TamilNadu Tourism: Things to do in Oooty

Ooty or Udhagamandalam, famously known as the queen of hill-stations, has been hailed as one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. This small picturesque city offers a variety of things to do to her visitors. Once in Ooty, you will be greeted by its lofty mountains, scenic grasslands, miles of tea gardens and a very benign crowd, which will make your stay a memorable one.

Let’s discover some interesting things to do in Ooty.

A visit to the Botanical Gardens

Take a long walk through the variety of exotic plants that adorn these gardens or lie down and relax on the well-maintained lawns. The gardens are home to a unique collection of imported shrubs, roses and eucalyptus.

Ooty Botanical Garden

Spot the famous fossilised tree trunk, said to be about 20 million years old, which has been the site for the shooting of many Bollywood songs. If you are here during the month of May, catch the flower show during the “Summer Festival” and enjoy various cultural programmes.

Fossil Tree Trunk

The Nilgiri Toy Train Ride

While at Ooty, take a trip to Conoor via the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, commonly known as the “toy train”. This fairy-tale like ride will enthral you with the view of captivating scenery along the way! Its delightful wooden coaches and large windows speak of old world charm. It’s perhaps called the toy train because the slow speed lets you greet the children outside while enjoying the ride. The train stops at regular intervals so you can hop out and have a quick photo session with friends and family. Considering the terrain of the region, the toy train is a great way to reach Conoor.

Nilgiri Toy Train

Angling in Ooty

Ooty is truly gifted with a pleasant climate all year round and hence becomes the perfect spot for sports enthusiasts. There are a number of opportunities ranging from hiking and trekking to mountain biking, angling and hand gliding. Angling is a famous pastime here, owing to the numerous water bodies that flow through the Nilgiris. Fishing in Ooty will take some back to their childhood days and those summer vacations when a fishing rod was an invariable part of an English day out.

Fishing in Ooty

Boating at Pykara Lake

Have a wonderful half an hour boating experience in the Pykara dam and lake. It’s a nice, clean huge lake, worth visiting on a sunny day. If possible, try speed boating which is a craze here. There are a variety of boats available, also a restaurant and necessary toilet facilities. The lake looks mesmerizing during the Christmas season. As the lake is located just outside the city it’s comparatively less crowded and makes for a good picnic spot too!

Boating at Pykara Lake

View from the Doddabetta Peak

Get a panoramic view of the landscape from the highest peak of Tamil Nadu. The Doddabetta Peak is perched at the altitude of 2623 metres and is located 10 Kms from Ooty. If you are a photographer, you will fall in love with the enchanting views this peak has to offer on a clear sunny day! In fact, there is an observatory at this peak which offers excellent views of the plateaus. As far as the name of the peak is concerned, it originated from the Kannada words “dodda” and “betta”, meaning big and mountain respectively.

Doddabetta Peak, Ooty

Rose Gardens – a feast for the eyes

Ooty’s Rose Garden is the largest in the country and home to around 1919 varieties of roses. The unique collection includes Hybrid Tea Roses, Yakimour, Polyanthas, Miniature Roses, Papagena and Floribunda. Step on the observation platform at the garden and view the entire rose garden at a glance! The garden has roses according to the season. For instance, if you visit the garden during the month of March, there might be just 5-10 roses in the whole garden. So based on the month you visit Ooty, decide whether it is worth going to the gardens.

Roses at Rose Garden

Into the Toda Hamlet

Near the Avalanche Lake, about 30 km from Ooty, is Mullimund- a small toda village with traditional toda huts. The todas are a close-knitted tribal community who survive mainly by cattle herding. The shawls embroidered by them are a favourite buy among the tourists. Their dwellings or the toda huts are low, semi-barrel shaped with a small entrance and no windows. The todas are simple, religious people, who are the ingenious inhabitants of the city. However, their population has been diminishing owing to modern influences.

