Darjeeling Tour

Being in Darjeeling, I experienced as if the divine nature has generously blessed the place. As the days were passing by, we felt like exploring more attractions of this amazingly beautiful land. The scenic charm, the perfect climate and the abundant beauty altogether made our tour even more interesting.

We decided to go on a short visit with its Toy Train. Started from Ghoom, the train took us to the narrow valleys of Darjeeling. This Land of Thunderbolt offers you a wonderful experience to traverse through zig-zag pathways. The serene beauty scattered along the rail line is a sight to behold. The beautiful vegetation is covered with amazing landscapes of snowy heights.

Zoological Park was our next destination. Situated just two km away from the main town, it is a home of different wildlife species. We saw there many animals like Siberian tigers, Tibetan barking wolf, red panda and Himalayan deer. It houses some rare species of animals and birds.

We headed for War Memorial, another popular attraction of the place. Constructed in the memory of heroic soldiers who sacrificed their life in the wars, it is a place worth to visit. It also offers astonishing views of snowy peaks in its backdrop.

During our tour, we got to know about the ‘Japanese Peace Pagoda’, which is a recent landmark built by Japanese monks. It offers an outstanding view of the town as well as the Himalayan ranges.
It still stands as a living emblem of peace in Darjeeling. As we started exploring the place, we found it as an outstanding temple of peace in design. Its white colour represents tranquility and unity. It is the epitome of Japanese style of architecture.

Before leaving for Delhi, we also visited Dhir Dham Temple. Located near Darjeeling railway station, this temple was constructed by Rai Saheb Purna Bahadur Pradhan. The architecture of the temple has been influenced by the renowned Pashupatinath Temple at Kathmandu. Outside the main temple, you can see an idol of Lord Shiva. Depicting ‘Pancha Bakram Tri Netram’ that means five various facial expressions of lord Shiva in diverse moods and the third eye.

Admiring our refreshing break, we bid goodbye to the beautiful land of Darjeeling.

Darjeeling Tour

The scenic beauty of the enchanting city of Darjeeling is beyond description. You can only realize it after visiting the place. Recently, I got an opportunity to visit this beautiful land for an official meeting with my colleagues. We planned to explore the beauty of the place after finishing up with the official work. As we were on official trip, we got all the facilities including air ticket, hotel booking etc.

We went Darjeeling by flight from Delhi. It is around 90 km away from the capital city. We reached Bagdogra airport in three hours and then moved ahead for the main town by car. Again, it took around three hours to reach the town and soon we were transferred to the hotel. It was a standard hotel and we were served with all the facilities. We reached there in late afternoon and welcomed by the snow-capped peaks, green valleys and enchanting waterfalls.

At first, we visited the famous Tiger Hill, which is known for offering impressive views of the majestic Everest. I must say that the place is best to capture the glimpses of first rays of the Sun. For nature enthusiasts, it is a must see place.

Just five km away from the main town, there lies the Batasia Loop. Located on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway between Ghoom and Darjeeling, it gives an amazing impression of an engineering marvel. The awesome food that we enjoyed there piping hot Momos, Thupka and Tongbas (beer) was available at affordable price. Darjeeling Tea, Noodles and Soups are also worth to give it a try.

While in Darjeeling, we also wanted to make the most of our time. So in evening we visited the nearby tea garden named Happy Valley Tea Estate. It allows you to see the manufacturing process of famous Darjeeling Tea. Visiting these tea gardens is a best way to soothe your eyes by lush green surroundings.

How could we miss out the passenger ropeway? No doubt, it is one of the most beautiful attractions of the place. Starting at North Point, it is around five km long and connects the city with Singla Bazaar. Passing over the green tea estates and beautiful hills, it offers you an amazing experience.

To be continued…

Darjeeling Toy Train

Few months back, I got an opportunity to enjoy an exciting ride by Darjeeling Toy Train, a popular toy train of India. Fed up with my stressful life, I planned the trip with two of my colleagues, Srishti and Sameer. The reason that insisted us to travel by a toy train was to see closely the natural beauty and tea gardens of Darjeeling. We all were so excited to have the first class tickets of this toy train.

