Here is a list of best-unexplored places in India which have a surprise for everybody to indulge into and have a great time exploring the hidden gems. Check the below-mentioned list and make your own itinerary from these best-unexplored places in India.
YEOOR HILLS
The Yeoor Hills is one of the coolest hills in thane which is near to Upvan lake. Yeoor is picturesque hilly area situated inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park. It has around 6 villages along with mini villages, waterfall, trails and beautiful natural surroundings to enjoy.
There are 5 must do things that should be on your list about yeoor hills:
Visit TMC biodiversity park: It gives the gorgeous glimpse of nature’s beauty. Its one of the most beautiful locations in yeoor hills with wide range of trees, plants, butterfly and animals that you can check out, providing you a break from the urbanized life of everybody.
Go tree spotting: Tree spotting is actually and extremely fun and adventurous activity if you love greens? And yeoor hills is one of the best places to do it. There a spread of red pine, raspberry, black current, mango, tamarind and many more that you can spot and learn from.
Trek to waterfall: In yeoor hills there are two waterfalls they are knowns and DABDABA and to see that spot u have to trek it with your favorite ones where you can hike up. It is only visited mostly in rainy seasons and the climate over there is cold and cool where you can feel natural breeze of air.
Hike up the Hill: Trekking in yeoor hills is a lot of fun for kids and adult, as the path up to the plateau includes some kid-friendly trails as well. You can start off the Manpada gate, trek up to the plateau, relax there and trek down to the other side of Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
Treat yourself at Exotica: After long day of hiking and being one with nature, one of the most enjoyable things to do in yeoor hills is the savor a lovely meal at exotica. This beautiful is a pleasing world, wrapped in quant charm all on its own.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park:
It was established in 1996 with headquarters at Borivali. It is notable as one of the major national parks existing with one of the most visited parks in the world.
The rich flora and fauna attract more than 2millions visitors every year. Tourist also enjoy visiting the Kanheri caves sculpted out of the rocky cliffs which lies within the park. It’s 2400-year-old. It was important Buddhist learning Centre and pilgrimage site sculpted by Buddhist monks between the 9th centuries BCE.
The park is bustling forest, with an estimated 800 types of mauve. This flower is native to the park and the surroundings region, including Karnala, the Yeoor hills, Tungareshwar and some part of Goregaon film city. This park is also home to small populations of leopards. There are spots to visit like highest point trail, mini waterfall, villages, mahatma Gandhi memorial and there is also toy train is gives you tour to the whole park.
HIDDEN PARADISE - MEGAMALAI
I am Shanky and I’m passionate about traveling to new places and explore many new things. I’m here to share my experience and knowledge about Megamalai. Megamalai is one of the mountain range which is located in the Western Ghats in the state of Tamil Nadu, Theni.In Tamil, it is known as “Paccha Kumachi” meaning “Green Peaks” high wavys is locally referred to as megamalai – meaning hills covered with clouds. It was one of the heavenly touristic places to visit which is eco friendly. The whole mountain is surrounded by tea estates, spices, and coffee plantations all around. Recently I visited Megamalai which is stunning in nature and surrounded by greenery on all sides. We came across fresh elephant dung but the sighting of wildlife is possible if luck strikes. I didn’t find any plastics been thrown on the ground around which was proof of less human interference. Wild animals like wild elephants, spotted dear, fox, gaur and other wild animals just roam around the hills and drink water from the lake. The Vellimalai falls is the heart of Megamalai which is 1650m in height. Geographically high wavys forms part of the Varshanad range of hills, a part of western ghats. Probably the earliest reference of high wavy is in the British imperial gazetteer maps which date back to 1920. One can see the deep cumbum valley and the theni district from the top of the manalar dam. There are six dams on the hills which are originating in the hills of Megamalai. The history of these falls is spoken in the ancient Tamil epic, Silappathikaram written by the poet Ilango Adigal. Suruli falls is one of the cascading waterfalls which is originated from the megamalai mountain range. It is one of the major tourist attractions in the Theni district, during the southwest monsoon season. The Tourism Department of Tamil Nadu has decided to introduce a boat or ferry service to enable the tourist to access the area of lake water where wild animals drink water and the forest department has also decided to give the tourist the real experience of seeing the wild animals. Megamalai was an unexplored land which is recently opened for the tourist before 3 years for the public. “The High Wavys” is the least known part of the hills of Theni, and is infested with elephants and is the source of the suruli river overrun with dark impenetrable forest, namely as Madras Tea Estate. . Arasaradi does not have electricity but has access to water from the vaigai river, fertile soil, solar power and semi pucca houses. The young children who live in the hills study at the government school which teaches students till class 5. Pioneers to these mountains need to wade through knee to chest-deep water before undertaking a steep 10 mile trek through thick and dense jungle. If you want to relax and spent peaceful time in a population and pollution-free surreal world then plan for Megamalai at the earliest as roads are being laid up so civilization mat hit soon. The first settlers of Megamalai were invited by the forest department for the cultivation of ailanthus exclsa, a large deciduous tree which is used for the production of matchsticks, and silk-cotton trees through Megamalai and its adjoining ranges in the late 1960s.
