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Chakrata: A quaint little town famous for its lush landsc apes and virgin forests, Chakrata is situated some 7000 ft above sea level. Long nature walks & treks takes you past picturesque villages (Deoban), majestic mountains (Kharamba peak-3048 meters), cascading waterfalls (Tiger Falls), historical temples (Lakhamandal, Hanol, Radina, Thaina, Indroli, Lakhwar) are the highlights of this town located some 92 kms from Dehradun and 73 kms from Mussoorie. Option for skiing is available at Mundali.
(Uttarakhand, 73 kms from Mussoorie) ... more |
Binsar: Beautiful, quiet and peaceful, Binsar in the Kumaon Hills is balm for the city jaded soul. Far from the maddening crowd that has invaded most of the hill stations in the north, one can safely head to Binsar for its scenic vistas and tranquil environs. Binsar is perched on top of the Jhandi Dhar hills and completely surrounded by dense forests. Oak, rhododendron, pine and deodar grow in abundance here. Binsar is a wildlife sanctuary that may be termed as a goldmine for birdwatchers.
(Uttrakhand, 30 kms from Almora)...more |
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Arki: An emerald bowl bounded
by gentle hills, Arki is a place to look forward to a
rewarding holiday that offers history, natural beauty
and stunning views. This regal hideaway in the Solan district
of Himachal Pradesh was the capital of the former princely
state of Baghal, which means the land of leopards. The
beautifully located fort palace in Arki has now been converted
into a heritage hotel. Arki offers an excellent escape
from the noise and pollution of the plains. Caves abound
in here and so do cave-temples.
(Himachal Pradesh, 40
kms from Shimla)
See
Driving Direction to Arki. |
Kalpa: A little known town in the lap of the mighty 19,965 feet tall Kinner Kailash, Kalpa is situated at an altitude of 9,711 feet. Surrounded by snowy peaks for almost the whole year, Kalpa is a tranquil destination to uplift the soul. One gets clear views of the sacred Kinner Kailash as well as its sister peaks. Besides the fantastic scenery and drives, Kalpa offers energetic moments for mountain-biking, mountain-cycling, jeep safaris, trout fishing, star-gazing, camping, hiking, trekking and river rafting. It is the ancient capital of the Kinners of Kinnaur.
(Himachal Pradesh, 20 kms from Shimla) ...more |
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Madikeri: Part of the Coorg coffee plantations, Madikeri is more than the charming coffee estates and murmuring streams. It is nature’s gift, wrapped in a green foil. There are paddy fields, waterfalls, deep ravines and sloping glades. One of the best things to do here is drive around and smell the coffee-scented air. Madikeri has not only this green foliage; it also has a historical chapter, pages of which can be turned by visiting the Madikeri Fort, re-built by Tipu Sultan. Other important landmarks include Abbi Falls, Omkareshwara Temple and Raja’s Seat.
(Karnataka, 240 kms from Bangalore)...more |
Wayanad: Located
at a height of 700-1200m above
sea level Wayanad is one of the most beautiful hill stations
of Kerala. It offers everything to cater to
the interests of its visitors whether its is heritage
- Thirunelli Temple, Valliyoorkavu Temple, Thrissilery
Shiva Temple, Sita Lava-Kusha Temple,
Jain Temple, Pallikkunnu Church, Wayanad Heritage Museum
and Pazhassi Raja’s Tomb. Nature lovers can visit Banasura
Sagar Dam, Kuruva Island, Pookot Lake, Kanthanpara, Soochippara
& Sentinel Rock Waterfalls and Ekkadal caves.
(Kerala, 76 kms from Kozhikode)
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Bellikkal: At
5, 500 ft above sea level and a little away from Ooty
is beautiful Bellikkal. It is a small village tucked in
the Nilgiris. A perfect place for leisurely walks along
the ghats, Bellikkal makes for a laidback holiday. You
can also take a walk down to Bison Valley, which derives
its name from the innumerable gaur (Indian bison) that
roams around the area. The Kalhatti Falls, Neel Kurinji
(blooms once in 12 years) and Bellikkal Lake are other
places of tourist interest in Bellikkal.
(Tamil Nadu, 16 km from Ooty)
See
driving direction to Bellikkal
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Devbagh: A
beautiful island off Karwar, Devbagh is surrounded by
the beautiful blue sea and ivory sands. Accessible by
a boat, Devbagh is nature lover’s muse. You can have the
beach to yourself, stroll for hours along the beach or
simply watch dolphins dance in the blue waters. You may
also head to the neighboring islands of Sanyasi, Oyster
and Kurumgad. On your way to these islands you may get
a chance to see dolphins diving. Adventure lovers can
opt for snorkeling, scuba diving, trekking or diving.
