Brief update about the weather: Sharm El Sheikh promises some great weather throughout the year, with dry warm tropical weather providing reprieve from rain or cold in many parts of the world. However, it is hotter and drier in the summer (with temperatures between 25 Celsius and 35 Celsius).

Some amount of history of Sharm El Sheikh. Even a few centuries back, Sharam El Sheikh was shown on a map (showing up in 1762 on a Spanish map), but nothing significant happened here till a few decades back. Even till around 1968, it was nothing more than a quiet fishing community. When Israel took control of the Sinai Peninsula after the war, there were efforts put in to develop Sharam El Sheikh into a tourist destination. Even after Israel handed back the Sinai to Egypt under an agreement, the Egyptian Government continued with those efforts. As a result, Sharam El Sheikh is now known as one of Egypt’s best beach resorts, with many excellent and high class premium resorts opening up in the area. Other than these, you also have restaurants from around the world, ejoyable water sports and golf courses. As well as some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world, and arguably the best in the world. In short, you can really relax and unwind on a trip over here.

Location of Sharam El Sheikh on Google Maps:

View Larger Map

Geography: If you decrease the view of the above map, you can see that Sharam el Sheik is situated on the Southern tip of the Sinai peninsula, being surrounded by some classic natural features, the Red Sea towards one side, the mountains of Mount Sinai on the other.
If you try to further break down the internal geography of Sharam El Sheikh, you will find that the reagion comprises of 3 main sections.

Na’ama Bay: First starting to become known in the 1980′s, this bay with long stretches of sand saw the first hotel appeared in the early eighties. With more effort spent on this area to make it more beautiful and appealing, one of the attractions is the shoreline of this bay, with a seafront comprising of a long beautiful paved walkway for leisurely walks, lined with flowers of all types such as bougainvillaea and oleander. You will find many more tourists at Na’ama Bay in the evenings. This is where you will find many shops, restaurants, bars and ‘Sheesha’ cafes.

Ras Um Sid Cliff: Located centrally between Na’ama Bay and the bay of Sharm El Maya (not being more than 5-10 minutes drive from each other), Ras Um Sid Cliff is essentialy famous for some very beautiful coral reefs, as well as a cliff top area where a number of hotels and resorts are located.

Sharm El Maya: The bay area of the older sections of Sharam El Sheikh. Why the bay area ? Well, it has a natural harbor, and you can view a large number of boats of all sizes in the water. And of couse, who can forget the beach, the reason to visit Sharam El Sheikh. The beach is surrounded and full of palm trees, and relaxing under these palm trees is what provides a beautiful green natural shade for the sun soakers. This area is starting to see more premium hotels coming up, and also provides easy access to the old town area.

For more details on what you can do there, and some of the great places to see.
I cannot forget to mention the beautiful underwater scenery (it can get truly amazing) you can get to see in the area located between Tiran Island and Ras Mohammed National Park on the tip of the Southern Sinai. As with any great reef area, you can find crystal clear water, incredibly beautiful reefs, and an incredible variety of exotic fish amongst the colorful coral. If you are not a scuba diver, don’t worry, since you can even do short depth snorkelling (surface depth) and still catch sight of these incredible pleasures; and of course if you have come here for scuba diving, Sharam El Sheikh has an excellent reputation world-wide for scuba diving, providing access to some of the Red Sea’s most prominent and interesting dive sites.
One of these is a protected site, called Ras Mohamed. It was declared a protected site to ensure that the incredible beauty of this area does not get spoiled. Ras Mohamed is located to the south of Sharm, on the very tip of the Sinai.

What about attractions for others, those who do not know diving, or want more pleasure besides the water ? Now, you can enjoy many pleasures in Sharam El Sheikh; diving is only part of the attraction here, you can come here to soak in the sun, for adventure sports such as parasailing and windsurfing, or to explore the magical desert landscape of the southern Sinai. Since the mid-1980s, the Sharm el-Sheikh area has come into its own as a world-class resort destination, with the construction of a large number of hotels and resorts.

Back to the diving: It is accepted by many that the diving experience in Sharm-el-Sheikh is one of the best in the world. The variety and easy access of corals and the fish life astound every visitor to the area, even to those who have experience in snorkeling and diving. The corals can be found at shallow depths, starting from approx 1 meter from the surface and then going down into the depths. The fish life is all over the reef, allowing visitors the opportunity to view them from the surface, and with such colors, they are easily noticeable. You can see all kinds, from small fish, to the more exotic sharks and rays.

Some of the diving regions: If you already don’t know, the diving spots are spread from the Straits of Tiran in the North to the protected region of Ras Mohamed in the South. For diving, the usual experience is using medium size boats, around 20m. These are designed for divers, with a large dive deck and easy access in to the water and then a ladder out. And of course, if you are going with a diver but not stepping into the water, you will find a sun deck on the boat where you can soak in the sun.

And now to something that may not seem so obvious in all the talk about diving, cliffs, and water. Sharam Ek Sheikh is also now having a night life, , with many of the clubs and bars staying open all night, almost until dawn. There are some that operate at timings to attract the divers, while others are geared towards people who want to enjoy the night life. Then there are the ones that are restaurants during the day and converting to night clubs as the night progresses. Regionwise, Naama Bay is the place to be in if you are a night animal. As always, there are exceptions to such a rule, with one of them being El Fanar, which is at Ras um Sidd. This holds a beach party every Wednesday.

And there are also other natural beauties, such as the mountains of the Sinai. Sharam El Sheikh offers an insight into the beauty of the Sinai, with its majestic mountains and valleys, a number of national parks, as well as some well known nearby tourist attractions such as St. Catherine’s Monastery.

Details of water sports available at the Sharam El Sheikh. You can find a wide variety of water sports over here, as well as other pursuits such as four wheeling to go cart tracts, from horse riding to championship golf. Everything that goes to make the place a family vacation, one that the whole family can enjoy. In addition, for the more active, you have bungee jumping and, incredibly, ice skating.

Places to stay in Sharam El Sheikh / hotels / resorts:

1. Domina Hotel & Resort El Sultan (site)Contact details: P.O Box 74, Hadaba 46619 Sharm El Sheikh, Sharm El Sheikh, Phone: 069 3601610

2. Jolie Ville Royal Peninsula Hotel & Resort (site)
Peace Rd. PO Box 95, Um MArikha Bay Sharm EL Sheikh, South Sinai – Egypt
Phone +20 69 3604 200
The Jolie Ville Royal Peninsula Hotel & Resort is located at the southern tip of Sinai Peninsula 7kmto Naama Bay and 5km to the Sharms international airport.

3. Maritim Jolie Ville Golf & Resort (link)
Um Marikha Bay, Sharm El Sheikh
Phone: 069 3603200

4. Sharm El-Sheikh Jolie Ville Resort & Casino (link)
Naama Bay, South Sinai, Sharm El Sheikh
Phone: 069 3600100

5. Sheraton Sharm Hotel, Resort, Villas & Spa (link)
Al Pasha Coast, Sharm El Sheikh
Phone: 069 3602070
Nestled on the east shore of the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula on one of the world’s most beautiful coral reefs. Located at Al Pasha Coast, four kilometers from the nightlife of Na’ama Bay and 10 minutes from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport.

6. Beach Albatros Resort Sharm El Sheikh (link)
Ras Om El Sid Cliff, Sharm El Sheikh
Phone: 069 3663923
069 3663924
This all inclusive resort is only 18 km from Sharm El Sheikh Airport and 10 km from the famous Naama-Bay.

7. Aqua Blu Sharm El Sheikh (link)
Photos (link)
Aqua Blu Sharm, Ras Om El Seid, Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt
Tel: +20-69-3665993/7
Aqua Blu Sharm is only 18 km from Sharm El Sheikh Airport and 10 km from the famous Naama-Bay.

8. Royal Albatros Moderna Sharm El Sheikh (link)
Royal Albatros Moderna, P.O.Box 215, Nabq Bay, Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt
Tel: +20-69-3710401 to 8
This elegant all inclusive resort is only 12 km from Sharm El Sheikh Airport, and 20 km from the famous Naama-Bay.

9. Creative Badawia Sharm Resort (link)
Ras Om El Sid Cliff, Sharm El Sheikh
Phone: 069 3663981

10. Creative Grand Sharm Resort (link)
Ras Om El Sid Cliff, Sharm El Sheikh
Phone: 069 366383

11. Creative Mexicana Sharm Resort (link)
Ras Om El Sid Cliff, Sharm El Sheikh
Phone: 069 3661490

12. Sultan Gardens Holiday Inn Hotel (link)
The resort is located in Shark’s Bay, just 5 kilometers from Sharm el Sheikh International Airport and 7 kilometers away from the Bazaars of the City Center.
Phone number: 002 069 360 21 30

13. Habiba Village (link)

14. Iberotle Palace (link)

Listing of hotels along with recommendations available at TripAdvisor (link)

Red Sea Diver’s Guide, Volume 2: From Sharm el Sheikh to Hurghada

Blogs / Sites about Sharam El Sheikh:

1. http://www.sharmelsheikh.com/: Some details about the location and various things you can do.
2. http://www.sharmguide.com/
3. http://www.sharm-el-sheikh.com/
4. Weather for Sharam El Sheikh (link)
5. Tips from the T list (link)

See the sun rise over the desert on an unforgettable visit to the place where Moses received the 10 Commandments. On this sunrise tour you will watch the sun rise over the Sinai Mountains, and retrace the footsteps of Moses when he climbed Mt. Sinai. On your journey back down the mountain you will stop at St. Catherine’s Monastery, built between 527 and 565 A.D.

