Spring in the Queen of Hills Darjeeling

Posted on March 26, 2012 by admin

A beautiful Himalayan city in West Bengal, Darjeeling is a famous tourist destination well known for its tea industry, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and scenic beauty. It is a honeymoon hotspot and excellent weekend getaway from parts of Sikkim, Kolkata and Jalpaiguri. The flora and fauna of Darjeeling also makes it a popular destination for nature lovers. A distinct variety of tea is grown on the hills here and the tea plantations are major tourist draws as well. It is accessible via Kalimpong and Kurseong.

Being at an elevation of around 2,050 meters above sea level, Darjeeling has cold winters and temperate summers. Winters last until the first week of March and spring sets in only by the midweek. Tourists enjoy the beauty of spring until May beginning. Darjeeling offers excellent trekking, picnic and sightseeing opportunities during spring when the climate is pleasant. You can survive without woolen wear during daytime.

When to go

July-August is the time one should avoid visiting Darjeeling. It is the rainy season with occurrence of landslides and road blockades. March to October is the best time to visit though winter lovers tour this hilly retreat between November to February.

What to Visit

Part of the Lesser Himalayan range, Darjeeling offers a list of places to visit, some are man-made attractions while others are scenic spots.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – An UNESCO recognized World Heritage Site, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is also referred to as “Toy Train”. The distance the train covers is around 87 km from Jalpaiguri at an elevation of 100 meters higher than Darjeeling (2,200 meters). There is a daily service between Kurseong and Darjeeling and tourist trains also arrive from Ghum to Darjeeling. Ghoom is the highest railway station in the country and journey via the toy train will be a memorable one.

Tiger Hill – Another top attraction of Darjeeling, the beautiful sight of Kanchenjunga Mountain will make your trip here a worthy one. In spring, the sky is clear and the panorama of the Kanchenjunga remains unforgettable. The best way to reach the Tiger Hill is via the toy train that stops at Ghoom, the summit of Tiger Hill. The Tiger Hill is the highest hill in the region with a height of 2,600 meters above sea level.

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park – A habitat for Himalayan wild animals and bird species, the Himalayan or Darjeeling Zoo is worth visiting in spring season when the animals are out from their dens and soaking in the sun during the afternoon. Established in the year 1958, this zoo covers 67 acres and houses the snow leopard, red panda and Himalayan wolf among the other species.

Darjeeling Mall and Chowrasta – You simply cannot miss the fun at the bustling commercial streets of Darjeeling, especially its Mall Road. Famous for being the shopping hub, the Mall Road also has several hotels, restaurants and pubs bordering it. A lovely sunset view, horse and pony rides and shopping for handicrafts makes this place an important one in your tour agenda.

Tea plantations in Darjeeling – The green slopes dotted with women plucking leaves is a mesmerizing sight from April. Alubari is the oldest plantation while Happy Valley is one of the largest in Darjeeling.

Places to stay

There are heavenly resorts, well-maintained guesthouses, cottages and bungalows on rent besides hotels in Darjeeling that you can choose for accommodation. Some of the popular places to stay are Hotel Fortune, New Elgin Hotel, Alice Villa and Cedar Inn.

Entertainment

Trekking and mountaineering is an all-time entertainment option in Darjeeling. Trekking leads to Tiger Hill, Mirik Hills, Batasia Loop and the Ghoom Monastery.

Shopping

Shopping is a delight in Darjeeling as there is a variety of products, handicrafts, Tibetan artifacts, Buddha idols and garments available in the local markets. Woodcraft and hand embroidery are also important buys here. The Mall Road shops are the best places to buy chocolate, sweets, garments and shawls.

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Spring in the hills of Kodaikanal

Posted on March 25, 2012 by admin

Situated in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal is popular as the Princess of Hill Stations and is a referred retreat for the honeymoon couples visiting southern India. Featuring a cool climate almost throughout the year, Kodaikanal is an excellent refuge even during spring and summer. Surrounded by dense forest, the spring season is ideal for nature walks and picnics. Couples can spend their afternoons amidst the scenic groves and deodar forests. The Palani Hills forms the perfect backdrop to Kodaikanal town that has an elevation of around 2,133 meters above sea level. It is nestled between the two valleys of Gundar and Parappar. The heartland of Kodaikanal is a large basin, popular as the Kodaikanal Lake, this is the ultimate attraction for tourists in spring. With boating facilities, you can spend time enjoying the cool breeze from March-May.

