Lakshadweep - The Blue Paradise

Scuba diving

Coral reefs

Aerodome at Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep Samudram (By M. V. Kavaratti):- Lakshadweep Samudram is a five day cruise to visit the island of Kavaratti, Kalpeni and Minicoy by ship – M.V. Kavaratti. The island tour is organized during the day with lunch and refreshments ashore. Nights are spent on board of ship. M. V. Kavaratti has 100 Diamond class accommodations. Swimming, snorkelling and other water sports are arranged during the day’tour.One of world’s most spectacular tropical island systems, Lakshadweep is trucked away at 220-440kms. Off the Kerala Coast. The island offer a precious heritage of ecology and culture. The unique feature of the islands is its coral reef, making it a pristine leisure spot to come back to 4200 sq.kms. of lagoon, rich in marine wealth, is spread over 36 islands in an area of 32 sq.kms.The underwater view at Lakshadweep is kaleidoscopic and breathtaking. The lagoon offers excellent potential for water sports like swimming, wind-surfing, diving, snorkelling and kayaking. No wonder Lakshadweep is fast becoming India’s one of its kind “Adventure sports – Nature Tourist” location. Each island is fringed by snow white coral sands. The crystal clear water and the abundant marine life enhance the beauty of these island. Against the vast expanse of the blue sea, the island look like emeralds. The huge shallow calm lagoon on the side with wall like reef made o marine live coral boulders blocks the incoming sweels of the outer sea. The islands are linked to the mainland by ship, helicopter, Indian Airlines, Kingfisher Airlines and merchandized sailing wooden vessels. The Island like Agatti and Bangaram can be reached by ship and air from Cochin. From Agatti, Kadmat Kavaratti are linked by speed ferry. In all the islands, elaborate infrastructure is in place to meet the needs of tourists. Lakshadweep was given the National Eco-Tourism Award 1997.

Package Seats: 100 (5 Days):-

Class of Accommodation        Transportation cost     Tour Charges  Total

Diamond (Adult)                     Rs. 13000                    Rs.9000                       Rs.22000

Diamond (Child)                      Rs.13000                     Rs.2500                       Rs.15500

Coral Reef Package (By M. V. Arabina Sea):- Coral Reef is a five-days cruise to visit any of the three islands of Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Minikoy or Kadmat by ship – M. V. Arabina Sea. The island tour is organized during the day with lunch and refreshment ashore. Nights are spent on board of ship. M. V. Arabina Sea have 36 first class and 120 tourist class accommodation. Swimming, snorkeling and other water sports are arranged during the day’tour.

Packages :- First class - 36 and Tourist class – 120

Class of Accommodation        Transportation cost     Tour Charges  Total

Diamond                                 Rs. 10000                    Rs. 6000          Rs. 16000

Gold                                         Rs. 6000                      Rs. 6000          Rs. 12000

Get in:-

Everybody requires a special permit to visit Lakshadweep. The easiest way to obtain it is to book a package tour through the government's tour operator SPORTS (A society under Lakshadweep Administrstion that provides various tours and packages, for more information visit www.lakshadweeptourism.com  or arrange a hotel to sort it out for you. Indians may visit the other islands as well, but accommodation is very limited.

Nearly everybody going to Lakshadweep has to pass through Kochi from where you can continue by plane or ship:

By plane

Air India has 1 flights from Kochi to the airstrip at Agatti, the only one on the islands. Flights to Goa have been terminated.

By ship

There are occasional cruises directly from Mumbai.

Get around

Both boat and helicopter transfers are available from Agatti to Bangaram and Kadmat. The helicopter may be the only option in monsoon season from May to September.

By boats/ferries: These can be used for getting around from one island to the other

Once on an island, there aren't too many options. You can travel by foot or hire a bicycle.

Accommodation:-

Agatti Island Beach Resort
	0484 236 2232
	Ground Floor, Island Tower, Behind H.P.O, Market Road, Cochin, Agatti   Lakshadweep, Lakshadweep - 682553
	http://www.agattiislandresorts.com
	agattiisland@vsnl.net, info@agattiislandresorts.com
Kadmat Beach Resort
	0484 6062011, 4011134, 4011135   096051 77000, 096052 77000
	Kadmat Beach Resort, Kadmath   Lakshadweep, Lakshadweep - 682555

Chardham and Hemkund Sahib Yatra-2014

Kedarnath Temple

Badrinath Temple

Gangotry Temple

Yamunotry Temple

The popularly waited Chardham Yatra begins once again after a year's gap due to the natural disaster.Uttarakhand tourism and Govt. of India jointly took several steps to unite pilgrims and god.