6. TravBuddy (link)

So, I indulged, in true tourist style, in snorkelling (like, wow!), quad biking (whose idea was it for me to don the shades coming back across the desert when it was dark already?), clubbing (had to see the New Year in somehow), and generally lazing around the pool (temperatures could have benefitted from being just that little higher though, give the coldness of the pool’s water).

7. TravBuddy (link): Reports on diving and enjoying

For those of you who’ve dived the Sinai for the sake of form I’ll list some of the dives I was able to enjoy in my time there. Ras Katy and Temple in the Rastan Sea; Fiddle Garden or ‘Tony Blair Reef’as its occasionally called now owing to the condo the former Brit PM now owns on the shoreline.

8. Coastal vacation club blog (link)

Shark Bay is in the surrounding area and has a great diving centre for those tourists who are looking for some excitement from their holiday. Diving is great fun and Shark Bay is the ideal location for families as there is a very relaxed atmosphere and you will be diving with a dedicated crew with years of experience.

9. Akira Travel (link)

Sharm el- Sheikh was formerly a port, due to strict environmental laws introduced in 90s, commercial shipping was drastically reduced. After the development of civilian port there has been a huge raise in visitors to 5.1 million from 16,000, which invited business and star hotels.
The Sinai Peninsula and its luxury hotel resort areas are collectively called the Red Sea. It is a coast dotted with oases, mangrove forests, and habitat to many species of terrestrial and marine wildlife.

10. Amman adventures (link). Some good photos of a holiday.
11. Reasonpad.com (link)

All around are Bedouins, colorful tents, mountains and sea. There are small, intimate hotels with modern designs, as well as larger hotel complexes belonging to International chains, plus about all the amenities one could expect of a tourist center, including casinos, discos and nightclubs, golf courses and health facilities. In fact, with diving and snorkeling, windsurfing and other water sports, horses and camel riding, desert safaris, and great nearby antiquities attractions, it is almost impossible for a visitor to ever suffer from boredom.

12. Travel Suggestions Blog (link)

With Sharm el Sheikh being so well known for its activities you could be forgiven for thinking that history and culture have taken a back seat. However, visitors to the area are in a prime position to see one of Egypt’s most significant religious sites. St Catherine’s monastery – with the looming Mount Sinai beside it – is where Moses is said to have seen the burning bush before journeying up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments.

13. 2Articles.com (link)

For those who live to shop, then shopping in Sharm El-Sheikh mall provides shops with both foreign and local products, including jewelry, leather goods, clothing, pottery and books.
Though there are two main seasons, as both of them are desert climates, where the weather is very hot and dry, do make sure to drink plenty of water and take enough protection from dehydration.

14. Elite diving school at the Red Sea (link)

Picture / Image gallery for Sharm El Sheikh:

1. Beach in Sharm Ek Sheikh (link)
2. Many photos (cliff, beach, ships, dive boats, topography) at RomanVirdi.com (link)
3. Huge number of photos at virtualtourist.com (link)
4. Great photos of diving, coral, and water at pbase.com (link)
5. Photos of Sharm Ek Sheikh at tripadvisor. in (link)
6. Photos of Sharm El Sheikh at flickr.com (link)

Videos of adventures at Sharm El Sheikh on Youtube:

1. Naama Bay, Sharm el Sheikh (link)

2. Snorkelling at Middle Garden Reef – Sharm El Sheik (link): Views of coral and colorful fish

3. Shark encounter while diving in the Red Sea October 2007 (link)

4. Dolphin Dive; Sharm el Sheikh (link)

Location of Kadmat Island on Google Maps:

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The resort at Kadmat offers peace and solitude at the isolated South tip of the island. The rooms offer fantastic views of the encircling lagoons and waking up to Dolphins frolicking just beyond the reef at sunrise is part of the charm at Kadmat (however, be warned, sometimes the Dolphins don’t appear and you could get disappointed). A full-fledged water sports institute is functional at Kadmat which allows you deep sea scuba diving (as long as you are able to show your qualifications – if you have not done scuba diving, you can take a learners starter course, but it is not part of the package).
Kadmat woos its visitors with its long unending stretches of white sandy beaches and exceptional scuba diving facilities. Although Kadmat is among the inhabited islands in Lakshadweep, it’s population is quite low and is only around 5000. The water around the Kadmat islands are one of the most cleanest in Lakshadweep. The afternoons here are a little sultry and hot, but the nights are quite pleasant with cool breeze from the ocean soothing the environment. If you somehow miss the sunrise, do not forget to witness the sun setting behind the horizon. It lasts a little more than an hour curtaining the sky in a myriad of unbelievable hues. Without a doubt, the shores of Kadmat are one of the most irresistible in many sections of Asia.
Apart from the warm and clear waters, Scuba Diving is worth it for the awesome spread of coral reefs on the sea bed. The most appealing of them all is the red tinged coral that might just tempt you to pick them. However it is advised that you don’t do it as it is against the law to take corals from these islands. The tourists may indulge in the water sports like kayaking, yachting, boating and skiing on the water surface. In addition, you can do para-sailing with a rope tied to a speedboat (however, keep in mind that you should reach there early). There is also a glass bottom boat ride where you can see corals and fishes through a glass pane at the bottom of the boat. And then you can do snorkeling, lazily floating through the water with a small pipe getting you the required air to breathe. A person will show you the places with beautiful fish and corals.

Tourist Information:
Lakshadweep Tourism Resort provides both AC and non-AC accommodation with attached bathrooms, foyers and a porch. The huge resort has an office, a gymnasium, a conference room and bathing blocks for people coming after a swim in the sea. The meals here are served in buffet style. The Kerala cuisine are the most favored cuisine here. However, Lakshadweep specials can also be had here.
Kadmat can be reached from Agatti by taking a cruise. It can also be reached by taking up Lakshadweep Tourism departments Marine Wealth and Scuba Diving packages. Read more at this link. http://www.lakshadweeptourism.com/
Learn and book for diving at this location: http://www.lacadives.com/

External articles / blogs:

1. Great Driving challenge (link to article):

The large variety of fish however, ensures that snorkeling is delightful at all times. You may even attempt snorkeling at night. But only if accompanied by a local expert. The experience is ethereal – Imagine – A solitary large star lighting up the sea with a starlight beam. The lagoon is dark and foreboding but for the canopy of little stars above and a world of luminous plankton lighting up the sea grass underwater and the fish swimming around the torchlight.

2. Scuba Diving news (link to article):

The remoteness of Kadmat Island really gives you a feeling of “getting away from it all” – but this comes at a price, either in terms of money or time. Staying on Kadmat Island and paying for the dives are not expensive (in fact, comparatively cheap), but getting to Kadmat is. The diving was truly spectacular, and Kadmat had a wonderfully comfortable, mellow island feel to it.

3. Reviews of the Kadmat Island Resort (link to review)
4. Wanderlust (link to article):

Once you get used to breathing in from your mouth and allow your nose the rest that it never gets, snorkelling and scuba diving is fun.It is like you are absorbed in a different world surrounded by fish big and small, beautiful coloured corals of numerous shapes and sizes and all you have to do is float about enjoying the spectacle.

5. GalBeanVie Leaves Home (link to article). Many photos on this blog also.

The island is a narrow strip of about 6km long with one single road running through the middle, covered in coconut trees and surrounded by the reef, heavenly! The ship stopped just outside the reef and then we had to climb down a rope ladder and get onto a small wooden boat for a 20 minute trip to reach the island. As there is nothing here but fish and coconuts it comes as no surprise to learn that there is a tiny desiccated coconut plant and coconut coir rope factory which we visited one morning.

Photo / Picture Galleries of Kadmat:

1. Ashish’s Gallery (link 1, link2)
2. Photo Gallery at lacadive.in (link)
3. Indiamike.com (link)
4. Photos at Kadmat on Flickr (link)

Sikkim is a land of peace and tranquility, an ideal destination for trekking and for seeking some rest from fast paced action of life. People can rejuvenate themselves by being much closer to nature, walking in green areas, among mountains and trees. The Night sky is clear with constellations being clearly visible as opposed to cities where the light hides everything. Spend some time in this cultural wonderland, get some insights into Buddhism, enjoy shopping in the local markets, and overall forget all your tensions and problems.
Small but beautiful. Sikkim is situated in the eastern Himalayas. The state is legendary for its peaceful nature and simplicity. Famous for Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world, along with a view of the majestic Mount Everst. The mountain state of Sikkim offers tremendous variety of plant and wildlife besides a diverse ethnic mix of people with rich cultural tradition.
Sikkim is rich with a wide variety of flora and fauna, and can make nature watchers salivate at the prospect of finding nature’s marvels so easily accessible. About 450 varieties of orchids, over 600 species of butterflies, 500 species of birds along with red pandas, snow leopards and other animals can be seen in Sikkim. The largest collection can be seen at the Kanchenjunga National Park which covers an area of 850 square kilometers. As a result ornithology tourism is also gaining in prominence in Sikkim.

TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATION:
Airlines:
Nearest airport is Bagdogra (124 kms) in North Bengal which is about 4 hours drive from Gangtok. Sikkim Tourism operates daily five-seater helicopter service between Gangtok and Bagdogra connecting all civil flights. We also arrange Helicopter service for sight-seeing.

Railways:
The two nearest railway stations are Silliguri (114 kms) and New Jalpaiguri (125 kms).

Road:
Good condition roads connect Sikkim with Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Silliguri all the way to Kolkata. The Sikkim Nationalized Transport (SNT) plies regular bus service from Gangtok to all Major cities and towns in North Bengal and within the state. Booking facilities are available at Silliguri and Gangtok. Private buses and taxis are also available in plenty connecting Gangtok, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Silliguri.

