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Anniversary Celebration in Manali Igloo Stay
Anniversary Celebration in Manali Igloo Stay
Manali has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in India and remains full of tourists throughout the year. Apart from the usual hill station tourist attractions, Manali now has a relatively new concept to offer which we explored and enjoyed celebrating our 4thwedding anniversary. What if we told that you don’t have to go to a Scandinavian country to experience an Igloo anymore?? That’s right… You may experience it well in Manali. Read on….
Days required– 2 days(1 more if you have not visited Manali-Kullu before)
Nearby places to go – Kullu, Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass( depending on the season)
Best time to visit – Jan-Feb (Igloos need good snowfall to be prepared. Snowfall usually starts in January. In March, these igloos starts to melt and we have to wait for the next winter)
How to reach – Manali can be easily reached by road. Plenty of state-run and private buses are available for Manali from Delhi and Chandigarh.
There is no rail network or airport in Manali.
From Manali, it is about an hour’s drive to these Igloos. Transfers to Igloo is provided in 4×4 vehicle by the tour agency/igloo owner on a sharing basis.
Our Experience of Igloo Stay
We reached Manali early morning by HimsutaVolvo(HRTC) and took a taxi to the hotel to get some rest. The Igloo owners provided us a room in the hotel for a nominal price. By 11 am, we were ready for the transfer. They provided us a snow dress and snow boots. It took us 45min to reach the Village “Sethan”. It was an uphill ride with very rough roads. As we were ascending, the terrain kept changed quickly. Snow clad roadsides and beautiful Deodar and spruce covering the valley made the view highly picturesque. We stepped out of the vehicle and were amazed to see the beauty of Sethan village covered in the snow. We were in the awe of this place only till we were asked to step downhill for about 100m to reach the Igloo. It was unexpectedly hard for people like us who are not used to anything beyond a moderate level of trekking. However, after a few minutes, we started getting amused by the adventure walking down along the snowy paths falling and sliding towards the Igloos for about 30 minutes.
There were five Igloos the same as seen in the movies and as I had imagined them to be. On arrival, we were provided some hot water and tea/coffee while the lunch preparations started. Our excitement knew no bounds amidst a lot of snow and made it a highly unanticipated kind of the first experience. After having coffee, we started running here and there like rabbits taking photographs from all the possible angles. The management had snow skating gears available for anyone willing to try it. Also, they had prepared a snow slide and swing for fun activities. Interestingly, they also had a warm house made with plastic sheets and a chimney kept inside for those who wanted to stay warm. We played with snowballs and made a snowman while we lived our unfulfilled childhood aspirations. By the time we were exhausted, lunch was ready and we had some scrumptious rice, rajma, and kadhi. As the day passed, we ordered tea/coffee/Maggi several times to overcome the cold. The temperature dipped further with the sunset. In the evening, they started Bonfire for us and we played music on their speakers. We could not have expected a day to be better than this. For the night, the place was decorated with fancy LED lights complimented with music in the background, everything was so magical. We enjoyed the evening with Chicken and paneer for dinner. After staying around the Bonfire till 9 pm we went inside our Igloo thereafter as the temperature fell to -15 degrees in the night.
The igloos here have been prepared with hard snow blocks and their floor, ceiling, and walls are ice. It’s a sturdy round dome-like structure with a narrow entrance having a snow bed in the center. The height is enough to allow us to stand comfortably but not spacious to roam freely inside similar to a camping tent suitable for 2 persons. You can just sit or sleep inside the Igloo. A plastic carton was provided to keep the backpacks and other stuff to prevent it from getting wet from the icy surroundings. A small bulb lights up the igloo and is the only electric connection inside which means no mobile charging point is available. Additionally, portable emergency light for the night is provided by the management. A very basic toilet facility was set up nearby with no bathing option(pretty obvious though). With water so chilling that even washing hands was no less than a dire dare, we didn’t give bathing any thoughts. Changing the clothes was a task in itself because of the cold which was making the hands numb if gloves were taken off even for a few seconds. But hey, isn’t that what one would expect from a stay in the Igloos???
The management staff was really friendly and helpful. They prepared each igloo for the night and equipped us to face the chilling night ahead. We were provided a hot water bag for keeping our legs warm. Then there were two layers of warm cover and a sleeping bag. Over it, there was a warm blanket to maintain the warmth for a comfortable night. The Temperature inside was 8-9 degrees more than that of the outside. We slept like babies the whole night. I woke up early in the morning and enjoyed walking around the place. We sipped the morning tea/coffee on a snow table and had parantha and omelet for the breakfast. By then, it was time to say goodbye to the camp as our transfer vehicle was waiting for us on the road. Climbing up the snowy path seemed even more difficult than the descend as Paaro, and one more guest almost slipped on one of the narrow paths. After 20min of the trek, we were back on our way to Manali.
