Venerating Vindhyachal
Charmingly located on the majestic banks of holy Ganges, Vindhyachal belongs to the Indian State, Uttarpradesh. This happens to be the most popular Shaktipeeths in India. A renowned place that gains its honor from the great epic and scripture is alleged to be the home of Goddess Durga. Legend says that the goddess had chosen this consign as her holy abode after her victory over Mahishasura. This devoted centre in suburbs of Varanasi inquisitively combines legends and rituals with day to day actions of the banal populace. Legend has it that the landscape was speckled with colossal temples, which were destroyed during the supremacy of Aurangaseeb.
Vindhyachal is a very unique place where the tourist influx is high throughout the year. Most of the festivals are celebrated in very grand style with great zeal and fervor. Moreover, the climate in Vindhyachal is pleasant throughout the year. Traveling to Vindhyachal isn’t difficult. There are direct trains to Vindhyachal from Varanasi and Allahabad. Vindhyachal is connected via road to Varanasi (70 km), Allahabad (83 km) and Rewa (115km). The nearest airport is the varanasi airport, cabs are available from Varanasi to Vindhyachal for 1500 INR. Plenty of cabs of available within the city as well, Auto rickshaws are another travel option for travel within the city.
Vindhyachal, as the home of Durga devi is a prime pilgrim destination from time immemorial and it titivates as the predominant situate in the itinerary of a pilgrim. The Vindhyavasini Devi temple situated here is a major attraction and is swarmed by numerous devotees during the Ashwin months and Navratris of Chaitra to pray to the Goddess. It’s ideal to visit the temple in the morning. You can then relax on the rocks enjoying the sacred prasadam of Goddess Vindhyavasini Devi! On the next day you can explore the dense greenery of Vindhyachal. During the evenings you can enjoy the panoramic scenery of lovely mountain ranges enclosing the temple. Along with the presence of a munificent deity, the land is blessed with lush green forest. Its lovely torrents and ancient frescos would tender a wonderful time to all the nature lovers.
Vindhyachal is a small place and this makes souvenir shopping easy and simple. Vindhyachal hosts number of Fairs or Melas throught the year, these are the best souvenir shopping centers offering great price and great buy! All around the place you can find small idols of Hindu deities with petite handiwork, which serve as really good show pieces. There are numerous good ashrams and dharamshalas within the city. So finding a safe cozy niche wouldn’t be a problem either. Moreover all these stay places are comfortable and economical.
All in all the budget estimate of the trip for a couple would cost about 6000 INR. Spending just two days at this ancient pilgrim centre which has an array of fabulous shrines and beautiful greenery would serve as a retreat from the hectic city life! It would be an exquisite charge point which would fuel you with new energy and vigor. So what are you waiting for? Venerate at Vindhyachal!
Badrinath – Land of Berries
Conveniently situated between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges and in the shadow of the peak Nilakanta is the holy town of India, Badrinath. Legend says it that this was once the abode of Lord Vishnu. The sacred Alaknanda flows through Badrinath. According to legend Alaknanda is one of the twelve parts of the holy Ganga River. The name Badrinath originated from the Sanskrit word ‘Badri’ meaning berries and ‘Nath’ meaning Lord, therefore the land of berries. Badrinath is one of the four important shrines in Garhwal, the Char Dham.
The ideal time to visit Badrinath is during the months of May to October during which the Char Dham’s are accessible. If you are planning to visit during the winter, be prepared to face the harsh cold climate. The airport closest to Badrinath is Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport. Jolly Grant is about 314 km from Badrinath and cab ride would cost around 1500 INR. The closest railway stations are at Rishikesh (about 300 km, Cab cost: 1300 INR) and Haridwar (about 310 km, Cab cost: 1400 INR) and Kotdwar (about 330 km, Cab cost: 1500 INR). Busses are available to Badrinath from Haridwar, Rishikesh and New Delhi. If you are planning to go by car, then terrain vehicles are the advised vehicles.
Badrinath is bowl of rich culture, religion and heritage. Two days are all you need to see the whole of Badrinath. The first thing you should see in Badrinath is the Badrinath Temple! You can leisurely spend a day to visit the Badrinath Temple and explore its surroundings. This is the most sacred place in Badrinath, located at an elevation of 3134 meters above the sea level, enclosed by an evergreen valley. This is the most beautiful pilgrimage, built by Adi Guru Shakaracharya. The temple has three parts and 15 idols. The one sculpted in black stone represents Lord Mahavishnu in meditative pose. The most fascinating part of your visit to the Badrinath Temple is the holy dip in ‘Tapt Kund’, the natural hot springs on the banks of the Alaknanda River. It’s believed that Tapt Kund has medicinal properties. The Sheshnag’s eye (of the legendary Serpent) has created an impression on a boulder and this boulder is called the Shesnetra. Shesnetra is fearfully attractive! Charanpaduka as the name says in Sanskrit, is the foot impression left on a boulder, this boulder can be found in the beautiful meadow near the temple. Don’t miss this one! Also the mystical pyramid shaped snow capped peak soaring above Badrinath is the Neelkanth, popularly known as ‘Garhwal Queen’ it’s a must see in Badrinath. Other places of excursion close to Badrinath are Mata Murti Tample, Mana Village and Alka Puri. You can very well manage to visit other temples and do some souvenir shopping on the second day.
Lodgings are easily available in Badrinath, no matter what your background is the variety of lodgings here will match your pocket. Hotel Narayan Palace is one such budget Hotel. Kindly don’t carry non vegetarian food or liquor when your traveling to the Char Dham, it’s strictly prohibited here. As far as food is concerned, you’ll find delicious north Indian vegetarian food!
Idols of God’s are ideal souvenir’s you can take back home. Badrinath Won’t let down heavy-duty shoppers. There are plenty of shops around with interesting buys!
