5. GANGTOK

Gangtok is the capital city Sikkim, the second smallest state of India. Famous for its many important monasteries, and for the picturesque views of the Himalayas, Gangtok is one of the important hill-station of the country. In Gangtok you can see a smooth blend of both tradition and modernity. Located at an altitude of 1547 m above sea level, Gangtok houses some of the important Buddhist religious sites too. The existence of the peaceful Chortens or Stupas, old monasteries and the un-spoilt natural beauty of Gangtok offers you a truly unique traveling experience  

SNOWFALL IN GANGTOK

Gangtok in Sikkim is well connected by roads, rail and air transport. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra in West Bengal. There are helicopter services from Bagdogra to Sikkim. The nearest railhead is at New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, which is connected by regular trains from different cities in India. One can easily reach Gangtok by road from the airport and the railway station. The city is connected with West Bengal by all weather roads which connect Siliguri and Kalimpong in West Bengal with Sikkim.

GANGTOK IN WINTER

There are a large number of tourist attractions in Gangtok. They include the Government Institute of Cottage Industry, Enchey Monastery, Ridge Park, Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology, Do-Drul Chorten stupa, Deer Park, White Hall, Tashi View Point, Hanuman Tok, Ganesh Tok, Himalayan Zoological Park and the Sa-Ngor-Chotshog Centre. One can also have excursions to nearby places around the city like the Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center, Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden, Saramsa Garden or the Ipecac garden, Water garden, Changu lake, Nathula Pass, and the Menmecho Lake.

GANGTOK TOWN

Rumtek, Gangtok, Gangtok India, Gangtok Hotels, Gangtok Tourism, Gangtok Travel, Places to see in Gangtok City, Places to stay in Gangtok City, Gangtok City Tourism, Visit Gangtok City The city of Gangtok is also famous for having wide varieties of flora and fauna. The main vegetation in the forests of Gangtok consists of Oak, Katus, and Kimbu. One can visit the sanctuaries in and around Gangtok in Sikkim like the Fambong La Wildlife Sanctuary, Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary. One can visit these sanctuaries between the months of March and May and again between September and November. 

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GANGTOK MAIN ROAD

HILL VIEW OF GANGTOK

GANGTOK HOTEL

GANGTOK AT NIGHT

SCENIC VIEW OF GANGTOK

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7. KULLU

Capital town of the Kullu District, in the state of Himachal Pradesh, the hill station of Kullu is located along the banks of the Beas River in the Kullu Valley at around 10km northwards of the airport at Bhuntar. Sprawled amid the fascinating Kullu valley, it has the mighty Himalayas for its backdrop. The several temples and the yearly Dussehra festival attract huge number of tourists both in the form of devotees as well as sheer travelers.

Kullu gives you major options of tourism as there are numerous tourist attractions in Kullu and around the town as well. The scenic beauty of the place will prove to be the main attraction on your tour to Kullu. Set amid the lower base of the Himalayas, this small town offers breathtaking views of valleys like Ani, Manikaran, Korpan, Lug, Banjar, Garsa, several apple orchards, and the imposing Himalayan ranges all of which go on to create a captivating atmosphere for the tourists.

Kullu is well-known for its temples and festivals. The main tourist interest of Kullu is the Raghunath Temple, devoted to Lord Ram, who is one of the important deities of the Hindus in general and the patron deity of the whole Kullu valley. It was built by Raja Jagat Singh, the former ruler of Kullu, in 1660 to amend for his sins. He got an idol of Lord Ram from Ayodhya and established it within the premises of this temple. Jagannathi Devi Temple or the Bekhli temple is at a distance of 3 km from Kullu and is sited in the village of Bekhli. It is a steep 1½ hour ascent to the temple, but it provides a wonderful view of Kullu which is worth the climb.

Among the festivals celebrated widely in Kullu are Malani, Phalguni, Shahri Jatra and Birshu. Kullu Valley, also referred to as the “Valley of Gods”, is renowned for the seven day festival of Dussehra, a festivity of the mythological Lord Rama’s victory over the evil king Ravana.

 Kullu is also a major hub of Himalayan Adventure Sports activities. Kullu Valley is recognized all over the world for Heliskiing. This sport is generally arranged near Bhrigu peaks in the Hamta pass. Solang Nala is also another convenient venue for the sport. You can enjoy the thrill of river rafting through the rough waters of River Beas.

Other places of tourist interest in the region include Manikaran and Vashisht village near Manali (hot water springs) at 40 km north of Kullu. Malana, Kaish-Dhaar in Lug Valley, Bijli Mahadev, Bhekhli and Bajaura are dotted with the famous temples of the area. Towards the north lies the eminent town of Manali, which leads onto the Lahaul and Spiti Valley through the Rohtang pass.


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6. KHANDALA

An ideal place to unwind on the weekends far from the hustle bustle of everyday din, Khandala is one of the major hill stations in India in the state of Maharashtra. Nestled at an altitude of 625 meters, it sits pretty on the western slopes of the Sahyadri mountain range. Gifted with abundant natural beauty, Khandala offers beautiful green environs and draws the interest of travelers from far and wide.