We reached their hotel and rested for an hour and had some snacks in the restaurant. Our bus was departure was scheduled in the evening that day, and we spent the remaining time exploring Manali. The hotel staff helped us book a cab and we enjoyed the trip to Hidimba Temple, Vashishtha Temple, Clubhouse and Mall Road. We paid the driver and spent the last 2 hours on the Mall road, had dinner later and reached the bus stand to board our bus to Chandigarh.
Expenses for two people –Approx. Rs 18000
Volvo bus from Chandigarh – Rs 1200 per person each side
Igloo stay(inclusive of meals) Rs 5000 per person
Transfer to Igloo, Both side –Rs 3500(on sharing basis)
Taxi to hotel and Local Manali tour- Rs200 + Rs 700
Meals –Rs 1000
Quick tips for fellow travelers–
- Book your visit in January(preferably late January). You can witness fresh snowfall.
- Bargain well with Taxi drivers in Manali for local tours.
- Be ready for harsh weather conditions.
- This stay is not advisable for children and the elderly.
- Things to carry for Igloo stay- Thermal Innerwear, waterproof gloves, woolen socks(3-4 pairs), Jacket, woolen cap, sunscreen, general medicines/prescribed medicines.
- There is no mobile connectivity around the Igloo site so be prepared for some internet detoxification.
- There are two bus stands in Manali – one old one(for Govt.operated local buses) is near Mall road and another new one for Volvo and private buses is just a 5 min ride from Mall road.
Ratings (it is subjective and my personal opinion)
overall rating 10/10 – loved the idea of Igloo stays. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, that too so perfectly managed so that guests are very comfortable even in extremely cold weather conditions.
Expense 4/10 – Both getting to Manali and reaching the Igloo is expensive.
Travel ease 7/10– Reaching Manali is easy but till Sethan, the route is very tiring and rough. An only experienced and trained driver can drive through that road and that too, in 4×4 vehicles only. And lastly, the last 100 meters road to the igloo is very tough.
Food -7/10 – Food at Igloo was average but I am not complaining as it is very difficult to provide meals there. They provide you unlimited Hot beverages and Maggi at any time you demand. The menu is limited. Veg, as well as non-veg food, was average in taste.
Ladakh – Crown Jewel of India
Exotic Beaches of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Road Trip to Chandigarh
Located at the foothills of Shivalik range of Himalaya, Chandigarh is the first planned city of India after independence designed by Le Corbusier. Chandigarh, itself home to many gardens and is the gateway to many hill stations in Himachal.
Days required– 1-2 days
Nearby places to go – Patiala, Amritsar
Best time to visit – October to February and during monsoon
How to reach –
By air – Chandigarh has an airport with very good connectivity to all major cities in India.
By train – Chandigarh railway station is connected to all major cities.
By road – You can book the govt. or private run buses to Chandigarh from all major cities in North India.
How we traveled – We did a road trip to Chandigarh from Ludhiana. It is a 3-hour drive from Ludhiana.
Where to stay – It is a small city and you can stay anywhere in the city but if you don’t have your vehicle then don’t book stay around Zirakpur/Dariya/Industrial area. There are many hotels in Sec.22, 42 and 45.
How to go around – We had our car to roam around the city. Auto-rickshaws, taxis, Ola/Uber are easily available everywhere in the city.
Places to visit
- Rock Garden – Prime attraction of Chandigarh built from complete waste, it was built by Govt. Officer Nek Chand as a hobby. Now it is spread over 25 acres of land and visited by hundreds of visitors every day.
Doll Museum inside Rock Garden - Rose Garden – Named after former Indian President Zakir Hussain, it is the home of more than 30000 varieties of trees and plants and some of the rare and exotic rose varieties. Best time to visit is around February-March when Rose festival is held here annually.
- Sukhna Lake – Beautiful manmade lake is the hotspot for locals as well as visitors in the evening time. You can walk around the lake and enjoy boating.
- Capitol Complex – Declared UNESCO Heritage site in 2016, it was designed by Le Corbusier. Spread over 100 acres, this place has many monuments including the Palace of Assembly or Legislative Assembly, Secretariat, High Court, Open Hand Monument, Geometric Hill and Tower of Shadows.
- Pinjore Gardens- Located in Panchkula district, these magnificent garden spread over 100 acres of land.
There is Bougainvillea Garden, Cactus Garden, Japanese Garden, Hibiscus Garden, Topiary Park, and Leisure Valley. If you have time, then you can explore these gardens also.
Where to eat –
Pal Dhaba(Sec.28D) – Butter Chicken, Mutton curry, Keema Kaleji, and Lassi
Swarn Dhaba(Sec 30C) – Mutton curry and Chicken curry. This place is very small, nothing fancy and pretty basic with limited seating capacity. Also, outlet closes early.
