Look forward to a Relaxing Holiday in Ooty

Look forward to a Relaxing Holiday in Ooty

The quaint hill station of Ooty with its age-old charm attracts every mountain loving traveler. The title of ‘Queen of Hill Station’ is justified by Shelly’s quote,

 “A thing of beauty is a joy forever” This perfectly describes any traveller’s experience of Ooty.’

As rightly stated above, beautiful things bring joy to our life, so also Ooty, with its combination of amazing Hindu temples along with architecture of the British Raj period, makes this small hill station irresistible to visitors.

Get the feel of Ooty even before entering the city. Enter in style on the famous Toy Train from the Mettupalayam station, through the beautiful Nilgiri hills.  Ooty was once the summer capital of the Madras Presidency. Therefore, the colonial mark from British Raj period is still evident in various parts of the city.   

Places to visit in Ooty:

There can be uncountable reasons for you to visit Ooty at any time of the year. One of the main reasons can be the surrounding “Blue Mountains” that the town is famous for. Let’s find out some of the other reasons why it would be a pleasure to visit this beautiful town which is also known as Ootacamund,

Botanical Gardens and Rose Garden

Located on the lower slopes of the Doddabetta peak, the Botanical gardens are terraced into several sections in an area of around 22 hectors presenting a collection of flowers and plants. Here you will experience amazing Mountain Views. The fabulous display of a variety of flowers and the fantastic Mountain Views provides the visitor with plenty of opportunities for clicking memorable photographs. The Rose garden of Ooty is the largest of the rose gardens of India. Located in the lap of Elk Hill, this rose garden has a collection of over 20000 varieties of roses.

Doddabetta Peak

Along with the Botanical garden, don’t miss a chance to visit the famous Doddabetta Peak. The view of Nilgiri Mountain range is awesome from this peak. This peak is also the highest mountain of the South India. This peak will give you splendid opportunity for trekking.

Ooty Lake

This is an artificial lake constructed by John Sullivan. It is surrounded by Eucalyptus groves with a railway line running along one shore. The boat house which adjoins the lake offers boating facilities with various types of boats and is a great place for some boating experience.

Pykara River

The Pykara River flows through the plateau, creating beautiful waterfalls and a lake. It flows through dense forests and the valley of Nilgiri, and creates an amazing effect of a Mountain river.

The Mountain Railway

The Mountain Railway was established by the British in early 20th Century. Declared as the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, the diesel train gives you an awesome view of the surrounding mountains and an experience that you are unlikely to find anywhere else.

  St. Stephen’s Church

The St. Stephen’s Church is one of the oldest churches built during the 19th century. The amazing architecture which blends with the surrounding serenity, makes this church to the must-visit list.

Tribal culture

Ooty is one of the places where tribal culture co-exists with modern life. The Todas live in hamlets called Muds.  Their thatched huts are called dogles, and have an oval, semi-barrel shape. Toda embroidery is quite unique and passed on from generation to generation. You can collect the artifacts made by this tribe.

Some Highlights:

·       Ooty is famous for the Nilgiri Tea. To get an authentic experience of Nilgiri tea, visit the tea factory located in the city and taste the tea. 

·       If you are a fan of Mughlai foods, visit Hyderabadi Biriyani House. The aroma of delicious Biriyani is sure to increase your hunger as soon as you near the restaurant.

·       If you have a dream of visiting Madam Tussaud’s someday, you can try out the Wax Museum of Ooty.   This old bungalow based in Ooty possesses some amazing wax sculptures. It will also give you an insight into the local culture and heritage.

·       Get immersed in the summer festival of Ooty in the month of May. Although, during this time, your idea of a tranquil holiday may get hampered by the jostling crowds.

Travel to Ooty

Whether for a romantic holiday or to rejuvenate yourself a fresh –Ooty is set to provide you an amazing experience. This romantic hill station is located in Tamilnadu and it is a very popular holiday gateway from the metros like Chennai and Bangalore. This destination is also very popular as a romantic destination for all tourists. The most romantic way to reach to this city is to go by the Mountain railway popularly known as the Toy Train from Mettupalayam. The town is connected with the cities like Coonoor, Coimbatore, Kozhikode, Mysore and the metros like Chennai and Bangalore by road. The nearest airport is located in Coimbatore and the nearest railway station is Mettupalayam.