Wildlife Sanctuary:
Megamalai is mostly covered by sanctuary reserved areas. The Megamalai wild life sanctuary is at a distance 3km from the megamalai bus stand. It is one of the popular anctuaries in Tamil Nadu. It’s the classic man versus wild conflict, but it is subtle and required some effort to comprehend. In the eyes of the state, which once invited them in they are ‘encroachers’, but some villagers claim they were born in the forest, and it is their habit at.For everything else including medical emergencies and higher education, everyone must travel at least 20 km to see the first sign of urbanization. Animal movement is restricted inside the forest due to the presence of villages and there is a rise in the number of cattle. Forest Fires are also man made, says the conservationist. The encroachers also cut indigenous trees and plant cash crops, which ends up destroying the landscapes and draw more water than others, he notes. The sanctuary covers an area of around 63000 hectares, Megamalai wild life sanctuary is a haven for wildlife and nature lovers. As this wild life sanctuary is located at the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, it acts as a buffer zone for the periyar tiger reserve in Kerala. From shrubs and evergreen forests to a range of mammals, birds, and reptiles, it dwells on so many species of flora and fauna. The sanctuary is home to many animals like elephants, tigers, leopard, Nilgiri tahr, gaur, spotted deer, barking deer, sambar deer boar, porcupine, Nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, common langur, sloth bear jungle fowl, smooth coated otter, and flying squirrel. There is not only just wild animals but also the forest area hosts a variety of birds including red-whiskered bulbul, common iora, white-browed wagtail, grey wagtail, pied bush chat, blyth”s reed warbler, barn swallow, spotted dove, Asian paradise flycatcher, long-tailed shrike. Besides the wood snake is pointed endemic to Megamalai wildlife sanctuary, which means this type of species is found here and nowhere else.
How To Reach Megamalai:
Road construction is nearing completion so any vehicle can reach comfortably. Megamalai is 75 km from Theni. Salem to Dindingal is about 90 km the roads are a little busier than usual now a days. The road is good single maniac bus drivers & few cabbies. Always reduce the speed to a minimum upon approaching village areas to avoid conflicts.Theni to chinammanur is a distance of 50 km where the road is good and more scenic upon approaching hills due to the presence of windmills everywhere. The nearest airport is Madurai which is about 72 km. The nearest railway station is the one which is on Kodaikanal road. There are many buses and taxies to theni from the railway station. Tamil Nadu is known for its excellent bus services. Both Tamil Nadu state transport buses and private coaches connect Theni with all the major important cities including Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem, and Tirunelveli.
KURANGANI HILLS
Kurangani is a place for trekkers. It has multiple trekking trails to famous destination such as Kurangani, Kolukkumalai, Munnar, Meesapulimalai, and Top station. Trekkers from all over the world visiting this place frequently. Several foreign tourists do come here and spend their time enjoying nature. The total time to complete the trek is about 4 to 5 hours to complete the trek from the kurangani village, the foothills of the hills, to reach the top station, while two and a half hours is enough for the return trip. Hikes begin 35 km from munnar and reach the top station Theni district. Frequently changing weather, low hanging clouds, chilly atmosphere, and strong winds coupled with the wide range of flora and fauna are the things to enjoy in the hills. One can spot Indian guars, barking deer, langurs, wild cats, and birds. However, the villagers warn about the presence of leopards and tigers. But we couldn’t spot any wild animals except wild chicks, and birds. The kurangani is at the top of the Western Ghats, in Theni Tamil Nadu. Kurangani means “The place which wears monkeys as its jewels” in Tamil. It has an estste that grows coconut, mangoes, all spices, and coffee. Trekking in the hills also substantially contributes to the economy of Kurangani. The resource of this region was completely burnt in the 2018 fire. Considering the risk factors a the viewpoint is too steep and fire is only a secondary risk factor, letters were forwarded months ago to counter parts in Kerala through Theni Forest Department and the Theni district administration as well, to suspend such operation. Kurangani has more than 6 small streams. All join together into the Kottakudi river, where they then flow into Vaigai Dam. Samabalaru falls is the source of the Kottakudi river which serves the drinking water needs of bodi. The flims alagar samiyin kuthurai, myna, and kumki were shotted here. Kurangani hill is located near the Kolukkumalai hills, which is a prominent place for the tea plantation in the world that stands at an altitude close to 8000 feet. The splendid view of tea plantation hills along with the dense woods soothing grassland make the location capable of letting you experience a cherished journey. In the aftermath of the forest fire tragedy in Kurangani hills that has claimed 16 lives so far, the state government has temporarily banned trekking in the reserve forest and protected areas. A proper method of raising alarms in the event of a forest fire, as well as communicating those alarms down the chain of command may need to be worked out. Some foresters are suggesting site-specific protocols in addition to the existing ones. After the fire incident in Kurangani hills, the forest department allows only the “authorised” trek is from Kurangani to the top station and not to Kolukkumalai, which is a risky trek used by the estate workers to come down for their ration supply or weekly requirement. For trekking in the reserved forests, DFO permission is mandatory as per rules . “from the time eco-tourism began, no one gets permission from the district officers except scientists and researchers”. Theni district forest officials have few cases when the local guide entices the adventure spirit in the young trekkers by promising to take them on a challenging route and thereby take the risky route. Being a part of the Western Ghats, the climate of kurangani remains cool and pleasant throughout the year and hence, it is a year-round destination. However, the best time to