Toda-Huts

Glen Morgan Tea estate

It is the establishment of numerous tea estates which made Ooty famous.  25 Kilometres from Ooty is Glen Morgan tea estate, a beautiful tea garden with toda tribe establishments and a lake at the foot of its base. 3 kms down the hill, at Singara, is the Pykara Power house, which you can reach through the mechanical rope trolley. One can even see the distant planes of Mysore and the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary from here. The drive to Glen Morgan is laden with eucalyptus and wattle plantations. All in all, it’s the perfect place for tea buffs.

Glenmorgan Tea Estate

Snapshots at the 9th Mile

This is a nice place to stop for a few pictures. Huge tracts of land, captivating views makes this place a great spot for clicking snaps, which you can later frame and hang in your drawing room. You can also walk right up to the top of the hill and experience the fantastic view. It’s definitely the place where nature poses for you. So don’t forget to bring your camera for the 9th Mile!

9th Mile in Ooty

Shopping and eating at Ooty

There is a place called Charring Cross in the middle of the town. Shopping enthusiasts can pick up things like silver trinkets, shawls, nilgiri tea, medicinal oils and handmade local chocolates from here. Once you are exhausted with all the shopping and sightseeing activities, indulge yourself in scrumptious meals at local restaurants. Try the Chettinad chicken pepper which is a speciality of the city.

Charing-Cross-Market

While at Conoor, hire a taxi and ask the driver to cover Lamb’s Rock, Dolphin Nose Point and Sim’s Park, among other places. Also check out the Thread Garden and the Honey and Bee Museum.

Dolphin-Nose-Point

Sim-Park

Lamb’s-Rock

Honey-Bee-Museum-Ooty

No need to carry a lot of warm clothes to Ooty as the place offers pretty affordable winter wear with jackets costing as less as 100/- If you are there during the months of January-February, you’ll have a lot of regional festivals to enjoy! Bon Voyage!

Bihar Tourism: Things to do in Bodhgaya

Inhabited for more than 3000 years, Bodhgaya is one of the oldest established places of the world. Bodhgaya has many places and monuments of historical importance. Also, there are many regions that hold importance from various religions’ point of view. There are places important for religions like Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam and Hinduism among others.

A Stroll Around the Town of Gaya

Travel tourism in Bodhgaya is widening with every passing day. As the tourists realize the importance of historical places, Bodhgaya travel and tourism is flourishing with increasing International travelers are planning Bodhgaya travel trips. As stated by Bihar government, the state is witnessing more Foreign travelers than the most popular tourist destination – Goa. In a recent survey, Bodhgaya travel trips have been listed among the top ten most picked holiday trips in India while Bihar is enlisted at number seventh amidst the most popular tourist destinations in India.

Tourists-in-Bodhgaya

With umpteen pilgrimages, excavations, monuments, fort, fairs and festivals, Bodhgaya in Bihar attracts tourists with all its might. The art and culture of Bodhgaya is admired by hundreds and thousands of tourists coming every year to the state of Bihar. To cater to the traditional and cultural needs of tourists, Bodhgaya caters to them with Madhubani paintings, stone pottery, vegetarian cuisines and folk music and dances. Tourists in Bihar enjoy exploring new cultures and traditions, while they are very fond of the paintings, handicrafts, pottery, etc. available in various Indian states.

Bodhgaya in Bihar at Large!

Bhodhgaya, Nalanda, Vaishali, Kushinagar, Pawapuri, Rajgir and Patna among others are some of the famous Bihar tourists Attractions. Bodhgaya is the famous tourist destination known as the birthplace of Buddhist preacher Lord Buddha. Every year thousands of International travelers in Bihar swarm this place to learn and enrich their lives with Buddhist lessons. There is a unique serenity in the environment of Bodhgaya, which is why many Bihar travel guides recommend a visit here for seekers of inner peace. Bodhgaya has many monasteries, some of which were built by people from Japan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and other nations. Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya has been felicitated with the title of being a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Bodhgaya and Nalanda are located in the southern part of Bihar. Nalanda has the Nalanda Archeological museum, Nalanda University, which considered as one of the greatest centers for Buddhist teachings, Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall, the Surya Mandir, etc. find place in its vicinity.