Katani Dhaba- Vegetarian Punjabi food
Garg Chat(Sec23) – Gol Gappa, Dahi papdi, aaloo Tikki
Kulcha Land – Amritsari Kulcha
Itinerary – We have been to Chandigarh a couple of times and covered different tourist spots described above in different trips so I will help you with an itinerary which will cover most of the Chandigarh.
Day 1 – Reach Chandigarh by noon. Have lunch at Pal Dhaba then visit Rock Garden. It will take 2-3 hours to explore this place. In the evening, stroll along the Sukhna Lake. Avoid eating at stalls around the lake and go to Katani(veg)/Swarn Dhaba(non-veg) for dinner.
Day 2 – Start your day early and reach Panchkula to explore the Pinjore gardens. It will take 2-3 hours and come back to the city for Lunch. Go to Leisure Valley or Rose Garden to relax or you can visit Capitol Complex.
Try street food near Punjab University at night.
Quick tips for fellow travelers –
- If you are driving here, you need to extra cautious of traffic rules as traffic police are very strict. You will be penalized for parking at the wrong spot or any other traffic rule violation.
- There is not much to see at Rose garden or bougainvillea garden if you are not visiting Chandigarh in Blooming season.
Ratings (it is subjective and my personal opinion)
Destination overall rating 7/10 – Chandigarh is usually a gateway for all the hill stations and not a popular tourist destination in itself.
Travel Expense 2/10 – not expensive at all(depends on your choice of accommodation and meals).
Travel ease 8/10 – Chandigarh is easily reachable and you can easily roam around the city.
Food 8/10 – A few good old eateries and a wide variety of restaurants/cafe/pubs and lip-smacking street food.
A Sunday Road trip to Indo-Pak Border in Ferozpur
This historical city of Punjab located on the bank of river Sutlej is not a well-known tourist destination. This city is the witness of the Anglo-Sikh war. Firozpur was the largest British Garrison in India. It is only 13 km from the Indo-Pak border where every evening there is a retreat ceremony just like the Wagah Border.
Days required– 1 day trip from major cities of Punjab.
Nearby places to go – Amritsar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh
Best time to visit – from October to February and also during monsoon.
How to reach
By air- City doesn’t have an airport. The nearest airport is Amritsar airport.
By train- It has Ferozpur Cantt. Railway Station and is well connected to Delhi and other cities of Punjab.
By road – Most common and convenient way is by road. Buses are available from major cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar and Ludhiana.
How we travelled – We did a road trip from Ludhiana. It was a 2-hour journey.
Where to stay – We didn’t stay at Firozpur. There are no 4 or 5-star accommodations for a stay but few decent hotel options if you want to spend a night there.
How to go around – You can hire an auto-rickshaw to explore the city and also book it for the day for a complete tour.
Places to visit –
- Hussainiwala Border – Less popular and less crowded version of Wagah Border Ceremony. Retreat ceremony takes place here before sunset daily by BSF soldiers and Pak Rangers. Timings differ in different seasons.
- National Martyr’s Memorial – Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru’s dead bodies were cremated here secretly at night after being executed in Lahore. Every year on 23rd March, a fair is held here in the memory of these freedom fighters. It is adjacent to Parking area of Hussainiwala Border.
- Saragarhi Memorial Gurudwara – It was built to commemorate the martyrdom of 21 Sikh soldiers of 36 Sikh regiment during the battle of Saragarhi. It is considered as one of the greatest last stands in war history. On 12th September, every year, people gather here to pay tribute to the heroic soldiers and celebrate Saragarhi Day.
Where to eat – You can try at Sher-E-Punjab and Chawla restaurant. As we didn’t stay there so we only had lunch at Chawla’s.
Itinerary –
It was raining on Sunday and I decided to go for a road trip to this place as it was just 2-hour journey from our home and we could come back the same day after attending the Retreat ceremony. We reached Firozpur by 3 pm and first searched for a restaurant for lunch. Luckily we found Chawla’s(I didn’t expect it here but now I know that Chawla’s is everywhere in Punjab). After a delicious vegetarian lunch, we asked directions for Saragarhi Gurudwara. It was just 5min away from the restaurant. We offered prayer there, clicked a few photographs and headed for Hussainiwala which was 13 km from the city. On the way, we also found a board stating –“End of the Northern Railway”
We reached the border check post by 4 pm and parked our car. There was an unexpectedly huge crowd there. It may be because of Sunday and very pleasant weather. Our mistake was that we didn’t take the token and went to see the memorial first. There we saw an old Railway track that was remnant of the first railway line introduced in Ferozpur.
When we went back to get the entry token, we were shocked to see a long queue there. There were approx. 1000 people waiting to enter the premises. Luckily, there was a separate line for women and my wife got tokens for both of us.