Darjeeling is a Himalayan town situated in the state of West Bengal. The place is known for its salubrious climatic conditions and beautiful wonderment of nature. During my visit, I could realize that why it is called the queen of the hills. Enveloped with the fascinating mountains and green pine trees, the place looks like a picture-perfect location. Sitting on cushioned personal seats in a funky decorated train car, we slowly started our ride from Silliguri, which is around 77 km away at 10:30 a.m.

The train ride took us through three different types of terrain. As we started, we could see the small bushy trees and yellow grass all around. After that, we began to climb the hill, which was really a thrilling experience. The scenic beauty scattered along the rail line is a thing to enjoy forever. The luxurious vegetation is covered with beautiful landscapes of snowy heights. The best part about the train was that it moved very slowly and thus, we could treat our eyes with some amazing glimpses of the natural beauty. Not only this, but we could also explore the famous attractions like Observatory Hill, Tiger Hill and Mall.

Soon, we found ourselves into a jungle atmosphere. All we could see was enchanting waterfalls and big plants. If you do not pay attention while peeping out of the windows, they might slap you in the face. When the train switched back, I could reach out and plucked the flowers of different shapes, colours and sizes, growing outside the windows.

After Kurseong, this beautiful destination has tea gardens all the way. Here, you get time to pause and give a smile at the people passing by. The next stoppage at Ghum, where we saw the colourful monastery. Finally, the train reached Darjeeling station. We ended our journey with this train around 5 p.m.

This toy train has also gained UNESCO World Heritage recognition. Travelling by a toy train is the best way to enjoy the charm of Darjeeling with your family, friends or loved ones.

Srinagar Tour  

Last month, I got an opportunity to visit Srinagar with my cousin, who was going there for some official work. I had nothing much to do while he planned this trip so I too decided to accompany him.

Popularly known as ‘Venice of the East’, Srinagar is the capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

It lies in Kashmir valley, on the banks of Jhelum river. I had heard a lot about the lakes and houseboats of Srinagar, so that was perfect opportunity for me to explore them.

Soon, we were in Srinagar. My cousin completed his official work same day and then we had ample time to explore the city, so we embarked on Srinagar City Tour to make the most of it.

We went to see the famous sites of the area like Dal Lake and Gulmarg or Yusmarg. Besides these beautiful locations, we also visited historical places of pilgrimages like Shankaracharya Hill and the Vedic Shiva Temple. Many devotees were there to do puja among the heavy security.

The beauty of Mughul Gardens captivated me for some time. It was one of the best gardens I have seen in India. We also saw the Shri Pratap Singh Museum that had large rock sculpted idols of Vishnu and other Vedic divinities. Another famous place I visited is Shah Hamdan mosque which is dedicated to Shah Hamdan.

Following are several other attractions which became a part of our exploration during the tour:

Hari Parbat Fort

The 18th century fort is located at the Sharika Hill. This fort was constructed by Atta Mohammad Khan. Lies to the west of the Dal lake, this fort is a famous tourist attraction.

Hazratbal Mosque

Situated on the western shore of Dal Lake, it is an important Muslim religious place. Its amazing white marble elegance can be seen in the crystal clear waters of the lake.

Pari Mahal

Pari Mahal or the ‘House of the Fairies’ is located just above Chashma Shahi Gardens, which is around 10 km from Srinagar. Pari Mahal is a historic monument and a well-laid garden. It also overlooks the beautiful Dal Lake.

Tomb of Zain-ul-Abidin

The tomb of King Zain-ul-Abidin shows a clear Persian influence in its amazing domed construction and glazed tiles.

Our curiosity to explore the Excursions of Srinagar took us to following places:

Gulmarg

The valley of Gulmarg is located at an altitude of 2730 m above sea level. It is a pleasant hill town situated around 52 km southeast of Srinagar. Flowering plants, golf course and snow sports activities during winters are some popular attractions of the place.

Pahalgam

It is located 95 km east of Srinagar in the Liddar Valley. The place is famous for its several adventure sports activities like trekking, hiking and fishing.

Sonamarg

Sonamarg lies around 80 km in the northeast of Srinagar. Situated at an altitude of 2740 m above sea level, the place offers breathtaking views of snow covered Himalayan peaks.

After enjoying Shikara Ride, we came back to our hotel in late evening. Next morning, we left for home with delightful memories.

