Category: North India

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National Parks North India

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary – a mini paradise in the dry state of Rajasthan

Keoladeo National Park, earlier known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is a famous avifauna sanctuary, a destination for more than 350 avian species including a good number of rare and migratory birds that come here in flocks, especially during the winters.  It is among the top rated bird sanctuaries in India and the world. This UNESCO world heritage site, locally known as Ghana, is a mosaic of dry and wet grassland, spread over an area of 29 sq. The mini paradise is located not very far from the most popular three Golden Triangles: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur and hence visited by a large number of visitors.

Important Info

The park remains open throughout the year from sunrise to sunset.  From August to November, the national park is home to resident breeding birds, while from October to February migratory birds inhabit the place. The entrance fee for Indian citizens is Rs. 25 whereas for foreign nationals the fee is Rs. 200.

The pathway

Lined by the trees on the both sides, the pathway inside the park is gleaming with the exotic visuals of some rare and beautiful birds. The sanctuary in its entirety shall best be visited on the cycles or by foot in order to get the best of it. Along with the birds of some exotic species and the most common ones, the sanctuary also serves as a great shelter for some butterflies. Not only that, some scavengers like the Indian fox can be seen roaming around fearlessly with no intention of harming any human being.

Bird watching

Out of the different species of birds one could have the pleasure of witnessing birds such as the Herons, Kingfishers, Cormorants, Eagles, Kites, Parakeets, Pigeons, Cranes, Stilts, Lapwings, Storks, Woodpeckers, Owls, Wagtails, Waterhens, Moorhens, Swamphens, Bulbuls, Babblers, Doves, Duck’s, Egrets, Ibis, and Pelicans. Although it isn’t really needed, but carrying a binocular would help greatly in case the tourists want to have an up and close view of the birds. Differentiating among the domestic Indian birds with the migrating ones would require you to have a professionally trained guide with you.

When it comes to the antelopes, the Nilgais are more frequently seen here than any other animal. The low-lying wetland’s lush greenery is the perfect habitat for them. On the other hand, the Serpent Eagle is also there to feast on and scare off the small birds. Parakeets, on the other hand, can, however, steer them away while making some noises which are known to be the eagle repellent.

The man made islands are located in the middle of the sanctuary where ducks, egrets and cormorants live in their natural habitat. In the winters, they can be seen having warm sunbaths after the cold winter nights.  There are about a dozen such islands inside the sanctuary where the ducks can be seen flapping their birds freely in all their glory.

Not to miss

One must not miss out on a boat ride, which is less known yet promises an incredible experience for both birders and nature lovers.

While at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, you can opt to stay at Bharatpur Forest Lodge.

Food

Foodies won’t find many places to eat in the vicinity of the park. Salim Ali road in the town offers so many food joints to eat. The restaurant at Hotel Sunbird offers a sumptuous breakfast. ITDC hotel is an ideal place to grab Rajasthani cuisine, also it offers the yummiest Mughlai and Continental feast.

Conclusion

In short, the Bharatpur bird sanctuary is one of those very few places in the country where the bird enthusiasts have ample opportunities to witness and photograph an ample number of birds and animals in their entire wilderness. The trip to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary can be combined with Deeg Palace and Fort & Mathura Museum visit.

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North India

Jibhi – The unexplored and untouched hamlet in Kullu

Himachal Pradesh happens to be one enchantress of a state and nature has bestowed the state with some of the most beautiful and scenic places to be found in the entire country. One such place which remains largely unexplored is a small village called Jibhi. One can reach the village quite easily from the Chandigarh-Manali highway. One night drive from the national capital New Delhi will bring you here. The locations around here are so beautiful that even the most tiring journey will seem all worth it once you set your foot in here. Located in the arms of the beautiful Banjar valley, Jibhi is known for its enchanting sceneries and photogenic places. Banjar valley happens to be one of the most typical beauties surrounded by the greenery and Himalayan magnificence.

