Often referred to as the ‘Kashmir of South India’, Lambasingi first came under the spotlight when it made headlines for being one of those rare places that receives snowfall even here, down South, in the sultry reaches of the country.
A walk in the clouds
Though winters are when you will usually find people making their way through the mist laden forest to experience the now much talked about snowfall, Lambasingi would be the perfect choice even for a summer road trip.
For not only does the temperature never go over ten degrees even in the summers, you will also have the place to yourself. Making it just the perfect location to spend an idyllic weekend away from the city.
Foggy mornings in Lambasingi
Stay the night in a camp, wake up to bird song, take a walk in the clouds to catch the sun rise over the lush green Eastern Ghats and spend the rest of the day strolling through plantations of coffee and pepper.
If days spent like that make it all the more difficult to pull yourself away, then extend your trip to Lambasingi with a scenic train ride to the Araku Valley. And there you have your very own summer escape in the south without having to change too many flights!
Places of Interest near Lambasingi
Kothapalli Waterfalls
The Kothapalli Waterfalls, just like Lambasingi came to be the weekend destination of choice only in the last few years. Though these waterfalls don’t fall from a great height, the powerfully gushing water on the rocky outcrop makes for a cool and shady picnic spot.
Kothapalli Waterfalls is 35 kilometres from Lambasingi.
Araku Valley
Araku Valley isn’t just Visakhapatnam’s most loved getaway, it is also Andhra’s most popular one. And, right now this valley is getting a lot of love for its organic coffee.
Besides Lambasingi to Araku is just around 90 kilometres, making it the perfect addition to your itinerary.
Where to stay in Lambasingi
While there isn’t much here by way of resorts or a luxurious stay, there are a few campsites that offer the basic amenities.
Finding destinations closer home has today become more of a necessity than just a matter of choice. For all those with itchy feet, craving to travel, longing to just get outdoors here is a list of waterfalls near Hyderabad that one can get to easily. These beautiful waterfalls are just a road trip away!
1. Kuntala Waterfalls
Distance from Hyderabad | 270 Kilometres Best Time to Visit | July – December. In monsoon.
Telangana’s highest waterfalls, the Kuntala falls descend from a lofty two hundred feet gushing down a rocky precipice only to flow away gently into the Sahayadris. Add to this, the fact that these waterfalls are easily accessible – it only takes a short hike down into forest. Making the Kuntala waterfalls the state’s most popular tourist places to visit near Hyderabad.
It is said that the Kuntala Waterfalls get their name from the mythological Shakuntala and that it was here that King Dushyant fell in love with her, which led to their Gandharva Wedding – the ancient Hindu equivalent of a live-in relationship.
Take the NH44 straight from Hyderabad to Nirmal via Armoor. Then head right for another 40 kilometres to get to Kuntala falls.
2. Pochera Waterfalls
Distance from Hyderabad | 267 Kilometres Best Time to Visit | July – December. In monsoon.
Though the Pochera Falls are often talked of and visited together with the Kuntala Falls, owing to their proximity to each other, they couldn’t be more different from each other. In fact, you might end up feeling a little underwhelmed! For the waters here only drop a mere 20 meters.
But alls not as tame as it looks. The Pochera falls are one of the deepest of all waterfalls in Telangana and the jagged edges of the Sahayadris jutting from the pool call for even more caution, if you plan to take a plunge. And, the dense forest that surrounds it only adds to this mood.
How to get to Pochera Falls from Hyderabad
Take the NH44 from Hyderabad to Nirmal through Nizamabad. A further 35 kilometres from Nirmal and you are there.
3. Ethipothala Waterfalls
Distance from Hyderabad | 167 Kilometres Best Time to Visit | Jul – Jan. Anytime but summer.
The Ethipothala Falls in Andhra Pradesh have long been the most popular waterfalls near Hyderabad. A few kilometres from the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, the waterfalls are not just a popular tourist spot but also a place of religious importance to the local Lambada tribes people.
The lush greenery, brisk breezes, fully developed tourist facilities together with enough attractions in the area like the Buddhist island of Nagarjuna Konda, warrant a full weekend here.
How to get to Ethipothala Waterfalls from Hyderabad
Take the Nagarjuna Sagar Road straight from Hyderabad to get to Ethipothala falls. Alternatively you can also go via Nalgonda.
Distance from Hyderabad | 175 Kilometres Best Time to Visit | Oct – Feb. In winters, when the roads through the forest are clear.
Nestled in the Nallamalla forest near Srisailam, Mallela Theertham waterfalls is probably the most tranquil of falls on this list. One has to walk through the dense forest canopy and down some steps to reach the waterfall.
The road to Srisailam closes at sunset as it passes through the forest. So plan your trip to the falls early in the day so you are out of the forest before dark. For the Nallamalla forest is renown for its tigers.
How to get to Mallela Theertham Waterfalls from Hyderabad
Take the NH765 from Hyderabad through Vangoor to get to the Mallela Theertham falls.
5. Bogatha Waterfalls
Distance from Hyderabad | 275 Kilometres Best Time to Visit | June – November. Around monsoon.
Counted amongst the best Waterfalls in Telangana, the Bogatha Falls along the River Godavari fall not from a great height. But from all along the crest in several parallel streams making a wide pool at the foot of the waterfalls. And a dip in this natural pool surrounded by water streaming down from all around, with the forested hills forming a distant backdrop can be quite an experience.
One needs to walk through the forest to reach the falls.