All in all for a couple, stay in Badrinath won’t exceed more than 7000 INR. So what are you waiting for, begin with Badrinath the journey through char Dham!
Chitrakoot – The Phenomenal Hill of Wonder
Located in the Banda district of modern Uttar Pradesh on the banks of river Paisuni(Mandikini), Chitrakoot is indeed a gift of nature and the gods. Chitrakoot is a serene retreat on the northern drive of the Vindhyas. One of the most ancient holy pilgrimage sites of India is the Chitrakoot Dham. This beautiful place was once the home of Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshman for eleven years of their fourteen long years of exile. This is the place, where they came met sati Anasuya and sage Atri. This house of the gods is attributed to have seen the incarnations of Vishnu, Mahesh and Brahma. Chitrakoot was where the creator of the epic "Shri Ramcharitmanas", Goswami Tulsidas spent many years of his life. Spotted with innumerable shrines and temples, nature's magnificence here is wrapped in tranquility and peace, permeated only by gushing streams and singing birds.
The best time to visit Chitrakoot is during the summer season. That is from July to march as the climate during winters is very cold. Diwali and Holi are celebrated in very grand style with great zeal and fervor. Reaching Chitrakoot isn’t difficult, Khajuraho is the nearest airport. The closest railway station for Chitrakoot is Karvi (8km), Tulsi Express and Bundelkhand express are other close railway stations. Chitrakoot is very well connected by road. There are regular bus services to Allahabad, Banda, Varanasi, Jhansi, Satna, Chhatarpur, Faizabad, Kanpur, Agra, Maihar, Lucknow etc.
Chitrakoot stands for many wonders, a name sound suited to its legendary past and to the glorious present. This hilly terrain in northern Vindhya ranges is a destination of multiple miraculous vistas where one can have delightful experiences as well as all the glitters of pilgrimage. The lofty peaks, the scenic, serene woods and the Bharat Milap Temple of Kamadgiri is the main attraction of Chitrakoot. The beauty of this place is so magnetizing that you will spend a day here. The next morning you can head to the Sphatik Shila, the place where Lord Rama and Sita feasted their eyes on the beauty of Chitrakoot. Spend the afternoon on the banks of river Mandakini, the centre for ritual activity and indulge into soul clensing! Located on a steep hillside is Hanuman Dhara. The waters here are of a natural spring, cascade over an image of Lord Hanuman. Visiting this spot will take you four hours. All in all Chitrakoot will take two days of your travel time! Other places of visit in and around Chitrakoot are Marpha, Rajapur, Sitapur, Kalinjar, Ganeshbagh, Rajapur, Sati Anasuya, Bharat Koop, Gupt Godavari.
Chitrakoot has many budget hotels for 900 INR per room for a day. Roopali Lodge is one such budget hotel. Multi cuisine restaurants are available and food wouldn’t be a problem. Chitrakoot hosts number of Fairs or Melas throught the year, these are the best souvenir shopping centers offering great price and great buy! Make sure you do the souvenir on the last day. All in all the budget estimate of the trip for a couple would cost about 6000 INR.
Corbett National Park – The Charismatic County
The twigs rattle as you walk over them. The Bronzed Drongo perches above you. The feel of vibrations on the earth instantly tells you about the close approaching Elephants, resting your back onto the Sal tree you hold your breath and wait. In the meantime you smell the combined aroma of several flowers, plants, shrubs and trees around you... If you are wondering were you can live this situation, it’s got to be the Corbett National Park. See the Wild nature wild, without facing any threats from it!
Situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, spread over an area more than 500 sq km and India’s 1st wildlife reserve is the Corbett National Park. This national park was started in the year 1936 with the name Hailey National Park. In 1955 it was changed to Ramganga National Park. After the Death of the great hunter turned conservationist Jim Corbett, Ramganga National park was renamed as ‘The Corbett National Park’ to honor Jim. The park is also called as the “forest of freedom”, since several hundred species of animals, plants, birds, trees and reptiles consider it home.
You can reach Corbett National Park from Ramnagar Railway Station or Pantnagar airport. Ramnagar is the closest railway station to Corbett National Park. Besides, Ramnagar is well connected with most of the major cities. Taxi travel from Ramnagar railway station to Corbett which is about 60km would cost around 1000 INR. Pantnagar happens to be the closest airport to Corbett national park. From Pantnagar a cab to Corbett National park would cost about 900 INR. Semi deluxe and deluxe busses from Delhi to Corbett National park are available.
The best time to visit the park is mid June to mid November. It is at this time all the migratory birds make Corbett their home! There are more than 500 species of birds and November is the Birding season in the Corbett National Park. The weather also is pleasant during this time of year. Once you get to Corbett you’ll have a tough time choosing which resort to stay. There are many good resorts you would want to try. Corbett offers you from super luxury resorts to Budget resorts. Corbett International and Corbett Kingdom are suggested budget hotels, stay for 3 days and 2 nights for a couple would cost around 7000 INR. Most of the resorts have multi cuisine restaurants and all types of foods are available.
You can plan your trip for 3 days. The best way to start your first day is by hoping onto a jeep ride! You will be able to see wild animals at close proximity, observe their behavior and listen to the sounds they make! The park is a home for many fading species. Don’t forget to click pictures of the rare Indian pagolin, they are difficult to spot. You can also see owls, drongos, babblers, rollers, warblers, forktails, cuckoos, robins, hornbills, chats and many more birds! Animals you’ll find on land are the majestic tigers, barking deer, hog deer, wild boar, elephants, jackal, sambar, langur, rhesus monkey, wild pig etc…
Jeeps won’t be able to take you deep down the forest but elephants will! Experience the exhilarating elephant ride on the second day. Elephants well tamed by experienced mahouts are the best guides of Corbett national park. They will take you deep down into the forests where you can spot the rarest of the rarest animals, birds and reptiles. Corbett National has rich aquatic life. The enormous Mahseer fish can be seen in the waters of Corbett National Park.
