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Wondering where to eat In Hong Kong? From Michelin-starred restaurants to the best dumpling eateries in the town, we’ve rounded up the best restaurants in Hong Kong where even celebs have been spotted dining.
The Pearl of the Orient: Hong Kong is truly the world city of Asia where you are greeted by soaring skyscrapers, streets lined with plush malls and luxury boutiques, high-end hotels and Michelin-star restaurants, and a forever bustling art and culture scene. Hong Kong’s colonial past has contributed immensely to embedding various cultures and traditions in the city’s DNA. The best way to experience the soul of the city is through its food. And, Hong Kong’s food scene is so vibrant, vast and diverse that you can dine at a different restaurant every day for a decade and still have new eateries to explore. In Hong Kong, you find restaurants to suit every palate and budget. While it’s good to choose, sometimes it becomes a daunting task to select the right restaurant. Especially if you visit the city for a few days or during the festive season, such as Hong Kong Winterfest for the Christmas-New Year holidays or Chinese New Year Celebrations. To help you navigate through this web of choices, we’ve rounded up some of the best restaurants in Hong Kong. And, sometimes you might just happen to run into some local or international celebrities here.
Go for – Their modern European cuisine.
If you are a fan of modern European cuisine, then look no further – Arcane is the place for you. Tucked discreetly in the city’s heart – Central – food here is anything but ordinary. The restaurant reached new heights of success when its Aussie Michelin-starred chef Shane Osborn appeared on reality TV as part of Netflix’s The Final Table. Since then, the popularity of the restaurant and its chef has skyrocketed. Thankfully, the food quality hasn’t dipped at all. Instead, it has gone a few notches higher.
Arcane serves modern European cuisine presented in an A la carte menu, alongside daily specials and a set lunch menu. Menus are seasonal, utilising the finest produce from Japan, France and the UK. And, if you are a vegan or vegetarian like me, don’t worry. The restaurant features the city’s first vegan and vegetarian fine dining tasting menu, whose preparation you can observe through the open kitchen.
Decorated with contemporary artworks, this 2000 square feet restaurant features an outdoor English tropical garden terrace. Book in advance to avoid last-minute hassles and check out their special and seasonal menus before booking.
For more details, check out their website: https://www.arcane.hk/
Go for – Their iconic Cantonese flavours with a French foundation
If you are an indecisive eater who can’t choose between Chinese and European cuisine, you can never go wrong with Roots. Located on Sun Street in Wan Chai, the menu at Roots creatively incorporates the city’s global view – East-meets-West cultures. You can choose from small plates or opt for sharing options. The food marries iconic Cantonese flavours with a French foundation. Roots was started by chef Stephanie Wong, who quit her banking job to pursue her culinary dreams. After training in France and then at Amber, Wong set her own restaurant. Eating at Roots is like experiencing the rich Hong Kong food culture through the lens of French culinary art.
They have launched a special Christmas and New Year menu, so don’t forget to ask for the same and book in advance as it gets filled up very soon.
Go for – their classic cocktails and excellent whisky collection.
I noticed about Hong Kong that some of the most beautiful restaurants and bars are located in some easy to miss locations. 001 is one such example. While centrally located along with the market stalls on Graham Street, 001 hides behind a featureless black door with a dim spotlight and an antique brass doorbell. As the door opens, you’ll be guided down a flight of steps into a classy vintage gentlemen’s hide-out bar in the basement. The ‘no standing allowed’ policy gives a touch of private members’ club. Wood, green leather armchairs, and velvet furnishings will circle you back to the 1920s. They have some fabulous, well-crafted classic cocktails and excellent whisky collections like its dark and stormy atmosphere. At times you can even find the elusive Pappy van Winkle bourbon in stock, provided you’re willing to pay the high price, of course. Complimenting the drinks, superior snacks, and shareable plates menu needs to be carefully watched by the people on a diet. Occasionally you can enjoy the live music played in the form of a jazz duo or chanteuse. Before you leave the bar, don’t forget to click some pictures of one of Hong Kong’s original hidden cocktail bars and let the prohibition-era vibes take over your Instagram feed.
For more details, check out their website: https://www.at001.xxx/
Go for – their beers served in traditional tea houses and Chinese temple settings.
Inspired by traditional tea houses and Chinese temples, local craft brewery Moonzen’s beer bar in Mong Kok on Shantung Street offers glimpses of the olden times. Designed by HEED Studio, the bar’s interior features large vermilion columns and emerald green colours indicative of Chinese temples. The bar serves a great selection of 12 beers on tap – local Moonzen beers and beers from other breweries. Sit by the bar for a cold pint and tasty bar bites and take tons of pictures to post on your ‘gram. The bar is exceptionally LIT and will set your Instagram feed on fire.
For more details, visit their page: https://www.facebook.com/moonkok.hk
Go for – their modern Italian cuisine with a Japanese twist.
An acronym for Asia, Modern, Museum and Original, AMMO is an Italian and Japanese fusion restaurant inspired by its botanical surroundings that hope to blend the art of food and nature. The eatery’s copper-clad and cinematic interiors take inspiration from the 1965 film noir masterpiece, Alphaville, which is also about its location on the heritage site of a former 19th-century explosives compound. AMMO’s menu exemplifies the most exemplary fashion for modern Italian cuisine with a Japanese twist. The restaurant is located in Admiralty and demonstrates the perfect balance between traditional and contemporary style.
For more details, visit their website: https://ammo.com.hk/
Go for – their innovative menus with art.
Cobo, which is a short form of the ‘Community of Bohemians’, is a restaurant meant to tantalise the senses where it feels like you are not seeing the visual artworks but having them too in the form of edible art. Hemmed by Hong Kong chef duo Ray Choi and Devon Hou, Cobo regularly surprises its guests with its innovative menus presented with an artistic flair. Their unspoken menu named “The Knife & Spoon” is a journey divided into 9 different chapters. Each chapter features an option of a six to eight-course tasting menu that changes every 6 weeks. Each chapter focuses on a single ingredient as the story’s star – the underdogs of home-grown ingredients. Cobo house has a bright and airy space fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows, marble tables, and a natural and earthy colour palette that allows the art to speak for itself.
Go for – their ‘all you can eat dim sums.’
Your visit to Hong Kong is incomplete without trying its delectable dim sums, and one of the best places to try them out is Dragon – 1. While Dragon-I is a popular Central nightclub after the sun sets, it is home to one of the town’s longest-standing all-you-can-eat dim sum feasts. You can enjoy four hours of unlimited refills of steamed, deep-fried, and baked treats that are made to order all afternoon long. Dim Sum is the main star at Dragon-I’s all you can eat menu, but you can also order Cantonese snacks such as stir-fried string beans with minced pork and deep-fried Bombay duck with salt and pepper as an add-on the dim sum treat. And, don’t worry if you are a vegetarian or vegan; they offer Dragon-I features vegan options and a few vegetarian dim sums now. The restaurant has eclectic interiors and if you are looking to try a lot of different dishes in a fun environment, try out this restaurant!
For more details, check their website: https://www.dragon-i.com.hk/
Go for – an unforgettable romantic evening.
If you want to have an unforgettable romantic evening with your loved one, go to the Peninsula’s Felix. Blessed with a magnificent panoramic view of Victoria Harbour, Felix has long been a city’s favourite restaurant for soaking in the spectacular skyline of Hong Kong. And, during the festive season, they have special menus. But book in advance. Sometimes the restaurant is booked months in advance.
For more details, check their website: https://www.peninsula.com/en/hong-kong/hotel-fine-dining/felix
Go for – all-day dining at the beachside restaurant.
Whenever I visit a big city, I make it a point to check out alternative eats away from the town. One such find is Bathers, located conveniently along Lantau’s Lower Cheung Sha Beach. Here you can enjoy all-day dining while taking in the ocean views. Bathers is perfect for sangria sunsets, early morning breakfasts, and family-friendly lunches. You can play on the beach or just relax on the restaurant’s terrace or comfy seats sprawled on the sand to enjoy the best beachside view. Make sure to book ahead to secure a spot, especially during busy, sunny weekends.
For more details, check their website: https://bathers.com.hk/
Go for – freshly baked artisanal breads, pastries, pizza and other Italian delights by the sea.
Pane e Latte serves artisanal baked goods perfect for breakfast, all-day dining, and takeaways from sunrise till sunset! Stanley is one of my favourite places in Hong Kong to enjoy the beach, and this corner bakery is the perfect stop to make before heading to the beach. The restaurant’s interiors – floor-to-ceiling windows, genuine Italian terracotta Italian flooring, pink columns, soaring drapes and antiques from Milan – reminded me of sitting in Italy and not Hong Kong. This Italian Bakery & Patisserie is a dog-friendly family place.
For more details, check their website: https://www.paneelatte.hk/.
Hong Kong is a very vibrant city, and there is never a dull moment, especially if your visit coincides with the festive season. Currently, Hong Kong Winterfest is going on – from 26 November 2021 to 2 January 2022. A special Christmas Town has been set up amidst the brand-new international art and culture hub of Hong Kong. Throughout the city, Christmas holiday events are happening. All shopping malls, shops, restaurants, hotels and outdoor spaces have brought their ‘A-game’ to showcase their best festive decorations. From gigantic cookie penguins and Disney princesses to whimsical wonderlands, there’s a dizzying array of Christmas displays for you to soak in the festivities this year. Wherever you look, there is an instagrammable spot to shoot.
Moreover, all hotels, restaurants, and bars have introduced special festive menus to celebrate Christmas and New Year. If you are looking for unique Christmas or New Year brunches or dinners, check out their individual websites or Discover Hong Kong’s website or this post.
So, what are you waiting for? Immerse yourself in a merry Hong Kong holiday season!
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India is renowned for festivals such as Mysore Dusshera Mela, Kolkatta Durga Puja, Pushkar Cattle Fair, Surajkund International Crafts Mela, Indian International Trade Fair and many more. But have you heard about Saras Aajeevika Mela? Read how a government initiative led by Self Help Groups is empowering India’s rural women.
It is 11 am in the morning, and Chandrakala from Chikmagalur district of Karnataka is busy selling her handmade paintings to prospective buyers at Saras Aajeevika Mela 2021. She is explaining the intricacies of painting on goat leather and how much effort goes into making one piece – from sourcing raw leather to curing, painting, dying and finally converting it into sellable handicraft items. Her entire stall is beautifully decked up with different kinds of handicraft items such as lamps, purses, puppets, wall hangings and much more. The money earned from the sale of handicraft items feeds twenty-five families part of the SRI Maruti Self Help Group.
Chandrakala is a member of one of the many Self Help Groups (SHGs) that participated in the recently concluded Saras Aajeevika Mela 2021. The Mela was organised in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, as a part of the 40th India International Trade Fair (IITF 2021) from November 14 to November 27, 2021. There were around 300 artisans at 130 stalls showcasing and selling handicrafts, handlooms, home decor items and food products from 28 states and 3 Union Territories of India.
SARAS Mela is a women empowerment initiative by the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) to bring the rural women self-help group members under one platform where they can showcase their skills, sell their products and build connections with potential market players at fair prices. The organisation trains women in different livelihood craftsmanship skills and gives them a platform to market their products. Their stalls are entirely free, and all their expenses, including their stay, is borne by the Mela organising committee. The SARAS Mela is organised by the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR).
Saras Mela comes under Aajeevika – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) – launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in June 2011 to support the livelihood of rural India. In November 2015, the program was renamed Deendayal Antayodaya Yojana (DAY-NRLM). Aajeevika mission set out to improve the lives of 7 Crore rural poor households in 6 lakh villages through self-managed Self Help Groups (SHGs) within 10 years.
34-year-old Sujata hails from Sasroli (Sasrauli) village in Matanhail tahsil of Jhajjar district in Haryana. Still, she is adept in the famed Madhubani painting from Bihar. Two years back, her village self-help group hired a Madhubani artist from Bihar to train these women. And today, they have become the masters of art. They sell everything from a fifty rupees face mask to a 3,500/- INR saree.
A few lanes away from Sujata’s Stall was a Manipuri handicraft stall where Laishram Sandhya Rani Devi from Thoubal, Manipur, sold her products. The items displayed at her stall ranged from baskets to hats, mats and other things, all made from water hyacinth. She told Travel See Write that last year was very difficult for her family due to Covid19. Then this year, in February, she started a local self-help group of ten women and started creating the products currently displayed in her stall. She is hoping to earn well from Saras Mela and has also made some friends from other states.
This exhibition-cum-sale under the brand name of SARAS puts forth a grand display of products handcrafted by the artisans from across the country right from the Banarasi Sarees of UP to Sambalpuri of Odisha; Kantha stitches of West Bengal to Maheshwari Sarees of Madhya Pradesh; leatherwork of Rajasthan to Madhubani paintings of Bihar along with Natural and Chemical free spices, food produce and product from Southern, Himalayan and North Eastern regions of the country. My favourite was the mouth-watering authentic delicacies of different states that not only satiated my taste buds but also turned me into a hoarder. I just couldn’t stop tasting and shopping.
Pramila Tai from Jalgaon district in Maharashtra sold her homemade chutneys and pappads of different kinds – from spicy peanut chutney to flavourful curry leave chutney. Her products were fresh, organic, and had a unique flavour that is impossible to get anywhere else.
Saras Melas are regularly organised across India throughout the year. So, keep a tab on the Aajeevika – National Rural Livelihoods Mission website and its various social media handles. Who knows, next Mela could be near you next month itself.
Have you been to Saras Mela yet? How was your experience? Do share it in the comment below.
Here are some more postcards from the event.
Other stalls at Indian International Trade Fair 2021
Camera – Panasonic Lumix S5 full-frame camera, Lenses – 24mm F1.8 lens and 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 Lens.
Here’s a small video on my visit to Saras Aajeevika Mela 2021:
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Udaipur is a city in India where you can either dine like a maharaja relishing a multi-course feast or enjoy a simple ‘unlimited food’ thaali in a budget family restaurant. Wherever you might eat, one thing is assured – the food will always be delicious. All your taste buds will be rewarded – be it hardcore non-vegetarians looking for famous Rajasthani Laal-maans or vegetarians searching for the 800/- per kilo ‘Ker sangri’ (my favourite Rajasthani dish) along with daal baati churma. Whether you want to go on a romantic couple dinner or celebrate someone’s birthday or simply enjoy a fun meal with friends, Udaipur will have a restaurant just right for you. While circumventing the narrow lanes of Udaipur, be ready to get surprised by its culinary offering. You’ll be amazed to see how the city’s food scene go beyond Rajasthani fare. From picturesque fine dining restaurants on the lakeside to chic European-style cafes — the possibilities are endless. Here are the best restaurants and cafes of Udaipur that Travel See Write highly recommends:
Besides the above, I tried ‘Soul Bistro and Lounge’ by Sun and Moon Udaipur on a local friend’s recommendation. They claim to be one of the best rooftops café in Udaipur but, frankly, didn’t find them extraordinary. In fact, the food and drinks were pretty average, and the environment was quite loud. Maybe it’s meant more for a younger audience looking to party and not a visitor trying to soak the romantic vibe of the city.
