Discovering the mystical Delhi with Delhi tourism

I have always been fascinated reading and hearing about Delhi. So, I along with my family took a Delhi tour in November. Knowing about the extreme climatic conditions of Delhi, we went in November. We hired a cab at an affordable rate for our travel to Delhi.

Rang Mahal Fountain

We kicked off our Delhi tourism with the Red Fort in Old Delhi. On the first look itself from the entrance gate, this majestic monument captivated me. I was so excited to discover what’s in store. The Chhatta Chowk aka Meena Baazar on the entrance pavement took me to the time of Mughal era. I started imagining how this small market would be then. Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, this fort made of red sandstone has many attractive spots inside. Rang Mahal or the Palace of Colours with marble pool is strikingly beautiful. The lavishly decorated private audience hall, Diwan-e-Khas and Diwan-e-am, the public hall are magnificently constructed.

From the Red Fort, we went to Jama Masjid, which is just the opposite of this fort. It is the largest mosque in India. Jama Masjid reflects a blend of Hindu and Mughal architectural styles. Constructed with red sandstone and white marble, the mosque has three gateways, four towers and two minarets.

After Jama Masjid, we went to the very famous bustling bazaar, Chandni Chowk. I heard a lot about this well-known parathe lane called Paranthe wali Gali and so was really keen to visit. And my god! There are endless eating joints selling varieties of parathas. We savoured paneer parathe, kaju, matar, badam paratha. We also purchased sarees with zari work, jewellery, shoes and some other stuff from Chandni Chowk.

Akshardham Temple Delhi

Our Delhi India tour package took us to some other great monuments of Mughal era like Humayun's Tomb, Safdarjung Tomb, Purana Quila, Qutub Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world and Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory built by Raja Jai Singh II of Jaipur.

The next day we had planned to capture other tourist attractions of Delhi. We started off with Akshardham Temple. This huge temple complex located near the Nizamuddin Bridge is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan. We spent more than 3 hours exploring the magnificence of this temple. From there on, our Delhi tour guide took us to Lotus Temple. This modern architecture in the shape of a lotus flower is a famous prayer hall of the Bahai faith. After that, we headed straight to India Gate, Parliament House and President House.

Knowing that Delhi is a shopper's delight, we went for shopping and picked up lots of things from Connought Place, Sarojini Nagar and Lajpat Nagar at affordable rates.

Our three-day Delhi tour was short but we managed to cover all the major attractions of Delhi. It was a memorable trip for all of us.

Sariska National Park where your Hunt for Wildlife ends

Being in a Jungle might sound strange but it is great when you are in a National Park. I am taking this opportunity to share with you my visit to Sariska National Park that I recently made. Lies on the Delhi-Alwar Jaipur Road, Sariska National Park is a renowned wildlife destination in India.

Sariska National Park

My trip to Sariska National Park was planned with my friend Joseph who had to back out at the last moment due to some unsuitable situation at business front. Though everything was well-planned and settled after searching a lot among India Wildlife Tour Packages, yet I was really going to miss my only travel buddy Joseph on this tour.

I reached by car and made myself comfortable in the Hotel Sariska Tiger Heaven. It was located at 108 km from the Jaipur Airport and 35 km from the Alwar Railway Station. That perfect accommodation facilitated me with good food and cosy bed, which refreshed me. Then, I was all set to explore the Sariska National Park.

Enveloped by the arid Aravalli hills, Sariska National Park in Alwar district is among the  popular wildlife destinations of the state. My joy knew no bounds when I entered the park where I could actually realize why it is mentioned to visit the park between October to June. This is the good time to spot the migratory birds.

Sprawling in a huge area, the park is a delight to set foot in with its soothing vistas of nature. Having heard a lot about the rich flora and fauna of the park, I was too excited to explore the same.

This wildlife reserve comes under the “Project Tiger”. It was established in 1955 and acknowledged as a National Park in 1979. I could see that the landscape of Sariska encompassed of narrow hills and valleys of the Aravalli. As I started exploring the park, varied animals like jackals, nilgai, sambar, hyena and monkeys came into my sight. Fortunately I could spot a tiger as well. All his majesty was adding fear to my excitement!

Not to mention there was a great variety of birds as well. The peafowl, spurfowl, green pigeon and the great Indian horned owls were to name a few. As I moved ahead, leaving the landscape behind, I could apparently see that why it is said to be amongst the best wildlife photography zones in India.

Hotel Sariska Tiger Heaven

My legs started aching and I decided to take a motor ride around the park to explore the dense forests. It was a Jeep safari I opted for. The ride was accompanied by the forest department guards, which made it rather safer for a nomad like me.

