Search Results

Jog Falls in Karnataka is the second-highest plunge waterfall in India (the first being Nohkalikai Falls in Cherrapunji, Meghalaya), with a drop of 830 feet. It is by far the best waterfall we have been to. The mighty waterfall compelled us to think that the water and rocks have so much persistence that they keep working uninterruptedly all day long. In this article, you will find complete information to travel to Jog Falls, guidance on how to reach, understand various viewpoints to best capture these majestic waterfalls, places to see nearby Jog Falls, and places to stay. If you plan to travel to Jog Falls, Karnataka, you can easily combine it with trips to Gokarna and Places to visit near Gokarna. Location of Jog Falls, Karnataka - India Jog Falls is tucked amongst natural settings in the Western Ghats of India in the northern part of the state of Karnataka. It falls in the Sagara taluka of Shimoga district. Jog waterfalls is formed by the waters of the Sharavathi river, which originates at a place called Ambuthirtha in Karnataka state. From this point, the Sharavathi river flows north-westerly for about 130 kilometres to join the Arabian Sea at Honnavar in the Uttara Kannada district. On its way, the water of the river drops down from a height of 830 feet, forming Jog Falls. Checkout other articles which will help you plan a trip around Jog Falls in Karnataka - India: 1. Gokarna - Travel Guide 2. Best places to visit near Gokarna 3. Kahani Paradise - Reviewing a luxury villa in Gokarna 4. Murudeshwar- Travel Guide How to reach Jog Falls, Karnataka - India Air: Hubballi Airport is the nearest airport to Jog Falls, Karnataka (about 130 kilometres away). From Hubballi airport, you can either hire a taxi to Jog Falls or catch a state-run bus to Jog Falls from the Hubballi bus stand. Rail: Talaguppa railway station is the nearest railway station to Jog Falls, Karnataka (about 14 kilometres away). The Talaguppa rail line is well connected to Bengaluru (Bangalore), Mysore, Shimoga and Sagara. The meter gauge rail track between Shimoga, and Talaguppa was laid by the British in the late 1930s. The Sagara railway station, 30 kilometres away from the Jog Falls, is the second closest railway station. If you are coming from northern parts of India, you can catch a train to Hubballi railway station in Karnataka. From Hubballi, Shimoga can be reached via road, from where you can take a train or taxi to Talaguppa. Road: Jog Falls, Karnataka, is nicely connected by well-laid smooth roads from both sides – Honnavar and Shimoga/ Sagara. It is located 85 kilometres away from the temple town of Murudeshwar and 111 kilometres away from the beach destination Gokarna. Gokarna, Murudeshwar, and Jog Falls make a wonderful combined road trip. Jog Falls also makes for an amazing road trip from Bengaluru (Bangalore), which is located at a distance of about 410 kilometres from the falls. We drove on a rented 2-wheeler from Gokarna to Murudeshwar and then to Jog Falls in Karnataka. The roads from Murudeshwar to Jog Falls are excellent in condition and gradually ascend around the hills of western ghats. As we visited Jog Falls during the end of the monsoon in early September, we saw plenty of pretty rain-fed waterfalls on the way. Driving through the beautiful Sharavathi valley, we stopped at many viewpoints – the best being the Sharavathi suspension bridge over the ragingly flowing Sharavathi river. We drove through foggy roads surrounded by dense forests with picture-postcard gorgeous views. It was an adventure to drive through low visibility (just a couple of metres) due to heavy fog and rain. The Jog Falls, Karnataka - India Jog Falls plunges from a height of 830 feet into a deep gorge in four different segments/ streams. Each of these segments/ streams is given a separate name. Raja (King) pours in a single continuous stream to the base. Rani (Queen) has a stream that is curvy and zigzag, just like a female dancer. It has the most fascinating milky flow, just like a sheet of foam. Roarer crashes on a lot of rocks during its fall and violently rushes downwards to meet the base making a lot of loud noise, hence the name. Rocket streams out of a small opening at lightning speed and shoots downwards in a series of jets. The waterfall is mostly rain-fed, and you can see it in its full glory during the monsoon (from May to September). In the dry season, two out of the four streams of Jog Falls dry out, and the waterfall is tapered down to a pair of thin streams trickling down the cliff. In 1964, Karnataka's biggest dam – the Linganamakki dam, was built across the Sharavathi River. Since then, the water inflow of the falls has decreased considerably every summer as the gates of the dam are closed during the summer months. Best time to visit Jog Falls, Karnataka - India Monsoon season is undoubtedly the best time to visit Jog Falls in Karnataka. We heard from locals that the gates of Linganamakki dam are usually opened on the 15th of August (Independence Day in India) every year. So, August to October is the best time to visit Jog Falls, Karnataka. The weather will remain rainy, foggy, and misty during this time, so keep your raincoats and umbrellas handy and be patient for the clouds to move away from the waterfall. You may find only a thin stream of water trickling down the hill if you visit the waterfall in any of the other months. We would not recommend anyone to visit them during the summer months due to the hot and humid weather and thin stream in the waterfall. Tourist places near Jog Falls, Karnataka - India 1. Jog Falls Viewpoints: The best thing about Jog Falls is that it offers stunning views from different viewpoints. Here, we have listed the 3 best viewpoints to see the lovely plunge of water. A. Jog Falls viewpoint near Hotel Mayura, Gerusoppa: This is the main viewpoint that offers a fantastic view of Jog Falls, Karnataka - India. You will need to pay an entrance fee of INR 10 per person and INR 20 per two-wheeler or INR 50 per four-wheeler at the entrance to this viewpoint campus. The Hotel Mayura, Gerusoppa, run by Karnataka Tourism Department (KTDC), is situated here. The parking lot inside the campus is huge and easily accommodates hundreds of vehicles. The viewpoint is wide and big with plenty of tin-roofed sheltered areas in case it rains (which is mostly the case!). This viewpoint is a semi-circular concrete platform providing a stunning view of the waterfall from various angles. You will find plenty of shops nearby selling umbrellas, raincoats, towels, food packets, beverages, freshly prepared Maggi, tea, coffee, and small meals. Mayura restaurant is also located on the campus. Common toilet and bath facilities are available inside the campus. If you catch a bus from Talaguppa railway station or Sagara to Jog Falls, it will drop you at this particular viewpoint. We were able to hear the roar of Jog Falls from far away while approaching the Hotel Mayura viewpoint. The entire area of the falls was covered with mist and clouds as we neared the waterfall. The winds cleared the clouds and mist every now and then, and the falls kept playing hide and seek the whole time. It drizzled or rained for a few minutes after every 20-30 minutes. But the sight of the waterfalls kept us captivated and awed. The water was at its maximum flow during September, and we weren’t able to keep our eyes off the majestic falls even for a second. It is said that 3.4 million tonnes of water fall down the cliff every second! Can you imagine?!!! We also walked to the other end of the semi-circular viewpoint, where there is one of India’s largest hydroelectric power stations, which has been operational since 1948. You can easily spend about an hour or two at this viewpoint admiring the waterfall and photographing. B. Viewpoint at the base of the Jog Falls: Right inside the campus of Jog Falls viewpoint near Hotel Mayura is a flight of around 1400 steps leading to the base of the waterfall. The steps are neatly made of concrete. The descent is easy and takes around 30-40 minutes; however, you would require a decent amount of fitness to climb back. It generally takes tourists about an hour and a half to ascend back. The authority opens the way to the base at 9 AM and closes it at 4 PM. Do remember to carry your water bottles, energy bars, and snacks if you opt to stroll down to the base of Jog Falls, Karnataka. This viewpoint to the base of Jog Falls is closed during monsoon or when the gates of Linganamakki dam are opened due to the heavy inflow of water in the falls. We were not able to venture down this viewpoint as it was closed. C. Viewpoint from the Inspection Bungalow: This viewpoint is right opposite to the Jog Falls viewpoint near Hotel Mayura. It can be accessed through British Bungalow (also called PWD – Inspection Bungalow) and gives the best view of the point where the water from the Sharavathi river starts falling down the hill into the valley. The view of the Jog Falls was quite different from here. We observed that this viewpoint was seldom covered by mist and clouds, providing us with an unobstructed view of the waterfall. There was so much water in the falls during our visit that it was almost scary to venture very close to the viewpoint. The water fell with such great intensity that it made a loud roar. The heavy wind carried sprays of mist, making the surrounding atmosphere extremely humid. We highly recommend visiting this viewpoint. Note: Look for ‘Jog IB’ on the map to locate this viewpoint. 2. Linganamakki Dam The Linganamakki Dam is located in Sagara town, which is about 11 kilometres away from the Jog Falls, Karnataka. The dam was constructed in the year 1964 across the Sharavathi River. The reservoir receives water mainly through rainfall and the other tributaries of the Sharavathi River. The dam is approximately 3 kilometres long and has 11 gates. Boating facilities are available in one part of the reservoir. Special permission is required to visit the main dam; however, all visitors are allowed to see the dam from the viewpoint. The entire surrounding area of the Linganamakki dam is full of lush green plantations and incredible natural beauty. When the dam overflows during peak monsoon season, the gates are opened, and all that water then flows down the Jog Falls in Karnataka. 3. Honnemaradu Honnemaradu is a place located atop a hill that overlooks the Linganamakki reservoir. It literally means ‘A Golden Lake’ and is known for the spectacular sunrises and sunsets. It is situated about 25 kilometres away from the Jog Falls, Karnataka. Right in the middle of the Sharavathi River’s backwaters, there is an island that is popular amongst campers and tourists. The island offers a variety of water adventure activities like kayaking, canoeing, and rafting and is a good spot for a picnic. Honnemaradu is famous amongst the trekkers and birdwatchers who can spot rare species of attractive birds here and indulge in trekking nearby peaks. 4. Sharavathi Valley and Suspension Bridge Sharavathi valley viewpoint and suspension bridge lie on the way from Honnavar to Jog Falls in Karnataka. It is situated in the Honnavar taluka, Uttara Kannada district, 35 kilometres away from the waterfalls. The bridge is built over the ferociously flowing Sharavathi River and connects two nearby villages. The locals often use the bridge to cross over to the other village. The locals even ride 2-wheeler vehicles on the bridge. Hotels near Jog Falls or Places to stay near Jog Falls, Karnataka - India 1. KSTDC Hotel Mayura Gerusoppa, Jog falls Karnataka Tourism's Hotel Mayura Gerusoppa is hands down the best place to stay near Jog Falls, Karnataka. It is by far the best hotel managed by KTDC that we have stayed at. We had a wonderful stay with Hotel Mayura Gerusoppa and would rate our stay as luxurious. They have 10 double rooms and a separate 10-bedded dormitory. All the rooms overlook the mighty waterfalls, and we were able to view the streams of water from our room’s big glass window. The hotel’s campus was open to tourists during the day, but post-sunset, when the tourists left, the whole campus was ours, and we were able to enjoy the beauty of Jog Falls till it got dark. Also, early in the morning, you have the whole campus to yourself till tourists start arriving. The heavy roar of the waterfall was audible in our room as well, but it was like music to our ears. They have a restaurant, and though the menu is limited, they serve mouth-watering food and provide room service. Check out the current prices for KSTDC Hotel Mayura Gerusoppa, Jog falls by clicking the below links - 2. Prakruthi Yatri Niwas Lodge, Near Rani falls Prakruthi Yatri Niwas is the second-best place to stay near Jog Falls, Karnataka. It is a budget hotel located right next to the waterfalls. The hotel premises does not provide any great view of the waterfall. The image on the right is what you will see from here. You can see the point where water falls, but the actual waterfall is not visible. However, you will be able to hear the loud roar of the fall. They have an in-house restaurant that serves good food. The image below shows the location of Prakruthi Yatri Niwas. 3. Sharavathi Adventure Camp, Jog falls Sharavathi Adventure Camp is located about 6 kilometres away from the Jog Falls, Karnataka. It is a nature camp along with adventure activities. It is located on a hillock overlooking the Talakalale Reservoir near the Linganamakki Dam. Their tariff is a complete package including accommodation, meals, and adventure activities. The nature camp is a property of Jungle Lodges and Resorts and provides excellent hospitality. Check out the current prices for Sharavathi Adventure Camp, Jog falls by clicking the below links - 4. PWD Guest House, Jog Falls This guesthouse is located on an elevated portion near Hotel Mayura and offers a breath-taking view of the Jog Falls in Karnataka. However, it can be booked only if you have any contacts with the Public Works Department or if you could visit the PWD office personally. There are no online bookings possible. If any of the above-mentioned accommodation is not suitable as per your requirements or is unavailable, there are some homestays in nearby villages. You can check out some of them in links below - You will also find plenty of hotels and homestays in the nearby town of Sagara which is 30 kilometres away from Jog Falls in Karnataka. PIN THESE IMAGES Have you been to Jog Falls in Karnataka or any such majestic waterfalls in India? How was your experience? Do let us know in the comment section below. #India #SouthIndia #Karnataka #BengaluruWeekendOutings #HyderabadWeekendOutings #MumbaiWeekendOutings #PuneWeekendOutings

Srinagar, the largest city and the summer capital of the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, exemplifies beauty and romance. Srinagar is located on both sides of the Jhelum River in the core of Kashmir Valley. We spent few weeks in Srinagar hopping around different areas with a single objective in mind – to discover and share the city’s best kept secrets in terms of stay and local experiences. In this article we help you understand different stay options available in Srinagar, recommend some places to stay and share with you some highly rated accommodations for you to consider. Suggested read Travel Guide to Srinagar, Kashmir Offbeat places to visit in Kashmir Table of contents Where to stay in Srinagar? What are the Prime areas to stay in Srinagar? Should you Stay in Houseboats in Srinagar? What to expect from Houseboats in Srinagar? So should you book a houseboat stay on Dal Lake or Nigeen Lake? Recommended places to stay in Srinagar based on our experience Mascot Houseboat Naivasha Ladakh House The Cottage Nigeen Other Highly-Rated Places to Stay in Srinagar High end luxury chain hotels in Srinagar Boutique hotels in Srinagar Houseboats in Srinagar Homestays / AirBnBs in Srinagar Hostels in Srinagar Suggested travel partner for Kashmir - Cliffhangers India Where to stay in Srinagar? Finding the right places to stay could be quite confusing in a place like Srinagar which has more than 1500 stays listed online, and out of that more than 200 stays have more than 4 star reviews out of 5. The prices for these accommodations range from Rs.500 per night to upwards of Rs.30,000 per night. It becomes all the more complicated, as seasoned travellers might notice, that many properties and house boats have high ratings on google that are paid for or bought. Let us help you break this problem down. What are the Prime Areas to Stay in Srinagar? Our travel guide to Srinagar highlighted all the places of interest summarized in map below. If you just zoom in and see where most hotels are located in Srinagar, you would find 4 areas that are pretty concentrated. You can plan on staying in one or more of these 4 prime areas based on your preference and purpose. 1. Around Boulevard road As you enter Dal gate, you would find yourself on a buzzing and beautiful lake side road called Boulevard road. On your right, you would find hotels, restaurants, and shops, and on your left across the water, you would find houseboats lined up. This area is very popular amongst tourists who like to stay in happening busy areas. While the Boulevard road goes on for ~13 kms, we refer to first couple of kms here till around Nehru park area. 2. Around Nishat Bagh & Shalimar Bagh As you continue driving on the Boulevard road on the lake side, you will find the crowd fading. Once you get closer to some of the popular gardens, you will see many accommodations popping up on the hill side. This area has some well known names in hospitality as well as a number of new hotels/guest houses/homestays located in and around towns of Nishat and Shalimar (While these names are famous as gardens, they are also towns where these gardens were made). These areas are far more peaceful than the areas around the Boulevard road, yet have easy access to Dal lake. Also, you should have your vehicle pre-booked if you are staying in one of these areas. On-the-spot booking of cabs or autos for transportation can be challenging in some of these areas. This is a good area to stay for long term. 3. Nagin Bagh and Nasim Bagh area If you visit the western side of the Dal Lake, you will pass quite busy and trafficky area called Rainawari, and then find a bridge, where on the left lies Nigeen Lake and on the right lies portions of Dal lake. Beyond this bridge, is the Nagin Bagh area, where you will find a number of stay options from Kashmiri houses converted into guest house/homestays to Kashmiri houseboats. Moving further, beyond Hazratbal, lies the Nasim Bagh area, which primarily is an area where you will find more locals than tourists. This area still has quite a few hotels, resorts, and homestays. Hence, this could be a good area to stay for long term as well. Both these areas are ideal to stay if you want easy access to both Nigeen and Dal Lake. Also, these are peaceful areas without many hawkers and commercial haggling. 