While there is no shortage of the best fine dining restaurants in Udaipur with a great view, the city also has a rich legacy in street food. Your craving for street food items such as samosa, kachori, aloo bada, vada pav, or dabeli will get fully satiated at Sukhadia Circle, Chetak Circle or Mumbai Market. Some places worth checking out are Bohra Ghanpati Mishtan for samosas, Shri Lala Mishtan for kachoris and Bhole Nath Nashta Center for poha.
And, if you are looking for some cheap but good quality restaurants in Udaipur, you can’t go wrong with Natraj Dining Hall and Restaurant. Their thali is a must. Places like Bawarchi Restaurant, Queen Café, and Jasmin are worth visiting too.
A few Rajasthani dishes that are an absolute must-try in Udaipur are Gatte ki sabzi, Ker Sangri, Laal Maans, Mawa Kacchori, Pyaaz Kacchori, Samosa, and Mewari Styled Curries.
Have you been to Udaipur? How was your experience? Do share it in the comment below.
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Planning a trip to Udaipur? Find all your answers in this travel guide – places to visit in Udaipur, best restaurants, best hotels, best places to shop, how many days are enough, the best time to visit, how to reach Udaipur and much more.
As the mercury level falls in Northern India, the tourists start flocking Rajasthan. The land of Maharajas is famous for splendid palaces, imposing forts, vibrant culture, spicy Laal-maas daal baati churma, rich heritage and marvellous stories of bravery. Rajasthan is all this and a lot more. There are so many beautiful places in Rajasthan, each with its unique charm and appeal, that it’s almost impossible to cover all in one trip. Imagine exploring the pink city of Jaipur, the blue city of Jodhpur, the dunes of Jaisalmer, havelies of Bikaner, ghats of Pushkar, tigers of Ranthambore, and more in 7 days deeply. Hardly anything will register. You’ll just be doing touch-go at every destination that deserves at least 3-4 days per destination. Therefore choosing one place and exploring it slowly and deeply is a better idea. And that’s what I did on my last trip to Rajasthan when I decided to visit – Udaipur in monsoon season. In this travel guide you’ll find places to visit in Udaipur in 2-7 days and much more:
Here is a short video about my trip to Rajasthan in this monsoon:
Udaipur lies in Mewar, the land of bravery and chivalry, a treasure of impregnable forts and grand palaces. The saucer-shaped fertile valley, often referred to as the ‘Venice of the East, is most famous for its azure water lakes and lush green hills of Aravallis. While Udaipur has a plethora of star attractions, some of the prime sites are – Lake Palace, strategically located in the middle of Lake Pichola, which is considered one of the most romantic hotels globally. City Palace and (Monsoon Palace) add to the architectural beauty and grandeur of the city. Jaisamand Lake is claimed to be the second-largest man-made sweet water lake in Asia. The city is also known for its abundance of zinc and marble reserves.
Despite visiting Udaipur several times (staying for at least 7 days each time), I have barely scratched the surface. Here are some I would highly recommend you to visit whether you are looking for places to visit in Udaipur in a single day or 2-7 days:
Udaipur got its moniker, the city of lakes, owing to over seven fresh-water man-made lakes in and around the city. The interconnected, cascading lakes around Udaipur were primarily created by building dams to meet the city’s drinking water and irrigation needs and its neighbourhood. So, every time I visit Udaipur, I make it a point to see at least 3-4 lakes. The best lakes to visit in Udaipur are Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Udai Sagar, Doodh Talai, Jaisamand and Badi Lake.
An imposing architectural marvel towering over the Lake Pichola on a hill surrounded by crenellated walls, it is a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, corridors, terraces, rooms and hanging gardens. The balconies, domes, and towers of the palace give an excellent view of the lake and the surrounding city. “City Palace is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan and was built in 1559 by Raja Udai Singh II. The original palace expanded, and successive generations added 11 new palaces to the original structure”, said the Culture and heritage promotion Assistant Manager of City Palace, Poorva Bhatia. Twenty-three Royal families have lived in this 462-year old palace, including the current one who now resides in Shambhu Palace. This is now a major tourist attraction and a much sought-after wedding venue of the Haut monde.
The old complex consists of four major and several minor palaces that collectively form the magnificent City Palace. The central part of the palace is now preserved as a museum displaying artefacts.
Timings – 9:30 am to 5:30 pm on all days of the week
Entry fee – City Palace Museum fee is 300 INR for both Indian and well International guests. Children from the age of 5 up to 18 years is 100 INR and senior citizen 200 INR.
Now a hotel owned by the Taj Group, it was initially called Jag Niwas and served as a summer palace of Maharana Jagat Singh. Built between 1743 and 1746 on an island in Lake Pichola, the palace is a majestic marvel of architectural beauty. The walls of the Taj Lake palace are made of black and white marbles adorned with semi-precious stones and ornaments. Courtyards of the restored palace are lined with well-manicured Gardens, fountains, pillared terraces, and columns. Restored to its original glory, this spectacular palace became world-renowned when the James Bond film ‘Octopussy’ was filmed at it. Equipped with well-appointed 65 luxurious rooms and 18 grand suites, this heritage hotel in Udaipur is a destination in itself.
However, the Taj Lake Palace is a resident-only facility. All hotel services and facilities are solely for in-house guests. So, you can enjoy its beauty from outside only unless you are staying here.
One of the best places to see the aerial view of Udaipur without taking a helicopter ride is from the top of Karni Mata Temple. And that’s what I did. I have always visited this temple constructed from 1620 to 1628 by Maharana Karan Singh in my last three trips. But the temple never came into the public’s eye until 1997, when the Manshapurna Karni Mata Development Committee decided to redevelop the temple. A well-paved path was developed with stairs and resting areas at various spots on the way to the temple. For those who didn’t want to hike, a ropeway was installed. It takes anywhere between 20-25 minutes to reach a staircase and around 5 minutes by ropeway.
Once you reach the top of the Karni Mata Temple, you see a panoramic view of the entire Udaipur City. Starting from Dudh Talai Lake, Pichola Lake, Lake Palace, City Palace, Jagmandir, and a lot more. From the backside of the temple, you get to see an aerial view of the residential areas of Udaipur.
Situated just outside Udaipur, the 19th-century Sajjangarh Palace is built on top of Bandara hills. Used as a monsoon palace and hunting lodge, Maharana Sajjan Singh originally planned to make it an astronomical centre. The plan was abandoned with the king’s premature death. However, it is still an awe-inspiring sight on the Udaipur skyline. It offers spectacular views of the city, Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary, and areas around.
Just beneath the Monsoon Palace lies Udaipur Biological Park, also known as the Sajjangarh Biological Park. The Sajjangarh Biological Park is an ecotourism site built to conserve the threatened flora and fauna within the area. While it’s open all around the year, the best time to visit this park is during the monsoon season (July to September). The biological park is home to over 60 wild animals from 21 species, making it a haven for wildlife and nature lovers. It’s a plastic-free area where you are not allowed to carry any plastic item with you.
If you love heritage architecture, you must visit Jagdish Temple, a prime example of the Indo-Aryan style of architecture. This multi-storied temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651; to date, it continues to be one of the most visited temples in and around Udaipur. Devoted to Lord Vishnu, the structure of Jagdish Temple is an architectural marvel with carved pillars, elegant ceilings and painted walls.
What do women do in Rajputana kingdoms to pass their time? They would visit gardens. One such garden was built by Maharana Sangram Singh II – Saheliyon-ki-Bari or the Garden of the Maidens. There is a small museum, marble elephants, fountains, kiosks, and a lotus pool within the garden.
Udaipur and nearby areas have a rich cultural heritage. One place you must visit in Udaipur is Lok Kala Mandal. Dedicated to studying folk art, culture, songs, and festivals of Rajasthan, Gujrat and Madhya Pradesh. This autonomous institution is mostly self-reliant and provides livelihood to over 40 artists from across the region. Daily there are cultural shows and puppet shows. The institution also houses a museum that exhibits a collection of folk items from Rajasthan like rural dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instruments, folk deities and paintings.
This place was a complete surprise package with its authentic Rajasthani food and adventure activities. Visit this place if you want to try your hand at adventure activities like Zipcycle, Zoombike, Rope course, Rocket ejector, Wall climbing, etc.
I found above the best places to visit in Udaipur in the monsoon, but you can see them in any other season. Below are some more options.
Besides the above, the other places worth visiting in Udaipur are Bagore-ki-Haveli, Shilpgram – the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex, wax museum, Ambrai ghat, and old city, Phoolon Ki Ghatti in Cheerwa, among many other places. If possible, visit Shilpgram during the ten-day Shilpgram Festival, which starts from 21 Dec to 30 Dec every year.
Udaipur has a lot of exciting places around to visit, such as Eklingji (22 km), Nagda (23 km), Nathdwara (48 km), Haldighati (50 km), Jaisamand Lake (50 km), Rajsamand Lake (66 km), Kumbhalgarh (84 km), and Banswara (160 km).
Being a tourist magnet, there’s no shortage of accommodation options in Udaipur for every budget:
When it comes to spoiling the guests with luxury, very few cities in India do better than Udaipur. Whether you are seeking a romantic plush experience in Rajasthan or wish to relish the royal hospitality, there are the best 7 star and 5-star hotels in Udaipur that will satiate your needs, whatever they may be. Almost every prominent hotel chain in India has a presence in Udaipur. While there are beautiful properties all around, the heritage hotels are the showstoppers of the city. These properties are either run by the erstwhile royals or were once their residences. One thing is common about all of them: all of them are near Lake Pichola. Once the grand homes of the Maharajas of the bygone century, these hotels now serve tourists seeking regal experience.
Here’s a list of the best luxury hotels in Udaipur with lake views- Taj Lake Palace Udaipur, the Oberoi Udai Villas, Aurika by Lemon Tree, Raffles Udaipur, Taj Aravali Resort & Spa Udaipur, Jagmandir Island Palace – Grand Heritage, The Leela Palace Udaipur, Trident Udaipur, Taj Fateh Prakash Palace Udaipur, The Ananta Udaipur Resort & Spa, RAAS Devigarh, TatSaraasa Resort and Spa, and many more. The price of high-end 5-star luxury hotels such as Taj Lake Palace Udaipur, the Oberoi Udai Villas, Leela Palace etc., starts around 50,000 INR per night. In contrast, the price for the next tier of luxury hotels can be anywhere between 12,000/- INR to 30,000 INR per night.
When people visit Udaipur, the most sought after hotels are around the lakes. There are a lot of 5-star hotels in and around the lakes, namely Taj Lake Palace Udaipur, the Oberoi Udai Villas, Jagmandir Island Palace, Jag Niwas Palace, the Leela, Udaipur. Then there are many touristy Havelis and hotels near the lake cater to all kinds of budgets like Jaiwana Haveli,
There are many good hotels in Udaipur that are worth spending a few days. Udaipur welcomes a budget traveller with as much attention and warmth as it does a luxury traveller. These budget properties are well equipped with all the essential facilities required for a smooth stay. Most of these accommodations offer fantastic views of Lake Pichola and Lake Palace from Mewar Haveli. They are close to the bus stand and the railway station. Don’t be fooled by the ‘budget’ hotels tag – they are no less than any charming haveli of the yore. But if you like to stay away from the hum-drum of city life, the properties such as Tree of Life Vantara, Udaipur are a great option to stay.
Udaipur is a city where you can dine like a royal. While navigating through the narrow lanes of Udaipur, you are bound to get surprised by its culinary offering. You’ll discover that the city’s culinary offerings go beyond Rajasthani fare. From chic European-style cafes to picturesque fine dining restaurants on the lakeside—the possibilities are endless. I’ll highly recommend some restaurants and cafes: Ambrai Restaurant, Khamma Ghani, 1559 AD restaurant, Upré by 1559 AD, Udai Kothi, Millets of Mewar, Neel Kamal Restaurant, Darikhana, Savage Garden, and Enigma.
You can know more details about the best restaurants in Udaipur here.
Apart from plush restaurants, Udaipur has a rich legacy in street food as well. You can gorge on street food items such as hot samosa, crispy kachori, delicious aloo vada, tasty vada pav, or delicious dabeli at Sukhadia Circle, Chetak Circle or Bombay Market. Some worth mentioning places are Bohra Ghanpati Mishtan for samosas, Shri Lala Mishtan for kachoris dipped in curry and Bhole Nath Nashta Center for poha. One place that you shouldn’t miss out on is Natraj Dining Hall and Restaurant. Their thali is. A must. Places like Bawarchi Restaurant, Queen Café, and Jasmin are worth visiting too.
Shopping and travelling go hand in hand. And, Udaipur doesn’t disappoint when it comes to shopping. The famous markets of Udaipur are:
Day 1 – as above
Day 2 –
Day 1 & 2 – as above
Day 3 –
Day 1, 2 – as above
Day 3, 4 & 5 – Banswara
Day 5 –
Day 6 – Visit Kumbhalgarh
Day 7 – Local sightseeing, shopping and departure
By flight
I took Vistara’s afternoon flight from Delhi, which took around 1hr 25 minutes to reach Udaipur’s Maharana Pratap Airport, about 22 km away from the city centre. By flight: Udaipur is well connected with flights from all over India. While I had a pickup arranged from the airport, you can easily hire a taxi or an auto from outside the airport to reach your destination. Pre-paid taxi costs approx. INR 700-800 and a prebooked OLA or UBER might cost around INR 400-500.
By road
Udaipur has good road connectivity. You can reach Udaipur from Delhi in 11 hrs, 13hrs27 mins from Mumbai, 6hrs 46 mins from Jaipur, 4hrs 59 mins from Ahmedabad, 7hrs 45 minutes from Indore, and 4hrs 49 mins from Kota. The roads are well maintained, and there is also an extensive network of regular bus services on these routes. Depending upon your budget and requirements, you can choose from air-conditioned coaches, luxury buses or state transport buses. The Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) buses connect Udaipur with places like Chittorgarh (115 km), Jodhpur (260 km) and Bhilwara (166 km), among others.
By train
Another easy way to reach Udaipur is via train. You can find frequent trains from Jaipur, Delhi and Mumbai. Trains such as Mewar Express, Ananya Express, Gwalior-Udaipur Express and Chetak Express run daily, connecting the city with Ahmadabad, Sealdah and Ajmer. Suppose you want to travel in a truly luxurious style. In that case, you can choose to travel in any of the luxury trains that cover Udaipur as a part of their itineraries, such as Maharaja Express, Palace on Wheels, Golden Chariot and Deccan Odyssey. Upon arrival at the Udaipur Railway Station, you can hire a cab or an auto-rickshaw to explore the city.
I hope you liked this travel guide for a trip to Udaipur.
The best restaurants in Udaipur, Rajasthan
Why Tree of Life Vantara Resort is one of the Best Hotels in Udaipur?