How to get to Bogatha Falls from Hyderabad
Take NH163 from Hyderabad and go via Warangal to reach Bogatha Waterfalls.
Distance from Hyderabad | 212 Kilometres Best Time to Visit | October – March. After the rains.
This waterfall tucked away in the forests of Raikal in the Karimnagar district made an appearance on the tourist radar only recently when a few State Government officials got there with the intention of popularising it. This little known waterfall can only be accessed through a trail in the forest and takes a good two and a half hours to reach.
The forest trek along with the tiered waterfall make Raikal one picturesque destination.
How to get to Raikal Falls from Hyderabad
Take the NH44 to go via Nizamabad or go via Siddipet along the Vemulawada Road.
Distance from Hyderabad | 270 Kilometres Best Time to Visit | July – December. In monsoon.
Cascading down a 100 feet, the Gayatri Falls are a powerful yet little known waterfalls in Adilabad. The smooth rock face and the drop height make this is ideal for waterfall rappelling, giving you the perfect weekend getaway if you are looking for some adventure in the outdoors.
To reach the waterfall is a 5 kilometre walk through the secluded forest and it is therefore advisable that you get a guide from the adjoining village of Tarnam to accompany you.
How to get to Gayatri Waterfalls from Hyderabad
Located quite close to the Kuntala & Pochera falls, Gayatri falls can be reached via the NH44, from Hyderabad through Nirmal.
8. Bheemuni Padam Waterfalls
Distance from Hyderabad | 200 Kilometres Best Time to Visit | July – September. In Monsoon.
In Warangal, near the now famous Pakhal Lake is the Bheemuni Paadam Waterfalls. The water descends from a rock that is said to be shaped like Bheema’s foot. The very same Bheema of the Pandavas from the Indian epic Mahabharatha who is said to have possessed the physical strength of a ten thousand elephants.
Though the water gushes down 70 feet, it does so rather peacefully, tempered by the tiered the rock face of the cliff.
How to get to Bheemuni Paadam Waterfalls from Hyderabad
Take NH163 to Warangaland continue on till Gudur to get to the Bheemuni Paadam waterfalls. Alternatively you can also take the NH65 from Hyderabad to reach the falls via Chityal.
From the world’s smallest to the world’s least visited countries, here is a list of 10 off beat countries to visit in 2020. In these times of Instagram-fuelled over tourism, these beautiful yet under the radar countries should find a place on your travel wishlist too!
1. Malta
An archipelago of islands just off the coast of Sicily, so small that it is often overlooked, yet a country so rich in culture and history that it is but a wonder that it is so often overlooked, Malta.
Malta together with its sister islands of Gozo and Comino are nothing less than spectacular in terms of the experiences that they have to offer. From diving into the azure of the Mediterranean to getting a glimpse of Caravaggio’s masterpiece, Beheading of St. John the Baptist, set against a backdrop that is but a true depiction of the period – the high Baroque of St. John’s Cathedral; there is much to explore in Malta. Not to mention the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, a subterranean complex of temples and burial chambers dating as far back as 4000 BC.
2. Liechtenstein
A tiny country wedged between Austria and Switzerland, Liechtenstein is the perfect off the radar destination to go to if one wishes to lose oneself in the old world intrigues of European principalities. Medieval castles, walking trails through a network of quaint little alpine villages, Liechtenstein is perfect for a walking day tour. Europe’s fourth smallest country, you can actually drive across the country in twenty five minutes flat. Liechtenstein is so small that it doesn’t have an airport, just two train stations, a hospital, a TV and a radio station.
3. San Marino
Vatican City isn’t the only small country within a country, there is one other just like it, in Italy. In fact it also happens to be the world’s oldest surviving republic. Sitting atop Mount Titano, overlooking the Adriatic coast is an impenetrable stone fortress, a country in itself, San Marino. It couldn’t get more idyllic than in San Marino, with a cuisine that is heavily influenced by the neighbouring Italian cuisine, desserts and local wines that are luxuriously indulgent to say the least and to top it all, tax-free shopping at the fashionable stores that line its cobble-stoned streets.
4. Monaco
Long known as the playground of the rich and famous, Monaco is an all year round kind of a destination. It isn’t just about the fast cars and casinos, Monaco with its pleasant balmy weather all through, makes it the perfect destination to go yatching on the French Riveria. And come May, there is also the annual Grand Prix, definitely bucket list worthy.
5. Guatemala
Coffee and Chocolate, arguably the most important things in life? Well, for some. And, Guatemala isn’t just the birthplace of Cacao but its volcanic highlands are famed for the coffee beans produced here for they make for a very distinctive flavoured, earthy coffee. That in itself would be reason enough to travel to this small country in Central America. But there is more, from colourful, wonderfully preserved Colonial buildings on one end of the spectrum to equally wonderful, just as carefully preserved ancient Mayan sites on the other end. Not to mention, the celebrated Lake Atitlán, formed in the basin of a massive volcanic crater.
6. Tunisia
Once a great powerful city and ancient Rome’s arch rival, Tunisia today is but a forgotten little country on the edge of North Africa. From cities like Sidi Bou Said that could well have been in Greece to dramatic Saharan landscapes, Tunisia is straight out of a picture postcard.
7. Armenia
There are many superlatives associated with this country in the Caucasus Mountains. From being the first Christian Country in the world to being home to the longest rope-way in the world, Armenia also supposedly boasts of the cleanest, most delicious water in the world and also the world’s oldest winery. Even its bread, lavash is listed by UNESCO as intangible heritage. Besides the ancient cathedrals and monasteries, the crystal like Lake Sevan is amongst the must see places in the country.