Ladakh Trekking Tour

India is an incredible land which offers adventure in plenty. Adventure lovers travel to India from across the globe to set their pulse racing with its adventure activities. Trekking is a famous adventure sport in India as the country is endowed with majestic Himalayas and other mesmerizing mountain ranges. The country boasts of some of the best trekking trails in the world. So are you ready for the exciting trekking challenges? You will get to enjoy, experience and explore a lot on the trekking tour to India. On trekking tour you get a chance to pass through forests, quaint villages established on the hills, gushing streams and cascading waterfalls. The experience of trekking in India is truly beyond words.

Ladakh is considered one of the best places for trekking not only in India but in the world. This snow desert of India is popularly known as Little Tibet as its geographical features and culture resembles that of Tibet. When it comes to adventure, Ladakh tops the list of Indian adventure destinations. Boasting of the majestic snow-capped mountains, lovely valleys, arresting monasteries and adventure sports, Ladakh is a great destination for holidays.

Whether you are an expert in trekking or an amateur, Ladakh Trekking Tours have options for you. Go for a trekking trail of one day or enjoy trekking for the entire one month in Ladakh. While you are in Ladakh you can also indulge in other adventure activities like water rafting, Yak safari and cycling.

Ladakh boats of several enchanting trekking routes such as Nubra alley, Lamayuru Gompa to Chilling, Spituk to Markha valley, Likir to Temisgam, Rupshu valley and Spiti valley. These trails are popular with tourists as they are quite easy treks. If you have long perfected the art of trekking then the difficult trekking trails like Stok Kangri trek, Markha Valley, Nubra Valley, Alchi – Lamayuru Trek and Rupshu valley. The perfect time for Ladakh Trekking tour is from mid June to October. world.

Apart from Ladakh you can go for trekking in North East Indian states like Sikkim, Assam, Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal.

Are you looking for an escape route from the drudgery of your daily life? Kashmir is the best bet. Kashmir is truly a destination out-of-this-world. Its unparalleled charm has been the muse of travellers, authors and poets for centuries. Its rejuvenating natural beauty and serene environment will capture your heart. Treat your senses with breathtaking natural beauty, sow-capped mountains, salubrious climate, boat ride on Dal lake, blooming gardens and adventure sports on Kashmir tour.

Come summers and tourists from across the globe plan Kashmir Tour for pleasurable and memorable holidays. From adventure sports to peaceful settings, there is so much one can enjoy at this incredible tourist destination.

Gulmarg

Gulmarg Tour

Popular called the Meadow of flowers, Gulmarg is a breathtakingly beautiful destination of Kashmir. The grassy hills peppered with flowers of different hues are a treat to the soul. Relax in its wonderful surroundings and surely you will remember the experience for long. It is also a popular destination for golf. A variety of flowers can be seen here.

Srinagar

It is the capital of Kashmir which takes immense pride in its attractions. Dal lake and Mughal Gardens are the most famous attractions of this destination. The lake is extraordinary beautiful offering picturesque views. Enjoy a stay in a houseboat on the lake for pleasurable accommodation. Enjoy the charm of the lake on a boat ride. The Mughal Gardens overflow with colourful flowers and never fail to rejuvenate the visitors to the hilt.

Sonmarg

This adventure-filled destination is popular for offering great opportunities for adventure sports. Tourists from far and wide come here for plunging into the joy of skiing, camping, trekking and rafting. It is famously known as the Golden Meadow. It is ideally located at an altitude of 2,740 m above sea level.

Patnitop

Patnitop Tour

Patnitop beckons you to get soaked in the mesmerizing natural beauty. It gives you an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate completely. Its picturesque landscape, gushing waterways, golf course, freshwater springs and snow-capped mountains attract tourists from far and wide.

River rafting is one of the popular adventure activities among adventure lovers. It is full of fun, thrill and excitement. The foothills of the Himalayas is the perfect place for water rafting because of unstable currents of the mountain streams. Large number of tourists prefer white water rafting as it provides unlimited fun and enjoyment. The untamed mountain streams form an intricate network which passes through rocky banks and crevices. Some of the rivers which are known for rafting are Mandakini, Zanskar, Kalisor, Bhagirathi, Teesta, Indus, Alaknanda and Bhilangana.

