Category: India

August 12, 2019 India, Kerala Post a Comment

Honeymoon trip to God’s Own Country

This was our first trip as a couple. We had no idea or experience of traveling. The language was the issue. It was totally unknown place for us so we booked the tour from a tour agency which had a fixed itinerary so we didn’t have much flexibility. Even then I will try to explain the tour and itinerary to fullest so that you don’t find any difficulty in planning your trip.

Days required– 7-8 days

Nearby places to go – Kerala has many destinations to explore, the list is endless but mentioning some of them. Kochi, Alleppey, Kovalam, Kozhikode, Kumarakom, Munnar, Thekkady, Wayanad, Trivandrum, Kanyakumari, Poovar Island, Varkala, Kollam.

You can plan to visit any of these cities, though the following two options are preferred more.

Option 1: COCHIN-MUNNAR-THEKKADY-ALLEPPEY/KUMARAKOM-TRIVANDRUM-KANYAKUMARI

This is the most preferred travel routes of Kerala as you get to experience a wide variety of what the area has to offer. We also opted for this tour and it is explained below in detail.

Option 2: OFFBEAT KERALA: WAYANAD, KANNUR, ATHIRAPILLY

Plan a trip to Kerala to visit offbeat alluring areas, unlike any others. Visit Wayanad, Kannur, and Athirapilly if you are interested in the lesser-known gems of Kerala. They all are on the northern-most end of Kerala.

The tropical setting of Wayanad is a perfect getaway, especially for honeymooners. Stay at the beautiful resorts there and wake up to the sound of the gushing waters and splendid view outside your villa.

Kannur is a much less explored town, known as ‘The Land of Looms and Lore’ because of its high-quality production and export of handloom fabrics. Explore the natural beaches, backwaters, hill stations, and historical monuments it has to offer.

If starting your trip in Mumbai or Delhi, fly into Calicut and drive to Wayanad or Kannur. From either of these towns, you can take a train to Cochin.

Athirapilly is a 1.5-hour drive from Cochin. Take a day trip or spend a night visiting the Athirapilly Falls, ‘The Niagara of India’, and you will be mesmerized by the breathtaking sites. The area is home to a host of wild animals and birds.

Best time to visit – after the monsoon and from October to February (December-January is the peak season and very costly too. Prices for the hotels, packages, and taxis go skyrocket so my suggestion is that you can opt for September and February as these are shoulder season and will very cost-effective. Kerala receives a good amount of rainfall in monsoon so it is not advisable to go in those months but after the monsoon, Kerala’s beauty is at its peak.

How to reach – Kochi (Cochin) and Trivandrum (Trivananthapuram) are the major cities of Kerala and usually, visitors and tour operators choose these two cities as entry and exit point for the trip. Ideally, your tour starts from Kochi and ends up at Trivandrum (most common and convenient option) but you can modify it according to your need.

By air – Both Kochi and Trivandrum have good air connectivity. Direct flights are available from all major cities. Book your tickets in advance as prices shoot up near peak season.

By train – Kerala has an extensive railway network with frequent trains connecting the state well with the rest of the country but it is usually not a good option for visitors from the northern part of the country as it will take 16-24 hours to reach here.

By road – It is a cheaper and convenient option for tourists from nearby states. You can book buses (govt. as well as private) from official govt. website or Redbus.

How we traveled – We booked the tour from Kochi to Kochi including sightseeing, stays, and meals. We booked flights well in advance but one mistake we did as inexperienced tourists is that we booked flights from Delhi to Kochi and Kochi to Delhi which I will explain why is an issue. The benefit was I got cheaper flights from Kochi to Delhi. Trivandrum flights are somewhat costly by Rs.1500-2500 but on the last day, we had to wake up early by 4 am to reach Kochi airport from Trivandrum which is a 5hours journey. If we had booked Trivandrum-Delhi flight that journey would have been just 30 minutes (I booked this flight by mistake but our tour operator dropped us at Kochi Airport at no extra cost).

Where to stay – We stayed at very good 3-star hotels arranged by our tour operator. All stays were located near the main market or an easily accessible area with all the amenities nearby. They all were very spacious, clean and the cherry on the cake was that they all had views from their balcony.

view from the hotel in Thekaddy

How to go around – Choose from numerous options such as road transport – bus, train, auto-rickshaw, taxi – to waterways such as ferry and boats. Kochi also has a Metro train facility.

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation (KURTC) are the lifelines of the state. These are the cheapest and sometimes fastest means of transit. They are present in every city, town, and village, and reach the most remote corners of the state.

Within city limits, the best forms of travel are KSRTC ordinary buses and privately owned city buses which are available every minute at every stop in the state. Another option is the auto-rickshaw which are unmetered, so seek advice regarding the price from local people or Google the distance and bargain well.

Chauffeur driven cars are a good option to explore the city. This will cost you around Rs.1000-2000 for a day depending on the season and distance.

Ferries are an important part of the day to day life in backwater areas of Kerala. One can get ferries from Kochi to nearby islands.

Places to visit –

Kochi

Fort Kochi – Walk along Fort Kochi Beach which may be the only beach in the state where you can still find Chinese fishing nets. You can get your hands on them by paying a nominal fee.

Mattancherry ( Dutch Palace) is the spot in Kochi where Portuguese influence can be seen.

Kochi also has India’s largest shopping mall – Lulu Shopping Mall

Vypeen Island is a group of islands which is popular among visitors coming to Kochi & Kerala. It can be reached by ferry from Fort Kochi. Vypeen is also the location of Pallipuram Fort which is the oldest surviving fort in India built by European settlers.

Kodanad Elephant Training Centre is a village located on the way to Munnar. Watching elephants roaming free in this rescue center is a wonderful experience.

Hill Palace: It was the residence of erstwhile Maharaja of Kochi and was converted to a Museum in 1986. The museum complex exhibits crown and ornaments of Cochin royal family.

Munnar

Mattupetty Dam: One of the major tourist attractions in Munnar, this water reservoir is located around 13km from the heart of the hill station.

Kundala Lake: Nestled amidst rolling hills and mountains, this artificial lake is located around 20km from Munnar. Enjoy leisure activities like boating and explore the miraculous beauty of the region.

Top Station -Enjoy panoramic views of the Western Ghats and some of the most gorgeous valleys in Munnar.

Eravikulam National Park: Spread across 97sq.km, Eravikulam National Park is the home of endangered Nilgiri Tahrs and is among the must-visit places in Munnar.

Private vehicles are strictly not allowed within the park; visitors can take mini-bus rides conducted by the forest authority. Also, the park remains closed to the public during February to March as it is the mating season of Nilgiri Tahrs. Expect long queues on public holidays and weekends.

Tea Museum – You must visit the Tata Tea Museum in Munnar. From plucking the leaves to processing and packing them, you will get an opportunity to know more about the tea industry and reveal some of the most fascinating facts about this industry.

Pothamedu Viewpoint:  The drive to the Pothamedu Viewpoint takes you over an old bridge and narrow roads and the views during the drive are very scenic.

somewhere in Munnar

Attukad Waterfalls is a must-go tourist spot in Munnar where you can view a waterfall amidst hills and jungles and the road to reach the falls is amazingly beautiful.

Cheeyappara Falls is on the way to Munnar and flows down in seven steps making a great view from the road. It is also a great trekking point.

Blossom Park is situated near the Pallivasal hydro-electric project and you can enjoy activities like Cycling, boating.

Thekkady-

Periyar National Park should be the first place to visit in Thekkady. Sprawling over a densely canopied area of 925 sq.km, this wildlife protected area is an indigenous home to some of the rarest, exotic and endangered wildlife species in India.

Periyar Lake

Alleppey

Backwaters – The true beauty of Kerala lies in its different water bodies and most famous among all the water bodies is the backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom. You can enjoy this water body with the help of houseboats as it will give you a better and comfortable option to enjoy this place to the core. You must book these houseboats in advance otherwise you would not be able to hire one.

our Houseboat

Marari beach – This is the ideal destination for those people who are looking for an escape from their stressful and hectic lifestyle closer to the sea.

Krishnapuram Palace – This palace is an archaeological museum whose best attraction is a 49 square meter single mural painting which is titled as Gajendra Moksham.

Alleppey beach is among the most popular beaches in Kerala.

Vembanad Lake- This is the largest and longest lake in Kerala. There are numerous small lakes which eventually end up meeting in the Vembanad Lake making it the longest one and ever-flowing as well. The most famous boat race which conducts during the Onam festival happens to take place in this Lake.

Trivandrum

Kovalam Beach – most famous beach of Kerala –long coastline, Palms, a lighthouse near the shore and many water activities- make it a must-visit destination in Kerala.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple -Do not miss the famous corridor supported by three hundred sixty-five and a quarter pillars, all made of granite. You need to see this architectural marvel and craftsmanship that has gone into its making.

Napier museum showcases Kerala’s rich cultural heritage. Built during the colonial era, the museum has an extensive collection of rare artifacts, idols, ivory carvings, and ornaments.

Shanghumugham beach – A secluded beach, far away from the hassles of the city. It is an ideal getaway destination with white sand and calm sea. The gigantic statue of mermaid popularly called as ‘Jalakanyaka’ is the landmark of this beach.