We entered the amphitheatre and saw Pakistani people sitting at a distance of 50metres. This was the major difference between Wagah and Hussainiwala. Here we could easily see the Pakistani side. Within 30minutes, both sides of amphitheatres were fully packed and many people were standing. People from both sides were dancing and singing patriotic songs. Retreat Ceremony started at 6 pm and finished at 6:30 pm with the lowering of national flags of both countries. It was a wonderful experience to witness this kind of exercise between the armies of both nations.
We reached Ludhiana at 9:45 pm.
Quick tips for fellow travellers –
- Reach here 1-2 hours before the ceremony so that you can park your vehicle and take entry token for the ceremony. Parking is available nearby. Carry your Govt. approved photo ID card.
- Border entry point and National Martyr’s museum is just a walk away. Collect the entry token for ceremony first as later there will be a long queue and then visit the memorial.
- There are canteen, washrooms and water cooler for the visitors near the ceremony amphitheatre.
Ratings (it is subjective and my personal opinion)
Destination overall rating 7.5/10 – I liked Hussainiwala ceremony more as it was a smaller gathering than Wagah and you can have a better look at Pakistani side of the ceremony.
Travel Expense 1/10 – other than lunch and parking, we didn’t pay for anything else.
Travel ease 8/10 – Very easily reachable for people from Punjab and Delhi by road.
Food 8/10 – I didn’t try a lot there but the food served at Chawla’s was tasty as always.
A weekend trip to Amritsar
Amritsar – City near to the Indo-Pak border, home to one of the holiest place for Sikhism and popular for Wagah Border ceremony and delicious Punjabi food.
Days required – It is a weekend trip for visitors from Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. 2 days are sufficient to explore the place.
Nearby places to go – Chandigarh
Best time to visit – during winter (October to February). Summer in North India is intolerable and should be avoided.
How to reach
By air – Amritsar has an airport with good connectivity and there are direct flights from Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai. Many international flights also run from here to Canada and Gulf countries.
By train – Amritsar Railway Station connects the city to all the major cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Mumbai, and Ahmadabad.
By road – There is govt. and private run bus services connecting Amritsar to all major cities in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi.
One can also self-drive or hire a car to reach here from Chandigarh and Delhi.
How we traveled – We booked a bus from Jaipur which took 14 hours to reach Amritsar but I recommend other travelers to take the train or flight as the journey was long tiring one and not comfortable at all.
Where to stay – Book your stay near Golden temple as it will be easy to roam around the city and most of the hotels are located around this area.
How to go around – Amritsar is a small city and can be easily covered by auto-rickshaws which are available everywhere around the city.
There is a HOHO(Hop On Hop Off) Bus service for tourists which covers all tourist spots of the city including Wagah border. Book the ticket online( http://amritsardekho.com) through the website or their counter near Maharaja Ranjit Singh statue on the spot.
For Wagah border, you will find many vendors around Jallianwala Bagh shouting to book the tour. You can book the whole cab (Rs.1000) or take a shared one for Rs.150-200.
Places to visit –
Golden temple complex- One of the holiest places for Sikh people, Harmandir Sahib is visited by thousands of visitors daily. Here runs the largest free kitchen serving 80000-100000 people daily. Visit here in the evening to witness the beautiful reflection of the temple in the Sarovar. Golden Temple is open 24 hours but the best time to visit is early morning(less crowd) or late evening (illumination at Temple Complex).
Jallianwala Bagh is walking distance from Golden Temple Complex. It is memorial infamous for 1919 massacre. You can see the bullet marks and the well where people jumped to save themselves from the firing.
Durgiana mandir – Dedicated to goddess Durga, the temple is modeled on the Golden Temple.
Govindgarh fort- For almost a century it was hidden within a surrounding compound wall and concealed by trees and vegetation. Gobindgarh Fort is the symbol of the dramatic rise of Punjab, its golden days and then the collapse of the Sikh Kingdom when faced with the relentlessly expanding British Empire, till it’s independence. It is now open for public but is still under renovation. There is not much to see inside for now. Authorities are developing the museum, 7D shows, kid’s rides and other things to make it attractive.
War Memorial – This newly built Memorial/Museum consists of 45 meters high Sword and 8 galleries depicting the sacrifices and heroic deeds from the times of the Sikh Kingdom till Kargil operations.
Wagah border- A must visit place for every visitor in Amritsar. Every evening before sunset, the soldiers from India and Pakistan lower the flags at this international border in a perfectly coordinated way. The ceremony starts at evening just before the sunset (timings differ in different seasons). Entry is free. Reach here 1-2 hour early to get good seats (near to Indo-Pak Border gates).
Amritsar is not just the Golden Temple and Wagah border. There is so much more to do here. You will love the Amritsari food and local bazaar for shopping.
