Laknavaram

Laknavaram is a new and virgin tourist spot situated 80 km from Warangal in Andhra Pradesh. The main attraction is the Laknavaram Lake which spans over an area of 10,000 acres. The natural beauty of the place is mesmerizing. There is provision for boating in the waters of the lake. You can also hire an auto rickshaw and visit the Ramalingeswara Temple. Another excursion from Laknavaram can be to the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to leopards, panthers, tigers, sambar, deer and bear. Pakhal Lake is close to the forest and during winter season many migratory birds visit this lake.

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is Warangal. Warangal is well connected to other parts of the country. Laknavaram is 80 km from Warangal. Hired cars are available from Warangal to reach Laknavaram.

Where to Stay

Haritha Hotel. Tariff - Rs. 1200. Tel: 9177713376.

Tabo

Tabo is a hill hamlet located in Lahaul and Spiti distict of Himachal Pradesh. The town lies at an altitude of 10,000 ft above sea level. Tabo is situated on the banks of the Spiti river. The prime attraction of the village is the ancient Tabo Monastery which is said to be established in the year 996 AD. The architecture and carvings on the walls of the monastery is mind blowing. The monastery has been declared as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The apple orchard of the Tabo Monastery is worth seeing.

Tabo

How to Reach

The nearest major railway station is Kalka. Kalka enjoys excellent rail connectivity with Delhi and other parts of the country. Toy trains, buses and cars are available from Kalka to reach Shimla. Hired cars are available from Shimla to reach Tabo.

Where to Stay

Millennium Monastery Guesthouse. Tariff - Rs. 600-1000. Tel: (01906) 223315.
Ajanta Guest House. Tariff - Rs. 600-1000. Tel: (01906) 233381.
Banjara Camp. Tariff - Rs. 4000. Tel: (011) 26861397.

Narkanda

Narkanda is a hill destination located in Shimla district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Situated at an altitude of 2708 m, the scenic beauty of this hill station is awe inspiring. Hatu Peak (10,725 ft) is 8 km from Narkanda. The ancient Hatu Mata temple is located atop the hill  Kotgarh is 16 km from Narkanda and is famous for apple orchards. The serene hilly roads, distant snow capped peaks and dense forests of pine-oak-devdaru make this place perfect for those who want to spend their holidays in a calm and peaceful environment. One can enjoy skiing in the slopes of Narkanda during the winter.

Narkanda

How to Reach

Narkanda is 65 km from Shimla. Buses are plying from Shimla to Narkanda. The nearest major railway station from Narkanda and Shimla is Kalka. Kalka enjoys excellent rail connectivity with Delhi and other parts of the country. Direct bus services are also available from Chandigarh, Kalka and Rampur to Narkanda.

Where to Stay

HPTDC The Hatu. Tel: (01782) 242430, 242509. Tariff - Double Bed Rs. 1000-1700.
Hotel Mahamaya Palace. Tel: (01782) 264151, 242448. Tariff - Double Bed Rs. 500-1000.

Chitkul

Chitkul is a small village located in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. The hamlet lies at an altitude of 3450 m and is the last inhabited settlement near the Indo-Tibet border. Chitkul is situated in a calm, serene and pollution free environment on the banks of Baspa River. The village is surrounded by forests of pine, oak and deodar. The place offers beautiful views of the snow clad mountains of the Himalayas. The Chitralekha Mata Temple is a noteworthy attraction of Chitkul. The place experiences heavy snowfall during the winter months and it is advised not to visit the place during that time.

Chitkul

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is Kalka. Cars and buses are plying from Kalka to Shimla. Hired cars are available from Shimla to reach Sangla. Chitkul is 26 km from Sangla.

Where to Stay

Hotel Alpine View. Tariff - Rs. 2000. Tel: 9816404973.
Panchali Resort. Tariff - Rs. 1500-2000. Tel: 9816803505.
Thakur Guesthouse. Tariff - Rs. 800-1000. Tel: 9459270841.

Vengurla

Vengurla is a beach town located in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. The place is situated very close to Goa. The Vengurla beach is surrounded by hills on three sides and the Arabian Sea on the other. The main attraction of Vengurla is the Vengurla Rocks. The view of sunrise and sunset from the Vengurla Rocks is awe inspiring. Another attraction of the place is the lighthouse which can be seen every day from 4pm to 5:30 pm. Other tourist spots at Vengurla include the Sagareshwar Temple, Sagareshwar Beach and Farming University and Fruit Research Centre.

Vengurla Beach

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is Sawantwadi Road which is well connected to Mumbai which in turn enjoys excellent connectivity with the rest of the country. Vengurla is 29 km from Sawantwadi Road.

Where to Stay

Hotel Sea View. Tariff - Rs. 500-600.

Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary

Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Peren district of Nagaland. It is located at a distance of 37 km from Dimapur and 111 km from Kohima. The sanctuary covers an area of 202 sq km and possesses a rich wealth of flora and fauna. The Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the Hoolock Gibbon which is the only species of Gibbon found in India. Other animals found in this forest include elephants, Sambhar, barking deer, flying squirrel, wild dog, sloth bear and tiger. Different species of birds namely hornbill, black stork and common pheasant also live in the sanctuary.