4. Around Raj Bagh and Lal Chowk area Both Raj Bagh and Lal Chowk are slightly away from the lakes of Srinagar. Raj Bagh is one of the most posh residential localities of Srinagar, while Lal chowk is a commercial market area and historically significant city square. Both these areas have a number of hotels and some homestays to stay. The general rates for Raj Bagh hotels, as you would expect, are on a higher side than a similar hotel in Lal Chowk. These areas are ideal if you tend to spend a lot of time in shopping and are okay staying a little away from the lakes. If you are using Srinagar as a base to do day trips to nearby destinations, staying in these areas will help you enter and exit the city much more swiftly than the other areas avoiding many trafficky parts. Should you stay in Houseboats in Srinagar? As a central point for tourism in Kashmir, Srinagar is fairly urban and has all types of accommodation options. From backpacking hostels to high end luxurious chain of hotels, from cozy homestays to boutique accommodations, you will find a number of options to stay in Srinagar. A unique kind of stay that you will find in Srinagar is a houseboat. What to expect from Houseboats of Srinagar? It’s a no-brainer that if you are in Srinagar, you must spend at least one night in a houseboat. Houseboats are not just accommodations, they are an experience in itself! The houseboats on Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake are the best places to stay in Srinagar if you want to experience the local way of life. Based on how basic or luxurious houseboat you have chosen, you would find traditional wood carvings, carpets, chandeliers, and décor. Note that the houseboats in Srinagar are anchored and they do not move as the houseboats in Kerala do. You may not realize you are on water till you gaze outside or a motorboat passes that creates strong ripples that you may feel. You would usually have to reach a ghat (few steps leading to the lake) and ring your houseboat host. They arrange for a shikara boat to pick you up along with your luggage. Note that, while booking, you confirm if the cost of the pick-up is included in your room rate or not. Most houseboats have common areas, such as drawing or TV room, dining area, small kitchen, followed by rooms depending on the size of the boat. The rooms tend to have common walls and hence they can have less privacy, as these are wooden structures without much sound proofing. So, should you book a houseboat stay on Dal Lake or Nigeen Lake? We stayed in houseboats in both Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake and can tell you all about the stark difference we observed in the two. Dal lake is huge but most houseboats are concentrated in a small area. On Dal Lake, houseboats are anchored vertically and they are so many in number that they are placed very close to each other and packed bumper to bumper. When you try spending some leisure and relaxed time on the deck of the houseboats on Dal Lake, you are constantly approached by hawkers selling little trinkets in their small boats. So many that, after some time, they interfere/ruin your peace and you start getting irritated. It will also help if you check with your host beforehand, the ghat number where you should reach to get on to the houseboat. Dal Gate (point where the Dal Lake starts) is Ghat 1, and till about Ghat 12, you will find the area pretty busy. On Nigeen Lake, many houseboats (not all!) are anchored horizontally, which means you get the view of the lake not just from the deck of the houseboat, but from every room, including the bedroom. Though much smaller in size, Nigeen Lake has far less houseboats and is more peaceful and serene than Dal Lake, making it one of the best places to stay in Srinagar. You can enjoy time with your friends and family here without any interruptions, as there are very less or close to no hawkers in this lake. We highly recommend booking rooms in a houseboat in Nigeen Lake, but if you are in Srinagar for a very short duration and Nigeen Lake is not a part of your itinerary, renting a houseboat in Dal Lake is also satisfactory and not that bad. Just try to stay away from peddlers. Recommended places to stay in Srinagar based on our experience While areas around Dal Lake still remain the most popular areas to stay in Srinagar for the tourists, we ventured out two to three lanes beyond the touristy circle and found some wonderful gems in terms of stay. We recommend booking a stay at one of these accommodations and explore the Srinagar city amidst warm hospitality. Mascot Houseboats There are plenty palatial tourist accommodations on land. There’s even a ‘Palace on Wheels’ - the luxury tourist train run by Rajasthan Tourism Department. But have you heard of a ‘Palace on Water?’ We have found one for you - Mascot Houseboats in Srinagar. This is an ultra-luxurious houseboat that matches, and in some cases, exceeds conventional 5-star stay experiences. You can easily call it a ‘piece of art.’ Mascot Houseboats is one of the best places to stay in Srinagar. It is a group of 3 houseboats, located in a remote, quiet corner of the Nigeen Lake with the best views of surrounding mountains. It is a family business run by one of the oldest travel companies in Srinagar. They have rooms that cater to all types of budgets. A complimentary Shikara ride brings you to Mascot Houseboats from the ghat of the Nigeen Lake. Mascot Houseboats are made of superior quality cedar (deodar) wood and the attention to detail that has been put to build these houseboats is commendable. Firstly, the houseboats are massive with a large deck, a huge living room, a spacious dining room, a small kitchen, and enormous bedrooms. It additionally features an upper deck offering stunning views of Nigeen Lake and surrounding mountains. Over and above that, every corner of the houseboat is pure art with exquisite intricate carvings, royal crystal chandeliers, gorgeous Khatamband ceilings, classic draperies, fine craft work on all furniture, and through-and-through Kashmiri carpeting. Every nook of the houseboat oozes Kashmirism. Each room in Mascot Houseboat is themed and can be differentiated based on the style of the wood carving and décor. We stayed in one of the suites with latest comforts that one would have least expected in a houseboat. The rooms are centrally heated/air-conditioned with a temperature controller in each room. They have huge windows overlooking the lake. The bathrooms are big with bathtub, a separate bathing area, and rich toiletries. These features stand out to make Mascot Houseboats a best place to stay in Srinagar. Mascot Houseboat is amongst the most lavish accommodation you would find and is one of the best places to stay in Srinagar. We never felt a need to step out to explore Srinagar while staying there. What did we do? Well, a lot! Mornings were spent at the upper deck watching the rising sun cast a rosy hue across the sky, followed by a wholesome breakfast, after which we lazed around either on the front deck or upper deck with a book from their interesting book collection. We spent afternoons besides the window in our bedroom, watching the shikaras and the fishermen boats pass by, and enjoying the changing colours of the Nigeen lake. Evenings were again spent at the upper deck soaking in the dramatic surroundings as the Mahadev Mountain peak and the lake water glowed with golden colour cast by the setting sun. What really differentiated our experience at Mascot Houseboats was the service. The host, Mr. Shoukat, made sure we had everything we wanted. He is extremely hospitable. He was enthusiastic in giving us a tour and explained every detail of the iconic houseboat. We’re sure he’s congratulated quite often for his dedication towards building this artistic accommodation. The delight with which he described Kashmiri culture is nothing but commendable. On learning that we are vegetarians, he instructed his kitchen staff to prepare us a vegetarian Kashmiri Wazwan, which was served in salubrious courses. We still miss the food we enjoyed on board. Not to forget, the generous servings of tea and Kahwa with homemade cookies and delicious breads. As we retired to our comfortable beds in the night, after watching the innumerous stars lit the sky, we felt at home. We urge everyone visiting Srinagar to stay with Mascot houseboats and experience the most authentic Kashmiri hospitality with artistic surroundings. Book Mascot houseboat from their website or any of the online travel portals below - Naivasha Ladakh House Are you an authentic traveler who cares more about the experiences while travelling than ticking-off sightseeing spots? Do you crave for genuine conversations and prefer living with the locals irrespective of the centrality of the location? If your answer to these two questions is ‘yes’, then go ahead and book your stay with Naivasha Ladakh House in Srinagar. After having stayed at Naivasha Ladakh House, we are confused how to categorise this accommodation. Well, for us, it was a one in all - a homestay, an apartment, a boutique stay, a retreat, an orchard stay, and a home away from home. It has earned our respect as one of the best places to stay in Srinagar. Naivasha Ladakh House is Fozia and Siddiq’s house and they are kind souls to share their heavenly abode with visitors. We found this gem on AirBnB as they only take booking from this travel website. No, you won’t find it anywhere else, not even on Google Maps, and that’s what makes this place all the more special. The hosts rent out 2 apartments housed in their premises to guests - both fully furnished with an attached kitchen. Their orchard in the backyard is the best part of the accommodation. Our booking with Naivasha Ladakh House was pretty last minute, but Fozia ensured that the studio apartment type room is ready when we arrived. The place instantly felt like home. The bedroom is quite spacious and furnished with an eye for detail. There’s a large double bed, two lounge chairs, a centre table, a wardrobe, and a study table with a revolving chair. The washroom was large and clean and we were provided with quality toiletries. The fully-functioning kitchenette had a burner stove, an electric kettle, a refrigerator, all basic utensils, and spices. Fozia had kept a loaf of local bread, jam, butter, and some fruits for us in the kitchen. So very thoughtful! Not just this, our room also had hot water bags, iron, and a hair dryer. They have high-speed WiFi that works flawlessly in their entire property. Electric blankets, heater, and 24 hours hot running water ensured that we stayed warm and cosy. What more can you ask for?! A few highlights of our stay at Naivasha Ladakh House are having all our meals in their garden with company of several species of birds, our interesting conversations with Fozia about Kashmiri culture and beyond, walking to the Dal Lake every evening (15-20 min walk), and learning a thing or two about gardening from their gardener. Fozia is knowledgeable, well-read, and an excellent host. She suggested us places to visit and local cuisines that we must try, and we were not disappointed with any of her recommendations. What made our experience better staying at Naivasha Ladakh House is the keenness and interest with which Fozia spoke to us about Kashmir, its issues, its art and craft, and its culture. Fozia and Siddiq are setting great standards to make guests feel at home and hence is one of the best places to stay in Srinagar. Each night as we returned back after dinner, it felt like coming back home. The stay is a little away from the central sightseeing locations, but if you like living like a local, don’t think twice and book your stay with them. You can book them from Airbnb. The Cottage Nigeen The Cottage is a beautiful homestay located on the banks of Nigeen Lake in Srinagar. The two-storey house is old, but very thoughtfully re-furbished keeping tourists and their comforts in mind. As we entered the secluded narrow lane while driving towards The Cottage Nigeen, we were a bit skeptical, but once we reached, we were surprised to see the homestay’s gate open up to an expansive garden, in the middle of which is the building we will soon call home! The Cottage Nigeen houses 5 bright and comfortable rooms and a seating room, on the first and second floor. The ground floor accommodates the reception, a kitchen, a living room, and a dining room. The house is surrounded by well-maintained garden on all sides. We visited Srinagar towards the end of winter season and all the trees and ground were barren, but at The Cottage Nigeen, we surprisingly found greenery. They have planted plenty evergreens in their garden. It felt like coming home to spring! The Cottage Nigeen is fully carpeted, filled with traditional decoration, and promises you a delightful Kashmiri experience. Largely built of wood, the house is warm and cosy on the inside and green and peaceful on the outside. The rooms are larger than most you will find in Srinagar, clean, well-maintained, have a large double bed, chairs with a center table, lots of storage space, floor-to-ceiling mirror, and are equipped with a heater. The washrooms have toiletries and 24-hour running water. All rooms have great views of the surrounding garden. We spent 2 nights at The Cottage Nigeen and the highlight for us was spending time in the covered sit-out in the garden, enjoying the fresh, sumptuous, home-cooked meals prepared by Tahira, flicking through and reading books in their cosy vintage common living room on the first floor, and having fruitful conversations with Mr. Muslim, our host, about Kashmir and beyond. Everything in the house, right from the architecture, the books, the paintings, to the photographs, took us on a trip to old Kashmir. If you look to enjoy the essence of Kashmir while in Srinagar, like the tall evergreens, Chinar trees, orchards, furniture with intricate carvings, and regional hospitality, then book your stay with The Cottage Nigeen without a second thought. It’s a perfect play to stay in Srinagar if you seek peaceful atmosphere and wish to avoid touristy hustle in the surroundings. The homestay is located in interiors of close to NIT, Srinagar and at walking distance from Hazratbal Masjid. Though located very close to Nigeen Lake, there’s no short way to walk to the lake. But they do have a deluxe room on the top floor which provides lake view. Book The Cottage Nigeen from the online travel portals below - Other Highly-Rated Places to Stay in Srinagar Apart from the accommodations we have recommended above, below are a few other highly-rated places to stay in Srinagar that you may consider depending on your budget and requirements categorized based on type of accommodation. You can also click on icons below to see the prices, reviews and book the stay. Here is an interactive map showing all the places listed above for you to get an idea of the location - Suggested travel partner for Kashmir - Cliffhangers India You may have felt that planning a trip to Srinagar or Kashmir is very daunting. The number of amazing places to see in Kashmir are just too many, and hence it is always a good idea to have a local travel partner who knows each and every place in detail. We found a perfect travel partner in Cliffhangers India who made it easy for us to explore various offbeat places across Kashmir. We also used their expertise to understand and visit the old city of Srinagar. They managed our stays based on our budget and curated our itinerary, which helped us enjoy our tour without any stress. Cliffhangers India is a Srinagar-based travel agency that specializes in showcasing Kashmir like no one could. From adventure sports to treks, culturally immersive experiences to relaxed vacations, and offbeat explorations to casual staycations, you name it and they can arrange it for you. Check out their official website - Cliffhangers India to explore a wide range of experiences in Kashmir. We highly recommend visiting Kashmir with them and seeing Kashmir through their eyes. They could definitely find the best stays for you as per your needs, but they could also do a lot more to make your trip memorable. It’s no surprise that Srinagar is filled with travellers all year round. Always remember that the place of stay is crucial when it comes to the satisfaction of a trip. So, if you envision one of these places to stay in Srinagar, make sure to book ahead of schedule. We hope this article will help you experience the true flavours of Kashmir through its amazing stays. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let us know in the comment section below or drop us a mail. Don’t forget to share your views about the best places to stay in Srinagar or how your experience was visiting the city. If you know an accommodation that we should experience in Srinagar, feel free to contact us. Pin this image

Pakistan is one of the most tranquil and underrated destinations in Asia. It is an often-overlooked and seldom-visited country. From pristine mountains to emerald lakes, epic adventures to archaeological sites, and diverse culture to incredible hospitality, Pakistan has it all! With Serene Air, Pakistan’s premium airline, offering comfortable and cheap travel to several destinations in Pakistan, the country is moving towards a tourism boom. Here are the top 10 tranquil escapes in Pakistan that you must definitely include in your itinerary. 1. Kaghan Valley Kaghan Valley is an alpine Valley located in the Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. River Kunhar flows through the valley, which is surrounded by green mountains covered by alpine trees and snowy tops. Kaghan Valley is known for the nearby beautiful lakes namely Saif-ul-Malook Lake and Lulusar Lake that change colour depending on the sunlight and the time of the day. Babusar Pass which connects Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Gilgit Baltistan is the highest point of the Kaghan Valley and is open from June to September. 2. Hunza Valley Often called the hidden gem of Pakistan, Hunza Valley is located in the Gilgit-Balochistan province. The best viewpoints to enjoy the entire Hunza Valley view are the Baltit Fort and the Eagle's Nest. The stunningly shimmering Attabad Lake should not be missed when visiting Hunza Valley. This turquoise water lake was formed after a massive landslide hit the area in 2012. Other must-visit attractions in Hunza Valley are the Hussaini Suspension Bridge, Passu Cones, and Borith Lake. 3. Kalash Valley Bunched up on the Afghan border in the far northwest of Pakistan, Kalash is an indigenous group of people who still lived as our ancestors lived centuries ago. Kalash Valley’s landscape is spectacular and the villages bloom with enchanting culture. Here, you can live with a local Kalash family in their homestays, learn about their culture, and eat Kalash food. The tribe speaks its own language, practises its own religion, and wears traditional dresses. You can also try your hand at several treks in the region. 4. Swat Valley Rightly labelled as the ‘Switzerland of India’ by Queen Elizabeth II, Swat Valley is amongst the most scenic valleys of Pakistan. Located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan and once under the Taliban stronghold, Swat Valley is now a safe place to visit. In Swat Valley, hike to the Spin Khwar Lake, explore the Buddhist ruins around Mingora, visit the Mahodand Lake, tour the Marghazar White Palace, and enjoy adventure sports in Malam Jabba. 5. Neelum Valley Located in the northernmost district of Azad Kashmir, near the capital Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley is home to freshwater streams, crystal-clear rivers, and verdant forests. Because of the Indo-Pak tension at the Line of Control, this valley remained out of tourist radar for a very long time, making it one of the most offbeat places to visit in Pakistan. The valley offers some wonderful hikes for alpine trekkers, like trekking to Naran and Ratti Gali Lake. Visitors can also explore the remains of Sharda Peeth, a notable temple and enjoy water sports. 6. Fairy Meadows Located in the Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan province, Fairy Meadows is blessed with matchless beauty. The meadows are at the base of the Nanga Parbat Mountain. Although challenging to reach, Fairy Meadows offers an incredible view of the Nanga Parbat. The place is not for the faint-hearted as you need to undertake a death-defying ride in a jeep for 1-2 hours, followed by a 3-hour hike to reach here. But once you reach here, the journey will seem worth it. Fairy Meadows is a paradise for trekkers and nature enthusiasts. 7. Ranikot Fort Also famously known as the ‘Great Wall of Sindh’, Ranikot Fort is the world’s largest fort with a circumference of approximately 32 kilometres. Located in the Jamshoro district of the Sindh province, the fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ranikot Fort stands in the middle of nowhere and defends nothing, which is a little mysterious. The fort structure is constructed out of stone and lime mortar. Ranikot Fort makes for a perfect day-trip destination from Karachi. 8. Hingol National Park Hingol National Park is situated in the Lasbela district of the Balochistan province in Pakistan. The national park is a treasure trove of natural attractions. Covered in drift sand and surrounded by strange rock formations, Hingol National Park seems like another planet. Due to erosion caused by changing weather, many natural structures have popped up here, like the Princess of Hope and the Lion of Balochistan (sphinx of Pakistan). However, the most amazing geological feature is the mud volcanoes, which are also considered holy. 9. Deosai National Park Deosai National Park is a fertile plateau in the Gilgit-Baltistan province of Pakistan. Known for its lush greenery, Deosai is the world’s highest plateau located at an altitude of 4114 metres. The plateau is home to endless grasslands that are only accessible from June to September. During the peak wildflower season in July, the plateau is blanketed under a sheet of flowers of every shade imaginable. Sheosar Lake is one of the main attractions in Deosai National Park, where locals flock to picnic. 10. Khewra Salt Mine Situated in the Mianwali district of Punjab Province, Khewra Salt Mine is the world’s second-largest salt mine. Discovered back in the time of Alexander the Great, the salt mine is known for the ‘Himalayan rock salt’. Back in the day, the Britishers built a rail line to take the tourists inside the mine, which is still operational today. Inside the mine, you can walk through tunnels having salt icicles and stalactites. Various monuments made of colourful salt blocks are on display, like motifs of the Badshahi Tomb and Minar-e-Pakistan. The Khewra Salt Mine is an easy day trip from Islamabad or Lahore. Serene Air booking options are available to both of these destinations. Pakistan’s immense natural beauty is attracting more and more tourists every year. If you want these incredible places to yourself, now is the best time to visit. Many travel portals offer quick and easy Serene Air booking options. Go ahead and book your flights! We hope this blog inspires and helps you plan a travel itinerary for Pakistan.