Kanyakumari-

Vivekananda Rock Memorial

Take a 10-minute ferry ride from Kanyakumari beach

At the southernmost tip of the mainland

Thiruvalluvar Statue

Ferries to Vivekananda Rock Memorial stop at the Thiruvalluvar statue afterward if the tide permits. It’s possible to go inside the base of the statue and climb the stairs up to its feet for a superb view.

Visit 3000-year-old Kumari Amman Temple (also known as Bhagavathy Amman Temple) dedicated to Goddess Kanyakumari which sits by the sea near Triveni Sangam and has a beautiful black stone idol of the goddess.

Padmanabhapuram Palace

About an hour northwest of Kanyakumari, the town of Padmanabhapuram is a popular day trip with regal heritage. It was once the capital of the princely state of Travancore. The Palace is the largest wooden one in Asia. Its craftsmanship and architecture are admirable, especially the detailed woodwork on the walls and ceilings.

Suchindrum Temple –  situated 11km from Kanyakumari is built in Dravidian style. The temple has a strict dress code. Details are given below.

 

Itinerary –

Day 1

I suggest you to reach Kochi airport around noon so that you get to enjoy the evening in Kochi. We decided to go Munnar from there which is 4-hour journey as Kochi in February is very hot and humid. We skipped night stay in Kochi and consider Munnar for our night stay which was a good decision. On the way, we visited spice gardens and enjoyed the Elephant ride which was a new experience. We reached the hotel by evening and checked in our valley view room. We had our dinner at the hotel as we were very tired.

Day 2

Next morning, our driver was on time. We first visited the botanical garden (rose garden) then there was a photo stop at Tea gardens. After having lunch at a local restaurant, we headed for the Mattupetty dam and Kundala lake. The main attraction of the day was off-road jeep ride(not included in the package) which everyone should try. Cost is around Rs.2500-3000 for 3-4 hours covering the unexplored side of Munnar. Our driver Joseph was very charming Hindi speaking smiling person, he showed and guide us through villages, showed banana, coffee, cashew, and cardamom plantation on the way and was very friendly and a decent photographer and he earned his tip for the day. He dropped us at 7 pm at the hotel after a tea stop.

with Joseph uncle and his 4×4

Day 3

We checked out from the hotel the next morning and drove for Thekkady (4hour journey). On the way, we visited the Tata Tea Museum. The entry fee was Rs. 200 per person and you can enjoy a free cardamom tea along with the demonstration of the history of tea in Munnar. We got to visit the Tea gardens nearby with a nominal entry fee.

Tea Gardens

We reached Thekkady and checked in our hotel room which was far better, beautiful and bigger than the one in Munnar. And the view, we were just amazed to see the backside of the Periyar Reserve from our balcony (this view was equally scary after the sunset). We got ready for the Periyar visit. There is an entry fee for visitors as well as vehicle at Wildlife reserve and usually, there is a long queue for that and there are fixed timings for ferry tours. We were lucky to get tickets to the ferry but not lucky enough to spot any animal during the trip (except few elephants and buffaloes). The cool climate of Munnar was far gone as we were experiencing intense humidity in Periyar. We returned from there and relaxed in the balcony of our room enjoying the spectacular view of the jungle. The evening was very happening as we booked tickets for Kalaripayattu(Indian martial art and fighting system that originated in Kerala and practiced by warriors of Kerala and Tamil Nadu) show which is a Must-Watch. You can also see Kathakali show there but we were tired and skipped that.

Day 4

After checking out from the hotel, it was 4-hour journey to Alleppey for our much-awaited House Boat trip. I have discussed our Houseboat stay in a different blog. Do read it for all the details.

Day 5

We were again on road and by noon, we reached our hotel in Kovalam where we had our sea-facing room. We first decided to take a nap so that we could enjoy the evening at the beach. There are 3-4 beaches here in Kovalam – one was just outside our hotel. We later reached the Kovalam beach. Have you ever wished that you could freeze a moment and keep it forever? I caught the perfect moment, just before it flew away and locked it in my heart, it was us walking along the beach with our feet soaked in the sand and sea. We spent hours on the beach just enjoying the tides, chaos around us and sun disappearing in front of us. Filled with sand, soaked in saltwater, we reached our hotel and it was our 2nd best evening spent in Kerala.

Day 6

We never waste time on our trip. Early in the morning, we headed for Kanyakumari (2 hours from Kovalam). On the way, we visited Padmanabhapuram palace and Suchindrum Temple. It was our bad luck that because of high tides, ferries to Vivekanand Memorial were canceled but we were lucky enough to find a spot where we could click POTD, Photo of the Day. We were at the southernmost tip of the country. Tides were very high and the wind was so strong that we have to balance ourselves while standing there. We could see the Thiruvalluvar Statue and Memorial from there. We headed back to Kovalam after paying a visit to Kanyakumari Temple and spent evening again on the beach.

Padamanabhapuram Palace

Day 7

It was a long boring journey back home (Jaipur). As discussed above, we had booked flights from Kochi which was 5-hour journey from Kovalam. It was a wonderful journey and experience.

South Indian Food served on banana leaf

 

Quick tips for fellow travelers –

  1. Though language may be a barrier, Locals are very friendly and helpful.
  2. Try to eat at local restaurants, they serve the best South Indian food (we have heard some complaint from people that they had to eat Idli Dosa for a week but we both like South Indian cuisines. North Indian food is available easily but I doubt it will be tasty so better to avoid it. We always prefer to eat local cuisine because Roti-Daal-Aaloo is always waiting for us back at home).
  3. Avoid shopping if you don’t know what you are buying. Buy souvenirs for friends and family but be alert as shopkeepers usually try to make you pay more for nothing.
  4. While visiting temples, stay alert, don’t give a penny to anyone, they will recognize you from the crowd and hand you Malas, Thalis, and Prasad. We got 1-liter holy water for Rs.150. Please avoid these people. Simply visit the temple, pray and come out.
  5. Many temples have a strict dress code (eg. Suchindrum Temple). No exposed body parts for women. My wife was given a big cloth to cover her legs and men are given dhotis and asked to remove Shirts. Again there are charges for dhotis and lockers to put your stuff so follow the dress code and keep your belongings in your car.
  6. Always bargain for water activities during a beach visit. They will easily cut down price.
  7. For those who are first-time travelers, it is better to plan a trip through the tour operator as they will give you better deals with hotels, pick up and drop facility from hotel and airport, cover all main sightseeing. Trips can be customized as per your requirements, the distance between places is 3-4 hour journey daily and Language will be an issue while communicating to locals. Car and driver will be at your service from the point you enter Kerala and till you board your flight.
  8. For those who hate organized tours, exploring unknown is always an adventure. Always research well before your trip. Book your flights, accommodations, and transfers in advance. Check timings for monuments, museums, and other places.
  9. Always carry a good amount of cash.
  10. Do carry an umbrella to protect you from scorching heat and unexpected rains. Also, carry hats, sunglasses and sunscreen lotion.

Ratings (it is subjective and my personal opinion)

Destination overall rating 8/10 – Amazing place. Lovely people. Mesmerizing view. Perfect honeymoon destination.

Travel Expense 5/10 – major expenses are flights and the local transfers which can be cut down if you book flights in advance and use local transport. In peak season, everything is expensive. If you are on a leisure trip or honeymoon, then just enjoy the trip.

Travel ease 7.5/10 – it will be an issue if you want to cover many cities like a local because of the language barrier. You can self-drive and explore the unknown territories. Kerala has good intercity connectivity. If you have a chauffeur-driven car then just sit back and relax.

Food 8/10 – If you love South Indian food like us then it’s good. It’s not just Idli and Dosa. Try their thali, they have so many options to explore. Throw the spoon and use your hand that will enhance the flavors.

India, Maharashtra, Mumbai Post a Comment

A trip to City of Dreams

Mumbai – The City that never sleeps.

I planned this trip over a telephonic call with my friend who lives in Mumbai. Paaro was also surprised when I told her that we are going to Mumbai because usually, I take much time in planning and researching before any trip. This city has so much to explore and as always we had limited time but we somehow managed to utilize most out of it.

Days required – 5-7 days

Nearby places to go – Lonavala, Khandala, Mahabaleshwar, Pune

Best time to visit – monsoon and during winter (October to February)

How to reach – Mumbai is easily accessible by air, road and rail route.

By air – Direct flights from many cities are available.

By road – visitors from nearby states and cities can reach Mumbai by state/private buses.

By train – Mumbai is connected to all major cities in India by rail route.

How we traveled – we took a train from Jaipur to reach here. After reaching the station, hire a prepaid taxi from taxi booth or book Ola/Uber.

Where to stay – Stay in or close to South Bombay (locals call it SoBo) in Colaba, Fort area, Churchgate, Mumbai Central or anywhere close. Mumbai being a costly city, be ready to spend those extra bucks from your pocket even for the budget hotels. Pro tip: There are some alleged red light areas in Mumbai, try not to book a hotel in those areas if you are a couple because I think you won’t be comfortable. Staying close to a local train station has its perks of cutting your travel cost considerably.

How to go around – Best and economic way is Mumbai local train. It’s an experience in itself. It is also the fastest way to travel long distances. It will not be difficult to figure out your ride if you have the local train map and know where you want to go. Just avoid office hours if you want a fun ride. BEST buses can be taken for shorter distances and they have a big network connecting to almost everywhere.