Mahabodhi-Temple-in-Bodhgaya

Vaishali has religious importance for Jainism as well as Buddhism in its name. This is the place where Lord Buddha took his last sermon while Lord Mahaveera (24th Teerthankara in Jainism) was born in a village in Vaishali. There are many Jain and Buddha structures situated in Vaishali while other Bihar tourists Attractions include Ashoka Pillars and Vishwa Shanti Stupa.

Vaishali–World’s-first-republics

Kushinagar is the place where Buddha attained liberation from life and death cycle. Located at about 53 Km away from Gorakhpur, Kushinagar is the place where Buddha was cremated. Similar is the importance of Pawapuri, where Lord Mahavira attained Nirvana.

Vishva-Shanti-Stupa

Rajgir is also important for followers of Jainism as well as Buddhism. Lord Buddha spent almost 12 years in this region, while Lord Mahaveera also spent a considerable time in the area.

Travel tourism Bihar is a journey through the religious places of various religions in India. For Sikhism, there are many Gurudwaras like the Gurudwara Handi Sahib, Gurudwara Pakki Sangat, Gurudwara Gobind Ghat, Gurudwara Guru ka Bhag, Gurudwara Taksali Sangat, etc. in the state of Bodhgaya. For Islam, there is Sararam, Maner Sharif, Bodhgaya Sharif and Phulwari Sharif.

Takht-Sri-Patna-Sahib–the-birthplace-of-Guru-Gobind-SinghJi

The historical museums in Bihar travel guide include Nalanda Museum, Bodhgaya Museum, Vikramshila Museum and Vaishali Museum. Chhath pooja is one of the most famous festivals in all over Bodhgaya. The inhabitants of Bodhgaya, no matter where they are staying in the country, reach their hometowns in Bodhgaya in participate in this auspicious event. Visiting the state during the time of Chhath is one of the Bihar travel tips recommended by tour planners. Rajgir Mahotsava, Sonepur Fair and Patna Film Festival are some of other Bihar tourists Attractions. Forts in Bihar to be visited include Rohtasgarh Fort, Palamu Fort, Maner Fort, Jalalgarh Fort, Rajmahal and many more.

Nalanda-Museum

Patna, the capital city of Bihar, also showcases many places to Foreign travelers in Bihar from tourists’ point of view. Hanuman Mandir, Takht Shri Harmandir Sahib, Jadughar, Golghar, Qila House, Gandhi Setu and Kumhrar are few of them. Patna is important from Sikh perspective as it is the birth place of their tenth guru Guru Gobind Singh.

Takht-Sri-Patna-Sahib–the-birthplace-of-Guru-Gobind-SinghJi

As per the lifestyle of Bihar, moviegoers and entertainment seekers constitute a major part of culture. Most of the movies are released in the native language of the state called Bhojpuri.

Not only historical and religious places, Bihar travel offers a treat for wildlife lovers. There are many wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks in Bihar for the tourist to enjoy viewing and observing the other living beings on the planet. Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhimbandh Sanctuary, Hazaribagh Sanctuary, Lawalong Sanctuary, Dalma Sanctuary, Dolphin Sanctuary among others offers such opportunities. Also, Bihar entreats birdwatchers with various species of birds in Kabar Lake Bird Sanctuary. There are waterfalls like Kakolat, Telhar, Karkat waterfalls in Bodhgaya that are enjoyed by many tourists visiting the state.

Dalma-Wildlife-Sanctuary

Bihar travel tips include some of the scientific Museums like Patna Planetarium, which is one of the largest in Asia as well as Srikrishan Science Centre.

Srikrishna-Science-Centre, Patna

There are various travel packages offered for tourists visiting Bihar. Every package has different deals to reach and accommodate in the state of Bodhgaya. There are ways through air, rail and road to reach the important tourist destinations.

Therefore, Bihar offers a range of place, fairs, festivals, culture and tradition to fill the tourism senses of the Foreign Travelers in Bihar. Bihar and Bodhgaya, together with their unique cultures and traditions, exhibits various points of interest to the travelers reaching the state in large numbers. Government of Bihar records an increasing footfall on the various tourist spots each year.