No travel ends without souvenir shopping! Do souvenir shopping on the third day. Before you leave make sure you visit the Tiger camp and The Souvenir Shop. Here you can buy literature about the park and its conservational activities. Don’t forget to buy the special bags, t-shirts, hats, toys, masks, and key rings having animal picture prints on them, they are very good souvenirs. You’ll find plenty of other petite cute stuff that you can buy for your friends and family.
All in all, trip to Corbett would cost you around 10000 INR. Oh yeah! Don’t forget to pack your safari boots and camera, the adventure is on!
Glittering Garhwal
Garhwal the gem of Uttaranchal is cozily located in the heart of Himalayas. It is surrounded by Himachal Pradesh on its North-Western and Western sides, Uttar Pradesh down south, Tibet to its north and Kumaon to its east. Garhwal is a consortium of seven districts namely, Chamoli, Dehradun, Haridwar, Rudraprayag, Pauri, Tehri and Uttarkashi. The holy shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri are situated here. It is also the starting place of the most venerated rivers, the Yamuna and the Ganga.
The climate during the summer season is pleasant and is probably the best time to visit Garhwal. However, if you are traveling during winter season make sure you carry plenty of woolen clothes. Garhwali, English and Hindi are spoken in Garhwal. Reaching Garhwal is not that difficult. Jolly grant airport is the nearest airport and Kotwar is the nearest railway station. Cabs are available from airport and railway station till Garhwal. Garhwal is well connected by an array of roads. Moreover, Cabs and rickshaws are available within the city. This makes Garhwal an easy reach tourist spot!
The pearly snow clad mountains and the changing of their color from white to golden yellow when the morning sunshine pours over them. Ah! That’s splendorous treat to the eyes. Climbing snow clad terrains is altogether a different experience! Throwing snow on each other, skiing and building snowman are favorite activities of most of the tourists visiting Garhwal. River rafting and aero sports are other adventure games you can play in Garhwal. Apart from adventure sports, the valley of Garhwal bloom with natural beauty and is an exhibit of unique style of hill temple architecture and superb handicrafts. The incredible Indian factor of Garhwal lies in its Char Dham. The four pilgrimage destination namely Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri comprise the Char Dham. Visiting all the Char Dham’s will take you about two days. Visit Kedarnath and Badrinath on the first day, the rivers Yamunotri and Gangotri on the second day. On the third day visit the Corbett national park and the Nanda National Bio-reserves, which are must see places. The variety of species found here is simply mind blowing. Hundreds of migratory birds come here, so don’t forget to take your camera!
Hotels in Garhwal are very economical, stay for a day in a budget hotel costs around 600 INR. It’s best to approach the tourism department of Uttaranchal for hotels or lodgings. All cuisines of food are available here. Shopping freaks won’t be let down! Garhwal has shops for all types of pockets! Some of the shopping centers are The Upper Bazaar, The Lower Bazaar and Dhara Road. These places are great for souvenir shopping. Garhwal will take about four days to explore. You can gaze at the sun lit mountains and give a try for adventure sports on the first day.
All in all a trip to Garhwal for a couple would cost around 9000 INR. This fun packed trip is worth the expenditure! So what are you waiting for? Grab your woolen clothes and leather jackets and head to Garhwal!
GOVARDHAN- THE PEAK OF LEGENDS
Heralded as the ultimate pilgrim centre for Vaishnavites, Govardhan can be translated to give two meanings, one meaning the giver of nourishment with “Go”- meaning the sacred Cow, while the other meaning as translated by devotees of Lord Krishna is ‘that which increases one’s senses’. The legends centered on Govardhan Hill dates back as early as the Vedic period and it is believed that the Lord lifted Govardhan Hill with his finger and protected the people of the ancient city of Vraj from torrential rains. Since then, Govardhan has been venerated as a physical manifestation of Lord Krishna Himself.
Govardhan is currently a small town located in Mathura District of Uttar Pradesh. The Govardhan hill is not literally a hill, its highest point measures merely 25m from the base. The town is well-connected by roads to other main cities like Agra, Allahabad, Faizabad and Mathura. The nearest railhead is Mathura which is just 26km away from Govardhan. The only airport at the vicinity of Govardhan is Kheria Airport in Agra which is 62km away.
Govardhan is a land-locked region and experiences extremes of temperatures during summer and winter. Travelling to this place during April-May is a definite no-no. The best times to visit Govardhan are during the festive seasons of Krishna Janmashtami between July and September, Diwali between October-November and during Holi between February-March.
There are not many private hotels in Govardhan; however there are dharamshalas and modest guesthouses which rent rooms at low costs. You can check out the guesthouse with accommodation costs ranging from 300 INR to 750 INR per day. If you wish to book rooms in a standard hotel, you can head to Vrindavan which is just an hour’s drive from Govardhan.
The places to visit in Govardhan are the Kusum Sarovar, Manasi Ganga and Radha Kund. The Kusum Sarovar stirs vivid imaginations in the mind every visitor and pilgrim about Lord Krishna who spends his leisure hours with his sweetheart Radha and the gopis. The Sarovar is surrounded by sprightly Kadamba trees. The lake measures 650 feet deep and 450 feet long with an artfully frescoed cenotaph erected along the lakeside. The Kusum Sarovar is a benign place to spend your evenings in prayer and meditation.
The Manasi Ganga is also known as the Pancha Thirtha Kunda which is considered to contain the waters of five different holy places namely Gomati, Narmada, Sarayu, Kanchi and Vetri. According to legends, the dip in the Manasi Ganga unites a devotee’s soul with Lord Krishna and is the starting point of the Govardhana Parikrama path which stretches upto a length of 40km. Several temples dedicated to the Lord like the Haridev Temple. Mukharibind, ISKON Temple and Daan-Ghati also fall along the Parikrama path. You can spend a day to perform the Parikrama.