Famous For

The town has some very famous Victorian pinewood cottages for the tourists where they can just relax after coming back from tiring and long trips. Jibhi becomes home for a few months not only for the Indians or the locales, but for the foreign tourists as well. People from countries such as UK, Belgium, Israel and much more can be seen here roaming the streets or drinking ‘Chai’ on the stalls. They make it their home for a few months before they continue their journey to explore more of the Himalayan range.

There comes a great view of a river flowing through the valley from the cottage where we stayed. This was easily one of the most beautiful moments that we had experienced. The uncomfortable silence seems so comforting here. It’s just nature and its bliss, without the contamination that has been caused by the ever-developing human civilization in other parts of the world.

Chain Village was the next stop, which was way more beautiful than we expected. Let alone the natural marvels which seem like to be there in almost every corner of the state. The ancient structures here gives us a glimpse of the ancient history of the town. The Chinese-inspired architecture tells a lot of untold stories.

The 3 to 4 hours trek is all you need to reach Chain. There is a Sharing Bagi temple which is one great marvel of architecture. Monuments like this make us realize that even without all the technology and stuff, our forefathers were way ahead of us when it came to creating the awe-inspiring structures.

Other places one can visit in and around the Jibhi village are Chaini Fort, Jalori pass, Sarehul lake, Rahupur Garh fort and of course, the lush greenery needs a mention here as well. Other than that there is trekking that can impress the tourists quite nicely. The way is quite long and adventurous and can easily satisfy every last fabric of your being.

How to reach there?

The beautiful lush-green village of Jibhi is situated at the Chandigarh-Manali Highway. The most convenient way to reach this heavenly valley is by boarding a bus from Anand vihar ISBT, New Delhi heading towards Manali and Get down at Kut. There you can get many private and government  transport service, which will take you to the desired destination.

Travel Tip

While you visit the dreamy town, don’t forget to experience the extremely beautiful and affordable Victorian pinewood cottages and just unwind and relax. After all you’re on a holiday! So feel the fun..

Nature has been extremely patient while designing this very small town, it sometimes makes us realize, how a place this beautiful can remain untouched for so long. Beautiful and pure as a newborn baby, Jibhi is one marvel of a place and deserves to be explored by more people.

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North India Rejoice

The small picturesque hamlet, Pangot

The small village of Pangot is located in the arms of some fresh and beautiful mountain ranges, at the distance of 15 km from the beautiful hill station of Nainital. This alluring Kumaon village happens to be an unabashed paradise for the tourists.

Things to do in Pangot

The family trips can’t get any better than this. The long walks through mesmerizing oak trees, cedar, pine, and bamboo, make one think whether a place like this exists. Still unknown to a great extent for many a travel junkies, Pangot is a treat to the eyes. The walk between Pangot and Kilbury forest rest house is quite eccentric and accessible.

This article is an attempt to guide you to explore the unexplored. So let’s talk more about what is there to see in Pangot, how to reach there and other important details if you are planning to visit the place.

Bird watching

The travelers across the world visit this place for bird watching and explore the immense diversity of mother nature.It is now one of the famed destination for nature lovers.

Birds happen to be the biggest source of attraction for the nature lovers all over the world who come here. They come here to study the different habits of almost 250 species of birds which are very rare and one of its kind, can be seen around here. Other than that, ample services are provided to cater to the bird watchers that come from different parts of the country and the world.

Experiencing the adventure of Trekking

If you are adventure lover and Trekking is your passion, then you are at right place. This is the time to have some thrilling experience. Trekking to Naina Peak is one of the most loved activities for adventure lovers. Pangot is the base camp for the travelers, who come to explore the unexplored mystery of the Himalayas. Early morning is the ideal time to start your trekking from Pangot Valley, don’t forget to pack your lunch and water.