Contended with my experience of wildlife tour to Rajasthan, I headed on to visit the Kankwadi Fort. Lies amidst the historic landmarks inside the park, Kankwadi Fort is the spot where Emperor Aurangzeb once arrested Dara Shikoh, his brother.

Based on my experience, I can share that the Ancient Shiva Temple is another amazing site to visit. Dating back to the 6th-13th century AD, the site is now deformed but the ruins here capture the attention of the visitors.

That was my experience to visit the Sariska National Park. Hope you will have a great too!

Face the Fear by Spotting Tigers at Ranthambhore National Park

Ranthambhore National Park

It was in October when I visited Ranthambhore National Park. With the idea of getting some relief from exhausting schedule, I undertook the trip. Visiting India second time did not cause me much trouble as I was ready to go for a mindful journey to India. I along with my wife Jenny reached Delhi in an evening of weekend. Assured by our travel operator in Delhi for every arrangement, we went to the hotel and after relishing our dinner, we fall off to sleep. Our next day was dedicated to the visit to this national park.

We took a flight to reach Jaipur in Rajasthan and from there we headed towards Ranthambore Bagh Resort where our stay was already confirmed by our tour operator in Delhi. It took us around 4 hours to reach the Ranthambhore National Park.

That is how the excitement to see wildlife began! Jenny, my wife is truly a photography lover. She carried her camera and we left for Ranthambhore National Park, the popular wildlife destination in Rajasthan.

We had one gypsy booked so that we could enjoy photography as well. Entering that picturesque zone, we first came across the lakes and great bird life. Our first halt was at Padam Lake. The wildlife creatures we came across were egret, snake, bird and parakeets. Moving ahead, we captured the sights of spotted deers, owls, watching eagerly and grey heron.

Our excitement to see tigers made us to stop at the park for the time being. The guide suggested us to keep mum as our voice could be irritating to animals. Unfortunately, sighting tigers did not happen that day and we had to rush back to the resort as we were too hungry.

Ranthambore Bagh Resort

After reaching the resort, we filled our hungry stomachs with delicious food. The night spent with bonfires, folk music and sharing the first day's experience. Staying in a camp with all the amenities and surrounding greenery coupled with a homely feel relaxed us.

Choosing Ranthambore as our wildlife destination from various India wildlife tour packages brought reward to us as the next day, we spotted a tiger. The thrill was rising and we came to a standstill as soon as we felt the presence of tiger around us! While Jenny was concentrating on clicking to capture tigers without disturbing them, I was closely observing his activities. Roaming around majestically, the tiger seemed bit scary with his mighty built.

Well, we left back to the resort as we had to fly back for our country next morning. Our tour to Ranthambhore brought us a truly rewarding experience!

Sikkim Festivals Display the Vibrant Expression of Culture

Culture is something, which I always look forward to my trips. Visiting India was already a great opportunity for a wanderer like me and the Sikkim tour added to my pleasure.

culture of Sikkim

Sikkim, the land of monasteries has always fascinated me. On my Sikkim trip, I was sure to learn a lot about the culture of Sikkim. Having heard a lot about Sikkim fairs and festivals, I was too eager to become a bystander of those colourful occasions.

Based on my research on internet, I came across few major festivals of Sikkim. These are named as:

• Saga Dawa
• Drupka Teshi
• Losoong
• Kagyed Dance Festival
• Phang Lhabsol

As I was in India in late November, So I decided to extend my trip to December. Reason being, to become a part of Losoong, which takes place in the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar (according to Hindu Calendar-December)

Losoong Festival is like another way to celebrate the Sikkimese New Year. It is held at the end of the harvest season and serves as the best time to rejoice and pray for a better harvest.

I headed towards Rumtek monastery to become a part of the festival. Commemorating the triumph of good over evil, The Black Hat dance took place, which was very interesting to see. I enjoyed the event with “Chamms” that takes place in various monasteries of Sikkim.

Colourfully attired, the “Chamms” look really attention grabbing. The dance represents a way to exorcise the evil spirits and to greet the good spirit. I got to taste Chaang, the local wine there, which was very common during the festival.

Losoong Festival

What I experienced was that traditional gaiety, excitement and colours by the Lepchas and Bhutias.

I was happy to plan my trip to Sikkim during the festival time as it offered me the wonderful chance to witness the extravagant carnival.

Losoong Festival in Sikkim was followed by a series of competitions among which I liked archery the most. As I got to know, these competitions were to bring out the traditional skills to public and it was very exciting to watch the competition as well.

Marking my presence in the sacred festival of Sikkim, I was contended with my Sikkim tour India where I learned a lot about Sikkimese culture.