Bodhgaya-in-night

A tourist, once aware about the importance of Bihar and different tourism spots that Bodhgaya in Bihar offers them, cannot resist visiting the place atleast once. People from all over the world swarm to Bodhgaya to experience the religious heat of Jainism and Buddhism.

Goa Tourism: 10 Things to do

Following are Top 10 things to do in GOA

1. Water sports

It’s not just Goa’s beaches that are dotted with people. You can find them up in the sky as well, screaming their lungs out! Goa’s popular beaches are filled with various beach activities like para sailing, banana boat riding, jet-skiing, etc. Along with a brief list, I’ve also included some indicative prices. The activities you’ll find on most beaches include:

Parasailing-in-Goa

• Water Skiing/Knee & Wake boarding Rs. 400-1200 for 15 minutes
• Jet skiing (locally referred to as water scooter) Rs. 400, 1000, 1500 for 2, 10, 15 minute trips respectively
• Wind Surfing Rs. 300-600 for an hour
• Para sailing Rs. 500-1250 for 5 minutes
• Banana Boat/Bump & Ringo Rides Rs 200 for 15 minutes
• Catamaran Sailing Rs. 600-1500 for an hour
• Speedboat rides Rs. 800- 1200 for 3-6 people for 10 minutes
• Grand Island Day Trip
• Dolphin cruises
• Scuba diving/ Snorkeling Rs. 2500 per dive
• Sunset/Moonlight cruise on the Mandovi River

1. Most are run by private operators and some may not have the requisite licenses/safety features.
2. All water sports are shut in the monsoon when the sea’s rough.
3. It’s always best to bargain down to an agreeable price before your ride.

2. Nature Trails

• The Sahakari Spice Farm in Ponda is a hidden gem. They offer a tour of the plantation, where you can learn about and taste the different spices and produce, take a cold shower, enjoy a traditional Goan lunch, and additionally get a chance to watch folk dances, swing between trees a la Tarzan, and bathe and ride elephants.
• The Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary near Molem offers as much as you want to pack in. Overnight stays in a tent/dorm, a chance to spot panthers, sloth bears, mouse deer, barking deer and over 200 species of birds. Also on offer are camping trips, elephant activities (shows, bathing, riding, painting), yoga and more.
• Crocodile Watching in Cumbarjua Canal, Quepem, Chorao or Thivim. With an expert to guide you, you can watch them in their natural habbitat of thick mangroves, from the safety of a canoe or boat.
• The Arvalem, Lamgau and Rivona Caves among many others are worth a visit as they overlook the sea, have evidence of prehistoric existence, and some beautiful legendary stories.

Sunset-in-Goa

3. Heritage Hunt

20 minutes west of Panjim, you’ll go back in Indo-Portuguese time. To Old Goa, where churches, convents, museums, art galleries, government buildings, bungalows and bakeries abound. Gasp at the magnificent Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se de Santa Catarina, The Archeological Museum of Old Goa, The Naval Aviation Museum and Institute Menezes Braganza.

4. Shopping Spree

• Ingo’s Saturday Night Bazaar in Arpora, can be an overload on your senses, and you never know what you might discover. When we say you can find anything, we really mean anything. The hundreds of stalls, stock items from all over the world – bohemain clothing and jewellery, stoner paraphernalia, music, and bikes. Even if you aren’t shopping, this market really is a fun night out. You’re sure to find fire eaters, poi jugglers, live musicians/DJs and great food from all over the world and don’t forget to stop by Daniel’s Bar.
• Anjuna Flea Market is held on Wednesdays, and once again has clothing, jewellery, souvenirs, and a whole lot of rubbish along with a whole lot of treasures. This one’s on the beach, so it’s really quite lovely even if it’s small. If you take the walking route (not motorable) from the last shack on Anjuna beach, you’ll be sure to pass a small shop that sells ultra-violet paintings, paint and canvas. You’ll want to pop in.