 Find the perfect stay

Whether a quaint bungalow or an eco-friendly hut—the stay is bound to be very special for any traveler. A small house located on the bank of the lake is perfect to enjoy the serenity of the beautiful hill station. For more details visit, http://www.bungloguru.com/ooty-coonoor

To Reinvent and Rejuvenate yourself try-out a less-frequented destination - Wayanad

To Reinvent and Rejuvenate yourself try-out a less-frequented destination - Wayanad

Kerala is a state that abounds in nature, providing travellers many opportunities to discover the secrets of nature. Kerala truly defines the quote,

‘An adventure is the best way to learn about life.’

Along with the well-known destinations of Kerala, like Cochin, Alleppey and Munnar, some off-beat destinations like Varkala and Wayanad are also gaining popularity. The main advantages of these destinations are their rich natural beauty, untouched and undiscovered by most tourists.

Wayanad, is a district of Kerala, located in the North-East part of the state. The untamed and unspoiled beauty of this hill area will give one a refreshing break and an unforgettable experience. Wayanad Tourism describes the district as a ‘green paradise’ that lies in between the mountains of the Western Ghats. It is called a ‘green paradise’ because it forms the border of the greener portion of Kerala.

What to expect in Wayanad?

Apart from the obvious mountains and their lush greenery, this quaint hill station also boosts of ancient ruins and mystic caves along with adventurous jungle trails.

Let’s explore the beautiful destination of Wayanad:

Chembra Peak

The Chembra Peak is a perfect place for adventure lovers. Although a trek to this peak is risky yet it is well worth the risk just to view the mind-blowing view from here. The peak is located close to the town of Meppady, located in the Southern part of the district. Trekkers can camp on the top of the hill, as the trek to the peak of Chembra generally takes a full day.

Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary

Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary is the biggest sanctuary for wildlife in the Malabar region. Here, you can find animals like the Elephant, bison, bear, spotted deer, tiger, etc. You can take a jungle safari or an Elephant ride to this Wildlife Sanctuary.

Pookot Lake

Surrounded by beautiful mountains and evergreen forests, Pookot Lake is created with natural water. You can enjoy a refreshing boat ride on the lake or buy artefacts from nearby shops. 

Soochippara Waterfalls

The unspoiled beauty of Soochippara waterfalls is yet to be discovered by tourists. Swimming, boating or rafting can be done on the lake below the waterfall. From the top point of these falls, one can get an excellent view of the surrounding hills of the Western Ghats.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.  This sanctuary is considered to be a World Heritage Site because of its immense bio-diversity.

Interesting things to do in Wayanad

•    A visit Edakkal caves located on Ambukutty Mala can be quite exciting. According to history, these caves had been created by the arrows of Shri Ram’s sons, Luv and Kush. Here one can see prehistoric Stone Age paintings which have great archaeological significance. Visiting time here is from 9.30 to 4.30 and an entry fee has to be paid.

•    Wayanad is one of the best places for trekking. There are several trekking routes that one can take to enjoy tea gardens and Cardamom groves. The place has some awesome natural beauty. Along with the popular Chembra Peak, one can also trek to the Valley of Clouds, Banasura Hill or the Brahmagiri peak.

•    One can visit the beautiful Thrissillery Shiva temple located on the bank of Papanasini River. The serene beauty of this temple is perfect to enjoy some peace and tranquillity.

Camp in between the amazing beauty spots of Wayanad

From camping on the peak of Chembra to staying in some of the amazing parts of Wayanad can be quite stimulating. Each option has its own unique beauty. Cosy home stays of this district provide one with a wonderful opportunity of staying in the lap of nature without compromising on comfort.

Reaching Wayanad

By Train: Calicut, which is 65 km. from Wayanad, is the nearest railway station.

By Plane: Calicut also has an International Airport.

By Road: One can drive down to Wayanad from Bangalore via NH766 and NH275, a distance of around 275 km. A road trip, in one’s own vehicle, can be an amazing experience.

Other places nearby worth a visit are Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Mysore, Ooty and so on.