North East Indian Monastery Tour for a Transforming Experience

Being a person with spiritual bend of mind, I have always wished to explore the pilgrimage places in India. This time, my search ended with the monastery tour of North East India. Monastery is a religious place of Buddhist people that also served as a staying option and the place of learning spiritual teaching for the Buddhist monks.

North East Indian Monastery

The most wonderful thing about the monasteries is that these are built in a calm environment. The tranquil location offers you the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in this ambiance. Andrew, who is one of my like-minded colleagues, accompanied me on this monastery tour. We contacted a renowned travel operator in India and left the rest on their team. They assured us to arrange everything in a well-planned manner.

After a rigorous search on internet, I found the few popular monasteries in North-East India.

•  Rumtek Monastery
• Pemayangtse Monastery
• Enchey Monastery
• Tashiding Monastery
• Dubdi Monastery
• Sinon Monastery
• Ghoom Monastery

We reached at Bagdogra Airport in the noon. It serves as the nearest airport at a distance of 124 km. After shedding our fatigue at one of the good hotels at Gangtok in Sikkim, we left for the Rumtek Monastery. It took us around 45 minutes to drive from Gangtok as the monastery was located around 24 km away from the place.

Known as the 'Dharma Chakra Centre', this monastery is one of the religious centres of the Tibetan Buddhists. It was located at an elevation of 5800 ft above sea level. We enjoyed climbing to the monastery. This religious place also serves a significant centre of Kagyu lineage outside Tibet.

Besides enjoying tranquility, we could also view the unique art objects in the monastery, which was very delightful to see. We headed for another well-known monastery, known as Pemayangtse Monastery. It is the second oldest monastery of Sikkim that positions itself atop a ridge that is high above the Rangit River, enveloped by the fascinating snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

Rumtek Monastery

My colleague Andrew told me that it draws its name from 'Padma Yang Tse' that literally means into the 'Sublime Perfect Lotus'. I was feeling myself blessed during monastery tour. We could also get to know more about Buddhist monasteries that made our journey truly worthwhile.

Then we left for Darjeeling to visit the Ghoom Monastery. The visit to North East Indian Monasteries concluded with Ghoom Monastery. We had to climb to access this monastery as it was located at an altitude of 8,000 feet. The trekking offered us the sparkling views of the valley. Located just 8 km away from the serene town of Darjeeling, it is famous for its stuate of Buddha.

It houses a 15-feet high statue of "Maitreya Buddha" (Coming Buddha) in the monastery that captivated us. It also contains pictures of Buddha’s disciples, Chenrezi and Chongapa.

The tour ended but with a lasting impression on my mind. The awesome experience of visiting North East Indian monasteries transformed me into a calm person.

Corbett National Park-A Voyage Full of Thrill and Fun

My traveller's heart insists me to go on adventurous expedition every now and then. Just two days in my hand on weekend in last month, I packed my bag for Corbett National Park. Reason behind choosing the wildlife destination was Michael, my all time travel companion. He is a die-hard wildlife enthusiast who loves to capture the different activities of loving creatures at jungles.

Corbett Riverside Resort

Leaving from Delhi, we both were too excited to encounter mighty animals that time. We left by car and had a convenient trip to Corbett. It is among the famous wildlife parks in India, which positions itself in Uttaranchal.

Soon, we moved towards our place for relaxation, which was just 11 km from the park. After taking rest at The Corbett Riverside Resort, we could shed our tiredness. The peaceful ambience of this luxury wildlife resort made us relaxed soon. We enjoyed our comfortable accommodation at the resort that positions itself near to the well-known Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary.

Then, we moved on to Jungle as it was being really hard for us to wait. I came across wild boars and Indian fox at once. On moving ahead, the sight of mighty chital just made me to hold my breath. Michael got busy in clicking those animals while I was just enjoying spotting a new animal after every few steps. Next I met with a small herd of elephants who were just engaged in their own world. It seemed that they did not even feel my presence.

The excitement was still on and got multiplied when I spotted some beautiful birds at Corbett National Park. It was a part of Project Tiger in the year 1973. It was truly unbelievable to catch the sight of the beautiful emerald dove! The beauty of that lovely bird kept me captivated and I especially requested Michael to shoot some pictures of emerald dove.

Soon, I felt tired and moved ahead for food with Michael. We had scrumptious food there including egg curry, fried rice and paranthas. The food was too good that it satiated us and I felt like taking a nap.

Corbett National Park

Moving on to our wildlife expedition at Jim Corbett National Park, I was still waiting to have a glance of tiger. By evening, we were not able to spot the tigers, which made me feel disappointed. To my surprise, Michael seemed quite confident and he assured me that before leaving we would see the tigers. Disagreed with him, I consoled myself to come next time but still my wish to see tiger could not allow me to take rest.

