Monday 21 December 2020

A small walk in the Manali Nature Park will bring tourists a step closer towards nature. Encircled by large groves of Deodar trees, the wildlife reserve is set on the bank of river Beas and is a pristine nature park.
Don't forget to carry binoculars on a short trip to Manali National Park as this is the place where tourists can spot Himachal's state bird, Manual Pheasant. All thanks to its beauty and the expansive wilderness, the nature park attracts a large number of tourists from across the world.
The park can be easily distinguished from a distant place, just because of its tall cedar and deodar trees. The Manali Nature Park is flanked by many snow-capped mountains. If tourists think that in Manali Nature Park they will find some wild weird animals, then this is just a misconception. Here, you can catch only spot only small birds and mammals.
Like the other animal reserves in Himachal Pradesh, Manali Nature Park is a dense land dotted with Deodar, Kail, Horse chestnut, Walnut and Maple trees which add to its beauty. A cluster of trees reaches the sky and forms a dark canopy which seems like silhouettes of mountains from a distance. Sunrays passing through the giant trees lit up the green pastures instantly.
The Manali Nature Park is an educational centre as well; here the authority of the park educates the visitors about the national park and animal behaviour. The plains and landscapes of Manali can rejuvenate and refresh the tourists who wish to take a break from the fast paced life in the plains. The fringe areas of the park facing the river look dramatic.
How to Reach
By Air
Bhuntar Airport is the nearest airport.
By Rail
Pathankot Railway Station is the nearest railhead.
By Road
The Nature Park Manali is just 2 kms from Manali and one can opt for different transportation facilities like buses and taxis in order to reach the park.
Book your Manali Nature Park holidays with our affiliate partner Booking.com

Manali Nature Park,Himachal pradesh,India

Thursday 17 December 2020

Bir is a small town amid mountains of Dhauladhar range of Himalayas, India and Billing is the jumping point at altitude of 9000 Ft. Para Glider jumps from Billing to land at Bir.
Bir Billing have become quite popular among adventure sports enthusiast as it offers a beautiful natural paragliding spot, favorable weather and wind along with green meadows. The place offer natural jump point at Billing and a plain landing spot at Bir and Chaughan village.
Bir was inhabited by Tibetan refugee  in the year 1960 following the exile of Dalai lama from Tibet. The area offers two beautiful monasteries and tea gardens to explore.
Billing first came into news in 1984 when an international Hang Gliding rally was organized at Billing. Now an international paragliding competition is held annually in Billing. In the month of May / June a tented colony is set up by H.P. Tourism to facilitate adventure enthusiasts. Paragliding and hang gliding enthusiasts can fly upto chamba from Billing.
On the north of Bir is Billing, a 14 km drive. It has Dharamshala towards the west and towards its North east is Manali. Billing lies on the way to the Thamsar Pass leading to Bara Bhangal.
How to Reach
By Air
There is no direct flight connectivity for the city of Bir. Kangra Airport, which is 67.6 km. away from the destination, is the nearest airport that connects Bir to the rest of the world. Other airports close to Bir are in Chandigarh (290 km), Amritsar airport (260 km) and New Delhi (520 km).
By Road
Regular bus services ply to and fro the city of Bir. They operate on a daily basis, whether day or night, from places like Shimla, Dharamshala, etc. You can also take shared taxis or cabs for the same route.
By Train
There is no direct rail connectivity to Bir. The nearest broad gauge station is in Pathankot, which is 112.4 km. away from Bir, while the nearest narrow gauge station is in Ahju, barely 3 km. from Bir. A toy train runs from Pathankot to Ahju.
Book your Bir Billing holidays with our affiliate partner Booking.com

