Munnar Visit - A Personal Experience

For centuries, Kerala has been admired for its natural environs, backwaters, forest cover and hills. It was rated amongst the world’s top tourist destinations by the National Geographic Magazine and is the favorite holiday spot of beach lovers visiting India from all over the world.

My visit to Munnar in December last was a trip that is unforgettable. The first thing you notice when you arrive at Munnar is the hillside air and the expanse of greenery all around town. I found that the JJ Cottage opposite the KSRTC bus stand offers decent accommodation for the price it charges.

I had heard about the Top Station and made it my first stop in Munnar. It is about 1,700 meters above sea level. The stunning thing about the view from Top Station is that you actually stand level with the clouds and can even gaze into the details of those that are but a stone’s throw away. The surprise that Top Station throws: the Neelakurinji flower that floods the hillsides in a riot of purple-blue tint, is a sight to behold!

Other spots that I checked out were the Anayirangal Dam, Powerhouse Waterfalls, and the Tea Museum. The Anayirangal Dam is surrounded by tea plantations. The view from the reservoir is a photographer’s muse. Edge-to edge greenery of the tea and coffee plantation fills the visual field with the dark brown mountains rising in the backdrop while the placid waters of the dam are a shining blue; an enchanting enclosure of the elements.  

The waterfalls are en route the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. People were eagerly gulping water from the nearby lake of Sita Devi Kulam. “Won’t you get ill?” I asked a youngster to which he replied, “Chill. The water is so powerful, it actually cures all ailments.” He went on to say that the water is the only thing that gives him relief from his acute migraine. I was not fully convinced, but shared my cardamom-flavored coffee (courtesy Coffee Caza in the Fort Munnar) with him and filled my flask up with the so-called cure-all anyway. (You know, you never know!)

The tea museum is run by Tata Tea. The collection is devoted to many objects and exhibits that trace the beginnings and evolution of the tea plantations in Munnar. Not only is the tea manufacturing process illustrated, but the tea culture across continents is also compared and the souvenir shoppe has many thingamajigs that interest the tourist.

Himachal Pradesh is located in Western Himalayas and there are various elevations of mountains ranging from 350 – 7000 meters are present in this state. State of Himachal Pradesh consists of twelve districts: Una, Lahul, Mandi, Hamirpur, Kangra, Chamba, Shimla, Spiti, Kullu, Kinnaur, Sirmaur and Solan. This state composes of glaciers and rivers and this state provides water to Ganga and Indus basins. Other rivers flowing across Himachal Pradesh include Ravi, Beas, Chenab, Yamuna and Sutlej rivers and these rivers are fed by rainfall and snow, hence they are called as perennial rivers.

Himachal Pradesh Attractions 

The main attractions in the state  are the capital, Shimla, the celebrated hill stations of Kullu, Manali and Dalhousie, the historic towns of Chamba and Kangra and the Rohtang Pass. There are hot springs and beautiful woods in the countryside of Himachal and the natural terrain and green cover are all-pervading phenomena.
 

Hill stations in Himachal Pradesh 

The main hill stations are Dalhousie, Kufri and Dharamshala. Dalhousie is famous for its pine trees, rafting and colonial-era houses. Kufri is a snow laden hill station popular for winter sports like trekking, skiing and hiking. Rides on yaks and ponies are a delight for kids. Dharamshala is noted for its conifer and oak trees and the Kangra Art Museum.
 

Himachal Pradesh Activities 

Trekking, mountain climbing, camping, safari and bird-watching are about all the activities that can keep a tourist engaged in Himachal Pradesh. The Zanskar, Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal range of mountains are a trekker’s paradise. There are many base camps in Manali from where one can embark on mountain climbing expeditions. Guides in the area can be consulted for great camping sites. Likewise for camping and bird-watching.

Goa Attractions and Beaches

Goa Beaches

Anjuna Beach: It is the internationally famous beach where trance parties are held in the tourist season. Parties are usually scheduled on full moon days. It is also the site where the flea market is held. There is a go karting track close to the beach and some great food stalls serving delicious Goan food.

Aguada Beach: This is the beach that tourists visit for taking photographs of the Aguada Fort. The aged ramparts of the fort are still a great spot to view the sea rolling in. there are also some old churches that the devout would certainly not want to miss. The lighthouse on the beach makes Aguada unique among all Goan beaches.

Candolim Beach: This is the beach that is suitable for tourists who want peace and quiet and want to enjoy their holiday away from the maddening crowd. Candolim beach is also a good place for fishing and there are a few yoga and meditation centers close by. Boating excursions are also available for those who want to avoid the exertion of water sports.

Dona Paula Beach: It is simply the most picturesque Goan beach and also the most busiest in that there are many shops on the beach selling trinkets, lace cloth and spices. Feni and other varieties of wine are sold and so are jewelry and local handicrafts. The clear waters and the balmy sunshine complete the picture.

