Showing posts with label tourism 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tourism 2012. Show all posts

Travel ideas for 2012: Hilly highs

Andhra Pradesh
1. Not much has been said, written or heard about the coffee plantations, hairpin bends and rail tunnels of the Anantagiri Hills in the Eastern Ghats. You can take a train ride up to Shimliguda, East, the highest point in Asia on the broad gauge line at close to 1,000m above sea level. About 130 km from Vishakapatnam.

2. The picture pretty Ethipothala Falls, 12 km from Nagarjunasagar, is the perfect place for a picnic. But before you spread out the hamper, take a walk in the surrounding Nallamala hills. The rocky terrain will help you work up an appetite.

3. Neha Dhupia feels Manali remains very peaceful and calming, with stunning views of snow-clad peaks.

Bihar
4. The cable car ride to the top of Rajgir's Ratnagiri Hill is the ticket to a view of a lifetime. After you have finished circumambulation of the dazzling white Vishwa Shanti Stupa, built by the Japanese, take in the fabulous views of the caves and monasteries located on the surrounding hills. 100 km from Patna.

Chhattisgarh
5. About 45 km from Ambikapur in Surguja district, Mainpat is to Chhattisgarh what Shimla is to Himachal. Among the state's few weekend getaways, it has the Dhakpo Monastery, set up by Tibetan refugees. And for sure, much like other hill towns, the ubiquitous thukpa and momo stalls do quick business.

Gujarat
6.Chances are that you have never considered Saputara as holiday option. Sitting 1,000m high in the Sahyadris, this south Gujarat getaway has many trekking trails in the surrounding jungles. More than natural beauty, it's the chance to interact with tribals from Bhil, Kunbi, Gamit and Warli communities that puts Saputara in a different league. About 160 km from Surat.

Haryana
7. Haryana is a state that most people drive through to get to the Himalayas. Not too many of them make a stop at Morni Hills, the state's only hillstation. It is a great place to commune with nature and to indulge in a spot of bird watching, rock climbing and some easy trekking. The fact that it's not crowded is a boon.

Himachal Pradesh
8. You can build up the excitement of visiting Shimla with a pit stop at Barog. Surrounded by thick pine forests, this one is straight out of the pages of an Enid Blyton novel. There are many orchards on the outskirts. 45 km from Chandigarh.

9. The quiet cantonment town of Dalhousie has retained its colonial grandeur. There is little to do apart from taking a stroll or reading a book under the dappled sun. 80 km from Pathankot.

10. You may want to believe that the British never left India after a visit to Kasauli, a quaint cantonment town 40 km from Kalka. Tipplers will be happy to know that all wine shops in the town stock a range of fruit wines at a special tax exempted rate. Tasty accompaniments can be bought from the many stalls on the Upper Mall.

Jammu and Kashmir
11. Picture this: Alpine meadows, grassy slopes with wildflowers, tall fir trees, snow-capped peaks. That's Gulmarg, 56 km from Srinagar, in summer. Come winter and the place looks like a Christmas card. The views from the cable car, that takes you up to 13,500 ft, can move you to writing poetry.

Jharkhand
12. The quaint village of Ghatshila, 40 km from Jamshedpur, is located amid forested hills on the banks of the Subarnarekha. Bibiliophiles may know Bibhutibhushan Bandhopadhyay, spent the last years of his life here. His house is still there for you to see.

13. The Queen of Chhotanagpur plateau is Netarhat, 150 km from Ranchi, surrounded by lovely waterfalls. The most beautiful of these is the diminutive Upper Ghagri.

Karnataka
14. Coffee can be a wonderful catalyst in building a mood for bonding with nature. Head to Chikmagalur where, after sipping on some of India's best coffee, you can tour plantations, capture images of snow-white coffee blossoms or go trekking in the Baba Budan hills. About 250 km from Bangalore.

15. It's only when you have taken in the dramatic sunset from Chamundi Hill in Mysore will you appreciate the joys of having a hill right on the outskirts of a city.

Kerala
16. Though less-known, Nelliyampathy, 52 km from Palakkad, is one of the best getaways in Kerala. To enjoy a better view of the stunning greenery, trek up to Palakkad. And there's also the short drive to Pothundi Reservoir nearby.

17. Munnar is a great favourite on the list of tea plantation towns in the country.

Madhya Pradesh
18. Pachmarhi, the state's only hillstation, gets its name from the five Pandava caves. Green vistas with plunging gorges, pools formed by waterfalls, and archaeological ruins are perfect ingredients for hikes and multi-day treks. 200 km from Bhopal.