We both again got busy in spotting wildlife at the park. Making our way through dense bushes and trees, we soon reached to a place where deers were enjoying one another company. And suddenly, what I came across, a tiger was coming towards the deer. My happiness to see the tiger just turned into thrill and I could hardly believe on my eyes. Michael shook my shoulder and then it was, I could realize that I was actually spotting the tiger.

We were still for half a minute while watching the tiger and within no time, the tiger jumped and hid himself in the dense bushes. The experience was too thrilling that it was in my memory for a long time. Based on my experience, I would recommend wildlife lovers that they should go for India Wildlife tour packages for an incredible memory.

My purpose to visit Corbett National Park was fulfilled. With a delightful heart, we left for Delhi next day and thus, I was able to make the most of my weekend.

Witness the Heritage and Splendour of India on Delhi Tour (Part -2)

Next morning, I was all set to explore few other popular attractions of the city. Qutub Minar was the first one on my Delhi sightseeing that day. This huge structure was located in a peaceful ambiance and there I could also spot several other structures. This historic attraction still retains its old-world charm.

Qutub Minar

The famous Humayun's Tomb of Delhi was another part of my exploration. It is the first garden tomb in India and I found the architecture very impressive. The tour guide told me that it was built in 1570 by the emperor's widow, Haji Begum. With high arches and formal gardens or charbagh, the tomb is also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After this wonderful experience, I was too excited to visit Lotus Temple in Delhi. Reason being, its flower-like shape always make me wonder that how can a temple lie within. It was the time to end my surprise and there I was at Lotus temple by Delhi metro. I got down at Kalkaji metro station and it was just on a walking distance. Based on my experience, I would recommend this popular tourist spot in Delhi. Its tranquil atmosphere, pleasant surroundings and majestic architecture will surely add delight to your Delhi tour.

I could also visit the Iskon temple and Birla temple on my travel to Delhi. Amazing architecture, pleasant ambiance and tranquil feeling that is all I could say after visiting these famous temples in Delhi.

Humayun Tomb Delhi

On my trip to Delhi, I also spent my last few hours at Akshardham temple Delhi. It was easily accessible by Delhi metro. This majestic temple offers you the beautiful glimpses of Indian sculptures that will occupy your mind. I had to rush as the leisure time was over for me and next day I was to report at office.

My Delhi tour ended and I bid goodbye to Delhi but with a promise to come again to visit all the Delhi attractions that I missed on this trip. The moments I captured in my camera was making me feel delightful throughout my way back to home.

Delhi Tourism Comes with Hidden Surprises for Tourists (Part-1)

On concluding my business trip at Agra, I had two days in my hand when there nothing much to do. To make the most of my time, I planned to visit Delhi. This capital city of India unfolds its charm in mainly the two areas-the Old Delhi and the New Delhi. Delhi tourism is formed by its historical monuments, lush green gardens, happening shopping malls and much more.

Chandni Chowk Delhi

I was very much relaxed after my business trip as the task was already accomplished successfully and I was free to encash the time in hand. I contacted a good hotel at Karol Bagh and stayed there. At night while relaxing at hotel, I was busy in planning out the vacant time.

I started my Delhi sightseeing with RedFort. This majestic structure, known as the Red Fort or Lal Quila situates in old Delhi. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, this huge structure captivated my attention as long as I was there and even after I moved ahead.

Having heard a lot about Chandni Chowk in Delhi, I entered this area. Though I found it very congested yet a rickshaw ride helped me out. I tasted lip-smacking food in Parantha wali gali that made my visit to Chandni Chowk worthwhile. This area has so much to offer that you cannot do without shopping. Same happened to me; I shopped some beautiful traditional dresses and handicrafts from the market.

From there I headed towards another famous Delhi tourist attraction-Rajghat. That was a peaceful place where all I could witness was the memories of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of nation. I was so fascinated by the experience that I decided to visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum that lies nearby. It showcases the life cycle of the great soul through a movie.

Red Fort Delhi

India gate became the next attraction that I explore. By the time, I reach India Gate, it was evening and I could clearly see that it was an ideal picnic time for Delhiites. There were many people, came with families and all were enjoying different activities-playing games, boating or relishing ice-creams.

At night, I came back and enjoyed a delicious dinner at hotel and soon I was transported to the dreamland.

Eavesdrop on the Secret Sounds of Nature with Darjeeling Tour

Naturally beautiful destinations in India have always been on my wish-list to visit places. Last month, I jumped at the opportunity to visit Darjeeling, a heavenly destination in India. This beautiful destination of North India proved a great combo of mesmerizing snowfalls, enchanting lakes and dense forests.