Spring is also the time when the flora of Kodaikanal is flourishing. The hill sides are bordered with eucalyptus trees and there are fruit orchards in large numbers.

When to go

The climate of Kodaikanal is largely monsoon influenced. March-November is the best time for visit if you want to avoid colder temperature that last from December-February. The peak season is however, April to June.

What to Visit

Bryant Park – The Bryant Park is of great attraction during the spring and summer months. It is located close to the famous Kodaikanal Lake and the water lilies that bloom in the park’s pond offers a beautiful sight. Peer trees and dahlia flowers are seen in abundance. Yellow flowers are grown especially between April-June and are a treat to the eyes of visitors. This 20 acres park has around 740 rose varieties set in rows during winter.

Kodaikanal Lake – An artificial water body built in the year 1863 is a tourist hub in this hill town. It is not only an important landmark but also a pleasant place of visit with the onset of summers. There are rowboats here to enjoy a wonderful ride. The Carlton Hotel is located at its entrance.

Bear Shola Falls – Around 3 km away from the main town, Bear Shola Falls is a great scenic attraction. This waterfall is pat of a reserve forest that looks stunning during the spring and rainy seasons. There is a footpath leading to the falls from where you can get some best photographic shots of the surrounding area.

Coaker’s Walk – Just with an elevation of 500 meters, this is a kilometer long pathway featuring excellent nature on the hill sides. Built in 1872 by Lt Coaker, this walkway is around Mount Nebo running parallel to the St Peter’s Church. Taking a walk here during the spring time is a pleasant experience, though visitors avoid the rainy season.

Silver Cascade – Another rippling waterfall in Kodaikanal that is situated on the bend of the Laws Ghat Road and is 55-meter plunge down flowing into the Kodaikanal Lake.

Dolphin’s Nose – A breathtaking viewpoint around 8 km drive from Kodai town. The surround area is serene and tranquil with views of the nearby Pambar Falls. This viewpoint has a height of around 2,000 meters above sea level.

Other places to see are:

  • Berijam Lake
  • Kurinji Andavar Murugan temple
  • Guna caves

Places to stay

Hotel Carlton is the only 5-star accommodation in Kodaikanal serving honeymoon couples and tourists. You can get booking done in advance with indianholiday.com. There are also budget and 3 star hotels in Kodaikanal such as Villa Retreat, Club Mahindra Coakers Villa, Hill Country Holiday Resort and Elephant Valley Farm.

Entertainment

There are not much of entertainment options in Kodaikanal apart from boating at the Kodai Lake.

Shopping

The market places in Kodaikanal have several distinct items and products on sale. Shawls, accessories and tribal handicrafts are major buys for tourists. There are Tibetan stalls bordering the Kodai Lake. Eucalyptus oil and homemade products are also popular such as peanut butter and cheese.



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Spring season in Dalhousie

Posted on March 23, 2012 by admin

Himachal Pradesh celebrates Vasant or the spring season beginning mid of March and Dalhousie is not an exception to the charm. Situated in the Dhauladhar range, Dalhousie is another hill resort offering picturesque views of pine and oak forest and nearby Chenab and Beas rivers. The main gateway to Chamba town, Dalhousie is a quiet and serene hill station that was originally a sanatorium. There are five distinct peaks here – Balun, Kathlog, Tehra, Bakrota and Petreyn with the maximum height of 2378 meters above sea level. Reflecting British legacy are the landmarks in the town such as the churches.

The season of spring spells a magical charm to the place. The western Himalayan range enjoys a pleasant climate before the onset of summer. Like that of winter, Dalhousie offers a unique experience even in spring. The green meadows, the blooming dales and the bright weather offer a rejuvenating holiday. Two beautiful lakes around Dalhousie, Khajjiar and Chamera are among the top most attractions. A wildlife tour to the Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary will also be a worthy experience for the season.

When to go

Dalhousie is an all-season destination though April to October is regarded as the best time to visit. Evening and nights are colder from May-June though days experience the summer climate.

What to Visit

Dalhousie with its unmatched beauty is a delight in itself. Some of the beautiful spring locales in and around Dalhousie are:

Bakrota Hills – A fascinating peak surrounding Dalhousie town that is known for its scenic beauty especially in the summer and spring season. The entire hill has a number of trekking treks. The best thing to enjoy on this hill is a picnic. In winter, the peak is snow clad offering stunning views.