Where to shop – Explore the streets of Hall Bazaar, Lahori Gate Bazaar, and Guru ka Bazaar and get a variety of things like Phulkari suits and Dupattas, Punjabi Jutti(footwear) and lip-smacking Amritsari Papad. Don’t hesitate to bargain here.
Where to eat – Amritsari food is 3rd major attraction for travelers after the Golden Temple and Wagah Border.
Langar/Kara Prasad – After offering your prayers at Golden Temple have a simple meal of dal, roti, sabzi, and chawal at the largest free kitchen of the world. Don’t miss the Kara Prasad on your way out.
Amritsari Kulcha – what can be more satisfying than eating legendary Amritsari Kulcha for breakfast at All India Famous Amritsari Kulcha and Kulcha Land.
Lassi – No meal in Punjab is complete without Lassi. Try the best one at Ahuja Milk Bhandar.
Desi Punjabi khana- Eat at these 100-year-old Dhabas the delicious Punjabi thali – Bharawan Da Dhaba and Kesar Da Dhaba.
Chicken/Mutton – Non-vegetarian don’t get hopeless – Tandoori chicken at Beera and Paya of Pal Da Dhaba and mutton of Mohan Singh Dhaba is waiting for you.
Itinerary
Day 1 –
We reached Amritsar in the morning and took a cab for our hotel. We took some rest as we were tired of the bus journey. Later, we took an auto-rickshaw for Hall Bazaar for shopping. We bought some Phulkari Dupattas and reached Bharawan Da Dhaba for lunch. After eating amazing food there, we both decided to come again the next day here for lunch(though that didn’t happen). Jallianwala Bagh is 10min walk from there. Golden Temple Complex is very nearby. You don’t need any auto/cab for these places.
It was around 5 pm when we walked into Harmandir Sahib and we were awestruck and it was a different world and atmosphere there. We sat near the Lake for hours and didn’t take our eyes off the calming water of the lake with the reflection of the temple in it. Later, after offering prayer, we went to the Langar Hall. Everyone is invited here with no discrimination at all. People from all religions and culture visit this place every day. They serve a simple meal to everyone sitting the hall and you can eat as much as you want but no wastage of food is allowed.
Day 2 – HOHO bus tour
We had booked a HOHO bus tour in advance as it was covering all of Amritsar. We covered all of the major tourist destinations by noon and then after having lunch, we started our Wagah border journey.
There is a big parking facility where all the vehicles are parked. Only VIP or Army vehicles can go further than that. It is quite a distance to cover. Rickshaws were available which will drop you near the entry gate. There was a huge crowd there waiting in a long queue for the security check. There was a different queue for men and women and we had to pass through a double security check to reach the theatre area built for the ceremony.
There was construction work going on to increase the seating capacity of the area. From here, we could easily see the Pakistani people sitting at their side waving their flags and singing and shouting songs.
Just before the ceremony, an army officer with mike in hand came near the crowd and started chanting – Vande Matram, Bharat Mata ki Jai and people went mad and started dancing on the patriotic songs. It was an experience of a kind.
The ceremony starts with a parade by the soldiers from both the sides and ends up in the perfectly coordinated lowering of the two nations’ flags. It lasts for 30 minutes.
The bus dropped us near the Town Hall from where we went to visit the Durgiana Mandir to finish our Amritsar trip.
Quick tips for fellow travelers –
- Make arrangements for Wagah border tour in advance as most of the cabs/taxis are booked by 3 pm and it will cost you more for a last-minute booking. You may not get a shared taxi/cab.
- Even if you have your vehicle, don’t drive it around the main market area as it is very congested and you will not get a parking spot. Just take an auto-rickshaw to explore the market.
- During Wagah visit, keep your bags and other things safe in cab/taxi. Take the camera, water, sunglasses, umbrella, Sunscreen lotion, wallet and any valuable items with you. You can take a camera, mobile phones, wallets and water bottles but bags of any kind are not allowed.
- Govt. approved photo ID may be asked during checking at Wagah border, so better to carry one.
- Be respectful at Golden Temple Complex. Cover your head all the time. Don’t take photographs at Prayer area.
- You can volunteer yourself for any work at Golden Temple like serving or making food or cleaning the utensil or serving water to other visitors.
Ratings (it is subjective and my personal opinion)
Destination overall rating 8/10 – You get to shop, eat Punjabi delicacies and visit Golden Temple and Wagah Border in a 2-day trip.
Travel Expense 1/10 –my one of the cheapest trip.
Travel ease 8/10 – easily reachable place and easy to explore. A variety of options available according to everyone’s budget.
Food 10/10 – Food heaven for everyone.
A Weekend trip to Bikaner
This trip served us two purposes – My state conference and family visit. My in-laws live in this desert town of Rajasthan. Bikaner is very famous for its Bhujiya, Rasgulle, Rat Temple(Karni Mata Temple) and Camels.