In a world full of comparisons, Dubai city stands unique and unmatched. It is the city where you will find the world's tallest building, largest mall, largest artificial island, and most luxurious hotel. In addition to being the most visited city in the world, Dubai has become a popular destination for people looking for work and for remote workers. Whether you are planning to visit Dubai for work, meetings, family, or vacation, it is important to understand the UAE visit visa for easy planning. In this article, we will discuss essential key things to remember for travelers planning a trip to Dubai. Content: What expenses should travelers expect? Essential cultural and etiquette tips to keep in mind Which are the must-see tourist spots? How secure is the destination? Local cuisine and beverages to try How reliable is the Wi-Fi? What is the maximum duration of stay permitted? What Expenses Should Travelers Expect? First and foremost, the major expense you can expect when traveling to Dubai is accommodation. Depending on your budget, there are wide choices of places to stay in Dubai. However, you should know that Dubai can be one of the world's least expensive travel destination if you plan properly. If you are traveling on a budget, all you have to do is avoid staying at an expensive hotel, book a budget hotel, and cease luxury shopping. By doing this, you will enjoy your stay in Dubai without breaking your bank account. If you have enough to spend, there are luxurious hotels, uber-luxurious vacations, luxurious shopping, and many other things to do in Dubai. The currency you will be issuing in Dubai is Dirham or AED. As of March 28, 2023, the exchange rate is 1 AED = 0.27 USD or 1 USD = 3.67 AED. Accommodation The hotel prices drop in Dubai during the off-season, usually in summer when the sun is scorching and unfavorable for tourists. On the contrary, during peak season, which runs from October to May, hotel prices tend to be high because of the demand. Below are the hotel prices you can expect during the peak season in Dubai: Average hotel price: During high season, an average hotel in Dubai charges $225 per night. Luxury 5-star hotels: Luxury 5-star hotels in Dubai charge approximately $518 per night. There are also famous hotels, such as Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, which charge $2989 per night per room. If you’re on a budget: You will pay around $30-$60 per night for a bed in a hostel. Food The amount of money one spends on food in Dubai can significantly change from person to person, based on their preferences and hobbies. It will roughly cost around $80 for two people to enjoy a three-course meal at a mid-priced restaurant in Dubai. You can expect to pay approximately $11 for a supper at an inexpensive restaurant. A bottle of beer in a restaurant will cost you approximately $13, while a cappuccino will cost you approximately $5. Transportation Tickets for Dubai's public transportation are cheap, costing anywhere from $0.80 to $2, depending on how far the passenger is going. Taxi fares start at $3; for every mile driven, an extra $1.30 is added. Uber and Careem are ride-hailing services, but Uber charges a little more than Careem. Essential Cultural and Etiquette Tips to Keep in Mind The United Arab Emirates is an Islamic country, so tourists must respect local customs, especially outside hotels, entertainment venues, and places where people go out at night. Even though Dubai is known as one of the most modern cities in the Middle East, it is important to respect the city's traditional way of life. Even though the city keeps relaxing many of its rules to attract more tourists from other countries, visitors should still know what is expected of them. Dress Modestly When going out in public, it is expected that you cover your cleavage, shoulders, and legs in Dubai. You do not need to cover your entire body, but you should bring a scarf with you if you need to drape it over your shoulders. Avoid Public Display of Affection Public display of affection, for example, kissing or holding hands in public, are not allowed in Dubai. Even though people sometimes show affection in public, it's best to avoid touching your partner as much as possible. Refrain from Public Intoxication and Misconduct If you're out having a good time, you should take precautions to ensure your behavior doesn't get out of hand when you leave the bar or nightclub. Avoid Traveling During Ramadan Even though it is technically possible to take a holiday in Dubai during the holy month of Ramadan, it is not recommended. Even tourists are expected to follow the rules of Ramadan when they are out in public. This means they should refrain from eating or drinking between sunrise and sunset. Hotels and shopping malls often set aside parts of their restaurants so guests can eat there during the day, but many other places are closed. Which Are the Must-see Tourist Spots? Dubai Fountain The Dubai Fountain is the world's largest orchestrated water fountain. It is a part of the beautiful Burj Complex. This dancing fountain can reach up to 150 meters in height and moves in perfect sync with music from all over the world, such as Arabic and classical music. WET, a company based in California, made this fountain, which makes beautiful arcs and moves to the beat of the music. The Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas are also the work of WET. The show runs every night and the best way to get there is through the Dubai Mall. Burj Khalifa For those of you, who are interested in catching a city view from the world's tallest tower, the At the Top Burj Khalifa trip is a must-do. This tour gives visitors a mesmerizing perspective of the horizon from the very top of the building. The At the Top tour and the At the Top SKY trip will take you to one of the highest observation decks in the world. Both tours are designed while keeping tourists in mind from the very beginning. Dubai Mall The Dubai Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in the world. It is where the Dubai Shopping Festival takes place and is more than 500,000 square meters big. With more than 1200 stores, a large aquarium that you can walk through, a top-notch ice rink, 14,000 parking spots, and many fun things to do, this mall has much to offer. Dubai Frame The Dubai Frame, located in Zabeel Park, is the biggest frame structure in the world. It was made to look like the logo for the 2020 World Expo. The main things to see and do there are the galleries with audiovisual projections and models of the city's past, present, and future, as well as the glass bridge walkway. Through the frame, you can see a wide view of Dubai's old and new parts, from Deira's Old Town to the Dubai Marina! Miracle Garden Dubai The Miracle Garden is one of the world's most beautiful and large natural flower gardens. The park is in DubaiLand and is about 72,000 square meters in size. It is the world's biggest natural flower garden, with more than 45 million different kinds of plants and flowers. People looking for nature's beauty in the middle of the city will find paradise here. You can only get to the garden in the months of mid-November to mid-May. Museum of Future The Museum of the Future, located in Dubai's Financial District, bridges the gap between the present and the future by using new and old art forms. It has three parts: the empty space, the building, and the green hill. By bringing together researchers, ecologists, financiers, and environmentalists, the museum hopes to come up with solutions to problems that cities may face. It's the most recent architectural marvel is a seven-story building that opened in Dubai in February 2022 and has been a big hit with tourists ever since. Dubai Gold Souk The world's biggest gold market is in the Dubai Deira gold souk. Because the gold's quality and designs on sale are so high, this golden souk has become the most well-known and visited place in Dubai. At the Gold Souk, where there are more than 350 jewelry shops and shops that sell gold, at least 10 tons of gold are added daily. Palm Jumeirah The beautiful Palm Jumeirah in Dubai is an artificial island chain stretching into the Persian Gulf. When viewed from above, the archipelago looks like a palm tree with a circle attached to it. It was one of the first big tourist developments in the United Arab Emirates. It is now home to some of Dubai's most popular tourist spots, like Atlantis, the Palm, Aquaventure Waterpark, and the Lost Chambers Aquarium. Dubai Aquarium The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is home to more than 33,000 marine animals and is situated on the ground level of the Dubai Mall. The tank contains 10 million liters of water and is home to the aquarium. The level above the tank is home to a one-of-a-kind underwater zoo that displays a wide variety of marine life native to the world's seas, rivers, and other water bodies. Visitors can learn about the diverse ecosystems that these aquatic environments support. The final part of the experience is known as the VR Zoo that provides exhilarating wildlife excursions in the form of realistically crafted virtual tours. Atlantis the Palm The Atlantis Resort is the first resort built on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah Island. The island has a private sandy beach and a lot of five-star amenities. This resort is based on the story of Atlantis and has beautiful views of the Arabian Gulf. Also, the resort's design has a few Arabian touches that make it stand out. Palm Atlantis is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Visitors can swim with dolphins and see an underwater aquarium there. How Secure is the destination? Dubai is always ranked as one of the safest cities in the world because of its low crime rate. Still, there are a few things that travelers should keep in mind when traveling to Dubai: Watch out for pickpocketers Keep an eye out for pickpockets, theft, and other forms of minor crime are frequent in tourist locations, especially on Jumeirah Beach. Be aware of riptides If you plan to swim at the beach, be aware of riptides. Riptides are dangerous, so you should try to stay away from them at all costs. Travel alerts The United States Department of State has put out a level 3 "reconsider travel" alert for the United Arab Emirates because missiles or drones could attack the country. Remember to buy travel insurance. Not only can it help you financially in case of a medical emergency, but a travel insurance can also help cover the costs of any accidents. Local Cuisine and Beverages to try Visiting new places and trying new food are one of the most enjoyable aspects of traveling. Don't allow yourself to leave Dubai unless you’ve tried at least one of the following: Khuzi is considered the national meal of the United Arab Emirates. It is traditionally prepared with either lamb or mutton and is served on top of rice, veggies, and nuts. Luqaimat is hot donut-like dumplings prepared fresh and served with a sticky date sauce and sesame seeds Camel milk ice cream is a thing you can buy, believe it or not! Machboos is a classic dish consisting of spicy rice with dried lemon and either prawn, chicken, or lamb. Khubz is an Arabic flatbread that is traditionally eaten with dips. Arabic, coffee-characterized by a light roast, is flavored with cardamom and is served in very small cups. Jellab, a chilled beverage, is typically served with pinenuts and raisins. It is produced by mixing grape molasses and rose water. Laban is a creamy buttermilk drink that is high in protein. Although Dubai has not traditionally been recognized for its plant-based cuisine, the city is increasingly catering to alternative diets, so vegans and vegetarians will have many options. Even though most places in Dubai don't serve alcohol, it's easy to find it in hotels, restaurants, and pubs that cater to tourists and ex-pats. How reliable is the Wi-Fi? According to Ookla, a service that tests internet speeds, the average download speed in Dubai for December 2022 was 184.66 megabits per second (Mbps) and the average upload speed was 25.77 Mbps. What is the Maximum Duration of Stay Permitted? Visitors from the United States get free 30-day tourist visas when they arrive in Dubai. Visitors will have to present a passport that is still valid for at least six months after the date they arrive. They may also have to prove they have a return ticket to leave the country. Through the Remote Working Program, U.S. citizens who want to stay in Dubai for a long time can do so for up to a year at a time. Digital nomads and people who work from home are increasingly moving to Dubai. About The Author Robeena Brown is a travel blogger & destination expert living in the UAE and works for local tourism companies like Arabiers. If you have been looking forward to touring Dubai, getting a visa, extending stays and exploring the city, you can follow her on social media.