Ola/Uber and Kaali-Pili taxis also run here but the drivers are very annoying. Yes, those jokes about taxi wallas are true. You really have to find a taxi guy who agrees to take you aboard for your destination.  They usually refuse to go to your destination.

Places to visit – Mumbai, as well as Nashik, has so many tourist attractions that it is impossible to cover them in a week. Also, there are also many places around Mumbai which need a trip of their own. It is difficult and tricky to select what to cover and what to miss.

  1. Elephanta Caves
  2. Taj hotel

    Iconic Taj Hotel
  3. Prince of Wales Museum
  4. Nariman Point/Marine Drive
  5. Girgaum Chaupatty
  6. Siddhivinayak temple
  7. Mahalaxmi temple
  8. Juhu Beach

    Juhu Beach
  9. Band Stand
  10. Tarapore Aquarium
  11. Maratha Mandir

Nashik

  1. Sula Vineyards
  2. Trimbakeshwar temple
  3. Pandavlini caves

Where to eat –

Merwan Bakery (opposite Grant road station(east)) – Mawa cake, Irani chai, Bun Maska pav

Kyani and Co.(marine lines) – Irani chai, Bun Maska pav

Olympia Coffee House(opposite Leopold Cafe)- keema pav

Sharma Ji and Badshah (Chowpatti) – Bhelpuri

Bademiya (near Gateway of India) – Kebabs, Rolls

Sarvi (Mohd Ali Road) – kebabs

Noor Mohammadi (Mohd Ali Road) – Chicken

Do try Mumbai daily snacks – Vadapav, Bhelpuri, Sevpuri, Bombay sandwich at Juhu beach and Girgaum Chowpatti and if you are a non-vegetarian, Mohd. Ali Road is food heaven for you.

Itinerary –

We had a fun time while in Mumbai in 5 days. We might have missed a few things but we tried to make the most of it. I can’t wait to share it all with you people. Read it on.

We took the Jaipur-Mumbai train which dropped us Mumbai central station which was near to our hotel. Trains coming from some regions arrive at Bandra Terminus or Lokmanya Tilak Terminus from where taxis can be hired to get to your location easily. Some trains will bring you to the Chhatrapati Maharaj Shivaji Terminus (commonly known as VT/CST) which is in SoBo.

Day 1

We left early in the morning from the hotel to try the very famous Merwan & Co. Bakery in Grant road area. These traditional Parsi eateries in SoBo are well acclaimed among the locals and are as old as Mumbai is and it shows in their ambience. After having breakfast at Merwan, we headed to the Gateway of India with my school friend Gagan who agreed to be our guide for the day.

Gateway of India

The iconic Taj Hotel and the whole arena of the Gateway of India start giving you historical vibes as soon as you enter its premises. Another piece of history awaits at the Prince of Wales Museum in the vicinity.

However, nothing here was as historical as the Elephanta caves which date back to 2nd century BC, primarily sculptured with Lord Shiva and some Buddhist stupa mounds. Being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is now well maintained but most of the relics are not in very good shape due to damages done in old times. Located at an island about 10km offshore Mumbai, these caves can be accessed by ferries running to and fro from the Gateway. It takes 1.5 hours to reach the island. You can board to upper deck by paying Rs.10 and enjoy the ocean view. There is a toy train at the first entry point (Fare Rs.10) of the island that takes you to the village entry from where one has to walk to the caves. One can always walk through right from the start. It will be good if you have a hat for this trip to protect from the intense sun on some days of the year. For better understanding, you can hire a guide to explore the caves or you can visit on our own and read about it beforehand or later.

Elephanta Caves

Ferry fares: Rs 150-175 (Return fare)

Village entry ticket: Rs 10 (for all)

Caves Entry Ticket: Indians – Rs.10; Foreigners: Rs 250 (Foreigners)

It is better to visit here first in the morning and leaving the rest of SoBo for later. Spend a good 3-4 hours for this and come back by 3:30 PM to the Gateway. Small cafe/restaurants are there on the island, but eat only if you are starving otherwise save it for the lunch on the mainland. Have lunch at Leopold cafe (costly but very famous among foreigners and Indians) or Olympia (just opposite to Leopold and very economic).

From here, we took a cab for Nariman Point. Remember Munna Bhai, sitting sadly and then Circuit comes to tell him that he has topped the medical examination? This is that very spot this scene was shot with numerous others in Bollywood. This place connects directly to the sea and is usually closed by late evening because of high tides for security purpose. And an evening spent here can make anyone’s day complete. Nariman Point is one of the ends of the famous Queen’s necklace or Marine Drive. A stretch of almost 3km twinkling with lights, take a stroll with your beloved or just sit and enjoy the waves hitting the shore. The misty breeze flowing through your hair will make you forget the tiring day in a jiffy. Girgaum Chaupatty is another end of this necklace and is so lively till late at night. There is a small beach, however, we found it very dirty and one would not dare to go close to the waves. Although, you can enjoy an evening snack or a wholesome dinner at Chaupatty. We ate at Sharmajee’s and had a Kolkata pan as dessert. Another dinner option can be “Bademiya” famous for its chicken delicacies close to Gateway.

Marine drive

After spending some time at Chowpatty, we booked a cab for our hotel at 10:30 pm. It was late but we didn’t realize it as still there was traffic around and people were reaching Chowpatty for late-night snacks.

Day 2

Mumbai Darshan Bus tours are very good for a day trip in Mumbai and it covers most of the iconic places to give you the satisfaction of having seen it all. So, win-win for the travelers with a tight time schedule (though it doesn’t sound to be a good idea it did the trick for us).

The tour starts with the Gateway (yes, we went there again). Fortunate enough, we got the opportunity of clicking pictures here this time), then they provide some time for Prince of Wales Museum(tickets needed), ferry ride(which we skipped). The bus then takes you showing the places like Siddhivinayak Temple, Mahalaxmi temple, Juhu Beach, R City Mall, Red Carpet Wax Museum(tickets needed). And many attractions were seen from the bus because of the time restriction (bungalows of movie stars, Ambani’s Antilla, Sachin’s bungalow, Worli Sea Link, Police Headquarters, High Court, Marine Drive, Band Stand). This tour is to cover most of Mumbai in less time but if anyone has time, they can opt to visit these places at their own pace.

Must visit places- Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Juhu Beach, Band Stand, Worli Sea Link and Siddhivinayak Temple.

Day 3

We first went to visit Tarapore Aquarium which is near Churni Road station (Rs.60 per person entry fee). Most of the Mumbaikars and tourists haven’t heard about the place. It’s the oldest aquarium of India inaugurated by 1st President of India. Still undergoing renovation, it’s a small aquarium but it’s worth a visit. Take care of the timings, the place is open till 8 pm but tickets are available only before 5 pm.

From there we went to Maratha Mandir near Mumbai Central station and watched DDLJ (yes, I am Shahrukh’s fan and this is one of the main reason for this Mumbai tour). We had lunch nearby and took local to Bandra (we took suggestions and information of how one can travel in a local train safely from our friend Gagan. If you are new in Mumbai, and want to avoid this adventure ride then better hire a taxi). Outside the station, cabs/taxi will take you to Band Stand for approx. Rs.50. Bandstand has the residence of many movie stars including Shahrukh Khan (the 2nd reason for this trip). We stopped near “Mannat”. I have seen this bungalow in photographs and TV and here I was standing in front of its gate. Please read my separate blog about this experience. We spent the evening near Band Stand and called it a day slightly early as we had to travel to Nashik the next day.

In front of Mannat

Day 4

Today we had planned to visit Sula Vineyards in Nashik which is 180 km from Mumbai. You have many options to go there. Most common and comfortable one is to hire a cab which will cost you Rs4000-5000. You can also self-drive there. Take a bus but it takes much time.

Sula Vineyards

We took the train (Tapovan Express) which suited us best as it starts from CST at 6 am and reach Nashik by 10 am. In the evening, again this train departs from Nashik at 6 pm giving sufficient time to visit the city.

Cellar at Sula

We had booked a local cab in Nashik in advance for the city tour. The driver took us to Sula Vineyards which opens for visitors at 11 am. They have wine tasting tours starting from 11.30 am to 6.30 pm every hour. 30 min tour includes an educational tour about winemaking and tasting their 6 wines for Rs.375.

After Sula tour, we visited the famous Trimbakeshwar temple which is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Waiting time for Darshan can extend up to 1-2 hours depending on the crowd/occasion. Mobile phones/camera/leather belts are not allowed inside. They have baggage counter outside the temple to store the belongings.

Next, we stopped at the Pandavlini caves that were similar to caves in Elephanta. Located on a hilltop, the trek to the caves will drench you in sweat. But it’s worth your time and energy as the view from the top is eye soothing.

There was much more to explore in Nashik but we had to board our train to Mumbai.

Day 5

It was our last day in Mumbai. We decided to make it easy for us and went on shopping. We visited the Colaba Causeway market which has antiques, garments, artificial jewellery, etc. You can also visit Linking Road market and Fashion Street if you are more into shopping stuff.