8. Tuvalu
Tuvalu, this island country in the South Pacific deserves special mention for being the least visited country in the world and also for being unbelievably stunning. Nine islands which really are just coral atolls and strips of palm fringed lands comprise the country of Tuvalu. Thinly populated and barely on the tourist radar, these islands are pristine and undisturbed making it a literal paradise for birding enthusiasts and divers.
9. Ecuador
Named after the Equator – on which it lies, Ecuador boasts of a richly diverse landscape. This country in South America encompasses not just the glorious Amazonian jungles but also the Andean mountains and the islands of Galapagos too. Little wonder then that this is where, right here on these volcanic Galapagos islands that Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution took seed.
10. Estonia
Something about this country Estonia which makes it more of a fairy-tale town than just another European country with a tragic war history. Maybe it is the historic old town of Tallinn peppered with snow kissed breathtaking medieval castles, dramatic hilltop fortresses, vibrant facades about town. Or maybe it is just the Struve Geodetic Arc that it shares with nine other countries. As romantic as it sounds, the arc is actually just a chain of survey triangulations which led to the first accurate measurement of the meridians. Be that as it may Estonia is as charming as it gets.
Never one for bucket lists, as I was working on a story for an In-flight magazine, I thought why not make this list of ’25 Things To Do in 2018′ my own??
& here I am, beginning the new year with a list, even if it isn’t a list of resolutions!!
1. Beach Trekking in Gokarna
If the walk along the iconic Om beach – that gets its name from its shape – was a trail in itself and the Shiva Climb there on the beach, a trek in itself, Gokarna has much more to offer both in terms of trails and beaches. Beach trekking is unique to this part of the coast as the beaches along this stretch are sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
Wish: To ascend and descend hills, climb over boulders with the waves lapping at your feet…all just to get to the beach! Best Time to Visit: October – March. It is pleasant in Gokarna around then.
2. Bouldering in Hampi – Done ??
Hampi is a landscape dotted with boulders and massive granite monoliths. So much so that this temple town that doubles up as a hippie haven is touted to be the largest bouldering area in the world. Bouldering is pure rock climbing at its very basic. Leaving behind ropes and harnesses one climbs short but tricky boulders using only one’s strength, balance and technique. The only equipment if any is the bouldering pad that one can keep at the base of the boulder to manage the risk of falling.
& Done!
Wish: Why not? Hadn’t even heard of it when I booked my tickets to Hampi! Best Time to Visit: December – January. Hampi is super hot, so the cooler months.
3. Bungee Jumping in Rishikesh
Little does it come as a surprise that the destination which made white water rafting fashionable in India also boasts of being home to the highest bungee jump in the country. The fixed platform in Mohanchatti which is at a height of 83 metres extends up to the middle of the valley and then it is a jump right down to within touching distance of the eddying waters of the river Ganga.
Wish: Ahem! Best Time to Visit: October – May. Come monsoon and all the action pauses, here, in the adventure capital of our country.
4. Camping at The Chandratal Lake – Done ??
To pitch a tent amidst the magnificent Himalayas on a freezing summer night and to sleep under the skylight sky is amazing enough in itself. But if the campsite was to be at the Chandratal Lake, this remote and not-so-easily accessible crescent shaped Moon Lake, there then you have the trip of a lifetime guaranteed.
Wish: To go back. Best Time to Visit: July – October. The only time that the road is open.
5. Caving in Meghalaya
Disappear into the caves of the Khasi Hills. Feel like Batman.(Isn’t that reason enough?!?)
Well, they say it is the thrill of discovery. Venturing into the dark unknown and coming up on fossil passages, limestone stalactites and stalagmites, bats and other endemic creatures. There are more than a thousand cave systems in the hills of Khasi, Garo and Jaintia, waiting to be explored. Extending to a formidable 30,397 meters, India’s longest cave, the Krem Liat Prah is also one of them.
Wish: Ducking through jagged outcroppings in a cave, finding my way through rocks and water, chancing upon discoveries. Best Time to Visit: December – March. Winter is when the water levels in the caves are at their lowest.
6. Cliff Diving in Dawki
The name says it all, you simply jump off a cliff into the waiting waters below.
A two and half hours drive from Shillong, the turquoise blue waters of the Dawki river surrounded by the dense foliage of an equal intense green make for a picture perfect setting to do that.
Wish: To take that plunge. Dive straight off a cliff. Best Time to Visit: March – April. Dawki is said to be at its beautiful best in Spring.
7. Dune Bashing in Jaisalmer
An off roading experience in the sand dunes of a desert that is Dune Bashing for you. & the only off roading I have done so far is on man made tracks.
So, in Jaisalmer it should be a rollercoaster ride through the dynamic shifting sands of the Thar Desert.
Wish: Yay, stormy sea of sand. Best Time to Visit: November – March. Winter is usually the best time to enjoy the outdoors in a desert.
8. Flyboarding in Goa
Shoot out of the water and fly in the sky, Ironman style. That is flyboarding for you, the latest water sport to hit Goa.
A jetpack powered by a jet ski propels the rider up on a buoyant flyboard, that is quite similar to a hoverboard; only this one allows you to ride in the air, upto to fifteen metres above water. This forceful water powered jet pack can push you both into the sky or underwater.