India is a vast country in South Asia. The country is diverse in every way. When planning a trip to India, you can visit overpopulated cities, rural villages, the Himalayan mountains or the Indian Ocean. The people who live in India are as diverse as the terrain. There are many religions and cultures represented in India. First-time travelers to India often experience cultural shock. Make no mistake; India is a unique country unlike any other. Visitors are encouraged to do in-depth research before visiting. We are going to give you some basic tips on traveling through this wonderful country. However, you are going to have to be mentally prepared for this journey, as well. In this article we brief you about some important tips one must take care if you are traveling to India for the first time. Things will be different and you will have to adapt in many ways to ensure you stay healthy, safe and have an amazing time in this amazing country. India has a lot to offer and you will have to learn how to make the most of your trip. But before that you need ensure you know these 10 tips especially on your first visit to India. 1. Arriving in India If you incorporated a charter jet, you can look up Stratos Jets as they offer amazing charter jets to most amazing destinations (source: stratosjets.com), you can relax and make preparations for lodging, travel, and dining while in route. The last thing you want to do is end up in a city that is crowded and you being a tourist having no idea of where you are going or how to get there. Like any large and bustling city, there are scam artists waiting to take advantage of you. Select a hotel in the area you are going. Ship your luggage ahead. Professional baggage companies move college students abroad and help business travelers routinely. They can get your belongings to a nice hotel, and that will free you upon arrival. 2. Choose the right hotel Do not stay in a cheap hotel. The price of a nice hotel is reasonable and much safer. Not only are the staff members helpful, but they have high standards when it comes to their facilities. If you take a ghetto room to save money, you may find it infested with visitors that you do not want to travel with. Bed bugs can get in your luggage, backpack, and clothing. Stay in a nice hotel. Alternatively you could visit India as part of a cruise. With lots of Indian Ocean cruises on offer to choose from, by opting to go on a cruise, you can ensure that you’ll have comfortable and safe accommodation. It will also give you the opportunity to visit an array of destinations alongside India. 3. Stay healthy Be very careful about the food and drinks you consume in India. Never eat food from a street vendor. Not only is the food different than what you are used to; poor hygiene, heavy pollution, and serious sanitation issues make this a serious concern. Remember, their customs are different than yours. There are over 1.2 billion people in India and 70% of those do not have access to indoor toilets. Do not eat food unless they are fried Eat fresh fruit that you can peel Do not eat salads Only drink bottled water Keep your mouth closed while showering Use bottled water to brush your teeth Do not use ice Carry antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer with you. Avoid milk or any food prepared with milk Carry a portable water purifier with you while traveling If you are traveling in a rural area without access to bottled water, a freshly cut (cut while you watch) coconut can provide safe fluids ' 4. Stay Safe Do not travel around the cities with a purse or backpack. Wear a good quality money belt and only carry what you need for the day. If you must take a bag with you, lock it to your bus seat or firmly attach it to your body. Be watchful. Cities in India are crowded, and you are an easy target if you are walking around with a camera, handbag, or suitcase. Most places in India are safe and the country is beautiful. Enjoy your trip, but be watchful. Do not judge India on this tip. You should use the same precautions in your own city or in any country you are visiting. Most people are good and kind. But there are bad guys in every country. 5. Burn-out One of the most common problem visitors to India complain about is burn-out. India is colorful and vibrant, with a rocking nightlife full of music, dance, and fun. Visitors are mesmerized by the culture and try to do too much at one time. Pace yourself. There is a lot to see and do. You cannot do it all at once. 6. Get out of the city You hear this all the time, and it holds true. India has many villages outside the cities. This is where you can find out what life in India is all about. This is where you can meet people who can explain why they do the things they do. If you were visiting the United States and you never left New York City, you would not have a true image of life in the United States. India is more than bright colors and crowded streets. This is where you will see exotic landscapes, meet interesting people and have unique experiences. Suggested read: Velas: Life in a village 7. Keep an agenda and let someone know where you will be You are traveling to a vast area. If you are traveling alone, be sure to let someone know where you are going and how long you plan to stay. This is a precaution. If you meet an accident or are lost, someone needs to know where to advise the authorities to look. For the same reason, be sure you have an emergency contact name and number in your wallet or money belt. If you are hurt, someone needs to be notified. 8. Your smartphone may not work We are so used to having service with our phones, that we give it little thought. But, you should call your carrier before you leave. Your phone may not work in India. You may need to get a new SIM card that will allow you cell phone access. Take care of this before you go. Once you have the assurance that you can use your phone, download some apps to help you. There are many free apps that will assist you with money conversion, language differences, and identifications of the sites you ​​​​are seeing. 9. Chargers and electricity The voltage in India is 220 volts. You will need an electric converter to use anything that runs on 110 volts. This includes your phone charger, blow dryer, and computer. Be sure to take at least couple of converters with you. Also take a portable battery power pack for your cell phone, in the event that you are unable to charge your phone while you are out. 10. Be respectful There are many different religions practiced in India. Roughly 79% of the population practice Hinduism. The practice of Islam accounts for about 14% of the population. India also has citizens who practice Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. It is safe to say there are other religions practiced throughout the nation that is not listed here. While traveling throughout India, be respectful of all customs and religions. If you do not understand what is happening around you, simply stay quiet and reverent. You can ask people about their customs and faiths after the fact. In India, all religions are revered. You may face challenges when you choose to travel through this country. You most certainly will experience beauty, rituals, and architecture like nowhere else. You can expect to be treated well, and welcomed. Use safe practices and be aware of where you are going and what to expect when you arrive. Your trip to India will be an experience that you will never forget. Note that all views expressed in this article are of the author Do you want to document your travels? Contact us to write guest posts with Fairytale Studios. Have you traveled to India? Would you like to share your experience? How did you find our blog? Let us know in the comments section below. If you are looking for interesting places to visit in India, we have number of articles to guide you. Feel free to get in touch with us for any guidance. #India #Guestpost #TravelPlanning

\Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the remote islands in Indian subcontinent, have some of the most exotic beaches, rich marine biodiversity, some of the best coral reefs and is a perfect holiday destination. Andamans gained popularity after Time magazine rated one of its beach - Radhanagar beach in Havelock island (Swaraj Dweep) as the best beach of Asia in 2004. An ideal tourist destination for Scuba certifications or relaxed vacations or nature lovers or an explorer, Andamans offer something for all kinds of travellers. Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a unique place you cannot afford to miss. This series of travel blogs - The Andaman Odyssey will serve as a one stop travel guide to you and give you all details along with recommendations to ensure you can plan your own trip. In the first blog of the series - Introduction to the Emerald Islands in India, we had given you an introduction to Andaman and Nicobar islands with details around when and how you should plan your tip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It would have given you a basic understanding of Andamans. In this blog we touch upon places to visit in Andamans and what your itinerary should look like. The series of travel blogs - The Andaman Odyssey will serve as a one stop travel guide to you and give you all details along with recommendations to ensure you can plan your own trip. Our other blogs of the series - The Andaman Odyssey will help you understand and plan your trip to Andaman Islands and give you a good idea of Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) with recommendation on places to stay and activities to do. 1. Introduction to Emerald islands of India 2. Plan your own trip to Andamans - Current blog 3. A complete travel guide to Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) 4. Review: Summer Sands Beach Resort at Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) 5. A complete travel guide to Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) 6. Review: Symphony Palms Beach Resort at Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) 7. Review: Havelock Island Beach Resort at Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) 8. Review: Dive with Scuba Lov 9. Review: Makruzz - Cruising across Andamans Places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The standard itinerary that most follow is a simple Port Blair - Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) - Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) - Port Blair route. But frankly, that is just touching the tip of these emerald islands. The above route is just convenient and easy to organize for most travel companies and most people arriving on the island prefer coming via travel companies as there is little information available to plan things on your own. But hopefully that changes soon. Port Blair - Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Everyone who travels to Andamans has to visit Port Blair as it serves as an entry point to these islands, be it through air or by sea. And everyone does visit the cellular jail which is probably the most well known and we felt somewhat over hyped attraction. There are plenty of other attractions in Port Blair such as Ross island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep), Viper island, North Bay, Mount Harriet, Jolly buoy, Chidiya Tapu, Corbyn's Cove, few museums, Cinque islands etc. which one can explore. Covering all of these would require around 4 full days. Port Blair being the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has many stay and food options across all ranges of budget. You can easily get a 2 wheeler on rent, an auto rickshaw or a cab for conveyance in and around Port Blair. We will be publishing a detailed travel blog on Port Blair and you can find more information in that article. Link will be posted here in due course. Important tip - Ross (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep), Viper and Jolly Buoy islands are day trip islands. No one is allowed to stay overnight. A full day island trip for Ross (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep - Viper - North bay island or half day trip of Jolly buoy island starts from 8 AM and goes till 2 PM. It is preferable to book the tickets one day in advance during peak tourist seasons. As sunsets by 5 PM, reach most sunset points such as Chidiya Tapu, Amber sunset point etc. by 4 PM. North and Middle Andaman - Andaman and Nicobar Islands: One can hire cabs or travel through government buses which will take you to North Andaman. Occasional government ferries are also available. Hiring cabs is preferable option as it gives you flexibility to visit all attractions which come on the way. Going northwards from Port Blair via Andaman Trunk road, one can cover Baratang island which has mud volcanoes, limestone caves and mangrove forests as major attraction. Note that you should ideally leave Port Blair early in the morning around 4-4:30 AM to reach Jarawa area check post by 6 AM. Jarawas are tribals of Andamans for whom a 50 kms stretch is reserved. A police convoy takes all vehicles from one end to another end of this reserve at 6 AM and 9 AM. This is the only way of crossing this area so you should reach this area before 6 AM and park your vehicle in queue. Going further upwards in middle Andaman, one can cover Dhani Nalla beach with mangrove walkways, Aamkunj beach park and Karmatang beach. Rangat and Mayabunder are major towns of Middle Andamans. There are very few stay options in Baratang or Middle Andaman. Koh hee homestay or Green valley in Mayabunder and Hawksbill Nest operated by tourism department or Priya international in Rangat are the only stay options in this area as of now. Booking your stay in advance is definitely advisable. Further upwards one reaches Diglipur in North Andaman. North Andaman is famous for a twin islands called Ross and Smith islands which are separated by sea in high tide but connected via sand during low tide. North Andaman also has the highest peak of Andamans called Saddle peak at 732 m (2400 ft). Ramnagar beach in North Andaman is famous site for turtle nesting. Mud volcanoes are also found in North Andamans. In terms of itinerary, one can either reach Mayabunder or sometimes Diglipur in one day starting from Port Blair while covering Middle Andaman on the way. Ross & Smith Islands take another half day usually done on 2nd day and people usually head back to Port Blair on 3rd day but if you want to cover Saddle peak and some beaches here, another day in hand is required. Saddle peak takes a 3-4 hour one way trek to reach the top. Across the entire Great Andaman mainland from North to South, there are many tiny adjoining islands named as Long, Interview, Guitar, Parrot, Button, Stewart, sound, North reef, Landfall etc. Some of these are inhabited by handful of locals while others are not inhabited. Some requires special permissions to visit while others may not require any permission. All of these are remote isolated areas rarely visited by tourists but most of them would have pristine beautiful isolated beaches. Interesting tip - While most Indian tourists spend around 3-4 days covering North and Middle Andamans, many foreign tourists spend more time exploring islands and their underwater sea life. The major inconvenience while covering North and Middle Andaman comes from the fact that you spend a lot of time on road. A good solution to cut down on this could be that while returning, instead of coming all the way back to Port Blair, one could reach Rangat and take a government ferry directly to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep). The frequency of this ferry is on alternate days and though one might have to pay full return amount to the cab driver, it will cut short on your time reaching Port Blair by evening and then taking a ferry to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) the next day. See the schedule of government ferries here. Little Andaman - Andaman and Nicobar Islands: If you go southwards from Port Blair via government ferry, you can cover Little Andaman islands. Little Andaman is known for some amazing waterfalls in the middle of tropical rainforest - White surf and Whisper wave waterfalls. Apart from this, elephant safari, surfing and scuba are popular activities here. Couple of beautiful beaches - Butler Bay and Netaji Nagar beach are a delight and couple of dams - Ramakrishnapur and Vivekanandapuram can also be explored. In terms of itinerary, government ferry takes 7-9 hours to reach Little Andaman and hence 2 full days are spent in reaching and coming back. One can cover most important tourist destinations here in one day so a minimum of 3 days is required to cover Little Andamans. Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil Islands (Shaheed Dweep)- Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Lastly, the major tourist attraction in Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the exotic beaches of Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil Islands (Shaheed Dweep). Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) is the larger of the two and it was also opened to tourists much before Neil, hence it is the more preferred one. However we personally liked Neil (Shaheed Dweep) a lot more due to its turquoise blue water and exclusivity it provided. As such there is only one sightseeing spot in these islands which is present in Neil - The Natural bridge. Apart from this, beaches is the main attraction and sunrise, sunsets a must see. Scuba diving and Snorkeling are main activities here and we highly encourage you to experience these activities to see the magical world of marine life and coral reefs. A minimum of 3 days for Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and 1 for Neil (Shaheed Dweep) is required to cover them, however, we definitely recommend spending more time in both. This is also considering the fact that ferries to and fro these islands will take up close to half of your day. You can easily get 2 wheeler on rent, cabs and rickshaws in each of these islands for commuting within them. You can read our detailed blogs on Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) along with our recommendations on stay and food. We recommend travelling to these islands through Makruzz. Important tip - Due to lack of internet, you cannot really use your credit card on Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Port Blair has adequate, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) has 2 and Neil islands (Shaheed Dweep) has 1 ATM. So it is suggested you carry enough cash with you during your entire trip. We found everyone on the island to be genuinely good and helpful so unless you do something really stupid, you need not worry about being robbed. Activities in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: While visiting the best beaches, watching sunrises and sunsets and relaxing in crystal clear turquoise waters is what you would be doing in Andamans, your trip will be incomplete without going under water and seeing with your very own eyes the natural beauty bestowed here. The remoteness provides undisturbed opportunity, the tropical climate provides ideal temperatures and the crystal clear shallow coastline provides the ideal ecosystem for corals to grow around these islands. And these coral reefs inhabit some of the most diverse range of marine species. Your trip to Andaman can be called wasted if you do not snorkel or Scuba dive and see these magical world under water with your own eyes. A lot of diving operators are present mainly in Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil islands (Shaheed Dweep) which can give you an experience of a lifetime. If you are older or your health does not allow you to dive, there are options of sea walking or taking a glass bottom boat to see these in select places. We highly recommend Scuba Lov for Scuba diving and Snorkelling. Read our detailed travel blog on our experience with Scuba Lov and you will know why we recommend them. Now that you have gone through the introduction to Andamans and this article, you must be convinced why you cannot afford to miss visiting these emerald islands of India. You should now have a very good idea to start planning your trip to Andamans. As you may have realized by now, at least 2 weeks are required to fully cover Andamans. In case you get permissions to travel to Nicobar islands or want to head towards Barren Islands, you would require more. While you might choose not to visit few places based on your interests, anything below one week is simply not advisable. To further help you, here is a tourist map to summarize this article. Hope this article was useful to you in helping you decide your itinerary. Let us know your thoughts or queries in comments section below. You can also directly email us your queries and we will surely respond back. Do keep reading our travel guide series - The Andaman Odyssey as we cover Port Blair, Neil island (Shaheed Dweep) and Havelock island (Swaraj Dweep) in detail with recommendations for stay, food and transport. PIN THIS IMAGE #India #Andamans #UnionTerritories #TravelPlanning