(Karnataka, 70 kms from Panjim)
See driving direction to Devbagh
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Netarhat: A quaint village,
3700 ft above sea level known for its breathtaking sunsets
and sunrises as much as for its lush greenery and magnificent
waterfalls. A perfect getaway to welcome New Year among
verdant hills and water falls. Netarhat is 144 kilometers
away from Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand and is covered
with thick virgin forests. Magnolia Point, approx 10 kms
away is an ideal spot to watch the Sun go down. Other
places of interest in & around Netarhat include Sadani
Falls, Upper & Lower Ghanghri Water Falls and Koel View
Point. (Jharkhand, 144 kms from Ranchi)...more |
Bishnupur: An ideal getaway for those looking for a slice of art & culture, Bishnupur is known for its ancient temples and terracotta work. Nerve centre of Art & Culture in ancient times, it was the ancient capital of Malla Kings of Mallabhum. Today, Bishnupur is renowned for its temples, terracotta and Baluchri saris. The temples of Bishnupur unlike other temples are built entirely in terracotta. Dedicated to Krishna, the temples built in bricks and also in laterite represent various hybrid styles. Its terracotta pottery is well known, especially the terracotta horse called Bankura, which is the mascot of the town.
(West Bengal, 150 kms from Kolkata)... more |
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Gopalpur-On-Sea: If you
are looking for a lovely, lazy holiday away from the regular
tourist hot spots, try Gopalpur-on-Sea. A tranquil destination
in Orissa, it offers a splendid treat to sea-worshippers.
You can have this lovely beach with coconut groves and
gentle sand dunes all to yourself. Picture blue waters
and high waves…sleepy lagoons and tiny creeks…where you
can loll on the sand, stroll down the beach and gorge
on seafood. Gopalpur-on-Sea is an ideal place to peacefully
meditate on the joys of life.
(Orissa, 180 kms from Bhubaneswar) |
Mongpong: Getaway
from it all and head to sublime and captivating environs
of Mongpong. An enchanting landscape on the banks of the
Tista, Mongpong offers unforgettable picnic spots and
panoramic view of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. It is
a small place with few shops, huts and a forest check
post but brimming with natural beauty.
It is an excellent place for trekking and one can trek
through the virgin forest near Mongpong. If you are looking
for an escape from the grind and grime of the city life, Mongpong is the place to go.
(West Bengal, 30 kms from
Siliguri) |
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Bhandardara: Relax in nature’s cradle and gaze over the placid lake, Bhadardara is truly getting away from city life. Go to get a healthy dose greenery and natural beauty. Head to Bhandardara. Still to see the onslaught of tourists, Bhandardara is located 165 kms from Mumbai & 190 kms from Pune. Bhandardara has all the making of a beautiful hill station - a salubrious climate, scenic waterfalls (Umbrella falls, Randha Falls), glimmering lakes (Arthur Lake), lofty mountains (Mt. Kalsubai- 1,646 mts), majestic forts (Ratnagad Fort), ancient temples (Amriteshwar Temple, Ghorpada Devi), an earthen dam on a serene river (Wilson River on Pravara River) and yes even an ashram -Sage Agastya Ashram on the banks of the River Pravara - whose reference is found in the Ramayana.
(Maharashtra, 165 kms from Mumbai)...more |
Diu: An erstwhile Portuguese Colony, Diu is an island of breeze and beauty. It is an ideal getaway with golden sand beaches, dense palm groves and historical monuments. A few years back Diu’s only claim to fame was it being the industrial hub of Hindustan Lever Limited. But now tourists are waking up to the beauty of this small island located in the southern tip of the Kathiawad peninsula of Gujarat. It has got some of the beautiful beaches in the country and monuments. Portuguese heritage, which include churches (St. Paul's Church, the church of St. Francis of Assisi), museums (St. Thomas Museum) and mansions are the other places of tourist interest which help trace the rich Portuguese legacy. Other attractions include the Gangeshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiv and INS Khukri Memorial
(Gujarat, 67 km
from Ahmedabad) ... more |
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Bordi: Long stretch of
nice beach and lush orchards of juicy chikoos, Bordi is
good quick getaway only 180 kms from Mumbai. Though known
for its boarding schools, Bordi has a beautiful tourist
side to it as well. It is a peaceful and uncluttered beach
town, with easy backdrop and simple life style that is
sure to soothe your city-jaded nerves. Far way from the
hullabaloo of the city life, Bordi is a quiet sea resort.
It is well known for the chickoo and other fruits orchards.
Beach being the prime attraction in the town, Bordi is
a perfect place to unwind and de-stress amidst the sand
fringed with a series of orchards.
(Maharashtra, 180
km from Mumbai)
See
driving direction to Bordi. |
Panhala: Situated at an altitude of 977 mts is a fascinating
hill station with a rich historical heritage. Dotted with
ancient fortifications and buildings that have witnessed
the rise and fall of the Maratha Empire, Panhala is an
enchanting place. It is peaceful, free from pollution,
and scenic enough to overwhelm your senses. Places to
visit in Panhala include Ambarkhana, which was built by
the Marathas and houses the palace, the administrative
division and the granary; Sajja Kothi, built by the Mohammedans
in 1008 AD; and Ambabai temple built in the memory of
Sambhaji.
(Maharashtra, 20 kms from Kolhapur)...more |
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