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From the magnificent Salt Flats to a UNESCO Heritage site, and a rich cultural heritage, Kutch offers a lot to an intrepid traveller. I have been fortunate to visit this magical place tens of times. Culling from my experience, here’s a list of the best places to visit in Kutch, a great desert destination.
Tirthan Valley, at the heart of the Great Himalayan National Park, is one of the most charming valleys in India. It’s a poetry in landscape, it’s lovable. Spectacular mountain vistas, verdant forests, milky white rivers, wavy meadows and unspoiled villages. Everything about Tirthan Valley is so charming! I’m sharing my experiences and some travel tips in this article.
Just an hour’s drive to the south of Ahmedabad takes one to a blissful place- Nal Sarovar. During my decade long stay in Ahmedabad, I visited Nal Sarovar, a beautiful lake and bird sanctuary many a times as a day trip. In the semi-arid climate of central Gujarat, Nal Sarovar comes as an oasis for the millions of Ahmedabadis.
Our winter sojourn in Neil island in Andaman last year is still fresh in my memory. What’s great about the beaches in Neil island is that all the beaches are different, and have a character of their own. From a rocky Lakshmanpur beach to a secluded Sitapur beach, to a shallow Bharatpur beach, one can have a different charm everyday.
Serolsar lake, a cute little lake, nestled in a peaceful corner of Tirthan Valley in Himachal Pradesh, is worth spending a day at. It requires an easy, one day trek (5+5 kilometers) from Jalori Pass. With the mysterious Budhi Nagin Temple by the lake, the experience becomes all the more interesting. Sharing our experience of the trek with helpful tips for your planning.
Tucked in a not-so-touristy corner of India, Bhubaneswar is a cute little city where the old meets the new. While Old Bhubaneswar has all the tourist interests, new Bhubaneswar is the capital city of Odisha. With its original temple architecture, a unique culture and great culinary offerings, Bhubaneswar can pleasantly surprise you.
Havelis of Shekhawati, in their own rights, are no less in aesthetics than the grand forts and palaces of Rajasthan. However, these Havelis are in a state of despair. They are mostly forgotten, except a handful tourists. The government needs to intervene. Here are my thoughts on the subject.
Yuksom in west Sikkim is gateway to the Kangchenjunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One can see elements of both cultural and natural aspects of the World Heritage Site all over Yuksom. Serene landscape, ancient heritage, sleepy villages and laid back lifestyle of people, are features that I love Yuksom for.
If you love offbeat destinations to explore at leisure, Shekhawati in Rajasthan is the place for you. If you love heritage havelis/ monuments or fresco paintings, this is the place for you. And if you love semi-arid landscapes, Shekhawati is for you. Here’s our travel experience of the region, with some helpful tips.
A quaint little town at 10,000 feet above the sea level with the mighty Himalayas overlooking crystal clear glacial lakes. A thriving Buddhist population, and an omnipresent military establishment. Yes, we are talking about Tawang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.