Kalatop – At a height of 2440 meters, Kalatop has rugged slopes, a beautiful forest rest house and thick surrounding forest. Popular as Black Cap, Kalatop is famous for its flora, fauna and wildlife. The Kalatop-Khajjiar Santuaray is a popular hideout for tourists in summer. A motorable road connects Dalhousie with Chamba and Kalatop region. The journey is beautiful and rejuvenating.

Dayan Kund – Another towering peak in Dalhousie with an elevation of 2,745 meters above sea level. The three main river tributaries of Chenab, Ravi and Beas are clearly visible on a clear day.

Subhash Baoli – This acclaimed picnic retreat named after Subhash Chandra Bose, an indomitable freedom fighter in Indian Independence, had visited Dalhousie hills.

Jandri Ghat – Around 2 km away from Dalhousie town is Jandri Ghat, a place surrounded by pine forest. A summer residence of the Chamba rulers constructed in 1871 is the main attraction of the place.

St Andrew’s Church – Also popular as the Church of Scotland, St Andrew’s was built in the year 1905 for the Protestant Christians. It is situated very close to the Dalhousie bus stand.

Other famous churches in Dalhousie are St Francis Church, St John’s Church and St Patric’s Church.

Places to stay

Some of the popular deluxe hotels in Dalhousie offering accommodation throughout the year are Mount View Hotel, Peace Channel Resort, Alps Holiday Resort and Hotel Dalhousie Heights. Get hotel packages for Dalhousie from indianholiday.com.

Entertainment

Dalhousie is an excellent place for trekking with Kalatop-Khajjiar trail, Punjpula trail and Palace trail being the noted ones.

Shopping

Pahari paintings and Tibetan handicrafts are the major buys from Dalhousie markets. The Subhash Chowk market area and Sadar Bazaar have number of shops selling handicraft items.

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Explore Uttaranchal in Spring

Posted on March 21, 2012 by admin

Uttaranchal, also known as Uttarakhand is popular among world-wide tourists for its hill stations, varied topography and climate. It is also referred to as Land of Gods being home to several temples. Rich with the Himalayan topography, Uttaranchal has a large forest cover that is beautiful to explore in the spring season. Due to high elevations most parts of the state is cold during November-March. March-May is the spring season here with the Kumaon and Garhwal ranges being major hideouts for tourists. The Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of Uttaranchal have the highest number of hill stations widely acclaimed for adventure sports and scenic locales. Wildlife safari and adventure trips are also popular among visitors. Corbett National Park is located in the Kumaon range while the Nanda Devi National Park is the attraction in Garhwal range.

Vasant Panchami like in rest of northern India is also celebrated in the state of UIttarakhand. Marking the harbinger of joy, Goddess Saraswati is worshiped during this time. While the flavor of winter still exists, summer is far away.

When to go

March-November features a pleasant climate. Summers are often hot in the plains with temperature touching even 38 degree Celsius. Though winter is preferred by honeymoon couples and adventurous tourists willing to indulge in skiing and trekking.

What to Visit

Jim Corbett National Park – You can explore the wildlife of Uttaranchal at its best during the vibrant spring season. India’s first declared national park, Corbett is famous for its tiger reserve and forest cover. You would be reminded of Jim Corbett’s famous book, The Man eaters of Kumaon.

Dehradun – An important hill station in the Garhwal range, Dehradun is around 230 km drive from New Delhi and close to Haridwar and Rishikesh. Mussoorie, Chakrata and Landour are popular weekend getaways from here.

Rudraprayag – Bounded by Uttarkashi, Pauri Garhwal and Chamoli districts, Rudraprayag is well known for its temples such as Shri Kedarnath shrine and gaurikhund. The Mandakini river flowing through this district of immense religious significance to the Hindus.

Nainital – Another prominent hill retreat in the Kumaon division, Nainital is known for its lakes and beauty of the surrounding peaks. With a height of 2,084 meters above sea level, the main attraction here is the Naini Lake situated at the heart of the town. Spring is a lovely time to enjoy boating at this lake and also in the two other lakes of Nakuchia and Bhimtal. You can also visit the Naina Peak, Naini Devi Temple and Snow View Point.