Meghalaya is a state in North-East India where you wake up to a view of misty mountains and verdant landscapes. It is a perfect home away from home for a discerning traveller. Meghalaya surprised us ample of times while on our trip with its cold breeze and relaxed lifestyle in Shillong, the culture of worshipping nature in Mawphlang, cloudy abode plus living root bridges in Cherrapunjee and beauty of a village and its obsession with cleanliness in Mawlynnong. However, the best was yet to come. Umngot river, also popularly known as Dawki river had already left us amazed from the photographs we saw on Internet. To be frank, we felt many of the online images were morphed. However, seeing this beautiful crystal clear river with our very own eyes left us simply speechless. 'The Meghalaya Odyssey' is a series of 10 travel blogs and 2 photo blogs. Check out other blogs in the series by clicking on the below mentioned links or photographs: 1. Introduction to Meghalaya 2. Plan your trip to Meghalaya 3. ​Shillong Travel guide 4. Mawphlang Travel guide 5. Sohra (Cherrapunjee) Travel guide 6. Sa-I-Mika Resort @ Cherrapunjee 7. Mawlynnong - A Photostory 8. Mawlynnong (Asia's cleanest village) Travel guide 9. Experience Dawki, Shnongpdeng and adventure sports on Umngot river - This article 10. Amazing Dawki, Shnongpdeng and the river Umngot in Meghalaya - A Photo blog 11. A Complete Travel Guide to Jaintia Hills 12. Mawsynram & Mawlyngbna Umngot river forms a nature division between Khasi hills and Jaintia hills (Understand what are Khasi and Jaintia in Introduction to Meghalaya). We came across 2 different forms of Umngot river - firstly near Dawki very briefly and then spent an entire night besides it at Shnongpdeng. In this article we take you through our journey to the southernmost section of Khasi hills where we witnessed the turquoise waters of Umngot river near Dawki, then touched Bangladesh at Tamabil border before heading upwards towards Shnongpdeng in Jaintia hills, performed some adventure activities with Pioneer Adventures and spent a night on the banks of Umngot. You can see the exact route in the map provided here. Note that one can reach Dawki directly from Shillong or Cherrapunji or Mawlynnong. In the below map, we have taken the starting point 'A' as a small village which would anyway come on the way to Dawki. Journey to Dawki Dawki, our next destination after Mawlynnong in Meghalaya, is a small village famous primarily because of how magical Umngot river looks here. Part of Jaintia Hills, Dawki is the last post on the road connecting to the neighbouring country, Bangladesh. You might recall from our earlier travel guides, the plateaus of Meghalaya give way to plains of Bangladesh. Due to this Bangladesh was visible from Cherrapunjee as well as sky view points of Mawlynnong. Hence most of the road towards Dawki is kind of downhill. Before reaching Dawki, the first sight of Bangladesh would be a vast expanse of land with number of trucks mining sand. Sand mafia as they are called are very powerful in Bangladesh and they mine sand from rivers and sell it to builders and even export them. On the left you would get the first glimpse of Umngot flowing into Bangladesh. Umngot river at Dawki boating point Soon after this sight, you would reach the Dawki boating point and get the first glimpse of the emerald green waters of Umngot river. Stunned by the soothing sight, we just could not help staring. Various shades of greens reflected from water coming from East of Shillong Peak silently making its way between two hills towards Bangladesh. The radiant sun shined on some portions of the Umngot river while other parts lay in shades of hill resulting in a wide spectrum of green with some bright coloured spots of boats. There was a time when there were very few boats here and boating in the river was cheap. However the popularity of Umngot river has been increasing rapidly and so are number of boats and rates. Note: Boating in Umngot river may cost you anything between INR 500 - INR 800 depending on season. They take upto 4 people in the boat and you can get down at Dawki Island which is full of boulders and pebbles. Dawki Bridge and Jaflong zero point Close to Dawki boating point, the road leads to a suspension bridge constructed by British in 1932. This bridge is crucial acting as an international trade highway between India and Bangladesh. One has to cross this bridge to reach Dawki village and border areas. Just after crossing the suspension bridge comes Jaflong Zero point. Lot of crowd from both sides of border flocks this area and one can do boating from here too. Near Jaflong zero point lies the imaginary international border across Umngot river. One can easily row into Bangladesh here but military personnels keep a watchful eye ensuring there is no illegal migration. Tamabil zero point Going further ahead, the road finally leads to Tamabil zero point which is a hotspot for trade between the two nations – India and Bangladesh. You would come across lots of trucks waiting for their immigration papers to be cleared off so that they can deliver goods such as limestone, coal, boulders, rice, maize, oranges etc. to the other side. Over past few years, as the trade relations between the two countries have improved, a Friendship gate is recently built at the Tamabil border. We were surprised to see that barring a small fence and a stone pillar, there was nothing to suggest that this was indeed an International border. Minimal security presence implied that this was truly a Friendship Gate. Just standing there and seeing Bangladeshis visiting the border on the other side and knowing that just one more step will land us in Bangladesh was a unique experience and we would definitely recommend visiting Tamabil. Shnongpdeng Next, one can drive to a small village named Shnongpdeng on the banks of Umngot River. Shnongpdeng has become an epicenter of adventure activities. Lot of campsites have cropped up in Shnongpdeng and a village before it called Darrang. These campsites usually offer water sports such as country boat rides, kayaking etc. Note that it is strictly forbidden to use any motor driven boat on Umngot river. One can also choose to stay in couple of homestays available here. This area is also famous for annual water sports festival that happens around Feb-April. Preparations for this annual water sports festival was going on when we visited Shnongpdeng. Sadly we could not stay for the actual event due to lack of time. Umngot River is considered to be one of the cleanest rivers in India. Have one look at it in Shnongpdeng and you would be convinced that it definitely is. The greenish shades of Dawki are no longer the attraction. Instead Umngot river is eerily translucent at Shnongpdeng. One can climb onto a foot suspension bridge over the river to enjoy a panoramic view. The water is emerald green in color and is so crystal clear that you will be able to see pebbles at the bottom of the river even from the bridge. When we visited Shnongpdeng, sunlight unfurled nature’s wonders to us. The water was shining silvery bright and it created an imagery of flying boats. Seeing something this stunningly beautiful in reality was just a different feeling. Pioneer Adventures campsite at Shnongpdeng Travelers generally do not spend a night in Dawki and head back to Shillong or Cherrapunjee after visiting the Tamabil border and boating in the Umngot River. We, on the other hand, were very excited for our adventurous stay near Dawki with Meghalaya’s first professional adventure company with certified and licensed instructors for adventure activities - Pioneer Adventures. Pioneer adventures is truly a pioneer in adventure activities in Meghalaya. They were the first ones who identified the potential of adventure sports in Shnongpdeng and have a campsite here. Apart from this, they also have a zipline across Mawkdok Dympep Valley at Cherrapunjee. Our experience with Pioneer Adventures The little camping site of Pioneer Adventures felt like we had a piece of island to ourselves. Our waterproof tents were already pitched and were warm and cosy with a zipped opening. We had comfortable blankets and inflatable pillows in the tent and we were too excited to spend a night minimalistically without electricity, bed or any kind of furniture. The dining space and the washrooms were perched on top of a hill with stony pathway leading to them. They have 2 bathrooms with shower and 2 toilets (One Indian and one western) which are the only cemented structures. Rest of the setup is temporary as water levels rise up during monsoon. We came here with no expectations and were pleasantly surprised with all the arrangements. The large buffet spread for lunch was similar to home-cooked food and was delicious. We were free to choose the activities that we wanted to do and several instructors from Pioneer adventures were present on the shores to help us with it. The adventure activities included kayaking, zip-lining across the river, scuba-diving, snorkeling and cliff jumping into the river. We decided to opt out of cliff jumping, scuba diving and snorkeling as the water was very cold and decided to start off with other activities. Note: There is only BSNL network here and no charging point. However you can give your charger and batteries or mobile to local boys working at Pioneer Adventures. They keep going back to village where they can get it charged. After an initial safety briefing, we were ready for our zip lining session. We climbed a small elevation towards the back of our camp where a certified instructor was waiting for our zip-lining session. This was certainly the longest zip-line we were about to experience. Another instructor stood on the other end of the Umngot River who was to receive us. We were properly safety briefed by our instructor while he also gave a demonstration of how we should apply brake in time to avoid slamming into boulders. Finally, we were ready to fly. Flying above the stunning river with wind gushing onto our face surely made a mark on our minds. Once on the other side, we were helped to get out of the protective equipment and were sailed back to our campsite. Next, we opted for kayaking. We were quite experienced with kayaking as we had done it several times before. Still we were briefed on how far we can go and were helped with the life jackets. We slowly kayaked in the mighty river towards the suspension bridge, halting now and then to see the silver fishes in the crystal clear water, taking photographs and watching the sun slowly setting on the other end. As much as we tried to stay away from the cold water, the kayaking session confirmed that there’s ample marine life under water. Hence, we decided to snorkel. We had snorkeled quite a few times before; so we quickly put our snorkeling gears on and stepped into the freezing water. The very first step in the cold water made us reconsider our decision. But we held hands, mouthed some encouraging words to each other and together put our heads inside water. Once we started floating, we forgot how cold the water was. Big and small fishes of varying colors circled around us. The water was extremely transparent even on the shores and everything was clearly visible through our snorkeling masks. There were hundreds of little silver fishes. They traveled in schools and were totally unphased by our presence. We still cannot get over how utterly blue and clear the water was. We were able to go super-close to these tiny creatures and that was pretty incredible. We snorkeled in the cold water for about half an hour and we wish we had more time; it was undoubtedly one of the most surreal experience of our life. As the dusk approached, it started getting cold and soon Mr. Adrian arranged for a bonfire. The staff placed small cute lanterns in front of everyone’s tents for convenience.All the people who came for camping sat around the bonfire to keep them warm. We made some pretty good friends there – chatting, making sand castles, barbecuing, playing, singing and listening to other guest’s travel stories. We even had a pretty good chat with Mr. Adrian, who narrated us how Jason & Gary - 2 brothers identified the potential of adventure sports in Meghalaya and started Pioneer Adventures, the challenges they faced and slowly how other campsites came up on nearby shores. It was great to know the history, struggles and efforts of the managing team. We liked the fact that Pioneer Adventures has been employing and training locals since the beginning. It became pitch black dark in the night and only source of light were our mobile flashlights and what was left of the bonfire. We retired in our tents besides the most amazing river we had ever seen. We woke up to the music of chirping birds and vague sound of the river water. It felt so good to wake up amidst such a beautiful landscape. Pioneer Adventures gave us a time of our lives that we would never forget. The staff stood on its feet throughout to make our stay comfortable and our experiences richer. We realized that it is not easy to arrange everything for the guests on the island like shore, but they certainly did a great job – right from picking and dropping each of us from the other end of the river, assisting in activities, pitching tents, bringing the raw material for preparing food, cooking, ensuring everyone’s tastes, managing to light a bonfire in such windy conditions, maintaining proper cleanliness in the washrooms and across the whole campsite. Everything sounds easy but very difficult to achieve with so many uncertainties on a river bank. Sitting on the river bank early in the morning, sipping a cup of hot tea, we decided to return back someday. The river was calm on this day and slowly the boatmen were back in their boats, some fishing while some taking tourists around. We watched them perform their morning chores as the time stood still. Never wanting to go back to our busy lives, with heavy heart we bid farewell to our new friends and the humble staff of Pioneer Adventures. We would like to thank Jason and Adrian for their hospitality and time. We would surely suggest you to stay one night at Shnongpdeng and book with Pioneer Adventures. You can check their current rates and directly contact them through their website - http://www.pioneeradventuretour.com/ PIN THESE IMAGES Hence came to end yet another memorable experience in Meghalaya. Entering Jaintia hills part of Meghalaya from Umngot river, Dawki to Tamabil to Shnongpdeng, each place had something unique to experience. Pioneer Adventures made our visit to this part of Meghalaya even more special. Hope this travel blog would help you chart a detailed itinerary and make your bookings for stay. Did you find this article useful? Would you like us to add any other detail? Do let us know your thoughts in comment section below. Note: All opinions expressed in this blog are our own and not influenced by Pioneer Adventures in any manner. #India #EastIndia #Meghalaya

Our trip to Spiti Valley in state of Himachal Pradesh, India has left us with picture-postcard memories of pristine lakes, dry desert, barren mountains, stunning landscapes and precariously perched monasteries. Not only did we visit the highest post-office in the world, the highest motorable village in the world and highest suspension bridge in the world, we also got to see some of the oldest monasteries of the valley that survived floods and earthquakes. Spiti Valley is probably the most peaceful places in India like Rudyard Kipling once described it – ‘A world within a world’. In our last blog ‘Introduction to Spiti Valley’, we wrote about the valley’s location, its history, its culture and the best time to visit to Spiti. In this blog, we will brief you on how to reach Spiti Valley, places to visit in Spiti Valley, ideal itinerary and some important tips and recommendations that will help you plan your trip to Spiti Valley. Happy reading! Read our previous blogs on Spiti Valley by clicking on the links or images below: 1. Introduction to Spiti Valley 2. Plan your trip to Spiti Valley (This blog) 3. Travel guide to Kinnaur Valley 4. Travel guide to Gue and Tabo 5. Travel guide to Dhankar Lake and Monastery 6. Travel guide to Pin Valley 7. Places to visit around Kaza (Key, Kibber, Chicham, Hikkim, Komik, Langza) 8. Travel guide to Langza and Buddha statue 9. Travel guide to Chandratal Lake How to reach Spiti Valley: Kaza is a major town and administrative headquarter of Spiti Valley. When one talks about visiting Spiti Valley, they are usually talking about visiting Kaza or some nearby village. You can reach Spiti via road only. There are no airports or railway stations in Spiti due to high altitude and rough terrain. There are two different routes to reach Spiti Valley i.e Kaza – one from Manali and the other from Shimla-Kinnaur. Both the routes are scenic, beautiful and full of adventure. You could decide which route you want to opt for depending on the time of travel and the number of days you have in hand. You can get state transport bus to reach Spiti from Shimla or Manali but we would suggest taking a private taxi so that you can visit many other scenic places on the way. Reaching Spiti Valley via Manali route From Manali, Spiti Valley can be reached by taking the Rohtang Pass – Gramphu – Kunzum Pass – Kaza route. The total distance is just 200 kilometres but it takes around 10-12 hours of travel due to bad road conditions. Remember: Manali route stays open only from mid May - October. The route to Spiti Valley is cut-off from Manali side for rest of the months as the high-altitude passes (Rohtang pass and Kunzum pass) are covered with heavy snow. Pros of taking Manali route to reach Spiti Valley: It will take you just 2 days to reach Spiti Valley i.e. Kaza – One day to reach Manali from your base and another day to reach Kaza from Manali. Hence, this route is shorter. Cons of taking Manali route to reach Spiti Valley:​ You have to start very early from Manali to reach Spiti Valley as the snow from the high passes (Rohtang and Kunzum pass) starts melting post 10 AM and leads to slushy and slippery roads. You should cross the passes before it is too hot and before the snow melts. ​The road from Gramphu to Kunzum Pass is in extremely bad condition. There are some areas where no road exists at all and you will have to get down from the vehicle and walk through the water-crossings on foot. This makes the journey tiring. Once you pass Kunzum Pass, the road conditions become better. ​You gain an altitude of 6000 feet in a day on this route, which is massive. If you are not healthy and fit or if this is the first time you are going to such high altitude, there’s a big chance that you may suffer from Acute mountain sickness (AMS). ​You need an entry permit from the Manali administration to cross Rohtang Pass from Manali side that has to be obtained from Manali town, either online or in-person a day or two before your trip, which is a troublesome task if you are travelling on your own. Reaching Spiti Valley via Shimla-Kinnaur route From Shimla, Spiti Valley can be reached by taking the Sarahan – Sangla – Nako – Tabo - Kaza route. The total distance is 450 kilometres and it takes around 3 days of