Banswara – the city of 100 islands
Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India
Castle Kanota, Jaipur – How tourism saved the royals of Rajasthan
Rethinking tourism could save Udaipur from its pressures
I had visited Udaipur on the invitation of Rajasthan Tourism but all the views expressed above are solely based on my personal experience. All the pictures and text written above is the sole property of Travel See Write. Please don’t copy anything without prior written approval.
Hotel Review: Are you planning a holiday in the city of Lakes and looking to stay in one of the best hotels and resorts in Udaipur? In this post, you’ll read about my honest review about staying at Tree Of Life, Vantara Resort in Udaipur.
The magnetism of the exotic city of Udaipur is so intense that it lives in your mind long after you have left the place. And, one of the most important decisions to take while visiting the royal city of lakes is where to stay in Udaipur. While there are ample options to choose from the best houses and resorts in Udaipur, it could get confusing. From enjoying a royal stay at the aristocratic and illustrious Taj Lake Palace of Udaipur on Lake Pichola to finding a nature retreat in the Aravalli mountain range; Udaipur has ample options to suit every pocket. Some of the top hotels in Udaipur for couples, families and weddings are newly opened Raffles, Leela Palace, Oberoi Udai Villas, Aurika by Lemon Tree and many more. During my last visit to Udaipur, I stayed at two different hotels and resorts. One was in the city’s heart, next to Fateh Sagar Lake, and the other away from the hustle-bustle of the city, in the middle of lush Aravalli hills. If you are looking for the Best Hotels in Udaipur for couples and families, this post could help. Here are my reasons to choose Tree of Life Vantara Resort, Udaipur over any other 5-star hotels in Udaipur:
Related – the best places to visit in Udaipur in 24 hrs top 7 days
Being a nature lover, I prefer places that are peaceful and unobtrusive, where I can be one with nature. That kind of tranquillity is difficult to get in the bustling’s heart of Udaipur, therefore I stayed with Tree of Life Resorts, Udaipur. Nestled among the undulating forested Aravalli hills, the resort is strategically at Debari. A village lying midway between the airport (13.3 km, 25 mins) and Udaipur city (approx. 11 km, 25 mins). Reaching here itself was like a mini adventure—driving on a mud road with trees all around made me feel as if I was on a jungle safari. I got a grand welcome when, along with the welcome drink, the heavens opened their floodgates. Despite heavy rains, the resort looked extremely gorgeous with all the greenery and open spaces around. As I entered, I couldn’t stop myself from noticing the architecture that was built to blend in—made entirely in Jaisalmer stone. The resort reflects Rajasthan’s architectural style and design.
Travel Tip: Since the resort is in a secluded area, therefore, getting public transport or even an uber can become an issue. The best is to share your travel plans with the front office and they can arrange a taxi for you, in case you don’t have your own conveyance.
Unlike big hotels with 150+ rooms, Tree of Life Vantara Resort in Udaipur doesn’t intimidate you with its size. You feel you are staying in a nature retreat for relaxation with just 16 hideaway rooms spread over 4 serene acres of picturesque land on two floors. I stayed at one of their Superior Hideaway Rooms on the ground floor. My room had a large sit-out area with an all-encompassing view of the forested Aravalli Hills. I spent a lot of time here just marvelling at the serene beauty of the landscape. With around 400sq. ft. area, my room was very spacious, well-lit and fully equipped with all modern amenities. The bathroom had a separate closet area and individual WC and shower areas.
The resort has all the amenities that you look for in a mid-range resort starting from 24-hour security, daily housekeeping, taxi service, express check-in/check-out, luggage storage, free parking, free High-Speed Internet (Wi-Fi), outdoor swimming pool, game room, airport pick and drop, restaurant, conference facilities, dry cleaning, and Laundry service.
Also, the resort is pet friendly. So, you can travel with furry babies without worrying.
No travel experience is ever complete with good food. Thankfully, the food served at Tree of Life Resorts was freshly cooked and delicious. Made as per the guests’ liking, it provided the best of both worlds – a variety of restaurant menus and quality of home-like food. You could either eat at the buffet or order à la carte. I tried and loved both. You could order anything from the carefully selected menu of Rajasthani, Continental and Gujarati cuisine. I tried Rajasthani and continental cuisine. Both were delicious. Daal-baati-churma, Gatte Ki Sabji, ker Sangri, Laal maans, were served with great love and care. I ate so much that it became difficult to move after lunch.
The breakfast was well laid out with South Indian, continental and North Indian food to choose from. One evening, I had an outdoor dinner with my friends. The candlelight setting next to the outdoor pool was splendid.
For me, the staff in a hotel or resorts are the unsung heroes. And, I have to say, the staff at Tree of life Resorts is one of the best I have come across lately. Not only they were respectful, courteous, and mindful of my needs, but they went out of the way to arrange things that were not even part of their service. Here’s an incident I would like to narrate. While checking out, I forgot some stuff in my room, which by mistake was carried home by the guests who stayed in my room once I checked out. Kudos to the Property Manager, Mahendra Singh, for checking with the other guests and ensuring I get my stuff back. This kind of commitment is something you don’t see often. Even during my stay at the property, Mahendra Singh and his team ensured I had a comfortable stay.
The reason I thought Tree of Life Resort, is one of the best hotels in Udaipur for couples and families is because of the experiences it provides. The provided experiences are unique, sustainable and bespoke. They can be organised both inside and outside the property at a nominal extra cost. Some experiences include a soft trek in the hills, which is led by a Bhil tribal, who call the Aravalli hills their home. The trek takes you to a hilltop from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the hills and Fateh Sagar lake.
If you are amused by temples, architecture and culture, you would enjoy ‘A day with the Gods’ day trip taking you on a temple trail of temples from 724 AD to the 17th century. Besides that, you can go on a village tour to meet the tribals or see the village life. Other than that, you can always enjoy a special high tea or cocktail by the pool.
There are different room packages available at Tree of Life Vantara Resort, Udaipur. You can choose either of these:
You can book directly on the resort’s website or through a third-party website like tripadvisor.com or booking.com. You can also book my calling up the Tree of Life Vantara Resort, Udaipur contact numbers – 9116104009 or 9015242000. For more information, either visit their website or write to them at unwind@treeofliferesorts.com
Varsha, 36, presents the sales strategy to the management on Google Meet while her dog, Whisky, sleeps on the grass nearby. Her presentation goes well, and she is excited about the new role. In January this year, the IT professional during the week and hobbyist photographer during the weekend traded off her high rise apartment in Bangalore to one of the luxury beach cottages in Goa. Out of all the things that bothered her the least was the flight charges from Bangalore to Goa. Staycation in Goa for a month amid a raging pandemic was a big decision, and initially, she was a bit apprehensive about how it will work, but eight months later, she couldn’t have been happier. While she hasn’t shifted permanently to Goa from Bangalore, the move is on her mind. The several luxurious and cheap staycations in Goa have helped her make the decision. When I asked her what prompted her to shift to Goa, she said,
The Work From Home came as a blessing in disguise. I could work from anywhere. All I wanted was a peaceful, stress-free environment, fresh air and stable Wi-Fi. An outdoor space to take my dog for walks. Goa has it all.
Varsha is not alone. After the Covid-19 Pandemic hit, the four-walled city life of metros became suffocating for many Indians, especially the ones in the corporate and creative fields. Overnight, the life of going out, parties, dinners, meetups, travel and even work became inaccessible. As the COVID numbers started going down and states started opening up, more and more people began escaping to either the hills or the beach for workcations. Susegad, the Goan concept of sense of contentment, fulfilment and relaxation became even more appealing.
Bhawna, 27, a media professional from Delhi, finally decided to take the plunge and move to Goa in January 2021 to open a Café with her partner. She loved the chill vibe of the place, and more importantly, she didn’t have to deal with Delhi’s pollution anymore. She chose South Goa to fulfil her dream of becoming an entrepreneur. She says her dream of opening a café had not taken wings if the pandemic didn’t happen. In a way, it helped her to make the big move. She was more than happy to leave her cramped 2BHK rented house behind for a spacious beach cottage in Goa with a private pool and garden.
Domnick Mendes, who owns Paloma De Goa Resort in Colva, Goa, had seen an uptick in the long-term staycation trend. He says most of his guests are from the IT industry in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. They usually book a room for a month, and their number one ask is always an excellent stable Wi-Fi. They are not very fussy about the rest of the stuff. They love to work from goa for a month or less as they really enjoy the relaxed, tension-free life of the party-state of India. During the day, they’d be glued to their screens but come evening; they’d head out for long walks on the beach or chill out in beach shacks. They can take time to pursue their passions like photography, writing, reading, painting, dancing, and music.
Sam Varghese, who now runs Aspirerz Event Management company in Panaji Goa, moved to the sunshine state from Madhya Pradesh in July 2021 after visiting Goa every few months since 2008. He says,
“As a guy with a nomadic heart, roots belonging to the South but raised in Central India and having the desire to scale mountains up North, I found Goa to be a charming place. A place that has it all – to chill, to thrill, to explore, to venture into adventure, waterfalls, old relics, wildlife sanctuaries, spice plantations, local beverages and Konkani styled dishes.”
Varsha, Bhawna and Sam are not the only ones whose heart was stolen by Goa. There is a reason why Goa is a favourite of Indians. The people of Goa are non-judgemental, chilled out and laid back. Nobody will bother you unless you encroach on their private space and indulge in some socially irresponsible act. As someone once said,
Goa is not only the land of beaches or city of churches, it’s a feeling that defines thrill in the most amazing way.
But not all is great in Goa. For big-city folks, there are some trade-offs too. Chetna Chowdhary, who moved to Goa a few years back, lists the things she misses in Goa:
“I really miss the good public transportation, well-equipped hospitals, glitzy shopping malls, and easy connectivity of Delhi. Unlike Delhi, I can’t order food any time I feel like eating. Moreover, the locals are very strict about the restaurant timings, and you get the set food menu only at a set time. For example, I can’t have a samosa or momos at lunchtime. It’s easy to find local food like Goan seafood but difficult to find international cuisine in the neighbourhood.”
Being close to nature also brings unwanted guests such as spiders, lizards, frogs, mice, mosquitoes and snakes. City Dwellers used to 24*7 power back have to face frequent power cuts and sketchy internet service.
And there is another concern that many have raised – integrating into the community. Chetna shared that despite being a resident of Goa for several years now, sometimes she is made to feel like an outsider. Goa is in India, yet at times you feel like an expat here. Take for instance her last week incident when she went waterfall chasing with her family in South Goa. The locals had closed several waterfalls including the Tiger waterfall for outsiders as the tourists and other villagers leave the party waste behind at the falls. Despite knowing she is a Goan herself and her failed attempts to convince them she won’t litter, the locals didn’t relent.
The ever-escalating property prices have become another headache for the locals. Goans say the pandemic increased the demand for land, and property rates shot up astronomically. Navneet Kapoor, a builder of 12 high-end luxury villas in North Goa, says, “pandemic fuelled a high demand for luxury homes with private gardens and pools in big cities. As a result, the cost of property has gone up 20-25 per cent in Goa.”
So, if you are considering renting a house in Goa or booking a hotel for a long-term staycation, weigh in the pros and cons of Goan life before going online to check the flight.
Let’s Go, Goa!
Here are some common questions people ask when they are thinking to work from Goa for a month or less:
Depends on your interests and budget. North Goa is very different from South Goa when it comes to attractions, affordability and services. If you love the parties and touristy vibes of Goa, then Calangute or Baga are good areas to stay in Goa. If you are a peaceful and relaxed stay by the beach kinda person, then Colva and Palolem are a good choice. People often ask which part of Goa is best for activities. I would say go to Cavelossim and Mobor for Beaches, Baga for shopping and water Sports, Candolim and Calangute for other Outdoor Activities, Panaji for Sightseeing, Old Goa fort history.
Before booking any villa, apartment or homestay in Goa do read reviews and check with your friends and family. Getting villas, apartments or homestays on rent in Goa is not a problem. Also, check for the Goa WFH package. Many properties provide discounted rates to people looking for workation in Goa for a month or less.
There is a lot you can do in Goa depending on your interests. You can go for long walks, biking, hiking, bird watching, enjoying water sports, reading, boating, visiting spice plantations, attending yoga classes, participating in musical gigs and partying all night. But all this depends on the current COVID situation in the state. So read COVID guidelines before making plans.
Goa is great in every season but November to February is the best time for the party people. Usually, the weather is pleasantly cool during this time.
If you are looking to do offbeat things to do in Goa this post would be very helpful.
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but having new eyes.
Better words couldn’t have been said than what Marcel Proust mentioned above. In contrast, everyone loves to travel; not all go beyond the star attractions, especially when going on a Leh Ladakh road trip. Travel, if done responsibly, can bring us up close to some of our planet’s most stunning natural wonders and connect us with unique cultures around the globe. Moreover, it also has the power to change places and the lives of the people who live there – for better or worse. Through our latest venture – TSW Trips – we want to change locals and travellers’ lives for the better through our specially curated sustainable trips. Let’s explore offbeat places like a local in a sustainable way.
Being a full-time traveller who has travelled to around 70 countries worldwide and 25+ states in India, I think I know a bit about our beautiful planet. People often ask me for my advice when planning their trips and often ask me if they could join me on my travels.
“Happiness is only real when shared,” said Christopher McCandless. So, here we are, sharing our joy of visiting offbeat places in search of untold stories with you.
Presenting TSW Trips exclusively curated for you that I’ve personally experienced not just once but many times. Trips that are highly personalised, completely offbeat and experiential. Most importantly, they are sustainable and would benefit the economically challenged local communities at the grassroots.
My second innings in life (aka my travel career) was a gift from Ladakh. If Ladakh had not happened, I, Archana Singh, would not have left the corporate world to make my passion (travel) my profession.
As I start a new chapter of my travel life, I thought of going back to the drawing board and starting from where I took the first step – Ladakh. Moreover, having visited Ladakh 7-8 times, I know a bit of the place. I have some outstanding local experts who are keen to show the hidden gems of their homeland.
TSW Trips to Offbeat Ladakh is an initiative to help you get in touch with the true essence of Ladakh. An essence that goes beyond star attractions to take you to the heart of “Lama Land” that lives in its villages. Allow us to take you on a journey that will show you Ladakh in a different light altogether.
Through this trip, you will get an opportunity to experience the unique cultures, artisanal cuisines, extraordinary adventures and awe-inspiring landscapes of Ladakh. You’ll get to meet and interact with the local indigenous communities that are almost on the verge of extinction, visit notable monasteries, and experience local food that hardly anyone knows. The tour will be guided by locals and your very own Archana Singh (half Ladakhi herself by now), who have full knowledge of the local terrain and sites that provide overwhelming experiences.
Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll see in Ladakh with TSW.
15th-22nd August 2021
Day 01 –: Leh Arrival.
Traditional Ladakhi welcome followed by a full day rest to acclimatise well before exploring Ladakh. The two highlights of the day would be – firstly, a short introductory presentation about Ladakh, its history and culture to better understand the destination. Secondly, experiencing a Tibetan medicine system established during the 7th century.
