Category: Corporate Outings

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Adventure Corporate Outings Rejoice Western Ghats

Places where you can indulge in team sports in Pune

To discover an enthralling paradise and a peaceful retreat with your team, Pune is one of the best highlights. It lets you indulge in a lot of adventurous activities and enriching moments. So why wait? Take a day or two away from work and head off from Pune to taste some fun. Below are some of the things you can do in Pune as a team.

Corporate Day Outing and Team Building activities near Pune

The day begins with your arrival at Golewadi at around 10.30 am. The much-needed break from corporate life begins here. Following, allocation into smaller groups, engage in Raft Building and compete with your opponents.

Embark on the breathtaking river-crossing at the Dhom Dam, and indulge in a delicious lunch for a change.

Participate in team building activities like Australian Plank, Egyptian Walk, Bomb in the City, Caterpillar Walk, and 3D Pool with colleagues for enriching moments.

Kamath Residency Resort- Located right next to the very famous Alibaug beach, the resort is a pure fun place to hang out with your office mates. Raigad fort is also quite nearby to serve the history enthusiasts quite well. There are a few beaches around the place and a lot of other places which can prove to be great for some refreshments and sightseeing. This retreat offers the much-required change for the corporate team with a host of activities such as white water river-rafting on the River Kolad, It offers adventure activities such as ziplining, rock climbing, rappelling, rifle shooting, water sports and sightseeing for guests.

Della Resorts- Situated in Lonavala, a great picturesque location and one of the most important tourist attractions in the state, Della resorts is another superb place to satisfy your cravings for some unadulterated fun. There are more than 100 adventurous and fun activities which can be performed in groups. A restaurant, a coffee shop and other symbols of convenience are also there. Its an iconic place to bond with your colleagues over several adventure games be it on land, water or in the air. Chase adventure sports activities like zorbing , ziplining, bungee jumping, treasure hunt, and keep the fun going with several rides that will blow your mind away. The Della Adventure Resort is unquestionably one of the best resorts for the corporate outing in Pune.

Della Resorts

Empower camp- Kolad has this wonderful camp where office and the college groups can be seen crowding the place almost all the time. The place is located at a very short distance from Mumbai and Pune and a great place to release the clustered stress due to the insane working hours. Sumptuous Buffet meals are just add ons to the services that are made available for the visitors. The camp is the perfect option to immerse in unlimited fun, thrill, and enthusiasm with activities like raft building and rafting.

Water Rappelling and Trekking in Lonavala- One other super fun activity that could be done in Lonavala is the trekking and waterfall rappelling. The trek will begin at 9 in the morning and will take you through some great locations and adventurous spot to tickle the risky bones inside you. Lonavala is one of the most picturesque hill stations in the entire country and trekking in here is a mind blowing experience. The waterfalls which cascade down the ridges of Sahyadri Ranges offer charming views of the valley below. One can indulge in climbing up the forest trails and rappel down with a harness through the refreshing falls.

Adventure Plus- One of the most popular spots for team outings near Pune and the biggest adventure camp in the entire country, the Adventure plus is the perfect place to spend a good day at. Very nice accommodations are provided to the visitors and a host of services along with the great visuals is the highlight of this wonderful camp. The site offers numerous water activities right from Hydro Bike rides, Kayaking, Paddle Boating, Paddle Caddie, Water Ball to water inflatable sports. Air based activities comprise aero modelling and zip lining. Group activities comprise army obstacle course, excursions, forest walk, paintball and treasure hunt.

Tapola River Camp- Also known as Mini Kashmir, the Tapola river camp is located near the great tourist destination Mahabaleshwar. The comfort and enjoyment factor is quite high in this one and it offers some great fun activities to do in teams. The madness and stress from the tiring work routine takes a backseat here as the groups enjoy themselves to their fullest.

Water scooter rides, kayaking or swimming, you can enjoy a horde of activities as you soak in the natural beauty of the region. In addition, there are several tourist destinations in the vicinity of the resort which are perfect for sightseeing and trekking trips. The adventure begins here at Tapola. It serves as the base camp for several trekking trails.