Maharashtra
19. Lonavala remains on top of the list of Mumbai's most-loved getaways. Trek to the nearby forts of Lohagarh and Visapur.

20. The toy train ride from Neral to hilly Matheran, a pedestrians-only town, is one journey that you must experience. The train doesn't operate in the monsoon, but you may still want to visit Matheran and enjoy the rains. 100 km from Mumbai. Walk up from Dasturi Naka.

Manipur
21. The construction of a dam changed the fortunes of Singda, a getaway near Imphal. The Inspection Bungalow here is where most picnickers on the weekend like to relax after a day out in the hills. 16 km from Imphal.

22. Dance performances by the Mao Nagas adds to the ambience of Mao, one of the oldest towns in the hills of Manipur bordering Nagaland. On NH 39 between Dimapur and Imphal.

23. You can look down on the world from Tengnoupal, sitting on the highest point on the Indo-Myanmar Road, about 69 km from Imphal.

Mizoram
24. At sunset on Mawmrang Hill, in Champhai district, see the surrounding slopes twinkle with lights. These are villages scattered all over, and the big cluster on the west is Aizawl.

Nagaland
25. The second highest in Nagaland, Japfu Peak is where the world's tallest rhododendron tree stands. It is also a great trekking route, with valleys that seem to stretch forever. Located 15 km from Kohima, at the head of Dzukou Valley.

Orissa
26. Experience 'snow' at Daringibadi, which is lovingly called the Kashmir of Orissa. Here, temperatures drop to 3 degrees or less in winter and hoarfrost covers the ground. In Kandhamal district.

Rajasthan
27. Mount Abu deserves all the attention for the being the only hillstation in the desert state. Surrounded by the Aravalis, it also has the beautiful Nakki Lake and the awe-inspiring Dilwara temple complex. 185 km from Udaipur.

Sikkim
28. Nathu La pass, 55 km from Gangtok, needs no introduction. The ancient trade route between India and China is also one of the most scenic and challenging.

29. From the small town of Lachung, you can see the Zero Point, so named as this is the place India ends and the border with China begins. In Yumthang Valley.

30. Tashi Viewpoint, 8 km from Gangtok on the road to North Sikkim, owes its fame to the uninterrupted views of the Khangchendzonga and neighbouring peaks. A small cafe here provided nibbles and hot beverages.

Tamil Nadu
31. Weekenders love to picnic on the banks of the lake on the Yelagiri hill, near Jolarpettai. It is approached via 14 hairpin bends hugging one side of the hill.

32. A tea plantation tour is one of the biggest attractions in Coonoor, the second highest hillstation in the state, 100 km from Coimbatore.

33. Less than 20 km from Coonoor is Ooty, which, though more crowded, still has beautiful scenery and colonial flavour. It has one of the best golf clubs in the country.

34. And then there is Kodaikanal. Famous for its beautiful weather and views of the Palani range. A lake, a botanical garden, trekking trails, a museum, delectable cheese and chocolates complete the picture.

35. You can call it a quirk of fate that Valparai, also filled with tea plantations, is still off the radar of mass tourism. 111 km from Coonoor.

36. Yercaud, near Salem, is less crowded, and offers breathtaking panoramic views, especially of the winding road up from Salem.

Tripura
37. At Jampui Hills, you can catch orange blossoms in autumn or orchids and wild flowers between April and May. Stay at Eden Guesthouse (03824-238 252) in Vanghmun. 240 km from Agartala.

Uttarakhand
38. There are some things you can never tire of. Almora, 90 km from Kathgodam, comes on that list, courtesy of its beautiful views of the Nanda Devi and thick forests of pine and fir.

39. Great views and climate are a given in Kausani, equally well known for its pear orchards. 50 km from Almora.

40. Orchards and snow views also abound around Mukteshwar, 73 km from Kathgodam. Drive further up to Nathuakuan and then to Hartola, locally known as the fruit basket of Kumaon.

41. Only 12 km from Mukteshwar lies Dhanachuli, a Kumaoni village that is yet to find a mention in guidebooks. But that doesn't take away from its virginal beauty.

42. On the other end of the spectrum are the familiar charms of Ranikhet, an old favourite that still entices with its orchards and temples. 80 km from Kathgodam.