Overnight in Leh.
Day 02 – Visit the Monastery, Nunnery, Market and Shanti Stupa
We will start early morning to attend the morning prayers with the monks at a 16th-century monastery, followed by a riverside breakfast on the banks of the Indus River. Later, we will visit a local nunnery to learn the secrets of spirituality from the nuns of Ladakh. In the afternoon, we will go on a heritage walk of the Leh town that was once the hub of traders and artists on the silk route. We will round off the day with a visit to Shanti Stupa, a symbol of peace sitting atop the cliff. We would witness the golden hour with soul-soothing reverberating Buddhist chants.
Overnight in Leh.
Day 3: Leh to Aryan Valley via Alchi
After breakfast, we’ll leave for Aryan Valley, ‘the Land of Aryans”. The inhabitants are believed to be the descendants of Alexander’s army. The latter is believed to have wandered on their expedition some two thousand years ago. Besides tourists, Aryan Valley has gained a lot of attention from historians, filmmakers and anthropologists. En-route the valley, we’ll pass through villages that became a household name during Kargil War. Interestingly, these villages are also considered the most fertile in the entire region and produce the best of the apricots and apples in the valley. While interacting with the locals, we’ll taste the fresh apricots straight from the orchards.
On the way, we will pass through Pather Sahib Gurudwara, Magnetic hill, Confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers and reach Alchi, where we will visit the oldest monastery of Ladakh, which has unique architecture and rare wall paintings.
Overnight at the Homestay run by the local family to savour authentic Aryan cuisine.
Day 4: Aryan Valley Village tour and Apricot Harvesting.
After breakfast, we will go on a guided tour of the village and apricot fields to relish the fresh ripe fruit. Later we will enjoy authentic local Aryan cuisine over lunch. In the evening, we will have cultural performances by the locals while sipping the local grapevine.
Overnight in Aryan Valley.
Day 05 – Aryan Valley back to Leh.
After breakfast, we will bid goodbye to the Aryans and drive back to Leh via the same route. Reach Leh by evening as we will stop by at various places en-route. Evening you’ll be free to explore the market on your own.
Overnight at Leh.
Day 06- River Rafting in Zanskar river.
Ladakh is known for adventure, and a visit to Ladakh would be incomplete without indulging in one of the most adventurous activities – white water river rafting on Zanskar river and July-August are the best months for this activity when the river gets swollen with water. You can raft on rapids up to grade IV. Hot lunch will be served at the rafting location itself. It’s almost a full day activity.
The evening will be free to explore the Leh market or any other place you want to explore by yourself. Overnight in Leh.
Day 7: Visit PAGIR and Artisanal Alchemy.
The experiences that we will have today will stay with us for the rest of our lives simply because, with the first one, you will impact and contribute to making someone’s life better positively. The second one will leave a long-lasting impression on your taste buds by experiencing the authentic local Ladakhi cuisine that no one knows about.
We’ll start our day by visiting PAGIR (Peoples Action Group for Inclusions and Rights), a Leh based NGO run by the disabled hailing from various parts of Ladakh. The organisation has been working tirelessly for the last thirteen years to welfare of the disabled communities of Ladakh. The artisans, who are primarily differently-abled, works for preserving the environment and promote the livelihoods of communities engaged in waste management. They turn waste raw materials like paper, cloth, plastic or cd into decorative and meaningful products. They even make sustainable bricks from waste. You can not only see them working, but you’ll be able to try your hands too at making your own gift items with recycled materials.
After this life-transforming experience, we will experience a specially curated Ladakhi artisanal meal by an exceptional local expert. Overnight at Hotel
Day 08- Departure
Tour Ends but not the experiences.
July!
Or you can extend your trip by two more days to experience any of the below destinations at an extra cost.
Option 1- Khardungla Pass/ Nubra Valley (Minimum 2 PAX)
Option II- Pangong Lake (Minimum 2 PAX)
Option III- Tsomoriri (Minimum 2 PAX)
Day 09- Return to Leh
Day 10- Departure
Get early drop back to the airport for a flight back home with happy memories of Travel See Write in Ladakh.
Disclaimers – If the situation worsens because of COVID, we will cancel the trip and refund the entire fees of the trip as the safety of locals and travellers is most important for us.
Group size
Only ten people. First-come, first-serve basis.
Here is a glimpse of different experiences you’ll have in Ladakh:
The cost of the entire Trip – Rs 45,000/-
Tour Inclusions for 7N8D trip:
· Accommodation on twin sharing basis
· Meal Plan – Breakfast & Dinner
· Transfers
Tour Exclusion:
· Flight Tickets
· Lunch
· Any kind of Insurance
· Museum or Palace Tickets
· Beverages, telephone calls, items of a personal nature, and personal services.
· Anything not included in ‘Tour inclusions’
· Additional days
Cancellation
· For cancellations received up to 30 calendar days before the scheduled departure; a 25% cancellation fee will be charged.
· For cancellations received 15 -29 calendar days before the scheduled departure date; a 60% cancellation fee will be charged.
· For cancellations received 7 -14 calendar days before the scheduled departure date; an 80% cancellation fee will be charged.
· For cancellations received within 7 calendar days before the scheduled departure date, a 100% cancellation fee will be charged.
While TSW trips are open to all, I would request the following people not to join who
While you’ll make life long memories at the end of the trip, the locals will earn their livelihood from showcasing their land and culture. Our close association with local Ladakhi communities will take us beyond the majestic mountains and high passes to experience the local Ladakhi Life most authentically!
Additionally, we will ensure that we leave only footprints while making memories. We will leave no trash behind throughout our trip and will try to neutralise our carbon footprint to zero.
The flora and fauna that we discover during our travels are essential to the local people who live in the places we visit. Indigenous communities tend to have an incredibly intimate relationship with the natural world. They rely heavily on the land and its resources for their traditional ways of life.
As Responsible Travellers, we must take care to protect the local lands and ecosystems that we visit. Because while these places are destinations to us, locals call them home. Let’s not destroy others home for our pleasure.
If yes, email at archana@travelseewrite.com to book your slot. Hurry up! Limited slots.
Before the second wave, India established the Air Bubble pact with 27 countries, while flights were operational to many other countries. These included sought-after holiday destinations such as the United Kingdom, Europe, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. But as India battled the massive tsunami of coronavirus cases during the second wave of COVID-19, almost all countries put a travel ban on flights originating from India.
With cases dropping steadily in India after the brutal surge in April-May and India vaccinating more of its population daily, the idea of International travel is yet again looking possible for Indians. While some countries are allowing fully vaccinated Indian travellers, others have relaxed the travel restrictions.
Vaccinated Indian travellers have started dreaming about future vacations overseas. Still, it’s essential to plan for a safe and hassle-free experience. To enable you with the correct information, here is a list of all the countries that are open to Indian tourists currently.
As per Kayak, this is the current status for International Travel Restrictions for Indian Travellers
Eight European Union countries (Austria, Germany, Greece, Slovenia, Ireland, Spain, Estonia and Netherlands) and two non-member states, Iceland and Switzerland, have confirmed that they will permit Indians inoculated with Covishield to travel to their countries. Estonia has recognised all the vaccines authorised by the Indian government, including Covaxin, that local firm Bharat Biotech has developed.
Please note that India is still on the RED LIST of most European countries because of which Indian Travellers aren’t permitted to travel freely in Europe. Only the ones having long-stay visas are allowed to enter the European countries. They require an authorisation letter from your employer or embassy to establish the legitimacy and urgency of your travel. As a result, hardly any European Embassy in India is giving tourist visas to Indians as of date. So even if you are fully vaccinated and have a long stay tourist/business visa please do check with the respective embassy and flight carrier before booking your tickets.
Find up to date and detailed information about travel restrictions in place for every country in Europe, here.
Here are the travel guidelines in brief for each country.
Switzerland was the first European country to open its doors for fully vaccinated visitors from post-second Covid wave India. Moreover, Indian travellers who have got both jabs of Covishield don’t need to quarantine on arrival.
Travel Guidelines: Travellers who have been vaccinated or recovered from covid19 will be allowed to enter Switzerland without having to be tested or quarantined. Others have to present a negative PCR test or rapid antigen test and go into quarantine on entry.
For details about Switzerland visas for Indians, click here.
Germany has lifted its ban on travellers from five countries hit by the Delta variant of COVID-19, including India, Nepal, Russia, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. On July 7, these five countries were reclassified as “high-incidence areas” instead of the “virus variant country” category.
Travel Guidelines: Earlier only the citizens and residents of Germany were permitted to enter from India and they too had to undergo a two-week quarantine, regardless of whether they were fully vaccinated or were carrying a negative Covid-19 test. By contrast, now anyone from a high-incidence country can enter Germany as long as they provide a negative Covid test on arrival. They must in principle enter a 10-day quarantine but can end it after five days with another negative test. And, if Travellers from high-incidence areas are fully vaccinated then they are exempted from quarantine.
For details about German visas for Indians, click here.
One of the most popular tourist destinations globally, Spain reopened its border to all vaccinated tourists globally on June 7.
Travel Guidelines: Fully vaccinated individuals with a WHO or EMEA-approved vaccine are allowed to enter Spain. This means only travellers who have received Covishield will be eligible to apply for visas currently. In addition to vaccination proof, travellers will also have to take RT-PCR tests before departure.
For details about Spain visas for Indians, click here.
Russia is among the few countries allowing Indians to travel on tourist visas. Still, they have to go through a tedious process. Firstly, to enter Russia, one has to have an invitation from a government-mandated tourist agency and providing mere hotel reservations doesn’t suffice. Also, the so-called ‘vaccine holidays’ are turning out to be false because Russian authorities have confirmed that the country isn’t inoculating tourists.
Travel Guidelines: One has to produce an RT-PCR test within 72 hours before arrival and an on-spot test at arrival. If the test result comes negative, you can enter Russia. If positive, you will be transferred to a COVID treatment facility. Most travellers, vaccinated or unvaccinated, are not expected to live in quarantine, except for those who opt for an on-arrival test. They are required to wait for the results at a designated location for 24 or 48 hours. Also, since there are very few flights from India to Russia, the flight tickets are at least 2.5 times higher than regular airfare.
For details about Russian visas for Indians, click here.
Another popular destination for international travellers could be Serbia.
Travel Guidelines: The country allows travellers from all nations with a negative RT-PCR test 48-hours before taking the flight. In the absence of an RT-PCR test, one has to undergo a 10-day self-quarantine. Unlike most countries, Serbia accepts one dose of Covishield (Oxford-AstraZeneca) as proof of vaccination for travellers.
Lufthansa and KLM Royal Dutch operate only limited flights from India to Belgrade, Serbia. The prices are not exponentially high as compared to Russia.
For details about Serbia visas for Indians, click here. Indians are eligible for visa-on-arrival in Belgrade, making travel far more effortless.
Ukraine is yet another European country that has opened its borders to Indian tourists.
Travel Guidelines: Travellers visiting the nation will have to furnish a negative RT-PCR test, as well as a negative Antigen test. Moreover, they must have received both doses of a WHO-approved vaccine and should, without fail, carry a vaccination certificate of the same. Also, they might be subject to rapid-antigen tests across all state borders and check-posts in the country.
For details about Ukraine visas for Indians, click here.
All travellers’ regardless of their origin’ can now visit Iceland. The only requirement is that they have to be fully vaccinated with the approved vaccinations by the EU, including Covishield by AstraZeneca.
Travel Guidelines: Travellers will have to present a valid vaccination certificate and a negative PCR test upon arrival. They will be exempted from quarantine if the test comes negative.
Pure Luxe by KFT provides private charters and land packages since India doesn’t have an Air Bubble pact with Iceland.
For details about Iceland visas for Indians, click here.
While the UK has not lifted the ban on Indian travellers, you can still visit the nation if you have stayed in Iceland for more than ten days. In other words, it means that if you have to enter the UK on a Tourist Visa, you need to fly to Iceland first, stay there for 10-days and then you can enter the UK border.
For details about the United Kingdom visa for Indians, click here.
The land of kimchi, K-pop, K-dramas, Samsung, LG, Hyundai, the 12-step skincare routine, and of course, Gangnam Style is now open for Indian travellers.
Travel Guidelines: South Korea has lifted the travel ban on Indian Travellers and done away with the mandatory 14-day quarantine for those vaccinated with both the doses of Covishield vaccine. However, those vaccinated with Covaxin, which is yet to be approved by the World Health Organization, will have to remain in quarantine.
For details about South Korean visas for Indians, click here.
Sri Lanka is the only Indian subcontinent country that is open for Indian travellers currently.
Travel Guidelines: While Indian travellers can enter Sri Lanka, a 14-day quarantine is mandatory at hotels termed ‘Safe and Secure’. Also, they will be tested on the first, 11th and 14th day of their visit, regardless of them being vaccinated or not. Once they finish the mandatory quarantine, they can leave the hotel premises and explore the country.
For details about Sri Lanka visas for Indians, click here.
As per the official reports, the Maldives welcomed over 400,000 tourists since the beginning of January 2021. Russian travellers topped the chart, followed by Indians. However, Maldives put a ban on Indian Travellers when the second wave hit India. But now the Maldives has again opened its doors for Indian travellers resuming its visa-on-arrival for Indian travellers starting July 15
Travel Guidelines: As per a tweet from the Maldives tourism ministry, international passengers must carry a negative RT-PCR test. Travellers must take the COVID test within 96 hours from the scheduled time of departure. Also, they’ll need to fill in the health declaration form on the Maldives immigration portal 24 hours prior to the departure. There won’t be any mandatory quarantine or test on arrival. However, if someone shows COVID-19 symptoms, they will have to undergo a PCR test.
For details about Maldives visas for Indians, click here.
After staying closed for tourists for a long time, Mauritius is opening to welcome all vaccinated guests from July 15 onwards.
Travel Guidelines: However, international travellers still need to show a negative RT-PCR test report. Upon arrival in Mauritius, they will also need to undergo a Covid test followed by 14 days mandatory quarantine at an establishment approved by the authorities. After a negative COVID test result on the 14th day, travellers are free to explore the island nation.
For details about Mauritius visas for Indians, click here.
Armenia has been open for international travellers for a while, but the once sought after travel destination became a quarantine hub for hundreds of Indians returning to the UAE when the UAE suspended flights to India. While the restrictions are still in place, Indian tourists can plan a future trip to the country rich in cultural heritage and delicious food.
Travel Guidelines: Indian travellers entering Armenia need to either provide a negative RT-PCR test from a maximum of 72 hours before departure or provide a vaccination certificate.
For details about Armenia visas for Indians, click here.
The central Asian country is home to some of the Silk Road’s most iconic sights, including the three great Silk Road cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. The country is now open for travellers, including Indian tourists.
Other Asian countries that are expected to allow Indians soon – United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan
Travel Guidelines To visit Uzbekistan this year, you’ll need a negative RT-PCR test report not older than 72 hours before arrival, followed by 14 days of mandatory quarantine.
For details about Uzbekistan visas for Indians, click here.