Bir Billing ,Himachal pradesh,India

Thursday 19 November 2020

The fort, also known as Nagarkot or Kot Kangra is situated to the south-west of the old Kangra town and built atop the precipitous hill on the confluence of the Banganga and Patalganga rivers which together serve as the moat for the fort. 
The entrance to the fort is guarded by a large gate of thick wooden planks fixed on the hinges of an arch constructed with sand stones. It is almost 15 feet in eight. It is named as Ranjit Singh Gate. A moat cut into rocks, connecting Banganga and Manjhi rivers separates the fort from the outside world.
Kangra fort is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Kangra. Along with it, the small town boasts of a number of temples like Jawalamukhi, Bajinath, Bajreshwari Devi, Trilokpur, Chamunda Devi temple which have their own glory.
The fort is located overlooking the beautiful valley amid green lush forest and gushing rivers which makes it a perfect place to unwind yourself. The museum inside the fort has an excellent collection of old paintings and sculptures which make it a dream come true for an art lover.
The best time to visit Kangra valley is from February to November as the weather is pleasant giving you ample opportunities to engage in outdoor activities and adventure sports like para gliding, boating, bird watching and angling. Don’t forget to visit the wild life sanctuary which offers a number of recreational opportunities.
How to Reach
By Air
Gaggal airport in Kangra is the nearest domestic airport, 13 km from the town. Chandigarh (255 km), Amritsar (208 km) and Jammu (200 km) are also good options to reach Kangra. Taxis are available from all these airports to Kangra.
By Train
The nearest station is Kangra.
By Road
State-owned buses connect Kangra with all major cities of Himachal Pradesh and neighboring states. Regular buses are available between Kangra and Dharamsala, Palampur, Pathankot, Jammu, Amritsar and Chandigarh.
Book your Kangra Fort holidays with our affiliate partner Booking.com

Kangra Fort,Himachal pradesh,India

Sunday 15 November 2020

One of the most fascinating cities in Himachal Pradesh, Nahan is a beautiful town nestled on a secluded ridge in the Shiwalik hills. Perched at an altitude of 932 m, Nahan overlooks lush green fields and is dotted with temples and gardens.
Nahan was founded by Raja Karan Prakash in 1621. He started a tradition of flying kites on Rakshabandhan festival, a tradition still followed.
It is said that a saint lived with a companion named Nahar on the site where the Nahan palace now stands. "Nahar" means ‘Don't Kill’ and the town probably takes its name from a historical incident, when a king was trying to kill a lion and the saint said Nahar, which meant do not kill it.
Nahan is one of the best getaways in Himachal Pradesh. The natural beauty of the place attracts visitors. Apart from a beautiful hill-station, the destination is praised for trekking, lakes, fishing, forts, palaces, and wildlife.
While Nahan is a picturesque hill town and can be visited throughout the year, the best time to visit is during the months from late-September till mid-November when the climate is the most pleasant with occasional showers throughout October.
How to Reach
By Air:
Nearest airport is Chandigarh which is about 50 kilometres away from Nahan. You could also take a flight to Dehradun Airport which is about 79 kilometres away from your destination.
By Train:
Nearest railhead is Barog in Himachal Pradesh which is just 42 kilometres away from Nahan. You could also get down at Solan in Himachal Pradesh which is 43 kilometres away.
By Road:
All major cities in Himachal Pradesh are connected to Nahan bus-station. You also get regular private and state transport buses from Delhi to Nahan bus station.
Book your Nahan holidays with our affiliate partner Booking.com

Nahan,Himachal pradesh,India

Tuesday 13 October 2020

Baijnath Temple is a revered shrine of Himachal Pradesh. Located at a distance of 16 kms from Palampur in the Beas valley, Baijnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to the inscriptions on the walls, Baijnath Mandir was built by the two native merchants by the name of Ahuka and Manyuka in 1204 A.D. In the porch of the temple, the two long inscriptions state that before the present temple, there was a shrine of Lord Shiva at the same spot. 
The structure of this temple gives the hints of the early medieval North Indian style of architecture. This type of structure used to be known as 'Nagara' style of temple. The architectural style has been imbibed from Orissan style, which is very much unique in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The exterior walls of the temple have numerous alcoves with images of gods and Goddesses from the Hindu pantheon.
Besides the shrine of Lord Shiva, there are many other small shrines dedicated to Gods and Goddesses. In the early 20th century, the temple was suffered from an earthquake. Raja Sansar Chand made an effort to renovate the temple after the calamity. The temple complex acquires lush green gardens, which makes a perfect foreground to the ancient and unique structure of this temple.
How to reach
By Air : The closest airport is at Kullu, positioned 23 kms from here.
By Train : facility is available from Pathankot to Paprola-Baijnath which runs on narrow gauge from Pathankot to Jogidernagar.The nearest airport is Gaggal from Baijnath. The Indian Airlines flies to Dharamsala thrice a week from Delhi
By Road : The Baijnath Temple is very well connected by all weather roads to Delhi via Chandigarh and to Manali via Mandi.The temple is even easily accessible via road from Dharamsala, Palampur, Kangra and all the major cities of Himachal Pradesh.
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Baijnath Shiv Temple,Himachal pradesh,India