Darjeeling Tours

Started from the capital city of Delhi, I with two of my colleagues-Richard and Samuel left for a desiderata experience. As we chose the option of going by train, we had a lot of time to discuss of must visit places. Samuel and Richard did it fabulously and we were all set to explore the various facets of Darjeeling tour. Soon, we were in Darjeeling and moved towards the hotel that we already booked.

Charmed by the beauty of hill station, I was simply spell-bound when entered Darjeeling. Snuggled in the rolling Himalayan Mountains, Darjeeling is a quaint hill station in India. Offering fascinating views of the hills, the clouds in the land seem playing hide and seek with the sun.

Next morning we were off to view the sunrise at the famous Tiger Hills. The very sight of sunrise left me with an invigorating feel. Making ways through the pitch darkness, the sun rays seem like distributing the blessings of God.

At last, I could not resist myself to visit Ghoom monastery, which has always been a key attraction to me. Built in the Tibetan style, Ghoom houses a graceful statue of Maitreya Buddha, which is around 15-feet high.

The monastery positions itself around eight km away from Darjeeling. Besides the statue, we could also see the images of Buddha’s disciples, Chenrezi and Chongapa. Based on our experience, I must say that this peaceful place fills your heart with tranquility and divinity.

My wish to board Darjeeling Toy Train left me restless and we all left for a joyous ride. We boarded from New Jalpaiguri and enjoyed this exciting ride around 3 to 4 hours. This 2 feet narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

Passing through varying terrain is itself a different experience. It also provided us the opportunity to see Batasia Loop, another feat of engineering.

Victoria Falls became another part of our exploration. Gushing down to the valley through deep ravines from around 100 ft, that wonderful waterfall just took away my heart with its picturesque beauty.

Darjeeling Tea Gardens

Our next day started with a visit to Happy Valley Tea Gardens, another attraction in Darjeeling. The view of the gardens itself fills my heart with a refreshing feel that would last for long time. The guide who was accompanying us shared his knowledge about the garden. He told us that the garden houses the bushes that are around 80 years old. Samuel was very much interested in observing the processing of the tea leaves at nearby factories while Richard plucked and kept few tea leaves safely with him.

Next morning, Samuel insisted us to go for a ride through Darjeeling Passenger Rope way. I with Richard joined him for that ride at Darjeeling travel that was an ultimate adventure.

Starting at North Point that is 3 km from town, this ropeway is around 5 km long and links Darjeeling with Singla Bazaar. While passing over Ranjit River at the bottom of the valley, I transported to another world, where all I could enjoy was the breathtaking views of the fascinating surroundings.

The memorable Darjeeling tour concluded yet Darjeeling Tea that we shopped was reminding me of the delightful moments that we spent there.

Top 7 Destinations Offering the Most Happening Beaches in India

Sun, Sand, Surf, Sea, Shells, Sea-food and much more- the quiet, clean and unspoiled Indian beaches offer you the perfect destinations for honeymoon, fun, joy and relieving yourself from day-to-day stress. The setting of beaches in India is striking enough to take your breath away. While enjoying beach holidays in India, one can enjoy the best of water sports (parasailing, dolphin sightseeing trips, surfing, water scootering etc.), spend romantic evenings in beach shacks and camps, or go for the loud night parties in beachside bars and clubs.

Kerala Beach

Be it family beach holidays in India or a trip with friends or even a wonderful honeymoon tour, the 6000 km long coastline of India lets you to cherish the best moments of your life. The seven India states/union territories offering a few of the best beaches of the world are:

• Goa Beaches
• Kerala Backwaters
• Lakshadweep
• Orissa
• Tamil Nadu
• Andaman and Nicobar
• Daman and Diu

When it comes to exploring the backwaters, staying in houseboats (Kettuvalloms), enjoying the best of water sports, relishing the authentic sea-food with feni (local alcoholic drink), indulging in loud trance parties or getting a different look by tanning your skin – Goa beaches and Kerala beaches top the chart. Apart from that, beaches in Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep and Andaman-Nicobar are also frequented for relaxing holidays and spending quality time with friends, family or your partner.

Some of the hottest picks are Anjuna, Baga, Palolem and Dona Paula beaches of Goa; Bangaram beach of Lakhshadweep; Kovalam, Varkala and Marari beaches of Kerala; Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu; and Gokarna in Karnataka.

Beaches in India are counted among the most exotic beaches of the world. Plan an Indian beach holiday to the wonderful 6000 km long coastline and enjoy the calm breeze under the swaying palm and coconut trees. Indian beaches are best in terms of offering pleasant climate throughout the year.

Drop in the “Land of Passes” to Catch Sight of Ladakh Attractions

Located in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh is a must visit destination in India. Surrounded by two majestic mountain ranges, this beautiful land attracts many tourists every year. Ladakh tours also beckon adventure lovers from all over the world. With Ladakh attractions, you can also enjoy cultural tours, trekking and the cold desert expedition, river rafting, monastery visits and lots more.