Wish: To learn how to swim and then Go Goa! Best Time to Visit: October – May. When the skies are clear and the waters fairly placid.
9. Hot Air Ballooning at The Taj Mahal
Nothing spells romance like catching the sun rise behind the iconic Taj Mahal, from anearly morning flight in the sky.
Wish: To take a hot air balloon ride against the stunning white marble mausoleum. Best Time to Visit: September – March. Hot air ballooning is an activity for the dry season.
PS: A six day Taj Balloon Festival happens in November every year, and that could be an interesting time too, for a view of the Taj Mahal from a vantage point like no other.
10. Kayaking in Alappuzha Kannur – Done ??
Think beyond the houseboat. Go kayaking in the narrow inland canals of the famed backwaters of Kerala, in where a house boat wouldn’t reach and watch the villages come to life as dawn breaks. Revel in the bird call, all while paddling low in the water.
Yes, I did go on the Kerala Blog Express Season 5 & I did go kayaking! Only, not in Alappuzha. We went kayaking at the Dharmadam Beach in Kannur. & I owe a BIG Thank you to my readers for making this dream come true for me! ??
Wish: To wake up with an ache in my arms from a morning well spent. Best Time to Visit: November – February. Mild Winters.
11. Paragliding in Bir Billing
Bir Billing is synonymous with paragliding in India. This beautiful Himalayan valley in Himachal Pradesh even hosted the Paragliding World Cup in 2015, where pilots from over a hundred and forty countries participated. Soaring over the Kangra valley with wondrous up close views of the Dhauladhar Ranges, a paragliding flight lasts from anywhere between fifteen minutes to thirty and can be done either solo or in tandem.
Wish: To take off at an altitude of eight thousand feet above sea level in Billing and land four thousand feet below in Bir. Best Time to Visit: December & January OR the rest of October to June. All through the year except monsoon is paragliding season. But here in Bir Billing paragliding season can be divided between the snow covered months and otherwise.
12. Parasailing in Malvan
Tarkarli Beach in Malvan, Maharasthra, along the Konkan coast is quickly emerging as the hub for water sports. This eight kilometre stretch of white sand beach runs parallel to the backwaters of the Karli river, extendingupto the Devbaug Sangam where the river meets the Arabian Sea, making for a unique location to go parasailing.
Wish: To glide like a bird in the open skies, as my parasail wing catches the wind and watch the confluence of the backwaters and the sea. Best Time to Visit: October – March. While there is the chill of winter to counter the tropical humidity of the coast.
13. River Crossing in Dandeli
Very much like zip lining, river crossing involves crossing a river in a harness on a rope and in Dandeli it is the fast flowing river Kali that you cross. A mere two hours from Goa, Dandeli has always been the destination of choice for the discerning adventure seeker when it came to water sports. But river crossing, which is only now gaining popularity, should be quite a change from the regular zip line.
Wish: To go whee over a river and not get dizzy at the terrible current!! Best Time to Visit: October – May.
14. River Rafting in Coorg
Think Coorg and you think of leisurely strolls through the mist laden coffee plantations in the quiet country side of Karnataka. But Coorg isn’t just a hill station, for come monsoon, the Scotland of India turns into a hot spot for river rafting or white water rafting as it is called. As the river Barapole drops from the Bramhagiri range of the Western Ghats into the rocky landscape, it turns turbulent, gushing through the forest, over the rapidsand into the Bramhagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, making it ideal for rafting.
Wish: To go rafting in South India. ( In Rishikesh too may be, but thats for later!) Best Time to Visit: July – September. Monsoon is your season for rafting.
15. Road Tripping from Manali to Leh
It is the quintessential Himalayan road trip, needing no introduction. A road trip along India’s most celebrated route, the four hundred and eighty seven kilometre stretch between Manali to Leh, is the stuff of dreams. From the twenty one hairpin bends of the Gata Loops to the five high altitude Himalayan Passes you cross, this road trip from Manali to Leh cannot but be the trip of a lifetime.
Wish: I have been on both ends of this route, on two separate road trips. Now I want to go the entire length.
Enroute Gramphu, heading towards Leh from Manali
Approaching Tanglang La in Ladakh on the Leh – Manali Highway
Best Time to Visit: May – September. The Leh – Manali Highway, as it is called, is open for a little more than the four months of Summer. Besides it is also peak tourist season in Ladakh when the stark landscape comes alive in all the glory of its summer colours.
16. Scuba Diving in Havelock Islands
Going underwater in the open ocean, exploring the stunning world of beautiful coral reefs and watching life go by in that suspended moment, Scuba Diving opens up realms that one has otherwise only imagined. The tropical island of Havelock in the Bay of Bengal is home to some of the most popular dive sites of India. Starting with under twenty metres, one can choose from any of these dive sites that can be reached by boat, based on one’s experience and PADI certification level.
Wish: That ultimate adventure once I learn to swim, to explore a realm that has before now been inaccessible to me. Best Time to Visit: February – March. Though November through April is scuba diving season in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, these two months offer the best chances of calm conditions.
17. Skiing in Auli
Packed up cosily amidst the snow kissed peaks of the Himalayas, Auli has only lately risen to popularity as India’s top destination for Skiing. Offering beautiful views of the Nanda Devi Peak,Auli is along the route to the Valley of Flowers, Badrinath and the trek route to Kauri Pass. A cable car operates from Joshimath to Auli during the day and one can take this four kilometre ride up to get to Auli, stay at any of the resorts that have now mushroomed here and ski along the gentle slopes of the Garhwal Mountains.
