Valmiki Tiger Reserve

Valmiki Tiger Reserve is a new attraction for jungle lovers situated in West Champaran district of Bihar. This forest is still unexplored and is not much frequented by tourists. Covering an area of about 900 sq. km, the Valmiki Tiger Reserve apart from tigers also hosts other animals like bear, wild dog, leopard, hyena, leopard cat and wild cat. It has been estimated that around 241 species of birds live in this jungle. Some of the notable include green willow warbler, tree pipit, white eye, pied hornbill, plover etc. Various snake species are also seen in this tiger reserve.

Valmiki Tiger Reserve

How to Reach

Valmiki Nagar is the nearest railway station located 10 km from Valmiki Tiger Reserve. This station lack good  rail connectivity and hence it is convenient to access the forest from Bettiah railway station. The tiger reserve is 75 km from Bettiah. Hired cars are available from Bettiah to reach the forest.

Where to Stay

Hotel Valmiki Vihar, Valmiki Nagar. Tel: 8757122296. Tariff - Rs. 100.
To enter the forest or enquire about accommodation at the forest bungalow contact the Chief Wildlife Warden (Tel: 06122545366). You may also contact the Field Director, Valmiki Tiger Project, West Champaran, Bettiah - 845438, Bihar. Tel: (06254) 24533.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Guwahati in the North Eastern state of Assam. Relatively less known than the famous Kaziranga National Park, this sanctuary is also home to the endangered One-horned Rhinoceros. The forest spans over an area of 40 sq. km. Elephant ride through the sanctuary is an amazing experience which is not to be missed. Apart from rhinoceros, the other animals seen in this forest include deer, peacock etc. A number of bird species also inhabit this sanctuary.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

How to Reach

The nearest railway station from Pabitora Sanctuary is Guwahati. Guwahati is well connected to major cities of the country by rail. Cars are available from Guwahati to reach the sanctuary. It takes a couple of hours to reach Pobitora Sanctuary from Guwahati.

Where to Stay

Brahmaputra Jungle Resort. Tariff - Rs. 1500-3000.
Bamboo Cottage. Tariff - Rs. 1200-1800.
Kunki's Resort. Tariff - Rs. 1000-1650.

Kettle Valley

Kettle Valley is an offbeat tourist destination located in the state of West Bengal. Situated beside Rinchengtong river, the place is an excellent picnic spot too. Dilaram Tea Estate is located close and is worth a visit. The surrounding greenery and dense foliage along with the cascading river is mind blowing. One can get a spectacular view of the snow capped peak of Kanchenjunga from Kettle Valley.

How to Reach

New Jalpaiguri is the nearest railway station which is well connected to major cities of the country. Auto rickshaws are plying from New Jalpaiguri to Siliguri. Kurseong is located on the way to Darjeeling from Siliguri. The valley stands at the North of Kurseong town. Share taxis, cars and buses are plying from Kurseong to Kettle Valley.

Where to Stay

Kettle Valley Home Stay. Tel: (08609) 456707, 9002399353. Tariff - Rs. 2500 for two persons including food and stay.
Kurseong Tourist Lodge. Tel: (0354) 2344409, 9733008779. Tariff - Double Bed Rs. 1200-1500.

Pangot

Pangot is a bird lover's paradise situated in the Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand. Located at a distance of 17 km from Nainital, Pangot is home to 150 different species of birds. The hill hamlet of Pangot is surrounded by forests of pine, fir and rhododendron trees. A number of birds like Eurasian Jay, Black Headed Jay, Himalayan Gray Bushchat, Gray Winged Blackbird, Blue Winged Minla and White Throated Laughingthrush are seen at Pangot.

Pangot

How to Reach

Pangot is easily accessible from Nainital. The nearest railway station from Nainital are Lalkuan and Kathgodam. Both the stations enjoy good connectivity with the rest of the country. Pangot is 53 km from Kathgodam and 69 km from Lalkuan. Cars are available from Kathgodam and Lalkuan to reach Pangot.

Where to Stay

Kafal House. Tariff - Rs. 2000.
Camp Mehi. Tariff - Rs. 1800-2200.
Jungle Lore Birding Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 5000-5500 (two persons; food charges included).

Icche Gaon

Icche Gaon (Echey Gaon) is a new unexplored tourist place nestled at an altitude of 5900 ft. Situated in the mighty Himalayas, the main attraction of this village tourism destination is the magnificent view of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Apart from the surrounding hills, there is Sailikharka Forest. The jungle is also known as Echey Forest.