 

Few tips for fellow travelers –

  1. Best time to visit Sula is mid-January to mid-march which is harvest time. At that time, we can see grapes in their fields and grape stomping is included in the tour.
  2. Remember that the last ferry for Elephanta Caves is around 2-3 pm from Gateway of India and around 5 pm back from Caves. Get an early morning ferry so that you don’t get sweaty in the afternoon and there is less crowd on the island. After 2 PM, they offer a ride in the sea on their ferry for around half an hour for a lesser price.
  3. Elephanta Caves are closed on Monday.
  4. If you are visiting Mumbai in Monsoon then it is better you don’t plan an itinerary. Rain here continues for hours and happens unexpectedly. But do plan an outing to Lonavala/Khandala/Mahabaleshwar that time.
  5. Always carry an umbrella, water bottle, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
  6. Ask for help if you want to travel on the local train. Avoid it during morning and evening rush hours.
  7. You can book Carnival bus service online. They have AC buses. Charges are nominal (Rs.350 per person). Entry charges are not included but you can pay them in advance so that you don’t have to stand in a queue for tickets but that is optional. There is a fixed time for visiting each attraction but it is more than sufficient. They have to follow a strict itinerary and timings so that all attractions can be covered in scheduled time.

Ratings (it is subjective and my personal opinion)

Destination overall rating 7/10 – mixed feeling on this as my intention for trip was different(I just visited Mumbai for DDLJ and Mannat).

Travel Expense 5/10 – yes, the city is expansive, no doubt on this.

Travel ease 8/10- Mumbai is a well-connected city and if you can travel in a local train then it is very economic to travel here.

Food 8/10 – you can get anything here and there is so much to try here that it is not possible to eat at all the eateries I have mentioned above.

India, Rishikesh-Haridwar, Uttarakhand Post a Comment

A trip to Rishikesh and Haridwar

After postponing for 2 years, we finally made this trip happen. We both were really excited for River Rafting activity. We will remember this trip for many reasons. This was our first backpacking trip. We used self-drive rental services for the first time and enjoyed the freedom of exploring the place at our pace. We stayed at riverside camps alone (we had stayed at these camps at Ladakh but that was a group tour).

Days required – 4 days. People from Delhi can easily manage the trip on weekends.

Nearby places to go – Haridwar

Best time to visit – after the monsoon or during winter. River rafting starts after September and usually closed in July(monsoon). Weather is hot and humid in summers.

How to reach –

By road – you can drive on your own or take a bus to reach Rishikesh.

By train – Haridwar is the nearest railway station and it’s a 30 min drive to Rishikesh.

By air – Dehradun is the nearest airport, but it will be an expensive alternate.

How we travelled – we took the bus from Jaipur which took around 12 hours to reach Rishikesh. Now more important thing – the bus will drop you on highway/Nepali farm which is 10-12 km from Rishikesh. There will be autos waiting in line for you. They usually take Rs.40-50 per head but will try to pull money from the pockets of the tourists, so need to be aware of this. They will drop you at Tapovan.

Where to stay – Tapovan area – all excursions are nearby. Rafting booking centres and bike rentals stations are easily available. Rishikesh is 5-6km away from Tapovan, so it is advised to stay here rather than staying in Rishikesh to save time.

view from our campsite

How to go around – Rent a bike which is easily available there and you get a helmet also(Rs.450-1250).

On the way to Shivpuri

Things to do

  • Ganga Aarti – Aarti is performed daily in the evening at Triveni Ghat, Parmarth Niketan Ashram and Har ki Paudi, Haridwar. You can go to any of these places. Reach early to get front seats to get a more desirable view. And to be obvious, other than rafting this is the only thing that one should not miss if visiting Rishikesh.
  • Yoga and Meditation classes – Patanjali Ashram, Parmarth Niketan
  • River rafting –a must-do activity- prices are fixed so almost same at every rafting booking point (one can easily find them in Tapovan area). Leave your extra luggage at their offices but carry your camera/phone. They do have a dry bag on the raft to keep your phones/camera safe and dry. They will take you to the starting point in their vehicles. After last rapid, they will stop at Maggi point where many vendors will be selling tea, Maggi etc. Rafting takes around 3-4 hours in total (office to office). Book 16km rafting which is from Shivpuri.

    Maggi Point
  • Other adventure sports that one can go for- Cliff Jumping or Bungee Jumping (Highest bungee jumping in India)/flying fox/swing. I am afraid of heights but Paaro wanted to try Bungee Jumping but she chickened out at the last moment.
  • Air safari by Air safari, Rishikesh
  • Night stay at riverside camps – a must-do activity

Places to visit–

  • Neergarh waterfalls – Reach to the top of the waterfall to eat Maggi with your feet dip in the water.

    Enjoy Chai and Maggi at Neergarh Falls
  • Neelkanth Mahadev Mandir (25 km from Tapovan) – ride your bike alongside River Ganga. You will see many riverside camps on the way. The view from the road is amazing.
  • Laxman Jhula

    Night view of Laxman Jhula
  • Terah (13) Manjil mandir

    Terah Manjil Mandir
  • Ram Jhula

    View near the Ram Jhula
  • Narendra Nagar/ Kunjapur Devi mandir
  • Har ki Paudi – Ganga aarti
  • Mansa Devi Mandir
  • Rajaji National Park

Where to eat – nothing special to mention here but you can go to the famous Chotiwala restaurant which I didn’t find interesting other than Human Mannequin (Chotiwala) with odd and heavy makeup sitting outside the restaurant. Food was ok but many people say it used to serve very delicious food in past.

Itinerary – it is very simple.

Day 1 – We reached Rishikesh in the morning where the bus dropped us at Nepali farm (10-12km far from Rishikesh). We took shared auto from there which dropped us at Tapovan/Laxman Jhula area (Rs.40-50). We hired the bike from the bike rental services (They ask for your ID, licence and security money) and reached our camp on Shivpuri road. After checking in and taking the shower, we went to Neergarh waterfalls. After that, we rode to Neelkanth Mahadev Mandir (25km from Tapovan).

After returning to the camp, Bonfire and evening snacks were arranged for us. We had our dinner early and went to sleep as we were very tired.

Day 2– Next day, we checked out from camp and reached rafting office (we had booked for rafting in advance). It was almost noon when we reached back to our hotel. That was the best rafting experience for us. In the evening, we rode to Laxman Jhula area and visited Terah Manzil Mandir. Then we went to Ram Jhula. Just a walkaway, there was a famous Chotiwala Restaurant.

Chotiwala Restaurant

We went to Parmarth Niketan for Ganga Aarti which is performed by residents and students of the Ashram. It starts around sunset. Be there before time.

Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan

Day 3 – Haridwar visit- we drove to Haridwar and visited Har ki Paudi where the holy bath was taking place, and in the evening, Ganga Aarti is performed there. Nearby is Mansa Devi mandir. The ropeway is there to reach the top of the hill where the temple is located.

Just 10min drive from there, Rajaji National Park is there which is famous for Tiger safari. We reached Chilla gate where booking counter was there. There are 2 safaris-one in the early morning and another one in the evening. Go 1-2hours prior and book the tickets for jeep safari. The booking system is very mismanaged here. Seating capacity of Jeep is for 6 persons, so we shared the Jeep with a family. It’s just pure luck that you get a jeep for safari. The route for safari is fixed and marked. They will take you around the jungle on that route which is about 8kms.

Safari in Rajaji National Park

Day 4- There was not much left to see around Rishikesh, so we went to a place 15kms from Rishikesh, Narendra Nagar which is on the route to Kunjapuri Devi mandir. The road was under construction at that time. But after Narendra Nagar, the ride was very scenic and worth driving till we reached the temple. One can opt for activities like Bungee jumping and air safari instead of this.

On the way to Kunjapuri Devi Temple

In the evening, we took shared auto for Nepali farm (take a margin of 60-90min before the bus departure) for our bus to Jaipur.

Few tips for fellow travellers –

  1. Book your activities in advance to save time. Sometimes you can get discount offers if you book slots through their websites(Jumpin heights and Air Safari)
  2. Rajaji park is not well managed as Ranthambore or Jim Corbett and wildlife sighting is also poor so if you don’t have time then you can avoid Haridwar tour.
  3. While renting a bike, make a video of the vehicle in front of the owner so that he cannot blame for any damage that was done in past. Always use a helmet.
  4. There is only one petrol pump in Tapovan so fill the tank accordingly.

 

Ratings (it is subjective and per my opinion)

Destination overall rating 8/10 – if you are here for fun activities, you will love it as they have the best rafting in India. They have the highest bungee jumping there. You will enjoy the night stay at a riverside camp. If you are here for religious activities, then this is the place for you.

Travel Expense 2/10 – other than activities, everything is quite reasonable there.

Travel ease 8/10 – reaching Rishikesh is very easy and once you rent a vehicle there, you can go anywhere.

Food 5/10 – average food. Nothing special to mention here. We may have missed local food on this trip.

Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh, India Post a Comment

A short trip to Mini Switzerland of India

Days required– 3 days

Nearby places to visit – Sach Pass, Chamba, Dharamshala/Mcleodganj

Best time to visit – Anytime during the year but try to avoid in June (summer breaks = heavy traffic and overcrowded) but after the monsoon it is preferable. To witness the snowfall, visit in January and February. Although Sach pass is closed in winter.

How to reach –

By road – Most preferred route. Buses from Chandigarh, Delhi, and Pathankot are available.

You can self-drive the car, but it is recommended to avoid the same as hilly areas usually have narrow, steep roads and parking issues. Sometimes during peak season roads gets closed for four-wheelers to curtail the traffic.

By train – Nearest station is Pathankot from where you can take bus/taxi to reach Dalhousie.