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Places to visit in Sikkim :

- The Ridge Park : It stretches from the Main Palace Gate to the White Hall. A long idyllic stretch lined by the beautiful cherry trees that in season burst into flower in a profusion of delicate pink blossoms, this is the perpetual haunt of the jogging enthusiasts. The flamboyant marquee or ‘Hawa Ghar’ with ornate design holds sway over the Park where you can laze around or watch the local children romp exuberantly. The Flower Festival which is held year round is just a short walk down.
- Saramsa : It is the home to the Ipecac Garden is another popular tourist destination that is a mere14kms away from Gangtok. Home to many rare orchids and other flora, its shady lawns often play host to picnic parties.
- The Water Garden : A little further away at 16 kms is another alternative worth exploring. Cool off in the small and sheltered swimming pool there. Or else clamber over rocks in the vicinity and dip your feet in the river.
- Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology : It was Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal, the last monarch of Sikkim who realized a long cherished dream when he set up this Institute. HH The Dalai Lama laid the foundation stone of the NIT which is done in typical Tibetan architectural style in Feb 1957. The following year Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the NIT.
- Do-drul Chorten : It is one of the most important Chortens or stupas of Sikkim that is exquisite as it is sacred. It was built in 1945 by Trulshik Rimpoche, a great teacher and interpreter of Buddhism.

NORTH SIKKIM :
- Dzongu : The territory of Dzongu in North Sikkim was set up in 1975. It is a land where pristine glacial streams thread their way through thick virgin forest. Countless waterfalls cascade down the steep cliff-sides and hot-springs bubble inside the hidden caves. The area is very remote, and is surrounded by sharply tilted verdant mountains that are stacked on top of each other at a forbidden angle. The elevation ranges from 500m to 6000m, and these extremes have nurtured an amazing diversity of plants and wildlife.

EAST SIKKIM :
- Rumtek Monastery : It is now the largest Buddhist monastery in East Sikkim and is the place where the monks perform sacred rituals and practices. Many sacred objects are housed within the complex, and one of the most magnificent is the Golden Stupa, which contains the precious relics of His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa.
- Pastanga : The village located in East Sikkim is very rich in culture and folklore; and is surrounded by hills covered with dense forest and cascading streams with rivulets cutting through the landscape and appealing orchids blooming on tree tops.
- Khedi – Located in East Sikkim, is renowned for its two sacred lakes, the Bhale Pokhari and the Pothi Pokhari where a festival is celebrated every year attracting hundreds of pilgrims from all over Sikkim.

WEST SIKKIM:
- Pelling : The city of Pelling located in West Sikkim is balancing on a ridge at an altitude of 2.040 m. One of Pelling’s main attractions is the Pemayangste Monastery. Known as the “Perfect sublime lotus” it is one of the oldest Monasteries in Sikkim being founded in 1705. The Sagachoeling (or Sang Gnak Choling) monastery is an even older monastery, dating back to 1697, and situated on a hilltop close to Pelling. Khecheopalri Lake, which is considered to be a holy lake by both the Buddhists and the Hindus, can be easily reached from Pelling.
- Darap : The picturesque village of Darap, located 8 kilometers from Pelling is a 20 minutes drive downhill passing through cardamom groves and terraced paddy fields.
- Yuksam : Yuksam is situated in the far western corner of Sikkim and nestled at the base of high forest-covered snow-capped mountains. Yuksam literally means ‘the meeting place of the three monks’.
- Uttaray : Tucked away in the lap of mother nature is the tranquil village of Uttaray, the gateway to the Singalila trek. This village provides visitors with many options to go for short hikes or longer treks in the vicinity or visit the Limboo village of Sopakha located an hour walk from Uttaray.
- Hee Bermiok : The newly developed destination of Hee Bermiok with widespread community participation is an ideal destination for visitors wanting to sample unique rural lifestyle of Sikkim. The strong Limboo culture of this area is worth appreciating.

SOUTH SIKKIM :
- Namchi : Sikkim’s South District, is the second largest populated districts of Sikkim. Its headquarter is in Namchi, meaning “High sky”. The area does credit to its name, nestled among the hills it gives panoramic views of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and the magic snow-capped mountains in the back.
- Kewzing : It is a typical Bhutia village in South Sikkim under the cover of the forest. At an altitude of 1200 m Kewzing provides its inhabitants with magnificent views of mountains including Mt. Kabru. Best mountain views occur from mid September to mid December. The atmosphere in the village is very serene and peaceful as the local people are very friendly and hospitable.

TREKS IN SIKKIM :
Most of the mountain areas in Sikkim have a fragile ecosystem. This demands any trekkers to obtain special permit to trek. Trekking in Sikkim is conducted in an organized manner. Individuals cannot trek on their own.
* Darjeeling to Kanchenjunga Trek
* Darjeeling and Sikkim Trekking
* Off Beaten Treks
* Singalila Ridge & Goecha La Trek
* Sikkim and Kanchenjunga Trek(20d)
* Sikkim and Kanchenjunga Trek(23d)
* Varsey Trek
* Yuksom To Dzongri & The Goecha La

RIVER RAFTING IN SIKKIM :
Rafting in Sikkim is an adrenalin pumping exercise especially in the two snow fed rivers of Teesta and Rangit. During the monsoon season hundreds of small streams can be found all over Sikkim. The two trails that are possible amongst rafters are :
* On River Teesta: Chungthang – Dikchu – Singtam – Melli
* On River Rangit: Legship – Jorethang – Melli

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Where to stay in Sikkim ?
- Heritage Hotels
* Norkhill Heritage Hotel, Paljor Stadium Road, Gangtok
* Himalayan Heights Hotel, Palzor Stadium Road, Gangtok
- Luxury Hotels
* Tibet Hotel (3 Star), Paljor Stadium Road
* Chumbi Residency, Tibet Road
* Tashi Delek Hotel (4 Star), Gangtok
* Hidden Forest Retreat, Lower Sichey Busty
- Deluxe Hotel
* Tashi Gang Resort, Yangtey near Peling, West Sikkim
* The Bliss Resort, Biksthang, Mangalbarey, West Sikkim
* Hotel Golden Pagoda, M.G.Marg
* Golden Heights, M.G.Marg
* Hotel Tashi Tagay, Tadong, Gangtok
* Hotel Bayul, M.G.Marg
* Hungry Jack, National Highway – 31 A
* Hotel Mount Simvo Tadong, Gangtok
* Middle Sichey, Gangtok
* Tashi Ghang Hotel, Yuksom

See towering mountains reach up to a clear blue sky, and seem to touch it. Hear the rhythmic chant of Buddhist monks in an ancient monastery where time stands still, in a land with a mix of religions living peacefully with each other. See the rushing waters of an icy river, the Indus (Sindhu) surge down from a glacial height. This is all part of what Ladakh (the Land of Passes and the Roof of the World) awaits you. From age-old Buddhist monasteries to exciting adventure tours, Leh (the capital of Ladakh) has a lot to offer. Explore a Gompa, go mountaineering in the Himalayas with sheer slopes and rocky cliffs, camp on the Ladakh plateau, trek on treacherous and breathtaking routes and see rare mountain goats ascend the slopes. Tour a land that will amaze you with its stark beauty and delight you with the warmth of the Ladakhi people.
Leh has a cold, arid climate with long, harsh winters from October to early March, with minimum temperatures well below freezing for most of the winter. The city gets occasional snowfall during winter. The weather in the remaining months is generally fine, and leads to a tourist season that peaks between July and September.

Leh (capital of Ladakh) on Google Maps:

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Travellers flock to Ladakh from all corners of the globe, and Ladakh is becoming an adventure for a large number of Indians as well. This trans-Himalayan district of Jammu and Kashmir has now become a favourite of both adventure freaks and culture enthusiasts, and a good place to consider going to when you want to avoid those commercial tourist locations.
Leh, the capital of Ladakh is a fascinating destination. Monasteries that seem from the ages, quaint lanes, colorful markets, friendly people, and stunning views of the Himalayas make Leh an exotic destination. Leh is where your adventure in Ladakh begins. You can go trekking through the mountainous terrain of Ladakh, or even enjoy a game of polo in a high altitude arena or watch a local contest of archery between local residents. Mountaineering, white water rafting and wildlife tours are other adventurous attractions of Leh.
Leh is is bounded by Pakistan occupied Kashmir in the West, China in the north and eastern part, and Lahul Spiti of Himachal Pradesh in South East.