Inviting tourists from far and wide, the beautiful attractions of Ladakh include:

Monastery in Ladakhs

Monasteries

Known as 'Gompa', monasteries are among the most popular attractions of Ladakh Tour. Many tourists visit Ladakh to see the well-retained Buddhist cultural heritage in these historic monasteries. These offer a deep insight on the Buddhist religion as well. A rich collection of Buddhist artifacts is available in these Gompas. Besides artifacts, visitors can also have the glimpses of sculptures, murals, Buddha idols and Thangka paintings. Some of the most famous monasteries in Ladakh include Lamayuru, Lekir, Thiksey, Alchi and Rizong.

Lakes

Ladakh is a home to the beautiful lakes, which make it a perfect place for honeymooners. As highest temperature hovers near 50 degress at a time, everything in Ladakh freezes. Major valleys like Indus and Zanskar become extensive highways of ice. The wonderful lakes like Pangong, Chandertaal Lake, Tso Morari and Tso Kar-White Lake also freeze to a depth of several meters. Tourists visiting Ladakh for the first time will surely get a mesmerizing experience.

Festivals

The unique festivals of Leh and Ladakh are the highlight of Ladakh tourism. To witness these events, tourists reserve a place in advance. These festivals are lively and colourful. Many festivals take place in winters. The monastic festivals are the heart of these festivals. Performed by monks, wearing colourful silk clothes and facial masks, these colourful events are a part of the living art of Ladakh. Celebrated in May, Hemis Gompa is the most popular festival of Ladakh. Tourists can enjoy vibrant dances in this festival.

Adventure

Adventure in Ladakh is a great fun. Endowed with an impressive geographical location, the land has a rocky terrain, higher mountain passes, vast expanses of grasslands and mountain streams. Its topography makes it a popular destination to enjoy different adventurous activities like rafting in Ladakh. During your Leh Ladakh travel, you can enjoy camping, trekking, cycling, river rafting, mountain climbing, motor biking, camel safari and even yak safari. Trekking in Ladakh ranges from short as well as day long mountain treks. 

Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Zanskar Valley and Nubra Valley are the other must-visit places in your Ladakh sightseeing.

On your India tour, you can also visit the fantastic Ladakh Attractions that include monasteries, valleys, lakes and lots more. If you love adventure, raftingin Ladakh will be a great fun for you.

Biking for Limitless Adventure-Ladakh!

Ladakh Biking Tours

Wroom wroom that goes high of exciting visit when to name about Ladakh biking tour. With an immense intention to accelerate my passion to drive long, I as a Delhiite ought to potter around the country, such as I had moved to Ladakh with rider' group last month. Truly the road to heaven on the earth Ladakh makes available superb biking conditions, limitless descents, and maximum of-road potential for the die-hard adventure lovers.

Thereby packed with all commodities to drive, we were set to ride for Adventure Tour Ladakh. As I heard a lot about beauty of Ladakh, I geared for Ladakh with my rider group. I fell in love with Ladakh. So I really felt bad while leaving the place. I never liked coming back from Adventure Bike Tours and go back to boring life of city.

The beauty of landscapes, roads, terrains, monasteries, Army convoys and simplicity of people was spread wherever sight went. I stopped at many places to click photographs. In four to five hours ride, we started to get the unparalleled beauty of its barren stretches of land, lush green patches, gurgling streams & rivers.

In Ladakh, we experienced the godly presence with so many attractive Buddhist Gompas on the route while Motorbiking through small but very beautiful local villages that are at the backdrop of the snow-coated Himalayan mountain ranges. Here I would help explaining you that you can ride through the 1500 km road from Manali to Leh. The route takes one on a Zigzag course through the snaky turns of the Himalayan Roads.

Adventure Bike Tours

Besides all these, lunch at small village in dhaba with their indigenous was superb food. Dhabawala served us the lunch with Himalayan food & beverages that gave me a taste to remember ever. After long day performances of Ladakh Mountain Biking, we checked in hotel to rest. On next day we decided to make our mountain biking in Ladakh an enchanting experience.

The Leh road, which comes identified as the Army Road was built mostly for protection motives to supply the Indian armed forces in the far-flung regions of Ladakh. We met an army man who told us about the war at Kargil and other important incidents that soaked all our hearts in great patriotism. Truly Ladakh is an address to adventure-telling region but is famous most among mountain bikers.

Trekking in Ladakh is fulsome of adventure biking spots, such as Nimu, Alchi, Lamayuru, Himiskut, Mulbekh, Kargil, Suru Valley and Parkachik. So make your next trek for the places I have mentioned above to indulge with more scenic beauty of Ladakh. The best time for Ladakh motorbike tours in Ladakh befalls from mid June to September end.  At last I am to tell you have a must-ride for Ladakh biking tour that will leave you as me sharing my valuable moments with you all.