travel to reach Spiti Valley. Remember: This route is open throughout the year (except during heavy snow/rains and landslides) Pros of taking Shimla-Kinnaur route to reach Spiti Valley: ​The roads to Spiti Valley from Shimla side are much better in condition than those from Manali side. You will feel less tired of travelling on this route. ​No permits, whatsoever are needed while travelling on this route (For Indians only). ​The day-wise altitude gain is gradual; hence the body gets time to acclimatize better. Hence, there are fewer chances that you suffer from Acute mountain sickness (AMS). Cons of taking Shimla-Kinnaur route to reach Spiti Valley: It will take you minimum 3 days to reach Spiti Valley – One day to reach Shimla (or nearby areas) from your base, second day to reach Sangla from Shimla and the third day to reach Kaza from Sangla. Hence, this route is rather long. Nearest railway station to Spiti Valley – Shimla railway station is the closest from Spiti Valley. However, the rail-line to Shimla railway station is a narrow-gauge line from Kalka which is located 30 kilometres away from Chandigarh. Chandigarh railway station is the second closest from Spiti Valley. From Chandigarh, you can either reach Shimla or Manali and then make an onward journey to Spiti Valley. Nearest airport to Spiti Valley – Bhuntar airport (also called Kullu - Manali airport) in Kullu district is the nearest from Spiti Valley. From the airport, you can reach Manali (50 kilometres away) via road and then make an onward journey to Spiti Valley. The second closest airport to Spiti Valley is Jubbarhatti airport, which is 24 kilometres away from the town of Shimla. Both Bhuntar and Jubbarhatti airport are connected with regular flights from Delhi and Chandigarh. However, the frequency of flights from these airports are less and the airfare is high. Chandigarh airport is the third closest airport from Spiti Valley and is well connected by flights from major airports across India. How did we reach Spiti Valley? We chose Chandigarh airport as our starting base to travel to Spiti Valley. We wanted to experience the perks of both the Shimla-Kinnaur route and the Manali route, hence we planned to enter Spiti Valley via Shimla-Kinnaur and exit via Manali completing a round circuit. From Chandigarh airport, we travelled via road on Narkanda – Sangla – Nako – Tabo – Kaza route. We also visited Kalpa and Chitkul in Kinnaur valley on the way. While returning, we took the Kaza – Chandratal – Kunzum Pass – Rohtang Pass – Gramphu – Manali route. This way we avoided the acute mountain sickness (AMS) to kick-in by gradual altitude gain and got an opportunity to visit some beautiful places in Kinnaur valley/ district as well. Note: Sangla, Chitkul, Kalpa, Reckong Peo and Nako lie in the Kinnaur valley/ district. In our upcoming blogs, we will highlight places to visit in Kinnaur valley as well as Spiti valley. Places to visit in Kinnaur Valley: Kinnaur is a separate district in Himachal pradesh that lies on the way while travelling to Spiti Valley from Shimla. As we travelled, we saw a stark difference between the Spiti and Kinnaur valleys. Kinnaur valley is full of forest-covered mountains and lots of greenery while Spiti Valley is the opposite. The Kinnaur belt is less frequented by tourists, and that’s what makes it so raw and serene. Read in detail about all the places to visit in Kinnaur valley in our separate blog - Travel guide to Kinnaur Valley. Sangla (Altitude: 8600 feet) Sangla is a tiny valley surrounded by evergreen forest slopes and green mountain peaks. It is located right on the banks of Baspa River and thus has very fertile soil. If you visit Sangla from June to August, you will find the entire valley laden with red cherry trees and apple orchards. The picturesque snow-cladded mountain peaks in the distance add to its charm. Kamru fort and Bering Nag temple are the top tourist attractions in Sangla valley. Chitkul (Altitude: 11320 feet) Chitkul village is located 28 kilometres away from the Sangla valley. It is the last inhabited village in India before the India-Tibet border. Again, located on the banks of Baspa River, Chitkul village overlooks the snow-clad peaks of Nee-La Himalayan range. Typical Himachali architecture in the houses of the village, Mathi temple and Chitkul fort are the major tourist places to visit in Chitkul. Kalpa (Altitude: 9710 feet) Kalpa overlooks the Kinner Kailash Himalayan range and is known for its spellbinding views of the sunrise. As soon as you will enter Kalpa, you will be welcomed by captivating views of a high rock formation resembling a Shiva Linga. Kalpa is popular for some scenic viewpoints and a couple of Tibetan monasteries. The town is also known for various small trail and treks. Reckong Peo (Altitude: 7510 feet) Reckong Peo is the main headquarter of Kinnaur district and is located 8 kilometres away from Kalpa. Reckong Peo is a Buddhist hub and is known for ancient monasteries. As it is a major headquarter, it has a big market from where you can buy all your Spiti Valley tour necessities like medicines, clothes, winter wear, trekking gear and electronics. This is also the last point where your phone signals will work. Nako (Altitude: 11890 feet) Nako village is located almost at the border of Kinnaur and Spiti Valley and you will see a stark contrast in the topography of the region once you enter Nako. The hills and mountains slowly turn barren and the terrain becomes rough and dry with no to negligible vegetation. Sightseeing options in Nako includes Nako lake and old as well as a new monastery. Places to visit in Spiti Valley: Gue (Altitude: 10,500 feet) You will find the monastery in Gue village intriguing. There’s a fascinating supernatural story attached to the monastery which houses a 500-year old mummified body of a Tibetan monk. It is said to be the only mummy in India. The monastery is certainly worth visit as it also offers a panoramic view of the Gue valley and the village surrounded by colourful patterned mountains. Read in detail about Gue mummy lama temple in our separate blog - Travel guide to Gue and Tabo. Tabo (Altitude: 10,760 feet) Tabo is a town located on the banks of Spiti River. The 1000-year-old Tabo monastery is the main sightseeing attraction in Tabo. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The monastery complex is big and dotted with several small and big mud stupas. You can also opt for a short hike to Tabo caves. Read in detail about Tabo monastery in our separate blog - Travel guide to Gue and Tabo. Dhankar (Altitude: 12,780 feet) Dhankar literally means ‘fort on a cliff’. Dhankar monastery, sitting on a hilltop cliff right above Dhankar village, can be seen from a distance. The mud-walled monastery overlooks the confluence of Spiti and Pin River. It is one of the most endangered sites in the world. Another attraction in Dhankar village is Dhankar Fort and an hour hike to the strikingly pleasing Dhankar Lake. Read in detail about Dhankar monastery and lake in our separate blog - Travel guide to Dhankar. Demul (Altitude: 14,170 feet) Demul is a small village that roughly has 40 odd houses spread out over a hill. Each house takes a turn to host guests for a night stay that economically benefits everyone in the village. There is a beautiful monastery at the highest point of the village that provides beautiful landscape views of the valley. Lhalung (Altitude: 12,000 feet) The monastery in Lhalung village is supposedly the oldest monastery of Spiti Valley. The monastery is adorned with colourful sculptures of deities, thangkas, mandalas and coffered ceilings. It is said that the hills and mountains surrounding the monastery change colour based on the mood of the deity residing in the monastery. Pin Valley (Altitude: 12,530 feet) Pin valley is the largest valley located in Spiti. The valley is dotted with lush green pastures and each curve on the road offers majestic views of the surrounding mountains. Mudh village lies at one of the ends of the valley and acts as a base for the trek to Pin-Parvati Pass or Bhaba pass. Also, visit Kungri monastery and spend time at the banks of Pin River on the way to Pin Valley. Read in detail about Pin Valley and Mudh village in our separate blog - Travel guide to Pin Valley. Kaza (Altitude: 12,470 feet) Kaza is the major headquarter and the biggest town of Spiti Valley. It is often used as a base to visit nearby villages like Dhankar, Demul, Lhalung, Pin valley, Ki, Kibber, Hikkim, Komic and Langza. Kaza town is the commercial hub of Spiti valley and has a big market and a few quaint cafes. Sakya Tangyud monastery is one of the most sought-after destinations in Kaza. Hikkim (Altitude: 14,440 feet) Hikkim is a small village that houses the world’s highest post office. It is located 15 kilometres away from Kaza. The post office is a steeply inclined walk down a hill. Writing postcards to friends and family and posting them in an old-fashioned way will be a highlight of your trip. Read in detail about Hikkim village and other such beautiful villages around Kaza in our separate blog - Places to visit around Kaza. Komik/ Komic (Altitude: 15,050 feet) Komik is the world’s highest village connected with a motorable road. It is located at a distance of 19 kilometres from Kaza. Komik village is housed in a bowl-shaped depression. Tangyud monastery is a major tourist attraction in Komik. Also, do not forget to stop and eat at the world’s highest restaurant situated on a hill in Komik. Read in detail about Komik village and other such beautiful villages around Kaza in our separate blog - Places to visit around Kaza. Langza – (Altitude: 14,500 feet) Langza is a remote village located 16 kilometres away from Kaza. It houses a giant, colourful statue of Lord Buddha overlooking the breathtaking valley and mountains. Langza is also popular for the remnants of marine fossils and the spellbinding view of the Chau Chau Kang Nelda (CCKN) mountain peak. Read in detail about Langza village our separate blog - Travel guide to Langza. Ki / Key / Kee (Altitude: 13670 feet) Ki village is located 14 kilometres away from Kaza. Ki monastery is considered one of the most iconic buildings in Spiti Valley. The 13th century-built monastery overlooks the Spiti River and has been featured in several Bollywood movies. The monastery has various temples inside that are adorned with beautiful murals and paintings. Read in detail about Key monastery and village and other such beautiful villages around Kaza in our separate blog - Places to visit around Kaza. Kibber (Altitude: 14,010 feet) Kibber is a scenic village that is located 20 kilometres away from Kaza. The village houses a local monastery and a wildlife sanctuary. The small village has around 100 houses – all painted in white with red rooftops. Kibber is the base for hiking, trekking and adventure activities. You can also go to highest suspension bridge in the world at Chicham near Kibber. Read in detail about Kibber village and other such beautiful villages around Kaza in our separate blog - Places to visit around Kaza. Chandratal (Altitude: 13,940 feet) Chandratal Lake is a 2.5-kilometre-wide fresh-water lake located 90 kilometres away from the town of Kaza. The emerald-coloured lake is surrounded by snow-covered Himalayan mountains. It takes 30 minutes of an easy hike to trek to the Chandratal Lake. Read in detail about Chandratal lake in our separate blog - Travel guide to Chandratal Lake. Ideal Itinerary for Spiti Valley trip: Itinerary for your Spiti Valley trip would be purely based on the amount of time you have in hand. While we felt a month is less to cover Kinnaur-Spiti region and absorb what it has to offer, a minimum of 10 nights and 11 days is recommended to cover the most popular attractions if you fly in and out of Chandigarh. Day 1 – Arrive Chandigarh and drive to Narkanda. Night stay in Narkanda Day 2 – Narkanda to Sangla. Night stay in Sangla Day 3 – Sightseeing in Sangla, visit Chitkul and drive to Kalpa. Night stay in Kalpa Day 4 – Sightseeing in Kalpa, visit Nako, visit Gue and drive to Tabo. Night stay in Tabo Day 5 – Sightseeing in Tabo, visit Dhankar, Lhalung and drive to Kaza. Night stay in Kaza Day 6 – Day trip to Pin Valley, Kungri and Mudh village. Night stay in Kaza Day 7 – Day trip to Key, Kibber and Chicham. Night stay in Kaza Day 8 – Day trip to Hikkim, Komik and Langza. Night stay in Langza Day 9 – Kaza to Chandratal Lake. Night stay in camp near Chandratal Day 10 – Chandratal to Manali / Mandi. Night stay in Manali / Mandi Day 11 – Manali / Mandi to Chandigarh. Fly back or night stay in Chandigarh and fly back the next day Add a few more days to your itinerary if you plan to visit Lahaul valley as well. The above itinerary can be shortened based on the number of days you have in hand and choose to take Manali route while going towards and returning from Spiti Valley. Permit for Spiti Valley: Indian citizens do not require to obtain any permits to visit Spiti Valley. Special permits were required to enter Spiti Valley from 1962 to 1993 due to Chinese Aggression. The permit rules have been abandoned since 1993 and now there are no permit requirements for Indians to visit Spiti Valley. Note: The permit mentioned earlier in this article was to cross Rohtang pass from Manali and not to enter Spiti valley. Foreign nationals visiting Spiti Valley are required to obtain an Inner Line Permit. These can be obtained by submitting necessary documents (a filled Inner Line Permit application, itinerary of travel, copy of passport and visa and passport size photographs) at District Magistrates office in Shimla, Kullu and Reckong Peo, or at Sub-District Magistrate office in Shimla or Kalpa. The entire process of getting a permit takes 2-3 hours and the permit is valid for 2 weeks. Note: Inner Line Permit is not required to visit places in Kinnaur Valley like Sangla, Chitkul, Kalpa and Nako. Important things to remember while travelling to Spiti Valley: Mobile and Data connectivity – You will not have any mobile or data connectivity (Airtel & Vodafone) beyond Kalpa/ Reckong Peo. BSNL SIM carriers would get some connectivity in Kaza but not in nearby smaller villages or Chandratal. But BSNL too would only have network connectivity. Data connectivity would be close to non-existent. We heard that Jio network towers were being erected in Kaza and may be ready by end 2020. ATM/ Money withdrawal - The last ATM that you will come across will be in Reckong Peo/ Kalpa. Though Kaza and Tabo have SBI ATM, they are not reliable. Credit cards are not accepted by any shopkeepers or hotel owners in the Spiti region. Fuel – The last petrol pump is in Reckong Peo/ Kalpa. There is only one fuel station in Spiti valley in Kaza which is the world's highest fuel station. This petrol pump may or may not be functional and tends to have long queues, hence you are recommended to tank up at Kalpa. Shop – Apart from postcards, magnets, warm clothes and souvenirs, do buy sea buckthorn jam, juice and slush from Spiti Valley. You can buy all the souvenirs at a cheaper rate from Kaza. In other villages they are a bit expensive. Spiti Valley Tours: As you may have noticed, planning a trip to Spiti Valley is not very easy. There are plenty of places to visit and the roads are not very good in condition. Road to Spiti Valley is considered one of the most dangerous roads in the world. Also you will have to spend a lot of time identifying the right hotel / homestay / guesthouse. Not every accommodation is listed on travel websites and it is difficult to contact via phone as network is poor. We also read about experiences other travellers had where they booked hotels online and upon reaching were refused accommodation as they had no information about any bookings. Having looked into all these hassles, we decided to book our tour with Spiti Valley Tours. Spiti Valley Tours is a travel agency located in Kaza and is owned by a Spitian. They offer customised itineraries based on the number of days of travel and budget. They have a fleet of experienced drivers and a network of hotels and homestays. Mr. Lara and Mukesh from Spiti Valley Tours helped us design our trip to Spiti Valley ensuring our specific needs are met. Their efforts in sustainable and responsible tourism echoed our values. We highly recommend booking your trip with them. You can book your trip to Spiti Valley with Spiti Valley Tours through their official website. PIN THESE IMAGES In the last few years, infrastructure in Spiti Valley has improved a lot from roads to bus services. Spiti now has enough facilities to have a comfortable trip. And it is still a decade or so away from commercialisation as seen in Leh. It is hence the right time to plan a trip to Spiti before it loses its rawness and purity. Hope this article helps you plan a trip to Spiti Valley. If you need any further information, feel free to ask us in the comment section below or you can directly contact us via mail. In our upcoming articles, we will detail out places to visit in Kinnaur and Spiti Valley. Stay tuned! #India #NorthIndia #HimachalPradesh #TravelPlanning

Kerala state in Southern India is rightly known as ‘God’s Own Country’. The state is blessed with abundant natural beauty in lush greenery, a vast coastal belt, picturesque hills (the Western Ghats), and beautiful backwaters. Kerala has always been a popular place for travelers of all kinds. The state can be divided into three parts. For ease of your understanding, we will list down a few tourist places in each of these parts. North Kerala houses popular tourist places like Kannur, Wayanad, and Kozhikode (Calicut), whereas Central Kerala includes Kochi and Thrissur. South Kerala is the most popular belt amongst tourists visiting the state and has famous places like Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey, Kollam, Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kovalam, and Poovar. The best thing about Kerala is that each of these parts harbors an airport – Kannur and Kozhikode airport in the north, Kochi airport in central, and Trivandrum airport in the south of the state. This allows travelers to easily reach the place of their choice. Since the Kochi-Munnar-Thekkady-Alleppey circuit is the most visited and most talked about, you will find abundant information about these places on the web. We noticed that the localities south of Alleppey (Kollam, Varkala, Trivandrum, Kovalam, and Poovar) are often neglected; hence, we will list down places to visit these areas of South Kerala. We will also include an ideal itinerary that you can follow for your visit to these places, along with recommendations on stay options. South Kerala Itinerary: The Trivandrum airport is the nearest airport to places to visit in South Kerala (Kollam, Varkala, Kovalam, Poovar). Trivandrum is also a major rail junction that lies on the Western Railway Line. You can follow the below-mentioned Kerala itinerary after arriving in Trivandrum. You can also reverse this itinerary based on the accommodation availability. Trivandrum (1N) – Kollam (1N) – Munroe Island (1N) – Varkala (2N) – Kovalam (2N) – Poovar (1N) – Trivandrum (1N) In case you have more time, you can include Kanyakumari in your itinerary which is as such in neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu Places to visit in South Kerala: This article lists sightseeing places in each town (Kollam, Munroe, Varkala, Trivandrum, Kovalam, and Poovar) and recommendations on the best properties to stay. Kollam Kollam is a town referred to as the ‘Gateway to backwaters in Kerala’. With travelers realizing its potential off lately, the town is slowly gaining popularity. The best place to visit in Kollam is the Mahatma Gandhi beach, also called as the Kollam beach. The beach stretches for miles and is a perfect sunset spot. The other tourist places in Kollam includes Thangassery Lighthouse, St. Thomas Fort, Paravur Lake and Ashtamudi Lake. Do not miss out on a houseboat ride or a country boat ride along the several canals of Paravur Lake. We highly recommend staying at the Fragrant Nature Resort in Paravur, Kollam district. The resort is surrounded by beautiful backwaters, and all the rooms overlook the waterbody. About 