Kyrgyzstan, a Central Asian country boasting of grand architecture, heritage sites and cultural lessons, is now open for Indian travellers.
Travel Guidelines: Travellers who are not vaccinated will need to carry a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours before boarding a flight to Kyrgyzstan. Also, upon arrival, they will need to self-quarantine. Those who can give internationally recognised vaccination certificates are exempted from all forms of tests.
For details about Kyrgyzstan visas for Indians, click here.
Although Afghanistan is not considered a safe destination by most travellers, this landlocked nation is open to Indian tourists.
Travel Guidelines: Indians will need to produce a negative RT-PCR test report that should not be older than 72 hours before arrival in Afghanistan. However, it is advised that travellers avoid travelling to Kabul for the next few weeks, owing to the rise of COVID cases in the capital city.
For details about Afghanistan visas for Indians, click here.
A popular destination among Indian travellers, Turkey, is now allowing tourists.
Travel Guidelines: While travellers can plan a trip to Turkey, they’ll have to undergo mandatory 14-day institutional quarantine. Travellers must take an RT-PCR test on the fourteenth day. Only on testing negative will they be allowed to leave the quarantine facility. Another demotivating factor is the ticket prices – at least twice higher than regular airfare and flights operated by carriers such as Air India, Emirates and KLM Royal Dutch.
For details about Turkey visas for Indians, click here.
South Africa hasn’t imposed any travel restrictions on Indian tourists since the beginning of the pandemic. Still, flight options remain limited, as do ports of entry.
Travel Guidelines: All you need to visit this destination is an RT-PCR test report, which should not be older than 72 hours before taking the flight. As per the reports, if those arriving in South Africa fail to present their negative PCR test as the certificate of proof, they will need to self-quarantine at their own expense.
For details about South Africa visas for Indians, click here.
Egypt, the land of Pyramids, has opened its borders to Indian travellers.
Travel Guidelines: Like other countries, travellers have to furnish a negative RT-PCR test for a maximum of 72 hours before flying to Egypt. Also, they’ll have to undergo a rapid DNA test on arrival. If the test result comes positive, either they’ll be quarantined for 15 days or be sent back to their point of departure.
For details about Egypt visas for Indians, click here.
Indian travellers with valid visas can now visit the African nations with limited restrictions in place.
Travel Guidelines: If not vaccinated, Indian travellers will need to carry a negative RT-PCR test taken no less than five days before the date of departure and will be required to self-isolate for seven days.
For details about Ethiopia visas for Indians, click here.
While Rwanda has opened to tourism, it has placed stringent COVID-19 measures for all international tourists.
Travel Guidelines: Like most countries, travellers visiting Rwanda have to present a negative RT-PCR test taken at least 72 hours before taking the flight. Upon arrival, they’ll need to take a PCR test costing $60 and must quarantine for 24 hours at a designated hotel. A rapid antigen test is required to visit most tourist places in Rwanda. Moreover, some tourist places such as the famous volcanos and national parks require a negative RT-PCR test (72-hour period) for admission.
For details about Rwanda visas for Indians, click here.
The first country in North America post-COVID19 second wave to allow Indian tourists without too many travel restrictions.
Travel Guidelines: The country does not require any vaccine or pre-flight testing. While the Mexican Embassy is currently not issuing tourist visas, those with valid US, UK, Schengen, or Japanese visas and permanent residents can enter visa-free.
Currently, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, and United serve several locations in Mexico with one-stop.
After keeping its borders closed for Indian tourists for a while, Canada has also brought in a slew of travel relaxations and has exempted fully vaccinated people from mandatory quarantine from July 5th onwards. The move is aimed at facilitating international students, relatives of permanent residents, and temporary workers with valid work permits. Here are the details you must know before booking your tickets:
Travel Guidelines: All travellers have to mandatorily provide a negative Covid-19 test report taken within 72 hours before their entry to Canada. Those entering the country must be vaccinated with both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. At the moment, the Canadian government accepts Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Covishield, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines. People who have taken the Bharat Biotech vaccine or Russian-made Sputnik will have to undergo mandatory quarantine upon entering Canada. Those who are travelling without taking the approved vaccine jabs will have to quarantine at a hotel for three days, take a second test on the eighth day of their arrival, and complete 14-days in self-isolation, as per the reports. Travellers must upload their proof of vaccination in the ArriveCAN portal. One important thing to note is that direct flights from India will remain prohibited till July 21 until further notice.
For details about Canada visas for Indians, click here.
Indians can now travel to Costa Rica.
Travel Guidelines: Travellers neither need a vaccination certificate nor an RT-PCR test report. However, travellers will have to fill out a health pass form upon arrival at the rainforested Central American country.
For details about Costa Rica visa for Indians, click here.
In the end, all I can say is while the world is slowly coming back to normal, remember that your vaccine is not your ticket to international travel. Your vaccine AND global vaccine equity is our collective ticket to the meaningful return of international travel. Let’s limit our travel until the pandemic is under control, and if we must travel, let’s travel responsibly.
Disclaimer: The travel guidelines and restrictions mentioned for each country are as of July 2, 2021. These might change, as per the rules and regulations of each country, depending on the coronavirus situation in India. Before planning your trip please do check with the respective embassy and flight carrier.
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Ladakh, the northernmost union territory of India, is at high altitudes ranging from 8,780 ft to 25,170 ft height in the Karakoram Range. Most of the year, the region has to bear long, cold, harsh wind-swept winters where temperatures fall as low as – 40 °F. Because of such harsh living conditions, Ladakh is mostly barren, with few green patches here and there. Covering an area of 59,146 km², it supports 2.74 lakhs residents, most of whom make their living through subsistence agriculture. However, the population becomes more than double in summers when over three lakh tourists descend in this extremely picturesque land of high passes. Ever since Amir Khan’s Three Idiots hit the cinemas, Ladakh became the most loved destination for Indian tourists. The exponential rise in tourist footfall (from 16,449 tourists in 1994 to 2,79 lakhs in 2019) definitely brought in money and employment opportunities in the jobs-scarce Ladakh, but it also brought in an unwarranted tax on its precious natural resources. Soon there were mountains of plastic waste everywhere and the region started grappling with other over-tourism led issues.
Sajad Nabi Dar, a climate expert with M. Phil and PhD degrees in Sustainable Mountain Tourism Development in Ladakh, sheds light on tourists’ callousness. He told Travel See Write,
Ladakh has two types of toilets–traditional dry compost toilets and modern flush toilets. While the locals, especially farmers, prefer the conventional dry toilets, as they not only save water but are great for farming lands as well; but tourists prefer flush toilets. As a result, each tourist wastes around 7-8 buckets of precious water daily on a toilet, which is entirely unnecessary in a region where water is most precious.
Fe further continues that before the tourism boom, the glacial meltwater and springs were enough to supply water to the entire Leh town. But over the years, the water demand skyrocketed so much that they were not enough and the hotels and guesthouses had to dig bore wells to extract the groundwater, which further depleted the water table. Unfortunately, today almost all the springs in the town have dried up, and they require thousands of water tankers daily to fulfil the needs of the tourists. The worst part is the water shortage is forcing locals to leave their generational homes and give up their agrarian-based economy. Many villages in the valley, including villages such as Kulum near Leh and Kumik in Zanskar, were abandoned due to water shortage. While attempts are being made to rehabilitate ghost villages by solving the water crisis through artificial glaciers (Ice Stupas) the problem won’t get solved until they take concrete steps to reduce the unregulated tourism-led pressure on Ladakh.
While the tourist boom has undeniably created employment opportunities in the trans-Himalayan region of India, it has brought along severe after-effects, namely on the environment, culture and socio-economic divide of Ladakh.
The tourism industry has created a massive garbage and plastic problem in the region. Unfortunately, infrastructure in terms of waste disposal and management is still lacking, and the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh is being destroyed beyond repair. In a mindless race to lure tourists, hotels and guest houses try to match the western standards, undue pressuring scarce natural resources beyond what the local community usually requires. For example, instead of consuming the indigenously produced food items such as potatoes and barley (requiring lesser water to grow), tourists demand to eat tomatoes and peppers imported from other states where there is no water issue. Not just that, they litter non-biodegradable waste in the most pristine lands that are hard to clean.
As per Aparajita Goswami of Zero Waste Ladakh, “Ladakh has always been a Zero Waste society. However, with the opening of Ladakh to the outside world, the contents of the local waste changed, comprising a large portion of inorganic materials such as plastics, cement, glass, metals, ceramics, polyester, rubber and much more. Although dearly paid for by the locals, such waste materials hold little or no value for them. Thus, waste proliferation and pollution of the pristine environment have become the most pressing concerns in Ladakh.”
Konchok Norgay, who works with SECMOL (Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh and HIAL (Himalayan Institute Alternative Ladakh), founded by Sonam Wangchuk for Sustainable Development of Ladakh, told shared how Ladakh is loved to Death by tourists.
In tourist season every day 300-600 cars visit Pangong Lake carrying approximately four persons per car and each passenger buying at least four single-use plastic bottles. All these 5000 – 10,000 bottles are recklessly littered in the valley without thinking about who will clean up their mess once their trip ends. Since there is no proper waste management system in Ladakh, the plastic waste remains discarded forever in the open area, sometimes reaching inaccessible lands where tourists can’t reach it.
A sentiment further echoed by Sajjad, “Locals are more responsible for managing waste, but tourists don’t act responsibly. They have this mentality that because they are spending money on their trip, they have bought the hotel, and it’s their right to do whatever they want.”
He points out a simple solution to control plastic bottle waste that already exists but is not followed. There are water refilling stations everywhere in Leh, and locals always use them, but tourists don’t. They still buy single-use plastic bottles and contribute to ever-increasing mountains of rubbish in Leh.
Sharing the grim picture of an almost non-existent waste management system in Leh, Vilayat Ali of Pristine Ladakh says,
Every single day in the Tourist season, Leh generates over 50,000 single-use plastic bottles and approximately 16 tonnes of waste generated per day during tourist season. All this waste goes to an open landfill area called Bombguard that lies just outside Leh. Once a livestock pasture is now a large landfill and a breeding ground for 5000 Feral Dogs. These dogs have become a big menace–they attack locals, kill local wildlife and even mate with foxes. Thus bringing a permanent change in the wildlife of Ladakh.
Ladakh had no waste problems until two decades back; locals could recycle everything back to the land. Konchok Norgay explained Leh had no landfills until the two roads opened–Leh-Srinagar highway and Leh-Manali road. Once the roads opened, it brought hordes of tourists keen to get clicked on pristine landscapes but showed no respect and responsibility for managing their waste. The large volume of waste produced by them is polluting land, air, and water. While the plastic waste degrades the soil fertility and chokes water bodies, the poisonous fumes from open landfills make the already thin air non-breathable. Adding to the misery, the faulty sewage systems put up by hotel owners mix the contaminated water with spring water used by the local communities. To appease temporary tourists, they create permanent health hazards for locals.
Tourists also demand city like services such as air conditioning, heating, lighting, and transportation needs primarily run on fossil fuels. They add harmful diesel fumes and smoke to the list of Ladakh’s environmental woes. This unplanned tourism growth has been playing havoc on Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem for a while and irrevocably changing Ladakh’s climate. Temperatures are rising, glaciers are melting, and snow and ice sheet are becoming thinner by the day. The Zanskar river, which used to freeze for three months, hardly freezes for a month. As a result, they cut short the Chadar trek on frozen Zanskar this year for less than a month. Vilayat reminisces about his childhood when the temperature dropped as low as -35°C in winters, but in 2021, the lowest recorded temperature was just – 18°C. That shows the severity of the issue that no one is discussing.
From being primarily an agricultural economy, Ladakh’s economy now depends heavily on tourism-related activities, such as running hotels and restaurants, operating travel agencies, trekking and guiding companies, offering taxi and flight booking services, having souvenir shops, and so on. An uncountable number of people, especially the young, draw their income from these activities, thus making tourism almost the lifeline of Ladakhi economy and society. Because of the shift to tourism, locals are gradually giving up farming – their traditional source of livelihood. Thus, tourism has posed a direct threat to the conventional, agriculture-based economy of Ladakh. Not just that, the ancient Buddhist culture and ancient trans-Himalayan traditions are in danger too. Tourists look at locals as mere props of the pre-industrialised Tibetan era and don’t understand the local culture and cuisine of the place. Take, for example, how tourists objectify the unique Aran Valley culture. Dolkar, a resident of one of the last remaining villages of the claimed Pure Aryan race in the world, said how tourists are just interested in getting clicked with them wearing their elaborate headgear and sheep’s wool kaftans. Nobody wants to know how this over-commercialisation of culture is hurting the younger generations.
Tourism, Ladakh’s major cash cow, has brought clear economic benefits, but only to a minority of the population employed in this industry. Leh is the hub of Ladakh’s tourism economy, and very little of the economic benefit of tourism reach over 90 per cent of Ladakhis who live outside this area. Within Leh also, it’s the handful of Ladakhis owning large hotels that benefit disproportionately. Much of the money spent in Leh go to tour operators and merchants who come to Ladakh just for the tourist season.
According to the President of All Ladakh Tour Operators Association (ALTOA), Daleks Namgyal, 90% of the domestic tourists who visit Ladakh definitely keep Leh-Nubra-Pangong on their itinerary but explore little beyond that. Kargil, the other district in Ladakh, is similar in size and attractions as Leh gets only 15-20% tourists. And, they too mostly spend a day in the town to visit the war memorial or use it as a transit night halt destination when travelling on Leh-Srinagar highway.
The only way to save Ladakh’s fragile environment from unregulated tourism is through Sustainable Development. And, tourists can make a lot of difference in preventing damage to the environment of Ladakh by making wise choices.
You can avoid undue pressuring Ladakh and its people by travelling in the off-season and by visiting lesser-visited places. Look for unique experiences beyond visiting star attractions. Choose locally grown vegetables and fruits to support the local farmers. Waste less water and use dry compost toilets wherever possible. Choose homestays over swanky hotels. Have freshly cooked meals and locally made snacks instead of pre-packaged junk foods like chips, biscuits, and soft drinks.
The only way to reduce plastic is not to use it. You can do that by not buying single-use plastic bottles, plastic straws, single-use toiletries, and processed food and drinks that come in non-biodegradable packaging. Instead, opt for a reusable water bottle that you can refill from anywhere. Carry eco-friendly wooden or steel cutlery, and a reusable thermos flask. Relish freshly prepared food and drinks by the locals instead of eating packaged junk food. Most importantly, ensure that you don’t leave your trash behind when you travel and dispose of it properly at designated waste collection centres. Never litter on streets, in water bodies and scenic spots.
NGOs like PAGIR (People’s Action Group for Inclusion and Rights) are providing garbage solutions in Ladakh. Under their zero waste program, they collect waste from different parts of the city, bring it to their campus, segregate it and, according to the usability of the trash, recycle each item and use tailoring and various other techniques to make handcrafts that anyone can purchase from them. They even make sustainable bricks from rubbish. The best part is, besides solving the waste problem of Leh, PAGIR trains and provides employment to differently-abled Ladakhis who are otherwise considered as a burden by society.