Uttarkashi – You will experience the ultimate religious fervor of Uttaranchal here. It is an important Hindu pilgrimage site and thousands of devotees visit every year. Just like Varanasi, there is a Vishwanath Temple here as well dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Places to stay

There are hotels and resorts in Dehradun, Nainital, Mussoorie and Haridwar hill towns accommodating both pilgrims and tourists throughout the year. Almora, Kasauni and Lansdowne also have budget and luxury hotels in large numbers. You need to get bookings done early especially in the peak season. There is a dearth of hotels in Haridwar during the Kumbh Mela. You can stay at the Avalon Resorts, Emerald Heights and Filigree in Mussorie. In Lansdowne, Blue Pine Resort, Fairydale Resort and Forest Palace are the best places to stay. Get online booking done for hotels in Haridwar, Dehradun and Rishikesh with indianholiday.com.

Entertainment

The best form of entertainment in the hills of Uttaranchal is adventure sports such as trekking, skiing and water rafting. The many national parks in the state also facilitates wildlife safari tours.

Shopping

Woodcraft and carving is an important industry in the state. You can buy handicrafts and woolen garments as well from the markets in Dehradun such as Sahakari Bazaar, Ashley Hall and Paltan Bazaar. Badrinath markets are seasonal and closed during snowfall. Pilgrims usually purchase idols and images of Shiva.

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Spring at the Queen of Hills- Ooty

Posted on March 20, 2012 by admin

Ooty is a tourist destination in the Nilgiri Hills also popular as the Blue Mountains. The natural beauty of the place is the major draw and Ooty looks stunning in the spring season that lasts from March-May. Summers are also pleasant at the hills of Ooty with temperatures ranging from 10-25 degree Celsius. Springtime in Ooty is colorful with the botanical gardens and hill edges blooming with variety of flowers.

As spring is the peak season, you need to make hotel booking and flight ticket early. Coimbatore is Ooty’s closest airport from where you can a hire a cab taking up to 3 hours. Train service is available from Chennai, New Delhi and Bangalore. A toy train ride with Nilgiri Mountain Railway will be an interesting one from Mettupalayam station.

The heavily forested roads add an extra charm to your journey by car in spring season.

When to go

February-March is the time when most tourists and especially honeymoon couples throng the place. Situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters, winter is cold but tourist season in Ooty lasts until the onset of rainy season in June-July.

What to Visit

Ooty is replete with a number of scenic locales, gardens, parks and peaks that are worth visiting to experience the charm of spring.

Ooty Botanical Garden – The best place to be during the spring months, Ooty Botanical Garden is one of the oldest tourist places as well being built in 1847. Covering around 22 hectares, this garden is perched at 2,400 meters and dotted with green slopes, shrubs, medicinal herbs and rare species of plants. There is an Italian style garden, fern house with orchids and a pool within its premises. The main attraction for spring is however the Summer Festival that usually takes place in the month of May.

Ooty Lake – Just minutes away from the central bus stop at Ooty is the beautiful lake stretching around 2.75 km. John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty built this lake in 1825 by tapping the water from the mountain streams. Today, it is a noteworthy attraction. The cool breeze of the afternoon, flowers blooming on its banks and the boating facilities makes Ooty Lake a scenic delight for tourists visiting during the spring season.

Ooty Rose Garden – Situated at the heart of the hill town, this garden is popular as Centenary Rose Garden and laid on 10 acres. You will come across around 3500 varieties of rose plants offering a stunning sight in winter and the onset of spring. There are Hybrid Tea Roses, roses of various colors and miniature rose galleries at the park that are worth exploring during the tour.

Doddabetta Peak – This peak in Ooty measures around 2,623 meters above sea level and is the highest point in the region. The distance from Ooty town is around 10 km and offers excellent views of the surrounding valleys.

Pykara Falls – Around 20 km drive from Ooty town, the source of Pykara Falls is River Pykara, the largest in the district. Water of this river is regarded holy by the ancient hill tribe called Toda. The falls rises above the Mukurtji peak and is a beautiful sight.

Places to stay

Savoy Hotel Ooty, Lakeview Hotel, Rgency Vilas Palace and Fortune hotel Sullivan Court are some of the popular places to stay in Ooty. Make your hotel booking with indianholiday.com

Entertainment

Ooty is a prominent location for photography and film shoots. Trekking is also popular among adventure enthusiasts.

Shopping

Shopping is not only leisure, but also an important source of entertainment for the guests especially after sunset. Nilgiri Tea is famous all over the world. Natural oils, dry fruits and Toda accessories are also popular buys from here. The Municipal Market of Ooty is the best place to shop handicrafts.



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