West Bengal
43. When in Darjeeling, everyone goes for an early morning drive to Tiger Hill (12 km) to see the mountains change colour as the sun rises over Khangchendzonga.

44. After the drive comes the walk down the Mall in Darjeeling. It is bustling with handicraft shops, tea boutiques and eateries.

45. Eagle's Crag, 1 km up from Kurseong, stands for wonderful vistas of the Teesta river, forested slopes as well as snow-capped peaks in the distance. A cafe, well-manicured garden and water reservoir makes this an exceptionally pretty spot.

46. Durpin Hill overlooks the whole town of Kalimpong and has gorgeous views of the surrounding valley intersected by emerald-green rivers and fields. There is also a golf course on this hilltop.

47. Bagora, a quiet little hamlet, is still undiscovered and hence pristine. It has a forest rest house offering basic accommodation. Bird watchers will find much to keep themselves occupied and the nature enthusiast can choose from the several hiking trails in the area. Take NH55 to Darjeeling and reach Bagora via Dilaram.

48. Less than 50 km from Darjeeling, Mirik has many orange orchards, cardamom plantations and tea estates.

Source:

www.indiatoday.in

What traveller type are you?

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

This quote from Mark Twain has always been my constant companion, egging me in my journeys to seek new experiences, as I wander away aimlessly. For most of us, the word ‘travel' conjures up many images — blue skies, serpentine roads, an endless array of milestones, an elusive horizon, the distant hum of a train, clusters of dusty villages, sun kissed ferns, a flap of a wing, stately mountains, sandy shores, the call of the wild, a lost monument. And somewhere amidst all of them are people waiting to tell you their stories.

But travel very often is all about choices. While some of us prefer the Road Not Taken, others choose the weathered road. Whether you travel rudderless or with a purpose, the buzzword is alternative travel. Move out of your comfort zone, leave the regular destinations behind, chart your own rugged paths and detours and discover a different personality within you as we help you map your choices in 2012.

1. Bird watcher

There is a whole community of travellers out there who are into birds and bees and butterflies. Join this breed even if you do not understand words like ‘endemic' and ‘raptors', for these birders will take you to exotic and faraway lands in search of their feathered friends. There are close to 1,500 species of birds distributed across different habitats and states in India — be they forests, water bodies, mountains, deserts. Corbett alone, for instance, is home to over 600 species of birds. The Himalayas, the Northeast and the Western Ghats should be in your travel itinerary if you want to go birding in 2012. My favourite haunts are the lakes. I was lucky to be blinded by a flock of orange, black and white colours up in the sky as the flamingos flew overhead in Pulicat Lake. Look for the migratory birds that arrive in the lakes in winter. Chilka in Orissa is strongly recommended. If you are however, a beginner, start by birding in your own backyard and in the water bodies and lakes around your city.

2. Wildlife enthusiast

All that the brochures keep crying about is tiger tourism. But with their numbers dwindling, it is indeed a stroke of luck if you do see even a hide of the majestic creature in your safaris. However there is more to Indian wildlife than just the tigers. Even as you make Corbett, Bandhavgarh, Sundarbans, Ranthambore and Bandipur your wildlife destinations of 2012, do visit some of the biodiversity hotspots in our country. I would recommend Valparai in the Annaimalai Hills, known for several endangered species including the Nilgiri tahr and lion tailed macaque, and the tropical rainforest of Agumbe in Karnataka.

3. Eco warrior

The gentle rustle of a stream, a distant echo of a waterfall, the scent of a spice plantation, a carpet of colourful wild flowers, the endless expanse of the backwaters, quaint hill stations with lost charm — eco-tourism encompasses both wildlife and birding. There are several destinations that are high up in the hills or in the plains that make you a pantheist. The strawberries of Mahabaleshwar, the coffee plantations of Coorg, the carpet of tea in Nilgiris, the shola forests in Kodaikanal, the Kaas Plateau in Maharashtra, the backwaters of Kerala, the house boats in Kashmir, the orchids in Sikkim and Kalimpong — there is a hint of magic everywhere . Don't just go green this 2012: head out and embrace the world of colours.