Shopping

There aren’t many shops in the Pangot area, the reason being its closeness to nature in all its purity and poetry. To buy, you must move to Nainital which is not too far away from the place. There is a Tibetan market nearby, and it will not disappoint you. You can buy anything from here, and there is one condition, though, you should be good at bargaining.

Nearby Places to Visit

A trip to Nainital

Located at just about 15 km from Pangot is Nainital, one of the most favorite and widely popular tourist spots in the entire country. Located in the arms of Kumaon hills, this place resembles paradise and no doubt it has made its secure place among the most beautiful locations in the entire country and also as one of the most popular tourist destinations.

A trip to Ranikhet–

About 20 kilometers away from Pangot is this one other beautiful place, Ranikhet. Known for its lush greenery and some of the most photogenic visuals, this is one heaven of a tourist spot. It also is home to the Kumaon regiment of the Indian army, and most of the tourists come here to witness that. The hygiene and the cleanliness around the place are fantastic.

Sattal– This is a place which got its name from being located in the midst of seven lakes, in the middle of a ancient and mysterious oak forest. It happens to be located at a distance of about 30 kilometers from Pangot and one of the main stops for the tourists who visit the area.

Despite having a significant lack of places to see, Pangot remains one of the most beautiful locations in the country and as the tourism industry here is on the rise, the coming years may bring something more for Pangot.

How to Reach

Pangot has situated 17 km away from Nainital at NH-87 and is within easy reach from Nainital. It just takes a half an hour drive, and you are there at Pangot. Pangot is well connected with major cities of Northern India. The Pangot can be reached either by bus or private taxi via NH 87.

The nearest airport has Pantnagar situated 58 km away. The distance from Pantnagar airport to Pangot can be easily covered in one hour. The taxi services from the Pantnagar airport are easily available, and it will cost around Rs.600.

Nearest Railway Station: Haldwani(48 km), Kathgodam(50 km), Ramnagar(70 km)

Travel Tip

Winter is the ideal time to visit the beautiful valley of Pangot!

Don’t forget to carry your Camera!!!

If you are nature-centric and love to unfold the mysterious chapters of nature, then a trip to the small village of Pangot will be worthwhile for you.

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North India

Shoghi- The unexplored beauty

Located in the beautiful valleys of Himachal, right beside Shimla, Shogi is a wonderful hill station that remains unknown for the most part. Shimla takes away all the attention and rightly so, it is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. But where Shogi fares better than Shimla is the fact that there happens to be an unnerving and enchanting calmness in Shogi which cannot be found in Shimla. The tourists come to Shimla in heavy numbers and it becomes crowded. It seems fine for the adventure seekers but for the rest, who likes the pure silence of nature, they must visit Shogi at least once. This place is one of the most beautiful places on earth and yet as calm as a place can get.

Tara Devi temple- Shoghi also happens to be known as the city of temples. The Tara Devi temple is quite famous among the visitors and also happens to be known as one very ancient Hindu pilgrimage. The old temple happens to be here since 250 years and is located on a high peak of the Tara hills. The view from the temple is amazing and the peaceful ambiance is one other reason for its popularity.

Kali Temple- Shoghi is full of so many different places, the natural sceneries, and the religious places, that it serves all kind of tourists. The devoted ones and the beauty seekers ones, everybody can enjoy the place. One other important tourist spot happens to be the Kali temple, which is located at about a height of 4000 feet above the sea level. The mysterious Hindu goddess temple is said to have been around for about 150 years and the legends state that this is even older than that.

Camping- One other very solid attraction around the place is camping. Actually, there is no specific place where people can set up their camps. It can be almost anywhere. There are hotels and resorts in the place that provides camping facilities to the tourists. The beautiful and mysterious aura of the night makes the place look much more beautiful and as the stars shine in the sky, it becomes magical when paired with the sound of silence.

