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Exploring Ladakh, India's own 'Shangri La'

By Debasree Chakraborty
May 28, 2022

India is a life-changing experience for travellers of which Ladakh is truly unmissable. Think of an India tour itinerary and Ladakh certainly deserves a mention. Nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, Ladakh is one of the remotest places on Earth and a treasure to explore. Settled at an altitude of 3542 meters above sea level it is one of the highest inhabited places on the planet. Boasting of the immense scenic beauty of mountains, lakes, rivers and a cold desert it is a wonder to visit. Adding to it are the amazing allures including palaces, and monasteries. And, lastly, an adventure of a lifetime is a guarantee. A surprising fact about Ladakh is that a trip can be planned in the official off-travel season. The land opens up for visitors from late May to October. As it is monsoon in the rest of India, if you want to skip rains, you must pay a visit.

If you are still not sure to plan a trip to Ladakh on your visit to India, here are a few reasons.

Scenic Beauty

Scenic beauty of Leh

Ladakh’s location is out of the world and therefor is its beauty. The Land of High Passes is settled in the snowy heights of Himalayan ranges and is surrounded by mountain ranges of Karakoram. Even for a land withoutt rain, it is simply one among the most blessed natural places in India and the world. The rugged mounatins are shades ofbrown with specks of green and layers of snow. The rivers iand the lakes are crystal clear displaying myraid shades of blues. The deesrt dunes of Nubra Valley are magical with their unbeivale golden hues, home to the unique double-humped Bactrian Camels.

Culture

Ladakh has a unique Tibetan Buddhist culture with impacts from traditional beauties. Over the years, this culture has become an important backbone for tourism. The land’s traditional culture and lifestyle make the cuisine, dressing, dance forms and others. The festivals of the land gain more attention thanks to the exclusive culture of the land. This is one of the few places where you can find dancing monks enjoying festivals just like you.

Taking a pilgrimage tour is a double beauty. You get to wander around ancient monasteries, explore the culture and enjoy the unique architectural beauties. Apart from these, the nature plays an important role in adding peace and tranquility to these religious places. Every year, thousands of people visit Ladakh for pilgrimage activities. Top iconic religious sites to visit in Ladakh are Likir monastery, Thiksey monastery, Sumda Chun, Shanti Stupa, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib and others.

Adventure

Statistically, this is the main reason that drives more than three fourth of the travel population to Ladakh. The geographical wealth and the Himalayan nature gives access to different landscapes, which allow you to enjoy unique adventure activities like mountain biking, trekking, jeep safari, river rafting, camel safari, yak safari, ice hockey and many others. No wonder, Ladakh is called as the adventure capital of the country.

It is the place for adventure activities. Top three motorable mountain passes of the world are located in Ladakh. It is the only destination in India apart from Rajasthan, where you can enjoy camel safari. It is one of the very few places to experience yak safari too. The most common safari to enjoy in the region is the jeep safari. The Himalayan regions make the safari more exciting. Many sure to choose the right season so that you can enjoy all types of safaris here.You can find a lot of trekking trails for hiking and trekking along with frozen rivers. Name an adventure activity; and, you would find it there. Top peaks for hiking are Nun-Kun, Stok Kangri, Jang Yatse and others. You can also enjoy a trekking excursion to the base of Mount Everest; if you are up for the challenge. Apart from these, there are a lot of monasteries to explore and enjoy their rituals, explore their libraries, antiques and others.

Exploring India in search of adventure

By Debasree Chakraborty
May 22, 2022

India offers excellent opportunities for adventures. Some of these adventures become experiences of a lifetime. Right from exploring the jungles thriving with wildlife, go rafting on river rapids, or head out on beautiful yet challenging roads leading to the dreamland of Ladakh. From seeking out vibrant marine life to trekking across majestic mountains of Himalayas, there is a world out here.

Besides the vibrant culture, the charming history and incredible experiences, you and your family & friends can experience adventures like never before.

Here’s all that awaits!

Tiger Safaris

The biggest adventure one could have in India is coming across the majestic royal Bengal Tigers. A sprawling abode for tigers and scores of other species India’s has many havens for wildlife enthusiasts. From the tiger lands of Central India's Madhya Pradesh to UNESCO world heritage sites of Sundarbans, One word of advice: don’t get so preoccupied with tiger spots that you miss other animals and just the romance of traversing through what is genuinely wild territory. The adventurous thrill of exploring wildlife is made all the more special with staying at the wildlife resorts.