How we traveled – We boarded the bus from Delhi ISBT. Usually, buses run in the evening so that you can reach there in the morning and not much of your day is wasted in traveling.

Where to stay – Book your hotel near Gandhi Chowk or Bus stand so that you don’t have to lift heavy luggage with you as the Taxi to your hotel which may be around 1 km could cost you approx. Rs 200-300. Also, you should be good at bargaining too.

How to go around – You can walk around the main market/Gandhi Chowk area but most of the sightseeing is far away from the city center so you have to hire a taxi. Bargain well to get the best deals.

 

Places to visit–

Khajjiar – A must visit place which is 21 km from Dalhousie, known as the Mini Switzerland of India, it is situated at an altitude of 1,951 m in the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges of the Western Himalayas and is part of the Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary. Khajjiar is a picturesque spot with an emerald saucer shaped meadow amidst a dense forest which has a lake with a floating island at its centre.

Dainkund Peak– Also known as the singing hill, 17 km from Dalhousie Bus Stand, it is the highest mountain peak in Dalhousie. Tourists can enjoy a 360° view of the entire valley from this peak. This peak has two major attractions; one is the Indian Air Force base (which require permission) and the other one Pholani Devi temple which has nothing except a trident inside the temple. Do visit here for the amazing view.

view from the Dainkund peak

Chamera Lake – 26 km from Dalhousie, it is an artificial lake formed by the Chamera Dam on the Ravi River, nestled in a valley amid pine forests, Himachal Pradesh Tourism department has built a boathouse adjacent to the lake which has facilities for water sports like river rafting, motor boating, canoeing, kayaking, pedal boats and rowing boats.

Panchpula/Satdhara – near to the town, this place is equally famous among locals as well as tourists. You will enjoy the waterfalls, gushing streams and panoramic views of hills and forests that surround the area. On the way to Panchpula, you must give a pause at Satdhara falls. If you love photography, I am sure this scenic place will treat you with some amazing camera shots.

Subhash Baoli – Do stop by at this historical place not just to enjoy the beautiful views but also to pay your respect to great freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Somewhere on the way

Garam Sadak – Stroll through the ‘Garam Sarak’ connecting Subhash Chowk and Gandhi Chowk. Enjoy the beautiful Tibetan wall painted through the way, and a combo of roadside Chai & Maggi adds up to this beautiful way.

Rock Garden

Sach pass – open only from June to October, not easily accessible. Hire a cab to reach there. It will be an adventurous trip with bad roads/ no roads, risk of landslides, snow, and greenery around.

Where to eat – There are lots of street food joints and eateries around Gandhi Chowk to enjoy.

  1. Cafe Dalhousie – perfect breakfast destination for a budget traveler.
  2. Old Sher-E-Punjab – don’t get confused as there are 3 restaurants by the same name. Look out for “old” one or ask the locals.
  3. Kwality Restaurant – one of the oldest and best in the business.

Itinerary –

Day 1

We reached the Dalhousie bus stand at 11 am after a night journey from Delhi. Our hotel was just a walk away but because of luggage, we preferred a taxi. Taxi union works here, and they cost a fortune for small distances. We paid Rs150 for getting to our hotel which was just1km far from the bus stand. We checked in to the hotel, took a bath and booked our ride for the day. We covered Subash baoli, Panjpulla, Dainkund and Khajjiar.

In the evening we reached the market place, Gandhi chowk for window shopping and to have snacks.

Day 2

We started our day for Chamba city which was a long drive of around 3-4 hours to visit the famous Laxmi Narayan temple which was closed at that time (be informed about the timings).

Then we went to the Bhuri Singh Museum. After having lunch nearby, we headed back to Dalhousie. On our way back, we visited Bhadrakali Mandir and a hanging bridge. You will get some beautiful view and photographs as you will drive along the river Ravi.

If you are running out of time, then you can avoid this journey and just visit Chamera lake.

We stopped at lake Chamera for boating. On a suggestion, we opt for speed boating instead of the usual pedal boat which was more fun. You will get Maggi and chai nearby lake. On the way back to Dalhousie, you will get to see another nice and decent place that is Rock garden. Spend an hour there for some fresh air and some good photograph. Spend your evening shopping near Gandhi chowk or go for Garam Sadak stroll.

Maggi to banti hai

Day3

This was our last day here, so we visited the famous St. John church, St. Patrick’s church. You can book Sach pass tour if it is opened at that time.

It’s all about the views

Quick tips for fellow travelers –

  1. Book accommodation and transportation in advance.
  2. The bus will pick/drop you at the bus stand which is a very known and busy place. Taxi counters, grocery stores, and departmental stores are nearby.
  3. Be in habit of walking around in these places – taxis are way too expensive also one gets a real feel of the place only when you walk around the place.
  4. Carry extra cash as ATMs are at very great distances even from Gandhi chowk(one was out of order that time).

Ratings (it is subjective and based on my opinion)

Destination overall rating – 8/10 – the place is quite beautiful. Khajjiar is a nature lover’s heaven.

Travel Expense – 3/10 – accommodation and travel are expensive. Hiring a cab will cost you Rs.2000-3000 depending on the season and your bargaining skills.

Travel ease – 6 /10 – 12-hour bus journey from Delhi. Roads are steep. Reaching to your hotel is a tiring task.

Food 6/10 – I didn’t try any local dish. One can go for their local wines, but I didn’t like them much.

 

August 7, 2019 India Post a Comment

Beat the Heat : Dehradun-Mussoorie-Dhanaulti Trip

Dehradun-Mussoorie-Dhanaulti Trip

This was our escape plan to beat the summer in Rajasthan but it was an eye-opener for me as I have decided never to travel any Hill station during June (School summer vacation) as no one wants to get stuck in traffic for hours. Dhanaulti day trip made me realize why it is always better to explore the unexplored!

Days required– 3-4 days

Nearby places to go – Tehri, Kanatal, Haridwar, Rishikesh

Best time to visit – After monsoon or during winter. For snowfall, visit in January and February.

Avoid summer vacation.

How to reach –

By air – There is an airport in Dehradun (Jolly Grant Airport) with direct flights from major cities.

By train – There is good train connectivity to Dehradun.

By road – Buses also available from Delhi and Chandigarh.

How we travelled – We boarded the bus from Jaipur for a 14 hours journey to Dehradun. Buses usually run during the night. I would suggest booking a govt. buses, as they will drop you at ISBT Dehradun on the other hand Private buses will drop you outside the city on highway from where you will have to take an auto/taxi and they will overcharge to drop you at ISBT or your Hotel.

From there, we reached Mussoorie bus stand (ask the auto driver. This is different from ISBT).

Buses and taxi for Mussoorie are available from here. There is also a taxi union counter inside if you want to hire a taxi. They usually Charge Rs600-1000(fix rate), but during peak season the price can be twice or thrice of this. So either bargain with them or go for the pool option(shared taxi).

A cheaper option is also available which is, taking a bus which charges only Rs.60 but only if you are okay with a huge crowd in the bus during peak season. Also, there are two bus stops in Mussoorie – Picture palace and Library Chowk so take bus according to your hotel location to avoid wasting both time and money.

These bus stands have taxi union counters nearby to drop you back to Dehradun and for local sightseeing.

Where to stay –

Mussoorie – To book a hotel, you should have an idea about the place. As I mentioned above, there are two bus stops at Library Chowk and Picture Palace. They are few km apart from each other and the road connecting them is Mall Road. So book your hotel accordingly. I would suggest booking a hotel near these two bus stop to avoid fatigue by carrying luggage to long distances as no motor vehicles are allowed on Mall road.

Dehradun – stay near ISBT or railway station as you can find accommodation according to your budget.

How to go around – Mussoorie – only rickshaws run on mall road which has a fixed-rate list written somewhere on the road. I prefer walking as you can enjoy shopping and food on the Mall road.

Now for tourist destinations, there is a taxi counter near Library Chowk with a fixed price, listed outside the counter. You can share the taxi with other passengers.

Dehradun – you can hire a cab/taxi to cover the tourist attractions. Use your bargaining skills to get the best deal.

Places to visit

Mussoorie

The Mall – located at the heart of Mussoorie city, it stretches from Picture Palace to Library Chowk. Benches and lamp posts are fixed at every viewpoint. Indulge yourself in shopping spree here.

Camel’s back road – This 3 km long road ideal for a romantic walk with a picturesque view.

View from the Camel Back Road

Kempty falls –it is the most fascinating picnic spot near Mussoorie at a distance of 15 km. Hire a cab to reach here. There is an entry fee for Kempty which includes swimming and boat ride. Avoid bathing anywhere other than water directly from kempty falls. There you will find the facility of changing rooms, lockers, swimming suits.  Better to carry your swimwear and waterproof case for the mobile phone to enjoy capture the memories while bathing at this amazing place. Wear sandals/slippers while entering the pool as it has stones beneath (natural pool).

Kempty falls is the must-visit place in Mussoorie and is always heavily crowded. There is another waterfall- Bhatta falls which is lesser-known and less crowded.

Kempty Falls

Gun hill viewpoint – the second highest peak of Mussoorie, Gun Hill is a favourite place for viewing picturesque Himalayan range and Doon Valley. You have to buy a ticket for the cable car to reach the viewpoint.

Gun Hill Point

Lal tibba – The highest peak in Mussoorie provides amazing views of the mountains and a telescope is installed there for visitors.