As a responsible traveller, include adventure and nature activities in your itinerary, such as hiking or biking. It will keep you fit, reduce your carbon footprint, and help you build deeper connections with the locals.
If there’s one best road trip destination In India that needs no introduction, it’s Ladakh. Everyone dreams of either doing a motorbike expedition in Ladakh or simply a road trip in its pristine landscapes. The ₹600 crores (US$84 million) tourism industry in Ladakh was booming until the COVID19 pandemic changed our world forever. Vilayat Ali, the founder of Pristine Ladakh, shared how tourism has been unpredictable in the last one and a half years.
We completely lost the 2020 summer season, but 2021 looked promising with bookings done until Aug 2021. But then the second wave arrived, and everything vanished overnight, again. We somehow managed to survive in 2020 but don’t know how we can do it for one more year.
This is a common issue for most tour operators in Ladakh, and now survival has become an issue for them. While the situation won’t change overnight and needs an intervention of the government, the popularity of Ladakh gives a ray of hope to the people whose livelihood depends entirely on tourism. Just before the second wave hit India, I took a trip to Ladakh. It was my seventh trip to the valley, so I was not looking at the best places to visit in Ladakh or undertake a Ladakh bike trip as I had already done that before. This time my objective was to go wholly offbeat and create awareness about the issues that no one talks about. I am releasing a series of articles and videos on my experience in the land of high passes.
I chose to visit Ladakh in Feb-March for two main reasons. Firstly, I wanted to explore Ladakh without the invasion of pesky tourists, pushing their selfie-sticks in my face and photobombing each and every picture I click. I am sure many would have faced a similar situation. Secondly, I wanted to understand the environmental and cultural issues plaguing Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem. Unregulated tourism is creating more long-term problems than short-term economic gains. Unfortunately, not many are paying attention to climate change, waste management and cultural erosion of Ladakh. So, I decided to use this trip to dig deeper and give a voice to locals’ struggles.
The first decision I had to make was choosing the Delhi to Leh flight. Usually, the flights from Delhi to Leh are early morning which messes up your previous night’s sleep. Thankfully IndiGo’s flight to Leh was leaving at 10:45 am, so I quickly booked it. The icing on the cake was that it was the airline’s inaugural flight to Leh. So, there were a lot of surprises waiting for passengers. As I entered the Indira Gandhi Airport’s Terminal 2, I was greeted with a decorated check-in counter where the IndiGo staff distributed candies amongst the travellers. Also, there was a special certificate created for the occasion. The best part was that instead of one captain, there were three veteran captains on this flight. Upon arrival, a Ladakhi musical performance was organised at the Leh airport.
Here’s a video of my experience on IndiGo’s first flight to Leh.
Due to fewer guest arrivals, very few hotels and guesthouses remain opened in winters. Moreover, harsh winters and sub-zero temperature make it impossible for mid to small size properties to provide central heating and 24/7 hot and cold water to their guests. Thankfully Grand Dragon Ladakh is well equipped. And that’s why I made it my base. Being one of the oldest and grandest hotels in Ladakh, it is a destination to explore in itself. I was told in the summers, the room rent reaches 16,000 INR per night. The plush property is well designed, keeping the local Buddhist art and culture in mind but fully equipped with modern-day fittings. And, that explains why despite the tourist off-season, the hotel was completely sold out. Upon arrival, I discovered that my trip had coincided with the Winter Conclave, Ladakh. Thankfully I got a good room with a beautiful view of the mountains. The three-floored property has 75 rooms and 12 suites with six luxury suites and six heritage. You can read a full review of Grand Dragon Hotel here: Luxury Stay in Leh Ladakh.
Being a bucket list destination, Ladakh ranks very high on Indian tourist’s to-do list. And, there is no shortage of experiences that one can have in Ladakh. But out of the 2.79 lakh tourists that visited Ladakh in 2019, very few went on the non-touristy trail.
Instead of tick marking the places wanted to understand the people, their culture, struggles and food. So, I asked my local counterpart to prepare a completely offbeat itinerary.
Day 1 & 2 – Arrival, Acclimatisation and Shanti Stupa
Day 3 – Thiksey Monastery, Nyerma Nunnery and Ladakhi artisanal meal experience at Stoke Palace
Day 4 – SECMOL School, Chilling, PAGIR, and Bombguard waste dump yard site
Day 5 & 6 – Aryan Valley via Khaltse
Day 7 – Leh sightseeing (Hemis Monastery, Chuchot Village Double Humped Camel Farm, Central Asian Museum, Heritage town and Leh market)
Day 8 – Return to Delhi
So, in the upcoming #OffbeatLadakhWithTSW series, I’ll share in detail some of my ‘Ladakh in Winters’ experiences with you. Here’s a trailer of the series.
Until 14th June, the Leh district administration had imposed a weekend curfew across the district from Friday 9pm till 5am on Monday to curtail the rising number of Covid-19 cases. But some relaxations have been given like the odd-even non-essential vehicular movement is allowed with 50% of seating capacity. Public transport and non-essential shops are closed on all days. Restaurants can only provide home delivery, and hotels can open dine-in restaurants with their 30% capacity. Tourists are required to arrive with a negative RT-PCR report.
In the coming weeks, all restrictions are expected to be waived off.
By road
Riding a Royal Enfield in Ladakh is every biker’s dream, but that opportunity is only available for a limited window. There are two ways to get into the Union Territory of Ladakh – the Zoji-La Pass Kargil route from Srinagar District in the Kashmir Valley and the high altitude Manali-Leh Highway from Himachal Pradesh. The Manali-Leh road is open only from May/June to October/November when high mountain passes are safe to travel with no snow on the road. The Srinagar-Leh road is open from April/May to November/December.
By flight
Direct flights from Delhi Airport to military-operated Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport at Leh year-round on Air India, Vistara, Spicejet, GoAir, and Feb 2021 launched IndiGo. Air India also operates weekly flights to Jammu and Srinagar.
By train
The nearest railway station is Udhampur, where you need to take a taxi, bus or a flight to reach Leh Ladakh.
Ladakh is well served by local buses plying from Leh to Kargil towns. And, if you find them a tad too slow for your liking, you can always find taxis in Leh and Kargil as well as in block headquarters like Diskit, Tangtse, and Khalsa. In addition, you can save money by hopping into shared taxis going to Nubra, Kargil, Srinagar, and Zanskar. They usually leave Leh in the early morning.
Roads within Ladakh, except to Zanskar, are open all year round. But before planning to visit Ladakh in winters, check the weather report as the Khardung-La Pass to Nubra and Chang-La pass to Pangong Lake can get closed due to heavy snowfall in winters or spring. For example, I couldn’t visit Pangong in Feb 2021 because there was heavy snowfall at Chang-La.
If it’s your first time in Ladakh, most likely you would want to visit Pangong Tso Lake, Khardung-La Pass, Nubra, Thiksey Monastery, Tso Moriri lake, Hemis National Park, Diskit Monastery or Lamayuru.
However, I would strongly urge you to go off the beaten space and explore places such as Aryan Valley, Zanskar, Changthang, Sham Valley, and Markha Valley, among many more regions that hardly get the benefits tourism. Instead, 90% of the tourists visit the usual touristy spots – Leh, Khardungla, Nubra, and Pangong.
The best month to visit Ladakh is anytime around the year. However, if you want to see Ladakh in full bloom then June to Sept is a great time. Days are crisp, long and the weather is pleasant. However, you’ll find lots of summer holiday crowd in the months of May and June. Often I get asked questions such as “can we go to Ladakh in winters” or “how cold is Ladakh in winters” or “is it safe to visit Ladakh in December or January”. The answer is Yes. After all, there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. Ladakh looks gorgeous in winters and you can explore the wintery beauty of Ladakh from January to March. But pack winterwear appropriately as the Ladakh temperature in winters can go up to -30 degree Celsius.
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In this article, you’ll read how migration has become the biggest issue for Uttarakhand. And, how the mountain women of Munsiyari are fighting against this battle through their ecotourism initiatives such as the Sarmoli Homestay Program and Maati Sangathan (women self-help group). Not only they are winning but they have also started a quiet revolution — for empowerment, employment and the environment. They are truly the SHEroes. Also, find information on how to plan a trip to Munsiyari
When the scorching summer heat starts beating down on us, we start looking for colder places to take respite from the unbearable heat. We can’t stop singing praises about how good it is to sit and relax in mountain lodges situated in lush green surroundings. The continuous supply of clean air, clear blue skies, pleasant weather and healthy fresh food, makes us forget our troubles and worries.
Mountains look stunning from a distance but remove your rose-tinted glasses, and you see a grim reality hiding behind them.
Uttarakhand became an independent state in 2000. Since then, around 3.3 million people — more than one-third of Uttarakhand’s population — have migrated from rural areas. The result: ghost villages with zero to ten inhabitants. Uttarakhand had 1,700 ghost villages, according to a 2018 report from the state Migration Commission. There are around 1,000 villages where less than 100 people reside. The flow of people has become constant in about 4000 villages of rural Uttarakhand.
Migration is one of the biggest issues of a state popularly referred to as Devbhoomi (The land of Gods). The situation became so critical that the Uttarakhand government had to form the Rural Development and Migration Commission in 2017 to examine all aspects of the problem and evolve a roadmap for developing the rural areas.
Primarily for better employment opportunities, education and medical facilities. More than 3/4th of the population of Uttarakhand is still rural and dependent on agriculture and natural resource-based employment. Both these livelihoods options are in a state of crisis because of low or no investment in making them viable. With greater integration with a marketised economy and aspiration engineered to suit market forces, rural populations migrate to cities to earn cash through menial labour. It is rural unemployment that is in crisis.
There is a famous local saying,
Pahad ka paani aur pahad ki jawani pahad mein nahi rukti
(The water and youth of mountains never stay permanently in the mountains)
I found the clues hidden in the tiny hamlets of Munsiyari, a picturesque hill station in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.
My first point of contact was Malika Virdi. Three decades ago, she left Delhi to settle in the small village of Sarmoli to empower the women of the mountains. She not only fought for their rights but also trained them to earn an alternate source of income. In 2004, the Himalayan Ark Homestay program started, where mountain people opened their homes to tourists who didn’t just come for sightseeing but wanted to become a part of their culture. From simple mountain women, they became Munsiyari’s Women of Mettle.
Despite leading a simple mountain life, they are enterprising, strong and multi-taskers managing several jobs in the same 24 hours that we have. These women grow their own food; they also knit clothes and run homestays. Their homestay programme gives travellers a glimpse into high-altitude village life. Treks and birding hikes are organised with experienced local guides. Here, you can slow down, breathe in the fresh mountain air, watch colourful butterflies and birds, and go for scenic hikes to sacred forest ponds through oak and rhododendron lined trails. You can sleep in rustic rooms in the local villagers’ homes and wake up to the view of majestic snow-capped peaks.
My favourite part of staying there was relishing the simple but delicious local Kumaoni food of my host. Saraswati Thakuni and her granddaughter, Bhanu, would cook a lavish spread – Madua ki roti (ragi known as finger millet), home-grown pahadi red rice, Bhatt ka soup (kumaoni black bean), Timur ka saag (a medicinal Himalayan plant), Bhang ki chutney (wild hemp) and many more. The food was cooked on chulha (mud stove) and served on the kitchen floor to give an authentic homestay experience and prevent the food from getting cold. Traditionally, food was served in kanse/ bronze utensils. Home Stays try and maintain that practice with visiting tourists.
While relishing Sarmoli Homestay’s hospitality, I learnt that this homestay program provides the locals’ livelihood and a unique experience to the incoming travellers. Still, it also plays an active role in the region’s sustainable development, which is highly vulnerable to climate change. Malika Virdi, the Himalayan Ark Homestay program’s founder, shared the background story –
This women-led enterprise was founded in 2004 through village Forest Commons known as Van Panchayats. Before 2004, nature-based and community centred tourism was almost a non-extractive livelihood option.
Through the focussed and dedicated approach, they incentivised conservation efforts of the Himalayan Ecosystem and included the restoration of high altitude lakes, forests and communities. As a result, Sarmoli Homestay program has become a successful template for ecotourism in Uttarakhand. Through this program, not only Munsiyari’s Women created nature-compatible livelihoods for themselves and others, but they also helped to arrest people’s out-migration from their villages. The best part is they did this despite all odds, such as illiteracy, poverty, gender inequality, and lack of finances.
Sarmoli, under the guidance of Van Panchayat Sarpanch Virdi, has become a poster child of ecotourism in Uttarakhand. The mountain women have also brought down migration to the cities by involving villagers in their work. Before the pandemic, Sarmoli homestay owners were earning at least ₹1.5 lakh a year.
And, it isn’t just the homestay program that’s empowering women. Some 7-km away from Sarmoli in a 100-year-old Darkot village, women have turned the local tradition of knitting and weaving into a livelihood opportunity. A few years back, the villagers here got Angora rabbits to rear and use under a government scheme, making it a small and cruelty-free local industry. Today, every woman in Darkot knits and sell their product through local women-run cooperative setups such as Saras and Maati Sangathan.
Besides Darkot, there are about 12-13 villages where around 50-60 women make different woollen clothing types. Instead of selling it individually, they sell it through Women Sangathan (collective), where the sale happens after quality checks. Stocks are either sold through the local cooperative market store or sent directly to the buyers in different locations. This program’s unique thing is that each product carries a unique label of its creator, and she gets the maximum profit.
I learnt a big lesson after visiting the villages of Munsiyari. If migration from mountains needs to be stopped, infrastructure development won’t be enough. Upskilling of the locals and the creation of nature-compatible livelihoods is required. Maybe Uttarakhand’s Women of Mettle can provide some inspiration.
If you’re planning to visit Munsiyari, I highly recommend staying at Sarmoli Homestays. Run by local women, these are real Uttarakhand village homestays that offer a taste of rural life. The money directly supports and empowers female entrepreneurs. And indirectly supports the environmental causes they advocate for.
Here’s a documentary video I made on Munsiyari’s Women of Mettle
Due to its low population density and remote location, it is a safe destination to visit. There have been almost no or very few cases of COVID-19 here. Plus, a chance to experience a unique community development project entirely run by local women who had no education or formal training in running a business.
By road: The total distance from Delhi to Munsiyari is roughly 580 km long and takes about 17 hours to reach if driven nonstop. However, I would highly recommend a night halt at Almora or Nainital. Buses are available to Champavat, Almora and Tanakpur from ISBT Anand Vihar, Delhi.
By train: You can take a train to Tanakpur or Kathgodam; both are approximately 200 km from Munsiyari. From here, hire a cab.
By air: You can fly to Pantnagar (336 km from Munsiyari) or Pithoragarh airports (125 km from Munsiyari) and then take a taxi.
March to June or September to October.