The famous destinations for White Water Rafting in India are

Rafting On Zanskar River

Zanskar River Rafting

Zanskar River is the most difficult and exciting white water rafting River Rafting In Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir Ladakh is the popular destination for white water rafting because of the presence of several mountain streams. Indus River and its major tributaries are the best places for water rafting. Indus river between Spituk and Saspol is the ideal place for enjoying the fun of rafting. Beyond Saspol the river becomes more turbulent which makes it difficult for beginners to indulge in river rafting. But for skilled and trained rafters it is a good place for enjoying the fun of this adventure sport.

destination in India which calls on good number of skilled rafters from several parts of the globe. This river has spectacular gorges between Padum and Nimo region which heightens the fun of rafting. This turbulent river is for the skilled and trained rafters. It is suitable only for well organised white water expeditions.

Rafting On The Ganges River
Garhwal region in Uttaranchal is the best place for water rafting in the sacred

Ganga River Rafting

river Ganga. This river is a good place for both professional as well as the amateur rafters. Ganga near Rishikesh is a popular spot for white water river rafting. This place has 36 km long stretch for rafting which begins from Kaudiyala and ends at Rishikesh. Large number of tourists come here to enjoy the fun, thrill and excitement of this adventurous activity.
Rafting in River Tons
River Tons is the biggest tributary of Yamuna which originates from the  Bandarpunchh Mountain range at an altitude of 20,720 feet above sea level. This river is counted among the most challenging white water rivers which attracts rafters from several parts of the world. The river passes through dense forest and deep gorges which provides tourists an opportunity to feel the charm of nature.

Uttaranchal is a wonderful tourist destination of North India where tourists come from across the globe. It is a land of mountain beauty and adventure sports activities. This land is affectionately dubbed as ‘Dev Bhumi’. It is endowed with sheer natural beauty and salubrious climate. It is also known for its rich flora and fauna. Tourists can indulge in a variety of adventure sports such as river rafting, boating and trekking. Uttaranchal tourism boasts of mesmerizing attractions such as mountains, rivers, wildlife, glaciers, valley of flowers, forests and pilgrimage sites. There are several famous tourist destinations in Uttaranchal. Almora, kasauni and Mukteshwar are some of them.

Almora

Almora

It is a fascinating hill station of Uttaranchal. Attracting tourists from far and wide, it is a perfect holiday destination. It is located at an altitude of 1,650 m above sea level. It is popularly known as the cultural capital of Uttaranchal. The forests of pine and fir against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks makes this destination look like a fairyland.Its scenic beauty never fails to capture the hearts of tourists. Several colorful fairs and festivals are celebrated here every year. It is also a home to 1000 year old Nanda Devi temple. Almora can be visited from March to June or September to November. Some of the famous attractions of Almora are Bright End corner, State museum, Chitai temple, Siyahidevi temple, Katarmal temple, Deer park and Simtola.

Kausani

Kausani

Nestled in the Kumaon hills, Kasauni is located at an altitude of 6,075 feet above sea level. It is a small hill station soaked in sheer natural beauty. It offers breattaking views of the snow-capped peaks. It is also the place where Mahatama Gandhi lived for a long time in the year 1929. It is the birthplace of the famous poet Sumitra Nandan Pant. This picturesque hill station is dominated by dark pine forest. It is popularly known as the jewel of the Himalayas. It is located only 53 km from Almora. Kasauni attractions include Oant museum, Lakshmi ashram, Pinakeshwar (trekking area), Baijnath, Someshwar, Anasakti ashram and tea gardens.

Mukteshwar

Mukteshwar

Located in the enchanting Nainital district, Mukteshwar is a wonderful destination. It offers captivating views of the Himalayas. Its serene environment, pleasant climate and natural beauty will surely leved you spell bound. You can enjoy trekking, mountain climbing and rock climbing in Mukteshwar.

Uttranchal

Uttaranchal is a wonderland of India where tourist attractions galore. It is a beautiful state where tourists come from across the globe. This destination is a big hit with adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. It is famously known as the land of Gods as it is peppered with many pilgrimage centres. The major attractions of Uttaranchal are staggering natural beauty, snow-covered mountains, beautiful valleys and enchanting wildlife. A variety of adventure sports can be enjoyed here.