So get ready to take a vacation to Wayanad, often described as,

‘… a picturesque hill station in Kerala. The dewy land gets its name from two local words, ‘Vayal' meaning ‘paddy field’ and 'Naad' meaning ‘land’ combining to form ‘Wayanad’ or 'The Land of Paddy Fields’. 

Opt For An Adventurous Safari At Bandipur National Park

Opt For An Adventurous Safari At Bandipur National Park  

Opt For An Adventurous Safari At Bandipur National Park

The deep dark world of Green forest calls a person not just to explore, but also to search for the deepest beauty that nature hides from an ordinary traveler. Bandipur National Park, situated in the southern part of India, is located in the state of Karnataka. Bandipur is located near Mysore and was once the private hunting spot of the Maharajas of Mysore. This beautiful National Park is a haven for many species, including some of the species which are about to disappear from this world. Along with its wildlife, this National park offers you a spectacular view of the amazing Nilgiri Mountains.

History of Bandipur National Park

Bandipur National Park was once the private hunting ground of the royal family of Mysore. The sanctuary was created by the king of Mysore in the year 1931. At that time the sanctuary was named as Venugopala Wildlife Park. In the year 1941, the National park was expanded to cover Rajiv Gandhi National Park in the northwestern side, Kerala's Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in the southwestern part and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in the Southern part Tamil Nadu. Together the four National reserves are called Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

Later, in 1970’s it was established as a Tiger Reserve and it was brought under ‘project Tiger’.  Around this time, it was established as the Bandipur Tiger Reserve.

The main attractions of the Bandipur National Park

The Bandipur National Park is the part of the largest preserved area in the Southern India. The park is located on the Mysore-Ooty highway of Karnataka. The main advantages of taking a Safari at Bandipur National Park are:

•    Rich Flora: Bandipur National Park is enjoys tropical climate. Various kinds of rare vegetation like Indian Kino Tree, laurel, giant clumping bamboo, clumping bamboo along with the trees like Sandalwood, Teak, Rosewood can be found over here.

•    Various types of Fauna: As the home of the various known and some yet to be discovered species, Bandipur National Park is quite a famous reserve park of South India.  Along with tigers and leopards other important animals that can be found over here are Elephants, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Black Napped Hare, Gaurs, Langur,  Sambar, Chital, Sloth Bear, Wild dog , Bonnet Macaque, Small Indian Civet , Striped Hyenas, Jackal, Mongoose, Leopard, Cat, Rusty Spotted Cat, Indian Giant Red Squirrel, 4 Horned Antelope, Porcupines, Slender Loris, Jungle Cat, Palm Civet, Common Otter, Wild Boar, Flying Squirrels, Pangolin, Giant Fruit Bats etc. The wide varieties of the animals are the reason visitors return from their safari completely satisfied.

•     Amazing Landscape: The National park is based in Nilgiri Biosphere. The awesome beauty of the surrounding mountains enchants visitors. Apart from that, the four rivers Kabini, Mule-hole, Nagu, and Moyer are a part of the national park and add to the enjoyment of the trip.

About the Safari at Bandipur National Park

Private vehicles are not allowed inside the reserve forest. You need to hire Safari jeeps to venture into the national park. Special entry permits have to be procured from the forest department before taking the safari. Extra charges are levied of taking cameras into the safari at Bandipur National Park.  The forest department even organizes Elephant Safari for the visitors.  

Stay at Bandipur National Park

What can be better than an Eco-friendly Safari home stay located very close to the tiger reserve? Luxury bungalows located close to the reserve provide lots of wide spaces, light and air along with a view of the surrounding areas.  Visitors are sure to enjoy the view of the Nilgiri Mountains and the nearby villages without compromising on comfort and luxury. For more details visit, http://www.bungloguru.com/masinagudi-bandipur

Route To Bandipur National Park:

The nearest airport is located Mysore which is around 80 km away. The Bangalore International Airport is around 260 km from the reserve. Mysore Railway Station is the closest railway station to Bandipur National Park. This national park can be reached by bus or car from all the cities nearby. The two highways NH-67 and NH-212 are connected to the reserve. Beautiful hill stations like Ooty and Wayanad are located around 80 km away from this national park.

