Travel Category

10 Reasons Rajasthan is a must visit on a India Holiday

• By Debasree Chakraborty
• Nov 26, 2021

Rajasthan is an incredible travel destination in India. Featuring a unique mixture of historical marvels and cultural treasures, the Land of Kings is known for memorable experiences of India. The golden hues of the undulating sand dunes of the Thar Desert along with vibrant colors, make the land a fascinating kaleidoscope. In Rajasthan, get the chance to explore colossal forts and amazing palaces. Marvel at intricate craftsmanship and unique style of the Rajputs. Go camping under the stars in the desert, wildlife safaris in Ranthambore National park or bird watching in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. The pleasures include stay at lavish heritage hotels, tasting the royal cuisine and shopping for treasures, there is so much to see and do.

When thinking of a holiday in India, here are 10 reasons to must visit Rajasthan:

1. Magnificent Architecture

Historical forts and splendid palaces make Rajasthan unique. Ruled by Rajput kings, the land is dotted with magnificent blend of architecture and design. Many of the Hill Forts of Rajasthan are listed among UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Jaipur’s Amer Fort, the golden hued Jaisalmer Fort, the massive Mehrangarh Fort, and the hidden Ranthambore Fort are some of the best sites to visit. Jaipur’s City Palace, intricate havelis of Shekawati and many more wonders are lavish palaces. Some of the splendid properties are converted to the best heritage hotels of India.

2. Gastronomic Delights

Rajasthani cuisine is a gastronomical delight. The lavish cuisine is all rich with ghee and spices. The classics include dal bati churma or gatte ki sabzi or kachoris, there is something to suite everyone’s palate. The must try meat curries, are laal maas and safed maas.

3. Colorful Cities

Colors are a part of Rajasthan’s culture. From the dress of its people to the golden desert sands, from the many vividly coloured cities to the vibrant markets, there are multiple hues. From the golden city of Jaisalmer, the pink city of Jaipur, the blue city of Jodhpur, to the white marvels of Udaipur, each city has something unique to offer.

4. Stay in a Lavish Heritage Hotel

Heritage hotels of Rajasthan are transformed from the many opulent palaces, forts and havelis, with all the royal comforts of the royalty who once lived there. The Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, the Lake Palace in Udaipur, Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, and Samode Palace in Jaipur are just a few of the popular hotels that keep alive the princely traditions and culture of the state.

5. Diverse Wildlife

Rajasthan’s vast landscape is home to some incredibly varied wildlife. From the tigers at the Ranthambore National Park and the Sariska Tiger Reserve, to the endangered river dolphins and rare birds the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, the National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary and the Keoladeo National Park, you have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with some amazing animals.

6. Exciting Festivals

Rajasthan is famed all over the world for its colourful fairs and festivals, held throughout the year. It seems that every month hosts some exciting event, such as the International Kite Festival (Jan), the Desert Festival (Feb), the Elephant Fair (Mar), the Teej Festival (August), Rajasthan International Folk Festival (Oct), the Pushkar Fair (Nov), and the Magnetic Fields Festival (Dec). These are of course separate from the many religious festivals, such as Holi.

7. Fascinating History

The historic forts, palaces, and stepwells hint at a long and fascinating history of the people who thrived in this arid and at times inhospitable area. It has many innovations such as the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur. This astronomical observatory was built in 1734 by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II and lets people observe astronomical positions with the naked eye.

8. Truly Unique Experiences

The diverse landscapes of Rajasthan offer an endless choice of exciting experiences. From the camel safaris at Jaisalmer, to hot-air ballooning in Pushkar, trekking Alwar and Mount Abu, there are many adventures to be found. Of course there are less adrenaline packed adventures as well, like the many tribal folk dances, the Bhavai with its pitchers, the Kathputli with its puppets, and the famous Ghoomar.

9. Natural Beauty

10. Lots and Lots of Shopping

The bustling bazaars of Rajasthan have some of the best places for shopping. Some are full of ethnic handicrafts and artifacts, while others are dedicated to traditional jewelry, spices, miniature paintings, textiles, and so much more. Some of the best places are Johari Bazar in Jaipur, Bada Bazar in Udaipur, Clock Tower Market in Jodhpur, and Sadar Bazar in Pushkar.