Yamunotry – Date of opening: 2^nd May 2014

Gangotry – Date of opening: 2^nd May 2014

Kedarnath – Date of opening: 4^th May 2014

Badrinath --- Date of opening: 5^th May 2014

Hemkunda Sahib – Date of opening 25^th May 2014

The special services for the pilgrims started by Uttarakhand Tourism:-

1. Chardham control room – Pilgrims has to register here before their journey for their safety.Every information about the route will be provided to them in detail.

2. Police and Combined force of Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi - For the new trake route between Bhimwali and Kedarnath they will  be up for the safety of the pilgrimage.

3. Mobile Tower and P.C.O. in every 15 km. Mobile health service for the connection of entire area.

4. Health camp in Guptakashi, Sonprayag and Gourikunda for the pilgramage.

5. Helicopter service for Kedarnath by a private service provider.

6. Pilgrim helpline: 1364 (7 a.m. to 9 p.m.)

Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board:-

Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Paryatan Bhawan,Near ONGC Helipad,Garhi Cantt.,Dehradun-248001.

Tel-91 135 2559987,2559900

For more information please visit-www.uttarakhandtourism.gov.in

Kaziranga National Park

In Kaziranga National Park

Elephant safari in Kaziranga

A group of  Elephant in Kaziranga

 One  horn Rhinoceros 

Kaziranga in Central Assam is the state’s premier wildlife habitat and stretches east to west along the south bank of the Brahmaputra, which marks its northern boundary and the Karbi hills run along its southern boundary.  It spreads across two districts, Nagaon and Golaghat. The best tourist season is from November to early April.

Kaziranga is internationally acknowledged as one of the last undisturbed habitats of the Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros. There are over 1,500 rhinos n Kaziranga. It is also home to over 70 percent of the world’s wild buffalo population. The rare swamp deer is also found in plenty here. Kaziranga National Park is demarcated into three main tourist ranges---Kohora,Baghori and Agaratoli. Kohora is the central range, and most tourist facilities and park entry formalities are based here.

There are three tourist routes that you can choose for inside Kaziranga, and you can go either for a jeep or an elephant safari.The jeep and elephant safaris are must-dos’ if you have  go to Kaziranga. In the right season, you can spot many animals in just two days.

Kohora is the longest tourist routes, a 3-to 4-hr safari in this range offers almost a complete sense of Kaziranga and its wildlife. You may see rhinos, elephant and wild buffaloes. The large water bodies here offer different sights in different seasons. Catching elephants at play in these water-bodies is about the most rewarding experience there can be in Kaziranga.

Baghori is in the western end of the park. This circuit is known for guaranteeing sighting and its strategic watchtower. An evening trip on this route is almost always a gift for the wildlife tourist. Head to the watchtower before sunset to take in the view of the large clearing beyond the water, bathed in a golden light.

Agaratoli is the easternmost of the three routes and is 21 km from the Kohora base. This range is more wooded than the other two and animal sightings are slightly less frequent. Birds are abundant along this route.

A lesser-known fact about Kaziranga is that it is also a birdwatcher’s paradise. There are over 450 species of birds here, with the usual wetland resident and migratory birds. The endangered Bengal florican, the pied hornbill, raptor and owl species are found here.

Non-wildlife options could include a visit to a nearby tea plantation and factory and a trip to a local Karbi or Mising village where you can spend a day with the locals and see some of their craft and weaving. It is also possible to take a boat cruise on the Brahmaputra River.

GettingThere

:

The nearest airport is Jorhat which is connected to Kolkata. Guwahati is the option, convenient for visitors from Delhi and Mumbai. Car hire to Kaziranga is Rs 3,500 for a drop.

The nearest rail station is Jorhat.