A trip to Govardhan can be completed in two swift days with the costs summing upto just around 1000-1800 INR per head. One day would be sufficient for visiting all the water bodies in Govardhan, another day for visiting all the temples. For all those faithful devotees of the Blue God and lovers of Indian mythology, come to Govardhan- the Peak of Legends!
Haridwar – Gateway to Haven
Haridwar is the seventh holiest place in India according to the Hindus and is located in Uttaranchal in North India. Haridwar is one of the first towns to which the holy river Ganga touches down from the mountains to the planes. According to myth, the Devas once lived in Mayapur which is now known as Haridwar. In Sanskrit, ‘Hari’ means Lord Shiva and ‘Dwar’ means gateway thus Haridwar means gateway to the gods. Archeological findings say that the culture in Haridwar dates back to 1700 B.C to 1200 B.C. The kaleidoscope of Indian civilization and culture, Haridwar not only has religious importance but is also a temple of the modern civilization and the temple is none other than BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd).
Haridwar is a very unique place where the tourist influx is high throughout the year. Most of the festivals are celebrated in very grand style with great zeal and fervor. Moreover, the climate in Haridwar is pleasant throughout the year. Traveling to Haridwar isn’t difficult. The Jolly grant airport at Dehradun is the closest domestic airport. This is about 35 kilometers from Haridwar. It is also well connected to major cities with regular and express trains. Haridwar lies on national highway number 45 and is well connected to major cities on road. Plenty of local busses, rickshaws and cabs are available in Haridwar and this makes commutation within the city very easy.
Haridwar’s rich culture and tradition will tell you why India is called incredible. The best part is you can finish your Haridwar trip in just three days The Chandi Devi Temple is a must see in Haridwar. This temple atop
Nell parvat was constructed in 1929 A.D by the king of Kashmir. According to Legend, Chanda-Munda the army chief of demon King Shumbh- Nishumbha was killed by goddess Chandi and the temple was built to honor the Goddess. Maya Devi Temple is an ancient temple of Maya Devi which is not to be missed. Maya Devi was the Adhisthatri deity of Haridwar, known as one of the Siddhpeethas, this is the place where heart and navel of the goddess Sati had fallen. Other temples you can visit in Haridwar are Mansa Devi Temple of Goddess Mansa Devi, the Daksha Mahadeva Temple and Rishikesh located near the banks of Ganga. Running around all the temples will take you one whole day. Spend your next day with animal friends in the Rajaji National Park which is the sanctum for more than hundreds of species of animals, birds and avifauna. Tigers, jungle cat, leopard, samber, Himalayan yellow throated marten, cheetah, wild boar, barking deer, ghural, langoor, sloth beer, woodpecker and king cobra are the favorite inhabitants of Rajaji National Park!
All this roaming around will unquestionable get you tired and hungry so head straight to The Vegetarian hotel, this will definitely fill your appetite! There are numerous good ashrams and dharamshalas within the city. Tourist Bungalow and Rahi Motel are economical hotels in Haridwar. Haridwar hosts number of Fairs or Melas throught the year, these are the best souvenir shopping centers offering great price and great buy! Make sure you do the souvenir on the last day. All in all the budget estimate of the trip for a couple would cost about 6000 INR.
Jaipur - The Pink Paris of India
Located in the deserts of India in Rajasthan, is its capital, the 1st planned city of India, Jaipur. The city popularly known as the pink city was constructed on 18 November 1727 by the emperor of Amber-Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The entire city is armored by a fortified wall which encompasses it and is shielded by seven gates.
The principles of Shilpa Sastra on Indian Architecture can be very well realized in the buildings of Jaipur. Jaipur is outstanding among contemporary Indian cities for the width and reliability of its streets. In 1853 the whole city was painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales!
The apt time to visit Jaipur is between October to March when the temperature is pleasant and comfortable. However, if you want to see the real India you must experience the majestic festivals! Watch the sky filled with multi colored kites during the Kite Festival on January 14. The Teej festival which celebrates the arrival of monsoon is widely celebrated in India, but its charisma can be found only in Jaipur during July and August. The Gangaur festival, Shitla Mata Fair and Chaksu Fair are other important festivals of Jaipur.
You can reach Jaipur by airways, railways or on wheels. Sanganeer airport has domestic flights connecting Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Ahmedabad. On tracks Jaipur is well connected with Mumbai, Agra, Delhi, Chennai, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Bikaner. Regular bus service connects Jaipur through AC and Deluxe coaches.
Jaipur is a hotspot for forts, palaces, temples, monuments and even gardens, spend two days for visiting all the forts and palaces. The magnificent Hawa Mahal is a royal treat for the eyes. Hawa Mahal the “Palace of Winds” or the “Palace of Breeze” is distinctive in it’s five-story exterior which is analogous to the honeycomb of beehive with its 953 small windows called jharokhas that are adorned with intricate lattice work The cooling effect in the chambers is provided by the breeze passing through the small windows of the façade. This is enhanced by the fountains located at the centre of the chambers. The panoramic sight from the roof of the palace is unimaginably beautiful. The bazaar on the east side will remind you of the avenues of Paris!
The Nahargarh fort is a breath taking destination in Jaipur. The fort soars on a steep rocky face with massive walls and bastions. This small fort also known as Tiger fort (Nahar: Tiger, Garh: fort) provides an eagle’s-eye view of Jaipur, spread all around it. Another brainchild of Jai Singh Pratap to be appreciated is the Jantar Mantar meaning the ‘instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens’. This whole monument is built in stone with marble facing! Forts worth watching in Jaipur are the Jaigarh Fort ‘Fort of Victory’ the walls of whose spread three kilometers, the Amber Fort and the city palace.