The Best Wildlife Safari Season in India

• By Debasree Chakraborty
• Nov 25, 2021

India is home to fabulous wildlife. From roaring Royal Bengal Tigers to Asiatic Lions, herds of mighty Asian Elephants to one-horned rhinoceros, deer, gaur, flocks of birds’ even ones visiting from distant lands, India is blessed with wildlife. Besides coming close to the wilderness, wildlife holidays in India includes stay at jungle resorts, jeep safaris, elephant rides, nature walk with experts and other incredible experiences. India’s wildlife safari season is traditionally between the months from October to June, with the exception of monsoon season when most of the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks remain closed. Even in the wildlife safari season, there is a best time for the thrilling adventure.

When making plans for a wildlife holiday in India, here is to understand the best time and suitable weather conditions.

Tiger watching between November and February, the mornings can be very cold, so bring hats and gloves. A hot water bottle even. Although be prepared to take off layers later in the day, when temperatures go up to the mid twenties.

The opposite is the case if you go in search of tigers between March and June, when the temperatures can hit mid 40s centigrade. You need to be veary well prepared, and know that you can stand such heat for long periods of the day.

Most national parks in India close July, August, September and through until about mid October for monsoon season, so always check with your tour operator.

Periyar National Park, however, stays open all year round. The most popular time to visit is during the cooler, drier months from October to February. It is particularly vibrant just after monsoon, and there are fewer people. Periyar is always packed at weekends, however, so try and stick to weekdays.

The best time for viewing elephants in Kerala is during the hotter months of March and April, when they spend the most time in the water.

The only time to see snow leopard in Ladakh is between November and March, when they come down from the snow covered peaks in search of food. February and March are a bit more accessible for visitors though, so best to travel during those times.

In Gujarat, Gir National Park is closed mid-June to mid-October for monsoon season. November until March are more bearable climate wise, but for top animal watching April and May are best – but boiling. However, witnessing the Rann of Kutch Desert fill up during monsoon season is a sight to behold too.

National parks can pack out during Indian public holidays and festivals, and there are many of them. So do check in advance if you are going to clash with one. Which would be fun, but it will be busy. The big ones include 26th January for Republic Day, and Diwali which falls October or November.

In many of the parks, the vegetation is high after the monsoon around mid-October, which means that wildlife can be harder to spot. However, the landscapes look stunning during this time.

For bird watching in Northern India, October to May is a good time for resident and migratory species, post and pre monsoons. In Kerala, March to May is blazing hot.

The Best of Winter Experiences in India

• By Debasree Chakraborty
• Nov 17, 2021

With November, winters knocks the door in most places in India. The northern frontiers are blessed with pure snowy breeze of the Himalayas while the southern places are blissful with the sun shining down is warmth. The plains and the forests are covered in a blanketed of fog that sets in the early evening and stays most of the daytime. The weather is just right to plan to go exploring India. Sightseeing becomes special with the temperatures just right.

Stay in the Lake Palace of Udaipur

Houseboat cruise on Kerala’s backwaters

Bird spotting in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Chasing the Tiger Trail in the Tiger Reserves

Stay in the mountains enjoy view of snow-capped mountains

Bask in the sun at the beach resort

Heal your souls with Yoga and Ayurveda

Camping under the stars in a desert

Ride the Mountain Railways

Go on a food trail

Attend Dance and Music Festivals

5 Reasons that New Delhi is an Incredible Holiday Destination

• By Debasree Chakraborty
• Oct 30, 2021

New Delhi is unlike any other city in the world. For many travelers this means that their first visit is one marked by sensory overload—by chaos and color, pollution and poverty, enticing smells and exotic history. While it is certainly not an easy place to travel, when you visit New Delhi, India the uniqueness and the vibrancy of the culture are exactly what make it such a fascinating place to explore.