Not just tigers, jungle safaris In India comprises exploring North East India's Kaziranga National Park, the land of one-horned rhinoceros, boat safaris at Periyar National Park, spotting leopards at Jawai and many more.

Mountain biking in Ladakh

Ladakh, lying on the northern tip of India’s frontiers, is truly unparalleled in its majestic beauty and challenges. Biking in Ladakh is the holy grail of adventure cyclists all over the world. Terrifying mountain passes, thin air, and awe-inspiring beauty in a remote frontier landscape make this one heck of an adventure. Adding to the kick of adventure is the unparalleled beauty of nature which inspires even the regular tourists to become explorers and ordinary shutterbugs to become genuine photographers.

Treks in the Himalayas

The Himalayas stretched over India, Nepal and Bhutan offer the thrill of trekking, camping and many more adventures. Trekking in the Himalayas is a thrill that calls enthusiasts to walk through ancient trails.

Camping in the desert

Marine activities

Goa is the most sought-after destination in India for a vacation, any type of vacation. It has lazy beaches if you just want to relax and enjoy the waves, it also has adventurous activities for you. It is the best place to head to if you want to beat the lockdown blues. We bet this is one Goa plan that you cannot cancel at any cost, especially after being cooped up inside your house for such a long time.

Bicycling tours

Sri Lanka - the world in one country

By Kapil Goswamy
May 04, 2022

Sri Lanka , a small tear drop shaped island located just off the southern most tip of India , offers a very complete tourist experience, which is why I’m calling it “ the world in one country “ ! The small size of the country ensures that traveling time between its various tourist attractions is minimal ( our longest single day drive was 5 hours) , and its diversity ensures new and unique experiences and sights each day .

The reason I used the tag line “world in one country “ , a phrase I borrowed or copied from a South African tourism logo , is that , very few destinations actually provide more complete and holistic travel experiences, the way Sri Lanka does. In Sri Lanka, one can visit half a dozen World Heritage Sites ( including the famous Sigriya Rock Fortress, the Dambulla caves , Galle Fort etc ) , do Safaris in National Parks ( Yala and Minneriya , famous for Leopards and Elephants respectively) , experience Tea Tasting in real working Tea Gardens and Factories, feel a touch of “little England “ in the hill town of Nuwara Eliya, walk in the ramparts of the buzzing old Portuguese and Dutch influenced old fort town of Galle , and then relax on the sandy beaches of either Bentota or Negombo !

I traveled to Sri Lanka after a long gap earlier this year ( when all was well there ) and was actually very impressed with the people , the infrastructure, the hotels and the general tourist friendly feel of the destination. For the last month or two , Sri Lanka is in the midst of economic and political turmoil, which we hope will be over soon , and things will be back to normal for potential visitors to this wonderful island .

Sujan Jawai Leopard Camp - an extraordinary wilderness experience

By Kapil Goswamy
May 04, 2022

Located in the desert state of Rajasthan, about 150 kms from Udaipur ( and about the similar distance from Jodhpur), is the Sujan Jawai Camp, arguably the last word in experiential luxury as far as India’s wildlife resorts and camps are concerned. It’s literally like a luxury African safari camp experience, with Indian hospitality thrown in, where every detail has been looked at and attended to.
The Jawai Bandh area is itself a rugged terrain, with hills and rock outcrops that are thousands of years old, a large rain water reservoir, and India’s densest leopard population. What makes the area and the wildlife experience different, is the fact that here man and animal seem to be coexisting in complete harmony. One can see Leopards moving around the hills and open grasslands, while village farmers and their families go about their daily lives in the vicinity.

The camp itself, lovingly created by the husband and wife duo of Jaisal and Anjali Singh, is literally the last word in luxury as far as glamping in india is concerned. The tents are large and comfortable, the dining exquisite and the service par excellence. The accommodations are so comfortable, the heated pool so inviting, the Spa and Library so relaxing, that’s it’s actually quite easy to forget that your main purpose of visiting Jawai was the wildlife, mainly the leopards ! Safe and comfortable jeeps, great drivers , friendly and knowledgeable naturalists , all put together, provide a great and unique wildlife experience, with excellent leopard sighting opportunities.

India, as a wildlife destination, has for long been known as a must do destination for Tiger enthusiasts, but sighting leopards in the wild, being out in the bush, with the surrounding rugged hills, and the exemplary Sujan service, makes a visit to Jawai a must do for wildlife enthusiasts.