enjoy its environment is October to June, as during this period you can find the beauty of the green surrounding peaks. The people who live in the forest are the real tribals who don’t know about the outside world, they just live their whole life inside the forest and they don’t have any educational knowledge. Some people who live in the nearby villages and town go there above the hill for very low wages, the owner collects all the peoples from the villages and town and for a daily wages work they stay there and work for a month but they get low wages. The workers will get a place for sleeping and they also get food to eat. Recently me and my friends during this pandemic situation went there and we had a good time, we went on trekking and also we took bath in the river which was really a blissful moment, the water was so cool and it also contains many natural and curable medicines in the water. Once we finished our bathing we just got exhausted we all were so hungry but unfortunately, we couldn’t find any hotels there but the native people who was completely strange to us invited us to his home and they serve us food. We can also pre-order the food before going up there, so the people who live there manage to make food for us. If we order before visit the hills, the people over there comes down the hill to the nearby village and get the raw food item and go back to the hill and cook for us. I just love the hospitality of the people over there, they treated us like their sons. There won't be any network connection on the top of the hills and we can't use our phone above the hill as there won't be any tower. At the top of the hill there, won't be any electrical power. The nearest airport to the Kurangani hills is Madurai airport which is 75 km from Theni and the nearest railway station is Dindigal, from Dindigal to Kurangani hills one can come through a public bus or cabs. To go to the top of the hills one should hire a jeep which is available in the village of the Kurangani hills the locals help you to reach the top but you cannot go there with your vehicle. The local jeeps operators in Suryaneli panchayat of Idukki in Kerala, in association with the District Tourism Promotion council, Idukki has been mobilised tourist and taking route through private estate road in Kolukkumalai, which is 200 meters away from the inter-state boundary, to a point to view the sunrise. The roads are well connected and it is easily accessible.
KOLKATA
Kolkata is a city which is known for its heritage, diversity in culture, extraordinary architecture, amazing arts and very beautiful landscapes. Sightseeing of Kolkata can also be defined as a short city tour of the ‘City of Joy’. Normally, while sightseeing people visit a number of interesting and eye-appealing places or tourist spots either for leisure or hobby. Kolkata is very famous as a tourist destination and a lot of tourists come to the city for their own interests and the interest in sightseeing is one of them. The most amazing part of Kolkata is it always welcomes tourists from different parts of the world with full of joy and love. Tourists who are very fond of sightseeing should visit Kolkata to witness its diversity and experience the joy of immersing themselves in the ancient culture, historic monuments and scenic beauty of the city.
Few Of The Top Sightseeing Places In Kolkata
Howrah Bridge – One of the most preferred tourist destinations is the Howrah bridge. It is basically a cantilever bridge over the Hooghly River and it was built in the year of 1942 but opened from the year of 1943. The Howrah Bridge mainly connects the two big and most important cities of Bengal that is Kolkata and Howrah. The official name of the bridge is Rabindra Setu and it is being maintained by the Kolkata Port Trust. The bridge was the third longest cantilever bridge when it was first constructed but now it lies in the sixth position. Whenever any tourist visits Kolkata, they should visit the Howrah Bridge because it is like a magical wonder that the bridge stands with such beauty and grandeur. It is a very significant landmark of Kolkata as it connects with the Howrah Railway Station as well, the largest railway station of the city.
Princep Ghat – Princep Ghat, near the Second Hooghly Bridge, was built in 1841 at the time of British Rule. It was built on the banks of Hooghly River on the memory of an Anglo-Indian scholar named James Princep and is located in the Hastings location of Kolkata. People mostly visit Princep Ghat during the evening on the weekends to go boating, to sit on the banks of the river or the long walks from Princep to Outram Ghat and enjoy the cool breeze and street foods from the stalls there. Altogether it’s a very unique and amazing experience. The famous Fort William is located on the opposite side of Princep Ghat. The Princep Ghat is now a fully renovated ghat with illuminated and landscaped gardens and pathways. Now-a-days people also visit Princep Ghat for pre-wedding shoots or any kind of shoot due to its beautiful ambience and scenic beauty.
Eco Park – Eco Park is the largest ecological and urban park in India. It has a lot of sections like grasslands, wetlands, theme gardens, open spaces, urban forest and urban recreational spaces. It is a mesmerising place to visit as the park is surrounded by a large water body and full of greenery. It also has the replica of 7 wonders of the world inside the park which by itself attracts a lot of tourists. Few more attractions in the park are the Children’s Eco park, the Floating Musical Fountain, the Bamboo Garden, the Tea Garden, the Bangla Haat, the Butterfly Garden, the Adda Zone, the Fruits Garden, the Formal Garden, the Mask Garden and the Grass Land. Besides, ice skating, paddle boating, duo cycling etc. are the few recreational activities that are also available in Eco park. It is an ideal location for the tourists to come and enjoy the amazing ambience and relax.
Biswa Bangla Gate – The Biswa Bangla Gate, also known as a Kolkata Gate, is a restaurant cum visitors’ gallery in an arch monument so uniquely designed that it makes a must visit place of anyone coming to Kolkata for the sole purpose of travelling. One needsto take the elevator or stairs to reach the monument from the downstairs and the upper part of the monument is totally surrounded by glass. A huge section of the beauty of Kolkata is visible from there. It is basically a welcome gate to the city and the experience of visiting Biswa Bangla Gate can’t be expressed in words.