Major tourist attractions

• Leh Palace: This is a building built to reflect the grand traditions of Tibetan architecture, and which is said to have inspired the more famous Potala palace in Lhasa (Tibet), built half a century later. The palace was built long back, in the 17th century and had nine storeys with different floors for the royals and for those who server them, but it is now dilapidated and deserted (It was the home of the royal family until they were exiled to Stok in the 1830s). Within the palace are Buddhist wall paintings, centuries old ‘tankas’ or painted scrolls and other artefacts. Above the palace, at the top of the Namgyal hill, is the Victory Tower, built to commemorate Ladakh’s victory over the Balti Kashmir armies in the early 16th century.
• Leh Monastery and Gompa: The central area of Ladakh has the greatest concentration of major Buddhist monasteries or gompas, incredibly beautiful and a must see. Of the twelve situated on or near the Indus, the oldest monastery is that of Lamayuru, which is believed to have been a sacred site for the pre-Buddhist religion known as Bon. The monasteries of Phiyang, Hemis and Chemrey were all founded under the direct patronage of members of the ruling Namgyal dynasty. Phyang represents an act of penance by the 16th century King Tashi Namgyal for the violence and treachery by which he reached the throne.
• Spituk Monastery – The Gompa is famous for a wonderful view of the commanding river, the Indus. Further, the gompa stands on the top of a hillock, 8 Kms. from Leh. Many icons of Buddha and five thankas are found in 15th century monastery. There is also a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, and an awe inspiring image of Mahakal.
• Shanti Stupa: Shanti Stupa is a fairly recent monument, build with the support of the Japanese Government, and build by a Japanese who wanted to spread Buddhism around the world. The Shanti Stupa is located at Changspa, on the hilltop, and was inaugurated by Dalai Lama in 1985. Its state of the art work attracts a lot of tourists to Ladakh and is spectacular to watch. The stupa is connected by a ‘motorable’ road and a steep flight of stairs. The view from the top is great, and you can stop for a snack in the tea shop, and enjoy the panoramic view of the chain of mountains and the peaceful little village of Changspa (having typical Ladakhi houses built along a gushing stream), and the towering Namgyal Tsemo in the distance.
• Shey Gompa: 15 Kms upstream from Leh, a 7.5 metre high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold, and the largest of its kind, is installed in the palace.
• Soma Gonpa (Jokhang): The Ladakh Buddhist Association in 1957 built the small Gonpa opposite to SBI, in the main bazaar, which is open throughout the day for visitors. The Gonpa contains a statue of Joyo Rinpochey (crowned Buddha).
• Stok Palace Museum: 17 km from Leh town, this museum exhibits precious stones, thangkas, coins, royal crowns and dresses and prayer instruments.
• Namgyal Tsemo Gompa – The Namgyal Tsemo Gompa was built in 1430 by King Tashi Namgyal on Namgyal Tsemo peak overlooking the town. The monastery contains a three-story high solid gold idol of Maitrieya Buddha (future Buddha also called laughing buddha) and a one-storied statue of Avaloketesvara and Manjushri along with ancient manuscripts and frescoes. The fort above this gompa is ruined, but the views of Leh from here are breathtakingly beautiful. The associated temples here remain intact, but they are kept locked except during the morning and evening hours when a monk toils up the hills from Sankar Gompa to attend to the butter – lamps in front of the images.
• Leh Mosque – Apart from all the Buddhist structures, the striking green and white Leh Mosque, an exquisite work of Turko-Iranian architecture, stand in the Main Bazaar of Leh. This historical mosque was built in 1666-67 A.D. consequent to an agreement between the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and then ruler of Ladakh, Deldan Namgyal.
• The Nubra Valley – The Nubra valley gets clad in endless bushes of yellow and pink wild roses. However, once the rose season is over, a carpet of wild lavender lies gently on it. Nubra is also a relatively warmer valley in Ladakh making it perfect for crops and fruits to grow. Diskit Village located near Khalsar, dotted with apricot plantations is one of the larger village of the Nubra valley. The road between Diskit and the quaint little Hunder Village winds through a gorgeous stretch of sand dunes. A quiet and pleasant evening can be spent amidst nature with snowcapped peaks in the background
• Pangong Lake – This lake is situated at a elevation of 14,000ft. In the Eastern sector of Ladakh, at a distance of 154km. from Leh across Changla pass (17,000ft.). This lake is one of the largest and most beautiful natural brakish lakes in the country. It is located 1/3rd in India, and 2/3rd in China, and one needs a permit to visit the Lake. The trip to the lake is half the pleasure of the lake itself.

Things to do:

Trekking : Leh is a trekker’s paradise. The treks from Spituk to the Markha valley and Lamayuru gompa to Chiling village alongside the Zanskar River are the most popular treks in the region. Another trek route is from Likir to Temisgam. Treks are open from the June end upto mid October. The passes for trekking are as high as 5,000 m in altitude, so you need to attempt these only if you are fit, and have experience. Many trekking agencies in Leh offer trek packages with a guide, packhorses, food and supplies.

Polo : Polo is also very popular in Leh. Apart from a well-maintained polo ground, regular matches and competitions are organised during the Ladakh festival.

River Rafting : One might also take fun of rafting in the Zanskar River in the month of July to September.

Places to stay:

Mehek Guest House
Green Land, Ladakh Hotel
Khangri Hotel, Ladakh
Laser Mo Hotel
Hotel Lumbini
List of places to stay (link to post)
Chamba Camp
The Grand Dragon
Hotel Caravan Center
Hotel Cho Palace
Hotel Dragon
Hotel Gawaling International
Hotel Holiday Ladakh
Hotel Khanglachan
Hotel Mandala
Hotel Lotus
Hotel Namgyal Palace
Hotel Omasila
Hotel Royal Palace
Hotel Shambha-La (link)
Hotel Spic N Span
Hotel Yak Tail
Sangaylay Guest House
Hotel Singge Palace (link)

By Air: The airport is approximately 8 kms away from Leh.

By rail: Jammu is the closest among all with a distance of 620 Kms.

By road: Kashmir valley is the closest place to approach Leh. The approach road to Leh is either through (434 km) Srinagar-Kargil-Leh, or through (473 km) Manali-Keylong-Leh. Both roads are open only on a seasonal basis.

External articles / blogs:

1. Biking from Srinagar to Leh (link to article):

Early on the 10th June we started for Leh. After 8.5KM of uphill we took a 5KM deviation from the main road to visit the Likir monastery. The ride from Likir monastery till the main road was an easy downhill and later the road was relatively flat till Nimmu (our Lunch halt). After climbing up till the Magnetic Hill and facing some heavy wind which made even standing difficult we reached the Pattar Sahib Gurudwara. The road beyond the Gurudwara was a neatly paved downhill for more than 10KM. This stretch gave us an oppurtunity to touch a maximum speed of 77.7KMPH and soon we entered the busy Leh city!

2. Proposed drive to Leh on the 4th of July (link to article)
3. Drive from Srinagar to Leh with some great photos (link to article)
4. Complete guide to Leh-Manali Road (link to article)

It is the difficulty involved in traversing the road that attracts travelers to make the journey from Manali to Leh by road. Nowhere else in India do you get to drive hundreds of kilometers without seeing a single permanent habitation. The road runs above ten thousand feet for almost entire journey, and the highest point on the road is above 18,000 feet. The landscapes are unparalleled. The superb greenery on the way out of Manali will be the last stretch of abundant vegetation that you encounter until the day you return from Ladakh

5. Ice hockey in Leh (link to article)

The famous Karzoo Ice Hockey Rink has become the most sought after destination in Leh during winters for the localites as well as tourists having a passion for Ice Hockey. It is the highest Ice Hockey rink in the country, which is situated at an altitude of 3483 meters above sea level. 2009 has been an year of achievement for the local players from Ladakh, where they got an opportunity to represent their county in International Ice Hockey Federation Challenge Cup of Asia held at Abu Dhabi.

6. Khardung La – World’s Highest Motorable Road (link to article)

Khardung La (la means pass in Tibetan) (elevation 5359 m) is a high mountain pass located in the Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The local pronunciation is “Khardong La” or “Khardzong La,” but, as with most names in Ladakh, the romanised spelling varies. It is the highest motorable road in the world as signs put up by the Border Roads Organization proudly proclaim. The views from this pass are no doubt breathtaking – with the Ladakh range to the south and Karakoram to the north. And snow capped peaks at almost touching distance all around. The pass experiences up to 10 feet of snow in winters, with temperatures dropping to 40 degrees Celsius below zero. Even though temperatures in summers average 20 degrees Celsius, the weather can turn for the worse suddenly.

7. Not walking to Leh (link to article):

We traveled to Leh, in northern Kashmir, a few years ago. Good sample-the-local-culture tourists that we are, we traveled on crowded buses, hitchhiked on trucks, and once, memorably, on a fully loaded gasoline tanker truck driven by a dozing driver. One thing we did not try to do much was hike.

8. Whether safe to plan to drive in October on the highways (link to forum post)

I’m looking at doing the trip from manali to leh. Trying to coordinate the trip with some friends overseas and the only time that works for all of us would be early – mid october. Also we’d only have 12 days from arriving in delhi to leaving delhi. So first of all how trafficable is the route at this time of year – I’ve heard it officially closes in september. We would be self supported on mountainbikes so not opposed to a bit of snow and the like but don’t want to do anything stupid. Also what would we find in the way of tent villages and permanent villages along the way. As for the 12 days (probably 10 by the time you bus out to manali and fly back from leh) is it realistic in this time. I don’t expect or want this to be an easy ride but I don’t want to bite off more then I can chew.

9. Trip to Leh (link to article)

For the spiritually inclined, the monasteries of Thiksey, Hemios, Spitup, and Lamayuru provide perfect refuge. Most monasteries also have small guest houses where visitors may stay and participate in Buddhist rituals with the resident monks. These monasteries offer great insight into the culture of Leh – with their museums holding great treasures of tourist interest. Religion plays an important part in Leh’s culture and it is advisable to listen carefully to your guide so as to not disrespect any religious sentiments.

10. Leh and Ladakh (link to article)
11. Long trip covering Leh and Amarnath (link to forum post)
12. Ketchup with Aubs (link to article)

The capital city of Leh offers a rare insight into what Tibet was like before the Chinese invaded the country. It also boasts the highest golf course in the world at the Indian army base (at about 3,200m). Permission can be sort to play a round. Similar to the Gulf, you carry a piece of artificial turf around and aim for the “greens”, which are actually brown – a mix of oil and sand which offers a seriously challenging putting surface.