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is at Dimapur. Dimapur is well connected by rail and air transport to the rest of the country. Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary is 37 km from Dimapur. Buses and taxis are available from Dimapur to reach the sanctuary.

Where to Stay

There is a forest rest house at the Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary for accommodation. You can also stay at Dimapur.

Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary

Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary is situated very close to Shantiniketan in West Bengal. Sal and Piyal trees surround the forest. Here you can see various species of deers and peacocks. There are watch towers and jungle paths all over the sanctuary for tourists to walk around and catch glimpses of wildlife especially deers. A large lake is located beside the forest where there is a bird sanctuary. Various types of migratory birds are seen here. You can also see other birds and tortoises which add to the beauty of the lake. Other attractions include Kankali Pith temple and art gallery at Bolpur. The sanctuary remains closed on Wednesdays.

Deer at Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is Bolpur. The station is well connected to Kolkata which in turns enjoys excellent connectivity with the rest of the country. The distance between Kolkata and Bolpur is 145 km. Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary is easily accessible from Bolpur station.

Where to Stay

WBTDC Shantiniketan Tourist Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 700-2400. Tel: (033) 44012659
Chowdhury Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 250-900. Tel: (03463) 253834.
Balaka International. Tariff - Rs. 600-1500. Tel: (03463) 257775.
Hotel Rangamati. Tariff - Rs. 750-1200. Tel: (03463) 252305.

Devbagh

Devbagh is a small island adjoining the town of Karwar in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is an offbeat destination ideal for those who love to spend their vacation in peace and tranquility. The prime attraction of Devbagh is the pristine and serene sea beach. Facilities for water sports like para-sailing and snorkeling are available. You can also visit the nearby fishing village or just watch the coming and going of the fishing boats. The point where the River Kali meets the sea is another attraction.

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is Londa. Devbagh is 35 km from Londa. Hired cars are available from Londa to reach Devbagh.

Where to Stay

Devbagh Beach Resort. Tariff - Rs. 4800. Tel: 8025597021.

Gangrel Dam

Gangrel Dam is located in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh. The dam has been built across the Mahanadi river and is the longest dam in the state. The Ravi Shankar Sagar lake was created due to the construction of the dam which is now home to a variety of birds. View of sunset across the waters of the reservoir is awe inspiring. You can also visit the Madamsilli Dam and Angar Moti Temple from Gangrel.

Gangrel Dam

How to Reach

The nearest major railway station is Raipur. Gangrel is 90 km from Raipur. Buses and cars are plying from Raipur to Dhamtari. Autorickshaws and hired cars are available from Dhamtari to reach Gangrel.

Where to Stay

Bardiha Lake View Cottage. Tariff - Rs. 1000. Tel: 7714066415.

Wild Ass Sanctuary

Wild Ass Sanctuary is situated in the Little Rann of Kutch in the western parts of Gujarat. The sanctuary was established in the year 1973 and spans over an area of 4953 sq km. It is the largest abode of the Indian Wild Ass (Equas Hemionus Khur) in the country. This rare animal is found nowhere else in the world. Apart from the wild ass, the sanctuary is home to nilgai, desert fox, black buck, hyena and wolf. Birds like flamingo, pelican, common crane and other migratory birds visit this place during winter.

Wild Ass Sanctuary

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is Dhrangadhra, 16 km from the Wild Ass Sanctuary. Dhrangadhra is well connected to other parts of the country. The nearest major city, Ahmedabad is 129 km from Wild Ass Sanctuary. Buses are plying from Ahmedabad to Dhrangadhra.

Where to Stay

Rann Riders. Tariff - Rs. 2000-2500. Tel: 9925236014.

Sanasar

Sanasar is an unexplored hill destination located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Sanasar is 129 km from Jammu and 19 km from Patnitop. Situated at an altitude of 2079 m, the place is blessed with unparalleled natural beauty. Sanasar offers stunning views of the snow capped Himalayan peaks including the Brammah massif. The lush green meadows and golf courses surrounded by conifer trees are one of the main attractions of the place. Paragliding and horse riding at Sanasar are added attractions for the tourists.

Paragliding at Sanasar

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi which is well connected with the rest of the country. Distance from Jammu to Sanasar is 129 km. Hired cars are available from Jammu to reach Sanasar.

Where to Stay

Sanasar Tourist Bungalow. Tariff - Rs. 1200-3000. Tel: (0191) 2457927.

Rongo

Rongo is a tiny hill hamlet situated in Darjeeling district of West Bengal. The village lies near the Indo-Bhutan border at an altitude of 4500 ft above sea level. Rongo is famous for Cinchona plantations and growing of medicinal plants. The bird's eye view of the surrounding hills, dense forests and river valley of Jaldhaka from Rongo is mesmerizing. Rongo is also the gateway to the Neora Valley National Park.

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri. Siliguri town is located very close to New Jalpaiguri. You can hire a car from Siliguri and reach Rongo via Chalsa, Khunia More and Gairibas.

Where to Stay

Sarang Lodge. Tel: 9830242049. Tariff - Rs. 1000-1200.