Thursday, July 19, 2012

Kashmir, Darjeeling and Ladakh: 3 top Hill Stations in India

Kashmir, situated in the state of Jammu & Kashmir in northern India, is a top draw for tourists. The scenic delight of Kashmir is truly beyond comparison. Be it the deep valleys or the snow-clad mountains or the sprawling flower gardens or the beautiful apple orchards, Kashmir’s beauty is unparallel. Now-a-days, Kashmir tour packages are easily available. You can look up for a good package on the internet. Depending on your budget, you can easily find a suitable package that will maximize your fun and minimize your expenses.

Dal Lake is one of the biggest attractions of Kashmir. The lake is mostly frozen and presents a beautiful picture. When the ice melts, it offers excellent boating facilities on houseboats. Other sports like angling and fishing can also be enjoyed here.


Kashmir also boasts of some alluring royal gardens like the Nishat Bagh and the Shalimar Bagh. The Pari Mahal is a beautiful palace that will inspire awe and admiration. Jama Masjid, the largest mosque of Srinagar, is another must visit. Other attractions of Kashmir are the Royal Spring, Hazratbal shrine, Shahi Masjid and Nazim Bagh. During your trip, also make sure to visit Gulmarg and Sonmarh which are extremely panoramic.

Though Kashmir can be visited round the year, for idyllic climate you are advised to buy the Kashmir tour packages between May-September. In case you are heading there in winter, make sure to carry enough woolens. For its breathtaking beauty and a warm, cosmopolitan culture, Kashmir is truly one of the hottest hill stations in India.

Darjeeling tourism: Darjeeling, situated in the state of West Bengal, in eastern India, is another popular hill station. It is majestically beautiful and proffers a captivating view of the Kanchenjunga. Make sure to carry your binoculars when you visit Darjeeling.

Under Darjeeling tourism package, you can stay in the best hotels and enjoy sightseeing to the fullest. Mall Road is a must-visit. It is a scenic viewpoint and houses a number of local shops and restaurants. Enjoy the snacks of Sunflower restaurant and have dinner in Lunar.


Your tourist guide will also tell you to visit the panoramic Tiger Hill at the crack of the dawn. The view of the sunrise from Tiger Hill is stupendously beautiful. Other popular attractions of Darjeeling are the Darjeeling Zoo, Maitreya Buddha Monastery, Senchal Lake and The Observatory Hill. At Ghoom, you can even enjoy a toy train ride.

Best time to visit Darjeeling is between April-June or between September-December. Try to avoid the monsoon season as it gets very wet during that time. So, buy a Darjeeling tourism package and go for a splendid holiday.

Ladakh tourism: Ladakh is another hot tourist destination that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is a vibrant place which proffers excellent opportunities to dig into some thrilling sports like river rafting, parasailing, trekking, rock climbing and mountain biking. Ladakh is also famous for its monasteries and a warm culture. Under Ladakh tourism packages, you must check out some of the famous monasteries like the Hemis Monastery, Thikse Monastery and Spituk Monastery. Royal Palace, Jama Masjid and Stok Palace Museum are other chief attractions.


Image Source: Wikipedia

Ladakh’s snow-capped mountains and scenic delights make it a perfect getaway for honeymooners and family people. So, buy a Ladakh tourism package and travel to this enchanting destination.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Agra Attractions – the Real Backpacker’s delights!


Want to visit Agra to witness the regal legacy of Mughals? This is perfect time to shape up your plan. With monsoon has embraced the entire north zone, weather is pleasant and River Yamuna is fluxing to the full in Agra. So pack your bags and enjoy the architectural and natural beauty of India’s one of the most ancient towns – Agra.

Taj Mahal is apparently the major attraction of Agra trip. Built in 17th century by a Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in remembrance of his wife Mumtaj, this stunning structure typifies love and affection. Architectural brilliance of the monument is just splendid, and leaves spectators becharmed indeed.  Another must-visit place in Agra is the Red Fort. This mighty monument is built of red sandstones and is another fine example of Mughal architecture. Some other places of tourist interest in Agar include the Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb, Akbar’s Tom in Sikandra, Fateh Pur Shikri and the Mughal garden of Ram Bag.



Image Source: Wikipedia

Hotels in Agra assure every visitor a quality stay with utmost convenience and comforts. Agra hotels range from pricy luxurious hotels to economical motels, and hence suit the needs and budget of all tourists. Paradise for shoppers, Agra markets offer a quality range of goods at lucrative rates. The best purchase here include leathers, jeans, pettha (a special kind of local sweet) and local artifacts.

Plenty of options are available to reach Agra. You can approach the city via flights, trains and the road transports. Delhi, the capital city of India, is just 204km from Agra and is excellently connected by a national Highway. Packages for Agra tour are also available though. You can find your most suited deal searching over Internet.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

India – Really, a Magnificent Place to Visit On


India is one of the fastest growing economies of the world, thanks to a huge increase in size of middle class consumer, a large labor force and notable foreign investment. The world’s eleventh largest economy by nominal GDP and third-largest by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), India is growing like never before. Indian economy is dominated by agriculture and service industry. However, telecommunications, textiles, chemicals, food processing and Information Technology are its other major components.


India has proudly preserved it aged-old traditions and custom values, but at the same time is nowhere behind the world in term of modernism. It’s considered a newly industrialized country with great potential for growth and development. It has third-largest standing army in the world and is a nuclear weapons state and a regional power. A historically rich, multilingual and multiethnic society, India is a favorite haunt for those with sense of history and cultures. Religiousness is in air in India, while natural beauty and diversity of wildlife is simply awe-inspiring. Truly, it’s a magnificent place to visit on.