Sunday 11 October 2020

Churdhar, the highest peak of the lower Himalayas, is a famous valley for adventure seekers. It is located in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Every year, about 10,000 pilgrims across the world are attracted towards this incredible place.
Churdhar is also called Chur Chandni, which means mountain dressed in moonlight. From the summit, you get a panoramic view of the lowland tracts on the south and snow clad ranges, including the peaks of Badrinath and Kedarnath in the Garhwal region towards the north.
The peak is famous Trekking destination. A well-defined trail from Sarain leads you through deodar trees. It is a day long trek, and from the rest-house at Sarain, a four hour up-hill trek will lead you to the temple of Srigul. From the temple, it takes half an hour climb through rocky terrain on the west side to reach the peak. There is a huge concrete idol of Shiva that is located atop the peak.
When fresh cold air of the Himalayas touches your face, you will forget all worldly-wisdom. For this trek, advance knowledge of trekking is not mandatory but requires some minimum fitness level.
 High altitude, low temperature and greenish beauty are the ingredients that make it an even popular place. It is the corner where you can forget your stress, boredom and doldrums. This is the best place for those who want to jump over the clouds and love heights too.
How to Reach
Churdhar peak can be approached from at least three routes - Chaupal in Shimla district is the base for the shortest route of 7 kms, while Haripurdhar in Sirmour district is the base for a longer route of some 50 km. Nauradhar (Nohra) is the third base from where Churdhar is a 20 km climb and this is the route I took. Nauradhar is a small town on the Solan - Rajghat -Sangrah road and is about 388 km from Delhi, which can be covered in about nine hours by car.
Book your Churdhar holidays with our affiliate partner Booking.com

Churdhar,Himachal pradesh,India

Wednesday 9 September 2020

One of the most charming valleys in the whole Kinnaur District, Sangla Valley is a perfect getaway from the hustle bustle of the swarming cities. It is named after a beautiful village by the same name.
Bounded by strapping mountain slopes, sprawling evergreen forests and snow covered peaks, the valley is set apart from others by its red apples orchard and luscious cherry trees.
Your discovery of the lesser-known Himalayas can begin at the Sangla Valley. Resting in the lap of mighty Himalayan range nestled at an altitude of 9000ft above the sea-level on the right bank of Baspa river in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh is the most enchanting less-travelled Sangla valley.
The Baspa river passes through this beautiful valley, which is bordered by a series of snowcapped mountain peaks.
Located in the Baspa Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Sangla is a city situated just in the lap of the snowy Himalayas.
How to Reach
By Air
Nearest airport to Sangla is Jubbarhatti Airport at Shimla at a distance of about 238 km. Taxis and cabs for Sangla are easily available outside the airport at reasonable price. Bhuntar Airport is the second nearest with a drive of nearly three and half hours to Sangla. This air base is widely connected to many major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Dharamshala, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Shimla.
By Rail
There is no railway station at Sangla. The closest railway station is Kalka Railway Station in Shimla. You can travel by train up to there and then shift to a bus or taxi to reach Sangla.
By Road
If you are planning to travel by road, the HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) runs regular buses from Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. Private as well as state buses from Chandigarh for Sangla are also easily available.
Book your Sangla Valley holidays with our affiliate partner Booking.com