View of Kanchenjunga from Icche Gaon

How to Reach

New Jalpaiguri is the nearest railway station. It is well connected to major cities of the country by rail. Auto rickshaws are plying from New Jalpaiguri to Siliguri. Icche Gaon is 100 km from Siliguri. You can reach Icche Gaon from Siliguri via Kalimpong in around 3 hrs.

Where to Stay

Mukhia Lodge. Tel: 8972470220.
Khawas Home Stay. Tel: 9932487358
Hundred Miles. Tel: 9830580893.
Tariff - Around Rs. 800/- including food and stay.

Bankiput

Bankiput is a virgin and unexplored sea beach located close to Kolkata. The beach is dotted with dense Casuarina groves. Many red crabs are seen popping their heads from their burrows in the beach during low tide. You can visit the Kapalkundala Temple which finds its mention in one of the novels written by the famous Bengali novelist Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. Dariapur Light House is situated at a little distance from the temple. The panoramic view of the sea from the top of the light house is amazing. Another attraction of Bankiput is the picturesque Deshpran Fishing Harbour at Petuaghat.

Bankiput

How to Reach

Bankiput is easily accessible from Kolkata by car. Cars are also available from Digha, Shankarpur and Mandarmani to get to Bankiput via Junput. The nearest railway station from Bankiput is Kanthi. Trains are running from Howrah to Kanthi station. From there, hired cars ply to Bankiput.

Where to Stay

Jhinuk Resort. Tariff - Rs. 800-1200. Tel: 9433813678.

Kotagiri

Kotagiri is one of the three hill stations located in The Nilgiri Hills. Although Kotagiri is the most ancient of all the hill stations of Nilgiris, but it has still not gained much popularity among tourists. Situated at an altitude of 1792 m, Kotagiri is surrounded by eye-soothing greenery. The lush green tea gardens, peaceful environment and undulating hills surely promise a mind blowing vacation for everyone. The nearby attractions are Catherine Falls (8 km) and Kodanad Viewpoint (17 km). Other attractions include Rangaswami Peak, Rangaswami Pillar and Elke Falls. You can also visit Ooty, a popular hill station which is just 29 km from Kotagiri.

Kotagiri

How to Reach

Kotagiri is easily accessible from Coimbatore and Mettupalayam by hired cars. Coimbatore is well connected to Chennai and other cities of India by rail.

Where to Stay

Twin Tree. Tariff - Rs. 2500-3000. Tel: (04266) 275777
Hotel Hope Park. Tariff - Rs. 1600-2200. Tel: (04266) 271229.
Hotel Ramesh Vihar. Tariff - Rs. 800-1600.
Heavenly Estate. Tariff - Rs. 850-1500. Tel: 9830133511.

Birthi

Birthi is a small pristine hamlet nestled in the Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand. The picturesque scenic beauty of the surroundings of this village is mesmerizing. The name of this hamlet is derived from the name of Birthi Waterfalls. View of the milky white waters coming down from a height 123 m is amazing. The rays of early sun falling on the lush green trees and grasslands creates an unique atmosphere which is worth experiencing.

Birthi Falls

How to Reach

Birthi is 65 km from Chaukori. Buses and hired cars are plying on this route. The nearest railway stations from Chaukori are Kathgodam and Lalkuan. Regular train services are available from other parts of the country to Lalkuan and Kathgodam. Hired cars are plying from Lalkuan Junction and Kathgodam to Chaukori via Nainital.

Where to Stay

KMVN Tourist Resthouse. Tariff - Deluxe Double Bed Rs. 700, Super Deluxe Double Bed Rs. 800, Executive Double Bed Rs. 900, Deluxe Four Bed Rs. 990.

Sivasagar

Sivasagar is a historic city in the North-Eastern state of Assam. It was once the capital of Ahom Kings who ruled Assam. The prime attraction of Sivasagar is the Sivadol Temple. This temple is located on the banks of Sivasagar Lake. Vishnudol and Vedidol are the other temples which are situated beside this water body. The city of Sivasagar also hosts a number of other lakes namely Rudrasagar, Gaurisagar etc. Other attractions of Sivasagar include Ranga Ghar and Ahom Museum. You can also visit Gargaon the ancient capital of the Ahom Kings.

Rang Ghar, Sivasagar

How to Reach

The nearest railway station from Sivasagar is Simalugari. Simalugari is well connected to Kolkata, Guwahati and other cities of India by rail. Buses and cars are available from Simalugari to reach Sivasagar.

Where to Stay

Hotel Vrindavan. Tariff - Rs. 450-995. Tel: (03772) 222974.
Hotel Brahmaputra. Tariff - Rs. 850-1650. Tel: (03772) 222200.
Hotel Siddharth. Tariff - Rs. 500-1100. Tel: (03772) 222276.