13. Manali-Leh highway (link to article):

From Manali, a pretty village in the green foothills of the Himalayas, the journey takes two days and ends up 500kms north in Leh, Ladakh’s capital – a staggering 3505m above sea level. It’s certainly an experience worth having, but the combination of Indian driving and a disconcerting lack of barriers on the windy mountain roads makes for a nail-biting trip. Rather alarmingly, our driver was suffering with altitude sickness and kept momentarily blacking out, reminding me to ‘grab the wheel’ if he fainted. On the plus side, he did own the full Bob Marley collection which blared most of the way, so, you know, swings and roundabouts.

14. Adventure on the Leh-Manali highway (link to article):

arlier this week I took a 20-hour jeep ride from Leh to Manali. Their were 10 people (I was the only non-Indian) in a jeep that was made for 7, so it was uncomfortable. Despite, the discomcomfort, or perhaps because of it, it was a ride I will never forgot. The scenery was stunning, and the road was terrifying. The road was rarely more then 1 lane wide and was on the edge of a mountain atleast 75% of the time.

15. manali-Leh highway (link to article)

The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. The road is only open between June and October, and by this time the landscape is a vast expanse of barren, snow-capped mountainous and deep canyons with rivers running through it. There’s the odd house or tiny settlement along the way, but the most people you’ll see are at the numerous rest-stops where drinks and snacks are sold. There are no toilets though – you’ll have to bare your bum at the side of the road – not so bad higher up where you can hide behind a mound of snow, but pretty embarrassing in the open, barren expanses lower down.

16. Wonderful post on travel through India (with Leh at the lower section) (link to article):

I visited Thiksey Monastery (or Gompa) first, leaving at sunrise and watching the incredible changes of light on the harsh, bare, and beautiful mountains. Thiksey sprawls down a mountainside, and has the usual monastery accoutrements of small shrines, huge Buddhas, and many steps. What it did not have many of, that day, was monks, as they were mostly visiting in the village for a funeral. It was fascinating to wander around, though, and is very aesthetically pleasing.
The monasteries have incredible artwork, but what I loved best about this area is the flowers. The garden at my guesthouse is a small treasure, and everywhere at the “gompas” (monasteries) and along the roadsides in the valleys there are flowers of all shapes and sizes, most noticeably vivid hollyhocks. They have such a short season that everything seems to grow with abandon.

Photos of Leh / Ladakh:

1. Photos from Srinagar to Leh (link to article)

2. Photos of Leh-Manali highway (link to photos)
3. Beautiful photos of Leh (link to post)
4. Photos at thisismyindia.com (link)
5. Official site (link)
6. Leh Photo Gallery at world66.com (link)
7. Photo Gallery at pbase.com (link)
8. Blog + Photo Gallery (link)

Shogi is located in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Shogi is a good place for a family trip, especially if you believe in going to places that are not so crowded, and where there is more nature and less commercialization. A lot of the tourist camps over there offer tents or cottages (the tents are Swiss type tents with bathrooms having running hot and cold water) having some incredible views of the majestic Himalayas. The Tara Devi Temple is nearby, located on a hilltop. You get untouched countryside with some incredible views of the mountains. In addition, you get the chance to do numerous village treks, and wander among pine, oak and rhododendron forests, in the lap of nature.
The invigorating weather of the town and is proximity to Delhi make it a popular weekend gateway for the people of Delhi and North regions. Dotted with numerous temples, Shoghi is renowned for its fruit products, with the brand name Minchy’s Fruit Products and for locally made pickles, juices, syrups and jellies.

Location on Google Maps:

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Things to do:
Many of the Adventure sports offered by the different resorts located in Shogi are: Para-gliding, River rafting, Snow boarding, Snow skiing, Snow scooter, Rock climbing, Rapelling, River crossing.
If you are an avid bird-watcher, then you can see many beautiful birds such as the White Eared Bulbul, Black Drongo, Spot Winged Tit, Blue Magpie, Kalij Pheasant, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Brown Fronted Woodpecker, Black Headed Jay and Trumpeter Finch. The resorts will be able find the proper trails inside the forest (refer to this link for more information for bird-watching)

Places nearby to see:
Chail
Kufri
Solang Valley
Manali

Places to stay (not many):
Park Woods (link)
Toshali Royal View
Sunrise Villa (link)

How to get there:

By road: 6.5 hours from Delhi via Sonepat, Karnal, Panchkula, Kalka, Solan, and Kandaghat.

By rail: Morning and overnight trains to Kalka which is 73 kms from Shoghi. Thereafter Shoghi is 2 hours by road. Cabs are easily available at Kalka Railway Station.

By Air: Go to Shimla or Chandigarh, and then you need to go by road.

Link to external article:
1. Beautiful sunset photo (link)
2. Photos of Shogi on oktatabyebye.com (link)
3. Trip to Shogi at Ghumakkar.com (link)
4. Enjoying Park Woods at Shogi (link)
5. Camping and trekking at Shogi (link)
6. Visit to stream with photo (link)
7. Brief description with photo of sunset (link)

Situated in the southwestern part of Karnataka near Mysore and Mangalore, Coorg is located on the Western Ghats. Dotted with beautiful coffee and green tea plantations (covering the view as far as one can see in some places), alluring nature trails and splendid waterfalls, it’s a place good enough to be visited again and again. Nestling at a height, the climate in Coorg throughout the year is perfect. In recent years, the advent of sports and leisure activities such as trekking, river rafting, and angling have added to the charm of Coorg.

Coorg / Medikeri on Google Maps

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Coorg experiences a moderate climate, where winters are cool and pleasant having a temperature of about 10-20 degree Celsius. In the normally colder months of December through February the minimum temperature may go down to 9 degree Celsius. Summers are only slightly warm at 25-35 degrees Celsius. In the monsoons the rainfall is really heavy. Coorg is literally a place that you can go the year round.
Easily one of the most attractive regions in India, Coorg or Kodagu is an enchanting expanse of natural tourist spot that nestles amid the hills and valleys of the picturesque Western Ghats.
Popularly referred as the Scotland of India, Coorg is a dream destination for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. The misty wooded mountains and valleys, huge cardamom jungles and numerous coffee plantations located in Coorg cast an everlasting spell on your mind, making people come back again and again to this beautiful place. The warm hospitality of the people of Coorg would make your stay truly memorable.

History of Coorg:
Prior to the annexation of Coorg by the British in 1834, Coorg had been ruled by Lingayat Rajas since 1600. A prince of Ikkeri family in Shimoga district, assumed the role of a Lingayat priest and established himself at Haleri, to the north of Madikeri, the capital of Coorg. Over a period of time, he assumed the throne of Coorg and his heirs ruled Coorg for the next two centuries.
Coorg has a fascinating history and one of the interesting aspects of its colorful past was the fact that Queen Victoria of England was the godmother of a Coorg princess! The British finally annexed Coorg in 1834 by removing the last ruler, Chikka Veerarajendra, the last Raja of Coorg. He was taken by the British to Vellore in Tamil Nadu, and then to Varanasi in 1835. Eventually the king, with two of his wives and his favorite daughter Gowramma sailed to England in 1852 where he died in London in 1859. Queen Victoria was the godmother of princess Gowramma, being present during Gowramma’s baptism by the Archbishop of Canterbury on June 30, 1852, and the princess was given the name Victoria Gowramma.
So much for royal history ! With its misty mountains and dense forests, Coorg seemed like a little corner of England to the British (actually, it must have also reminded them of Scotland). They left behind a legacy, in the form of coffee plantation. The well laid coffee plantations in Coorg account for almost half of Karnataka’s coffee production. And Karnataka continues to be India’s largest producer of coffee. Other reminders of the colonial past are the spacious estate bungalows, many of which still have British names and the meandering roads that wind through the district.

Places around to see:

Madikeri Fort: Built in the 19th century, the majestic Madhekiri fort is located in the heart of the quaint hill station Madikeri (also the district headquarters). This historic Fort houses a chapel, a temple, a prison and a small museum. The fort affords a panoramic views of Madhikeri town that is stunning and worth a visit.

Omkareshwara Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Omkareshwara temple was built by Lingaraja in 1820 AD. The architecture of the temple reveals a beautiful amalgamation of Islamic and Gothic architecture. It is said that the temple was built by Lingarajendra to save himself from the spirit of a Brahmin, whom he had killed for his personal reasons. He brought a Shivalinga from Kashi and consecrated it here and named it Omkareshwara.
Some of the interesting items in the temple that are worth noticing are: The gold leaf inscription atop, accessed through a narrow flight of interesting steps that were used by the king to survey his Kingdom, the fishes in the pond which leap in symphony to gobble food offered to them, etc. The annual ‘Teppothasava’ or “Boat Festival” is a memorable event.

Abbey Falls: The roaring Abbey falls (about 10 kms from Madikeri) are surrounded by the lush green coffee plantations and is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Coorg. From a distance, the silent forest comes alive with the sweet chirping of birds and the gurgling of the Abbey falls, with the volume getting louder as you get closer. It is easily accessible by road, with an added advantage; the main road leads upto it through picturesque coffee gardens. The best time to visit Abbey falls is around November when the falls are overflowing after monsoons.

Raja’s Seat: Enjoy the unexplored beauty of Coorg from the favorite spot of the kings. Raja’s seat offers spectacular views of the misty hills, green paddy fields and serpentine rivers. These hill ranges, clad in green, rising high seem to play with silken clouds of myriad hues, and this is the that you get from Raja’s Seat, literally meaning the “Seat of the king.” It is here that the kings of Madikeri enjoyed nature and unforgettable sunsets.

Cauvery: Lifeline of the south, Cauvery bubbles up from Talacauvery and reaches ground level at Bhagamandala, 39 kms to the west of Medikeri. One of the seven major rivers of India, Cauvery is the ‘ Dakshina Ganga’ or ‘ Ganga of the south’.

