Some places in India are so strange and beautiful that you feel like you’re really somewhere else on Earth – just like something out of a science fiction movie. From moon-like deserts to floating islands, we describe here 9 unique places in India that look like another planet – with tips on how to get there, what to see, and when to go.
9 Places in India That Look Like Another Planet, Overview
In this post, we have written about 9 places in India that look like another planet. Seeing these places will make you feel like you have stepped out of the worldโno rocket required, just a little wonder in your eyes and a desire to explore the unknown beauty of India.
01.Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh – The Himalayan Moonland
Spiti’s dry hills, deep gorges, and desert-like terrain make you feel like you’re on the moon. Spiti is one of the most remote places in India, and this place perfect for those looking for a different and adventurous experience.
- How to Reach: Nearest airport is Kullu (Bhuntar), 250 km away from Kaza (Administrative center of Spiti). From Kullu, take a shared jeep or bus to Kaza (via Rohtang & Kunzum Pass).
- Top Attractions: Key Monastery, Chandratal Lake, Dhankar Village, etc.
- Best Time to Visit: May to October (roads open and weather pleasant).
02.Rann of Kutch, Gujarat – The White Salt Desert
This Huge salt desert Rann of Kutch Sparkle under the sun and turns dreamlike under the moonlight. The endless white desert under the moonlight feel like walking on the surface of the Moon.
- How to Reach: Nearest airport / railway station is Bhuj located about 80 kilometers away from Rann of Kutch. From Bhuj, hire a cab or bus to Dhordo (gateway to Rann).
- Top Attractions: White Desert, Rann Utsav, Kala Dungar (Black Hill), etc.
- Best Time to Visit: November to February (especially during Rann Utsav).
Also Read:11 Best Places to Visit in Monsoon in Gujarat
03.Barren Island, Andaman – Indiaโs Volcanic Mars
Barren Island is home to India’s only active volcano. It features black rocks and hot vents that emit smoke like fire. This place is so strange and beautiful, it feels like it’s from another planet, not Earth!
- How to Reach: Reach Port Blair by air, then take a private charter boat to go Barren Island (no landing allowed).
- Top Attractions:. Volcano views from sea, scuba diving nearby Island.
- Best Time to Visit: November to April (calm seas, clear skies).
04.Drang Drung Glacier, Zanskar, Ladakh – The Icy Alien World
When you come across the Drang Drung glacier while trekking through the remote roads of Ladakh, it feels like you have landed on an unknown planet. The icy curves and dramatic elevation of this glacier make you feel like this place is not on Earth, but on a distant frozen planet.
- How to Reach: From Kargil, drive towards Padum via Suru Valley. Accessible by road during summer.
- Top Attractions: Panoramic glacier views, Suru Valley, Pensi La Pass, etc.
- Best Time to Visit: June to September (road is open).
Also Read:9 Hill Stations in India That Still Feel Like the 90s
05.Loktak Lake, Manipur – The Floating World
Loktak Lake is famous for its small floating islands (phumdis), which make you feeled like you are not in earth, you have entered a mysterious water world. And Loktak Lake is home to the world’s only floating national park – Keibul Lamjao.
- How to Reach: The nearest airport is Imphal. From Imphal, Loktak is 50 km (1.5-hour drive), you can book a private taxi.
- Top Attractions: Sendra Island, Keibul Lamjao National Park (only floating park in the world), Thanga Island, Loktak Floating Resort, etc.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March (cool weather, clear views).
06.Dhanushkodi, Tamil Nadu – Earthโs Last Edge
Dhanushkodi, at the very end of the India, is now a deserted ghost townโwhere only the sea, silence, and the traces of history remain. It’s like an abandoned alien base.
- How to Reach: Nearest railway station Rameswaram. To Rameswaram take a cab or local bus to Dhanushkodi (20 km away).
- Top Attractions: Ruins of old church and station, Ram Setu viewpoint, quiet beaches, etc.
- Best Time to Visit: October to February (avoid summer heat).
Also Read:Coorg Places to Visit in One Day โ Best One Day Itinerary
07.Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir – Indiaโs Martian Highlands
With its rust-colored mountains, cold deserts and stark landscapes Ladakh often feels more like Mars than Earth. This high-altitude desert offers alien-like terrain, especially Lamayuru, Pangong Lake, and Nubra Valley in particular look like we’ve landed on another planet.
- How to Reach: Flights to Leh from Delhi, road access from Manali/Srinagar in summer.
- Top Attractions: Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Magnetic Hill, Lamayuru, etc.
- Best Time to Visit: May to September (roads open and safe for travel).
08.Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand – The Fantasy Planet
During the monsoon, this UNESCO World Heritage Site explodes in various of colorful alpine flowers here, making the surroundings completely colorful. Its vibrant hues and fog-covered environment, feels like you have entered a dream world.
- How to Reach: Nearest rail station is Rishikesh. From Rishikesh drive to Govindghat, then trek 17 km to Valley.
- Top Attractions: Valley trek, Hemkund Sahib, wildflowers and rare fauna, etc.
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-July to August (peak blooming season).
Also Read:Top 10 Indiaโs Cleanest Hill Stations That You Must Visit
09.Deosai Plains, Jammu & Kashmir – The Sky-High Grasslands
Known as the “Roof of the World,” this high-altitude plateau is serene, almost empty, and airyโit feels like you have landed on a completely different planet. In summer, wildflowers bloom across the plains, and snow-capped mountains in the distance create a dreamlike scene.
- How to Reach: Reach Srinagar or Leh, then travel via Kargil-Drass route (permit required).
- Top Attractions: Sheosar Lake, wildlife spotting (Himalayan brown bear), open skies, etc.
- Best Time to Visit: June to September (short summer window).
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Hey there! I’m Santu Chakraborty and I’m not your typical traveler. By day, I wrangle circuits and solve electrical mysteries as an engineer, but my true passion lies in exploring the world and sharing those experiences with you. For the past five years, this blog has been my canvas, where I paint stories of adventure, practical travel tips, and cultural insights to ignite your wanderlust. So, come join me on my journeys and discover the magic that awaits just beyond the horizon!
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