40 kilometers from Kollam town is the Jatayu’s Earth Centre that houses the world’s largest sculpture of a mythological bird named Jatayu on a hilltop. It is a must-visit place to include in your South Kerala itinerary. You could also visit the Thenmala ecotourism site as a day trip from Kollam. Munroe Island Munroe Island is located at a distance of 25 kilometers from Kollam town at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River. The island is the starting point of the very popular Kallada boat race. Munroe Island’s main attraction is cruising in the backwaters through narrow canals and passing under the naturally formed mangrove arch. You will spot wonderful birds at Munroe Island. You can also go fishing and get your catch cooked. If you haven't included Munroe Island in your South Kerala itinerary, you are already missing out on a lot. Take our word, you will find Munroe Island to be the most fulfilling place to visit in South Kerala. Other places that you must visit on the Munroe Island are the Munroe viewpoint, the 1878 AD Dutch Church, John Munroe Museum and the Perumon railway bridge. You will be able to watch incredible sunsets and sunrises from the island. Also, try out the very delicious beverages at Munroe mocktails and buy hand-painted landscape artwork from the Raghu Munroe art gallery. You can go around exploring the island on a rented bicycle. Often referred to as the ‘Venice of India’, Munroe Island is a network of 8 islets, out of which you can book an entire islet. Vini’s Farm is a homestay located on a tiny islet in Munroe, and it lets you own the whole islet to yourself. We highly recommend this property to couples, especially honeymooners, who wish to seek some privacy, solitude, and peace. Vini’s Farm is also ideal for artists and writers. For budgeted travelers, we recommend staying at Green Chromide Homestay. It is located right on the banks of the Kallada River, and they have a wooden chalet overlooking the river. The hosts are lovely people and great to talk to. They prepare delicious food that is served in the garden dining area right next to the river. Varkala Varkala is a famous beach town in South Kerala amongst surfers, beach-bummers, digital nomads, and backpackers. While on your trip to this beautiful town, you should visit the 4 beaches (Kappil beach, Edava beach, Black Sand beach, and Papanasham beach), each unique in its own way, the Janardhana Swamy temple (from where Varkala got its name), and of course the North cliff and South cliff (the most happening places in Varkala filled with souvenir shops and restaurants). Varkala will offer you an opportunity to view unparallel sunsets each day. Varkala is amongst the best places to visit in South Kerala for all kinds of travelers. Varkala’s charm, however, lies across its seashore, and it is highly known as one of the best-surfing destinations in India. You can opt to learn surfing from one of the many surf schools in the town. We did a 3-day beginner surfing course from Soul and Surf – a surf school cum accommodation located on the picturesque edge of the South cliff. We highly recommend staying with them even if you don’t take part in surfing. Varkala’s cliffs are also ideal for paragliding, and you can participate in this sport at the Helipad, North cliff. Varkala is an ideal base to travel to a few nearby places, including Anjengo Fort and lighthouse located 15 kilometers south of the town, and Jatayu Earth’s Centre (world’s largest bird sculpture) situated on a hill in Chadayamangalam area, located about 30 kilometers from Varkala. The town is also a paradise for food connoisseurs who love to taste different cuisines. Your South Kerala itinerary is incomplete without hopping the global restaurants of Varkala. Trivandrum Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala state, is a major IT hub now. On your trip to South Kerala, it is advisable to book your flights to and from Trivandrum. And do not forget to spend some time in this ‘evergreen city of India’ as tagged by Mahatma Gandhi. Must-visit places in Trivandrum include the Chitra Art Gallery that showcases the incredible paintings of Raja Ravi Verma, the Napier Museum exhibiting the unique Mughal artefacts, and the Padmanabhaswamy temple, claimed to be one of the wealthiest temples in the world. We rented a two-wheeler from one of the motorcycle rental agencies near Trivandrum airport and rode across the city, visiting places of interest and hopping lovely cafes. We highly recommend watching the sunset from the Shangumugham beach located near the airport. For stay, you will find a variety of accommodations in this capital city, ranging from low-budget to luxurious ones. Kovalam Kovalam has a special place in South Kerala’s tourist circuit. The town is dotted with pretty beaches that are worth visiting. The lesser-known ones include Samudra beach, Ashok beach, and Grove beach. These beaches are safe for swimming and water sports. Although the number of tourists on these beaches are less, you will find plenty of local boatmen offering you parasailing and snorkeling packages. The other set of beaches includes Kovalam beach, Hawa beach, and Lighthouse beach. These are very popular amongst tourists. Another must-visit destination in Kovalam is the Vizhinjam lighthouse that you can easily spot from the Lighthouse beach. You are allowed to climb to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy the incredible bird’s eye view of Kovalam from there. For a perfect sunset, head to the Vizhinjam harbor. If you have some more time in Kovalam, visit the Chowara beach and the Aazhimala Shiva temple close by. The 58-feet tall statue of Lord Shiva at this temple with the Arabian Sea behind has the power to immediately calm your senses. Give this place a chance in your South Kerala itinerary. Rockholm at the Lighthouse beach is the best property to stay in Kovalam. It is located close to the Vizhinjam Lighthouse and the Lighthouse beach and has private access to a small stretch of secret beach nearby. All their rooms have a sea-facing balcony with an excellent view of the sea. Poovar Poovar is a small beach town located close to the borders between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The town is known for its golden beach, the unique sand bar, and the backwaters created by the Neyyar River. Though the Poovar beach is unsafe for swimming due to intense wave currents, a walk along the sand bar separating the sea and backwaters will make up for all the lost water adventures. In Poovar, we stayed at the Poovar Island Resort located on a tiny isle bordered by swaying palms and backwaters. We spent our time eating wholesome food, getting authentic Ayurvedic massages, relaxing in the squeaky-clean swimming pool, admiring the backwater views, sailing the backwaters, and taking long strolls at the Poovar beach. Without a doubt, Poovar Island Resort is the best resort in Poovar. If you have ample time in Poovar, do not miss out on visiting the Chenkal Maheshwaram temple that boasts of the tallest Shivalingam (111 feet) in India, which you can climb up to the top. This is one of the most unique places to visit in South Kerala. Follow our itinerary to make the most of your South Kerala trip. Read up our dedicated blogs on each of the places mentioned above to find more information about the places to visit. Do let us know if you need help in planning your South Kerala trip itinerary. Happy travelling!

Poovar is a small town in Trivandrum district in South of Kerala, India. Poovar and adjoining town of Pozhiyoor lies almost towards the bottom end of Kerala and is place you would pass by when you visit Kanyakumari through Kerala. This fishing and trading centre has slowly caught up tourists attention due to the scenic geographic location - an island formed due to river and backwater that houses some luxury resorts as well as golden sand beach that lies across the backwater lake. Poovar is hence a place we would high recommend you visit as part of your South Kerala itinerary and Poovar Island resort is where we would suggest you stay. Every year, the reality dating show Splitsvilla’s team picks an exotic resort to shoot their gig. Amidst COVID in 2021, they chose the Poovar Island Resort in South Kerala. If you have watched the episodes of Splitsvilla 13, you already know how remarkable the island resort is! If you haven’t, you are at the right place. For this article, we will present a detailed review of our stay with Poovar Island Resort, South Kerala’s most sought-after property. Location of Poovar Island Resort Poovar is located at a distance of about 30 kilometers south of Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala state. Both the nearest railway station and the nearest airport to Poovar is in Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). Poovar Island Resort is located hidden amidst the swaying coconut palms and endless golden sands on Poovar Island. Basically, Poovar Island is a tiny isle in Neyyattinkara, bordered by backwaters and the Neyyar River. How to reach Poovar Island Resort There are no roads that connect Poovar to the Poovar Island Resort. Located on an island surrounded by sea and river, the resort can only be accessed by waterways. Once you park your vehicle at the parking lot of Poovar Island Resort, the resort staff will receive you and escort you to the resort premises in a speed boat. After about a 15-minute boat ride, you reach the boating dock at Poovar Island Resort. Our stay experience at Poovar Island Resort Once at the boating dock of the Poovar Island Resort, we received a warm welcome from a hostess from the Front Office Management. She accompanied us to the reception through a canopied pathway for the check-in formalities. While walking through the paved path, we observed that the property is spread across acres and acres of land (25 acres in total). Vast gardens with big trees and flowering plants adorn the entire area. We realized that there was no need to get out of the resort at all, as there was so much to do and see there itself. The reception is in the center of Poovar Island Resort, while the rooms, restaurants and all other amenities surround it. The pool and the multi-cuisine restaurant is behind the reception. Different categories of rooms are towards the left and right sides of the reception. In the front is the garden that overlooks the Poovar backwaters and a sand bar. We were soon escorted to our room – A Premium land cottage. The Premium land cottages at the Poovar Island Resort are secluded from the crowded areas to ensure maximum privacy. The rooms are tastefully done with soft-hued colors and wooden furniture. Our spacious room was furnished with a king-sized bed, side tables, a comfortable sofa set, and a dressing table. The closet was accommodated in the en-suite bathroom, which was as big as the room. We loved the design of the bathroom with floor to ceiling mirrors, a jacuzzi, a spacious changing area, and a shower area. Each Premium land cottage at Poovar Island Resort open to a lovely balcony through a glass sliding door. They overlook the lush greenery of the resort. Equipped with all modern amenities like air conditioning, tea/ coffee maker, mini-fridge, LCD television, and running hot and cold water, the cottage pronounced comfort and luxury at the same time. Poovar Island Resort has 86 cottages in total – 2 Maharaja Suites – Featuring a big bedroom with a poster bed, a vast living room, two bathrooms (one with a Jacuzzi), and the suite overlooks the backwater and the sea further away. 8 Premium Land Cottages - The ones that we stayed in. 16 Floating Cottages – 12 Standard ones with just a bedroom and 4 Deluxe ones with an attached living room. These cottages float entirely in the deep backwaters. These cottages are the most sought-after accommodation option at Poovar Island. They are built using Ferrocement technology that makes them lightweight and helps them float. They all overlook the backwaters. 18 Ayurveda Village Cottages – We didn’t even know that an entire Ayurveda village existed in the Poovar Island Resort premises. These cottages were surrounded by the Ayurvedic treatment center, a separate swimming pool, and a restaurant. 44 Superior Land Cottages – Rustic yet comfortable rooms equipped with four-star comfort and amenities. Dining at Poovar Island Resort You will be spoilt with dining choices during your stay at Poovar Island Resort. They have a multi-cuisine restaurant named ‘Tiffin’ that is located behind the swimming pool. It serves delicious Indian, Chinese, and Continental meals. The ‘Floating Restaurant’ is located near the Sunset point overlooking the backwaters, the beach, and the sea. It has a specialty menu and arranges special theme dinners. Ayurveda Restaurant is separately located in the Ayurvedic village and serves diet meals only to its Ayurveda clients. The ‘Kappa Bar’, located in the lush green gardens of the Poovar Island Resort, serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages along with a mini menu of light snacks. The ‘Sunken Bar’ situated inside the swimming pool serves soft drinks. We had all our meals at the Tiffin restaurant. The food served was excellent and of good quantity. The restaurant staff at Poovar Island Resort are customer-focused and flexible. On request, they arranged a Candlelight Dinner for us in a small, secluded garden across the restaurant. They decorated the table with flowers, candles, and decorative lights. The service was flawless. In that romantic ambience, we had the best of time. Other amenities at Poovar Island Resort Swimming Pool - The swimming pool at Poovar Island Resort is sandwiched between the reception and the Tiffin restaurant; however, being hidden by tall plants, it provides utmost privacy to the swimmers. The pool is well-maintained and always kept squeaky clean. The blue tiling gives it a fantastic look. A separate shallow pool for kids is located next to the main swimming pool. We had a great time swimming and then relaxing on the lounge chairs beside the pool. Ayurveda treatment - Ayurveda treatment is not just available for the long-term guests staying at the Ayurveda village but also for the other in-house guests. Certified Ayurveda doctors and practitioners have been appointed by the Poovar Island Resort, which use authentic oils and medicines to provide treatments. They have a long list of massage and treatment varieties. The Ayurveda Restaurant chefs prepare food after consultation with the certified dieticians to meet the nutritional requirements of the patients. The Ayurveda Village at Poovar Island Resort has 15 treatment rooms, a few with attached shower facilities. The resort receives several repeated guests who visit each year for treatments. They honor the guests who visit more than 5 times with their placard on a ‘Wall of Fame’. How incredible is that!! Play Zone - The most happening area at Poovar Island Resort is the Kids Play Zone. A colorfully designed indoor game building is in one corner of the resort. The outdoor game area and the adventure zone look extremely fun and exciting. There were several affordable packages for the adventure activities. Poovar beach visit - Speed boats are available from morning till evening for visiting Poovar Beach. These are free of cost, but you will have to notify the reception sometime in advance if you wish to go to the beach. Poovar beach is a long stretch of sand bar that separates the ocean and the backwaters. However, the waves are large and ferocious, and one cannot venture inside the seawater, forget swimming. We had a great time strolling along the sand bar and taking in the fantastic 360-degree views. Sunset viewpoint - After returning from the Poovar beach, do not miss out on the fantastic sunset viewpoint at the Poovar Island Resort. You will get a beautiful reflection of the setting sun in the backwaters as it slowly dips down in the sea. Don’t even get us started describing the sky colors! Conference rooms - Poovar Island Resort provides banquet halls and conference facilities for business and personal events. They also have an in-house shop that sells essential utilities, traditional trinkets, gifts, and souvenirs. Backwater cruise - Poovar Island Resort also arrange for a 1 or 2-hour backwater cruise on prior request. The boat glides through the palm-fringed backwaters and takes you to the mangrove plantations in the Neyyar River, where you can spot a variety of beautiful birds. Places to visit near Poovar Island Resort There aren’t a lot of places to visit on or near Poovar Island. Take our advice and spend your time in the resort eating wholesome food, relaxing in the pool or one of the gardens, unwinding in your balcony, admiring the backwater views, visiting the Poovar beach, sailing the backwaters, participating in adventure activities, or taking leisurely walks in the resort. If your South Kerala itinerary is packed and has no time for a stay at Poovar Island, we still would recommend a day visit to Poovar Island Resort. They have exciting day packages where you can use the amenities at the resort, take part in adventure activities, visit the Poovar beach, and have a wholesome meal. If you have ample time in hand and wish to explore more in Poovar, we mention a few places worth visiting from Poovar Island as a day trip. The staff at Poovar Island Resort will arrange a vehicle for you at additional cost to see the following places. 1. Chenkal Maheshwaram Temple (9 kilometres) - We generally do not promote visiting temples, but this one is beyond excellent. Located just 10 kilometers away from Poovar, in a town named Chenkal, the Chenkal Maheshwaram Temple is home to the tallest Shivalingam in India. The Shivalingam is hollow from inside and has eight floors where 6 meditation halls, 108 different small shiva lingams, and 64 forms of Shiva have been incorporated. The spirally placed halls gradually lead to the main idol of the temple – a complete sculpture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi sitting on a Kailasa hill and blessing the world. The temple beside the 111 feet Shivalingam is built in traditional Keralan architecture, and you can find sculptures of different deities in Hindu mythology adorning various parts of the temple. 2. Kovalam (17 kilometers) – This beautiful beach town has a lot in store for each type of traveler. The Vizhinjam lighthouse, long stretch of Kovalam beach, and Chowara beach are places worth visiting in Kovalam. You can also opt to learn surfing from the famous surfing schools in Kovalam. 3. Thirparappu Waterfalls (30 kilometers) – At Thirparappu falls, the water falls from a height of about 50 feet. The district administration has constructed a pool sort of area for safe bathing under the falls. Changing rooms and boating facilities are also available at this beautiful waterfall. 4. Trivandrum City (33 kilometers) – Must visit places in Trivandrum includes Napier Museum, Art gallery, Kanakakkunnu palace, Puthen Malika palace, Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple, and Natural history museum. 5. Neyyar Dam (34 kilometers) – This dam is built on the Neyyar River, the source of backwaters on which the Poovar Island floats. The dam is surrounded by sparkling green pristine beauty, where you can also spot wildlife. Without a doubt, Poovar Island Resort is the best resort on Poovar Island. They are listed on most hotel booking portals, and you can book your stay with them by clicking on one of the icons below. Go give Poovar Island Resort a visit and let us know how you find it in the comment section below. PIN THESE IMAGES