Team outings are important on so many levels. For one, they give a chance to the employees to connect on a wider level outside their small offices. Also, the productivity increases as the manpower goes to spend some quality times in the arms of nature.

 

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Beaches Corporate Outings Foodie North-West India Rejoice Travel Trends

From the popular beaches to the famous nightclubs, North Goa has a hang of everything

From lively beaches to the ancient historic churches, North Goa has a plethora of options for all those who want to see Goa from their perspective. North Goa stretches from the Fort Aguada at the tip of Panaji city to the borders of Maharashtra. It attracts the maximum crowd all year round and especially during the peak season of winters.

Baga Beach

For all those party animals out there, Baga Beach is a must visit for them. This is the place from where the hippie movement actually started. The beach is named after the Baga Creek, which empties into the Arabian Sea at the north end of the beach. Don’t forget to visit the flea market organized every Wednesday on the shores of the beach. Pick souvenirs, funky jewelry, fashionable clothes, devour some authentic Goan food at the shacks and party all night at the party hubs like Titos. For adventure lovers, the place offers a lot of water sports like para-sailing, banana rides etc.

Dona Paula

Named after a girl named Dona Paula de Menezes, with a tragic love story, this place is a lover’s paradise. This is an ideal place for couples to relax and sunbathe on the beach. There is a famous bird sanctuary, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary where you can spot migratory and local birds. It is a perfect escape for all wildlife lovers. Dona Paula is quite popular for its water sports as well.



Calangute Beach

Another discovery of the hippies in the late ’60s was Calangute beach which is a paradise for nature lovers. Alongside the main road of the beach, you will find showrooms of handicrafts from Indonesia, Tibet, and Kashmir. Pump up your adventurous spirit and hop into water activities like kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, water snorkeling, water-skiing, and fishing. You can even simply relax and laze around in the sun at the lounge areas that are spread on the stretch



Vagator Beach

Lined with an umpteen number of nightclubs along its shore, Vagator Beach is a hub for late night trance parties. Local art, music, and nightlife are what defines the place well. The beach stretches for almost 30 kms and is distinctly divided into big and small Vagator. Head to those big cliffs of red rocks if you want to spend some alone time and enjoy the magical view of the sunset.

Some of the adventurous water sports that you must try on the beaches of, Goa are Jet Skiing, Banana Tube Boat Ride, Parasailing, Flyboarding, water skiing, paddleboarding, kneeboarding, kayaking, bumper, speed boat, scooter.

Backwaters of Chapora River

Yes, you heard it right. Goa is not only about sand and beaches. Experience the rustic beauty of Goa in the serene backwaters of Chapora River. Hire a boat for a day to sail in the river or stay in a houseboat, it is up to you. Let not the party fever churn all your time, it is equally important to spend some quality time with your loved one in the solitude of nature.

Fort Aguada

An uphill drive from Sinquerim Beach through the backwaters and lush greenery of Goa will take you to Fort Aguada. The road ends at Fort Aguada lighthouse which offers a breathtaking view of the coastline of North Goa. It is a Portuguese fort that was originally constructed in 1612 to protect against the Dutch and the Marathas.

The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception

The first church in Goa, Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is an example of simple yet fine architecture. The church has two altars, the one on the left dedicated to Jesus Crucified and on the right to Our Lady of Rosary. Don’t miss to visit the church on your next trip to Goa.

Nightclubs

SinQ – Located in Sinquerim, North Goa, near the Taj Holiday Village at Candolim, is the SinQ Beach club. It’s not just a club to experience but a perfect combination of a Goan tavern, a poolside deck, and lounge plus a nightclub.

Love Passion Karma –LPK at Nerul is one of the most exotic party destinations in Goa situated on the banks of the river Candolim. The view of amazingly sculpted terra cotta statues all around and the incredible water-front with a 400-year-old Indo Portuguese church in the backdrop will make you fall in love the moment you step here.

Club Cubana – Situated at Arpora Hill, North Goa, Club Cubana is Goa’s pride, the best place to party and let loose. Experience a night under the starlit sky along with white canopied loungers and beach-styled cabanas. The place also boasts a tempting Jacuzzi to cool off fevered brows and poolside.

Apart from the above listings, there are an endless number of places to go in Goa. So choose the ones you want to go and plan the itinerary in a way that you get to explore the maximum you can.