Sightseeing- This one requires no mention whatsoever. Himachal is full of these rare beauties that are there to charm and slide a spear into your souls. The views of lush greenery and clear sky will make you forget who you are. You will know what they mean when they say- Becoming one with nature.

How to reach Shoghi

No regular flights are available from major cities of the country to Shogi. The nearest airport is Chandigarh Airport, 110 km away from Shoghi. Shoghi is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular trains. You can board a regular train to Kalka and then TOY train to Shoghi.

Instead of Shoghi, tourists can get a bus to Shimla on the regular basis. You can also reach Shimla by car through the beautiful Chandigarh-Shimla highway. A few hours car ride from Shimla will bring you to Shoghi.

Being located in the northern part of the country, the influence is quite clear. The cuisines, the shops the busy streets, everything seems to be touched by the flavor of North India. However, Himachal as a state has its very own set of culture and customs which is also quite visible in their houses and the people walking on the streets.

Travel tip

Summers is the perfect time to visit this place.

The place holds its individual charm. Still looking for more reasons to pack your bags and visit this place? You have found the one stop shop for the crazy adventurous trip that you have been looking forward to.

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Adventure Himalayas North India Treks

Getting through the Lord Curzon trail alias Kuari Pass

Also known as Lord Curzon trail, Kuari Pass is one of the most renowned winter treks in Garhwal region. The place is ideal for beginners and opens the gateways for the unexplored to be explored. Thanks to Toroots India and Renok Adventures, for the opportunity to explore this beautiful trek.

Little about the place

Location: Garhwal
Base: Rishikesh
Duration: 5Days
DifficultyLevel: Easy to Moderate
ApproxTrek: 30kms
AverageElevation: 13,000Fee
TypeofTrek: Winter Trek
Best Time: November to March
Highlights: Nanda Devi Peak, Trishul Peak, Gorson Bugyal, Tali LakeWhere is the Kuari Pass?

Kuari Pass is located in the midst of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, at an altitude of approx. 13,000 feet above the sea level. The Pass is at the center of the most incredible regions of Garhwal and is known for its unique wild grandeur. The place gives enthralling experience for first-time trekkers, as the entire trail comprises of walking through the frozen rivers, rock climbing, walk through forests. You get to traverse all kinds of terrain during these 3 days.
How to Get Here:
Rishikesh is the base for Kuari Pass. It can be reached via Haridwar. There are many buses that ply daily from Delhi.

How to Reach Kuari Pass?

By Air: Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport, which is 208Km from Nandprayag and 268Km from Joshimath.

By Rail: Rishikesh Railway Station is the nearest rail-head, which is 191Km from Nandprayag and 251Km from Joshimath.

By Road: Nandprayag and Joshimath is well connected with other parts of Uttarakhand.

Trekking Routes:

Rishikesh – Joshimath – Dhak Village – Karchi Village – Tugasi Village – Palogeta Village – Gulling – Chonter Gatta – Bor Tal – Tali Campsite-Chitrakantha – Khulara Meadows-Kuari View Point 1- Chitrakantha Top – Lord Curzon Trail – Puli Dhar Col – Auli via Tali and Gorson Bugyal – Haridwar.

Accommodation Destinations: Gulling, & Khullara

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Joshimath.

The journey started from Haridwar, from where we went to Joshimath and it took almost 10 Hrs to reach the place. Had our night stay there itself.

Day 2: Joshimath to Gulling

Base camp is at Dhak village. From Joshimath, went with Innova to reach the base camp from where trek started. We trek through a hemlock, oak and rhododendron forest for 3km before a short descent to the meadow and campsite at Gulling. The impressive snow-capped ridge, including Chaukhamba 1 (7138m), can be seen beyond Joshimath. Guide Mr. Lama was very cooperative and efficient. On the way, you may want to capture the village life as you pass through Tugasi and other small villages.

 

Day 3 : Camping at  Khullara

From Gulling, again the trek started early morning, from where we reached to Khullara top and did our camping. It is much colder than Gulling and temp usually goes down to -6 degrees.