Sivasagar is a small heritage town in the Indian state of Assam. Nestled between the more famous districts of Dibrugarh and Jorhat, Sivasagar used to be the capital of Ahom kingdom which ruled Assam for 600 years. It used to be called Rangpur in those times and is now also referred to as Sibsagar locally. Sivasagar is hence also known as the ‘Heritage Capital of Assam’. Sivasagar literally means ‘Sea of Shiva; Siva means ‘Lord Shiva’, and Sagar means ‘sea’. Even the beautiful lake located in the centre of the town is called Sivasagar. There are quite a few historically significant places and monuments along with some beautiful lakes which makes Sivasagar a good halt while travelling from Jorhat to Dibrugarh or vice-versa. Table of Contents Sivasagar Location How to reach Sivasagar, Assam? By Air By Rail By Road Sivasagar History Tourist Places in Sibsagar, Assam Rang Ghar Talatal Ghar Kareng Ghar Charaideo Maidams Sivadol, Vishnudol, and Devidol Sivasagar Tank Joysagar Tank Where to Stay in Sivasagar, Assam How to get around in Sivasagar, Assam Is Sivasagar worth visiting? Note that in this article, we use we use Sivasagar and Sibsagar interchangeably. Sivasagar Location Sivasagar is located in Upper Assam, about 80 kilometres (2-hour drive) away from Dibrugarh city. From Dibrugarh, we took a shared jeep (INR 150 per person) to get to Sivasagar. The drive to this small town is wonderful, with glimpses of Assamese village life and acres and acres of tea plantations on both sides of the road (NH 2 and NH 27 highway). From Guwahati, the capital city of Assam, Sivasagar is 370 kilometres away. How to reach Sivasagar, Assam? By Air Jorhat Airport, located in Jorhat (65 kilometres away), is the closest airport to Sivasagar, Assam. Dibrugarh Airport (90 kilometres away) is the second nearest airport to Sivasagar. By Train Sivasagar Railway Station serves Sibsagar town. The closest railway junction is Simaluguri junction, 15 kilometres away from Sivasagar, Assam. It lies on the Tinsukia-Guwahati line. By Road Sivasagar is connected to the rest of the major cities in Assam by good runs. State-run buses connect the town to Jorhat, Dibrugarh, and Guwahati. In addition, shared jeeps also ply on these routes regularly. Sivasagar History Formerly known as Rangpur, Sivasagar was the capital of the Ahom Kingdom for 89 years, from 1699 to 1788. The Ahoms, who migrated from China to India in the 1200s, ruled Assam and Arunachal for around six centuries, from 1228 to 1821. This puts Ahoms among the longest ruling Kingdoms in India, longer than Mauryas, Mughals and Guptas. Infact, they are among the few kingdoms that defeated Mughals' attempts to further their kingdom in a strategic war known as Battle of Saraighat and Battle of Itakhuli, both in Guwahati. The rule of the Ahom dynasty ended after the Burmese invaded Assam in 1821. Under the rule of Ahom Kings, Sivasagar witnessed a glorious period during which giant water tanks, palaces, temples, forts, and several notable monuments were constructed. This construction was influenced by various cultures, traditions, and religions. Hence, you will find domes and arches (Mughal architecture) and characteristic rising towers (Hindu temple architecture) in the monuments at Sivasagar, Assam. Tourist Places in Sibsagar, Assam As the former capital of the Ahom Kingdom, Sivasagar is home to several historical ruins. Visiting the monuments will take you back in time to the glory days of the Ahom dynasty. Some remain dilapidated, but many are well-kept and give you a good idea of how striking the structures were centuries ago. A paste of eggs and rice was used in place of cement in building the monuments of Sivasagar. This has helped to keep the structures strong and intact to date. Here are some of the must-visit tourist places in Sibsagar – 1. Rang Ghar Rang Ghar is believed to be the oldest surviving amphitheatre and sports pavilion in Asia. It is the most-visited tourist place in Sibsagar. This double-storeyed building was built during the reign of Ahom Kings in 1746 AD. In the local language, Rang Ghar means ‘House of Entertainment’. The Ahom rulers and nobles watched sports like bullfights, buffalo fights, cockfights, dance forms etc., from the first floor of this monument. Rang Ghar is referred to as the ‘Colosseum of the East’. It displays typical Ahom architecture in its construction, comprising an oval amphitheatre with a ceiling in the shape of a long Ahom boat with crocodile ends. On the main gate, you will find statues of dragons on either side of the gate. Today, the monument serves as a viewing point and is surrounded by a beautiful, well-manicured garden. Entrance ticket: INR 25 per person 2. Talatal Ghar Located on the bank of River Dikhow, Talatal Ghar is regarded as one of the largest monuments built by the Ahom Kings. The monument served as a palace as well as an army base for the Ahoms back in the 1750s. The seven-storied palace has four storeys above the ground and three storeys underground. In fact, in the Assamese language, Talatal Ghar means ‘Underground Home’ or ‘House having several storeys’. Such was the foresight of the Ahom builders; they made two secret underground tunnels for the royals to escape in case of emergencies. One of the tunnels (3 km) is believed to have direct access to the banks of the Dikhow River, whereas the other (16 km) is said to be connected to another palace named Garhgaon Palace. Many parts of underground floors of the palace have been closed, and tourists are not allowed to explore the sealed-off storeys. However, you can go around the rooms on the upper floors that are interconnected by narrow passageways. Ensure you do not get lost in the maze-like passageways at Talatal Ghar. We recommend getting to the topmost floor of this tourist place in Sibsagar to understand the palace layout. You will also see some canons here. We spent slightly more than an hour exploring the nooks and corners of the palace. Entrance Fees – INR 25 per person 3. Kareng Ghar Kareng Ghar is located in a town named Garhgaon, about 13 kilometres away from the main town of Sibsagar. Kareng Ghar used to serve as a royal palace when Garhgaon was the Ahom Kingdom’s capital. Hence, it is also called Garhgaon Palace. One of the secret tunnels of Talatal Ghar is believed to connect to this tourist place in Sibsagar. Kareng Ghar is a four-storeyed monument with gradually receding floors. The top floor has a dome-shaped roof depicting Mughal architecture. The palace’s ground floor has three halls and several chambers, all interconnected with narrow passageways. These were meant for the servants of the royal family. You can climb up to the top floor of Kareng Ghar, where the King’s chamber is, and admire the beautiful views around the palace. Two out of four watch towers around the monument still stand strong. Entrance Fee – INR 25 per person 4. Charaideo Maidams Charaideo is one of the most unique places we have travelled to date. Located about 30 kilometres from Sibsagar town, Charaideo has a burial ground of the Ahom royals. It was believed to be a place of ancestral Gods of the Ahoms. The burial grounds are, however, not the regular ones you see. Instead, these are huge hemispherical earthern mounds covered by greenery. They are called ‘Maidams’. Charaideo was the first capital of Ahom Kingdom in Assam. In the Assamese language, it means ‘Hill on the top of the city’. The tombs or maidams in Charaideo seem to serve same purpose as Pyramids of Egypt. During the burial, the valuables of the royals were also buried with them. These spherical pyramid-style graveyards have drawn researchers from over the world to Assam. Around 31 king maidams and 160 queen maidams are present in Charaideo and adjacent districts of Sivasagar. The burial grounds are well maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. There are scores of distances between maidams in Charaideo; hence it becomes more like stroll in a garden with mounds. It is undoubtedly a must-visit tourist place in Sibsagar. Entrance Fee – INR 25 per person 5. Sivadol, Vishnudol, and Devidol As you set foot in Sivasagar, you will see a tall dome of a temple right from the main road. This is Lord Shiva’s temple, considered the tallest Shiva temple (105 feet) in India. An Ahom King’s wife, a devotee of Lord Shiva, got this temple constructed in 1734. Dol in local language means Temple. The huge dome at the top of Sivadol is called ‘Kosoloi’ and is said to be made of pure gold. The temple attracts thousands of tourists from across the country, especially during Shivratri when a big fair is organised on the temple premises. Vishnudol and Devidol are the two other temples located adjacent to Sivadol. They are all housed in a large elevated park on the banks of the Sivasagar tank. While Vishnudol is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Devidol worships Goddess Durga. Visit these temples early in the morning to offer peaceful prayers and find pigeons fluttering around you. All three Dols are the top tourist places to visit in Sibsagar. Entrance fee – Free of cost 6. Sivasagar Tank Sivasagar Tank is a large pond in Sivasagar that was dug by the Ahoms in the 18th Century. It is said that the entire 130 acres of pond area were dug (64 feet) in a single night, that too without the use of the present-day technological support. Interestingly, the tank’s water level never changes, not even in monsoon. As it is entirely manmade, it is referred to as a ‘tank’ instead of a lake. It is also called Borpukhuri in the local Assamese language. Sivasagar tank is located near the Dols (temples) in the centre of the town. Roads form a circle around the pond. Deities from Indian mythology are sketched and painted on the walls of the tank. During winter, migratory birds visit the Sivasagar tank, making it an ideal place for birdwatchers. A watchtower is built on the eastern bank of this beautiful tourist place in Sibsagar. 7. Joysagar Tank Joysagar Tank is one tourist place in Sibsagar that is still relatively lesser visited by travellers. This huge artificial pond was built in the year 1697 and covered about 320 acres of area. Interestingly, the water level of the tank remains 14 feet above ground level. There’s a beautiful park with a restaurant on the banks of the Joysagar Tank that you must not miss out on visiting. Several Hindu temples surround the tank, the popular ones being Joydol, Devidol, and Shivadol. You can admire the tank from various vantage points encircling it. It is another place for tourists to watch some migratory birds in winter. Where to Stay in Sivasagar, Assam Sivasagar receives quite a handful of tourist footfall every year. However most of these tourists are Assamese and may have family and friends in the city. Many other tourists visit Sivasagar as a day trip preferring to stay at nearby bigger cities of Dibrugarh or Jorhat. We felt the options in terms of hotels are relatively limited and most may not have enough positive reviews online. However our experience was that people in general are good and tried to do their best to make our experience better. There is also a tourist lodge in Sivasagar managed by the government tourism board. You can have your meals at the hotel you are staying at, or get to the town centre that houses several eateries. Click on below images to see available hotels / homestays in Sivasagar, Assam - How to get around in Sivasagar, Assam If you are visiting Sivasagar in a taxi from Dibrugarh or Jorhat, going around various tourist places would be easy. But if you are visiting Sivasagar using public transportation, only a few tourist places in Sibsagar are located at a walkable distance. Therefore, you will need to hire an auto-rickshaw to visit the other places of interest. However, you can easily flag down an auto from the main roads of the town. You can also request your hotel’s helpdesk to arrange an auto. To visit far-off places like Charaideo and Kareng Ghar, you can either take a bus to these towns or get on a shared jeep. You can also negotiate a full-day fare with an auto driver to take you around all the historical places to visit in Sivasagar. Note that you can get scooters on rent in Jorhat or Dibrugarh but not in Sivasagar. Is Sivasagar worth visiting? Certainly! Sivasagar, Assam, is not just a great tourist spot for history lovers but also for those interested in appreciating and understanding magnificent architecture, nature, religion, and culture. So, spend a night in this bustling town and admire this former Kingdom of Ahom. Pin this image Have you been to Sivasagar in Assam? If yes, how did you find it? Have we missed any of your favourite places? Let us know in the comment section below.

Tea is more than just a morning beverage for the people of Assam. It is a way of life. And when it comes to the town of Dibrugarh, you can see lush green tea gardens as far as the eye can see. This colour of life and abundance was all we saw as we stood on the first floor of Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow – the iconic ‘Chang Ghar’ surrounded by tea gardens in Dibrugarh, Assam. This article is a review of our stay experience at the chang bungalow. Follow my blog with bloglovin The Chang Bungalows of Assam We all know how luxuriously and comfortably the Britishers loved to live in India. Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow is a classic example and an ideal representation of their lifestyle. When seen from afar, the bungalow seems to be floating over the tea bushes that surround it. Only when you get near will you find that it is supported on wooden stilts. Such bungalows are called the ‘Chang Bungalows or Chang Ghars,’ hence the name – Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow. Review of Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow Location of Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow is located on the outskirts of Dibrugarh town in Upper Assam, India. In 1970, it was bought from the British Indian Tea Company by the Jalans – the oldest tea-growing families in Assam. Through their company named Purvi Discovery, they converted the chang bungalow into a 6-room heritage guesthouse in 2001. 3 rooms are on the ground floor and 3 on the floor above, each named after a tributary of the Brahmaputra River. Until the late 1900s, the entire house stood on wooden stilts. This was done both to keep the house cool by allowing fresh air to blow from beneath and to keep animals and water out. But while the chang ghar was converted into a heritage guesthouse, 3 rooms were built on the ground floor. So, it is no longer all stilts, though we could still see plenty of stilts supporting the first floor. The entire chang ghar, as well as the décor and furniture, is made up of wood. One of the most interesting features is that even the nails used in the flooring are made of wood, not iron. These wooden nails are said to be handcrafted by traditional Chinese artisans. Reaching Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow As we approached the Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow, we passed through the impeccably manicured garden home to a more than 150-year-old giant rain tree. Driving on the gravelled road of the estate, we arrived at the grand entrance/ parking area, where our hosts warmly received us. Some quick check-in formalities, and after an appropriate serving of an iced tea, we were escorted to our room on the first floor of the chang ghar. Our room at Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow The rooms on the first floor of Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow are as old as the house and still ooze a sense of the by-gone era. Our bedroom was enormous, large enough to sleep an army. Cute box windows with floral curtains opened to the outdoor balcony-type seating area that eventually overlooked the lawn. Equipped with all modern amenities, our bedroom at Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow had a king-sized bed with warm and comfortable linen, bed-side tables and lamps, a unique wooden towel hanger, a coat hanger, a dresser, a study table, a full-sized mirror, a shoe-rack, a luggage rack, and an easy chair. The bedroom led to a small dressing room, which in turn led to a bathroom. Fitted with a bathtub, a geyser, and a cosy shower, the bathroom was as large as the bedroom. The floor-to-ceiling box windows that opened to the huge balcony/ sitting area outside the room were adorned with outdoor furniture to sit, relax, and enjoy the winter sun. The room was also equipped with a super-useful heater as we visited during the winter season. As a result, we felt extremely safe and snug in our modern yet historic British abode. Other rooms / areas at the Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow Besides the 6 rooms, Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow also has a lounge area, an indoor dining room, an outdoor breakfast area, and a snuggly library. Each of these areas is adorned with British-time maps on the walls, unique paintings, old photographs of the house, and quirky yet notable sit-outs. The chang ghar had all the elements that put you at ease and transports you to a period over a century ago. All these were surrounded by acres and acres of tea gardens where the staff used to work in an orderly manner, either pruning the tea plants or picking tea leaves. The active and loud humdrum in the far-away tea gardens never affected the quiet, splendid isolation of the chang ghar. Our experience at the Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow We spent most of our time lazing on the first-floor front side verandah of the chang bungalow, watching the labourers work in the tea fields. We even requested our breakfast to be laid there. Our morning started with a ceremonial tea made with utmost precision by the kitchen staff. Breakfast at Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow is entirely an English affair but with an Indian touch. There’s honey, fresh fruits, juices, cereals, toasts, and milk. Dinners at the chang ghar are communal, where all guests sit together on the large wooden table and chatter. The meals were elaborate, starting with soup, followed by starters, main course, sweets, and ending with a hot cuppa tea (of course!). We requested a traditional Assamese dinner one night and were served with mouth-watering, homely, authentic varieties that we still can’t get over. We also spent time in the sprawling garden right in front of Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow. The tall rainforest tree scattered the sunlight that filtered through it and provided excellent shade and warmth. The house looked even more beautiful from the surrounding gardens. Tea Plantations surrounding Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow We were allowed to move freely through the tea garden bordering the chang ghar. The tea leaves are plucked by the labourers living in the nearby village. These are then sorted, rolled, fired, and sent to the factory, where the tea is packed and labelled. The Jalan tea estate produces some of the best Assam Orthodox teas, made of shiny golden tips and appreciated by the tea-connoisseurs. This is then exported worldwide. We interacted with locals and learnt so much about tea while staying at Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow. The tea cultivated in the tea estate around Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow is organically grown and is free of pesticides and other chemicals. We loved walking in the tea gardens and understanding the entire process of tea making. Getting around Dibrugarh Purvi Discovery is a tourism company run by the Jalans that conducts trips to places to visit in and around Dibrugarh. In Dibrugarh, you should see the tea estates, DTP Dyke, Bogibeel bridge, Jokai Botanical Garden, Jagannath temple, and Jalan Mandir. You can also opt to visit the places near Dibrugarh like Namphake monastery, Margherita coal museum, Dibru Saikhowa national park, and Ahom ruins in Sivasagar. Please find detailed information about all these places in our article here. Other activities that Purvi Discovery offers include heritage tea tours, tribal tours, golfing holidays, birdwatching, etc. You can find their brochures in the library at Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow and pre-book tours of your interest. Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow is a retreat and not a traditional hotel. You can book the entire chang ghar or a room from any of the travel portals mentioned below or by directly contacting Purvi Discovery. Stay here for an unforgettable holiday amidst the comfort of a colonial lifestyle. It offers a perfect getaway from busy lives and hectic schedules. Pin this image