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Corporate Outings Travel Trends

Some great and enchanting weekend getaways near Kolkata     

Kolkata weaves a magic of surprises with it the offering of a unique cultural heritage. It exudes an aura of British Indian era through an array of timeless landmarks sketched in its heart. The city of palaces is surrounded by exotic destinations unfolding unforgettable experiences for their travelers.

Apart from the historical treasures in its heart, the subcontinent’s London boasts some of the best getaways in the country. We have compiled you a list of these hot getaways from Kolkata.

Digha, West Bengal, 171 km from Kolkata

Regarded as the Beach Town of West Bengal, Digha is one of the most popular tourist destinations in West Bengal.. The town is visited by thousands of tourists from the state for its exotic beaches and scenic views. This destination is a hot favorite amongst families looking to spend some quality time together.

This beach town blends a diversity of major attractions. From religious temples to untouched beaches to research centers, there is a variety on offer for people of all age groups.

Sundarbans, West Bengal,125 kms from Kolkata

Regarded for the largest mangrove forest in the world, Sundarbans is a UNESCO heritage site. The site turns out to be one of the best getaways for people looking for some peace, natural beauty, and dynamic flaura and fauna. It is a wildlife sanctuary that is home to over 400 Royal Bengal Tigers and 30,000 spotted deer.

The site is shared by both India and Bangladesh. One of the best ways to explore Sundarbans is by exploring the site. From roaring rivers to wildlife safaris, the experience of being in Sundarbans is mind boggling.

Santiniketan, West Bengal, 179 kms from Kolkata

Santiniketan is mainly popular for being the home of Rabindra Nath Tagore. It has now been converted into a university called Visva Bharati University. It is a small town right in the heart of Birbhum district.

This university was established by the father of Rabindra Nath Tagore. The university got popularity for spreading a different the concept of education in the country. This town has now become one of the most popular tourist destinations in West Bengal. It combines the art and exotic locations like no other spot in the country.

Shankarpur, West Bengal, 161 kms from Kolkata

The world is currently noticing a surge in synthetic pools made out of natural beaches. However, Shankarpur is one of the most precious luxuries you can ever have when it comes to the thrill of beaches. The best part about being in Shankarpur is that you get a chance to explore the pristine surroundings with a tinge of sun dipping in the sea.

Situated right in the heart of East Medinipur district of West Bengal, Shankarpur is a hub of isolated beaches that gives you the luxury of scenic beauties, calmness, and introspection.

Bishnupur, West Bengal, 150 kms from Kolkata

Often regarded as the town of terracotta temples, Bishnupur is one of the most popular tourist destinations in West Bengal mainly for its art, handicraft, and architecture.

This small town in the heart of West Bengal boasts a historical heritage of the country. It presents a mystique aura around its arts, culture, architecture, and music. You can feel it all in the music and Baluchari Saree of the town. Some of the most popular temples of the town are Jorbangia Temple, Rasmancha Temple, and Shyamrai Temple amongst many other.

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Corporate Outings South India Treks

Enjoy the thrill of Betta Rangaswamy Night Trek this weekend

Kunti Betta is a magnificent view of two rocky hills right in the heart of sugarcane and paddy fields. Situated some 125 kms away from Bangalore in Pandavapura of Mandya District, Kunti Betta is surrounded by the lush green coconut trees with the fragrance of deeply rooted cultures in the air. The legends have it that this exotic destination once served as the habitat of Kunti (the mother of Pandavas in Mahabharata) during their exile.

There is a temple right at the foothills of the rock. During monsoons, the place turns lush green. There is a beautiful pond called Kunti Kund. The name of the destination originally is Kunti Betta but colloquially it is known as just Betta.

Traveling to Betta right at the midnight is the journey full of surprises, adventure, and fun. It is advisable to have some light dinner before boarding on the journey of your lifetime. You will have to pass through dense coconut trees and then a school to reach the temple of Kunti Betta.