Patuli Floating Market - The Patuli Floating Market is India's first floating market and the concept came from the famous floating market in Bangkok. The market is like the other general markets but its speciality is it functions mainly on boats at the lake in Patuli. People find the shops on boats from where they can buy fruits, vegetables and other daily consumable products. In India, the concept of this floating market is very new and unique thus people from the other parts of the country keep this market in their ‘places to visit’ list.
● FEW MORE Sightseeing places in Kolkata are -
❖ Maidan – Maidan, Kolkata
❖ Park Street – Park Street, Kolkata
❖ National Library – Alipore, Kolkata
❖ Birla Planetarium – Maidan, Kolkata
❖ Mother’s Wax Museum – Newtown, Kolkata
❖ Kolkata Race Course – Hastings, Kolkata
❖ Putul Bari – Shobhabazar, Kolkata
❖ Bagbazar Ghat – Bagbazar, Kolkata
❖ Science City – JBS Haldane Avenue, Kolkata
❖ Nicco Park – Bidhannagar, Kolkata
CONCLUSION
The tourists who really want to witness the real scenic beauty should visit Kolkata. Even during the night, Kolkata is very beautiful and there are several things that tourists can enjoy to witness the night scenic beauty. These include a midnight heritage tour, a long drive on Vidyasagar Setu or the MA Flyover which connects Park Circus with E.M. Bypass, visit the Princep Ghat, go for a ghost walk, enjoy the beauty of a Howrah bridge, ride in a horse-drawn carriage etc.
Some tourists also take a launch or boat ride either from Dakhineswar to Belur Math and vice versa or from Howrah Station to Babughat and vice versa. This launch and boat service works on the river Ganga and the view from the boat or launch of the whole river is very overwhelming.
There are a lot of tourism companies in the city who provide numerous tour packages to the domestic and international tourists, and sightseeing of the city is the most important activity in such packages. In this case, there is always a professional tour guide from these tourism companies and either they hire a Volvo bus or they take their own luxury bus and accompany the tourists for the city tour. Kolkata is a city that can make a tourist happy and joyful by its rich culture, scenic beauty and the way it unites traditions and modernity and hence the city has been rightly nicknamed as the ‘City of Joy’.
PAYAMKUTTIMALA ECOTOURISM SPOT
Payamkuttimala is a beautiful hilltop located just five kilometers from Vadakara town in Kozhikode District. It is known to be Vadakara’s Ooty as it offers a panoramic view of the town below and places nearby. If one wants to see the hills, mountains, vales, the sky and sea coexisting in absolute bliss then Payamkuttimala is the right place for it. A five kilometer drive from Lokanarkavu Temple, Vadakara’s landmark tourist spot, will take you up to Payamkuttimala.
The hill station is set about 2000ft above sea level. With the opening of Muthappan Temple there in 1989, it became a popular destination among tourist and pilgrims. Payamkuttimala is one of the destinations in Kerala from where a person can enjoy views of both sunrise and sunset.
The newly completed facilities at Payamkuttimala Ecotourism spot was inaugurated on February 14th 2021 by Minister of Tourism Kadakampally Surendran. The amenities were completed at a cost around 2.15 crore. The spacious viewpoint gallery is the main attraction at the renovated spot constructed by Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) which offers visitors a panoramic view of hills.
Other amenities include a beautiful garden, ornamental lamppost, interlocked pavements, stage, a cafeteria, watchtower, and safe access roads. Proposals have come up to bring more seating arrangements, shelters, and children’s parks. The reason the authorities came up with the beautification of the project for the area is as they found it was attracting a large number of visitors and had earned the name ‘Vadakara’s Ooty’.
ORCHHA
Orchha is a town in Niwari region of Madhya Pradesh state, India. The town was set up by Rudra Pratap Singh some time after 1501, as the seat of an eponymous previous august condition of covering portions of focal and north India, in the Bundelkhand district.
Orchha lies on the Betwa River, 80 km from Tikamgarh and 15 km from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh
Instructions to Reach
There are numerous approaches to arrive at the Orchha , The touris can visit by ROAD and RAIL
Reach By Road
Orchha is 16 Kms from Jhansi.
107 Kms from Lalitpur
119 Kms from Gwalior
172 Kms from Isagarh
179 Kms from Bhind
204 Kms from Ashoknagar,
205 Kms from Sagar
229 Kms from Damoh
336 Kms from Jabalpur and is connected through Madhya Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (MPRTC) and some private travel administrations.
Vacationer can visit Orchha according to their own comfort, by there own vehicle , by neighborhood transportation.
Reach By Train
The closest Railway Station is Jhansi Railway Station, approximately 25 minutes drive from the town. It is associated with the significant urban communities of Madhya Pradesh. It is connected with the urban communities like New Delhi, Bangalore, Mysore, Lucknow,Kanyakumari, Puri, Ahmedabad, Agra and Jaipur by means of Rajdhani Express, Tamil Nadu Express, Nzm Garib Rath, Karnataka Express, Pushpak Express, Punjab Mail and Jhelum Express.
Why Orchha ?
Established at the turn of the sixteenth century by Rudra Pratep Singh, Orchha immediately happened to some significance on account of the noteworthy and rich fortification that was worked there during Singh's rule, just as his own appearing of freedom and military may. He was a head of Bundela Rajput plunge who ruled over the city from 1501 to 1531, during which time he achieved a full part.