Treat Your Eyes with Wildlife and Adventure with Sariska National Park

Let me begin this unforgettable experience of my visit to Jaipur with the mention of the 'Pink City'. This wonderful state of Rajasthan truly epitomizes the vibrant colors of the royal state.

Visit Sariskas

Well, it was my surprising visit to Jaipur with my cousin, Shadrick who had a wish to visit India. Based on our mutual consent, we decided to explore Rajasthan. Choosing this tour package from a variety of India Tours, he got exhilarated.

 Shadrick is a great wildlife lover and so am I. So, we decided to visit Sariska National Park. From Delhi, we reached Jaipur by air. After making ourselves comfy at Sariska Palace, we were all set to encounter the wildlife species. 

Shadrick could not resist sharing his excitement to see tigers with me. Soon, we found our destination- Sariska National Park. It lies around 110 km from Jaipur and is situated in Alwar. While we were seeking entry in the park, we were asked to show our ID proofs. After completing the formalities, we entered.

On that very moment, we realized that apart from the wildlife species, the park had so much to be witnessed and discovered. Though taking an excursion first to the park was Shadrick's decision, yet I did not have to regret on it.

The guide who accompanied us on our India tour, told us that the Park is larger than other Project Tiger Parks in India. Covering an area of around 850 sq km, it was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1958 and later declared a national park in 1979. Now the park is a part of Project Tiger Scheme.

We embarked on a jeep safari on this Wildlife Tour because this was the best way to view the wildlife as well as for wildlife photography within the sanctuary as well.

Sariska has varied topography encompassing grasslands, cliffs, rock landscape and dry deciduous forests. Moreover, I was surprised to watch that the Aravalli mountain ranges enveloped the park, covering with dense forests. As we moved ahead, we could come across the sights of langurs, nilgais and a variety of birds. There were many other places of historical interest, surrounding the park.

After some time, we got a chance to see Leopard, Civets Hyena, Wild Dog, Jackal and Jungle Cat. I could not hold back my excitement and shared it with Shadrick, who was still waiting for the sight of tigers. Amongst the birds, we could spot different birds like Peafowl, Spur fowl, Jungle fowl and the Grey partridge. While Shadrick was busy in closely watching the wildlife, I was not missing any picture that can be shot at that moment.

We were eagerly waiting to see the tiger and the guide told us that we had to wait with patience as it should not have disturb them. Green pigeon, Crested serpent eagle and the great Indian horned owl were other birds, we could come across.

To my surprise, we could spot the tigers at last. My cousin was almost elated to see the tigers. I also participated in his joyful mood by clicking the most-awaited site of tiger.

Sariska Neelkanth Templess

Fascinated by a memorable stay at a popular wildlife resort in India, we were delighted throughout the tour. We wanted to explore more. On being contacted our guide, we got to know some other nearby popular places. We decided to go and reached The Kanakwari Fort. Holding sheer historic importance, this was built years ago.

Another wonderful place, we visited was Neelkanth Temples, located within the sanctuary. It offered us a different experience by visiting these temples, which refreshed our mood and the tiredness that we had that time.

We loved the jungle safari, which we started from the entrance of the park. Though the safari concluded, yet we were not able to come out of the playful mood.

Listen to Your Soul amidst a Divine Ambiance on Ladakh Monastery Tour

Dotted with countless historic monasteries, Ladakh is a destination that fascinates me a lot. It is my dream destination. The beautiful hills, scenic locations, high mountains and above all ancient 'Gompas' or monasteries have always allured me.

Thiksey Gompa

Working with an organization where employee satisfaction is an important goal, I got an opportunity to visit Ladakh with my co-workers. We, a team of five members were given the privilege to collect the information about Ladakh Monasteries. Feeling ourselves delighted, we jumped at it and started our Ladakh Monastery Tour.

I am very fond of visiting religious places as the tranquility of these holy spots energizes my inner self. Ladakh tour was already like making my dream come true and monastery tour was just like a feather in the cap. With high hopes, we left from Delhi and reached Ladakh by flight. For that very day, we were left free to enjoy the mesmerizing charm of the place.

Next day, we all were very excited to experience the tranquil ambiance of Gompas. Situated on a hillock, Shey Gompa was the first monastery, we visited. Lying at a distance of around 15 km to the south of Leh town, the monastery houses a beautiful image of Buddha Shalyamuni. While we were looking at the image, I found some of my team members were so stunned that they were not even blinking their eyes. Perhaps, it was the magic of this hug image of the seated Buddha and the way it has been constructed beautifully with the metal. Glided with gold, the Buddha statue simply looks outstanding. We bow our head in front of Buddha statue where a large bowl of wax with a central flame was kept.