Wish: To let go. Best Time to Visit: January – March, when the slopes are carpeted in thick snow.
18. Snorkelling in Lakshadweep
With its living coral reefs of varied and brilliant hues glistening through the crystal clear waters of the lagoons surrounding the various islands of Lakshadweep, there can be no better destination in India for snorkelling. All you need is a basic familiarity with swimming and with a mask, snorkel and a set of fins you are raring to go. The shallow waters here only help, making it easier for anyone wanting to take a peek into the ocean, at the spectacular life underwater.
Wish: One step before that dive? Best Time to Visit: December – April. Pleasantest months for a generally humid tropical island.
19. Snow Boarding in Gulmarg
Snow Boarding came later, but it sure is more intense than skiing, for it is all about balance and you virtually have no other control, neither on your speed nor in the manoeuvring. It takes upto five days for one to get a hang of the sport and to begin enjoying the slide down the snow clad mountain slopes at dizzying speeds. So prepare to set aside atleast a week to embark on this adventure. Owing to the popularity of the destination, equipment is readily available and easy to rent.
Wish: To go on a long holiday and do nothing but chill at the resort and indulge in all the adventure that they have to offer! Best Time to Visit: December – February. When the ski capital of the country disappears under a thick blanket of powdery snow.
20. Surfing in Mulki
Located on the west coast of India, Mulki is a little ashram town and now a surf town, just north of Mangalore. Pretty late in catching on the wave of surfing, India’s first surf retreat stands here in Mulki. Here is the Ashram Surf Retreat where you can get surf lessons on your holiday and even try out their surf yoga and wake boarding.
Wish: To turn hippie in search of that adrenalinerush. Best Time to Visit: May – September. The season for surfing in India is during monsoon and for a few weeks before the start of monsoon.It is when the big waves come in ranging from anywhere between eight feet to fifteen feet.
21. Trekking to The Valley of Flowers Hemkund Sahib
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Valley of Flowers is a breathtakingly beautiful high altitude meadow of alpine flowers in the Himalayas. The trek route to the Valley of Flowers goes through the same base camp, Gangharia, as the one to Hemkund Sahib ( the world’s highest Gurudwara and an important pilgrimage centre for the Sikh) and diverges along the way. Owing to which this trek route isnot just very popular but also logistically one of the best equipped. From helicopters that fly in to the base camp every twenty minutes to mules and porters that take on from there, there are enough arrangements to ease your trek if needed.
Wish: Last year, I chose to stay back in Ghangaria and not attempt the one day trek to Hemkund, after the Valley of Flowers. This year, I wish to grow in confidence and complete the trek. Best Time to Visit: July – August. When the valley is in full bloom.
22. Waterfall Rapelling in Kolad
Somewhere between Mumbai – Pune in Maharashtra is Kolad, where the river Kundalika comes gushing down in a cascade from the western ghats. In a twist to the usual rappelling or abseiling, where one comes down a rock face in a controlled descent, in waterfall repelling one does it through a waterfall.
Wish: To climb up the craggy outcrops of the Sahyadris and come down the torrential waterfall in one continuous swoop, suspended only in a harness. Best Time to Visit: June – September. Monsoons = Waterfall season in India.
23. Wildlife Safari in Kabini
Named after the river Kabini, this former hunting ground of the Maharaja of Mysore in the Nagarhole National Park is famed for its open jeep safaris and sightings of leopards and elephant herds. A safari in this lesser known South Indian national park made it yo my list of things to do this year, not just for the fact that it is home to the rare black panther but also because one does get to catch a glimpse – and quite frequently –of the Sloth Bear, the Malabar Giant Squirrel, packs of wild dogs or even that elusive tiger in its natural habitat.
Wish: To see a baby elephant. All those who know me, know my love for elephants and would you believe it, I am yet to see a little one. ? Best Time to Visit:March – May. When the dry summer draws out the animals to the edge of the river and sightings are more likely.
24. Zip Lining in Mussoorie
To fly over the dense green deodar forest of Mussoorie, on the highest zip line in India. Going upto speeds of ninety kilometres per hour this zip line at Clouds End in the Mussoorie Adventure Park is also the longest zip line in the Himalayas.
Wish: For that feeling of flight. Best Time to Visit: April – June. Peak tourist season in Mussoorie and also the best time to go zip lining, for the Himalayan summer makes it a pleasurable experience.
25. Zorbing in Manali
From a honeymooners paradise to becoming the gateway to a road trip to not just Ladakh but also the Spiti Valley, Manali has come a long way. And, the latest activity to catch the fancy of adventure seekers here in Manali is zorbing.
So, what does one do while zorbing? Simple really, just get into an orb and roll down the mountain through the green open spaces and take in the view. Much like the hamster ball chase scene in Jurassic World, only minus the dinosaurs.
Wish: To imagine being chased by dinosaurs. Best Time to Visit: March – June. Summers, when one can roll unencumbered by snow or slush.
What’s your travel wishlist for 2018? Did I miss something?
Let me know in the comments below.
A hackneyed phrase for a hackneyed destination?
So why not explore this Himalayan land off-season, before things change.
Here are five reasons.
Reason #1 – Drive through constantly changing landscapes.
The first thing one notices in Ladakh in winter is that here the landscape changes every day, every hour and just driving through this pristine and untouched white Ladakh is in itself a beautiful journey.