March to June or Sept to Oct
The edited version of this story was published in
Hindu Businessline – Munsiyari’s women of mettle
Curiosity Saves Travel: How Ecotourism Helped Stop Domestic Violence in this Indian Village
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Looking to explore Incredible India but want to avoid crowded tourist destinations? Choose the vibrant state of Gujarat for its incredible heritage, handlooms, handicrafts, culture, food and wildlife. Here are the 10 best places to visit in Gujarat in 2021 and beyond.
The majority of 2020 and almost half of 2021 was spent being locked up inside our homes. Thankfully COVID cases have gone down and vaccination up. Perhaps it is safe to venture out and explore our very own backyard. One state has it all to give you a memorable trip. Gujarat. Gujarat is easy to explore and presents a potpourri of many histories, cultures, food and landscapes. While the Ahmedabad Heritage City dazzled me with its stunning architecture and ancient culture, it was the countryside that took my heart away with its many treasures. I am no artist, but I couldn’t help appreciating the art found in tribal Kutchi villages. And, of course, the excellent national parks that are home to some really unique wildlife, including Asiatic lions, migratory birds, and wild asses. Through this post, you’ll get to know about famous places in Gujarat. Here’s a sneak peek of what to see in Gujarat and how much I miss the state.
But before you start dreaming about “Khusboo Gujarat Ki”, let me help you with the best places to visit in Gujarat. In this post, I’ll share unexplored places to visit in Gujarat, along with famous attractions. If you are a foodie or a culturephile like me, then you’d love the festivals and food markets of Vibrant Gujarat. But first, let me tell you some good news.
In January 2021, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani released the new tourism policy for the state for the next five years (Jan 2021- Dec 2025). The core vision of the new policy is to develop Tourism in a responsible, inclusive and sustainable manner in Gujarat. The state will promote as well as incentivise the adoption of e-vehicles and sustainability projects. Encouraging the vision of “Vocal for Local”, the state would increase the visibility of unique products made in India and demonstrate Gujarat’s native art and culture. Moreover, the tourist-centric infrastructure will be developed in both offbeat and tourist spots in Gujarat.
Gujarat Government is working towards one key project – making the Modhera Sun Temple and the Modhera village powered by solar energy. It will be the first of its kind in India.
So, you can definitely add this heritage site to your list of the famous places to visit in 2021 and beyond. If you wonder which tourist places are open now in Gujarat, then here is a list of some of the best places to visit in Gujarat with friends, family or couples.
When somebody asks me a question about which is the coolest place in Gujarat, my answer is Kutch. The Indian version of Bolivia’s “Mirror of the Sky.” (Uyuni Salt Flats). A geographic phenomenon that takes your breath away every time you see it. The Rann of Kutch is named after the Kutch district where it is situated. The word Rann means “salt marsh”. The flat, tortoise-shaped land is a seasonal island. Except for the monsoon season, the Ranns (Greater Rann of Kutch and Little Rann of Kutch) remain as vast expanses of blinding-white salt and dried mud. The barrenness for miles is weirdly spectacular, with small oases of water bodies and shrubland attracting pink flamingos. Come the monsoon, these vast barren lands get flooded first by seawater, then by fresh river water.
Travel Tip: The best time to visit the Great Rann of Kutch is in winter (November to February) as the weather is pleasant at that time. The famous Rann Utsav takes place at Dhordo from 1st November to 20th February every year.
Also, if allowed, don’t forget to visit the tribal villages, where you’ll see some of India’s finest handicrafts and textiles dazzling with exquisite embroidery and mirror work. The region is the epicentre for Kutchi embroidery, tie and dye, leatherwork, pottery, bell metal craft and the famous Rogan painting.
Approximately 200km east of the Great Rann of Kutch lies the Little Rann of Kutch. Unlike its elder sibling, it doesn’t get as many tourists as the former. However, I highly recommend you visit it, but if for nothing, then at least for its 4953sq m Wild Ass Sanctuary. The salt mudflats of the Little Rann of Kutch is the only place on earth where the endangered Indian Wild Ass still lives. Besides the wild asses, the Sanctuary is home to 32 species of mammals, two species of desert fox, jackals, caracals, nilgais, Indian wolves, blackbucks, and striped hyenas.
The pride of Gujarat – the Gir National Park – is the last refuge of the Asiatic lions. Been a few years since I last visited this forested hilly Sanctuary. Once the restrictions are fully lifted, and the park is open for tourists, I’ll definitely visit it and enjoy the Gir Jungle Safari experience. Apart from 600 Asiatic Lions, the National Park is also home to 37 other mammal species, including spotted deer, large deer, large antelopes, four-horned antelopes, gazelles, jaguars, striped hyena, foxes, marsh Crocodiles, rarely seen leopards and more than 300 bird species.
Tip: The best time to visit Gir National Park is from 16th October to 15th June every year.
Satpura has been on my wish list for a long, and I definitely plan to visit it in 2021. Located at the height of 875 metres above sea level and nestled in the Sahyadris, Saputara is the only hill station of Gujarat. The surprising thing is that it is hardly known outside of the state. By seeing the pictures of Saputara, I have fallen in love with it and can’t wait to explore it soon. Imagine lush green forests, rolling green hills, gurgling waterfalls, serpentine mountain roads, livid landscapes and plenty of charming hideouts to spend time with your loved ones or even with oneself; the town is definitely worth a visit. The focal point of this hill station is its lake, which has several recreational activities, including boating.
Tip: Satpura looks highly gorgeous in monsoon but the best time to visit Saputara is between October to February. Make sure you carry a jacket as the temperature can dip to as low as 8 degrees Celsius.
The unmatched architectural legacy of the 11th–century Sun Temple of the Solanki dynasty at Modhera in northwest Gujarat can make even the non-architecture lovers fall in love with this architectural majesty. The sacred and stunning Sun Temple is a declared monument of national importance and a living testimony of the golden era of the Solanki dynasty. The exterior is intricately carved with mythological stories of demons and deities. You have to walk through a pillared pavilion to reach the main hall and shrine. It is quite a miracle that centuries of invasions and climatic weathering have not diminished the temple’s astounding grandeur.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site will be adding one more feather to its cap – the Sun Temple and the Modhera village will get 24X7 solar power.
Located on the banks of the Saraswati River, Rani ki Vav or the Queen’s stepwell at Patan is one of the oldest and finest stepwells in Gujarat and is very well preserved. The seven-story structure is designed in the form of an inverted temple, and the levels are lined with carved pillars and more than 800 sculptures. It showcases superior craftsmanship of the era and the unique Maru-Gurjara architectural style and houses sculptures similar to the Sun temple at Modhera and the Vimalavasahi temple in Mount Abu. The stepwell has been listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites since 2014.
Note: You can book tickets using https://asi.payumoney.com/
Tip: If allowed, visit the nearby 11th-century village of Salvivad to meet the master weavers of “Double Ikat.”
A UNESCO World Heritage site of Champaner is often explored with Pavagadh, which unfortunately I couldn’t cover last time due to paucity of time. Pavagadh stands atop a hill overlooking Champaner at its base. The duo makes a rich heritage site lined with forts, monuments, mosques, tombs, temples, stepwells and fortresses from the 8th to 14th century. The Islamic-Mughal city of Champaner seems frozen in time, offering a wholesome architectural taste of that era. Juxtaposed to this is the Kalika Mata Temple on Pavagadh Hill, where thousands congregate during Navratri.
Since its inauguration, the world’s tallest Statue – Statue of Unity – has been the talk of the town. It recently crossed the landmark of 50 lakh visitors. While star attraction still remains the Statue itself, the area around the iconic Statue is further developed to add more attractions in its portfolio, such as the seaplane service from Ahmedabad to Kevadia, River Rafting on River Narmada, and Night Trekking in the wooded environs of Kevadia. Last year, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Arogya Van (‘health forest’ with a wide range of medicinal plants), Children Nutrition Park (world’s first technology-driven theme park developed to make children understand the importance of nutritious food), and Ekta Mall (to buy handloom and handicraft products from various states)
I would really love to see these new attractions around the Statue of Unity soon.
Tip: Don’t forget to visit the Cactus Garden with 6 lacs plants of 450 species.
When somebody asks me which is the most beautiful city in Gujarat, I say Ahmedabad. The capital of Gujarat is India’s first UNESCO World Heritage city with 2700 listed UNESCO buildings. I really loved the town for its centuries-old heritage, culture and superb food scene. Once it’s safe to travel freely, I highly recommend doing the Heritage Walk in Ahmedabad to showcase some of the most exquisite Hindu and Jain temples standing along with the finest Islamic monuments. The carved wooden houses are another architectural marvel in the heritage city.
Route: The Ahmedabad Heritage City walk starts daily from Kalupur Swaminarayan Temple at 07:45 am and culminates at Jumma Masjid at 10.30 am. For more updates or booking, visit https://heritagewalkahmedabad.com/
And, if you are a foodie or want to see Ahmedabad’s version of nightlife, you just can’t miss Manek Chowk. Located in the heart of the old city of Ahmedabad with iconic structures all around, it will surely satiate all your tastebuds. In less than Rs 200, you’ll have a full stomach. Interestingly, the market is a vegetable hub in the morning, a bullion market at noon and a street food hotspot at night.
Gujarat and Gandhi are inseparable, and your trip to Gujarat will be incomplete without visiting Dandi Kutir – India’s largest & only museum dedicated to the life and teachings of the father of the nation – Mahatma Gandhi. This is the historical place where Gandhi started the Satyagraha Movement. The museum showcases snippets from India’s freedom movement and captures other significant milestones from Gandhi’s life.
Besides the above places, you could also visit Bet Dwarka, ‘the City of Lord Krishna’ for its Dwarkadhish temple, Souvenir hunting, boating, marine life, sea excursions, camping and picnics. Besides that, Vadodara is an excellent place to visit street food and Navratri celebrations (if allowed this year), and Rajkot for the Jubliee garden.
So, these are my 10 must-visit places in Gujarat in 2021 and beyond. Needless to say, there are many more incredible tourist attractions in Gujarat. Still, these places are safe and good enough to give you a real taste of khusboo Gujarat ki (fragrance of Gujarat). Whether you are looking for places to visit in Gujarat for 7 days, 4 days or a 2-days weekend trip, there’s a lot here to keep you busy. So, ready to book your tickets?
Looking for more inspiration, read these:
10 must-visit places in Gujarat during winters
What happens during Navratri in Gujarat
The best time to visit Gujarat is when the temperature averages between 25 to 35 degrees Celsius from October to March. However, bear in mind that during this period you can expect more tourists at popular hotspots.
You can fly to Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bhavnagar or any other operational airport to reach Gujarat. Alternatively, you can also arrive using trains (check train availability and schedule on the IRCTC website before booking.), or you can simply travel to Gujarat by road.
Is Gujarat Open for Tourists in 2021? Yes, it is. However, the state Government is following specific COVID protocols to avoid the second wave like situation.
For more information, check out: COVID State-wise Status & COVID Information Portal, Gujarat.
Are you looking for the best hangout places in Delhi? Visit Dilli Haat, INA, where the culture, crafts and cuisine of all 29 states of India come under one roof. Attend unique events such as Aadi Mahotsav to buy rare handicrafts and try out unusual dishes like Red Ant Chutney.
Rameshwar Munda is an award-winning artist and flag bearer of Saura art from Odisha’s Munda tribe in India’s eastern state. The life of Munda is all about painting and travelling to showcase the rare art forms – Palm leaf Carving, Saura art and Patachitra. These art forms have been practised long before the discovery of the pen. In his entire life, he never encountered a situation where he couldn’t travel to present his art or even teach his students in his village. But 2020 was a challenging year not just for Munda but thousands and thousands of tribal artists who get their livelihood by selling their handicrafts. The pandemic has hit artisans quite adversely.
But things are looking to change now. The first big national tribal festival – Aadi Mahotsav – was organised at Dilli Haat, INA, after the pandemic. Through festivals like these, tribal artists get access to large markets where they can sell their goods, earn their livelihood and live well. The sale they get here sustains them for a whole year, and it’s heart-warming to see their enthusiasm. So, if you want to spend an action-packed day with your friends, family or someone else, do drop in at Dilli Haat, one of the best hangout places in Delhi. But first, let me share more about Aadi Mahotsav and Dilli Haat.
In 2020, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government gave many slogans such as
#Vocal4Local, #EkBharatShresthaBharat, #AatmanirbharBharat #DekhoApnaDesh to become self-reliant economy. And Aadi Mahotsav was one such great initiative held from 1st Feb 2021 to 15th Feb 2021 at Dilli Haat, INA.
The concept of organising the National Tribal Festival titled “Aadi Mahotsav” was introduced in 2017 to showcase Tribal Art, Craft, Culture, Cuisine and Commerce holistically. These events provide an excellent opportunity for tribal artisans to interact directly with art and craft buyers while getting their feedback about their taste and preferences. This direct interaction helps them aesthetically improve their product designs and creations. Over 1000 artisans and artists came together to set up around 200 stalls in the Aadi Mohtsav 2021. The rich art and craft showcase included tribal handicrafts, paintings, jewellery, fabric, handmade soaps, woollen shawls and stoles, hand-woven cotton, silk fabrics, wool, metal craft, terracotta, bead-work and many more products from across the country.
The event also included tribal cultural performances and cuisines, which attempts to preserve tribal art and culture. Additionally, there was a delectable spread of tribal dishes, including Dal Pitha, Mahua laddoos, Telangana’s spicy biryani, Jharkhand’s Chilka roti, etc., something to please every palate.
While there was lip-smacking food from everywhere, the RED ANT CHUTNEY made by mixing red ant and green chillies from Bastar district of Chattishgarh was a clear winner. Highly rich in proteins and minerals with excellent anti-bacterial properties, the red ant chutney is consumed by tribals in Chhattisgarh and Orissa as a local remedy against cold, shortness of breath, fatigue, and other diseases. The dish even made its way to celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsey’s menu. Recently, the Odisha High Court asked the Union Ministry of AYUSH and the CSIR to take a call on a proposal to use red ant chutney to treat Covid-19 within three months.
Besides the food, there was no shortage of entertainment with enthralling live performances by tribal musicians and dancers at different breakout zones, including a tribal fashion show, fire dance, kathputli dance and regional dances from all over India.
Although Aadi Mahotsav is over, you can still visit Dilli Haat. Always buzzing with cultural events throughout the year, D to glimpse the visitors about the diversity in the celebrations in various parts of India. The events range from special seasonal festivals and events such as the prized Mango festival in the summers, Teej Festival in August, Baisakhi Festival in April, Gujarat’s Dandiya in Navratri, Diwali bazaar in October to the fun festival of Delhi-Comic Con.
One of the best hangout places in Delhi, Dilli Haat, was constructed in 1994 by the Delhi Tourism Department’s joint efforts with the Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Tourism – Government of India. One of the rare government initiatives that have stood the test of time and become a favourite of the people – both locals and tourists. The best part is the 6-acre of land on which the complex stands was reclaimed and transformed into a plaza. As you walk inside Dilli Haat, you feel like you have entered a village haat. A village set up using thatched-roof cottages with red stone and bricks gives the area a village-haat-like atmosphere. Unlike the traditional weekly market, Dilli Haat is permanent.