Bhagamandala: It is a shrine of Bhagandeshwara. It is here the Cauvery merges in joyous and divine form with the rivers Kannike and Sujyothi to form a ‘Triveni Sangama’. The Bhangandeshwara Temple built in Kerala style on the bank of the Sangama.

Nagarahole National Park: One of the well-maintained game sanctuaries in the country is located closeby, 100kms from Madikeri, 64 kms from Virajpet & 94 kms from Mysore via Hunsur & Murkal. Nagarhole National Park was set up in the year 1955 and covers an area of 575 sq km. Main attractions of the park are tigers. The density of tigers in the park is quite impressive. The best time to visit the park is early winters when the climate is very pleasant.
It has many animals forming part of the overall wildlife, with Gaur, Chital, Sambhar & Barking Deer, Sloth Bear, Langur, Crocodile and over a hundred species of birds and the elusive cats – the Leop is home to herds of Elephant, ard and the Tiger.

Nalkunadu Palace: Built in 1792 AD by Dodda Veerarajendra, this beautiful palace is close to Tadiyendamol. To get here, you have to travel 32 kms from Madikeri through Napoklu and Kakkabbe. Buses too, are available.

Iruppu Falls: 48 kms from Virajpet on the banks of the pristine Lakshmanatirtha River, which seems to descend in joyous leaps, to salute the Shiva Temple believed to have been consecrated by Lord Rama himself. A wonderful getaway spot, on the way to Kutta from Gonikoppal.

Nisargadhama- Harangi: An island surrounded by the Cauvery river, Nisargadhama is a picturesque picnic sport that offers elephant rides, deer prancing about and boat rides. There are well equipped, thatched cottages, 3 kms from Kushalnagar.

Talakaveri / Talacauvery: River Kaveri which is one of the 7 sacred rivers of Sapta Sindhus of the Hindu scriptures, originated at a place that is called Talakaveri (head of Cauvery) in the Brahmagiri hills, at about 4,500 ft above sea level. This place is marked by a tirtha kundike or Brahma kundike (small spring/pond) from where the river emerges as a small perennial spring, but flows underground again to emerge a short distance away. It is about 48 kms from Madikeri.
There is a shrine near the kundike and a big tank in front of it where devotees baths before offering prayers. There are 2 temples, a Shiva temple and with a rare and ancient Shiva Linga, and another temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This temple has a holy Ashwantha tree where, according to legend, the Trimurtis – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh gave darshan to sage Agastya.

Dubare: This is mainly an elephant capturing and training camp of the Forest Department, at the edge of Dubare forest, on the bank of river Kaveri, on the Kushalnagar – Siddapur road. Elephants are captured here with the help of tamed elephants and local tribals – the Kurbas – and is held captive for upto 6 months in large teak wood cages.
The tamed elephants attend to various jobs during the day and in the evenings they come down to the river to bathe and to be scrubbed clean by their mahouts. Afterwards the mahout obliges eager tourists for free elephant rides within the camp. In the evenings, all the elephants are offered a special treat of ladoos made of ragi and jaggery, each no smaller than a cannon ball!

Valanoor: Valanoor, 30 kms.from Mercara, is part of the back waters of river Cauvery and is one of the most beautiful Angling sites in Karnataka. Types of fish include Golden-Masheer, Maral and Mapp. Licence / permit can be arranged by local tourist agents.

Bhagamandala: When the river Cauvery flows downhill, it is joined by two more tributaries – Kanake and Sujyoti. The spot where all three converte (the Cauvery, the Kanika and the Sujyothi) is called Bhagamandala. The temple here, built in Kerala style, has smaller shrines dedicated to various gods. It is about 40 kms from Madikeri.
The nearby Buddhist refugee camps at Bylakuppe offer prayerful silence in expansive halls with beautiful 40 feet high idols of the Buddha and Padmasambhava, his disciple.

Besides these places, if you have good walking shoes, then you are in for some luck; because Coorg is a trekker’s paradise. One can enjoy trekking up and down the hills, through coffee and pepper plantations, alongside the graceful Cauvery and myriad little streams. Coorg has many verdant trekking routes in the midst of forests and hills, and it’s best to go in the months from October to February. Some of the known trails are in the hills of Brahmagiri, where you could trek your way to the Irrupa Falls. You could also consider trekking to Pushpagiri, the second higest peak of Kodagu and Tadiandamol (the highest peak).

Besides trekking, you can practice few swings on the green top golf course; Avid golffers can tee off at the 9-hole course of Virajpet, or you can just sit by the river and try your luck in angling. Around Coorg, there are many Buddhist circuits as well that will keep you interested for long.

Adventure sports in Coorg: Madikeri in Coorg is a popular destination for white water river rafting. Experience the thrill of feeling the spray in your face as you plunge through the rapids of a rushing river, on a white water river rafting tour

White Water Rafting: There are few good camps around Coorg that offer rafting down the Cauvery river. For some fast paced action, visit the Upper Barapole River to the south of Coorg in Brahmagiri. The best time for rafting is from mid-June to mid-September.

Where to stay (Hotels and Bungalows):

Hotel Coorg International, Madikeri.
Hotel Rajdarshan, Madikeri.
Orange Country Resort, Siddapura.
Hotel Chitra, Madikeri.
Capital Village, Madikeri.
Alath-Cad Holiday Home
Maurya Valley View
Hill Town Hotel
East End Hotel
Golden Mist Plantation and Resorts
Club Mahindra Kodagu Valley
Kannika International
Polaycad Bungalow
Honey Valley Estate
Veerabhoomi Resorts
Bethel Home Stay
Kadkani River Resort
Shanti Estate
Honey Pot Homes
Rainforest Retreat
Jade Hills
Ramcad Estate
Hotel Crystal Court

How to get to Coorg:

By Air: There are regular flights to Bangalore from Delhi and other cities. From Bangalore, you can take a bus. The other option is to take a flight to Mangalore. It is at a distance of 136 km from Coorg. From Mangalore, you can take a bus or you can hire a taxi. The drive is approx 3 hrs.

By Rail: Mysore (114 kms) is the nearest railway station to Coorg. It has well connected rail services to all-important destinations in India. Since Mysore and Mangalore are around the same distance away, you can choose either of them to travel to Coorg.

By Road: A good network of roads connect Coorg from Mysore (120 kms), Bangalore (260 kms) and Mangalore (136 kms)

Additional articles / sites:

Coorgtourism (link)
Coorgyatra (link)
Coorg Map (link)
Bike trip in quite some detail (link)
Small blog on travel to Coorg (link)
Trip to Medikeri (with some photos)
Pavitra’s trip to Medikeri (link)

Photos from Fickr
View from Medikeri, King’s cottage

Zurich to Bern via train was a normal journey, but as we moved from Bern towards Interlaken on the second train journey, the surroundings grew more beautiful as we mvoed towards Interlaken. Soon, we could see what Switzerland looks like in brochures, with lots of greenery, big fields, mountains, snow lines, blue sky, water streams, and a beautiful arch bridge.

As we moved close to Interlaken, we could soon see a beautiful Lake with an amazing color; we had reached near Lake Thun, a pretty large lake that was bounded by hills on one side and by picture perfect houses on the other side. The train itself would sometimes go pretty close to the Lake, and after a total journey of a few hours, we reached the Interlaken West station (a very small and open station with 2 platforms).

Map to Interlaken (Google Maps)

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Our booking was in a hotel called Chalet Oberland, located around 500 meters away from the station, and located as you move into the town. Interlaken is a pretty small place, known primarily as the launch pad for cruises into Lake Thun, and for the start of the journey to Jungfrau (from the Interlaken East train station). Our flight had landed around noon, and we reached Interlaken late afternoon. Soon after we got recuperated from the journey and were ready to head out, we first thought of the ship cruise on Lake Thun, but the last cruise for that starts around 5, and we had already crossed that time. So, instead we roamed around, saw this beautiful stream running through Interlaken that was coming from the mountains. The place is fabulous for exploring by walking, and after some 2 hours, we headed back towards the hotel.

In July, Interlaken was not hot, but was definitely warm, and the sky had light till late in the evening (around 9 PM). There is a lot of night activity in the place, with streetside cafes open, and people sitting there, enjoying some great food with a drink of their choice. We also had dinner, and soon after, ended the first day of our travel.

Playing chess on the street.

You can see many more photos at this location.

More and more people are starting to hear of this great skiiing location called Auli. Competitions are starting to happen over there, and with current security related problems in the ski resort type location, Gulmarg (In Jammu and Kashmir), Auli has become known as Indias skiing capital. Inside Auli, Auli Ski Resort is India’s currently best ski resort (resting at 8,200 feet), in the Chamoli district of Uttaranchal. The resort is close to China and Nepal. It is a place where you just want to ski for the fun of it. The awesome beauty around is extremely pleasing.

Map to get to Auli

The skiing opportunity in Aui is located at an altitude of 2,500-3,050m above sea level, and the 3 KM long slope in Auli offers some exciting skiing opportunities to both beginners as well as professional skiers (in these 3 km, the height drops by 500m). The background of lofty snow clad mountains heightens the sprit of the skiers.