Cloud’s end – 6km from Library Chowk, it marks the end of Mussoorie. Ideal for trekking.

Mussoorie lake – a recently developed picnic spot where you can enjoy boating.

Company Bagh – Also known as Municipal Garden, it is a well-maintained garden ideal for picnics and evening walks.

Artificial Falls in Company Bagh

Buddhist monastery – located in Happy Valley, this place will give a feel of mini Tibet in Mussoorie.

Monastery in Happy Valley

Dhanaulti – hire a cab to reach there. It’s a 1.5-hour ride in the hilly area. Dhanaulti is a less crowded and more beautiful version of Mussoorie. Dhanaulti includes an area with two eco-parks, “Amber” and “Dhara”, about 200 m apart. They have been developed by the Forest Department of Uttarakhand (Ambar Eco-park is larger one). You can plan for a night stay there in camps.

Dhanaulti
Eco park, Dhanaulti

Dehradun

FRI-Forest Research Institute- Though an institute with limited access for visitors, it’s a beautiful campus and building. There is a museum inside. Many movies have been shot here in this institute.

Forest Research Institute, Dehradun

Robber’s cave – A must visit place in Dehradun. One of its kind – beautiful cave formation which is more scenic in monsoon.

Robber’s Cave

Tapkeshwar temple

Shahastradhara – once a beautiful waterfall and religious place now fully commercialised and destroyed by local shopkeepers and tourists. Avoid this place.

Where to eat

Mussoorie – Mall road is full of eateries and street food. You will get everything from panipuri to pizza there.

Do try these restaurants/Cafe

Casa Mia Bakery

Tavern

Lovely Omelette Centre

Cafe by the way

Char Dukaan

Little Llama Cafe

Itinerary –

Day 1 – Reach Dehradun by bus/flight/train. Go to Mussoorie by bus/taxi. Check-in your hotel. Take rest. In the evening, go for a walk on camel’s back road before sunset. Ask locals for directions. It is more pleasant, secluded and scenic than the Mall road, which is more of a shopping street and very crowded. Go there after sunset and enjoy shopping and street food.

Day 2 – Drive to Dhanaulti or hire a cab. Enjoy the beautiful views and weather. Plan a night stay there.

Day 3 – On the way to library chowk, you will find gun hill ropeway counter which charges Rs.125 for the ropeway. It’s a viewpoint that has been destroyed by local shopkeepers which have built shops all around it. You can avoid this place. Near Library Chowk, there is taxi association counter from where you can take a taxi to all places near Mussoorie. They have a fix price list for all destinations.  Hire a taxi to Kempty falls.

Cab will take you to Buddhist monastery in Happy Valley and Company Bagh. Visit Lal Tibaa and Cloud’s End if you have time spared.

Day 4 – Reach Dehradoon by bus/cab. Hire a taxi for local sightseeing. Bargain heavily here for the best price. Visit FRI-Forest Research Institute, Robber’s Cave, Tapkeshwar temple and Shahastradhara.

Take bus/flight/train for your city.

Few tips for fellow travellers –

  1. Avoid peak season like June (summer holidays of schools). There is heavy traffic everywhere. Crowded streets. Everything is expensive. Pricy hotel rooms (I paid Rs3000 for the room which is usually priced at Rs900-1000).
  2. You can share a Taxi/cab for sightseeing with other passengers to save money.
  3. Don’t spend the night in Dehradun. After reaching Dehradun, go straight to Mussoorie. Dehradun is very polluted and crowded.
  4. If you can manage, try at least 1-night camping in Dhanaulti.

Ratings (it is subjective and my personal opinion)

Destination overall rating 7/10 – Dehradun is just dusty and humid. Mussoorie is commercialised and polluted. Dhanaulti is beautiful. I regret not spending a night there.

Travel Expense – 3/10 mostly depends on you and the time when you are travelling. Accommodation is very costly during peak season.

Travel ease 7.5/10 – easy to reach. Bus stand and taxi counter are located on Picture Palace as well as Library Chowk.

Food 7/10 – you must visit Little Llama Cafe, Lovely Omelette centre and Cafe By the Way.

August 6, 2019 Bengaluru-Mysuru-Ooty, India, Karnataka Post a Comment

Bengaluru-Mysuru-Ooty Trip

This trip was planned amid chaos. I resigned from my job, my brother’s marriage was just a week before the trip and I was getting calls from my new employer to join as early as possible and also we had to shift to Punjab for this job just after the trip. Paaro got all crazy while packing for the trip as she didn’t know what to pack for the trip and what to pack for Punjab.

Days required– 6-7 days

Nearby places to visit –From Bengaluru-Ramnagar (Sholay fame), Nandi Hills

From Mysuru – Srirangpatna, Brindavan Gardens

It’s a short weekend trip for people from Bengaluru.

Best time to visit – after Monsoon or during winter (October -February). Two special things can draw up your Bengaluru-Mysuru trip: Aero show by Indian Airforce which is usually held in the month of February every 2 years and Dussehra celebration of Mysuru in October.

How to reach –

First & foremost – Make Bengaluru entry and exit point of your expedition. Take a flight/train/bus to Bengaluru, then from there go to Mysuru by road and then to Ooty. Return to Bengaluru by bus and head back to your city. This is the most convenient way that works out for most of the travellers.

  • Self-drive – If you are a road trip guy, you can use this option as roads are in good conditions. Renting a car for self-drive is easily accessible from Bengaluru (e.g., Zoom cars, etc).
  • By cab/taxi- you can rent a cab/taxi from Bengaluru to reach out Mysuru and Ooty. This is a very suitable but little expensive way.

By air –Kempegowda International Airport is serving in Bengaluru,well-served by the city’s public transport agency Vayu Vajra (airport shuttle bus service by govt.) which connect the airport and the city through 11 routes.Ask the ticket counter person about the bus number that will go to your area.

Direct flights are available from Delhi and all major cities in India.

  • By train – Trains available from all major cities but train journey are time-consuming.
  • By bus – you can easily book bus from official Karnataka govt. Website(www.KSRTC.in) and Redbus. They run luxury air-conditioned buses which are super comfortable.

How we travelled – Took a flight to reach Bengaluru then switched to bus to go to Mysuru and Ooty.

Why? It is time friendly (even money friendly if you book flights timely) to book a flight to Bengaluru and bus for Mysuru and Ooty as it is very economical, comfortable and convenient.

Where to stay – you can stay anywhere in Bengaluru as the city has very many modes of public transport-City buses, metro, taxis, rickshaw, Ola/Uber. For accomodation, you can look around near Majestic (their main bus terminus) or near Bengaluru palace or botanical garden so that you can reserve your time to reach these tourist places and commute to next destinations.

Mysuru – stay close by bus stand/Lashkar Mohalla.

Ooty- near bus stand (railway station is adjacent to bus stand)

How to go around – Bengaluru – If you have your own vehicle/driver then there is no issue or else use City buses, metro, taxis, rickshaw, Ola/Uber.

Mysuru – If you have your own vehicle/driver then there is no issues, otherwise go for City buses, taxis, rickshaw, Ola/Uber.

  • Mysuru has unique TRIN TRIN public bicycle sharing system for locals and tourists. If you are fit enough, then you can register yourself and use it to travel all over Mysuru in a very cheap and healthy way.

Ooty – you can easily find a taxi (near main bazaar/bus stand) for a day tour that will take you to all major destinations. We used self-driven electric bike rentals here- GREEN BIKES by Sathya (Read our experience of E-bike tour in Ooty in different blog).

Places to visit:

Bengaluru

Bengaluru Palace – Ticket charges for entry and camera are high. Only history lovers would like the palace, as not a much-maintained palace. Also, most of the area is closed.

Botanical garden – another place to visit preferably in evening time.

Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace

*Bengaluru is well-known for its pub culture (also known as Pub Capital of India) so once you are done visiting these places, you can opt for any famous Pub in Bengaluru.

Mysuru

Mysuru Palace- a must-visit place in Mysuru. It will take around 60-90 minutes to cover the Palace premise. You have to take off your shoes there. Camera/phones/bags are allowed.

*Do Not miss the illumination at night. There is a light and sound show although it is in the local language but, the alluring illumination of Mysuru Palace cannot be missed. It is for 10minutes on weekdays but on Sundays and public holidays, it is for 30-40minutes. Confirm the timing with locals. But it is usually after 7:30 pm.

If you plan out this trip around Dussehra celebration, then you can see Mysuru and Mysuru Palace in full glory.  It is a 10-day festival, starting with Navaratri and the last day being Vijayadashami. Palace is lightened up daily with nearly 100,000 light bulbs from 7 pm to 10 pm on all days of the festival. Various cultural and religious programs highlighting the dance, music and culture of Karnataka are performed in front of the glorified Palace.

Illumination at Mysuru Palace

Mysuru Zoo and Lake- common tickets for both attractions are available but the lake can be missed if there is a shortage of time. The zoo is one of the largest and oldest in India and will take 3hours to cover 3km long zoo but if one is running out of time or there is any health issue, then Zoo provides with battery-operated vehicles which then cover up the zoo in 1hour.

Mysuru Palace

Chamundeshwari Temple- Take AC or routine bus for Chamundeshwari Temple from local bus stand (ask the locals) as it is a very cheap and convenient way. There is no need to book a taxi/cab to visit this temple.

