5 of India’s most extreme places to visit

The geography of India varies from tropical islands in the Indian Ocean to some of the world’s most extreme mountain ranges. This has created some of the most unique and extreme locations within India, such as the southernmost police station or the remote railway stop in the Himalayas. Following are five of the most extreme locations within India, highlighting the extremity of human presence within the country.

Photo credit - Andaman & Nicobar Police on XCampbell Bay, situated on the Great Nicobar Island, has the southernmost police station within India. This is a small town situated close to the Indian Ocean and is used as an administrative center for the distant islands of Nicobar. Surrounded by dense tropical forests and close to the protected Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, this location represents one of the most isolated corners of India’s law enforcement network.

Photo credit - Wikimedia Commons CC 4.0 Shrey.ashiPerched at an altitude of about 4,400 metres (14,400 feet) in the cold desert of Spiti, Hikkim is home to the world’s highest post office. The small post office has gained popularity among tourists who visit the distant village to mail postcards with the special Hikkim cancellation mark. It is not for the faint of heart to visit Hikkim, as it requires driving through rough roads in the breathtaking landscapes of Spiti Valley.

Dras is known for being the coldest inhabited place in India. Located in the Kargil district at an altitude of about 3,300 metres, the village lies along the highway connecting Srinagar and Leh. Dras is known for being the second coldest place in the world, after Oymyakon in Siberia. The temperature in Dras can dip to as low as -30 degrees Celsius and even as low as -45 degrees Celsius in the past. It is also of historical importance, as it is close to one of the major battlegrounds of the Kargil war. The Kargil war memorial is located nearby and is a tribute to the soldiers who fought in the war.

Dhanushkodi is located at the southeastern end of India and is known as “India’s last road,” as it is this narrow stretch of land between India and the sea, looking out towards Sri Lanka. The place is abandoned and has an eerie feeling as it was destroyed by a massive cyclone in 1964. Travellers drive along a road flanked by the Bay of Bengal on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other, making the journey feel like travelling to the very end of the country.

At about 4,587 metres above sea level, Komic is widely known as one of the highest motorable villages in the world. The village, located in the remote area of Spiti Valley, has less than one hundred inhabitants and is surrounded by stark desert landscapes at high altitude. One of the landmarks in the area is the ancient monastery of Tangyud, which adds a spiritual touch to the breathtaking landscapes of the area. The winters in the area are cold, with snowfall making it difficult to access the area.