Right from the glittering ice on the frozen Indus River by the road as the sun comes up to how the sun kissed peaks in the clear distance light up at sunset, every minute you drive through this high altitude desert brings you closer to the beauty there is in this world.
Reason #2 – Have the popular tourist spots all to yourself.
Prayer flags flutter in the cool crisp breeze against the stark backdrop of the snow covered mountains touching the flat white sky and there isn’t a soul in sight. This however isn’t just a one off experience when you make that random stop along your road trip.
Be it the popular Shanti Stupa, the monasteries in and around Leh or the roads that whisk you off further into the heart of this exotic land, you will find them all relatively deserted, save a few locals.
Reason #3 – Experience subzero temperatures.
Bundled up in layers and insulated pants, I experienced temperatures of the kind I had only dreamt of till then.
As the climate world over steadily changes or worsens, depending on the world view that one subscribes to, Ladakh too has experienced a winter this year that has not had a precedent in these many years past.
This meant that we could not visit any of the lakes. It took five men just to get us out and back on our way as our massive SUVs struggled to trudge through the five feet deep snow on the road to Tso Moriri. Be that as it may, every experience like this in the stillness of the mountains as you watch the flurries of snow swirling down to your feet is a memory to be savoured a lifetime.
Reason #4 – Meet the Nomads.
In Changthang Valley in the Eastern Ladakh Region is Puga. A small nomadic village, where Tibetan Nomads on the Indian side settle down for the four cold winter months and tend to their animals. They come from the village of Hanle, their summer home. Traversing the same migratory routes across Ladakh every year and staying in their semi permanent encampments in Puga.
The Changpas are a warm and friendly people and their children spending their school vacations here, will happily take you around, for the novelty of visitors in winter is a welcome distraction.
If you have already been to Ladakh during the tourist season between May to September, this is reason enough for you to revisit the land of high passes off season. For, while the charm of Ladakh in summer lies in its vivid blue skies and stark landscapes, winter Ladakh’s lies in the powdered sugar patterns of snow on the same barren and rocky landscape.
Only, minus the crowds.
Winter Ladakh’s biggest draw though, remains the Chadar Trek. As winter sets in and temperatures drop, the north flowing tributary of the Indus River, the Zanskar freezes over. What in summer is a mighty, indomitable swirl is tamed by a ‘blanket of ice’, the chadar that forms on it. This sheet of ice that is on an average six feet deep, is crossed by hundreds of trekkers every year to see the now celebrated frozen waterfall at Naerak.
As human pressure on this phenomenon of nature increases, the possibility of a trek on the Zanskar itself disappears. Rapidly.
Explorers Guide
Getting There: There are regular flights flying from Delhi to Leh. Stay:The Grand Dragon in Leh. From window views that can keep you in for hours to the superb heating that keeps out the harsh bite of winter in the Himalayas, this is as luxurious as it gets. Not to mention the brilliant food on their menu. Those cheese toasts! *sigh* Shop: The Tibetan Refugee Market on the road leading from the popular hotels to the Leh Market. It is a good place to stock up on all the winter essentials that one might have missed out on packing. For while most shops remain shut during the winter months, this market is open through out the year and one can find everything from monkey caps and gloves to neck gaiters and winter boots.
Konaseema. The lush bucolic countryside of Coastal Andhra. ‘Kona’ for corner, this land wedged into a corner surrounded by water, is one of the most fertile deltas of Southern India.The Godavari river keeps you company, as you Road Tripthrough these idyllic coastal towns. Known for its beauty, Konaseema has been depicted extensively with its swaying coconut trees and green backwater canals.
But, how best do you enjoy this beauty? For it is no tourist destination like Kerala where houseboats abound aplenty on the backwaters.
So here I chose one town, rather a small city, Kakinada and put together a two day itinerary for a road trip through Konaseema, that include visits to beaches, ancient temples and artisan villages.
Window Views of Konaseema
Story goes.. There was once a powerful asura (demon) Tarakasura who was at war with the gods and thanks to a boon, he could only be killed by a son of Lord Shiva. So there began a battle between him and Kumaraswamy, Shiva’s younger son and Lord Ganesha’s brother. But, at every deadly blow, the rakshasa, Tarakasura would reform limb to limb from his cut off body parts. This power to reform came from a Shiva Linga that the demon wore. So the only way to destroy him was to break the lingam first. Eventually, there came to be five pieces of this Siva lingam and these fell in five different places in Andhra Pradesh. Temples were then built in those locations around the fragments. Those five ancient temples now constitute the Pancharamam.
& Kakinada happens to have two of those in driving distance.
Bhimaramam (at Samarlakota)
All the pancharamam temples are two storeyed stone temples for they are all home to massive Shivalingas.
To continue the story, the five fragments were installed and worshipped at five temples by the five gods, Indra, Surya, Chandra, Vishnu and Kumaraswamy. This one near Samarlakota was by Kumaraswamy himself. & the temple itself is beautiful, peaceful and not too crowded.
Draksharamam
Probably the biggest and definitely the most celebrated of the five is Draksharamam, a pancharamam and also a shakti peetham. This 10th century temple has a rich history of mythological legends associated with. It is even believed to be the site of Dakshayagnam and that Daksha’s daughter Sati is none other than the Goddess Manikyamba who is alongside Shiva in this temple. Making it one of the major asthadasa shakti peethams in the country.