Some of the famous attractions of Uttaranchal Tourism are:

Rishikesh
It is one of the holy cities of India which is blessed with sheer natural beauty. Located on the banks of the holy river Ganga, this city is famous for yoga and meditation and adventure sports. It is popularly known as the place of sages. It boasts of glorious history. It is known for adventure sports activities such as river rafting, trekking, mountaineering and canoeing. The beautiful temples and ghats are among its major attractions.

Joshimath
It is another enchanting destination of Uttarnachal. It is a wonderful hill station where nature lovers come from far and wide. It offers pleasant climate and sheer natural beauty. The legend goes that the sage Shankaracharya established one of the four piths (centres) for sanyasis at this destination. It is believed that lord Vishnu resides in Joshimath during winters. The temple of Narshimha and Naina Devi national park are the must-see attractions of Joshimath.

Valley of flowers
Visiting the valley of flowers in Uttaranchal is like visiting heaven on earth. It is extremely fascinating and refreshing. It is a famous national park roosted in the Himalayas. It is known for arresting meadows of endemic alpine flowers and sheer natural beauty. It boasts of more than 500 species of flowers. It is also a home to a variety of wildlife including some endangered species such as Asiatic black bear, snow leopard and blue sheep.

Nainital
It is a renowned hill station of North India steeped in mesmerizing natural beauty. Located in the Himalayan foothills, it is popularly known as lake paradise. Nainital attractions include Naini lake, Bhim Tal, Naini peak and snow view point.

Mussoorie
It is another famed hill station of North India. Gifted with picturesque surroundings, it is located at an altitude of 2,000 m. It is very popular among honeymooners. Kempty Fall, Gun hill, Lake Mist and camel’s back road are some of the famous attractions of Mussoorie.

Uttaranchal tour is the best bet for rejuvenating holidays. Travel to Uttaranchal and you are bound to come back completely mesmerized.

Gangotri

Early morning we set out on our journey to Gangotri. After reaching there we went for a holy dip in the holy river Ganga which is known as Bhagirathi at its origin. Gangotri is a revered Hindu pilgrimage which is also a source of sacred river Ganga. According to the legend king Bhagirathi spent several years in penance of Goddess Ganga to land on the earth. Hence the origin of river Ganga is called Bhagirathi.

We were completely mesmerized by the pristine beauty of Gangotri. Its beautiful and peaceful aura captured our hearts. Our guide told us that this destination is at an altitude of 3140 m above sea level. After Gangotri darsham we came back to Uttarkashi.

The next morning we drove to Rudraprayag and on the way we stopped at Tehri Dam where we enjoyed for some time. Rudraprayag is around 175 km from Uttarkashi. Rudraprayag is the confluence of river Mandakani and Alaknanda. We also visited the Chamunda Devi temple and Koteshwr temple which are 3 km from Rudraprayag. In the evening we checked in the hotel for a night stay.

The next morning we headed towards Kedarnath which is 75 km from Rudraprayag. We reached Gaurikund and from here one can either go on foot or by pony/Doli to Kadarnath. We opted to go by pony and the ride was enjoyable. At Gaurikund we took bath in the hot water pond and visited the Gauri temple. Gaurikund is the place where Goddess Parvati meditated to attain Lord Shiva.

Kedarnath Yatra

Kedarnath Shrine is one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. It offers breathtaking views of the majestic Kedarnath range. Kedarnath town is staggeringly beautiful place flanked by snow-capped mountains. In the early morning we visited the Kedarnath shrine and then trekked down to Gaurikund. Then we drove to Rudraprayag via Guptkashi and stayed in a hotel at Rudraprayag.

The next morning we drove to Badrinath via Joshimath. It took us around 9 hours to reach Badrinath. At one point of time Badrinath was dotted with wild berries. Thus it got the name Badri Van meaning forest of berries. The next morning after taking a bath in the Taptkund at Badrinath we went for darshan of Lord Badrinarayan at Badrinath temple. It is a mesmerizing pilgrimage center located at an average elevation of 3,415 m. After attending the puja we took a stroll around the temple and photographed the blissful surroundings. The other nearby attractions (within the range of 3 km) here are Mana, Vyas Gufa, Maatamoorti, Charanpaduka, Bhimkund and the ‘Mukh’ of the Saraswati River.

After covering the Char Dhams we returned to Delhi with golden memories in our heart and peace in our mind. We were completely mesmerized by the celestial beauty of these four destinations. They are beautiful beyond words.