Days required – 2 days
Nearby places to go – Deshnok (Karni Mata Temple)
Best time to visit – October to February (Summer in this region can be very harsh)
How to reach
By bus – Bikaner is well connected to all the neighboring cities by state-run bus services and private bus services. It is the most convenient and fastest way to reach Bikaner.
By Train – Bikaner has a well-linked rail system which connects it to all major Indian cities.
By Road/Self drive – You can hire a cab or self-drive there. Roads connecting cities in Rajasthan are very good.
By air – Bikaner has an airport with limited connectivity but there is a direct flight from Delhi and Jaipur. Other nearest airports are 250km (Jodhpur) and 330km (Jaipur) away.
How we traveled – we traveled by bus from Jaipur. People from Jaipur and Jodhpur can plan a road trip also.
Where to stay – We stayed with our family but there are many budget hotels around the railway station area. You can easily find a place to live and eat and easily get a taxi/cab to explore the city. If you want to taste the royalty, stay at Lalgarh Palace or Laxmi Niwas Palace.
How to go around – Bikaner can easily be covered by cab/taxi/auto-rickshaw. Deshnok visit can be done by state-run buses which are cheap but not comfortable or you can hire a taxi for the complete trip.
Places to visit
- Junagarh Fort – One of the few forts in Rajasthan that is not built on a hilltop and only one that was never captured. Constructed in red stone, this fort is a must-visit place in Bikaner.
Inside Junagarh Fort - National Research Centre on Camel – One of its kind in whole Asia, this is research and breeding center for camels.
- Lalgarh Palace – Once the residence of the royal family, now most of the Palace is converted to a heritage hotel and is inaccessible for the general public. Tourist can visit the Sadul museum inside the Palace.
- Rampuriya Havelis – Once the home of the influential merchant family of Bikaner, Rampuriyas, these Havelis were known for their grandeur and beautiful architecture.
- Jain Temple Bhandasar- Located in Old City, this beautiful three-storeyed Jain temple is built with white marble and red stone.
- Karni Mata Temple – 30km from Bikaner, Deshnok is well known among devotees for the Karni Mata Temple which is home to thousands of rats which roam freely in the premises. No one can kill or even hurt these rats. Sighting of a white rat is considered good luck here.
a common sight inside Karni Mata Temple
Where to eat–
Bikaner serves you sweetest Rasgullas to spiciest Laal Maans. Here are some of the legendary outlets of Bikaner loved by locals and tourists alike.
Chhotu Motu Joshi sweet shop – Rasgulla, ras malai, kachori, and puri sabji
Bhikharam Chandmal Bhujiyawala – This is the place where famous Bikaneri Bhujiya was created.
Chhapan bhog – a very old outlet serving the tasty Bikaneri Rasgullas, Laddoo, and kachori.
Itinerary –
We boarded the bus to Bikaner at night to reach there early morning. My brother-in-law was waiting for us there at the bus stop to pick us up. We reached home and took the rest. After breakfast, we took their car and reach the Conference venue. It was boring so we headed back home and spent time with family. In the evening, we went to see the Fort which was walking distance from our home. We took all our nephews and niece with us and enjoyed the fun trip.
Next day, we visited the old city on a bike. My brother-in-law suggested taking the bike there as lanes are very narrow at some places. Traffic was just terrible in the city. We first visited Shri Laxminath temple but it was closed at that time. Jain Temple Bhandasar is walking distance from the Laxminath Temple. After that, we asked the locals about the Rampuriya Havelis and reached the area. We were amazed to see these beautiful lanes with Havelis on both the sides and equally disappointed to see the deserted ruined ones because of lack of maintenance. All these Havelis are closed and locked. You can’t visit them from inside. One is restored and converted to the Heritage Hotel. We got to see this one from inside on requesting the manager.
In the evening, all family members decided to pay a visit to Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok which is a 50-minute drive from Bikaner. I had visited this temple once before a few years back. Karni Mata Memorial has been developed nearby which is a new attraction for the visitors. It was dark when we reached Bikaner and had dinner at home.
Quick tips for fellow travelers –
- Rampuriya Havelis and Jain Temple are located in the old city so it is better to avoid driving car there. Take a bike or hire an auto to visit the place.
- Ask the locals to locate the Rampuriya Havelis. Don’t trust Google in the old city.
- Thousands of devotees come to Karni Mata Temple on some special occasion like Navratri so avoid these dates or you will have to spend hours in a long queue.
Ratings (it is subjective and my personal opinion)
Destination overall rating 7/10 Not much to explore in the city but Bikaner is a whole package when it comes to food, History, travel, and adventure.
Travel Expense 1/10 – my trip was extremely inexpensive as I didn’t spend any money on accommodation and travel.