Annavaram
In Annavaram is a small hill, Ratnagiri, which is home to the temple dedicated to Lord Satyanarayan Swamy. A form of Lord Vishnu, that all Hindus worship at weddings, housewarmings and all important social occasions in one’s life. Making this a pilgrimage centre that is second in popularity only to Tirupati.
Uppada
The famous handcrafted Jamdani silk sarees come from here. Need I say more?
Getting There: Every place on the itinerary is less than an hour and a half from Kakinada. Distances from Kakinada:
Samarlakota – 15 kilometres
Draksharamam – 34 kilometres
Annavaram – 45 kilometres
Uppada – 16 kilometres Highway Pit Stop: One. Foodcourt near Annavaram. Best Time to Visit: Monsoons Stay: Paradigm Sarovar Portico. Comfortable and centrally located. Vegetarian Restaurants: Subbaya’s Hotel, Bhimas. Bring Back: Kakinada Kaja
In Nizamabad, is a temple. Though not quite as legendary as the Dichpally Ramalayam, but just as historic. Popularly known as Armoor Siddula Gutta, this is the Navanatha Siddheswara Temple and a series of cave temples inside the rock formations of Armoor.
Armoor Rock Formations
As you drive along the highway from Nizamabad to Armoor, you will go past a long stretch of hills that look like they were made by someone who has artistically and quite laboriously piled up boulders to form them. These are the Armoor Rock Formations. Naturally weathered rocks crafted by mother nature for over millions of years. They are so distinctively striking that they are but a natural stopover for anyone driving that way and rightly so.
Sitting in a cave somewhere in those rocks is the Navantha Siddula Gutta, gutta for cave and Navanatha Siddhas for the sages who are believed to still reside in them.
Armoor Siddula Gutta
Fifteen years ago a ghat road was built through the rock formation, leading straight to Siddulagutta. There is also a walkway from the Gol Bungalow for pilgrims wishing to do the climb up to the temple by foot.
Inside these caves is a Shiva Temple, where the Shiva Lingam is said to be swaymbhu or self-manifested. It is said that the lingam here has always been worshipped by devotees, since the Tretayuga. That is the second age of mankind, in Hinduism! We are currently in the fourth.
The entrance to this cave temple is a door that is barely three feet. Once you crouch through it, the cave opens up and skylight filters in. You walk along in the designated route through the caves and you will come across many little temples in interconnected passageways. Even one dedicated to the Goddess Durga.
Just outside the exit point of this narrow cave is a Ramalayam and the temple tank, Jeeva Koneru. Legend has it that during the construction of the temple, when this tank was dug, it failed to well up with water. So, Rampriyadas Maharaj, the person who built the temple took up a tapasaya, that lasted forty-one days. At the end of which Lord Rama himself came to him in a dream and the water in this is believed to have been blessed with curative powers. Making the armoor siddula gutta popular amongst pilgrims undertaking the journey to be healed.
Otherwise quiet and forgotten, the temple tends to get crowded on the festival of Sri Rama Navami. Work is currently underway to build facilities to accommodate these devotees and also other temples around it on the flat ground between the rocks.
Beyond the Cave Temples
Further up the rocks, the summit flattens out into a breezy plateau. The village of Armoor with its houses of redbrick roofs and the setting sun glinting off the black rocks lend the landscape such beauty, that it has actually been the location for many a movie shoot.
Just about perfect for that evening picnic.
Explorers Guide
Distance from Hyderabad: 184 Kilometres
Trip Duration: Day Trip Getting There: Armoor is around 37 kilometres from the town of Nizamabad, along the intersection of NH7 and NH16. Other Places of Interest: Pochampadu Dam (Sri Rama Sagar Project)
30 kilometres from here this dam on the Godavari River is widely accepted to be the lifeline of Northern Telangana. It is quite a sight to behold when its forty-two floodgates are open.
Just off the coast of mainland Singapore is Pulau Ubin, a boomerang shaped island, meaning ‘Granite Island’.
This was once home to thousands of settlers dependent on granite quarrying. Though abandoned since the 1970s and reclaimed by nature, these quarries remain a picturesque relic of the past.
Now, the few remaining villagers subsist on farming and fishing.
The fact that, this is the one last bit of the heavily urbanised Singapore that still retains its rustic village ways is what makes this a popular day trip destination.
You can go exploring this quiet island on foot or by cycling along the many bike trails. Stopping along the way for a birds eye view of the luxuriant tree canopy and flourishing bird life from the viewing tower.
A cape, surrounded by wetlands rich in bio-diversity, lies at the tip of Pulau Ubin. This is Chek Jawa and its popularity precedes it. So much so that, we were not the only ‘tourists’ who had packed a picnic lunch to eat at the lookout-jetty on the boardwalk.
& The view from here is made even more interesting with the flights taking off and landing at the Changi airport! :)
The Coastal Boardwalk runs along the coast for almost a kilometer and leads you through the mangroves to the jetty right in the middle of the Straits of Johor.
Though made of concrete, this boardwalk is built to look like wood so the effect is not jarring but goes well with the unspoilt feel of the island.
The Island of Pulau Ubin boasts of a variety of ecosystems in and as one. Coastal Forests, Mangroves, Seagrass Lagoons, Tidal Flats – both mud & sand and Coral rubbles. Where, even rocky shores and sandy beaches co-exist.
Mangroves – Protectors of shorelines.
More than even the ‘exploring on a cycle’, it was the walking through these shady mangroves that I enjoyed doing the most on this island.