Flea-Market-in-Goa

1. Street Shops in popular areas like Baga, Calangute, etc are plenty and they sell the basic stuff like sarongs, clothes, bags, jewellery, shells and other souvenirs.
2. Most beaches also have vendors who walk around toting their wares.
3. If you don’t want something, it’s important to be firm with the vendors and shopkeepers, especially the women who can be rather pushy.
4. Always, always bargain.

5. Why not

• Get a Black Henna tattoo painted onto your body by artists in the markets and on beaches. Pick any design, it washes off in a couple of weeks!
• Braid your hair with colorful embroidery threads and beads by the tribal women who sit on the beach and in markets.
• Get a massage from the masseuses who walk the beaches. They’ll pamper your legs and back for a great price, with or without oil, right in the comfort of your beach lounger.
• Sip coconut water from the ladies who walk the beaches. It’s cheap and wonderfully cooling.
• Spend a night on the beach but only if you’re a larger group or a bunch of guys.

6. Gluttons & Gourmets

There really are so many eating out options in Goa and overall, the quality of food doesn’t leave one complaining (unless it’s a bad shack). That makes coming up with a list next to impossible, so what we’ve done is compiled a short list of favorites that we visit every time we’re in Goa.

Beach-Food-in-Goa

• Martin’s Corner in Betalbatim, is legendary for it’s king crabs, prawn vinadloo, garlic chicken and sea food that is grilled, fried, roasted, steamed and mixed with sauces and spices. Here’s the best part, a meal for two costs around Rs. 1200.
• Britto’s on Baga is another popular restaurant and shack famed for its food and service. Best for a candlelit dinner, with the breeze in your hair and your toes in the sand.
• Infantaria at Calangute is the place to go for breakfast with their large collection of superbly prepared snacks and bakes. Get there early, before the crowds.
• Curly’s on Anjuna is a lively, popular shack that serves some seriously good food. We love the banana-nutella waffles with honey, as well as the limonada juice that’s seriously healthy.
• Souza Lobo at Calangute is an old establishment, set up in 1932. While they serve a varied fare, try their traditional offerings.

7. Bikers Anonymous

If you can tear yourself away from the beaches, Goa has miles of intricate roads and paths that run right through paddy fields, cottages and bungalows. With the wind in your hair, and Goa at your feet, it’s not just a great way to get around, but also a great way to get lost.

8. Party Animals

From shacks with karaoke, retro English, Bollywood, popular club and electronic music, to the standard bars to uber luxe lounges and nightclubs, to open air, hilltop, beachside and semi-jungle raves, Goa has something to offer for every kind of party goer. Tito’s on Baga and Hilltop at Anjuna are evergreen, but new places keep popping up and shutting down all the time, so just keep an eye out for party posters and flyers, and a ear out for hushed whispers.

Beach-restaurant-Goa

9. Holistic Healing

• Ayurvedic treatments abound in Goa, but the best place to go is Keri village where experienced ayurvedic doctors run an age old natural practice.
• Yoga/Meditation is taught at almost every corner, but for yoga holidays, recommended places include Yab Yum, Yoga Magic, Ashiyana and The Mandala.
• Reiki is practiced and taught at several locations in Goa and we’ve heard lots about Neo Yoga Centre.
• Vegans and eco conscious people get their fill at Bean Me Up; a soya-station cum health food cafe in Anjuna.

10. Glamorous gamblers

There isn’t too much gambling one can do on Indian soil and that’s where Goa’s famed Casino cruises come in. Lately machine operated casinos onshore have become popular as well. But if you’re expecting a Vegas-style casino experience, forget about it. Goa’s casinos are largely frequented by men and there’s a reason why it’s at the bottom of this list! But if you do want to try it out, dress up, put on your lucky perfume, and hope to get lucky!

Places to watch the sunset in India

Watching the sunset from a beautiful vantage point is highly emotive and a perfect sunset can be the single most memorable thing about a destination. Whether its sunsets along the coasts or behind lush mountains, it’s all possible in India. With an impressive west facing coastline and hill stations perched in the mountains, India has a large array of wonderful exotic backdrops for the most beautiful daily phenomena in the world. We take you to seven top destinations to experience the best sunsets in India.