With such a gracious allure, India has been thronged by millions of travelers annually. They come here to explore its amazing historical gems, lovely beaches and hill stations and grad traditions & cultures. India has 12 International airports with connectivity with almost all major cities in the world. Flights to Mumbai, Delhi or other major airports in India can be booked online. Some cities in India like Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai are frequently visited, so when you book Delhi flights, Mumbai flights or Bangalore flights, make sure to book you’re your ticket well in advance. Complete India holiday packages are also available to assure you a pleasing and stress-free India travel.


Image Source: Wikipedia

Friday, July 13, 2012

Darjeeling Toy Train – A Nature Lover’s Delight


Even Mr Franklin Prestage in 1878, the then agent of the Eastern Bengal Railways Company, wouldn’t realize that his proposal could be so fruitful one day. He presented a detailed scheme for laying a train line from Siliguri to Darjeeling to the government of Bengal. A committee was appointed to examine the proposal, and a decision of implementing the plan was taken after a long debate. By July 1881, the line was completed and opened for traffic right through to Darjeeling. It was given the name of ‘Darjeeling Himalayan Railway’.




Image Source: wikipedia

Today, it’s fondly called the ‘Toy Train’ famous for offering one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world. The scenery and the rail line that itself is an engineering masterpiece leave everyone spellbound. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the wonders in India, where both nature and man has contributed significantly. This 86km long railway line witnesses the elevation from 100 meters to about 2,200 meters and takes passengers through splendid natural bounty.  The train passes by beautiful forests, deep colorful valleys, cascading waterfalls and gushing rivers.

The railway line basically follows the Hill Cart Road, and the track is on the roadside. On most of the route, buildings surround the track that gives it a look of urban tramway look rather than an overland line.  However, the natural splendors the route passes through are just awesome. This train journey is today a prominent tourist attraction for those on Darjeeling tour.  So next time when you plan a Darjeeling tour, don’t miss to explore this splendid attraction. If you plan your trip during peak season, it’s advised to book Darjeeling Hotels well ahead. Searching online, you can find a number of website offering hotel deal including Kolkata hotels and Darjeeling in varied price ranges. You can choose the one that perfectly matches your requirements and budget.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Kodaikanal – A Craggy Heaven Wrapped in Green

Want a relaxing holiday at hills with plenty of attractions thrown in? Kodaikanal, a beautiful hill station in Kerala ticks all the boxes. Roosted on arboreous southern summit of Palani Hills, at an elevation about 7,000 feet, Kodaikanal is a popular lakeside resort in Kerala thronged by a large number of nature-lovers year-round. Wander around sloppy hills, watching out beautiful birds, enchanting flowers and various rare plant species. For romantic couples, packing a picnic and strolling to Fairy Falls, lake cruise, horseback ride and walking leisurely to green hills are recommended activities. Serenity and religiousness will surely leave you enchanted at the end.




Image Source: wikipedia

Literally, Kodaikanal is an oasis for nature-lovers with plenty of things to do and see. Visit Kodaikanal Lake and enjoy boating amid scintillating scenery. Cycling around the lake is also a great experience that you shouldn’t miss while being there. Built on edge of cliff overlooking valley and Kodai town, Coakers Walk gives you stunning views and pleasing weather to savor. Just walk to your capacity, and then sit and enjoy the scenery all around.  Berijam Lake is another fantastic place to visit, being located amid picturesque forest. The lake offers amazing serenity and natural beauty for your eyes to savor. Bear Sholay Falls, Dolphin Nose, a temple at Poompaarai Village hill top and the Green Valley View Park are other delights of Kodaikanal tour.

For accommodation, there are plenty of options to choose from. Kodaikanal hotels range from five-star to budget-friendly one, and offer a pleasant stay for all. There are several resorts and prive homes too, which cater accommodation needs of travelers. To get suited deal for Kodaikanal hotels, it’s better searching online. A wide range of deals for Kerala hotels and Kodaikanal hotels can be found over Internet.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Hill Stations Par Excellence – Gangtok and Kashmir


When the Mughal emperors saw the valley of Kashmir for the first time, they were stunned into silence at its beauty. They called it by many names like “Garden of the elite” and “paradise on earth”. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Mughal rulers were infatuated with Kashmir. In fact, so beautiful is Kashmir that you cannot help being infatuated. Falling head over heels in love with the place, mughals built many gardens in the state, which still stand and narrate the story of the stunning architectural sense and understanding of these 16th and 17th century rulers. 


Chesmashahi gardens, Mughal gardens, Nishat gardens and Shalimar gardens are still some of the most beautiful gardens in Kashmir. The awe inspiring peaks which rise tall in the background, the still lakes which house a thousand colorful lotuses and charming little house boats and the brilliantly colored flowers which blossom all over the place have inspired many a writer, poet, artist and painter. It is rightly said that if there is heaven on earth, it is here in Kashmir. It is not without reason that Kashmir tour packages are highly preferred among tourists.

Another charming hill station in India is Gangtok. Situated in the state of Sikkim, Gangtok is a place which is wreathed in natural beauty. Gangtok tourism is as famous as Kashmir tours. Thousands of people visit the place for a glimpse of Mount Kanchenjunga and other brilliant spots in the city. A very nice thing about Gangtok is its cleanliness. You will not find a cleaner place anywhere in India. The natural scenic views of the place are well complemented by the clean surroundings.




Kashmir and Gangtok rank high on must-visit list.