 

Day 4 : Way to Kuari Pass.

Last day, it all started trekking to Kuari pass, where on the way view was unmatchable and one tends to cross snow-laden trails. The view as you reach the height of 13,000 feet indeed gives you the adrenaline rush. The same day we returned from Kuari pass to Khullara campsite.

Day 5: Joshimath to Haridwar.

Last day was way back from Khullara to Dhak and then from Joshimath to Haridwar, from where we had our bus back to Delhi In case you are lucky to reach on time, watching Ganga Aarti is also a great idea.

By the way, Major network like idea/Vodafone works at these heights, so feel free to call your special someone from this height and make them jealous.

Categories
Culture North India Treks

The self governing land of Malana!!!

 Malana is a beautiful yet a secluded village in the Parvati Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Tourists from Israel and other parts of the world flock in great numbers to this quiet little Himalayan hamlet. Out of the several villages in the Parvati Valley, this village is relatively an isolated one, best known for Malana cream. It is a local variety of hashish, a purified resinous extract of cannabis which is highly valued in the international market.

Belief

The people of Malana consider cannabis as ‘shiv ji ki buti’ and do not see its production as something wrong. Apart from Shiva, they have a firm belief in their devta, Jamlu Rishi. As per the Puranas, a sage once inhabited this land and laid the foundation of democracy, which still persists. They believe in self-governance and thus have their own lower and the higher court, President and Prime Minister. The Malanese people are believed to be the descendants of Alexander, the great.

The Taboo

The set of rules they follow is absolutely unknown to the common world. To resolve a conflict their justice relies on the death of the lamb. They cut the right foreleg of lamb, stuff it with poison and then sew it back. The person whose lamb dies first fails in the judgment. It is believed to be a decision made by their Devta.

The Social Background

The locals here are unfriendly and avoid interaction with a foreigner. They do not eat any food cooked by an outsider and not even let them touch themselves. They believe that the rest of the world is inferior to them. Tourists are prescribed a set of rules to follow when in Malana.

  • Do not touch the walls, houses, temples, people or any sacred stone.
  • If by any case food is offered to a non-Malani, then all the utensils have to undergo a purification ritual before they can be used again.­­­

How to get there

Malana is 527 km from Delhi by road.  The easiest and shortest way to reach Malana is to go to Buntar by air (13 km from Jari) and from there to village Jari. You would have to trek for 12 km, as there are no taxis or buses available to Malana.

Best Time to visit

At an altitude of 2,652metres above the sea level, the village has an extreme climate. The best time to go is from early May to August.

Malana’s Cream

The small village of Malana is famous throughout the world for its quality hashish known as Malana cream, extracted from the Cannabis plant. The quality of hash is so fine that it has won the Best Hashish title in 1994 and 1996 at the High Times magazine’s Cannabis Cup. The Malana cream is the most expensive hashish in the Amsterdam menu. Earlier, cannabis was only used for medical treatment. It was only when foreigners started coming to this land, they taught the locals how to make hashish by rubbing the oil on the hand under sunlight. Slowly and gradually they started the business of Hashish production which eventually became their main source of income.

Travel Tip

The best time to visit this alluring valley is in summer. The famous “Malan Shuan” the summer festival takes place on 15th August.

Categories
Adventure Himalayas Inspiration National Parks North India Treks

Hemkund Sahib, The Highest Sikh Pilgrimage in Uttarakhand

Located amidst the pristine valleys of the beautiful Indian state of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, the Hemkund Sahib area, also known as Gurudwara Shri Hemkunt Sahib, is one of the prime locations for the tourists to visit. The gurudwara is dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who happens to known as one of the ten Sikh Gurus. It is the highest and the greatest Gurudwara of the Sikh community, located right on the shores of the prestigious lake.