1. Monuments and relics abound

Many monarchs have established their kingdoms in Delhi since the 11th century, so it goes without saying that the city is a library of historical monuments – every neighbourhood will have some kind of fort or ruin. These monuments are also marvels because of their architectural style, influenced by Persian, European, Islamic and Indian designs.

In Delhi, you will find fascinating historical monuments and historic structures that showcase India’s unique heritage. Beautiful ancient buildings perfectly combine with modern structures to bring out a rich Indian heritage. Delhi was ruled by the Mughal empire and by the British, therefore its present day sites include an eclectic mix of buildings. Some of the most famous constructions in Delhi include the tall minaret known as Qutub Minar, one of the largest and oldest masjids known as Jama Masjid and the India Gate for the homage. Additionally, there are prominent modern-day places to visit, including museums, gardens, the metro system, and modern temples like the Bahai Lotus Temple.

2. Shopping opportunities

In Delhi shopping can become a memorable experience in itself. Flea markets such as Sarojini Nagar and Janpath have significantly discounted products while market places such as the Khan market and Connaught place offer branded products. Other famous market places in Delhi are Palika Bazaar, Gaffar Market and INA Market. You can do lots of shopping in Delhi on a budget, from clothing jewelry, footwear, scarfs, bags with the sounds of shoppers and sellers adding up to a true experience of the senses.

Delhi’s street food is so much more than just North Indian – due to considerable northeastern settlement, Delhi is also famous for momos, a steamed rice cake filled with meat or vegetables. Try the different flavours of paranthe (flatbreads) as well as the famous matar kulchas and gol gappe.

3. Diverse Cuisines

Delhi is a popular tourist destination because it offers a wide range of tasty Indian cuisines that leave memorable tastes to every visitor’s tongue. You can enjoy Mughalai cuisine, steamed rice cakes filled with veggies, the famous parantha, meat paste called momo, and the mouth-watering chaats of the Nagar market. From the eateries to street food, everything is worth giving a try in Delhi. Tangy gol gappe and matar Kucha are well-known street foods. Apart from the street food, various eateries and restaurants offer the best delicacies from all over the world, and you can even take coffee and relax if that is all you want.

4. Events and Festivals

You will find popular festivals and events that happen all year round in Delhi. From cultural shows, food festivals, religious events, theatrical play festivals, etc. The Grub Festival is famous for entertainment, music and is the biggest food festival in Delhi. There is the London market shopping festival, Qutub festival for cultural performances, Delhi international jazz festival and Holi Festival, among others.

5. Wide range of luxury properties

New Delhi, being India’s capital city is a very welcoming metropolis. Travellers visit from all walks of life and in the city there are multiple options of stay. From luxury properties to budget stays, there is a wide range of options. Be it the Taj Hotels or the Oberoi or the boutique properties in Hauz Khas or even swanky hotels near the airport, staying in Delhi is a wonderful experience.

UNESCO World Heritage National Parks & Sanctuaries in India

• By Debasree Chakraborty
• Oct 25, 2021

India is blessed with wildlife, infact the lure of iwildlife safaris drwas visitors from all over the world. With the incredible chance to spot wildlife in their natural habitats India's national parks and sanctuaries are not just known for the flora and ffauna but are known for unique ecology. Several of  India's national parks are exemplary models in the preservation of several endangered species, while also providing a natural habitat for the others. Many such parks are enlisted as UNESCO Wolrd Heritage Sites, which are nothing short of a treat to explore.

From Kaziranga National Park in Assam famed for its one-horned rhinoceros, to the Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh, these parks offer a perfect dose of entertainment and surprises. No wonder, they teem with tourists throughout the year. One experiences thrills in many ways here, from penetrating deep into the forest through an elephant ride to enjoying a trek through the all-encompassing wilderness.

Have you visited any sanctuaries and parks throughout the country? If not, you have missed out on a delightful and fascinating experience. Through this blog, we tell you the UNESCO World Heritage National Parks & Sanctuaries in India which should be visited at least once in a lifetime.

Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1985. It’s the most important and natural habitat for in-situ conservation of biological diversity which also includes the threatened species of universal value. Considered to be a nature’s gift to mankind, it’s worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

The foremost attraction is the one-horned rhinoceros, characterized by its enormous body and massive horn. On a lucky day, one may also come across a herd of elephants with their majestic tuskers. The other attractions here are hog deer, sambar and swamp deer. Kaziranga also boasts a rich avifauna, and is a paradise for birdwatchers. It’s also common to see hornbills and cranes here.

Manas National Park

Manas National Park, located in the Himalayan foothills of Western Assam, was a game reserve since 1928 until it became a Tiger Reserve in 1974, a World Heritage Site in 1985 and finally, a Biosphere Reserve in 1989. It was ultimately declared as a National Park in 1990. This famous wildlife sanctuary in India is also part of the Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve which serves as the international corridor for elephant migration between India and Bhutan. The park harbors more than 20 endangered species.

The golden langur, considered to be the one of the world’s rarest simian species, was first spotted in Manas in the mid-20th century. The mammals commonly found here are rhesus macaque, tiger, pygmy hog, the large Indian civet and Himalayan black bear, besides others.

Keoladeo National Park

Keoladeo National Park, formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is acclaimed for being one of the world’s most important bird breeding and feeding grounds. It originally served as a royal hunting reserve during the 1850’s besides being a game reserve for Maharajas and the British. Keoladeo was declared a national park in 1982 and later listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.

The park is home to over 370 species of birds and animals such as the basking python, painted storks, deer, nilgai and so on. Salim Ali, the noted Indian ornithologist and naturalist, used his influence to garner government support to create this park. This park is home to a number of well-defined treks which can be covered either on foot, cycle or rickshaw.

Nanda Devi National Park

Nanda Devi National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. In the year 2004, it was further notified as a World Network of Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. It’s dominated by the Nanda Devi Peak which is India’s second highest peak. An abundance of unique flora and fauna here like Brahma-Kamal and Bharal (blue mountain goat) makes this park one of its kind.

The Nanda Devi Sanctuary is divided into two parts – inner and outer. Together, they are surrounded by the main sanctuary wall. The common kinds of mammals found here are Himalayan musk deer, mainland serow and Himalayan Tahr. It’s also home to a wide variety of flora, some of which are fir, birch and rhododendron, among others.

Kanchendzonga National Park

Khangchendzonga National Park is one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in northeast India. Spread across an area of 1,784sq.km, it’s the largest wildlife reserve in Sikkim, and gets its name from Khangchendzonga, which straddles the western boundary of the park. The reserve is also home to the Zemu Glacier and has been blessed with one of the most magnificent eco-systems in the world.

This national park is home to the snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, Tibetan antelope, wild ass, barking deer, musk deer, flying squirrel and the red panda, among others. The vegetation here includes giant magnolias, rhododendrons and pine forests.

Sundarbans National Park

Sundarbans National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the largest reserves of Bengal tigers in the world. Part of the Sundarbans on the Ganges Delta, it’s also home to a variety of birds, reptiles and invertebrate species, including saltwater crocodiles. It derives its name from the Sundari trees, which are a kind of mangrove tree found in large numbers here.

This area is most famous for the Royal Bengal Tigers, which are found in large numbers. They can be seen bathing on the river banks, or swimming in the saline waters. Apart from the tiger, the other kinds of fauna found here are leopard cats, fishing cats, Indian grey mongoose and chital, besides others. Some of the birds found in this area are open bill storks, black-headed ibis, herring gulls, Caspian terns and white-bellied sea eagles, apart from others.

Great Himalayan National Park

The Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (GHNPCA), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. It houses a wide range of flora and fauna, and a major part of the national park is permanently under glaciers and ice.

The park boasts an impressive variety of flora including ban oak forest, moist deodar forest, western mixed coniferous forest and rhododendron scrub forest. The fauna too is as impressive as the flora. The major wildlife species found in the area include snow leopard, musk deer, wolf, ibex, common langur and Himalayan black bear, among others.