For its amazing backdrop and rich varieties of flora and fauna Bandipur National Park often looked on as one of the best sanctuaries in India to observe and photograph wildlife in close proximity.

Spend your Ganesh Chaturthi Holidays at Mahabaleshwar.

Spend your Ganesh Chaturthi Holidays at Mahabaleshwar 

Mahableswar, the jewel in the crown of the Sahyadri Mountain range, is commonly known as the grand canyon of India. It has inspired this quote from an avid traveler,  

‘Should I call this a spiritual or a lover's place’ 

As the quotation describes, it is hard to decide whether Mahabaleshwar is most likely to bring you peace or romance. The term signifies ‘God of Great Power’, which is essentially justified by its breathtaking beauty and grace. The main attractions of this place are the numerous sightseeing points, which all provide the breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains.  

Located in the lap of Western Ghats, this beautiful hill station is a part of Satara district of Maharashtra and a popular weekend destination from Mumbai. The beautiful hill station was an ideal summer retreat during the British Raj and thus it still bears the mark of the colonial period in its architecture, culture. It houses one of the evergreen forests of the world and is surrounded by the valleys from all the sides. In the summer, you can enjoy the cool weather and gentle breeze of the town along with the strawberry and fresh honey. After the hot summer, you can also enjoy the rain drenched Mahabaleshwar during your Ganesh Chaturthi holidays along with a cup of hot coffee.   

Overall, if you want to get away from the maddening crowd of the cities like Mumbai and Pune during Ganesh Chaturthi, then Mahabaleshwar is your perfect choice. Now, let’s take an in and around trip to this beautiful town,  

1. Venna Lake 

Situated among the lush greenery and the amazing landscape, Venna Lake is one of the most bustling tourist spots of Mahabaleshwar. Take a boat ride to enjoy the surrounding greenery of the lake.  

2. Pratapgarh 

Retelling the history of courage and glory of Maratha Rule, this old fort is located on the top of the hill. Although today you can only find the ruin, this fort is to provide you a dose of a historic element along with the awesome view.  

3. The elephant head point 

Mahabaleshwar possesses a wonder of nature - a rock in the shape of an elephant. It is also a needlepoint of this quaint hill station, from where you can have an excellent view of the surrounding valleys or have a breath of fresh air.  

4. Mapro Garden  

Mapro garden is a public park located close to Mahabaleshwar, it is famous for its strawberry plantation.  Along with visiting this plantation, also taste the treats made from the fresh strawberries available here. The strawberry milkshake, ice cream or the fruit salads taste divine and unlike all the treats you have taken so far. You can also buy strawberry jams, squash or syrup from here for your friends and family.   

5. Lingamala Falls  

In the time of Monsoon, the view of the Lingamala Falls is a beautiful place to visit. The beauty of this place also turns dangerous during the monsoon. You need to walk through nature’s trail to reach to this falls.  

6. Bhushan Mahamuni 

The Bhushan Mahamuni is the temple of lord Shiva. The ‘Swayambhu’ shiv linga is the birthplace of five holy rivers, Venna, Koyna, Gayatri, Krishna, and Savitri.  

Amidst beautiful nature, lush greenery of Mahabaleshwar you need a place to stay which will give you every opportunity to enjoy the rain and the breeze without compromising the comfort.  

An Eco-Friendly home near Gurgaon, Mahabaleshwar 

 This eco-friendly villa is located very close to the Mapro Garden. This house is made of wood, ensuring all the comfort to its visitors. The glass décor of the house provides a beautiful view of the valley of Mahabaleshwar. This is also the perfect place to enjoy the rain during your Ganesh Chaturthi Holidays.  For details refer to,  

http://www.bungloguru.com/#!panchgani-mahableshwar/ztnlo 

So finally, pack your bags and head on to Mahabaleshwar,  

You can reach to Mahabaleshwar by Pune-Mumbai expressway. You can reach to Mahabaleshwar from Mumbai via Panvel, Mahad, and Poladpur. The nearest Airport is Pune which is located 120 km away. You can also reach by train to Mumbai or Pune and drive or take a bus till Mahabaleshwar.