The weather changes quite rapidly at the place and almost every season is great to have a trip to the place. The highlights of the place are its waterfalls, deep forests, the crystal clear and an amazing view of the Himalayas. Any time a year is perfect to have a visit to the place but the season from June to October is generally considered the perfect one to do so.

How to reach?

The nearest railway station is the Rishikesh railway station which is situated 273 km before Govindghat on NH8. Taxis and buses can be availed from Rishikesh to Govindghat. Jolly Grand Airport happens to be the nearest airport to Hemkund Sahib but the roads are only connected up to Govindghat from where you will have to begin the trek.

Govindghat is the starting point of the trek to Hemkund Sahib and it well connected by motorable roads. The trek from Govindghat to Ghangharia is a steep one and covers 13 km. The remaining 6 km route is the steepest and can be the toughest one to travel.

After having a visit to the beautiful lake and the Gurudwara, you may feel the need to explore some places nearby.

Places to see

Ghangaria- On the long trek to Shri Hemkund Sahib, Ghangaria is the last stop where the traces of civilization exist. Located at an altitude of about 3000 meters above the sea level, Ghangaria is a beautiful place for sightseeing and for taking a few hours rest before you continue the journey to Hemkund Sahib. The trek up to this point is the toughest one. The region remains open from May to October and closed afterward due to the heavy snowfall that keeps occurring in here.

Valley of Flowers- Valley of flowers is a beautiful paradise situated at a 4 kms trek from Ghangaria. Also a reputed world heritage site, the valley of flowers is a must visit place on your way and purely a botanist’s delight. The entire valley is a valley of rare flowers and generally a rug of colors – green, yellow, red, blue etc. The entry ticket to the valley is 150 INR per person (for Indians) and 600 INR per person (for foreigners) and valid for 3 days entry. Whereas still cameras and movie/video cameras are free to carry, charges apply for professional video camera charges, that is 500 INR for Indians and 1500 INR for foreign nationals. The opening time of the valley is 6 am.

Please note that one should not litter anywhere in the valley and it is advisable to

carry some food from Ghangaria as you won’t get anything to eat up there.

Food served

A simple meal, comprising of Khichdi(rice dish) and tea is served here to all the pilgrimage, as a part of the langar. In case if you do not want to opt for this it is highly advisable to carry your own food and eatables as you will not find any restaurants there.

No visitor is allowed to stay overnight at gurudwara except the caretakers of the place, hence one needs to come back to Ghangaria for a night stay.

Places to stay at Ghangaria

A few options for a good and comfortable stay are Hotel Deepak Lodge, Valley of Flowers Holiday Home, Hotel Kuber Annex, Sarovar Portico Badrinath and Hotel Narayan Palace.

Hemkund other than a beautiful valley full of amazing landscapes and breathtaking visuals also happens to be a sacred place for the Sikhs, especially from northern India. The virgin beauty of the place is indeed reminiscent of the beautiful country we are living in.

Categories
Corporate Outings Itinerary North India Spiritual Hubs

Kasol – a tourist heaven where it feels just magical to get high

Situated in the Parvati valley of the beautiful north Indian state, Kasol is a little village that has become one of the most popular tourist destinations among the Indian and the foreigners alike. The Parvati River flows beside it and acts as a lifeline to the spot.

How to reach

The airport nearest to Kasol is located in Bhuntar, but the flights are rare and a costly affair. As the place is not connected by railway and flights are not very frequent to Kullu, the only way to hit this region is by road. So if you are planning to reach Kasol from Delhi or Chandigarh, road is the ideal route.

There are ample bus services from Delhi that could get you here in an approx 14 hours time. The buses run via Chandigarh mostly.

Things to do at Kasol

Kasol is a tourist heaven, and out of the countless things that you could do at the place, here are a few of them.