After paying our regards, we left for Thiskey Gompa. Situated around 18 km from Leh town, Thiksey Gompa is a beautiful monastery. We were surprised to see a temple-Lakhang Nyerma, which was inside the monastery. Dedicated to Goddess Dorje Chenmo, the temple was standing mostly in ruins but it was worth spending time. There were many other holy shrines that attracted us and left us mesmerized. We were amazed to know that it also houses a rich collection of artifacts and ancient relics. On visiting the monastery, we got to know that sacred dance organized annually in the monastery, an important part of Gustor ritual.

Hemis Monastery was the next attraction of our exploration. Based on my experience, I would not hesitate to say that it is the biggest monastery of Ladakh. Standing gracefully on the Western bank of Indus river, the monastery also has a rich collection of old relics. The famous Hemis festival is also celebrated here, which is an annual affair.

Likir Gompa

Later we visited Stok Palace, which is the royal residence of the king of Stok. It also houses a museum, showcasing the royal artifacts, prayer instruments and precious stones. Some of my colleagues found it the best way to come across Buddhist life style and culture. We came back to the booked hotel and took rest overnight amidst all the comforts.

Next morning, after breakfast, we left for Likir Gompa. Lying atop a windy cliff, the beautiful village of Likir just took away our heart. Still, I am not ready to believe that a village can be so fascinating. Famed for its outdoor, tall and seated Buddha, the Likir monastery was the next part of our visit. After that, we were all set to cross the river Indus and we did it joyfully. Zanskar also unites into Indus at a point.

We moved towards the Spituk Gompa, which is located on the hill-top near the river. The monastery is famous for its annual event-The Spituk Festival. The curiosity to the most heard Lamayuru monastery simply could not stop us. This monastery is the oldest gompa of the region. I found it so outstanding that I could not help insisting my team mates to spend some more time there and they agreed. Sankar Gompa, Phugtal Gompa and Alchi Gompa were the other monasteries, we visited during our Ladakh Monastery tour.

With a heavy heart, we bid goodbye to Ladakh but with a promise to come again!

Solving Mystery of History with Royal Rajasthan on Wheels - Part II

During this tour we also covered Sawai Madhopur and Jodhpur, the two other important destinations of India. Each of the destinations offered a different experience. We explored Mehrangarh Fort, Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana. We also visited Umaid Bhawan. We have read enough about these places and even we had been there earlier also but visiting these places by Royal Rajasthan on Wheels was a fairy-tale experience. We were feeling like princesses who were travelling from our one palace to another and Royal Rajasthan on Wheels was our royal caravan.

Moti Mahal

After Rajasthan, the train moved towards Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India. Located in almost middle of the country, Madhya Pradesh was new for us. We had never been to this beautiful state. After spending another night in that moving palace, we were in Khajuraho temples. Fine architecture of these temples made us wonder that without any technology and tools how did they carve such amazing sculptures? Although we were exploring the amazing temples of Kahjuraho yet I was missing the luxury on board. I was not able to understand what was the magic that was dragging me towards train. I guess it was luxury and the decoration. Exclusive Bar, Spa Facilities, Personalized Services, Splendid Saloons, Royal Decoration and Personalized Attendant, all these facilities were not allowing me to concentrate on the world outside the train.

As we boarded the train, I got that princely feel again. I could not realize that I was even behaving in a royal manner. Suddenly Heena made me realize that we were on the train just for a week. I was a bit low after realizing the fact that five days of the tour were over. I did not notice when I fell asleep in the cozy beds of the train. I woke up in the morning. Heena told me that she could not sleep due to the luxurious environment as she was living there as a dream.

Agra Fort

The moment we got down in Varanasi, we felt that no combination can be better than travelling in luxury to the Varanasi. Calm ambience and enchantment of mantras took my heart away. I did not know why but Varanasi was always on my list of must visit places. After stepping in the holy region I could realize that there lies a heaven on the earth. We visited different Ghats and temples there and all of them were amazing. A whole day in spiritual aura was not allowing us to leave the place but finally luxury of the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels won and we were back on the train.

Next destination was Agra, the land that houses the symbol of love. A full day in the city made me realize that the love of these emperors was also royal like them. Gloriously standing Taj Mahal is the evidence of the fact. We explored Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort as well. Finally, we left for Delhi. The tour was about to over and we were not in a mood to step out of this world class luxury.

On Sunday, we de-boarded the train early morning. It was really hard for us to come out of that luxury experience but we had to. There was no choice. Soon, we would be planning another luxury train tour.