You can use school area as the parking lot for your trekking. The stairs are guarded by the dense coconut trees. While climbing up the stairs to the temple, you will notice a cave that housed Pandavas during their exile. The Pujaris of the temple now live in that. There are a few rooms in the cave. These rooms are now used by pilgrims from all over the country. The temple of Kunti Betta is right in the middle of two rocky hills. A pillar on the top of rocks is believed to have been used by Kunti.

You should start your Betta night trek from the right side of the pond. You will notice a steeply inclined surface of a single rock. This is where you should step your foot and start your climb. As you trek for a few meters, you will realize that there is an inclination of about 60 degrees or so. Be careful while navigating your way through the slope. You will notice a number of boulders on the side of the trekking path. Soon you will be able to see the Kunti Kund—the famous pond of historical significance. A straight wall will appear. Do not try to scale this wall. Instead, take the right turn from the boulders and keep trekking on that trail. The trail will pass through dense trees.

You will have to crawl through these dense vegetations and sometimes scale up the rocks. Keep trekking until you experience a spectacular view of the natural beauty. You feel glorious just like Pandavas.

One of the best parts about trekking in the night is sunrise. When you are on the summit, the sunrise suddenly starts to collect the dark of the night religiously.

The chanting of Shlokas and sacred noise of the temples fill the environment like they are praising for your victory over the hills.

Be careful while descending as well. You should carefully arrive at Parikrama Point. You will notice some really weird shaped rocks at this point. People say that these were the utensils of the Pandavas.

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Corporate Outings Culture Staycation Travel Trends

8 exceptional homestays in India every avid traveller should stay

India is an exceptionally beautiful country and one of the best qualities about Indians is their famed hospitality. “Athithi devo bhav”, is what we are known for. There are countless magnificent homestays in the country but there are a few that stand out among the rest in terms of facilities, location, and hosts.

Shahpura Bagh, Rajasthan- In case you are willing to spend some extra on the homestay experience, look no further than the luxurious and royal Shahpura Bagh. This magnificent property served as the summer residence of the rulers of Shahpura. Located at the exquisite Rajasthani countryside is a haven for the luxury homestay.

Kannur Beach House, Kerala- The beach house in Kannur happens to be located on the far northern side of Kerala, the most beautiful state in the country. The traditional style home has coconut trees right beside and the sweet smell of ocean coming from Thottoda beach just makes the experience far more amazing.

Fort Rampura, Uttar Pradesh- In this 700 years old fort in Lucknow, the homestay experience is one grand feeling you have as you wake up feeling like a royal. The homestay only has three guest rooms available but the ancient rugs, furniture, and the artifacts make the experience far beyond bizarre and beautifully surreal.

The Homestead, Corbett, Uttarakhand- The Homestead is categorized as a premium farm stay which lies in the shadow of the Himalayas. The 150-acre farm bordering the Corbett National Park (13 km) offers an experiential stay experience. The excellent services provided at the place make it feel more like a resort than a homestay. The great adventure sports and engaging in fun farming adds up greatly to the overall staying experience.

Vembanad House, Kerala- A place surrounded by three sides of the still water, it sounds like a dreamy place. Yes, it is! Located beside the Vembanad Lake, around the magnificent Kerala backwaters, the place is filled with traditional wood furniture and artifacts taking you to back the bygone era.

Thippanahalli Homestay, Karnataka- The magnificent red mansion located in Chikmagalur has a built up area of 11000 Sft. with 28 rooms. The place was built in 1934 and has stood since then in all its grandeur providing the tourists with the best home staying experience they can have anywhere.

Hidden forest retreat, Sikkim- This one located in Gangtok, Sikkim is especially for the ones who are nature lovers and peace seekers. Located just about 2 kilometers away from the state capital Gangtok, the place is spread over 3 acres and is brimmed with the exotic surroundings full of flowers, trees, and greenery.

The Bangala, Tamil Nadu- The Bangala, Tamil for ‘Bungalow’ is one of the oldest mansions located Deep South of the country, in Karaikudi. Brought into existence in 1910, the place used to cater to the VIP guests in the earlier days. In 1998, it was converted into a homestay and caters to the visitors and guests since then. The place has 25 air conditioned guestrooms and the brilliant surroundings make it one of the most sought after homestay places in the country.

The concept of homestay has its own set of great advantages, as you get to spend time with locals and These places provide the best homestay experience along with some added luxuries. Do give them a try!!