Walk by the Parvati river- There is nothing more uplifting than a brisk walk along the magnetic current of the river Parvati while grasping in the beautiful landscapes surrounding it. As the crystal clear blue sky gets pierced with the snow capped peaks of Himalayas, the image just stays with you for a very long time.

Visit Manikaran Sahib- If you happen to be in Kasol, don’t forget to give a brief visit to Manikaran Sahib, a magnificent gurudwara located just about 6 kilometres away from Kasol. You can either take a hike or book a ride to the place, whatever suits you really. The spring water near the monument is known to have healing powers. So, in a way, medical tourism is also one other reason for the place to be popular.

Visit Malana – Malana is a small community of tribal people and a must visit place for travelers seeking adventure and sightseeing.

The place is famed for its cultivation of Malana cream, which is a quality of Hash, About 5 – 6 hours of the trek away from Kasol can bring you to this place.  Hiring a local guide is the best choice to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and explore the exclusive ways of living of this village.

Kheer Ganga- Kheer Ganga is one lush green place reached by a long trek from Kasol. Those with poor health may find it extremely hard to go along with the trek. But once you manage to go through it, you experience a whole new world of enlightenment within you.

Activities in Kasol

Trekking and Rock Climbing

A trip to a hill station is basically incomplete without some adventure and this holds true for all the adventure buffs. Kasol is full of many trekking paths categorized right from easy to difficult and dangerous.

When the weather is perfect, one can go for a short trek of half an hour to Village Chalaal or opt for a longer trip to Pulga Village. Tosh and Kheer Ganga are the two places which give you an adrenaline rush through your veins while trekking.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to experience the silence and solace of nature in Kasol is from March to May. At this time of the year, the weather is pleasant enough and welcoming to the visitors and the temperature varies from 15-22 Degree Celsius.

Although the Kasol experiences good weather throughout the year, the ideal time to explore the wilderness of the place is from March to May. At this time of the year the weather is pleasant and the temperature varies from 15-22 Degree Celsius.

What to eat

Apart from being known as a hippie paradise, Kasol also caters in a great way to the food lovers. Israelis form the biggest section of the tourists in Kasol and thus, the town serves some great Israeli food along with pan-Indian cuisines. There are little dhabas, stalls and restaurants in every corner where you can go to satisfy the hunger pangs. Some of the best restaurants in Kasol are Evergreen, Moon Dance Cafe, Jim Morrison Cafe, Stone Garden Cafe and Little Italy.

Stay

Being a prime tourist spot, there are many hotels and cottages made available for the tourists in different budget options. Parvati Kuteer, Shivalik, Devlok International and Sun N Wind are a few popular hotels that provide some great services to the tourists at very reasonable prices.

Kasol is a beautiful place, one of those places where you must bring your family for a good time. So what have you been waiting for? Start packing!!

Categories
Adventure North India Staycation

Sit back, read your favorite book in the arms of the mountains at Khembharti Homestay

Not known to many, Banjar in Himachal Pradesh has earned the name as an amazing tourist destination as it offers enticing key attractions to the tourists and hosts a chilly atmosphere. Khem Bharti Homestay contributes to the grandeur of the beauteous Banjar. Be it this place or any other destination in the country the stay becomes even more comfortable with the home staying options emerging. One such homestay in the very beautiful Tirthan valley is Khembharti that makes your stay incomparable to others.

The sole purpose behind the establishment of a guest house or homestay is to provide the tourists a feeling of being at home while wandering around sightseeing in an alien place. And as it happens, Khembharti excels in that regard. The surrounding beauty of the place serves as a perfect companion for the tourists spending their night here. On the top of it, the best services are being provided to them just makes the experience further more worthwhile.

How to reach

This homestay in Banjar can be easily reached via travel hubs such as Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation Bus Stand (6 km) and Kullu Manali Airport (56 km). One can also visit Tirthan (1 km) and Hamani Temple (1 km).  The hotel is located across the Tirthan River on the main road.