What's amazing about Orchha is that, contrasted with other Indian towns and urban communities, it stays a lot of unaltered from its unique arrangement. The town has an unmistakable middle age air that charms you with its appeal. Of course, present day by day life whirls around the town, however the structure squares of the town are unmistakably and superbly authentic. With a populace of around 10,000 individuals, Orchha gives the ideal antithesis to urban communities like Delhi which, plainly, have populaces a huge number of times the size. I can talk as a matter of fact while noticing this, as, among my gathering, Orchha was an unmistakable group top pick, and I immovably accept that is on the grounds that it's simply so unique in relation to all the other things we encountered in India.
What I Can Go Through In Orchha ?
Jahangir Mahal , Orchha
The foundation of the Jahangir Mahal traces all the way back to the seventeenth century A.D. at the point when the leader of the district Vir Singh Deo constructed the design as an image of warm gathering of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, during the last's first visit to the city. The passageway of the Jahangir Mahal, Orchha is set apart by a creative and customary door. The front mass of the construction appearances toward the east and is covered with turquoise tiles. Jahangir Mahal is a three-celebrated design that is set apart by stunningly hanging overhangs, patios, and condos.
Meander about the castle territory
The royal residence region, arranged on a little island opposite Orchha, is home to two thousand castles: the Raj Mahal and the Jahangir Mahal.
Both mahals are in incredible condition, and house a lot of perplexing entrances, affectionately painted wall paintings, and little post spots extraordinary for photographic eyes. The island is loaded up with other more modest sanctuaries, havelis, and castles in changing conditions of upkeep.
Strolling around the grounds of the castle territory is free, as is entering the majority of the structures. However, on the off chance that you need to enter the Raj Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, and a few different sights, you need to purchase a ticket.
There is a combi ticket accessible for the two royal residences, in addition to a few different destinations including…
The camel corrals and Rai Praveen Mahal (both in the castle region)
Cenotaphs of the Rajput rulers
Chaturbhuj Temple
Lakshmi Narayan Temple.
The combi ticket cost is 10 Rs for Indians, 250 Rs for outsiders, in addition to 25 Rs for every camera in the event that you have one. The ticket is just legitimate upon the arrival of procurement.
Chaturbhuj Temple (Orchha)
Another valid justification to venture out to Orchha is the superb sanctuary overwhelming Orchha's horizon.
Chatarbhuj was underlying the sixteenth century, and should house an icon of Lord Rama. The most awesome thing: you can climb the tight steps to the rooftop for a unimaginable perspective on Orchha and the encompassing open country.
Weave through the Orchha Cenotaphs (Chhatris)
The burial chambers for the previous leaders of Orchha can be found at the southern finish of the town. The fundamental group is arranged in a quiet Mughal style garden, offering serenity away from the town. Extraordinary spot to hang out at nightfall. The Orchha Cenopaths are essential for the combi-ticket that can be bought at the passageway of Raj Mahal.
Become mixed up in Ram Raja and the encompassing market
The Ram Raja sanctuary is arranged next child he Chatarbhuj Temple, and houses a venerated icon of Rama.
The sanctuary and the encompassing market are a bustling place, with aficionados jarring to get a brief look at the icon, and milk-sweet sellers competing boisterously for your rupees. Striking shadings fly in the market, which all things considered has a relaxed climate by Indian norms.
Near the sanctuary and further into the marketplace you can discover Phool Bagh, a little nursery with the burial place of a nearby saint.
Where to rest and eat when heading out to Orchha
Orchha Homestay
Orchha has a magnificent homestay program run by the Friends of Orchha association.
Situated in the little town of Ganj, 1 km outside of Orchha, Orchha Homestay offers you the chance to remain with nearby townspeople. They work six homestays with a sum of nine rooms. The homestays are generally run by low-position individuals who in any case experience issues earning enough to pay the bills. A solitary is 750 Rs and a twofold is 950 Rs. Rooms can be reserved on the web, by email, or by telephone.
Food and beverages
Orchha offers the standard assortment of sanctuary town food slows down and eateries serving Indian, Chinese, and Continental food. Numerous spots serve lager off the menu. The café at the Sheesh Mahal offers all the more top notch food choices. In case you're remaining at an Orchha Homestay it's feasible you will eat there.
KANATAL
This scenic and beautiful but not so popular Kanatal is a picture-perfect tourist destination. If you are looking for a holiday with some peace, fun and thrill than take a trip to Kanatal- away from the urban hussle and crowd. Kanatal is basically a small village and a hill station around 80kms from Dehradun, and is known for scenic beauty and adventure activities. Kanatal is also a perfect weekend getaway for locals living nearby doon valley. The town is situated at a height of 8500ft. above sea level and is surrounded with the magnificent Himalayan peaks and deep valleys. It is a picture-perfect destination for photographers and nature lovers. As it is surrounded by hills all around it is a wonderful sightseeing tourist destination for the visitor/tourist and is also surrounded by the lush deodar forests. Kanatal is a paradise for camping in Uttarakhand. It is a place for all nature lovers adventure freaks, family, corporates, solo or student. Number of sightseeing options are available in Kanatal. The whole village and area is a sightseeing in itself but here are some of the major tourist attraction spots in Kanatal.