Chamundeshwari Temple

Rail Museum- a small museum is there beside the railway station that can be covered in noon.

Ja Simran ja, Jee le apni zindagi

St. Phelomena’s Church

St. Philomena’s Cathedral

If you have one more day then a few more places around Mysuru can be covered- Brindavan garden and Srirangapatnam.

Ooty

A toy train journey- one should must go for in Ooty. There is a toy train running between Ooty and Coonoor that is a 1-hour journey. Tickets can be booked from IRCTC but you have to book them in advance. The view from the train and experience is just amazing.

Toy Train, Coonoor

Places in Ooty – Dodabetta peak, Tea plantation, Chocolate factory, Botanical garden, Boathouse/Ooty lake.

Lush green Tea Gardens in Ooty

These places can be covered by taxi/auto in a day.

Not much of places or market area to see in Ooty like other hill stations.

Botanical Garden

But if you have 1 more day, you can go to Pykara by cab/taxi or green bike tours.

E-Bike tour in Ooty

Where to eat

There is an extensive list of Pubs in Bengaluru to try.

But if you are planning to stay there for 1 or 2 days, you cannot try all of them.

The Biere Club, Monkey bar, Arbor Brewing Company, Pecos, Watson’s, Toit are some which I would recommend.

Now if you love south Indian cuisines, especially Dosa then Bengaluru and Mysuru are heaven for you. These two cities have so many legendary decades-old eateries that you will not able to cover them all.

In Bengaluru

Central tiffin room (CTR), Mavalli tiffin room(MTR), Vidyarthi Bhawan, Indian coffee house. All these outlets are very old. You may not like their ambience but do try their Dosa and coffee.

 

In Mysuru

Mysuru Paak from very famous Guru sweet mart – this very small outlet sells very famous Mysuru Paak and you have to be on time as by evening they go out of stock. We bought the last kilo of Paak and it was only 5 pm. It is loaded with ghee and if kept in the refrigerator it would lasts for up to 15-20days.

Try south Indian food at Gayatri tiffin room(GTR)/VINAYAK MYLARI/ANIMA MADHAV BHAWAN.

South Indian food served on banana leaf

Itinerary –

Day 1- Reach Bengaluru. Visit the Palace and garden. Dine at one of the famous Dosa joints or taste the beer at famous Pubs.

Day 2 – Reach Mysuru by morning bus. It is 4-5hour journey. Have lunch at any famous Dosa joint. Visit the Palace. Enjoy the illumination at night.

Day 3 – Visit Mysuru zoo and lake. Have lunch. Go to the Rail Museum. Then take a bus for Chamundeshwari temple. Visit St. Philomena Church in the evening.

Day 4 – Take a bus to Ooty. Enjoy toy train journey between Ooty and Coonoor.

Day 5 – Take a full/half-day tour of Ooty. Take the night bus for Bengaluru.

Day 6 – Fly back to your city.

Few tips for fellow travelers –

  1. Book your flight tickets in advance (2-3months) to get a cheaper price. Book your bus tickets online 7days in advance. It is always better to book in advance than regretting it later.
  2. Try to use local means of transportation. Usually, there is no need to book cabs for everything.
  3. Take either night buses or early morning buses so that you can get more time to explore the city.
  4. Try to explore some offbeat destination (Ramnagara near Bengaluru) or new experiences like TRIN TRIN in Mysuru and Green bikes in Ooty.

Ratings (it is subjective and based on personal opinion)

Destination overall rating 8/10 – Bengaluru may not be good for sightseeing but Mysuru and Ooty are worth visiting.

Travel Expense 3/10 – we cut down our expenses on travel. We ate like locals, traveled like locals and saved money like locals.

Travel ease 8/10– we covered 3 cities in 6days. One can easily travel like local here within the city.

Food 8/10 – just loved the food here but can’t say for you if you don’t like south Indian cuisines.

August 2, 2019 Agra, Uttar Pradesh Post a Comment

Birthday Surprise : A Trip to Taj Mahal

What can you gift your wife who is as crazy as you are for travelling on her birthday – A Surprise Taj Mahal Trip!!!

It was a short unplanned trip to Agra that too in summer when the temperature rises to 45 degrees there. Yes, she was surprised at first and got badly tanned later. I have been to Agra twice so here I am discussing all details that will help you plan your Agra trip.

Days required– 1-2 days

Nearby places to go – Fatehpur Sikri, Mathura/Vrindavan

Best time to visit – winter season (October to February). I don’t think anyone wants to roam around Taj and Red fort in the scorching heat of summers.

How to reach – Agra is the part of the Famous Golden Triangle ( Delhi-Agra-Jaipur).

By air – Agra has an airport with limited connectivity though there are flights from Delhi and Jaipur.

By train – Agra Cantt. is the main railway station and one can easily reach Agra from Delhi and Jaipur.

By road – one can easily find a bus to reach Agra from Delhi, Jaipur, Kanpur and Gwalior.

Self-drive is also a good option as it is 4-hour drive from Jaipur and Delhi and highways are really good.

How we traveled – I have visited Agra twice both time by train as it is very convenient. This train runs between Jaipur and Agra Cantt. You can board the train in the early morning, reach Agra by 10 am then explore the place and again in the evening, the same train will take you back to Jaipur.

Where to stay – There are many hotels in Fatehabad Road area. Also, you can stay much closer to Taj Mahal near Tajganj area. Moustache and Zostel are very popular hostels among backpackers.

How to go around – Agra can easily be explored by auto rickshaw. You just need to bargain well. Agra Cantt. the railway station is very near to Red Fort and Taj Mahal.

Places to visit –

  1. Taj Mahal – One of the most beautiful monuments ever made in mankind history. One can not explain the beauty of Taj in words.

    Birthday Trip
  2. Red Fort – very similar to that in Delhi. The fort is near to Taj and you get beautiful photographs here with Taj in the background.

    In front of Red Fort
  3. Mehtab Bagh – This garden is across the river and is famous among photographers as it provides a good view of the Taj minus the crowd.
  4. Itmad-Ul-Dulah – Baby Taj – it is said the structure was used as a draft complex for the Taj Mahal.
The one from the previous trip

Where to eat –

Deviram sweets – have your breakfast like a local at this sweet shop – Bedai with aaloo ki sabzi and jalebi.

Chaat Gali – Sadar bazaar has Chat Gali with many street food stalls. Famous ones are Agra chat house and Agrawal chat house.

Panchhi Petha – Agra is famous for Taj and Petha. Panchhi has become a global brand for Petha worldwide. You will find Panchhi Petha everywhere in Agra and most of them are fake. Either buy online through their website or go to their Hari parwat crossing Outlet for authentic Panchhi Petha.

View from the Fort
Reflection

Quick tips for fellow travelers –

1. Taj Mahal is closed for visitors on Friday.

2. Viewing Taj at night is also an incredible experience. It can be done 2 days before, the night of and 2 days after the full moon night. Visit the official site for timings, entry fee and booking.

3. Taj Mahal is open from sunrise to sunset. Reach Taj early in the morning so that there is less crowd around you and you can escape the high temperature of noon.

4. Bargain with shopkeepers and auto drivers.

5. Buy shoe cover from any of the vendors for Rs 5 or 10. It will not be available inside and it is mandatory.

6. Don’t litter inside Taj. Be a responsible traveler.

7. There are 3 entry gates for Taj. Tickets are available there. Better to come as early as possible to skip the long queue.

8. This rule is new for visitors. Govt. has limited viewing hours for Taj Mahal recently. If you exceed the time limit (3 hours), there is a 100% penalty for it.

Ratings (it is subjective and my personal opinion)

Destination overall rating 9/10 – I should not rate one of the wonders of the world but this rating is overall rating for Agra. The city is very polluted and because of that, the silvery-white Taj has become greyish white.

Expanse 1/10 – not much to spend here. You can find budget hotels easily. Local transport is cheap.

Travel ease 7/10 –Agra is easily reachable via Delhi and Jaipur. The city does not have much extensive public transport system but auto rickshaws are easily available.

Food 6/10 – Do buy Panchhi Petha for your friends and family back home. Other than Petha, I didn’t find anything special here.

July 25, 2019 Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India Post a Comment

Road trip to Dharamshala-Mcleodganj

dhauladhar range and cheeku

Road trip to Dharamshala-Mcleodganj

This was a special trip for us as it was the first trip for us after shifting to Punjab and it was the first-ever trip for Cheeku. My driving skills were also tested during this trip as some of the places had really steep roads.

Days required– 2 days

Nearby places to go – Palampur, Bir-Billing, Dalhousie

It’s a weekend trip for people from Delhi, Chandigarh and Punjab.

Best time to visit – Please avoid summer vacation time ( June ) unless you want to keep finding places to get clicked with fewer people in the back drop of your images. Snowfall aspirants may go in January-February.

How to reach –

Regular Volvo/ deluxe buses services from Delhi /Chandigarh – Economic way.

Self-drive – if you are a road trip kind-a-guy, enjoy the drive on well-maintained roads.

By air – There is an airport in Dharamshala (Gaggal Airport). Direct flights are available from Delhi and Jaipur.

By train – Kangra is the nearest railway station (fewer connections) but Pathankot is the major station which is 90km from Dharmshala so it is better to avoid train journey.

How we traveled – We did a road trip.