4. Culture vulture

In a small little village called Pinguli in Sindhudurg lives a puppeteer who tells stories of how his ancestors were spies during the Maratha period. The tribals of Nagaland and Ladakh tell you that dance is their way of life. The Kodavas in Coorg will explain their many rituals in the marriage ceremonies. The Chettiars at Chettinadu will take you on an architecture tour of their mansions. Learn a bit of Kalari Payatu, the martial art, in Kerala. Celebrate 2012 with the local communities in various parts of India — the weavers, the potters, the goldsmiths, the healers, the musicians, the dancers, the folk artists, the painters, the sculptors and many others who were once part of our cultural fabric . Explore their cultures and join in with their festivities . The Mysore and Madikeri Dussera in Karnataka, the Theyyam in Kerala, the Hemis festival in Ladakh, the Sonam Losar in Sikkim are some of the cultural events that you should attend in 2012.

5. Festival fiend

2012 is all about celebrations. While waiting at the Mumbai airport to board for Jordan, I met this Israeli who had lovely silver rings adorning her fingers. We got talking and she mentioned that she was just returning from Pushkar and the festival was a must-see for most of her compatriots. She also mentioned the Hampi festival and Kumbha Mela in the same breath and added she would soon be visiting India again

We are in a land of festivals, where we celebrate everything — the sun, moon, stars, water, land, animals — every tourist destination has its own festival. If you like music and dance, visit Mahabalipuram, Ajanta and Ellora and Khajuraho Dance festivals. The Rann Utsav in Kutch, the Desert Festival in Rajasthan, the sand art festival in Konark, the kite festival in Gujarat, the Nagaland Hornbill festival, the Ladakh festival — your calendar is filled with festivities.

6. Heritage lover

One of my best trips in 2011 was to the remains of a 3rd century BC stupa in the district of Gulbarga in Karnataka called Sannathi. Even as the excavated sculptures are carefully pieced together by historians, they claim that they have unearthed a visual record of Emperor Ashoka. There is heritage in almost every corner in India — behind fields, inside coffee plantations, in dusty towns, high up in the hills, inside the caves. There are close to 20 World Heritage Sites in India and another 15 which have been tentatively selected for recognition.

7. Rustic traveller

If yellow is your favourite colour, then visit the mustard fields in Punjab or the sunflower fields in Karnataka. But rustic tourism is not just about fields and colours. It is the simplicity and the local hospitality of India's rustic villages combined with an experience of local food, arts, heritage, sports and culture and interactions with local communities. Almost every state offers a rustic experience. Kerala lives up to her image of God's own land in her rusticness. The small quaint hamlets high up in the mountains in Himachal and Uttaranchal have a charm of their own.

8. Hill hunter

For a lot of us travellers, mountains conjure up images of the endless massive range of the Himalayas which is a destination by itself. Be it hill stations or peaks, the mountains lure you either for a relaxed tour or for a trek. Starting from Kashmir and Ladakh in the North to Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the Northeast, you need to acclimatise to heights before you start your Himalayan odyssey. Leh, Zanskar, Tawang, Sela Pass, Pelling, Yuksom, Kufri, Auli, Dharamshala are your picks for 2012 in the Himalayas.

9. Mountain goat

A lot of us love to see the mountains by road. While we choose the comfort of a four-wheel drive, the strong and the brave hearts prefer to trek. There is nothing like carrying a backpack, looking at an open sky from your sleeping bag and living right in the open. Almost every region in the Himalayas can be straddled upon by foot — from Ladakh to Sikkim, from Himachal to Uttaranchal.

10. Adventure seeker

If travel means a rush of adrenalin, then let go of the conventional travel routes and give in to your adventurous spirit. Besides camping, there are several expeditions that take you across glaciers and frozen lakes in mountains and hills in the Himalayas. River rafting in Rishikesh and Ladakh, scuba diving in Netrani island, a hot air balloon ride in Rajasthan, skiing in Auli are some experiences that you must try.

11. Beach buddy

If beaches in Goa are known for their wild parties, the beaches in neighbouring Gokarna, Karwar and Sindhudurg are virgin and quiet. Some of them like Bekal Fort lend a touch of heritage as well. But nothing like a visit to the exotic shores of the islands — Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep — to rejuvenate yourselves.

12. The faithful

Ours is a country where we have more deities than communities, where religious festivals are part of our cultural fabric, where many religious shrines are secular, historic and have become tourist destinations. From Vaishnav Devi to Char Dham, from Tirupati to Sringeri, from Annai Velankani to Ajmer Dargah, Golden Temple in Amritsar to Dharamshala monastery, from Akshardham to Madurai Meenakshi temple, the list is endless. As for me, I want to visit Kolkata during Durga Puja.

travelling, tourist spots, tourism 2012, holidays, travel 2012, travel options 2012


Source:http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/article2760884.ece