso Lhamu Lake, Guru Dongmar Lake, & Green Lake. Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is one of the popular attractions, & is worth visiting during the spring season. Housing forty rhododendron trees, Lachen is also a must-visit for birdwatchers as there are many bird species, including streak-breasted Scimitar Babblers, dark hawks, & many more. Do add Kanchenjunga National Park to your itinerary & befriend a wild yak.
Goa with Gokarna
Goa is undoubtedly one of the famous holiday destinations that attracts tourists for myriad reasons, including its sandy beaches, which let you bask under the sun or enjoy the clear waters. But you can dupe this coastal island for Gokarna, a southwestern township on the Arabian Sea.
It is a pilgrimage place housing sacred sites including the famous Mahabaleshwar Temple. The Kudle Beach here lets visitors experience beach trekking & let them learn surfing on Om Beach in North Canara district. Forgetting the neon-glow nightlife & Portuguese heritage in Goa, you will experience the crowd-free coastline tour in Gokarna. Be the luckier one to spot dolphins here.
Conclusion
This is all you need to know about destination duping, which means choosing the least explored destination over the well-known one. Today, in this article, we mentioned some places with their brief description on why visit them in the place of the destinations you have visited. But sometimes, it gives you a new voyage experience to explore the one that has remained untouched on your travel bucket list. Thronged with minimum tourist footfall, it lets you have a peaceful escape from the crowded streets of major cities. So, would you like to explore these offbeat places?