1. Fort Cochin

The famous Chinese fishing nets in the central square of Fort Kochi often define the landscape of this quaint town. There is nothing like a beautiful sunset with the silhouettes of fishermen working at these nets to get the catch home and have a lucrative evening. The fishermen also let the tourists give a helping hand to enjoy the experience.

Sunset-in-Cochin

2. Goa

As the sun sets down on Goa, you know it’s time to hit the watering hole. Watch the last of the football matches and people taking runs on the Goan beaches and then lie on the comfortable beach loungers and watch the sky turn orange as the sun sets.

Sunset-in-Goa

3. Rann of Kutch

The Rann of Kutch is celebrated for its vast dry lands full of nothingness. A traveller’s dream, it looks even more fantastic as the sun sets on the arid landscape. Still not explored by many, take a trip to Kutch and enjoy the culture and simple living in the desert region of the country.

Great-Rann-of-Kutch-Sunset

4. Sunset in Wayanad

The warm glow of the sun is a pleasant respite in the hilly and lush green terrains of Wayanad in North Kerala. It’s great to see the sun settle in the forests of the region, while the receding light makes for great photo-opportunities.

Sunset-in-Wayanad

5. Varkala Cliff Top Sunset

Varkala is a great destination for beach lovers. Tucked away off the main highway between Trivandrum and Kollam, the beach of Varkala is overlooked by a massive cliff. Little shops and cafes join the cliff side from where you can enjoy a clear sunset.

Sunset-in-Varkala

6. Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal in Agra is spectacular at any time of day, but especially popular on full moon nights. If you can’t visit on a full moon night, ensure that you stay till the monument is shut at sunset. As the sun goes behind the massive minarets and the main structure, the myriad colours of the sky make an exquisite backdrop to the Taj Mahal.

Sunset-from-Taj-Mahal-Agra

7. Kashid Sunset

Not far from Mumbai, Kashid is a relatively new destination for travellers, discovering it’s beautiful beaches and wonderfully lonely spots. Catch the sunset in this Maharashtrian coastal wonder.

Sunset-in-Kashid

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Beaches in India: Finding the best beach in India

With its vast coastline India has a wide array of spectacular palm lined beaches which attract travellers from all over the world. Finding the best beach in India is no easy task; there are so many to choose from! The best beach in India for you will depend on what you want, from quiet solitude to a party type atmosphere. We’ve been hunting down the best beaches whatever your preference.

Best-Beaches-INDiA

We’ve done a round up of our favorite beaches which we have covered in our Indian beach series.

Alleppey Beach, Kerala

Alleppey beach is a popular spot with old colonial buildings lining the shore. Also known as Alappuzha beach there are good facilities and interesting sights.

Alleppey-Beach-Kerala

Baga beach, Goa

Baga Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Goa. It’s almost always crowded but it is clean, safe and family friendly with a lively night life when the sun goes down.

Baga-Beach-Goa

Colva Beach, Goa

The long white sandy stretch of Colva Beach in Goa is very popular. The sand at Colva as compared to other parts of Goa is exceptionally soft. Colva stretches over a large expanse and hence accommodates two distinct parts – one which is isolated where you can find a lone spot quite easily, and the other which is bustling with locals and tourists enjoying water sports.

Colva-Beach-Goa

East Coast Beaches

While the west coast beaches might be amongst the most popular there are plenty of fantastic beach spots on the east coast too. Pondicherry, Gopalpur and the Chennai beaches Marina and Besant Nagar beach are worth a visit.

East-Coast-Beach

Fort Kochi Beach

Kerala is known for its extraordinary coastal delights and the Jewish influenced town of Fort Kochi provides a pleasant mix of beach fun and history. Not the best beach for swimming or sunbathing, but instead soak in the atmosphere, watch the fishermen at the famous Chinese fishing nets and enjoy some top quality local seafood.

Fort-Kochi-Beach

Gokarna beaches, Karnataka

Gokarna is one of the lesser known beach-towns lying in Karnataka. There are four main beaches in Gokarna – Kudlee Beach, Om Beach, Half Moon Beach and Paradise Beach (in order from North to South). As one goes further South, the beaches become even more secluded and pristine.