Next on the list are the parks, gardens and the monuments which will take half a day after which you can tickle you taste buds with spicy Mawa Kachori and Mirchi Bada and enjoy the aroma and sweet taste of Dal Batti Churma. One day is sufficient for visiting all the temples and fairs
Your Jaipur travel is unfinished if you don’t engage yourself in shopping expedition! There are copious shopping bazaars and malls like crystal Palm, Triton mall, MGF metropolitan and Apex hall. Hand-made camel leather products like jutis, sandals, bags and toys are aesthetic souvenirs you can find in Bappu Bazaar and Nehru Bazaar. You can take home from the tribal stalls beautifully knitted embroidery skirts with mirror work on them or traditionally white Rajasthani Kurtha’s and pants which are blissful to wear during summer. It’s really worth spending a whole day for shopping and souvenir purchase!
All this shopping and roaming around will unquestionably get you hungry and tired. Don’t panic. Getting a cab in Jaipur is child’s play or you could even try the camel ride! Rickshaw is another cheap option. Moreover you can mingle with the Rajasthani crowd by traveling in public transport busses! There are number of hotels which provide comfortable stay as well as match your budget. Jaipur is famous for its heritage hotels, five star hotels and many other budget hotels. Budget hotels come in range of 1000 to 2000 INR per day for a room. Some heritage hotels cost the same. If you are traveling with a family of four then your stay in Jaipur could cost you as much as 8000 INR.
Joy in Jeolikot!
If you are searching for a reclusive town with not much bustling activity, pleasing climate, beautiful scenery and pretty landscapes then Jeolikot is your cup of joy! This village situated cozily on the Nainital-Haldwani highway is the harbor for adventurers and nature lovers. Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo considered Jeolikot as the home of tranquility, so peaceful that it gave a healing effect to its inhabitants. The beautiful countryside of Jeolikot is gifted with the magnetizing Kumaon Hills, the trekking attraction! Jeolikot is loaded with interesting cemeteries, ancient shrines and ivory clad cottages.
Jeolikot is a 17km drive from Nainital. One can reach Nainital from Ramgarh, Sattal or Ranikhet. The nearest airport to Jeolikot is the Pantnagar Airport which is well connected to most of the major cities in India. A cab from airport would cost around 600 INR. Jeolikot is not furnished with a railway station, but the nearest railway station to Jeolikot is the kathgodam railway station which is 30 minutes from Jeolikot and cab would cost you around 300 INR. A cab from Delhi to Jeolikot would cost around 3400 INR.
Jeolikot has enjoyable weather throughout the year. If you hail from a place which has hot summers, then Jeolikot can be your summer chill out destination! Jeolikot celebrates almost all the important festivals with utmost zeal and fervor. This makes Jeolikot beau destination throughout the year!
People from all over the world come to Jeolikot for butterfly watching. Jeolikot is bestowed with several hundred species of butterflies! You’ll never know how the time flies as you watch the pretty butterflies fly. Another amazing splendor of Jeolikot is its bee-keeping centers. Bee-keeping center is a place where Bee’s are breed and honey is extracted from its hives. You can visit them and taste the delicious honey extracted freshly from the hives. Visiting the bee-keeping center, horticulture department and butterfly watching will take a day. You might be wondering… when there are butterflies and bees around there should be plenty of flowers around! You are right! Jeolikot is filled with the most beautiful flowers in the world. Maintained by the horticulture department, thousands of visitors come here every year to see the beautiful flowers bloom.
The Kumaon hill is a harbor for trekkers. It’s challenging terrain demands physical activity, offering easygoing to tough challenges for its trekkers. Unexplored paths of Kumaon hills make it an interesting place to trek. There are many ancient temples and shrines around the Kumaon hills. So, make sure you take your trekking boots and binoculars when you visit Jeolikot! Trekking will absolutely take a day of your stay. On the last day you can relax for a while, take pictures of all the beautiful places in Jeolikot (includes the cottage) and shop Also, you can check out the quarters of Warwick Saheb or the bungalow of the great Napoleon Bonaparte.
There are many resorts in and around Jeolikot that offer interesting amenities and flexible price range. For a day for a couple the hotel price ranges from 1500 to 3000 INR. Mountain Hill resort is one such budget hotel. However there is one resort in Jeolikot you must visit for its beauty and splendid architecture. This resort was the life and work of Bhuvan Kumari, its ‘The Cottage”. Clad with wooden structures, myriad shades of cotton, handiworks of Christopher Moore, tree stumps side table, exquisite bedrooms and devoted service. ‘The Cottage’ is the icing on the cake! Make it a point to at least visit this masterpiece even if you are not staying in The Cottage. It’s definitely a tourist spot in Jeolikot.
Other places of excursion near Jeolikot are Pangot, Bhowali, Naukuchiatal and Sattal.
All types of cuisines are available in Jeolikot. To trickle your taste buds you can visit the local chai and Dhabha walla, they are very tasty!
Touring doesn’t end here! Don’t forget to shop for souvenirs! You can visit the Horticulture department and buy a bottle of freshly extracted honey! Mushrooms kiwi fruits, strawberries and olives are other good buys in Jeolikot. Tiny plants and saplings cut from the Kumaon hills are available in shops near The Cottage.
All in all you can spend 3 days and 2 nights in Jeolikot. For a couple, the estimated expense for a trip to Jeolikot would be more or less than 7000 INR.
Kalsi – From Uttaranchal with Love!
Once an important bustling township in the province of Jaunsar-Bawar, Kalsi has now become a reclusive tourist spot. Located amidst the vivacious river of Yamuna in the state of Uttaranchal is a stretch of land clad with rich history and nature. Clothed with dense oak and pine forests, Kalsi has its own pride. In Kalsi, King Ashoka erected myriad pillars and sculpted many stones with words that taught people goodness, sincerity and honesty. On the other hand in another age, King Shilavarman performed several violent sacrifices to show off his power and strength of his kingdom. The mystical history of Kalsi is an amalgam of both violence and goodness.
