MADHUMITHA SRINIVASAN
India as a travel destination has a lot to offer. Be it wildlife sanctuaries or adventure sports or a glimpse of history. We have it all!
The holidays are here and most of us have our bags packed. But what about those who haven't had time to plan a trip? Do they have to sit at home? Not really, because India offers a myriad of possibilities from historical tours to adventure sports to wildlife sanctuaries. India, with its long and colourful history, has several forts, palaces and museums to explore. Also the topography of the country offers itself to sport that ranges from trekking to snorkelling, rappelling to white water rafting. If wildlife is what interests you then check out the many wildlife sanctuaries and you can watch animals in their natural setting. So get ready to have a rocking holiday!
Planning to go wild this vacation? Then here are some indigenous options to give you a peek into life beyond the urban jungle…
Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
What to see: Tiger, leopard, nilgai, dhole, wild boar, sambar, hyena, sloth bear, chital and a variety of birds and reptiles too.
What to do: Safari rides either on a gypsy or open-top canter. Each ride lasts up to three hours and costs around Rs. 400-500 per person.
Nearest town: Sawai Madhopur (11 km)
Nearest railway station: Sawai Madhopur station
Nearest airport: Jaipur (145 km)
Periyar National Park, Kerala
What to see: Tiger, elephant, gaur, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, Indian wild dog, fox, leopard, Nilgiri tahr, lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, the Bonnet Macaque, darters, cormorants, kingfishers, the great Malabar hornbill, racket-tailed, Monitor lizard and different species of snakes.
What to do: Boat cruises. Though you may not be able to spot them all, it is a good way to get an overall view of the park.
Nearest town: Kumily (4 km), Madurai (140 km)
Nearest railway station: Kottayam (114 km)
Nearest airport: Kochi (200 km) or Madurai (140 km)
Corbett National Park, Uttarakand
What to see: Himalayan black bear, yellow throated marten, Himalayan palm civet, Indian gray mongoose, porcupine, elephant, cormorant, egret, heron, darter and reptiles like crocodile, gharal, turtles, Indian python and king cobra.
What to do: Drive around in your own cars or hire private vehicles. Day-tour conducted by the park on a safari bus. Elephant safari, and fishing and angling activities are also options.
Nearest town: Ramnagar
Nearest railway station: Ramnagar (29 km)
Nearest airport: Dehradun (130 km) or Delhi (215 km)
Kaziranga National Park, Assam
What to see: Home to the Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros, you can also spot Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo, Eastern Swamp Deer, elephants, gaur, sambar and the Indian Muntjac. Also identified by Birdlife International as an Important Bird Area.
What to do: Guided tours by elephant or jeep, trekking and river cruise along the Brahmaputra. With Shillong, Guwahati and Cherrapunjee being just a drive away you can include visits to these cities as well in your itinerary.
Nearest town: Bokakhat (23 km)
Nearest railway station: Furkating (75 km)
Nearest airport: Jorhat Airport at Rowriah (97 km)
If you are raring to feel the adrenaline rush and make the most of your vacation outdoors, then here are some exciting options for the adventure enthusiasts:
GOA: Though India's smallest state, Goa is not short of adventure. Famous for its beaches, most of its adventure activities are invariably on the sea like surfing, parasailing, scuba diving, jet skiing, speed boating and sailing. Thanks to the cliffs along the coast one can also enjoy the rush of the wind through activities like hang gliding and microlite flying. Trekking and biking will let you take in the beauty of the scenery at your own pace on land.
RISHIKESH, Uttarakhand: A favourite with adventure junkies, Rishikesh offers some of the best thrills which you can enjoy while camping by the banks of the Ganga. White water rafting along the stretch of the Ganga, cliff jumping, kayaking, and zorbing are some of the water-based activities. Located in the state of Uttarakhand, hot air ballooning, parasailing, rock climbing and rappelling at Rishikesh add to the adventure quotient.
DANDELI, Karnataka: This Karnataka city's location by the Kali is what makes it best suited for adventure activities. White water rafting, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, and wildlife safaris are what should be on your to-do list. And so must the natural jacuzzi session that the streams offer.
DARJEELING, West Bengal:
Dotted with several peaks and mountains, this is THE place for mountaineering. There are also several mountaineering schools here that offer courses in mountaineering. Trekking on Phalut at 3,600 metres will treat you to breath-taking views of the Himalayas. Closer to Darjeeling, an early morning trek up the Tiger Hill situated at an altitude of 2,590 metres, will give you a magnificent view of sunrise over the Kanchenjunga. And other must-dos are the Darjeeling-Rangit valley ropeway (Asia's longest), a ride on the famous Toy Train, hang-gliding and rafting along the Teesta and Rangeet.
Move over history books; take lessons of history from the very places that have been witness to them.
TAJ MAHAL, Uttar Pradesh: One of the most famous structures in India and almost synonymous with the country, the Taj Mahal by the banks of Yamuna reminds visitors of the country's rich Mughal history. Built by emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal in 1630 AD, the marble monument is a must-see for everyone, at least for its architectural aspect - it took 22 years and 20,000 workers to build it. Located in Agra which is at a distance of 204 km from Delhi, it is also easy for you to visit other historical sites in the national capital -Qutb Minar, Red Fort, India Gate, Jantar Mantar, Safdarjung's Tomb, Tughluqabad Fort and Humayun'Tomb
NALANDA UNIVERSITY, Bihar: Considered the oldest university, it is situated in Nalanda, Bihar. This "ancient seat of learning" has been in existence since the fifth century BC and functioned until the 12th century. Founded during the reign of the Gupta emperor Kumaragupta, Buddha and Mahavira are some of its visitors and the Chinese philosopher, Xuanzang was a student and later became a teacher. Now only its ruins are left for us to see: lecture halls, dormitories, gardens, stone images of the Buddha and stupas
HAMPI, Karnataka: Located in northern Karnataka, and once the capital of the Vijayanagar empire, Hampi today is a quaint village with ruins and centuries of history. The ruins date back to 14th century, with more than 500 monuments along the 25-kmstretch. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, some of its famous spots are: Virupaksha Temple, Hampi Bazaar, Monolith Bull, the famous stone chariot at Vithala Temple, Royal Enclosures, Queen's Bath, Zanana Enclosure with the Lotus Mahal and more.
AJANTA-ELLORA CAVES, Maharashtra: These cave monuments date back to the second century BC and sixth century AD. Located at a distance of 30 km from Aurangabad, Maharashtra, these caves are famous for their murals and carvings. While caves at Ajanta are mostly Buddhist (featuring stories from the Jataka tales of the several incarnations of the Buddha), the ones at Ellora are a mix of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain influence. These caves remained undiscovered for many centuries until John Smith, a British Army Officer, accidentally stumbled upon them in 1819.
MAHABALIPURAM, Tamil Nadu: This sea-side town in Tamil Nadu, was established as a sea port during the 7th and 10th centuries of the Pallava dynasty. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is home to some of the most beautiful rock structures like the five chariotshaped temples (Pancha Rathas), the Shore Temple, carved depictions of episodes from the Mahabharata and several rock pavilions, all mostly built during the reigns of Narasimhavarman and his successor Rajasimhavarman. Now it's a popular tourist destination not just for its history but also for its cultural imoorings - Mamallapuram Dance Festival - is an annual affair that attracts artistes from all over the country.
Other adventure destinations
Andaman and Nicobar islands
Leh Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir
Rajasthan
Kovalam, Kerala
story source - http://www.hindu.com/yw/2011/05/03/stories/2011050350210200.htm