Gokarna-Beach-Karnataka

Kashid beach, Maharashtra

Kashid beach tops the list of beaches in India for people looking for silence and calm environment. Kashid beach is popular with a rock less shore and kilometres of soft sand. The entire spread is white and clear of any stones, rough patches or rocky areas. Some beach areas are almost deserted offering you the opportunity to have your own private paradise.

Kashid-Beach-Maharashtra

Kovalam Beach, Kerala

Kovalam beach, located in the southern state of Kerala, is popular for it’s diverse attractions. The 4-km beach is just six kilometers from state’s capital, Trivandrum and it’s three curved beaches are lined by towering coconut trees. The beach can be quite busy and there is a good selection of restaurants and shops.

Kovalam-Beach-Kerala

Marari Beach in Kerala

Marari beach is a relatively low profile but wonderful sandy stretch between Fort Kochi and Alleppey. This stretch of the Kerala coast is great for just relaxing and doing nothing.

Marari-Beach-Kerala

Palolem beach, Goa

Palolem beach is one of those Goan beaches, which the average traveller has probably never heard about. But that is the best part about it. It has all of Goa’s beauty but none of its commercialisation. The area is mainly occupied local fishermen and a handful of solitude loving tourists. It is a swimmer-friendly beach, which stretches out for over 1.5 kms. The depth of the sea increases gradually and the currents are not fast.

Palolem-Beach-Goa

Varkala Beach, Kerala

Varkala beach is known not just for its scenic beauty but also religious value. Also called Papanasam beach it is believed a dip in these waters can wash away your sins. Varkala beach is a calm, clean and quiet place to swim, unwind and get a golden tan. But activities like paragliding can also be enjoyed here for the more adventurous.

Varkala-Beach-Kerala

Himachal Tourism: Things to do in Palampur

Himachal Pradesh, one of the Northern states of India, still holds a unique allure for travellers with its untouched landscapes and rustic charm. Majestic mountains, turbulent rivers and the unassuming local culture of the state makes this a favourite for those who are looking at adventure or those who just want to bask in the natural beauty of the place.

On-the-way-to-Palampur

Within Himachal Pradesh, Palampur is one of the key destinations in the Kangra Valley region. Owing to the numerous streams that flow in the town, it was given the local name “pulum’, meaning abundant water. Enjoy the view of snow clad mountains from the famous Neugal Cafe.

View from Neugal Cafe in Palampur

Things to do in Palampur

Palampur makes for a great stopping point as there are a number of tourist specific things to see and do around it. The most important day tours are Darang, Dharamshala and Mcleodganj. Here are some of the other things to do in Palampur:

Monks-in-Palampur

• Bir and Beelling: Only 35 kms from Palampur, these villages are famous for Buddhist monasteries. It is also famous as an adventure destination for hand gliding and paragliding enthusiasts. The duo is also known for Tibetan handicrafts and its verdant topography.
• Baijnath: A spiritual destination, Baijnath is 16 kms from the city and has a much revered Shiva shrine. It is said the Ravana himself has prayed to Shiva in this temple.
• Andreta: A short drive from town, this is home to the well known artist, late Sardar Shobha Singh and late playwright Norah Richards. Dhauladhar Range presents itself in a beautiful panoramic view from here.
• Bundla Stream: Again, a great spot for adventure lovers, this stream runs in a deep chasm of 100 metres and swells violently in the monsoon months. If one walks the 2 km distance between Palampur and Bundla, one can hear the stream continuously.

Festival-in-Palampur

When to go 

Palampur has pleasant weather all through the year except for winters when it is extremely cold. However, for those who like the crisp chill in the air, this one is a perfect destination for you.

How to get there 

The closest airport to Palampur is Gaggal, which is 40 kms from the town. Flights are not that frequent to this airport and are also limited in connectivity from the number of places in India. The more convenient way to get here is by train to Pathankot and then travel 100 kms to Palampur. Delhi is well connected to Pathankot by train.