Garhwali, Hindi and to a certain extent English are the languages spoken in Kalsi. The best time to come here is during the summer season. You can see the waters of Yamuna bubbling during the monsoon. Kalsi celebrates Dussera, Holi and Diwali with great fervor and enthusiasm. Blessed with pleasant climate throughout the year, Kalsi is the favorite chill out destination for many!
Jolly grant airport of Dehradun is the closest domestic airport to Kalsi (73 km’s). The nearest international airport is Delhi (285 km’s from Kalsi). A cab from Jolly grant would cost around 1500 INR. The closest on rail is the Dehradun railway station, which is about 49km’s from Kalsi and cab would cost around 1000 INR. Kalsi is well connected to the major cities on road. Luxury busses charge around 3 INR per kilometer. State busses charge less than 1 INR per kilometer.
Kalsi is a blend of undulated plateaus, intimidating cliffs, vivaciously bubbling waters of Yamuna, scintillating landscapes, cascading waterfalls and dense clothing of trees. Nature is at its maximum best here at Kalsi! You can try rock climbing, mountain biking, nature trail, kayaking, boating, jungle safari, night camping, angling and also boating and fishing on the first day! Kalsi is not only an adventurer’s haven since it’s the rich history allures historians and archaeologists from all over the world. On the second day look out for the pillars or rocks on which the King Ashoka inscribed his preaching are of great historical value. These lifeless rocks talk about human value, goodness to other people and animals and about honesty and sincerity. And during the nights enjoy the tune of the bustling breeze with the flames of the bonfire dancing for you. Kalsi with its tranquillity and magnetizing power allures many couples for honeymoon. This silent town is full of surprises!
Most of the hotels in Kalsi are economical. These come under the budget category. Budget hotels in Kalsi are Drury Inn and Ameryhost- Baymont Inn.
Multi cuisine restaurants offer variety of food types. So food wouldn’t be a problem in Kalsi. Miniature Models of the Ashokan pillars are best souvenirs you can take home.
All in all Kalsi is the best fun filled, educating and refreshing tour package Uttaranchal can offer. The budget estimate for a couple for this trip would be around 5000 INR. Now that’s very much affordable and worth.
Kufri - The Land of Virgin Snow
Cuddle close to your loved one, sipping hot chocolate fudge under a thatched roof, tuning to the sounds of cheering pheasants, watching the pristine snow drop down, snow so immaculate that it puts the word ‘white’ to shame. If you are wondering where you can experience such haven on Earth, it’s Kufri. This hill station is breath giving to adventurers, presenting unlimited opportunity for tobogganing, trekking, hiking and Horse riding!
The area around Shimla including Kufri was in bounds of Nepal territory. In 1819, the British discovered this hidden section which remained obscure from the rest of the world. Kufri is now part of Himachal Pradesh, India. You can reach Kufri on road by hiring a taxi in Rampur, Shimla or Narkanda, since Kufri does not have an airport or a railway station. However Shimla has an airport and a railway station. Kufri is also well connected to Delhi, Chandigarh, Manali and Amritsar via road. Once you get to Kufri, you can discover its beauty on horseback or even Yak safari! All India tourist permit vehicles are available too.
Kufri can be well explored in just three days. Kufri is your ideal summer station during the months of April to June. And for daredevil adventurers November to February is the apt time for skiing. Winter sports and National snow statue competition are held annually by the Himachal Pradesh travel and tourism department.
The snow capped slopes of the Mahasu Ridge magnetize several tourists for skiing experiences. Many Ski coaches teach beginners the skill of skiing. Free lance and professional skiers skim on the slopes of splendorous snow! The highest peak in Kufri is the Mahasu peak this is one spot you should never miss. You can spend a day skiing on the slopes of Mahasu Ridge. The trail leading to the peak is bordered by woody forests of spruce and deodar.
Walk amidst ninety hectares of temperate vegetation in The Himalayan Nature Park that serves as a natural habitat for various animals and birds of the Western Himalayas. The Himalayan National Park is home to the rare species of Barking Deer, Hangal, Brown Bear, Musk Deer and rare varieties of Pheasants and Monal kept in social consortium. Exotic migratory birds add beauty to the already magnificent park.
Kufri is the epitome of tranquil and serenity, enjoy the backdrop and scenery patiently on Yak and Horseback. Spend a day for the horse and Yak Safari. The safari sets out to the energetically green woodlands, sky scrapping mountains and gushing rivers. ‘Kufer’ the important attraction of Kufri is a pond, and it’s from ‘Kufer’ the town got its name. To get a picturesque display of nature you must visit the Indira Tourist Park. Shivalik range, Shimla hills and temples are other places you can probably visit during your stay in Kufri.
Kufri being an important tourist spot in Himachal Pradesh won’t trouble you finding a nice cozy niche for stay. Ranging from Budget Hotels (1500 to 2500 INR per day) like PWD Rest House to the above budget hotels(2600 to 3000 INR per day)like HTPDC Winter Sports Club. With all these Multi Cuisine Restaurants you can get absolutely any type of food. Local tea stalls and Dhabbas are very ethnic, traditional and cheap. The Budget estimate for a couple for the trip would be around 8000 INR (Includes travel from Shimla, hotel expense, transport within town and food).
Souvenir shopping can be done with a little creativity! You can take home greeting cards made with Yak hair. Or ornaments designed with Yak hair. Scent bottles of many trees are available in Kufri. Don’t miss it! Heavy duty shoppers can head to Shimla for shopping. Seeing all the parks and souvenir shopping could take you another day. Lazing in the cozy bed during the cool winter? Definitely a day!! So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, get your gloves, ski’s and leather jacket and head to Kufri!