May be it was my coming from the country of the Sundarbans. Or my counting The Hungry Tide and Midnights Children amongst my favourite books. I admit that ‘mangroves’ did hold a certain fascination for me. Even before I ever saw them for real.
But the experience of walking through a mangrove forest, where the sun-rays play hide and seek with you, as you hear and feel the distant breeze from the surrounding sea, definitely heightened that fascination.
Found in calm waters of low salinity, the Nipah Palm is the only true mangrove palm. Like the other palms, it is tapped for its sap that is fermented to make alcohol. While its mature fronds are used for thatching roofs & are also woven into mats & baskets. Locally though, its most recognizable use is its edible seed.
Only a short boat ride away, this island has a lot to offer and is totally worth the time!
Meet Dhankar. A village, a Fortress, a Monastery & a Lake.
Above the Dhankar Village, sit the Fortress and the Monastery, watching over the confluence of the Spiti and Pin Rivers.
This spectacular setting is what gives the place its name, Dhankar, meaning ‘Fort on a Cliff’.
The village of Dhankar lies somewhere between Kaza and Tabo in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh. At a height of 12,774 feet, looking over the village is the Dhankar Gompa, built like a fort, just like the Ki and Thiksey Monasteries.
Looking over the monastery is the Dhankar Fortress, which served as the traditional home of the royal family when Dhankar was the capital of the Spiti Valley Kingdom in around the 17th century.
and, around 1.5km away from here is the Dhankar Lake.
Though the hike uphill felt more like 10kms, it did have me going over and over in my head “I climbed a mountain!!” :D.
(the views as I climbed..)
By the time I got to the lake, I felt like I had finally achieved something for the first time in my life!
Another first at a Himalayan Lake. The other being my first ever ‘night in a tent’ at the Chandratal Lake, amidst the Himalayas. and, also that it was my first time in the Himalayas!
Which is why these 2 lakes are my Top2 in The Lahaul & Spiti Valley and till today remain my most memorable ones.
Rottnest Island is a popular holiday island in Western Australia eighteen kilometres off the coast of Perth. This island framed by the azure waters of the Indian Ocean is a ferry ride away. Making for an ideal day trip destination.
Separated from the mainland around 7000 years ago, it is famous for its secluded bays, pristine beaches & crystal clear waters.
An A Class Nature Reserve, it is home to a range of rare and remarkable species of plant, marine & wild life. Its extensive seagrass beds provide shelter & nutrients in the shallow marine environment.
The population of Quokkas – who have lately become popular as the World’s Happiest Animal – led the Dutch seaman Willem de Vlamingh to name this island, their island, the Ratte nest (rat’s nest); which eventually became Rottnest.
I was in Sydney last year & travelled to Perth for my birthday weekend.
& that is how I found myself for a day on the Rottnest Island.
The first thing we did as soon we got to the island was to find a map & hire a bike.
Bikes are the transportation of choice on this island! (As you can see from the picture above :D)
But, you can also choose to hop on & off the bus or book one of the tours including a historic train ride, which bring to life the colonial heritage of the island.
So, what else can one do besides enjoying the sweeping ocean views, scenic salt lakes & moors and the sights of trees shaped by years of oceanic winds?
Eat at waterfront restaurants with a view like this.
Swim, dive, snorkel, fish, sail.. laze on the beach!
Discover shipwrecks.
There are such a number of great trails to follow & brilliant sights to explore that I came away feeling a day is just not enough!
PS: Google Maps are just as fun, though not so pretty!
A sweet water glacial lake in the Himalayas and the source of the Chandra River, the Chandratal Lake is a RAMSAR Convention designated wetland of international importance. It is also believed that the elusive Snow Leopard calls the catchment area of this lake its home. Though I wasn’t fortunate enough to catch a glimpse.
Where is Chandratal Lake?
Chandratal Lake is in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh. A valley – in the hinterland of the Indian Himalayas – bordered by Ladakh to its North and Tibet to its East.
Nearest Airport | Kullu – Manali Airport, Bhuntar Nearest Railway Station| Shimla Nearest Major Town | Manali
Why should you visit Chandratal Lake?
To pitch a tent amidst the magnificent Himalayas on a freezing summer night and to sleep under the starlit sky is amazing enough in itself. But if the campsite was to be at this remote and not-so-easily accessible Moon Lake, there then you have the trip of a lifetime guaranteed!
This is the most popular and also the most convenient way to get to Chandratal. We left from Manali early morning & it was by evening that we reached Chandratal. After a slight delay at a roadblock on the Rohtang Pass due to a landslide, we made quick stops for breakfast & lunch at Gramphu and Batal. Then the mandatory stop at the Temple on Kunzum Pass & we were at Chandratal, just in time for the setting sun.
First glimpse of Chandratal, as you reach the end of your hike from the campsite.
The walk that leads up to it..
& here you are at the lake.
Did you know?
The Chandratal Lake reflects the colour of the sky.
This image was shot at sunrise, just when the lake starts to appear – a clear blue mirror of reflections.
& as the sun sets, it turns green.
From the minute you get to the lake, an all-consuming sense of peace washes over you. Adding to the serenity of the lake are the Buddhist prayer flags fluttering in the breeze.
My life changed when I lay eyes for the first time ever on the mighty Himalayas. Their sheer magnificence is humbling. So, it is but natural that the experience of spending time at this pristine lake, nestled in the snow kissed mountains, totally transports you to another time and place.
Picture Courtesy: 