Sangla Valley,Himachal pradesh,India

Monday 7 September 2020

Kinnaur Valley in Himachal Pradesh is a thrilling destination and one of the 12 districts of the state. Snuggled in the midst Zanskar, Himalayas and Dhauladhar mountains ranges, Kinnaur is blessed with majestic snow-capped mountains, green valleys, meandering rivers, orchards and vineyards. 
A brotherly fusion of Hinduism and Buddhism at one place reflects the existence of a culture of a different sort which is well preserved by its people in this era of modernization. Hindus visit Kinnaur to see the famous Kinner Kailash, believed to be the home of Lord Shiva and the Shivaling rocks, the stories of Pandavas and their link with Kinnaur is a great attraction.
Sharing its border with Tibet, strong traces of the influence of Tibetan culture is seen in the valley. Snow-clad for six months, Kinnaur is one of the most beautiful places in the mountains state.
Trekking and other adventure activities are the thrilling excitements of Kinnaur. ‘Parikarma (revolution) of Kinnaur Kailash, abode of Shiva, is among the popular trails. Bhaba Valley and Sangla Valley treks are other popular trails.
The best time to visit Kinnaur is from April to October. These months enjoy pleasant weather. The cold has made way for summers. The lush beauty is at its peak. Kinnaur has long winter from October to May. Snowfall is the norm and life comes to a standstill. Summer falls in between the months from June to September. The monsoon season is not the best time to visit. The rains make the roads quite dangerous. Avoid travel plans for the months of July and August.
How to Reach
By Air
The nearest airport to Kinnaur is Jubbarhatti airport in Shimla, which lies at a distance of 267 km from Kinnaur. From Shimla, you can either take a taxi or a bus to reach Kinnaur.
By Road
The best and most convenient way to travel to Kinnaur is by road. Kinnaur is well-connected by road with the cities like Shimla, Chandigarh, and Delhi.
By Rail
Kinnaur does not have its own railway station. The nearest railway station to Kinnaur is Kalka railway station, which is situated 356 km from Kinnaur. If you choose to travel by train to Kinnaur, you need to get down at Kalka railway station and then take a cab or bus to Kinnaur.
Book your Kinnaur holidays with our affiliate partner Booking.com

Kinnaur,Himachal pradesh,India

Thursday 6 August 2020

Palampur is a beautiful hill station located in Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh, about 35 km from Dharamsala. It gets its its name from pulummeaning ‘abundant water’. Unsurprisingly, the region has innumerable streams and brooks and the water bodies are a huge boon for the tea plantations. 
The Palampur Tea Cooperative factory, some 1.5 km south of the bus station on the Kangra road, offers a 20-minute tour taking you through the tea making process, is a major attraction here.
In addition to its tea plantations, Palampur also offers tourists a chance to practice some adventure sports, serving as the starting point for several treks including to Dharamsala and Kangra. The famous Baijnath-Manali trek passes through the town.
 Palampur being one of the unexplored destinations offer a quaint and serene environment to tourists. Among the tourist attractions here, Tashi Jong Monastery and the tea gardens should be on the must-visit list for anyone.
Home to some of the tallest deodar trees in the country, Palampur is the perfect summer getaway offering stunning views of the snow clad Dhauladhar ranges.
How to Reach
By Air
Gaggal airport in Dharamsala is the nearest airport at a distance of 40 km. Flights from Chandigarh, Delhi and Kullu operate to Gaggal airport.
By Train
Pathankot is the nearest railhead at a distance of 120 km. Trains from Ahmedabad, Bhatinda, Delhi, Hatia, Jammu, Udhampur, etc. run regularly to Pathankot. Taxis are available from Pathankot to reach Palampur.
By Road
Palampur is well connected to most neighbouring regions and important places in Himachal Pradesh by road. State owned buses ply regularly from Mandi, Pathankot, Dharamshala, etc. to Palampur. HRTC buses also connect Delhi to Palampur by road.
Book your Palampur holidays with our affiliate partner Booking.com

Palampur,Himachal pradesh,India

Wednesday 5 August 2020

The small lakes nestled within the valley enhance the beauty of Lahaul and Spiti region. The Chandra Taal is located at an elevation of 4,300 meters above sea level and has the Himalayas as the backdrop. 
This crescent shape lake is also known as the Lake of the Moon and is a popular tourist destination in Lahaul & Spiti.
It is an important stop over for trekkers and campers who travel to the valley from the Kumzum Pass. 
The right banks of this lake have vast meadows and are prominent sites for camping. With the onset of summer, brightly colored flowers bloom here offering a stunning sight. This tranquil lakeside allows the single travelers to read a book and couples to laze around as well.
The best time to visit this lake is from May to October. Tourists and trekkers mostly travel from Batal on foot to reach this beautiful lake.
How to Reach
Chandratal is located near the Kunzum pass on the main highway connecting Manali and Kaza - the subdivisional headquarters of Spiti Valley. Chandratal is accessible via two trekking trails. Batal and Kunzum la are the starting points of the trails leading to Chandratal. A motorable road exists between Batal and Chandratal and can be used if you are travelling between June - August.