Pauri – The Paranormal Paradise
Situated at an altitude of 1815metres above the sea level is Pauri. Sleeping on the slopes of Kandoliya hills, Pauri is an essential headquarter of the Pauri Garhwal province and the division of Garhwal. Pauri Garhwal diverges from the foothills of Tarai of Kotadwar to the heart invigorating meadows of the Doonhatoli sprawling at an elevation of 3000 meters! The lands of Pauri are clad with snow during the months of winter and the mountains appear golden during summer. Pauri Garhwal is encircled by the districts of Nainital, Chamoli, Bijnor, Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri and Rudraprayag. Pauri is endowed with the panoramic view of snow clad Himalayan peaks of Bander Punchh, Jonli, Gangotri Group, Swarga-Rohini, Neelkanth,Chaukhamba, Jogin Group, Nandadevi, Kedarnath, Kharcha Kund, Sumeru, Satopanth, Thalaiya-Sagar, Ghoriparvat, Hathiparvat, and Trisul.
The climate during the summer season is pleasant and is probably the best time to visit Pauri. However, if you are traveling during winter season make sure you carry plenty of woolen clothes. Garhwali, English and Hindi are spoken in Pauri. Despite being a remote locality, reaching Pauri is not that difficult. Jolly grant airport is the nearest airport and Kotwar is the nearest railway station. Cabs are available from airport and railway station till Pauri. Pauri is well connected by an array of roads. Moreover, Cabs and rickshaws are available within the city. This makes Pauri an easy reach tourist spot!
Imagine the snow clad mountains and the changing of their color from white to golden yellow when the morning sunshine pours over them. Ah! That’s splendorous treat to the eyes. Climbing snow clad terrains is altogether a different experience! Throwing snow on each other, skiing and building snowman are favorite activities of most of the tourists visiting Pauri. The tourism government of Uttaranchal conducts Pauri trekking and adventure sports every year. People from all over the world come here to witness and take part in this exciting event. Pauri won’t take much off your touring time. Two days is all you need to relish Pauri. You can gaze at the sun lit mountains and give a try for adventure sports on the first day. Pauri is not only for adventurers, it houses many pilgrimage sites. On the next day you can visit few of the temples in Pauri like the Siddhibali Temple, Kamleshwar Durga Devi Temple, Medanpuri Devi Temple, Shankar Math and DevalgarhDhar Devi Temple. The temples depict the uniqueness of Pauri in terms of its structure and customs. If time permits you can visit some of the excursion sites like KhirsuDoodahtoli, Jwala Devi Temple, Binsar Mahadev, Adwani, Tara Kund, Kanvashram, Bhart Nagar, Neelkanth and Kalagarh Chila.
Hotels in Pauri are very economical, stay for a day in a budget hotel costs around 600 INR. It’s best to approach the tourism department of Pauri for hotels or lodgings. Shopping freaks won’t be let down! Pauri has shops for all types of pockets. Some of the shopping centers are The Upper Bazaar, The Lower Bazaar and Dhara Road. These places are great for souvenir shopping.
All in all a trip to Pauri for a couple would cost around 5000 INR. That’s economical! So what are you waiting for? Grab your woolen clothes and leather boots and head to Pauri!
Ramgarh – The house of peace and tranquility
The fruit basket of Nainital, nature lover’s exhibit, situated 1789m above the sea level is the hill station called Ramgarh. The epitome of peace, solitude and beauty to the greatest degree, here you will find healing effect greater than the gravity of beauty and silence. Ramgarh is the birth place of one of the greatest compositions of Rabindra Nath Tagore. It was here Tagore crafted his poems. This rare tranquility and peace made Narain Swami and Rabindra Nath Tagore set up their Ashrams in Ramgarh. Ramgarh was once the cantonment of the British army.
The weather is pleasant throughout the year except the winters. One can choose Ramgarh as the summer chill out destination as the climate during summer is very pleasant.
The nearest domestic airport to Ramgarh is Pantnagar and the closest railway station is Kathgodam which is about 30 minutes drive from Nainital. The nearest international airport is Delhi. A cab from Delhi to Ramgarh would cost about 6500 INR. Ramgarh is well connected to major cities on road too. One can reach Ramgarh from Jeolikot, Nainital, Ranikhet, almora, sattal and kasauni via road.
Ramgarh is a photographers dream! The picturesque place is so perfect that photographers love taking snapshots here. Jungle walks are amazing, so indulge your first day in nature walks! Clad with snow, trees, silent whispers of the wind and unobstructed view of that snow capped mountains! Ramgarh is called the fruit basket of Kumaon for a reason and it very well validates that. All kinds of orchids can be seen in Ramgarh! Apples, apricots and peaches, spend your evening biting a few juicy fruits! For trekking enthusiasts Ramgarh won’t let you down. The next morning you can put on your trekking shoes and head straight to Talli Ramgarh, the trek zone! Here you can also visit the local village and see the river of Ramgarh. Malli Ramgarh gives you the unobstructed view of the mighty Himalayas. Places you can visit from Ramgarh are Jeolikot, Nainital, Mukteshwar, Raniket and other Tals. For this you would need a cab. My suggestion is do nothing, just take a deep breath, walk outside, relax, relax, relax and only relax. So spend your last day in slumber! Ramgarh is the ideal place for escaping city life. So when you are here do just that.
The hotels in Ramgarh aren’t that expensive. Budget hotels can be as cheap as 1700 INR for a day for a couple. The Himalayan Heights is one such budget hotel. Roop Kumaon and the Writer’s Bungalow are luxury hotels providing the best amenities. There aren’t many shops worth shopping in this village. The resorts will give you some souvenirs before you leave. All the resorts in Ramgarh are multi cuisine so you don’t have to go outside or in pursuit for food. So just laze around!