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Corporate Outings Culture Itinerary North India

The Venice of the East “Udaipur City”

Rajasthan speaks of royal hood like no other place in the country. A home to Nawabs and Rajputs, who are known to be quite colorful rulers, have given the state so much to preserve that it still remains unmatchable. Talk about the forts, palaces, and temples, everything is mesmerizing. One of the most historic cities in the state is Udaipur. Udaipur is the reason why the tourists make their trip to Rajasthan longer than they plan. There has been much said and written about the place but there is still a lot that remains unexplored. Here we present to you some charming things about Udaipur that you must not forget to visit on your next trip to this rugged beauty of a state.

City Palace-This royal place is located right in the heart of the city. Entrance to the place is done as you pass through the Hathi Pol, elephant gate. This is a massive palace and it may take you about 2 to 3 hours to take a complete round of the place. Keep your mouth closed as you witness the man-made the masterpiece with your naked eyes. There are many cafes available in the palace serving great cuisine. Some of the best-known cafes are Grasswood Cafe, Cafe Satori, CafeRA, Yummy Yoga, Udai Art Cafe, Espresso Love Cafe, Brewmen and Cafe Edelweiss.

Bagore ki Haveli- This marvelous structure got itself built sometime in the 18th century and it has stood here since then in all its grace, tempting the tourists to visit it again and again. The Haveli happens to be set on the edge around the Gangaur Ghat. The place was built by a Mewari prime minister about 200 years back and after that, it got restored by the government since. The place has been preserved quite neatly.

Boating in Lake Pichola- The boating in the sweet lake is one of the many things that are unforgettable about the city. On the mirror-like crystal clear surface, the lake reflects the cool blue and grey mountains that stand nearby. The boating experience becomes far more exotic when you have someone special to accompany you.

The Fateh Sagar Lake

Fateh Sagar Lake is an artificial lake in Udaipur, the first being Jaisamand lake. It is built by Maharana Jai Singh, with Moti Magri hill at its one side and Udaipur city on another side. The beautiful picturesque lake was named after Maharana Fateh Singh, who later made the modification to this alluring lake. The charming widespread water sheet is bejeweled with three small islands. The travelers can reach there by taking a boat ride in the lake. The Fateh Sagar Lake has 3 islands. The largest among the three islands artificially made on the lake is a beautiful park named Nehru Park. The garden has a boat-shaped restaurant and a small zoo for children. It is a favorite picnic spot of Udaipur dwellers.

The second island is a public park with excellent and ravishing water-jet fountains and the third island is named as Udaipur Solar Observatory. The calm and soothing surroundings of Fateh Sagar Lake make it the best and an ideal place where people can recharge their minds and enjoy the scenic view of the lake.

Jag Mandir- Does the name of the place ring any bells? International pop star Katy Perry got hitched to the comedian Russell Brand here in a grand ceremony. This place is located on an island in the lake Pichola and stays crowded almost all the time due to the heavy crowds coming here to visit the temple.

Dine in beautiful Taj Lake Palace

Prince of Udaipur, Maharana Jagat Singh 2 was known for his lavish lifestyle and romantic nature. In order to fulfill his luxury and fancy desires, in 1746 he built a palace on the Lake
Pichola for his pleasure, which he named “Jag Niwas”. The beautiful picturesque palace is now one of the most famed romantic hotels across the world, which is famous with the name “The Taj Lake Palace”. If you are paying a visit to the city of lakes with your better half, then this alluring amorous destination can act as a cupid in your life’s chapter.

Travel Tip

The best time to visit  Udaipur is in the months of September, October, November, December, February, and March. At this time of the year, the temperature remains pleasant and enjoyable.

Udaipur is one of the most eccentric cities in the beautiful state of Rajasthan. The alluring city is also called as the Venice of the East, because of its culture, heritage, eye delighting architectures, palaces, serene lakes like, beautiful temples and resplendent gardens, has a lot to offer. If we talk about lakes the tranquil of Fateh Sagar lake and Pichola adds charms to this scenic place.There are many attractions at the place but what can we say, the less is more and the more is less when it comes to the true beauty.