Dhanaulti Eco Park
This is a newly developed eco park and one of the best places to visit in Kanatal and is a must-see tourist spot. It’s around 10-15 kms from Kanatal village. There are two Eco parks named ‘Amber’ and ‘Dhara’. Both the parks are located at a distance of 200m. In this eco park you can take adventure activities like zip line or can have a nature walk. It is also a perfect picnic spot for the visitors/tourists.
Kodia Jungle
This is a well-preserved tourist attraction of Kanatal. It’s just 1km away from village. It’s a deep forest trail of 8-10kms through the valley. The place offers rich wildlife along with bird watching and nature photography. This is a very popular tourist activity of Kanatal.
Surkanda Devi Temple
Dedicated to Goddess Sati, wife of lord Shiva. This temple is at an elevation of 2700mts above sea level. Once you are up in the temple after climbing uphill 2,3kms the temple offers 360 degrees view of the surrounding Himalayan region with the snowy Himalayan peaks. It is the important tourist spot from religious believes and mythology related to Surkanda Devi temple. The origin of the Surkanda Devi temple can be attributed to Goddess Sati who immolated herself in her father Daksha’s sacrifice when he embarrassed Lord Shiva by not inviting the couple to the Yajna. Angry by the death of Sati, lord Shiva put Sati’s body over shoulder and wandered all over the region and performed tandav (dance of cosmic destruction). Fearded the heaven gods requested Lord Vishnu to stop lord Shiva and then lord Vishnu uses his Sudarshan chakra to destroy the corpse of Sati and pieces of her body fell all over the region which are known as shakti peeths.
Valley Crossing
Through the amazing scenic valleys, valley crossing is one of the most exciting things to do in Kanatal. It is performed under professional guidance. Valley crossing involves crossing on 80ft. deep valley by pulling a rope.
Camping
One of the most recommended and best thing for the visitor/tourist to do in Kanatal is to experience camping. It is a perfect activity in Kanatal. The visitor/tourist gets to trek and hike through some pleasant lush green valley and set up your tent under the clean and clear sky. This is followed by a bonfire session with barbeque, music and fun games. In the morning you can enjoy the sunrise and sunrays that falls on the surrounding Himalayan peaks making it more beautiful, scenic and breath taking for the visitor/tourist. However, if you want to explore on your own then come prepared with the necessary camping equipment.
Trekking
If your idea is of seeking more adventure than make your way through the dense forest by craving and finding new paths and trails then Kanatal has a lot of such places to explore. Kaudia jungle is one such place. The jungle is blessed with thick vegetation and you will able to witness the stunning views of nearby valleys, villages and mountains as you ascend your way to the top. In addition, you will able to witness a variety of vibrant and colourful bird species in these forests. If you are lucky enough you will spot wild boars, barking deer, musk deer in their natural habitat.
Rappelling
Rappelling is a rope-based activity and needs some amount of fitness. Kanatal has a lot of rocky terrains and rocky regions hence you will get rappelling activities. Most of the activities are affordable and most operators charge similar prices. Safety equipment is provided. So just head out there in outdoor activities and create beautiful memories.
Home-Stays
Home stays are a beautiful and best place to stay while you are on vacation in Kanatal. These houses are typically made of mud and are in a rural setting with old age tradition. Experience the lifestyle of a typical rural set up in India, you can also interact with the locals which is a pretty insightful experience. You can cook your meals in the village explore the village or just simply relax amidst nature.
How To Reach
By Road - This hill station is well connected through network of roads linking to all major cities and nearby states. Buses and taxis to Kanatal are easily available from all the major destination of Uttarakhand.
By Air - Jolly grant is the nearest airport to Kanatal situated 92kms from Kanatal. From here taxis, personal cabs, buses are available from jolly grant to Kanatal. Airport is well connected to Delhi with daily flights.
By Train—Dehradun is the last railway station for Kanatal and from here also buses, taxis are available to further Kanatal
Best Time To Visit
The summer season in Uttarakhand is the best time to visit Kanatal. The visibility in this season is high with a cool breeze in the evenings. If you are traveling in winters carry enough woollens as the place receives snowfall and makes the weather extremely cold.