Vagator Beach: This is the beach full of coconut and palm trees that are always swaying in the wind. The white sands of the beach and the black rocks form an interesting contrast. Two other things that make the Vagator special are the changing color of the seawater and the sight of the fisherman in their work clothes returning to the shore with the day’s catch.

Goa Attractions 

The Goa Carnival, Goan churches and Goan cuisine are the chief attractions of the town. The carnival is called Intruz and Loutolim is the town from where the carnival begins. Music and dancing and Goan sweetmeats are indulged in heavily for the three days of the festival. The Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Se Cathedral are the revered places of worship. Goan dishes like fish curry, balchao, vindaloo and sorpotel are mouth-watering delicacies.

Goa Activities 

Beach sports, water sports, casinos, river cruises and shopping are the favorite activities of tourists. While volleyball and basketball on the shores of the beach keep sand-lovers active, boogie boarding, snorkeling, scuba diving and windsurfing offer adventure to sea-loving folk. River cruises can be taken any time of the day and dolphins and crocodiles can be spotted while floating about.

Best Budget Holidays in India

Budget Holidays India are very useful to the enthusiastic tourists to enjoy their tours to some exotic destinations within their own country and abroad as well at economical prices. It wouldn't be possible for people to visit their favorite destinations so far from their own places at inexpensive rates, if there were no such packages provided some agencies that entertain worldwide tourists through travels to different destinations. The travel agencies offer different sets of tourist packages to the tourists to match with different budget plans. You may visit many beautiful locations around the world by using the facilities provided by the packages

Holiday packages india provide you a gateway to visit picturesque and delightful places in India like, Kahmir, Delhi, Manali, Agra, Shimla, Kanyakumari, Ooty, Kodaikanal, and the like besides many places in other countries. Going for these packages will reduce your burden of booking hotels and transportation while offering them at considerably reduced prices. As there different sorts of packages available, you can select any one of them based on your holiday plans and your permitted budget. From the beginning of your tour till the end of it, everything like lodging, food, transportation, etc will be provided by the agency that books your tour.

Holiday packages india are also offered on tours to foreign countries too. You may enjoy tours to different Asian countries as well as European and other continental countries by availing the tour packages offered by a good many number of tourist agencies. You can simply book your package sitting at home through internet. You pull up your laptop PC or desktop PC with internet connection and search through the list of web sites that present an array of tour packages to the tourists for their holidays. You can omit all your physical strain with the facility offered by internet to book your tours.

Lonavala - One of the Top Tourist Destinations in India

Lonavala is one of your most wanted hill stations in India. It truly is in near proximity to Pune and Mumbai, two significant metros on the region. Pune lies at a length of 64 kilometers from the following whilst Mumbai is 96 kilometers away. The first matter that comes to brain on listening to the town's name could be the famed Lonavala Chikki, which can be a sweet candy manufactured from jaggery and sesame seeds or peanuts. The two Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Mumbai-Pune Highway go through Lonavala. It's a trekker's paradise and is also most favored through the monsoons.

Regarded since the Jewel of the Sahyadris, Lonavala is found at an altitude of 625 meters above the sea level. This beautiful hill station delivers an array of scenic environment which incorporates dense woods and valleys, absolutely free falling silvery waterfalls, historic caves and an abundance of natural splendor.The hills surrounding the town have been the stronghold on the excellent Marathas and had played a vital part during the guerrilla war between the Marathas and the Mughals.

Nowadays Lonavala has acquired commercial recognition far too. It is just a summer resort for many main industrialists likewise as for the film fraternity. Numerous movies and songs have also been shot ion the attractive locales of Lonavala. Khandala is a shut cousin of this town; found only 5 kilometers from here. Both these locations jointly are distribute over a place of 38 sq. kilometers and ended up uncovered by Sir Elphinstone, the Governor of Bombay Presidency in the year 1871 who chose to ensure it is his summer retreat. Lonavala derives its that means in the Sanskrit word lonavali which implies the presence of caves close by. There is a selection of historic caves in the area surrounding Lonavala like the Karla Caves, Bhaja Caves along with the Bedsa Caves.

Best Monsoon Holiday Destinations in India

The reservoir of beautiful and most fascinating natural resources, India has many hill stations which are must-see for the tourists from other countries, as well as tourists from every nook and corner of India. Though it is very tough to anybody to select a few hill stations out of many as top most, let us look into five hill stations in India which best fit for spending budget holidays. 

 Coorg

Coorg is in Karnataka state, 252 km away from Bangalore at an altitude of 1525 m near Maidikeri, capital of Kodagu district. It is a wonderful place toenjoy budget holidays. Coorg or Kodagu is the term used to refer a thick forest on extreme hill. This is also called as the Scoltalnd of India. Madikeri, Madikeri Fort, Raja's Seat, Nagarahole National Park, Iruppu Falls, Abbey Falls, Omkareshwara Temple, Bhagamandala and Talacauvery are some of the wonderful places to seen without fail by the tourists in their budget holidays.