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Architectural Corporate Outings North-West India Spiritual Hubs Uncategorized

Mahabaleshwar is the place to be this weekend

Located in the western Indian state of Maharashtra and nestled among the Sahyadri Mountain ranges, Mahabaleshwar happens to be one of the most important and often underrated gems of a tourism place. There are numerous enchanting places one can visit in the city. A day is far less than enough to totally grasp in everything that the city has to offer. But still, if you are short on time, there is much you can do. Let us start exploring the place through our lens.

After the breakfast in the morning, you must visit the place the city has been named after, the Mahabaleshwar temple. The temple happens to be a great monument full of the architectural magic of the medieval era. The city is, however, full of many different temples dedicated to many different gods from the ancient Hindu mythology which you can visit. Mahabaleshwar Temple, Panchganga Mandir, Shankar Temple, Mahabaleshwar Shiv Mandir, Janni Mata Mandir, Shree Ganesh Mandir are some of the temples to check out. You may have to hurry as there are a lot more places to see during the one day tour.

The next stop could be the Panchganga temple which happens to be around for more than 4500 years. The temple is known to be the origin of seven different rivers. Out of all of them, spring of five keeps flowing in the direction of the temple, hence the name Panchganga- Five Ganges.

Behind the Panchganga temple is the Krishnabai temple where the Krishna River gets worshiped, one of the seven rivers that emerge out of Panchganga. The temple was built in the year 1888 by the ruler of Ratnagiri on the Konkan coast. There is a beautiful Krishna statue in the premises along with a very old and beautiful Shiv Linga.

Vena Lake and the elephant point are two more places which you can visit in case you still have the time left before the sun goes down. The elephant point is also known as the needle point. The name was given to it because it has two massive rocks with a hole in the middle. Thus, the needle point.

You can relish some of the most delicious cuisines from all over the country. Some of the best restaurants in Mahabaleshwar one should visit are Mapro, The Grapevine, The Olive Garden, Saayali Restaurant, Little Italy, Sizzler Place and much more. It’s a kind of food paradise visiting these places.

How to reach there

The city is located at about a distance of 250 kilometers from the state capital of Mumbai and the railways are the roads are well connected to ensure a safe and sound journey to the place. The nearest airport to the place is the Mumbai international airport.

Mahabaleshwar happens to be a very ancient city, full of many old temples and monuments that remind one of the eccentric cultures and histories the city once had. Many different rulers, especially the Marathas, have given the city a lot to cherish which, in the present times are the biggest attractions of the city.

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Architectural Corporate Outings Culture North India

The Amazing Golden Triangle

For the national and the international tourists who like to explore more of the northern India, the Golden triangle serves as a holy grail. It gives them a great glimpse into the ancient and the medieval Indian histories. The popularity of the great Indian Golden Triangle is so much that it almost gets as many tourists every year as the Himachal Pradesh, which happens to be the top tourist destination in the whole country.

The Golden Triangle basically covers three very important tourist destinations across north India, the National capital New Delhi, Agra and the Pink City Jaipur. Here we will give you a glimpse into how the 5-day tour to the golden triangle is usually divided.

Day 1- The tour takes off from the National capital New Delhi. The passengers get to see many historical places such as the Red Fort, the Humayun Tomb, Qutub Minar and many others. Delhi is the most historically significant cities in the country with many different rulers across the centuries making it their capital for their Pan India operations. The tour will also make the tourists have a glimpse of the Connaught place, the old Delhi, and some other important places.

Day 2- Leave for Agra in the morning. The journey is taken through one of the best Indian national highways. It’s a 4-5 hours drive and then you check into a hotel for some rest and relaxation. The day begins around 3 in the evening and you get to see the Agra Fort. Built by Akbar, one of the most important Moghul rulers, this is a marvel of architecture and elegance and gives away a majestic vibe. The great Taj Mahal is the next destination followed by Mehtab Bagh.

Day 3- The day will start with the sight of the Taj Mahal in its early morning glory. It looks more beautiful in the morning when the golden sun rays fall on the pure white marble. It is the perfect amalgamation of the man-made and the natural marvels. Move to Jaipur afterward and make a stop at Fatehpur Sikri, one other historic place with lots of stories to tell. Reach Jaipur by evening.

