Last Updated:May 28, 2025, 12:41 IST
In 2025, the heart of Indian tourism seems to beat not in the buzz of the big hill stations, but in the calm of second-tier destinations like Jibhi, Tawang, Chakrata, and Coorg.
From community-based stays in Fort Kochi and Wayanad to digital-nomad-friendly hostels in Kasol and Chakrata, second-tier destinations are stepping into the spotlight.
As the mercury rises and urban fatigue peaks, the great Indian summer getaway is undergoing a quiet yet meaningful transformation. Forget the throngs in Shimla or the traffic snarls of Ooty—today’s travellers are veering away from the tried and tired. In 2025, the heart of Indian tourism seems to beat not in the buzz of the big hill stations, but in the calm of second-tier destinations like Jibhi, Tawang, Chakrata, and Coorg.
A Shift in Summer Sensibilities
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The pattern is clear: travellers are actively seeking less commercialised, more authentic escapes. According to Rikant Pittie, CEO and Co-founder, EaseMyTrip, “We’re definitely seeing a shift this summer. As the usual hill stations get more crowded, travellers are looking for quieter, less commercialised places to unwind. Second-tier hill stations like Shangarh in Himachal Pradesh, Coorg in Karnataka, Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghamalai in Tamil Nadu are drawing attention. These destinations are rich in natural beauty and have much lower footfall.”
This shift is not just anecdotal—EaseMyTrip’s data reveals that nearly 60% of travellers this year are opting for lesser-known destinations over traditional favourites. The trend is driven by a desire for slower, more mindful experiences. “It’s not just about escaping the heat anymore,” says Pittie. “People want slower, more meaningful experiences, and the second-tier destinations offer exactly that.”
From Crowds to Calm: The Rise of Offbeat Travel
Echoing a similar sentiment is Pranav Dangi, CEO and Founder of The Hosteller, who has noticed a tangible shift in traveller behaviour across their properties. “One of the most prominent changes we’ve seen is the way people have started travelling compared to previous patterns,” he notes. “Guests are now open to not just locations in the South but also offbeat and lesser-known places in the North for a summer break.”
The change is visible in booking trends too. While southern hotspots like Goa remain popular, there’s a clear uptick in occupancy in North India, especially in offbeat locations like Jibhi, Khajjiar, and Chakrata. Dangi adds, “Travellers are looking out for locations beyond Goa in the South and Shimla in the North to avoid extensive crowds at accommodations, tourist spots, and transport hubs.”
Interestingly, this shift is not limited to Gen Z backpackers. Millennials, often balancing work and wanderlust, are also flocking to quieter corners of the country. Weekday bookings have risen, indicating a new kind of mindful, crowd-conscious travel. “This in itself is a direction toward mindful travelling,” Dangi observes, “instead of rushing to the same famous locations and the same weekends when everyone would be too.”
Conscious Choices and Authenticity
Beyond escaping crowds, there’s a philosophical turn in how people travel. Rikant Pittie points to the rise of conscious travel, where authenticity matters more than popularity. Today’s travellers are rejecting cookie-cutter itineraries in favour of immersive experiences—whether that’s sipping filter coffee in a Coorg homestay or hiking through the misty trails of Shangarh.
“There’s a growing shift toward conscious travel,” Pittie says. “Travellers are now choosing calm over chaos, and these hidden gems are meeting that need perfectly.”
What’s Next?
Both hospitality brands and booking platforms are evolving to meet this demand. From community-based stays in Fort Kochi and Wayanad to digital-nomad-friendly hostels in Kasol and Chakrata, second-tier destinations are stepping into the spotlight.
And while there may be no single pattern to this shift, as Dangi puts it, “Travellers are now open to newer and more offbeat locations.” Whether it’s for the affordability, the authenticity, or simply the quiet, this new wave of Indian travel is as refreshing as the mountain breeze in these hidden havens.
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Location : First Published:News lifestyle » travel Off the Beaten Path: Why Second-Tier Hill Stations Are the New Summer Getaways