India
India, is one big country and for a foreigner it is very hard to navigate through the diverse cultures, languages, food and terrains. The diversity which India represents is unique and found nowhere else in the world. Places to visit in India are present throughout the country. From the high Himalayas to the long peninsular coastline. India is a country which has both a hot desert and a cold desert. It has forests, mangroves, vibrant cities and colourful villages. English is widely spoken and understood in the country. Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Jaipur, Varanasi and Kolkata are some of its interesting cities. Food in India is spicy.
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Places to visit in Leh : A One day itinerary
If you are looking for a detailed Ladakh itinerary you can read my Ladakh trip guide here. If you are researching about places to visit in Leh, keep reading. When a person from the plains finds herself at a staggering height of 3500 metres, her potential is somewhat reduced. When we landed at Leh airport in Jammu and Kashmir district of India, we wanted to rush around and tick all the boxes in the ‘places-to-see’ list. Blatantly ignoring the AMS prevention guidelines we strolled in the market on the first day. Our overconfidence was kicked out when on the second day husband woke up with a throbbing headache and oxygen…
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How to plan a Leh-Ladakh itinerary — All about transportation, accommodation, AMS and permits
Ladakh is a district in the Jammu and Kashmir state of India. Leh is the largest city in Ladakh, also, the base city for a Ladakh trip. The entire region is commonly referred to as ‘Leh-Ladakh’ by tourists. All the information shared in this Leh-Ladakh itinerary post is based on our own experiences. This post will not talk about motorcycling or biking in Leh as it is not our forte and we have no personal experiences with motorcycles in Leh. Situated at an altitude of 3500 metres, Leh is surrounded by mighty mountains. There is no single spot in Leh from where the Himalayas are not visible. The Main Bazaar…
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Offbeat Monsoon Getaways from Mumbai
International tourists often freak out at the thought of touring India in monsoon. A few years ago, even I was in the same boat. Monsoon was a time to lay low under the soothing shelter of my home. All this changed in 2017 when I decided to deviate from the mainstream tourist trails and explore the unexplored. Mission monsoon in Maharashtra was undertaken and I found myself falling in love more and more with Maharashtrian countryside. Bari Village This quiet village happens to be the base village of Kalsubai trek, the highest point of Maharashtra. Bari is frequented by trekkers only in the weekend or during holiday. The rest of…
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Kalo Dungar, Ludiya and White Rann — Bewitched by Kutch
Our car was heading towards Kalo Dungar, the highest point in Kutch in the state of Gujarat in India. Parched lands with little to no vegetation spread out on both sides of the highway. Inside the air conditioned car, we sat overwhelmed by all the experiences we have had in one and a half days in Gujarat.(Trying to plan a trip to Kutch? Click to read this guide on White Rann, Nirona and Bhuj) The way from Nirona village to Kalo Dungar conforms to the usual topography of Kutch region — barren lands. But, there are two interesting features in this route which excite travellers. The Tropic of Cancer crosses…
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My first impression of Tadoba jungle and a rendezvous with Matkasur, the dominating male
Dressed in a brand new sleeveless top and trousers, I clumsily sat in the elevated middle seat of the jeep. The husband was away with the driver to attend to the paperwork. We were about to embark on our first safari in the wilderness of Tadoba jungle. It was 2 PM and the glare of the Sun was at its worst. I was counting the number of tourists on the other jeeps. Most had 6, some 4. Our jeep would have only 2 — an easy choice for a tiger. In my mind I already pictured myself dead. Things were not always like this. I had performed meticulous research-work, and…
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Bhuj, White Rann and Handicraft Villages – A two days itinerary in Kutch, Gujarat
Gujarat, the westernmost state of India, is popular for its non-spicy vegetarian food, handicrafts and, the White Rann. In the Kutch district, one can find all three splendours of Gujarat. It is the westernmost part of Gujarat and shares an international border with Pakistan. Bhuj is the most important city of the region. Bhuj, along with other parts of Kutch, suffered a devastating earthquake in the year 2001. The local government, in a bid to resurrect Kutch, has since then extensively promoted all that Kutch has on offer to tourists — The Great Rann of Kutch (White Rann), the unique handicrafts of Kutch and the the place’s historical significance. Visiting…
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Tadoba National Park: How to plan a trip to Tadoba
Tadoba Andhari tiger project, popularly known as Tadoba national park, lies in the state of Maharashtra in India. It is frequented by wildlife enthusiasts who enjoy spending time in the company of wild animals. Bengal tigers are the main attraction of the national park but it also hosts Indian leopards, gaurs, chital, barking deer, bears, wild dogs, a range of rare birds and some exotic reptiles. Out of all the national parks in India, Tadoba’s tiger sighting statistic is the most favourable one. If visited during the correct time of the year it is almost impossible not to come across a tiger during the safari. Things to know before safari…
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The Lure of the Arabian Sea – Ganpatipule beach, Maharashtra
If you are seeking solitude and peace then Ganpatipule, a Konkan coastal village approximately 300 kilometres away from Mumbai can give you the much needed relaxation.
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Kalsubai trek: On top of Maharashtra
“Bye, happy journey. Come back soon,” our hosts shouted out to us when we left for Kalsubai trek. Shades of grey adorned the sky. The storminess of the weather catalysed our willpower to scale Kalsubai. Little boys and girls were going to school. On the two sides of the road, lush greenery extended for miles. It was difficult to separate the grasses from patches of paddy fields. Rain drenched trees populated the slopes of the hill. Dhoti-clad men donning white caps were walking on the village path with us. Bari village is really tiny, abruptly rising around the vicinity of the temple and ending on the bank of a seasonal…
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Lavasa trip, the Portofino of India – A visit to the picturesque lake town where tourists are the only ‘locals’
Recently, on a lazy weekend we went for a Lavasa trip from Mumbai. I (Tania) still remember gawking at the giant full-page newspaper advertisements of Lavasa city, a boutique city near Pune. I was a mere child in high school then. My father expressed interest in buying an apartment there but we were way poorer to afford anything so luxurious. Fast-forward a decade (almost) and I was standing on the soil of Lavasa. No, we didn’t get rich or anything. Unfortunately my life is no movie. I just happened to migrate to Mumbai and Lavasa is doable from the city. I never imagined I will say this but after visiting…