Day 4- The 4th day is dedicated to the Pink city of India, Jaipur. Amber fort is the first step to take in the morning which happens to be a former capital of the state, popular for its painted elephants. Hawa Mahal is the place you move to in the late afternoon. The city observatory is where you make a trip to in the evening.

Day 5- After the breakfast, it’s time to complete the triangle as you start your drive back to the national capital through the Delhi-Jaipur highway. Taste some delicious food cooked by the amazing dhabas on the way and by noon of the late afternoon, step back in Delhi.

However, there are many more places that fall the victim of the time constraints and gets missed. But still, in these 5 beautiful days, you amazingly cover best all three of the historical Indian cities.

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Corporate Outings National Parks wildlife

Top 5 National Parks in Kerala

Kerala is known as “God’s own country” but apart from beautiful beaches and backwaters, it also has a wide variety of wildlife. A large area of Kerala is given to National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries for the preservation of biodiversity. Here are some of the National Parks in Kerala:

Eravikulam National Park

It is the oldest National park of Kerala. It is located along the Western Ghats in Idukki district. The highest peak in South India aka Anamudi is also located inside the park. Moreover, it has the largest population of Nilgiri Tahr. The park can be reached from Kochi or Coimbatore Airport or from Munnar town which is just 13 km away. Inside the part, there are motorable roads or you can walk on foot enjoying the scenic views.

Periyar National Park

It is the largest National Park in Kerala. It lies in the district of Pathanamthitta and Idukki. It is most popular for its tiger and elephant reserve and there are also White tigers present here. Periyar National park is as rich in scenic charm as it is in biodiversity. From the forests of this National Park, Periyar and Pamba rivers originate which are delightful visions. You can reach the park by Air from Kochi or Madurai airports or by rail. The nearest railhead is Kottayam and by road, Kumily is the nearest town. Instead of your usual boat cruise, go on a trek with some tribals and fill your eyes with the splendid hills and jungles.

Silent Valley National Park

It is Kerala’s second largest national park. It lies within the Palakkad district in the Nilgiri Hills. An endangered species of primate i.e. lion-tailed macaques is found here. The National Park was named Silent Valley by the British because noisy cicadas were assumed to absent here making this the perfect place of silence and harmony. The nearest railway station is Palakkad. From there, reach Mukkali which is 60 km away and can be reached through bus. From Mukkali, you can hire jeeps to move around. You can see the Kunti river and go at the watchtower that looks over the jungle.

Mathikettan Shola National Park

The name ‘Mathikettan’ itself means mind confused in Tamil. They say that one forgets his path after entering the park. The park is spread over 12.82 km2 in Poopara village of Udumbanchola Taluk. Visitors can approach Mathikettan Shola via Munnar and Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport. The area has unique flora and fauna. There are lion safaris, deer parks and waterfalls to enjoy. It is a haven for botanists and ideal for ecotourism.

Pampadum Shola National park

It is the smallest National Park of Kerala. The name itself means ‘the forest where snakes dance’. The park contains various types of medicinal herbs and is rich in uncontaminated ‘humus’.  The key species of this National park is Nilgiri marten. There are also tigers, leopards, Python, King cobra and Indian wild dogs that can be seen during dusk or dawn. It is just 35 km away from Munnar town and can be reached easily through road travel. You can join the Nature trail to watchtower as an adventure trekking option.

Such richness in biodiversity makes Kerala not only God’s country but also a haven for its innocent majestic creatures. With such fresh air and clear waters, these National parks and wildlife sanctuaries also add to the beauty of the place attracting tourists from all over. Nature lovers are especially drawn to Kerala because of its beautiful forests and greenery.

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Beaches Corporate Outings Relax South India

To DO’s in Kochi aka Cochin

Kochi or Cochin is one of the biggest Indian cities and the financial capital of the south Indian state of Kerala. Also known as the “Queen of the Hills”, Kochi is one of the evolving cosmopolitans in the southwest part of the country and a bustling commercial port. It is also popular due to its proximity to Allepey, where-in travelers rush to experience the alleppey houseboat

How to Reach

Cochin airport is the 4th busiest Indian airport and one of the main getaways to India. The international airport is located 29 kilometers away from the city center and is well connected to major cities of India and the world.  Kochi is home to two major railway stations – Ernakulam Town and Ernakulam Junction and is well connected to all the major railway stations in India. Cochin has a well-established network of Kerala State Run Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus services that enables good connectivity to all the major cities in Kerala and other neighboring cities and states.