All in all the cost for the whole trip including transportation from the closest city for a couple would cost around 7000 INR. So what are you waiting for? Pack your sweaters, binoculars, camera and trekking shoes and head straight to Ramgarh!
Sattal – The Serene Salubrity
To the Gods above, it looks like seven puddles of water droplets surrounded by absolute green. To the mortals below it’s the same as the haven above. Yes! It’s Sattal. Sattal is at an altitude of 4000ft in the state of Uttarkhand, near the foothills of the Himalayas. Seven fresh water lakes (Panna Tal, Nal-Damyanti Tal, Purna Tal, Sita Tal, Ram Tal, Laxman Tal, Sukha Tal), pine forests, oak forests, peace, picturesque scenery, panoramic view and adrenaline inducer is what Sattal is made of! Rich birdlife, flora and fauna of this area are mainly due to its protected forests.
During the months of February and March, Shivaratri is celebrated with great zeal and fervour. Dusera is another major festival of Sattal. Summer is the best time to be in Sattal, plunge in the not so cold, but warm waters! Ahhh! Extreme ecstasy! It’s not advisable take come here during the winters as the climate is brutally cold with snowfall. Reaching sattal isn’t so difficult. Sattal is well connected by roads. Pantnagar is the closest airport to Sattal. On railways, Kathgodam is the nearest railway station. Plenty of cabs are available from all the terminals.
The Machan, The embassy and The Capri are must try eat outs in sattal. Most of the resorts in sattal have flexible price range. The most economical place of stay is the KMVN Tourist rest house. There aren’t many shops worth shopping here in Sattal.
Sattal is a small place and it can be explored in just two days. Breakfast at The Capri will charge you enough for trying out all the adventure sports in a day! The lush greenery, pristine waters, hilly terrain and not to forget the adrenaline inducer makes Sattal one of the best summer hang outs in Uttarkhand! There are plenty of things you can do here at Sattal. This place is famous for its adventure camping. During your camping here you can try rock climbing, mountain biking, nature trail, kayaking, boating, jungle safari, night camping, angling and also boating and fishing! Phew, that’s a big list! Once you are done with the adventure sports, you can take a long walk into the forests of Sattal and explore the seven fresh water bodies of Sattal during the evening. If time permits, plunge into the lake for a nice refreshing bath. The next best thing on the list after camping and nature walk is relaxing! Oh yeah, relax on a hammock tied between two trees, best pick up a binocular and check out the different species of birds and butterflies. On the next day, you can also visit the Sattal Museum that exhibits about 1100 species of insects and 2500 species of butterflies! Don’t forget to visit The Sattal Christian Ashram. It is the ideal place to rediscover peace and tranquillity. There are many gardens and children parks in sattal that would make your stay in sattal unforgettable. All in all for a couple, a trip to Sattal would cost around 5000 INR.
Yamunotri - Yarns of Yamuna
The river Yamuna starts form this place, located at a height of 3293 meters in Uttarkashi province of Uttarkhand is Yamunotri. Yamunotri is one of the holiest places in India and one of the four spots in India’s Char Dham pilgrimage. Being a reclusive hilly region, Yamunotri was once the home of Asit Muni the ancient sage. According to legend, Yamunotri was the seat of Goddess Yamuna. This sacred ornament of Himalayas is an important pilgrimage and tourist site of India.
Languages spoken in Yamunotri are Garhwali, Hindi and English. Summer is the best time to visit Yamunotri and make sure you carry woolen clothes even if it’s summer. Visiting Yamunotri during the winter season is not advisable as the temperature here touches subzero! Yamunotri doesn’t have an airport nor railway station. However, direct busses are available from Rishikesh, Samyukt and Haridwar. Rishikesh is the nearest airport and railway station to Yamunotri. Rishikesh is about 250 kilometers from Yamunotri and a cab from Rishikesh to Yamunotri would cost around 2500 INR. For travel inside Yamunotri use an all terrain vehicle.
Two days are sufficient to explore the whole of Yamunotri. The prime site of Yamunotri is the temple of Yamunotri. This magnificent structure was built by the Maharani of Jaipur, Guleria. Maharani Guleria built this temple dedicating to the Goddess Yamuna. Earthquake had ravaged the temple, later it was rebuilt. The Yamunotri temple remains closed from November to May. Plan your visit after May. The climatic conditions of Yamunotri might be brutally cold, but there is one thing here that is hot and that is the Surya Kund. If you’re wondering, Surya Kund is a natural thermal spring and the temperature of the spring could rise up to 190 degree Fahrenheit! The locals consider this place sacred. They worship and also cook rice in the hot waters of the spring, which they offer to the deities of the temple. Don’t forget to take the holy dip in Surya Kund before you enter the temple. A massive stone pillar will confront you when you reach the entrance of the temple, pay your respects to it. People of Yamunotri call it ‘Divya Shila’. Dressed in comfy white clothes you can spend a whole day (occasionally, tasting the tasty temple food) for pilgrimage. Apart from the pilgrimage visit, the next best thing on the list is trekking and nature walks. You are amidst boundless yarns of beautiful nature so explore and expedite on the next day! Other places of excursion near Yamunotri are Savanachatti, Jankichatti and Hanumanchatti
Yamunotri offers best stay in Dharamshala’s! Alternative place of stay is the GMVN rest house in Janki Chatti. Kindly don’t carry non vegetarian food or liquor when your traveling to the Yamunotri, it’s strictly prohibited here. As far as food is concerned, you’ll find delicious north Indian vegetarian food! Vegetarian Dhabas can be found in Yamunotri. There are not many shops worth shopping here in Yamunotri. Idols of God’s are the best souvenirs you can take back home. The budget estimate for this trip for a couple would cost nearly 6000 INR.