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Chandra Taal,Himachal pradesh,India

Tuesday 14 July 2020

Karla Caves are rock-cut monuments from the Buddhist era dating two thousand years old. Location of the caves may have been of strategic importance since it was a major trade route during that era connecting the Arabian Sea and the Deccan region on the eastern end. The Complex consists of 16 rock cut excavations of which the grandest and the most dominant structure is the Chaitya-griha.
The Buddhist caves at Karla, built by the Buddhist monks, are one of the finest examples of ancient rock-cut caves to be found in India. Dating back from the 3rd to 2nd century BCE, the Karla caves in Lonavla, Maharashtra, were built during the Satvahahana rulers, and hosted the Theravadin Buddhist monks in the monsoons, though however they soon turned into the all time monasteries and viharas for all the sects of Buddhism.

The Karla caves comprises mainly two types of structures: Chaitya halls and viharas. The chaitya halls, which form the largest number of chaityas in the world(one being 148 feet long), were used for congregational worship whereas the viharas were the dwelling place for the monks and further included cells cut into the walls around three sides of a hall used for their residential and individual meditation. 
The pillars of the halls inside the caves have been carved with figures of men, women, flowers and elephants, though the pillars outside these halls have lions erected on them as their crowns, an emblem of Ashoka, the great Indian ruler.

The Karla Caves are on a major ancient trade route, running eastward from the Arabian sea into the Deccan. These ancient caves are the popular tourist attractions now. We can see the inscriptions and stupas at these caves .
Karla caves are one of the oldest rock-cut Buddhist caves located in Karli, at around 60 kms from Lonavala, Maharashtra, India. Being one of the popular and beautiful architectural caves, tourists from all over the world visit this place every year.
How to Reach
By Road:
If you want to go by car then it’s just about 12 km distance from Lonavala. There are frequent buses that run between Lonavala and Karla caves. The buses start at 6 am and the last bus from Karla to Lonavala leaves at 7 pm. Lonavala is also well connected from Mumbai, Pune and Nashik cities and it is a major junction where all buses traveling from/to Mumbai and Pune halts here.
By Train
Lonavala is nearest railway station to reach Karla Caves. You can catch a train for lonavala from Pune or Mumbai. Once you get down at Lonavala railway station, to reach Karla Caves from Lonavala station is very easy. You can get the local buses that take you to the Karla, as mentioned before or can hire auto.
By Air
You can fly to Pune, the major city near to Lonavala. From Pune, you need to come to Lonavala by bus or train. There are frequent buses from Lonavala to Karla. Mumbai Airport is the nearest international airport to reach Karla Caves. From Mumbai tourists can hire a private cab to Lonavala to reach Karla Caves.

Karla - Maharashtra - India

Friday 10 July 2020

Kihim beach is one amongst the most popular Alibaug beaches with a long stretch of sandy beach intermitten by rocky stretches. The Khanderi and Underi forts looms over the horizon from the Kihim shores and along with the rocky stretches offers one of the most beautiful views of the setting sun in this part of the Konkan beaches.
Kihim beach is situated on the north side at a distance of around 12kms from town. The beach is encircled with plenty of different kinds of tress which nestle many migrating species of birds. One can find bunch of different varieties of butterflies near the beach which attracts tourists in large number.
The Kolaba fort is situated in the vicinity of the beach. This beach is believed to be a treat for photographers and bird watchers.
The northern part of the beach has a rocky stretch and the southern end of the beach is a long stretch of sandy beach however you might find some rocks strewn across the beach and one needs to be careful if you plan to take a dip in the sea at Kihim.
Every year during the month of shravan a shivling mysteriously appears on the Kihim beach drawing hundreds of devotees to see the 'swayambhu' shivling that appears  year after year just to vanish again to reappear the next year!
The beach at Kihim has soft fine sand and is predominantly a black sand beach with a slightly more coarser white sand covering.
How to Reach:
By Air:
The nearest airport is at Mumbai.
By Rail:
The nearest railheads are Roha and Pen (35 kms) on the Konkan Railway.
By Road:
Mumbai-Kihim (via Alibaug) is 120 kms. State transport buses ply upto Chondhi which is about 2 kms from Kihim. From there rikshaws are available.
By Water :
Catamarans  are available from Gateway of India upto Mandwa port. Shuttle buses take you upto Chondhi, the fare of which is included in the catamaran service.
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Kihim-Maharashtra-India