Travel ease 8/10 – Bikaner is well-connected city via rail and road network.
Food 8/10 – You will love the Rajasthan food here and don’t forget to pick Bhujiya and Rasgullas for your family back home.
Explore the best beaches of India : Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Famous as Kalaa Pani wali Jail in childhood and now best known as an exotic honeymoon destination, Andaman is archipelago (an extensive group of islands) in the Bay of Bengal with many of the islands uninhabited, few islands are restricted for entry (because of the hostile local tribes) and very few islands are tourist-friendly.
We booked our tour through a tour agency but you can manage your tour if you book your stays, transfers and ferry tickets in advance. I will explain to you everything so that you can plan your trip.
Days required– 7-8 days (Don’t try to cut short your trip, I bet you will not regret to spend one extra day at these beautiful islands.)
Nearby places to go – I will list down islands where you can enjoy your beach holidays. Choose accordingly.
Other than Port Blair (Capital City of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and only Airport to enter the island)
We have:
Havelock Island
Neil Island
Baratang Island
Long Island
Ross Island
Diglipur
Best time to visit – Here you can learn from our experience. October to February is the peak season for Andaman trip. Package prices go very high during this time. We tried saving a few bucks by booking in the shoulder season of September. We got a good deal with our travel agency but September gets unexpected rainfall and we missed our Sea Walk activity (and we regret it every time we see someone going to Andaman)
How to reach –
By air – The most common and convenient way to reach Andaman is by flight. Port Blair is the International and Domestic Airport. There are direct flights from Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata.
By sea – not a common way for the tourist to use the ship as the way of transport but it is an option which is much cheaper but takes a lot of time.
How we traveled – We booked a direct Air India flight from Delhi to Port Blair that was the fastest with only 30 min layover at Vishakhapatnam. After reaching Port Blair, our transfers and stay were booked by our tour agency.
Where to stay – Choose according to your budget. Andaman offers you a variety of accommodations from budget hotels to sea view resorts. For those who want to travel on their own, book hotels near airport/harbor so that you can save on transfers and can easily book your day tour/transfers.
How to go around – Port Blair has local transportation facility. Locals use buses to travel around but it is better to use taxi/ autos for local sightseeing. You can also hire them for the whole day for a hassle-free trip.
To travel between islands, ferries are the only way there. There are large ferries which are used by local people for the day to day transport. They are large vessels with very cheap rates. Also, there are luxury ferries usually used by tourists and tour agencies for transfers. They have an AC seating and onboard meal option and live band performances. The tickets can be booked online.
In Havelock and Neil islands, you can hire 2 wheelers just like Goa and explore the island on our own or you can always hire a cab/taxi for the whole day for Rs.2000-3000.
Places to visit –
Cellular jail – This infamous colonial-era prison is the most visited place in Port Blair now. It closes around 5 pm and after sunset, there is a light and sound show on the premises which everyone should watch to know the history of Cellular jail.
Corbyn Beach – Before visiting Cellular Jail, go to this beach. There are water activities to do but save it for Neil Island.
Samudrika (marine museum)
Anthropological museum
Baratang Island tour – now this is one day tour and that too requires a lot of energy, patience and time.
Baratang is 110 km from Port Blair and roads are in a very bad state. Also, you need to wake up at 3 am for the tour. There is a check post at the entry gate where everyone needs a permit to enter that restricted area. There is a convoy system there and 1st convoy starts at 6 am. You need to be there at the earliest.
A little detail about the place so that you can understand why we booked this tour.
Baratang is very far away from Port Blair. It has limestone caves and mud volcano that is some rare things to see in India but these are not the things that you will remember at the end of the journey. The journey to this island is more amazing than the destination themselves.
Why the convoy system- There is a native tribe there – Jarawa tribe(Negroid). We need to cross their region to reach Baratang and they were very hostile at some point in time. They used to attack people and vehicles but that is not the case now. The system continues for the safety point of view. You need to have your photo IDs and need to fill the form at the check post. There is car parking from where you need to take a large vessel to BaratangIsland(Rs.10 per person). From there, there are small boats (9 seaters) which take you to Parrot Island(Rs700 per person). This boat will cross through mangrove forests. From there a guide/local person will guide you through jungle and paddy fields to reach Limestone Caves. Now after reaching back to Baratang, another vehicle will take you to mud volcano which is 15 min ride. Though it is rare geothermal phenomena, I was not so impressed.
All this will be done in a great hurry because of the convoy system. There is a fixed time for the convoy system to leave the island. Take pictures whenever you get time. If you get time, have lunch there and reach the car parking for the return journey.
The hotel will pack your breakfast for the morning but take snacks, water, biscuits for the journey.
All this will be a little tiring but you will love the journey. Now, this tour needs to be booked through a tour agency as all these things cannot be managed individually.