About the place

Khembharti hotel is known to be one of the most affordable budget hotels in the entire Banjar region. The popularity of the hotel is quite evident if you visit there in the holiday season. Most probably, you would not be able to find the rooms. The entire place is a two storey building with an enthralling architecture and comprises of 4 rooms.  The hotel accommodates a total of 5 well-spaced rooms with all the basic amenities. The rooms are cleaned from time to time by the very efficient hotel staff and the warm hospitability one receives at the reception just adds on to the overall experience of staying in a high profile place such as this.

Services provided

–The impeccable parking service provided by the hotel is widely appreciated. The tourists can safely park their vehicles here and go on their sightseeing adventure without any worries.

-The hotel has appointed a well-trained staff of physicians so that the tourists receive immediate medical attention in case of an emergency.

-Laundry facilities at Khembharti meet the international standards.

-Luggage storage also happens to be here.

-In case you have booked your rooms in advance, the hotel appointed vehicles can pick you up from airport and while checking out, you will be dropped off at the airport as well.

-The hotel provides free wi-fi access to all their rooms.

-The in-room amenities ensure a comfortable stay at the place. The wakeup calls and breakfast in bed along with a flawless supply of warm and cold water and electricity are without a question, the best you can ever get on a budget.

Conclusion

The next time to decide to make a trip to Tirthan valley, remember to plan your stay at Khem Bharti Homestay for its welcoming hospitality and good accommodation.

Categories
Adventure Himalayas North east North India Treks

Highest lakes in India, that gives breathtaking views!!

Trekking to a high altitude lake might be a strenuous task to undertake but the magical scenic beauty that it offers is completely worth the efforts. The following listed lakes are located at enough heights to keep them frozen during the winter season which adds on to their magnificence.

Pangong Tso, Ladakh

Located at an altitude of 4,250 meters in Ladakh, Pangong Tso is one of Asia’s largest salt-water lakes and is just 5 hours drive away from Leh. Its azure waters spread over an area of 100 kilometres across the borders of two countries- one-third of it lies in India while the remaining two-third lies in Tibet and a majority of the streams that constitute the lake are located in the latter part. Also known as the Hollow Lake, its brackish water along with sunlight produces beautiful light effects. During winters, the surface of the lake freezes and an ice skating festival is organised on it, inviting contenders from all over the world.

 Roop Kund, Uttarakhand

This high- altitude glacial lake is located in Uttarakhand and it takes 2 days to trek 30 km to it from Lohajung. The bottom of the lake contains the bones of humans as well as animals, the reason behind which is not clearly known yet and this very fact gives it a thrilling touch. The lake has a depth of only about 2 metres and the skeletons become visible once the water melts.

Tsongmo/Changu Lake, Sikkim

Situated at 12,313 feet above sea level, the glacial lake Tsomgo is nearby Gangtok, which makes it a great getaway option for not only locals but also tourists. This lake although small in size, has a unique and fascinating feature, which bestows upon it an important place in Buddhism and Hinduism alike. Due to natural factors, its surface reflects different colours during the changing seasons of the year.

Gurudongmar Lake, Sikkim

Gurudongmar Lake’s altitude of about 17,800 feet makes it one of the highest lakes in the world. It is located 190 km away from Gangtok and 5 km to the south of the Chinese border.  Considered sacred by both Sikhs and Buddhists, Guru Padmasambhava of the Sikhs is believed to have visited this place. The area around the lake is inhabited by various high altitude animals but disappointingly its clear waters have now become polluted due to local interference.

Suraj Tal, Himachal Pradesh

Suraj Tal or the Surya Tal literally means the Lake of the Sun God and is the third highest lake in India and the 21st highest in the world.  It is located in the Lahaul and Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh, just below the Bara-lacha-la pass. This lake is the source of the Bhaga river which is a tributary of Chenab river. Its climatic conditions are similar to the poles of the Earth due to which the lake remains frozen for the most part of the year.

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