KANPUR
Indian culture is famous in the entire world for its rich heritage, ethical values, customers, beliefs, politics, religious beliefs, artifacts, and exhibits and so much more. It is believed that the culture of India is influenced by a lot of other places and their cultures, it may look so because India as a country is way too diverse one can find people from all religion here, different geographies, different languages even variations in the same language. Uttar Pradesh attracts a lot of tourists may it be domestic or international tourists and the reason behind this is the values and morals that people of this state have and have adopted all these from their culture. This state has its roots in Hindi as well as Urdu literature, arts, music, cinema, and drama. Uttar Pradesh as a state holds a very strong presence in the history of India. Not only this but one of the Seven Wonders of the World i.e., the Taj Mahal is located in Uttar Pradesh. Talking about Kanpur it is one of the biggest district in the state and people here are very simple and also inclined towards leading a simple life, unlike metro cities. The tasty food like Butter Chicken, different types of Chaat, Biryani, Kababs and desserts offered here are an add up to the entire city but there is one thing which completes the trip of a person visiting Kanpur and that is chewing Paan i.e., Betal Leaves. As mentioned above about the diversity of India, Kanpur is no less diverse in terms of religions, religious practices, the festivals being celebrated here, and the languages spoken by the localities. The city is filled with stories and incidents from the mythological era till the war of Independence, initially, it was a non-significant village near Lucknow, when the Britishers discovered the place, they realized the strategic importance and value of the city and converted it a hub of business and commerce for not only India but other places also. On the outskirts of the city, there is a place called Bithoor which is known for all these things. That place covers a huge part of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita’s stories. Luv Kush are the names of the sons of Lord Rama and they were born in Kanpur, there is a temple of Goddess Sita where she left for her heavenly adobe by entering the Earth. Old temples of Lord Shiva are found in this area where the Shivling is made of different stone called Kasaauti. Bithoor is the place where a devotee Dhruv of God Brahma, he worshiped him for years and years and then later he got his penance Brahma was so happy and pleased by the devotee that he not only appeared but he made him the blessing to shine always and made him a star is now known as Dhruv Tara, now the place is called as Dhruv Teela. The city is situated on the banks of river Ganga which is considered to be the goddess and very pure in the city. Brahmavart Ghat was the place where Lord Brahma used to pray after his daily, ritual bath and later on he installed a Shivling there and now there is a very old and ancient temple of Lord Shiva in the Ghat. All of us are well aware of the story of Ramayana, Valmiki Ashram is the place of the forest- rendezvous where Lord Rama left Goddess Sita and this is the place where Luv and Kush their sons were born. These are the mythological stories associated with the city. The city has been home to many brave freedom fighters who lost their lives in the Independence War and poets from all over the globe. The famous Naveen Market is named after the poet Bal Krishna Sharma, his pen name was Navin, other famous poets who emerged from the city are Gopal Das, Shyamlal Gupta to name a few. Kanpur is one of the very cities that have seen the death of thousands of Britishers as well as Indians which is now known as the Slaughter Ghat. The famous freedom fighter Nana Rao Peshwa fought the war from Kanpur and now the biggest park of Kanpur is named after him, the park has some amazing scenic beauties with flowers and trees all around the place, a small pond made for people to the boat and spend time with their loved ones. There is also a museum on the campus where one can see the exhibits and some weapons from that period. Coming to the colonial period, the Kanpur Museum, Phool Bagh Garden, Moti Jheel Garden, Elgin Mill, Lal Imli, The Kanpur Memorial Church event the Kanpur Central Railway Station are some really good examples of a mixture of both ancient and modern architectures. Not only the architectural designs new but there are a lot of places in Kanpur that resembles London or any other place in the United Kingdom like the three side façade of the Lal Imli Mill resonates with a Palace in the United Kingdom, the big clock tower again made in the Mill campus is inspired from Big Ben in London. All this information proves the Kanpur as a city holds more to it than its assumed. This city is rich in its culture, heritage, values, morals and it is growing and developing at an amazing speed. By the end of the year 2021, Kanpur will have a well-functioning metro line. All these things mean that the city is making its place on the Indian map of tourism.
A few years back, food or culinary tourism was a concept that was unknown to the Indian Sub-Continent. Food for Indians has always more than just a way to fill their tummies, it is emotion. Indian cuisine comes under the top ten cuisines in the World, standing in 9th position. Indian Cuisine is liked and preferred by not only Indians but Americans, Singaporeans, Malaysians and so many more. India is renowned for its unique spices and flavours all around the globe. With increasing awareness and evolution, people from all around the world are well aware of the Indian cuisines, dishes, and the ingredients used in them. As per a survey, the Northern-Indian cuisine is popular among international tourists, even the food experts say so. Uttar Pradesh is one of the largest states in Northern India and is very famous for its chaat, non-veg dishes, and street food. The cuisine of Uttar Pradesh has absorbed and adapted a variety of dishes to form an entire smorgasbord of local and authentic recipes. Lucknow from UP has already made its place on the food map and now Kanpur is on its journey to make space in the food map and food tourism of India. All kinds of dishes and cuisines can be found in the city but it's more known for street food. Starting with Non-Veg dishes and outlets, the first outlet which comes to the mind of the locals is the Baba Biryani. As the name suggests it is very famous for its biryani but they offer other non-veg dishes which are worth trying. It is one of the most popular outlets here and has various franchises around Kanpur, the oldest one is in Chamanganj which is a predominantly Muslim area, and it's well-known that Muslims have the best skills and recipes to make any non-vegetarian dish. During the month of Ramadan, Chamanganj is very busy and it’s a very bustling area in Kanpur. This area is known as the Food Walk of Kanpur and has some of the oldest food outlets in the city. This place is a delight for non-veg