KHANDALA WATERFALLS

Khandala Ghat A small but beautiful hill station, the town of Khandala provides a spectacular view of the lush green hilly surroundings. If you are tired of the daily work and toil, you can drive down a distance of 101 kms from the busy city of Mumbai to soak a few moments’ peace and pleasure. It has several trekking trails around it which is a delight for the adventure lovers.

HILL VIEW OF KHANDALA

 Earlier, Khandala was a part of the terrain of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Later it eventually went to the power of the British. Khandala is positioned at the top end of the Bhor Ghat on the roadway between the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan plain. The Ghat serves an extensive amount of both road and rail traffic. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the main connection between the main cities of Mumbai and Pune, cuts through Khandala.

BHAJA CAVE OF KHANDA

Located barely 5 km from Khandala is the other famous hill station of Lonavala which also has the similar picturesque landscape as that of Khandala. There are plenty of lakes around Khandala like the Tugauli Lake, Lonavala Lake and Bhushi Lake. Also the Walvan Dam located here is worth visiting.

 Karla and Bhaja Caves, situated amid the hills 16 km away from Khandala, are fine places to visit. These rock-cut cave temples which date back to as early as 2nd century BC and are amongst the oldest and excellent instances of Buddhist rock-cut temple art in India adhere to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism. Amruntanjan point is another tourist interest that impresses its visitors to the core. 

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KHANDALA ROAD WAYS IN SUMMER

KHANDALA ROADWAYS IN WINTER

TRAFFIC IN KHANDALA ROADWAYS

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8. LONAVALA

See nature at its full splendor in Lonavala which is one of the most exquisite hill stations of Maharashtra. It is also well-known as the “Jewel of the Sahyadris” owing to its fine valleys, hills, milky waterfalls, lush greenery and pleasant cool winds. It is located in the Pune district of Maharashtra and is ideal for spending some peaceful moments away from the din and rush of city life. Tourism in Lonavala is gaining rapid acceptance and it experiences a substantial footfall all the year round not only from the domestic but the international sector as well.

Lonavala is not only about the picturesque sights and salubrious climate but it is also home to some of the finest places of tourist interest. The most outstanding among the tourist attractions in Lonavala are the Buddhist rock cut caves of Bhaja and Karla located in close vicinity of this hill station. On your trip to Lonavala, you must not miss out on these caves since they offer interesting insight into the development of Buddhism in the region. Rajmachi Point is quite well-known and offers magnificent view of the Shivaji’s famous fort which is located here.

You should also visit the Ryewood Park & Shivaji Udyan which is a sprawling garden and covers lot of space with the presence of tall trees. The old Shiva temple located here is also an interesting religious spot. The garden is a strong lure for the children to keep them engaged. Some of the other attractions that you should visit during your vacations in Lonavala are Tungarli Lake, Valvan Dam, Lonavla Lake, Duke's Nose, Tiger's Leap, Lohagad Fort and Lion's Point.

Lonavala is also home to some of the finest hotels and resorts of the state that provide a host of fine facilities and for the visitors dropping in to this place. Whether you want your accommodation to be a luxurious one or economical, Lonavala has all sorts of lodging options. Some of the most prominent hotels of Lonavala are Avion Holiday Resort, Bijis Hill Retreat, Highland Resort, Hotel Star Regency, Captains Resort and Hotel Chandralok. The nearby accommodations of Lonavala include Upper Deck Tungari Hills.


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9. MANALI

Travel to Manali is immensely popular among the tourists as it is considered to be an ideal getaway to escape the heat of summer. Situated on the Beas River, it is renowned for its scenic beauty. The breathtaking beauty of the landscapes can leave you mesmerized here at Manali. You can also see the true beauty of nature here. There was a time when this place was more like a sleepy town, away from the glare of bustling city life. But now, it has undergone a sea change and the place has emerged as a major tourist destination.

Manali is a popular base for several trekking routes and mountaineering expeditions. You can opt for locations like Solang Valley and the way from Rohtang Pass into Lahaul-Spiti for initiating your trekking expeditions. As Manali is situated at the end of the valley, leading to Leh, on the National Highway, the beauty of the surrounding area is at its prime. When the white waters of the Beas rushes through the town and you can watch the snow capped peaks from here, you get the feeling as if you are living in paradise on earth. Lying a little beyond the town proper, are the dense pine and deodar trees, fruit orchards and tiny fields. Manali is great place for planning your holidays and also the starting point for initiating trekking to places like Spiti, Lahaul, Leh, Kinnaur and Zaskar regions in the Kashmir Valley. All these scenic beauty have earned the name of “Switzerland of India” for Manali.

 

Tourist attractions of Manali Hadimba Devi Temple is one of the tourist destinations of Manali which is famous for its exquisitely carved doorway. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Hadimba, a female Hindu deity. You will find a beautiful hot spring at Manikaran, located at an altitude of 1700m. There are three Tibetan monasteries to be found here which too are popular among tourists. Another famous spot here is the Vashisth baths where the hot water sulphur springs are renowned for their medicinal qualities.


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