Places to visit

Fort Kochi- Once you reach the Kochi City of Kerala, you can board a cab, auto-rickshaw or bus to Fort Kochi. Fort Kochi is a region in the south-west part of the city of Kochi and an important part of a handful of water-bound regions. This little island offers some main tourist attractions such as Chinese fishing nets, Fort Kochi beach, Sree Gopalakrishna Devaswom Temple, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica and Jain Temple.

Hill palace museum- It once was the palace of Kochi’s Maharaja and now it’s a full-blown museum that has been attracting the tourists in hundreds every day. With about 500 artifacts placed inside, this museum is rightly known as the biggest museum in the entire south Indian region. There is also a small zoo nearby.

Santacruz Basilica- It is one of the eight Basilicas in Kerala and amongst the oldest churches in India built by the Portuguese in the year 1502 when they shifted their base here to make the most out of the business opportunities the city had to offer. The place is counted as one of the heritage edifices of Kerala and visited by tourists the whole year-round.

Chendamangalam Fort- Historically, the fort is known as the prime minister of Kochi and is one of the important forts in Kerala. Now a great tourism spot, the place is famous for coir manufacturing and handloom weaving. Three rivers are flowing nearby the Fort, which adds to the scenic view of this place.

Durbar Hall ground- The place is the center for various cultural activities in the city. It’s a great place to take a break from the bustling city and spend time exploring the skyscrapers, restaurants, shops and crowded streets.

Cherai Beach- Kerala is full of beaches and backwaters that could satisfy your tourism bones to their core. Cherai beach is known to be one of the best beaches in the city which happens to be totally safe for water sports and general hanging out. This place filled with locals during weekends and backwater stretch is the scenic and pleasing sight.

Things to Explore

Kochi Books

This is one place you must visit if you are an ardent lover of books. It is the one-stop shop destination for all types of books that you ever wanted to own.

The Onam Festival

And there is the Onam festival. The festival of Onam is celebrated every year for 10 days that lasts from mid-august to mid-September. The festival marks the welcoming back of the mythical king Mahabali. The people are known to celebrate the festival with high-level enthusiasm as a parade takes place with showcasing different art forms. The final celebrations take place at Thrikakkara temple located in the city.

The Chinese fishing nets

Chinese fishing nets are fixed land installations used for catching the fishes, as the name suggests. Each installation is operated by a team of six fishermen.

The Chinese fishing nets are a great reminder of the close relations the city shared with Chinese emperors at one point in the history. These nets have been the official icon of the city and were gifted to then king of Kochi by the Chinese emperor Kubalagi in the 14th century. He gifted more than a hundred of them to the kingdom of Cochin, but only a few remain in the working condition.

Kochi Tips

–It may very well be a place as beautiful as Goa, but far more conservative. Wearing short clothes here is not good for the women.

-A half an hour time to the soothing ayurvedic massage must be tried. Ayurveda comes from Kerala and the massage parlors in Kochi are nothing short of magnificent.

-Coconut milk and cashews are a part of every other Kochi meals, so in case you are allergic, be aware every time of what you have been eating.

-There is a high margin of the population that doesn’t speak or understand Hindi, so be prepared for the worst.

Food

The cuisines from Kerala are popular all across the country for their seafood quality and other vegetarian and nonvegetarian cuisines. The restaurants in Kochi such as Hotel Thali, Hotel Unnikrishnan, Uruvi, Shri Krishna Cafe and the Royal food court serve some great Indian as well as international food items.

Places to Stay

There are some great hotels in Kochi to stay such as the Mariott hotel, Le Meridian, Hotel Crown Plaza and Keys hotel. There are options for every budget range.

The intense natural beauty of the state is perfectly reflected in the city of Cochin, so in case you want to spend some quality time away from the hectic city life, head here, you won’t regret.

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