lovers, lip-smacking Mughlai cuisine is available here and the prices are very affordable. Some of the famous outlets here are the Ajmeri Darbar Hotel and the Chamanlal Hotel. During Ramadan, the crowd from all over the city, visit the area to consume their mouth-watering, seasonal delicacies like Boti Kabab, Seekh Kababs, Nali Nihari, Biryani, Keema Pav and so much more. Shami Kabab is another traditional dish fondly eaten in Kanpur, it is made up of minced meat mixed with authentic Indian spices and chickpea powder sometimes even eggs are used. This dish shows the impact of Mughals on the cities cuisine. Chamanganj is the ultimate food destination for all non-veg lovers. Although, Lucknow is the origin of Mughlai and Awadhi Cuisine. All types of kababs and non-veg rolls originate from this city only. There is a very famous outlet in Lucknow for kababs, rolls, and mutton that is Tundey Kabeb and they have their various outlets in Kanpur as well. Their outlets are always crowded by people to have their delicious kababs and paratha. Apart from Tundey Kabebi, Al Huda and Kabab Corner are also known to serve the best kababs and parathas with chutney, onion in the city. Other famous outlets are Makhan Singh, Energy Store, Kukkad Nukkad, Hot Lips, Rakesh Chicken Biryani, and Tandoori Nights. All these places serve you even in your vehicles and are a must try for carnivores. Coming to the Vegetarian part of the cuisine, there is no much to offer. Street food and that too eating Chaat is like a ritual in the city, there are so many outlets that are known for their taste and some of them are just famous for a particular dish. Hanuman Chaat Bhandar is one of the oldest and the finest chaat outlet in the city and it is flocked by people in the evening. Hara Aloo, Brinjal aloo chat, and Basket Chaat are their must-try dishes. Like there is a food walk for non-veg eaters, Birhana Road is a food walk for all chaat lovers. During the day, Birhana Road is a dedicated market for all jewelers in town and during the night localities go there to eat the best chaat there. From batasha, aloo tikki, dahi gujjiya, matar chaat, dhaniye ke aloo, sevpuri, bhepuri, palak chaat, and many more food items to drool over. Other than chaat, Sultani Dal is quite known here, it’s a soup type of dish blended with herbs and spices mixed with cream and yogurt. It is consumed with rice or roti. Other items to be tried while visiting the city are Khasta, Kachori and Luchi Sabzi Now coming to the dessert section of the cuisine. One of the very famous sweet shop that has been featured in a Bollywood film called Bunty aur Bubli is called Thaggu ke Laddoo. This shop is famous for its tasty and rich laddoos filled with khoya, suji, and dry fruits. They are also for their badnaam kulfi. There is one more reason behind this shop being so famous is because of their quirky and funny tag line which is ‘aesa koi saga nahi jisko humne thaga nahi’. There is an old ice cream parlor in the city named Wenger’s Ice cream Parlor and they serve a variety of flavours of ice cream but are known for their stick kulfis. Piping hot jalebis and imartis are a treat for all sweet tooth. Baba ki Lassi must not be missed if someone is one food trail, it is so smooth and tasty, super filling and the highlight is that lassi is topped up with rabdi. The cultural values and heritage of a place are displayed through their food and the way they present and consume them. Kanpur is believed to have one of the best cuisines of all districts in Uttar Pradesh and these dishes are linked with so many other cultures and religions. The residents of the city are open to all dishes, believe in exploring the diverse culture of not only our state but our country as well.
ARAKU VALLEY HILL STATION
The coffee plantations and the mists hanging over it have made Araku Valley proud of its primary profession and as a result have grown in popularity, so much so that people from different places come to visit this hill resort for one glimpse of it. Not to mention the charm of nearby located Nature destination like Borra Caves lit by multi color lights; going inside them and witnessing the meticulous ways Nature works in delicate looking yet sturdy rock formations many meters beneath the earth surface. When the looks are that inviting who would want to resist Araku Valley tourism?
One of the most beautiful places in what is referred to as "Food Bowl of South India", Araku Valley is located some 120 Km from the coastal city of Vishakhapatnam which is also known as Vizag popularly. Locals from nearby cities like Vizag prefer the place for the convenience of reach as well as the non-commercialized appeal. The undefiled landscapes at around 3000 ft becalm the rushed senses with their elements of greenery, sounds, waterfalls, caves and the local people selling home-grown organic coffee.
Top Tourist Attractions in Araku Valley
Heard about hair pin bends on serpentine hill roads, villages and their simple residents, open fields with exquisitely verdant hint, water cascading from a high position? These are a sight to etch and an experience to engrave forever. Having Araku Valley tour is one way to do that. Have a look on what all waits there.
Coffee Plantations
The very first scenery that catches the attention of the visitor is the tall trees sheltering the smaller shrubs of need, just about enough they need. The beauty is oft enhanced by the hanging berries of coffee.
Araku Tribal Museum
Information hungry people can have their fill in places like Museum and tribal museum become a destination to savor with the colorful outfits worn by tribal locals, their daily chores in the form of clay work and their art and craft.
Padmapuran Botanical Garden
Maintained by administration, this part of Eastern Ghats is most enjoyed by kids riding in the toy train but adults can have their kind of fun experiencing swings above earth by staying in one of the three tree huts located inside.
Katiki Falls
Another sight to enjoy time with family and friends offers an opportunity for trekking as well as a tribal delicacy of bamboo-chicken.
Tyda Village and Park
The small village transformed into a welcoming place by the way of a project is a delight to picnic. Trekking and camping are something one would get without very much looking, but the icing on the cake is bird watching in addition to some wildlife in the same place.
Borra Caves
As already hinted, the caves are a Natural wonder just few kilometers away revealing height and depth at the same time. Locals have also made a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva near the entrance of the cave.
Matsyagundam
The village with the folk tales of fight between Snakes and fishes is this only, where people cannot think of hunting or consuming them. Tourists come here for the sake of tranquility it offers in the cuddle of Nature.
Dumbriguda Fall
On way to Paderu village, water falling from an altitude of 3215 ft makes great sight and noise cleansing the mind of out-of-Araku Valley thoughts. Picnic whole throughout the day and one would still not feel satiated.