 Nilgiri

It is worthwhile spending your budget holidays, since the Nilgiri hills have many centuries of history to their credit. It is still enigma to our minds, why these hills are called Nilgiri hills or Blue Mountains. But there are speculations among people, as the fog covering area while some people say kurunji flowers which paint blue color to the hills brought this name to these hills. It was in 1602 when the first European landed in this tropical forest area. With all its historical background, it makes your budget holidays an educational event.

 Manali

The wonderful and gripping hill station, Manali has many tourist spots such as, Hadimba Temple, Tibetan Monastery, Gadhan Takechokling Gumfa,Manali Mountaineering Institute, Manali Club House, Manu Temple, Vashisth Hot Water Springs, Ashram and Temple and many more which offer attractive budget holidays packages. Hadimba Temple, Tibetan Monastery, Gadhan Takechokling Gumfa, Manali Mountaineering Institute, Manali Club House, Manu Temple, Vashisth Hot Water Springs, Ashram and Temple are some of the tourist attractions in Manali

Kodaikanal

The delightful and captivating elfin hill station is a perfect place for the visitors to get pleasure from their budget holidays. Kodaikanal is full of valleys, mountains and green bedded landscapes. The South Indian beautiful and most fascinating tourist spot offers a great welcome to the tourists who come on budget holidays to regenerate their mind and body out of all burdens. Those who are on their way to consume up their budget holidays, consider it a residential place during summers.

Darjeeling

People, who are in preparation for budget holidays for a superb tourist spot; it is very prudent to insert Darjeeling in their journey. Darjeeling is at an average altitude of 2,050 meters from the sea level. It has all the qualities which are considered to list Darjeeling as one of the top five hill stations in India. Tiger Hill, Kanchenjunga range, Batasia Loop, War memorial, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Dhirdham Temple, Pashupatinath temple of Kathmandu,Nepal, The Mall and Chowrasta, Ava Art Gallery and Buddhist Monasteries are the famous sight seeing spots in Darjeeling.

Budget Holidays - Goa Beaches

The home of gambol and exuberance, Goa is the favorite holiday destination for tourists from the whole world, especially, with its gripping andenthralling beaches. Goa is also well known for fizzy and sparkling festivals and Mardi gras. The culture and civilization of the land is one of the othermost striking features. The combination of evocative Portuguese and the tradition of Konkani of India, make the typical culture of the place. To put in anutshell, it is a land of budget holidays. Goa houses many fascinating and attractive beaches which are always crowded with people who came tocelebrate their budget holidays in a memorable way.

Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, Benaulim Beach, Bogmalo Beach and Colva Beach are some of the most attractive beachen in Goa.

Anjuna Beach

This beach offers a great resort to people who are on their budget holidays from all walks of life such as, aesthetic lovers, artists, spiritual leaders,passionate lovers, monks and many more. Anjuna beach is one of the best places to revitalize your mind and body. The ambience of the place is full ofgusto and always overflows with zest. This beach is eight kilometers away from west part of Mapusa in Goa. Swimming, beach parties, enjoyable view of sunset, and such other beach activities are the best pastime for the tourists.

Baga Beach

This beach is situated by the Arabian Sea, ten kilometers away from the western parts of Mapusa in goa. Baga beach is nuzzled in the woody and rock-strewn peninsula. The wonderful place of budget holidays offers pure and well-preserved beauty of the ambience unlike any other unadorned beachesin Goa. This beach is most of the time flooded with British tourists who come on special budget holiday packages to witness the beauty of the place.Water sports and fishing are the favorite pastime activities for western tourists in the beach.

Benaulim Beach

The calm and unperturbed Benaulim beach is situated at a distance of seven kilometers from the western parts of Margoa. This place is under the dark for many of the native tourists and it is a secluded place for foreign tourists. The haven of swimming offers a great pastime of fishing to the tourists who are on their budget holidays, hailing from western parts of the globe. Daily evenings and weekend days in the Benaulim beach remind us about gripping carnivals and street parties. The Church of St John the Baptist can be viewed from the beach.

Bogmalo Beach

As it is very easily accessible from the airport of Goa, Bogmalo beach is thronged by many tourists in all seasons and offers a great deal of budget holidays. This beach is located eight kilometers away from Vasco Da Gama. The greenery and relaxed ambience of the place are most attractive and striking points for the tourists. Those who love fishing will have a great time.

Colva Beach

The recent innovation, Colva beach is a place of fresh and untouched beauty of the nature unlike other age old and traditionally famous beaches. One can plan their tour to spend some moments here in their budget holidays.