History of Auli: Way back in the 8th century ad, the great Guru Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have tread on these snowfields of Auli and he built the temple at Joshimath, which you can still visit. For hundreds of years, the colorful semi-nomadic tribes of the Bhotiyas, of the Mongolian stock, traversed the trails at Auli, locally called Thatauli and conducted trade with neighboring Tibet, using their yaks laden with goods.
Before Auli was developed as a ski resort by the Government (including getting experts from abroad to view the slopes), its slopes were the training ground for men of valor and courage, the ski-equipped men of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force. Among the awesome, legendary peaks ranged round Auli, is the 23,490-feet-high Trishul. It 1958 in an expedition mountaineers took four days to climb the peak and only 90 minutes to ski down to the base camp.
In the summer, Auli looks down, but is nothing compared to the view and pleasures in winter. In the winter it is irresistible with some excellent snowy mountain slopes and incredible skiing facilities. From January to March, the Auli slopes are usually covered with a thick carpet of snow, about 3m deep. The stretch of 3-kms with a drop in elevation of 500m is considered to be a very good skiing ground by international standard. The skiing season starts around December and goes uptill March. It is during this time only that the resort sees maximum visitors, mainly ski lovers from across the country. It is also during this time that the ski festivals and National skiing championships start. In case you plan your visit to Auli between December and March then you may check out the ski courses conducted by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam. These courses are conducted for both amateurs and advanced learners.
An 800m long chair lift connects the lower slopes with upper slopes in Auli, making it easy for skiers to zip up in moments. Once reaching the ski start point they can ski down rapidly, while other can walk down the snow-paths at leisure. Auli has about 10-20 km of ski slopes for all elevels from beginners to advanced skiers. You can enjoy downhill skiing, cross country skiing and slalom on the slopes of Auli, (and these very same slopes also host the National Winter games in India).
Part of the reason it is even more popular is because of the surroundings; Oak and Conifer trees flank the slopes, you get a 180 degree view of the Himalayas and the prominent peaks, Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat and Dunagiri hills. The beauty of the place is awe inspiring and this is what makes Auli ski resort such a hit with the tourists.
To get there, from Joshimath, Auli can be reached by road or ropeway. It provides an excellent panoramic view of the giant mountain peaks like Nanda Devi, Kamet and Dunagiri. The 500m ski-lift system, the longest such system in Asia, or the trolley, as it is known locally, connects Joshimath with Gorson, located above Auli. A short distance beyond Gorson lies the hill of Gorson Top, which provides excellent views of the mountains and also lies on the 24-km trek to Kauri Pass. From Gorson, Auli’s only chair lift travels to the base lodge, which is a small building that marks the starting point of all the ski runs.
By road, Auli is accessible from Joshimath through a 16 kilometer drive.
However, it is not as close as you might like, and is actually quite distant, with
the nearest railway station being Haridwar at 299 kms and the closest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 273 kms.
On the way to Auli there are various food-outlets private as well as government run restaurants available. in terms of equipment, tourists are advised to bring woollen clothing’s, cap, socks, dark glasses, gloves, mufflers, pullovers, wind-proof jacket, gum/snow boots and a torch light in their travel kit. These accessories are a must for the tourist, keeping in mind the weather conditions of Auli, where the temperature drops to as low as – 8 degree Celsius in winters, although it is moderately cold in the summers.

Auli – How to reach

The nearest airport is Dehradun, about 298 km away. Rishikesh, about 235 km away, is the nearest railhead. Regular road services are available from Delhi, Dehradun, Rishikesh and Hardwar to Joshimath, 16 km away. From Joshimath one can hire jeeps to Auli. One can also trek the five kilometer between Joshimath and Auli. For further information, contact the GMVN office at Rajpur Road, Dehradun or the UP tourism offices located all over the country.

BY ROAD – Regular road services are available from Delhi, Dehradun, Rishikesh and Hardwar to Joshimath, 16 km away. From Joshimath one can hire jeeps to Auli. One can also trek the five kilometer between Joshimath and Auli. For further information, contact the GMVN office at Rajpur Road, Dehradun or the UP tourism offices located all over the country.

Places to stay:

1. Cliff Top Club, Auli
2. Auli skiing resort

Places nearby:

Hemkund Sahib: Considered to be one of the most sacred Sikh pilgrimage centre, Hemkund Saheb also makes an ideal trekking spot.

Valley Of Flowers: If one is fond of flowers then is a must visit place for him.Witness the endless galore of multihued blooms and you’ll just wish to stay in this oblivion flowery world forever.

Articles:

India Travelogue (link)
India Travel Forum (link)
Skiiing in Auli (link)
Walks in India (link)
Kauri Pass (link)
Travel Pod (with lots of photos) (link)
Sankalpindia.net (link)
Travelworldzone.net (link)
Youngsters Ignited (link)
Shrirang Patil’s Blog (link)
India Travel Blog (link)
Trekking around Auli (link)

Photos (all from flickr):
Snow Boarding, Snow storm, Landscape, Sunrise, Himalayas, Rainbow, Trekking, Clifftop Club Auli

One of the picturesque hill stations of Himachal Pradesh, Manali is located at a distance of 40 km from Kullu and 521 km from state capital of India, Delhi. One of the preferred tourist destinations of Himachal Pradesh, Manali offers an excellent opportunity for adventurous sports activities like trekking, mountaineering and river rafting. Apart from the these, tourists can travel to Manali to witness century old temples and monasteries like Hadimba temple, Manu temple and the Gadhan Thekchhokling monastery. The small town was the beginning of an ancient trade route to Ladakh and, from there, over the Karakoram Pass on to Yarkand and Khotan in the Tarim Basin.
While planning a tour to Manali, keep in mind the climatic condition of the region, an ideal time for the tour would be mid-May to June and September to November. Monsoon months are to be avoided because of fear of landslides.
Manali derived its name from Manavalaya i.e. the abode of Manu. According to myth, Manu the divine law-giver, was the only survivor of the Mahajal Pralay – the great flood – and is said to have fathered the human race. The valley of gods, as the Kullu valley has come to be known, is perhaps the most delightful region in the western Himalayas. The ancient Hindus regarded it as the furthest limit of human habitation – Kulantapitha, and its original name finds mention in the epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata as well as Vishnu Purana. The actual myth is:
One day, Vaivasvata, the seventh incarnation of Manu found a tiny fish in his bathing water. The fish told him to look after it with devotion for one day it would do him a great service. Manu cared for the fish till it grew huge and he released it into the sea. The the fish warned Manu of an impending deluge when the entire world would be submerged and bade him to build a boat that could save humanity. When the flood came. Vaivasvata and the Seven Sages were towed to safety by Matsya the fish (regarded as the first avatara of Lord Vishnu).

View Larger Map

* Kothi – This is a quiet but picturesque spot, at the foot of the Rohtang pass, 12 km away Manali town, situated on the Lahaul-Spiti Leh Highway. It offers a magnificent view of the snow-capped peaks and glaciers and an awe inspiring gorge below Kothi, where for more than a kilometre the river Beas flows through a deep gorge, almost a subterranean passage, 30 metres or more in depth, and the cliffs which flank both sides of the canyon are a favourite haunt for rock pigeons.
* Van Vihar: This is just off the Mall with pathways between towering deodhars and also leads to a boating pond.
* Tibetan Market and Mall: The Tibetan Market is an interesting cluster of shops. Nice to browse around for knick knacks, handicrafts and imported goods. Located on the Mall. The Mall also has other shops selling local handicrafts and clothes. It also has some good restaurants. Buses, taxis and autos are easily available from the Mall for local sightseeing or excursions.
* Rohtang Pass – Situated at an altitude of 3979 mtrs above sea level and 51 kms outside Manali is the mighty Rohtang Pass – the gateway to Lahaul-Spiti valley. Open for just about four months a year, it affords a wide panoramic view of the mountains. Here one sees the majesty of the mountains at its height and splendour. At the top of the pass the air seems to glitter against the snow as you look down over herringboned ridges into the Lahaul valley. There is the beautiful Dashohar Lake left of the pass. A few km away from the pass is the Sonapani glacier and slightly to the left are the twin peaks of the Gaypan-jagged pyramid of rock, snow streaked and snow crowned peaks.
* Solang Valley – 13 kms outside Manali is the Solang Valley, offering spectacular views of the snow-clad mountains and the glaciers all around. Solang is the venue for paragliding and the annual skiing courses. The plateau is frequently used for holding camps by trekking enthusiasts.
* Rahla Falls: 2 km from Kothi. Here the river Beas hurtles down from a height of about 50 metres. Charming spot for picnics.
* Manali Sanctuary: A bridle path from the Manali log huts goes past the Dhoongri Temple and wanders into the dense deodar, kail, horse chestnut, walnut and maple forest that form a part of this sanctuary. Camping overnight in tents at Lambadug or Galiani Thatch is possible. You can see various animals such as Musk deer, monal and brown bear over here.
* Gadhan Takechokling Gumfa : Close to Tibetan Monastery, Gadhan Takechokling Gumfa is another tourist spot which was constructed in 1969. The Lakhang or the shrine hall of the monastery was built by the contributions of local people. The Gadhan Takechokling Gumfa has the idol of Shakyamuni.
* Jagatsukh Temple – About 6 km from Manali is the famous Shiva Temple in “shikara” style and nearby is the old and interesting Devi Sharvali Temple.
* Roerich Art Gallery – In Naggar, the museum, houses a collection of the paintings by the Russian artist. It is located in a grove of deodhars and has lovely views all around. Naggar is very serene and picturesque.
* Hadimba Temple – Also known as the Doongri Temple, this four-tiered pagoda-like wooden temple stands in a clearing amid tall and stately deodar trees and has beautiful carvings on its ornamental door. Dedicated to Hadimba, the wife of Bhim, this temple is the venue for an annual fair held during May. Built in 1553 and with a superbly crafted four tiered pagoda roof. It is famous for its exquisitely carved doorway.
* Vashist Spring – Across the Beas river, about 3 km away from Manali, at an altitude of 1,982 meters (6,200 feet), are the natural sulphur springs. There are old temples dedicated to the sage Vashishth and to Lord Rama. The village itself is perched on a steep hillside across the river Beas.
* Tibetan Monastery – These are new and colorful (3 of them). A pleasant place to visit. Two are located in the town and one at Aleo on the left bank of Beas river.
* Beas Kund – The tiny roundish igloo like stone hut shelters the Beas Kund, the very source of the holy river Beas. Water flows at the source of the river likfe a spring, so clear and icy cold that it almost numbs the fingers. All around is the rocky terrain with very little vegetation. The great rishi, Vyas performed “Tapa” here during the Mahabharat times.
* Manikaran: 85 km from Manali and 45 km from Kullu, lies in the Parvati Valley, the holy pilgrimage place of Manikaran. Here icy cold waters of the Parvati river co-exists with boiling water side-by-side. The hot water springs are reputed for their healing properties.
* Triloknath: Located in the Pattan Valley, its an important pilgrimage centre. Noted for its temple dedicated to six armed statue of Avalokiteshwara Bodhisattva.
* Arjun Gufa (Arjun Cave): 4kms. from Manali towards Naggar, the cave is situated near Prini village 1km. above the road where Arjun had meditated. This is good 1/2 a day excursion with a beautiful view of the striking mountains.
* Nehru Kund: 5 kms. on National Highway to Leh,a natural spring of cold clear water named after Pt. Jwahar Lal Nehru, who used to drink water from this spring during his stay in Manali. This spring is believed to originate from the Bhrigu lake situated high-up in the mountains.

