Khutimari

Khutimari forest is located in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. It is situated at a distance of 70 km from the town of Jalpaiguri. The prime attraction of this place is its immense natural beauty and stunning wildlife. The forest of Khutimari houses a range of wild animals including elephant, leopard, gaur, barking deer, hog deer, spotted deer and wild boar. Various species of birds also live in this jungle.

How to Reach

Khutimari is situated at a distance of 70 km from the town of Jalpaiguri. Cars are available from Jalpaiguri to reach Khutimari.

Where to Stay

There are two forest bungalows at Khutimari.

Colva

Colva is a beautiful beach destination located in South Goa. The coastal town of Colva is 39 km from Panaji and 6 km from Margao. The 2.4 km long sea beach is dotted with coconut, palm and casuarina groves. Our Lady of Mercy church at Colva is among the prime attractions of the place. You can also visit Benaulim and Varka beach from Colva.

Colva Beach

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is Margao which is well connected with other parts of the country. Colva is 6 km from Margao.

Where to Stay

Colva Residency. Tariff - Rs. 1650-2340. Tel: (0832) 2788047.
Colva Beach Resort. Tariff - Rs. 1200-1800. Tel: (0832) 2788130.

Hotel Golden Eye. Tariff - Rs. 1000-3000. Tel: (0832) 2277308.

Madhav National Park

Madhav National Park is situated in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. The forest had once been the summer capital and hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Gwalior. The national park covers an area of 354 sq km and remains open throughout the year. The jungle is not very dense and provides ample opportunities of sighting wildlife. The Madhav National Park is home to leopard, wild dog, wild pig, wolf, jackal, hyena, spotted deer, Nilgai and Chinkara. There is an artificial lake named Chandpata inside the park. During winter months hundreds of migratory birds including pelican, spoon bill, pochard, paradise flycatcher and sunbird visit this lake. A great attraction for tourists at Madhav National Park is the Sakhya Sagar Sailing Club from where one can get a stunning view of the whole lake.

Madhav National Park

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is Shivpuri. Gwalior and Jhansi are the major railway stations near Madhav National Park which are well connected to the rest of the country. Regular bus services are available from Gwalior and Jhansi to Shivpuri.

Where to Stay

MPTDC Tourist Village. Tariff - Rs. 2600-4000. Tel: (07492) 223760.

Dhanaulti

Dhanaulti is a picturesque hill station located 25 km from Mussoorie in the state of Uttarakhand. It lies at an altitude of 2250 m above sea level and is still virgin and unexplored. The place is surrounded by forests of pine, oak, fir, devdaru and rhododendron trees. Dhanaulti offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Nanda Devi Range and other Himalayan peaks. The misty surroundings, towering alpine trees and stunningly beautiful landscapes makes Dhanaulti an amazing place to spend a holiday. One of the main tourist attractions of Dhanolti is the Tapovan Hill. You can also visit the Surkanda Devi Temple, 9 km from Dhanaulti.

Dhanaulti

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is Dehradun. Dehradun is well connected to other parts of the country by rail. Cars and buses are plying from Dehradun to reach Mussoorie. Taxis are available from Mussoorie to reach Dhanaulti.

Where to Stay

GMVN Dhanaulti Heights. Tariff - Rs. 1250-1800. Tel: (01376) 226223.
Himalaya Guest House. Tariff - Rs. 700-1000. Tel: (01376) 226220.
Hotel Crystal Palace. Tariff - Rs. 2000-5000. Tel: 9456311529.
Crown Plaza. Tariff - Rs. 1000-1200. Tel: (01376) 226230.

Vetnai

Vetnai is a small village located in Ganjam district of Odisha. Nestled in the laps of the Eastern Ghats, the place is home to innumerable black bucks which roam freely in the mountain slopes. The local people consider the black bucks as a symbol of sanctity and good will. There are a total of about 350 black bucks at Bhetnai. You can also visit the nearby Monglajori Bird Sanctuary. Various species of birds including Whistling duck, Grey-headed lapwing and Asian openbill are sighted in the sanctuary. Chilika Lake is another attraction near Bhetnai which you shouldn't miss out.

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is Brahmapur. Aska is 50 km from Brahmapur and regular bus service is available from Brahmapur to reach Aska. Vetnai is 12 km from Aska. Minibuses and trekkers are plying from Aska to Vetnai.

Where to Stay

There are no proper accommodation facilities at Vetnai. It would be better to stay at Brahmapur where there are a number of good hotels.

Thiruchendur

Thiruchendur is a seaside temple town located in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. The main attraction of the place is the Thiruchendur Murugan Temple dedicated to Lord Murugan. There are a total of 6 temples in Tamil Nadu which have been dedicated to Lord Murugan out of which the Thiruchendur Murugan Temple is one of the most notable. Apart from the temple, Tiruchendur also hosts a beautiful sea beach which is an added attraction for tourists. The beach is dotted with palm trees and is absolutely suitable for sea-bathing. Tuticorin is 34 km from Tiruchendur. Tuticorin is known as 'Pearl City' due to the pearl fishing carried out in the town.

Thiruchendur Sea Beach

How to Reach

The railway station at Thiruchendur is connected with Tirunelveli Junction by rail. Tirunelveli enjoys good rail connectivity with other parts of the country.

Where to Stay

Hotel Tamil Nadu. Tariff - Rs. 700-1600. Tel: (04639) 242268.
Hotel Chitra Park. Tariff - Rs. 700-3000. Tel: (04639) 243766.

Bekal

Bekal is a small town in the Kasaragod district of Kerala. The prime attraction of the place is the beautiful Bekal Sea Beach. There are a number of other attractions at Bekal which includes Bekal Fort, Bekal Aqua Park, Valiaparamba Backwaters, Chandragiri Fort and Anantapuram Temple.

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is Kasaragod which is well connected to other parts of the country. Bekal is 16 km from Kasaragod. Hired cars and buses are available from Kasaragod to reach Bekal.

Where to Stay

Hotel Bekal International. Tariff - Rs. 600-2000. Tel: (0467) 2202017.
Nirvana @ Bekal. Tariff - Rs. 3500-5000. Tel: (0467) 2272900.
K-Tees Residency. Tariff - Rs. 500-1000. Tel: (0467) 2275633.