Ross island tour
Havelock Island has Radhanagar beach which is known for its white sand and turquoise blue water.
Neil Island is famous for water activities, coral reef, and white sand beaches.
Where to eat – If you love seafood, this is the place for you. From roadside eateries to fine dining restaurants, all serve a wide variety of seafood. If you are a vegetarian, you will not starve there. Now because of heavy tourist inflow, they serve you everything but the meals are usually costlier. If you want to save money, don’t eat at your hotel/resort, just roam around and you will find a local eatery that will serve you tasty and cheap meal.
Itinerary –
Day 1
Reach Port Blair by air till noon. Book a cab to reach your hotel. Take rest in your hotel room after check-in and hire a cab for city sightseeing in the evening. Visit Corbyn beach and Cellular Jail.
Corbyn beach is not so famous as other beaches of Andaman but it is clean and beautiful. Also, there are Jet Ski and a few other water activities to do but avoid the activities here. From there, leave around 3:30 pm to reach Cellular Jail on time as they deny entry after 4 pm and closing time is 5 pm. You will see a huge crowd outside the entry gate. You will need at least 1 hour to explore the place. Now buy tickets for light and sound show which will be of 1 hour and starts after 5:30 pm. Don’t miss the show.
Day 2
Baratang Tour – Book this tour in advance. Ask your hotel or local tour services to arrange this tour for you. If you don’t want to visit this island then you can opt for Ross Island and North Bay tour.
Day 3-
Check out from the hotel and take your cruise for Havelock Island. Just like airports, you need to reach harbor 1 hour before the departure time and need to check in first. You will need a hard copy of the tickets. Taxi/cabs/autos are available at the harbor to drop you at your hotel. After taking rest, reach the most beautiful beach of India – Radha Nagar beach.
Carry swimwear, sunglasses and sunscreen lotion with you as you will love to swim in this blue water and get tanned lying on the white sand. Water is so clean that you can see the ocean bed. Spend a whole evening there till sunset.
Day 4 – Book the Elephant beach tour famous for Sea Walk and other water activities. Charges for Sea walk including photos/videos is around Rs.3500. This tour was washed out because of heavy rainfall and high tides. Instead, we did scuba diving on the recommendation of our driver and felt cheated at the end of the day. Don’t blindly follow what the drivers are saying. Their commission is fixed. Don’t go for scuba at Havelock Island. Other than the sea walk, Havelock is not good for any activities.
In the evening, we visited Kalapatthar Beach there.
Day 5
Check out and leave for Neil Island through Makruzz. There are many beaches to explore at Neil Island.
Bharatpur beach – visit for all water activities. Go for Scuba Diving and Glass boat ride here.
Sitapur beach- Visit this beach for the beautiful sunrise.
Laxmanpur beach is the most beautiful of all beaches at Neil Island. Explore this beach in the evening and stay there till sunset. We witnessed the amazing view of sun disappearing in the ocean and sky painted with orange and blue color. Here you can find local guides that will help you explore the marine species there at a very nominal price. We saw Corals, Fishes, Sea Urchin, Sea Cucumber, Starfish, White and Black crab, Spider crab.
Day 6- Check out from the hotel to reach for harbor and ferry will take you back to Port Blair.
If you have time on the last day, there are museums like Samudrika (Marine Museum) and Anthropological museum.
Day 7 – Leave for the airport with memories of the lifetime.
Quick tips for fellow travelers –
- If you are planning to visit Andaman on your own, just manage ferry transfers. Other things can be managed easily.
- Travel with light summer clothing that is comfortable at beaches and islands. Carry sunglasses, sunscreen and umbrella.
- Most locals speak Bengali but English and Hindi are commonly spoken language because of tourism.
- The sun rises there at 5 am and sets at 5 pm. Everything closes there by 9 pm. All trips will end at 4-5 pm daily. After that, either you can rest or explore the place on your own.
- Book your flight in advance (2-3 months)
- Internet is very weak in Andaman. There is no 3G or 4G network. Other than Port Blair, there is poor network coverage.
- International tourists need a special permit to enter Andaman which can be obtained from the airport on arrival.
- There is private cruise service MAKRUZZ running between these islands. They have their website www.makruzz.com. Either book through the site or their office or local agents.
- Be aware of the ferry timings as they change from time to time due to weather conditions. Also, in the offseason, there is less number of ferries.
Ratings (it is subjective and my personal opinion)
Destination overall rating 9/10 – who will not love the white sand beaches, Scuba diving, blue water and adventurous trip of Baratang.
Expanse 7/10- no doubt an expensive trip. Costly flights, accommodation, transfers, and meals.
Travel ease 5/10 – neither reaching Andaman is easy nor transfers to other islands. You are dependent on weather and local tour agencies.
Food 6/10 – This rating is low as I don’t like seafood but the case may be different for you.