  

Accommodation:

1. Aranya Tourist Lodge(Tel-03776-262429)

Tariff-Rs.600-2300

2. Wild Grass Lodge(Tel-262085; Tariff: Rs 850-1,650)

3.Hotel Bonhabi (Tel-262710, 262575; Tariff- Rs.1,000-1,650)

4. Soil inspection Bungalow (Tel-262409, Tariff- Rs.450-500)

Rafting in Shivpuri

Camps beside the river

Laxmanjhula at Rishikesh

Adventure all the way

Rafting on the Ganga

Shivpuri is the base for rafting trips on the Ganga River Above Rishikesh. It is 16 km from Rishikesh and 240 km from Delhi. During the monsoon months between June and August  rafting on the Ganga pauses and the camps close during this time. The rest of the year, be sure to book in advance, specially on weekend and holidays.

The landscape the Ganga has carved above Rishikesh is a perfect arena for adventure. The low, forested hills are made for an introduction to hiking, rappelling and rock climbing. The river below, descending in a series of rapids, is a playful companion on your first taste of real adventure sport----water rafting. Whether sailing over the gentle bubbling pools around on challenging stretches where she rages as she leaves her beloved mountains, the Ganga offers a ride you will never forget. Spend a weekend rediscovering the child within you, with your family on a raft on Indias most beloved river.

Shibpuri village, the epicentre of the Rishikesh  rafting experience, is no more than a marker falling in the middle of most camp, which are strung  along the Badrinath Highway, north of Rishikesh. Rafters set off downstream from one of these upriver camps and descend to journey's end --- the holy town below. Some of the camps take rafters further upriver by road to Kaudiyala, and this makes for a longer rafting sortie to Rishikesh.

Getting there :

The nearest airport  Dehra Dun's Jolly Grant is connected by flight from Delhi. Taxi fare to Shivpuri is approx Rs 1,000.

The nearest railstation is Haridwar. Taxi fare is Rs 1,100; camps arrange transfers.

The train is the most convenient option for weekend rafting trips.

Accommodation:

1. Leopard Beach Tented Camp (Delhi Tel: 011-26122775, 26891473; Tariff: Rs 4,400)

2. Camp Panther (delhi Tel: 26852602; Tariff: Rs 5,300)

3. Himalayan River Runners Camp (Delhi Tel: 26852602/4643; Tariff: Rs 4,400)

4.Garwal Mandal Vikas Nigam's Camp (Dehra Dun Tel: 0135-2431793/83; Tariff 1,150).

Website: gmvnl.com

Skiing in Auli

skiing in Auli

snow desert

view of Himalaya from Auli

The slopes of Auli lie between 9,500 and 10,500 ft in the Great Himalayan Range, near the border of Nanda Devi in Upper Garhwal. Auli is surrounded by many snow peaks such as Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kamet, Neelkanth etc. It is 16 km South-East of Joshimath, 286 km North-East of Rishikesh, 492 km North-east of Delhi. The ideal time for skiing in Auli is between December and March, when Auli is covered with snow and temperature can fall below zero.

Auli is not large,the entire skiing area is about 5-7 km, but it has its advantages. It commands  excellent views of the surrounding peaks. The air is cold,fresh and scented with pine, the skies are blue. A cable car ropeway traverses 4km up the hill from Joshimath ,transporting you over the tops of oak and fir trees  to Auli.  When you swoop down the slopes, don’t have to worry about the trudge back up, the baby slopes have a 1,600 foot high ski lift, and the advanced slopes have a 2,620 foot high chair lift to haul you to the top.

There are other magical moments like watching the dawn break behind Nanda Devi, watching the sky open up its bounty at night and the snowflakes floating gently , soundlessly to earth.

Getting there:

The nearest rail station is Haridwar. Taxi to Joshimath costs Rs 4000 approx. During  snowfall, the ropeway from Joshimath to Auli is the only option pay Rs 500, in other seasons the 16 km stretch to Auli should be done only by a 4-wheel drive.

Accommodation:

1. GMVN Skiing and Tourist Resort (Tel: 223208, 223305; Tariff: Rs 1,500-2,000).

2. Hotel Kamet (Tel: 01389-222155; Tariff Rs 700-1,150).

3. Hotel Snow Crest  (Mobile: 09012226130, 09917581346; Tariff: Rs 1,750-2,520).

4. Hotel Dronagiri (Tel: 222221/54; Tariff: Rs 800-4,000).