Why? It is cheap, convenient and I love to drive.

Where to stay – Dharamshala and Mcleodganj are only 10km apart. With major tourist attractions in Mcleodganj, people usually prefer to stay there. With plenty of lodging options and famous eateries there, it is more convenient. Similar to European cities, most of the tourist attractions can be covered on foot with a camera in your hands. However, one can easily book a cab for a distant place from the main chowk.

Dharamshala is away from all the hush-rush of tourists. It is the main town where local resides which makes it easier to find an Airbnb and get a taste of being with locals. Options like Oyo and other hotels are available as well. Market and restaurants are just a walk away. Because it takes a day to cover Mcleodganj so, it is equally convenient to stay in Dharamshala.

It is a personal choice to stay at Dharamshala or Mcleodganj.

How to go around – if you have your own vehicle/driver then just keep Google maps handy.

Otherwise, cabs/taxi can easily be booked there. You can ask locals or hotel owner for cab bookings. Cab booking can be done from the main chowk in Mcleodganj.

Places to visit

Mcleodganj–

Dalai Lama temple – Most important and a must-see place in Mcleodganj – home to His Highness Dalai Lama. 15min walk from the main chowk. It is more of a complex that includes a museum, a monastery and a residential area inside it. Parking facility is available outside.

Bhagsu nag temple/falls/Shiva cafe – few km from the main chowk is the Bhagsu nag temple. Take a 10min walk from the entrance to reach the temple. After visiting the temple proceed to the fall. The waterfall is visible from a distance but for a closer view and to enjoy the beauty of it, make some extra effort, walk along the pathway and fall will be closer to you. If you are not tired enough or want to enjoy some freshly made pizza, make your way to the Shiva cafe which is on the way and has become a Cult among young travellers. A half an hour stroll and you will arrive at Shiva cafe, there are signboards on the way to guide you.

Buddha and Cheeku

You will love the ambience and the view from the cafe. There is indoor as well as outdoor sitting. Sheesha/hookah is served there. You will love their pizza and chicken soup. Spend at least a few hours there.

St. John’s in the wilderness – this beautiful church is on the way to Mcleodganj. A must visit place.

Dal lake – this may not be as beautiful as Dal lake of Srinagar but amazing tree canopy in the background will make you stop here and click a few photographs. This lake is on the way to Naddi village.

Naddi village viewpoint – last but not the least, 10min drive from the Dal lake. An evening spent here is all one can ask for. Come here to witness the beautiful sunset in backdrop of the snow-covered Dhauladhar mountain range.

Naddi View Point
Naddi View Point

Dharamshala

HP Cricket stadium –best place to start your day in Dharamshala. It is visible from a distance. There is an entry ticket for the stadium but it is totally worth it. View from the stands is breathtaking. Green grassy field and the cool breeze coming from the Dhauladhar mountain range in background of the stadium makes you to just sit and relax. And who knows if you are lucky enough to enjoy a net practice session.

Cricket Stadium with a View
Cricket Stadium with a View

War memorial – situated 1 km from the stadium is this memorial built in the memory of Kargil war hero.

Norbulingka institute – this institute is named after the famous palace in Lhasa. It is situated outside the city. Try to reach here by lunch and enjoy the meals served in 2 eateries inside. One of them offers buffet and Al carte option and the other has an open sitting space with a garden view. Tibetan dishes can also be tried here (we suggest you to try mutton momos). This institute was built to share the Tibetan culture and arts. The moment you step inside the institute, it feels as if you have been teleported to Tibet. Private Paid Parking is available nearby.

Norbulingka Institute
Norbulingka Institute

Tea estate – they are not so tourist-friendly tea gardens as you will find in Munnar, Ooty or Darjeeling but they surely are worth visiting. Search Dharamshala tea estate near Narghota Road on Google but don’t stop there. Just cross it and you will find more organized and beautiful Mann tea gardens. Next to them, there is a beautiful valley view with the Dhauladhar range in the background.

dhauladhar range and cheeku
Dhauladhar range and cheeku

Where to eat

There is a long list of restaurants and cafe and street food in Mcleodganj to try. In a short stay, it is not possible to try them all. But we have a few suggestions for you.

Morgan’s Place for pizza and the view

Woeser Bakery coffee, walnut pastry, carrot cake

Nicks Italian Kitchen- pizza, lemon cheesecake, chocolate mousse

Moonlight cafe – Bhagsu cake

Jimmy’s kitchen-lemon cheesecake

Itinerary –

Mcleodganj can be covered in one day.

Half day is sufficient for Dharamshala.

If you have an extra day, use it for paragliding at Bir-Billing. It is a 2 hr drive from Dharamshala. The activity takes 2-3 hours and is weather dependent so plan accordingly. Try to book a slot in advance for morning hours. Approx. cost is Rs.2000-3000 per person.

How we traveled

We drove from Ludhiana (there are two routes from Delhi- one via Ludhiana and other via Chandigarh) in June. We were 4 adults and one baby (managing this can also be tricky on any trip so plan properly. All necessary baby care items should be with you). We followed Google maps and reached Dharamshala before sunset. The accommodation was booked through Oyo Homes (which I will discuss separately in a different blog). The drive can be tiring because of the curves of the hilly roads and so were we and went straight to sleep after dinner.

Next morning after breakfast, we drove to Mcleodganj and what a chaos it was,with a long queue of vehicles honking at each other. Thousands of tourists all over the place. We parked the car before the main chowk and decided to go on foot. We found the parking outside the temple to be full as expected and sighed with our decision of walking from the main chowk. On the way, there was a beautiful temple/monastery to visit. Also, there was a market selling everything from sunglasses to momos.

After visiting the Dalai Lama Complex, we went back to the car parking and drove to Bhagsu nag temple and witnessed even worse traffic. People had parked on the roadside blocking the already narrow path. We parked the car for Rs.200(perks of traveling in summer vacations) and went to visit Bhagsunag temple. From there, we walked with the crowd to reach the famous Bhagsu waterfall and valley. Most of the tourists don’t go any further however, we made our efforts to take on a rough and tiring walk to reach the Shiva cafe. View from the cafe was breathtaking and hence the walk was worth it. The cafe itself was very beautiful. We spent 2 hours there, ate lunch (pizza of course).

Shiva Cafe
Shiva Cafe

On the way back to Dharamshala, we stopped at St. Johns in the wilderness, a very old and beautiful church.

St. Johns in the wilderness
St. Johns in the wilderness

Then visited Dal lake on the way to the Naddi village. Road to Dal lake and Naddi village is good but steep slopes are common which may not be comfortable for everyone to drive on so cautious driving with all safety precautions is important.We drove there to see the snow-covered mountain range. We parked in a paid parking and got to the viewpoint which was a 5min walk from the parking. As it was cloudy so we could not see the sunset and the valley but it was worth to come to see this beautiful scenic village.Then we headed back to Dharamshala, had dinner and went straight to bed.

Next day was planned for Dharamshala tour. First one was the cricket stadium. I was so excited for it having seen this ground before only on TV. A canteen and 2 stands are open for the visitors.

Very near to the stadium was a war memorial. From there we drove to Sidhpur to visit the Norbulingka Institute. We first had lunch at a cafe inside the institute and then explored the whole complex. It will take 2 hours if you are interested in Tibetan culture.

As there was not much left to see in Dharamshala, we took some rest at our Oyo home. In the evening, it started to rain and the weather became pleasant so we decided to explore some more of Dharamshala. We reached the tea estate late. They were closed for tours but allowed us to explore the tea estate. Nearby to that, there were more tea gardens with a view of the Dhauladhar range. We took hundreds of photos there and came back late in the evening. This marked the end of our trip to Dharamshala-Mcleodganj.

Tea Garden – Yaha to photo banti hai

Few tips for fellow travelers –

  1. Always park the vehicle at a proper place. Otherwise, it will cause problems for everyone. All tourist attractions have parking lots nearby (which may be full in high season like June)
  2. That’s why avoid traveling in June or avoid driving there.
  3. It is always better to plan and book your accommodation in advance at least in peak season. Booking in advance always save your money and time.
  4. Traveling in peak season will increase the trip cost. Accommodation will cost twice or thrice the normal prices. Hill station can be visited anytime in the year. Better to travel in shoulder season.
  5. Driving in hill stations can be tricky. Roads are usually not good. Roads are curvy and with lots of uphill and downhill. If you are not a skilled and experienced driver, it is better to avoid driving there and just hire a taxi there.
  6. Ask the locals or traffic police for directions. Google may misguide you in hilly areas.
  7. Dharamshala has zomato services so you can just sit and relax after tiring trip and get your food delivered at your doorstep.

Ratings (it is subjective and my personal opinion)

Destination overall rating 7/10 – I don’t like so much crowd (I think no one likes so much traffic and crowd). It was humid there. There was not much to see. It would have been 8 if I had visited this place after monsoon or snowfall.

Expense 2/10 – the trip is very cheap. Other than accommodation, there is no big expanse there. Food is reasonably priced. Tourist attractions are either free to enter or with very low entry fees.

Travel ease 8/10– easy to reach there by road or flight. Roads are good. Everything is nearby.

Food 8/10 – you can get everything you want. All cuisines are easily available there. You can try authentic Tibetan cuisine. They have their specialties like Bhagsu cake, mutton momos, lemon cheesecake, etc.

Please share it with your fellow travelers.

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