Things to do: Manali is famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, para gliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking.

Skiing: 13 km from Manali, Solang Valley has good skiing slopes equipped with an excellent lift. A splendid valley between Manali and Kothi, it also offers views of the glaciers and snow-capped mountain peaks. Season: January – March. Gulaba slopes also provide good skiing. Facilities for skiing are available at Solang Nullah (January-March) and Rohtang La (during summer). The Mountaineering Institute at Solang Nullah is a good training institute.

Trekking: There are several good hikes from Manali. The 12 km hike up the western banks of the Beas to the Solang Valley is noteworthy. Lama Dugh meadow is a 6 km hike up to the Manalsu Nala, west of Manali town. Another great trek is from Solang Valley to Dhundhi onto Dussar Lake and terminating at Manali (a good 5 day trek)

Whitewater River Rafting: Many organized adventure companies organise rafting along the River Beas between the stretch from Manali to Aut. The points where the rafting trips start from are Raison and Mohal. Season: May to mid June.

Angling and Fishing: River Beas is said to abound with trout and salmon.

Paragliding – Organized by the local adventure companies in the summers in Solang Valley.

How to get there:
By Air: Manali has no airport of its own. The nearest one Bhuntas is around 10 km south of Kullu town and about 50 km from Manali.
By Train: Chandigarh, about 280 km away and Joginder Nagar, about 200 km away.
By Road: Manali is well connected by road to Delhi through NH-21 which goes on to Leh and is the world’s highest motorable road.

Places to stay:
Good reference article (link)
Span Resorts: Phone : (01902) 240138, 240538
Manali Resort
Holiday Inn: Tel.: 01902-52563, 53312
Manali Heights: PH no: 01902-252621-252061
Apple Country: Phone: +91 – 1902 254187 – 89
Banon Resorts: Tel: +91-1902-253026, 252490, 253994
Lords Regency
Orchard Greens
Sun Park
Ankit Palace
Beas View
Evergreen
Snow Crest Manor
Manu Allaya (Ambassador Resorts): Tel.: 01902 – 252235 – 38 Fax: 252173
Quality Inn River Country
Hotel Honeymoon Inn
Hotel Sagar Resort
Hotel Shingar regency: Tel:+91 1902 252251-52
Hotel Lord’s Regency
Glacior Resorts
Hotel Evergreen
Snow Valley Resorts (link)
Hotel Vintage
Hotel Mountain Top
Hotel Sunpark
Club Mahindra: Tel : (01902) 254181 / 82/ 83
Highland Park, Manali: Phone: 01902 256501/02/03
Vacred Manali Resorts
Hotel Manali Ashok
Piccadily Hotel
Sagar Resort
Kanishka Hotel
Hotel Chandramukhi
Glacier Resorts
Hotel Regent Centre Point

Other articles:
Some good photos (link)
Book a luxury bus (link)
Blog 1
Sandeepinlife blog (link)

Palampur is the tea capital of northwest India. Palampur is set on the rising slopes of Kangra Valley before they merge with the Dhauladhar ranges. Countless streams and brooks criss-crosses the landscape and in their intricate mesh, hold tea gardens and rice paddies. The town has derived its name from the local word “pulum’, meaning lots of water. Palampur was a part of the local Sikh kingdom and later on came under the British rule. This hill station is not only known for its numerous tea gardens and paddy fields but it also known for its colonial architecture and temples. Palampur and places around it are popular for adventure sports like hang-gliding and trekking. The place is an example of a beautiful location not yet spoilt by tourists. Some time here is good for relaxing and stress-relieving.

Map to Palampur:

Things to do:

Trekking: Several trek routes lead out of Palampur, and given the close presence of the Dhauladhar Mountains, many of these treks are over the mountains and towards the town of Chamba. Treks of 5-8 days duration are viable from May to October. Some of the interesting treks from Palampur include Palampur to Holi over the Shingar pass, Palampur to Dharamsala via Indrahar Pass and Baijnath to Manali over the Thamsar pass.
Hang/Paragliding: Near Palampur, you have both Bir and Billing. Bir is twenty-eight kilometers from Palampur and has numerous Buddhist monuments and is famous for its Tibetan handicrafts (and is also one of the main landing points for the hang-gliders and para-gliders). The town of Billing, which is 42 km from Palampur and 14 km from Bir, is an important launching point for hang-gliding.
Fishing: There are ample opportunities for the angler between 1st March to 1st June and 1st September to end of October for Mahaseer fishing in and around Dehra Gopipur, Nadaun and Pong Dam.

Places to see:

Neughal Khad: Close to the Bundelmata temple, there is a 300-metre-wide chasm through which the Neugal stream flows and is a great view.
Andretta: The charming village, spread below the thickly wooded hill and sprawling plains of the Kangra Valley was once the home of the famous painter Sardar Sobha Singh. Now Andretta is a centre for various artistic activities such as pottery and is just 13-km away from Palampur.
Shobha Singh’s Art Gallery: It is situated in Andhretta which is 13 km. from town.
The Factory: At the very start of town the tea factory of the co-operative society, offers an insight to the processing of Kangra tea.
Baijnath: Noted for it’s ancient temple, which was built in 804 A.D. and dedicated to Shiva Vaidyanatha. The linga enshrined in its sanctum is one of the 12 jyotirlingas in the country. Every year during the Shivratri fair, thousands of pilgrims descend on Baijnath for the colourful fair and festivities. It is 16-km from Palampur and 56-km from Dharamsala. It is a must see if you are coming to Palampur.
Bir and Billing: Sheltered by the mountains and surrounded by tea gardens, Bir serves as a landing ground for hang & Para gliders as well as known for it’s Buddhist monasteries and Tibetan handicrafts. One of the best aero-sports sites in the world, Billing is 14-km from Bir. The mountain ranges set like an amphitheatre, offer opportunities for high altitude and cross-country flying for more than 200-km.
Chamunda Devi: The famous temple dedicated to the goddess Chamunda is 25-kms away from Plampur and Yatri Niwas here provides an excellent accommodation for the visitors. The temple is a place that attracts a huge number of devotees, especially during religious festivities.
Gopalpur: Situated 13-km away from the town, Gopalpur consists of a mini zoo.
Tea Factory: The cooperative society tea factory provides an insight to the processing of Kangra Tea, and you can also see the various tea gardens, and drive on the road through the tea gardens. With less traffic, it is a very calming influence.
Temple of Bundelmata: Walk through tea gardens and open fields or drive to reach this temple built about five centuries ago.
Al-Hilal: A few kilometers from the city of Palampur is Al-Hilal, a place of unparalleled charm. During the conquests of Kangra by Maharaja Renjit Singh, this place was a military bastion.
Neugal Khad: ( 2 km. from town.) Neugal Khad provides a fine view of the Dhauladhar range. It is roaring in the rainy season and gurgling all the year round. Himachal Tourism cafe provides food and a fine view from its restaurant.
Kangra Fort (27 km): The most important fort of the region, it is enclosed by high ramparts and its walls have a circumference of approximately 4 km. It was built about 1,000 years ago on the confluence of the Banganga and Manjhi rivers. Its various gates, shrines end remains of the old palaces are noteworthy.
Sujanpur Tira: 42 km from Palampur situated on the banks of foaming Beas, the historical town Sujanpur Tira (Tira mean palace) was built by Raja Sandra Chand, who had ascended to the throne when only ten years of age. The Tira Palace was the winter residence of Sansar Chand and the Alampur palace on the other side of the Beas was his summer resort.

Where to Stay:
Hotel T-Bud is run by the HTPDC at Palampur.
One of the most luxurious places to stay in the region in is the Taragarh Palace, 8-km to the east of Baijnath (this is a luxury hotel).
Silver Oak Mountain Resort
Sai Gardens
Country Cottage
Pops Hotel

How to get here:

By Road: The Himachal Road Transport Corporation is running its buses covering the whole state.
By Rail: Nearest broad gauge railhead is Pathankot 95 km from Kangra. A narrow gauge railway line between Pathankot and Jogindernagar passes through Kangra. Nearest railhead is at a distance of 5 km. from town.
By Air: Nearest airport is Gaggal airport located 50 km. from Palampur.