You can find the crafts, culture, and cuisine of all 29 states under one roof, where you can buy rare state handicraft items at reasonable prices. Here local artisans and craftsmen can present, market and sell their handicraft items. Besides retail therapy, you are spoilt for gastronomy too at Dilli Haat, INA – there is a massive food court with counters from 20 different country states. From Rajasthan’s Gatte ki sabzi to Bengal’s Fish, you will get everything here. Not just that, you also get to experience some high energy and colourful cultural activities that happen here now and then.
Located in South Delhi, opposite the INA market, Dilli Haat is an open-air market with a vast food plaza and craft bazaar. It’s super easy to get here. You can take a metro, uber, public transport or simply drive down. The nearest metro station is INA that is connected through Delhi Metro’s yellow and pink lines. Tickets to Dilli Haat cost 30 per person for Adults, 20 per person for Children and 100 per person for Foreign Tourists. You can either buy tickets online or at the counter, near the main entrance gate.
In this article, you’ll read my honest review about Champa Gali, Saket that some claim to be one of the best hangout places in Delhi NCR. Find out whether it’s actually worth a visit or just overhyped including how Champa Gali was discovered, why it became famous, where is it located, what are the best restaurants to eat in Champa Gali and what all can you shop here.
One ‘pawri ho rahi hai’ video is enough to make Dananeer Mobeen, a 19-year old teenage influencer, an overnight internet sensation. A 24-yeard old Yashraj Mukhate made ‘Rasode me kon tha’ video to kill his boredom, but it skyrocketed his musical career. And, who can forget the controversial transformation of ‘Baba Ka Dhaba’ overnight. We live in a world where people’s careers and lives are made or broken by just one tweet or one post. But are all viral trends worth the craze they generate? Not everyone can handle overnight success. The longevity of success depends on how well you can translate online success into an offline world. And, this is where most companies and people falter. Now coming to a specific example. In the last few years, whenever I would ask people the best hangout places in Delhi NCR ‘Champa Gali’ name would come up. Suddenly a less explored, hidden, quirky alley in South Delhi was called ‘the best-kept secret of Delhi‘, ‘hidden gem of the capital’, ‘a secret Parisian corridor‘, ‘the capital’s Parisian passageway‘ and a ‘hidden treasure of cultural and culinary delight’. Having seen the rise and fall of many cool places in Delhi, I decided to determine if Champa Gali Saket is actually one of the best hangout places in Delhi NCR or just overhyped?
The not-so-little-known-anymore Champa Gali in south Delhi’s Saidulajab village near Saket is a quirky place promises to give you a fine blend of coffee, art and culture. The street is lined with cafés, restaurants, clothing stores, stationeries, home décor outlets, and shops for quirky knick-knacks. The articles on the internet say that there is no better place in the city to think, write and meet like-minded people, which I would vehemently disagree with. Those articles’ writers must be virtual travellers who would have never stepped out of their homes to see real good places. I have been to France number of times, and I don’t know how people could get the vibes of rural French streets lined with alternative cafes and shops in this little dingy lane that finishes before it starts. At best, it’s a lane with some average restaurants and stores.
Before reviewing Champa Gali in detail, let me share it’s history and claim to fame.
Champa Gali was nothing like what it looks like today. It was a vacant poultry farm (murgi farm) where people would be scared to go after dark until seven years back. In 2013, Jiten Suchede, a product designer and a hobbyist carpenter, was looking for a place where his neighbours won’t have a problem with his continuous thak thak noise. So, he got in touch with Kuldeep Singh, 52, a bus contractor and driver who owned this vacant poultry farm.
Soon Suchede was making noise not just in the day but in the evening, too, as his space turned into a jamming venue for friends and up-and-coming artists. It was soon branded, quite aptly, as Bakheda. Te product designer also doubled as a chaiwallah, running Jugmug Thela, a pop-up artisanal tea and coffee shop on a thela, quite successfully. With Jugmug Thela’s growing success, Bakheda took a backseat and eventually folded up.
Then, in 2015, on Suchede’s recommendation Blue Tokai, a café chain with an on-site roastery, moved in. It became a turning point for the place, as Blue Tokai was already an established name. The café brought many Champa plants to decorate the street, lending the street its name—Champa Gali. Soon, hipsters and curious residents started pouring in.
The credit for Champa Gali’s overnight popularity goes to Imtiaz Ali and the Instagrammers. They painted an image of it being the coolest hangout places in Delhi. Although Imtiaz Ali’s Love Aajkal II (starring Sara Ali Khan and Kartik Aryan) tanked at the box office, it soon launched a frenzy amongst Delhites to visit the cool place shown in the movie. And, rest is history, as they say.
After reading so much about Champa Gali and seeing it on the silver screen, I had high hopes, but I was disappointed. Firstly, I found the place rundown by college kids and wannabe content creators whose only purpose of visiting the street was to get Instagram-worthy pictures. No one was looking for enjoying gup-shup with some good food and music. The staff at most restaurants was rude, and the service took forever. I ordered a simple masala chai at Jugmug Thela, and it took half an hour for them to serve. Seems like they were growing tea in their backyard.
One most important thing – PLEASE DON’T CARRY A CAMERA WITH YOU. The moment they see you with a camera, thugs dressed as staff would come running at you for money. Jugmug Thella asked 20,000 INR to shoot in the alley (not even inside their cafe). A daylight robbery, and you can’t even argue with them. It’s a complete Gunda raj.
The total area is not even 200 metres long and is very poorly maintained. Avoid wearing heals as the parking lot is far away, and the kaccha road is uneven with potholes.
In the end all I can say is Champa Gali is definitely not one of the best hangout places in Delhi NCR. I feel there are better places with better restaurants and cordial staff. Avoid this place, if you can. Don’t fall for hearsay.
Here’s a video detailing my experience at Champa Gali.
Have you been to this place or any other place that didn’t live up to the hype? I would love to know more about it in the comments section below.
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In this post you’ll read why Sunder Nursery is the best place to hangout with friends or family over a weekend. Also, know more about its history, incredible sustainable development story, and everything you need to know before planning a visit to this 90-acre heritage park of Delhi.
One positive change that pandemic brought in me was that instead of socialising at indoor restaurants, bars, cinema halls or other enclosed spaces, I started hanging out at outdoor places near me. Thankfully, Delhi has many open spaces and public parks such as Lodhi Garden, Nehru Park, Deer Park, and many more. Despite visiting the adjoining Humayun Tomb in Nizamuddin several times, I had remained mainly unaware about Delhi’s biggest secret – Sunder Nursery – that is touted as Delhi’s Central Park. Its revival story is as remarkable as its five centuries-old histories. Thanks to the incredible sustainable restoration work done by The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) in collaboration with the CPWD and SDMC, this urban oasis has risen from ruins to become the green lungs of Delhi. A decade of painstaking restoration work has resulted in a 90-acre biodiversity park dotted with 20 historical monuments, 300 tree species, 80 bird species, 40 butterfly species, two amphitheatres, a bonsai enclosure, a peafowl zone and plenty more.
In this blog post, I’ll share why Sunder Nursery Delhi is a perfect template for sustainable development of a city while taking care of the environmental and heritage. Find out why it is a must-visit park for families, friends, couples, fitness enthusiasts, social media influencers, nature and photography lovers. But first, let’s turn the history pages and understand why and how Sunder Nursery was established.
A site of three Delhi Durbars (Mughals, British and Indian), Sunder Nursery was used and abused by all for five centuries. Built by the Mughals in the 16th century, the park was initially known as Azim Bagh. But as the power changed hands in Delhi, so did the name and purpose of Azim Bagh.
The area lay in a sorry state until the British decided to shift their capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911. Alick Percy Lancaster, the last British horticulturist in India, revived the Sunder Nursery in Delhi, to experiment with the imported trees that would later be planted along New Delhi’s avenues. That’s how it got designated as a ‘Nursery’. The “Sunder” part of the name comes from the ‘Sunder Burj’ tomb located on the same premises.
In the 1940s, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) acquired the nursery and continued to use it for field trials of different plants and tree species. After Lying in disrepair for decades, in 2007 Agha Khan Trust started the ten years of extensive restoration work. Sunder Nursery, now a heritage park, was opened for people to visit in 2018. Till date the restoration work is ongoing, and every year a few finishing touches are added.
The park is a great case study of the miraculous transformation of a barren dumping ground to Delhi’s new landscaping wonder and heritage park. In 2008 it earned a spot on Time magazine’s top-100 places to visit. And, started winning international awards including the 2020 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation and 2020 UNESCO Special Recognition for Sustainable Development.
There are 20 historical monuments (more than double of Lodhi Garden). Six UNESCO World Heritage sites are a part of this historical complex – the Sunder Burj, Lakkarwala Burj, Sunderwala Mahal, Mirza Muzaffar Hussain’s Tomb, Batashewala Mahal and an unknown Mughal Tomb.
Almost 100 meters away from the main entry stands Sunder Burj, a 16th-century tomb with star-shaped patterns on the roof and intricate inscriptions on its walls.
On the other side of Sunder Burj lies the 500-meter-long water canal (similar to the Taj Mahal at Agra). This Persian style Central Vista of the park is adorned with full Mughal regalia – ten handcrafted lotus-shaped marble fountains, gorgeous star-shaped flowerbeds, and sandstone benches.
Walk farther down, and you’ll come face-to-face with a large 17th century Mughal Lotus pond and another magnificent red sandstone monument – Lakkarwala Burj. The 16th-century monument is surrounded by a rose garden, home to 30 varieties of gorgeous flowers assembled from different parts of the world.
Besides the above monuments, there are many more in the area such as Sunderwala Mahal, Mirza Muzaffar Hussain’s Tomb, and Batashewala Mahal. The last one is in a dilapidated stage, and very few visitors venture on this side of the park, but it is very calm and an excellent place for birding, especially during morning or evening hours.
While heritage monuments lie scattered in the Sunder Nursery, it also showcases a rich collection of tropical flora and fauna. Home to over 300 species of trees, Sunder Nursery, is Delhi’s first arboretum with some rare trees such as a Pink Cedar, the only one in Delhi. Additionally, the garden has 20,000 saplings, 4,200 trees and 20 acres of nursery beds. As a result, 40 butterfly species and 80 bird species have made this their new home.
Sunder Nursery has become a go-to place for families, friends, botany enthusiasts, bird watchers to social media influencers. Indeed it has emerged as Delhi’s paradise after the pandemic. You can do a lot – from strolling around the beautifully manicured parks to playing frisbee on soft carpet grass. You can even cycle or walk your dogs on the designated trails. The sprawling gardens are perfect for practising your lockdown yoga routines or merely lying down with a book. You can admire the Mughal-era tombs and picnic around the romantic lakes and monuments. Nature lovers can purchase plants from thriving government-run nursery or buy products from its weekend organic market. Weekend markets at Sunder Nursery offer everything from seasonal produce to artisanal products.
Being a photographer, I love Sunder Nursery for the photography opportunities it provides. I could capture the vivid colours and minutest details of lakes, water bodies, monuments, birds, different landscapes and portraits with my Panasonic Lumix S5 camera.
The location of Sundar Nursery is adjacent to Humayun Tomb and Nizamuddin Basti. Therefore reaching here is very convenient as the transportation facility is available from every corner of Delhi. If you are coming by your conveyance, then don’t worry about the parking. There’s enough paid parking on both sides of the park. If you are using the metro, then the nearest metro stations to sunder Nursery is Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium metro station (violet line) and Indraprastha Metro station (pink line).
April – September: 7am to 7pm (last entry at 6.30 pm)
October – March: 7am to 6pm (last entry at 5.30 pm)
For Indian/ SAARC visitors – Rs. 35
For Foreign Tourists – Rs. 100
For Children between the ages of 5-12 years – Rs.15
For Senior Citizens, above the age of 60 years – Rs.15
Children under 5 years – Free Entry
Physically Challenged Visitors – Free Entry
The wheelchair is also available in case anyone needs it, which is free of cost.
While I highly recommend carrying your picnic baskets, there are enough options to buy food. You can choose the healthy food options at Fab Cafe, the Fabindia chain’s offering built around the concept of conscious eating, with no refined sugars or oils. You can either sit and eat in the café or carry an eco-friendly meal to sit and enjoy anywhere in the massive park. Fab Café is definitely among the best outdoor cafes in Delhi for brunch, if not among the best food places in Delhi.
There are also food kiosks or weekend organic markets where you can buy snacks, drinks or freshly prepared food items.
You can spend some time in the adjoining Humayun Tomb or enjoy a Thursday Qawwali session at nearby Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah. If you have more time in hand, visit Millennium Park Delhi, National Zoological Park, Purana Qila, National Science Centre, National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art, Rashtrapati Bhawan or India Gate.
Have you visited the Sunder Nursery? If you have or planning to, please share your experiences with us in the comment section below.
When I had planned a two-week-long wildlife jungle safari trip to Madhya Pradesh, I was most excited for Bandhavgarh National Park due to high chances of Tiger sighting there. But my friend, Amit, told me that out of the three national parks (Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench) I’ll probably like Kanha Tiger Reserve the most. And boy, was he right!
I can’t tell you how stunning Kanha is. Home to over 1,000 species of plants and about 350 species of birds, Kanha is one the best managed and largest national parks not just in Madhya Pradesh but perhaps in the whole of India. Spread over an area of approximately 2000 sq km it is primarily a moist Sal forest and is dotted with dense groves of vegetation, hillocks and meadows. Of all these habitats, Kanha National Park is famous for its vast meadows that are its lifeline. They sustain a large population of Spotted Deer, Sambar, Barasingha and Gaur, which in turn support predators and co-predators such as Tigers, Leopards, Wild Dogs, Jungle Cats and Foxes.
Kanha Tiger Reserve’s biggest achievement has been the preservation of Barasingha (Hard Ground Swamp Deer) from near extinction. From being just 66 in 1970, today they number more than 800 and are the only surviving population of Barasingha in the wild. For me, sighting “the jewel of Kanha” was far more unforgettable than tiger sighting. The state animal of Madhya Pradesh recently became the park’s mascot, in the form of the character Boorsingh, the Barasingha.
Most people come here in search of Royal Bengal Tigers, but leave having spotted so much more, from rare deer to colossal bison. Here you can really venture deep into the forest for a complete safari experience.
As per recent surveys, Kanha’s sal forests and meadows contain a growing population of around 125 tigers. There are also about 100 leopards and vast populations of deer and antelopes, including southern swamp deer (Barasingha) which exist nowhere else in the world. You’ll see plenty of langurs, Indian bison, wild boars and jackals. Over 260 bird species have been recorded here.
I took two jungle Safaris with my Naturalist Ashu Khan, and every time the jungle seemed so different. The park’s scenery changes dramatically. Swaying sal trees, quiet streams, muddy swamps, bamboo thickets—the landscape unfurls like nature’s own drawing book.
The crisp morning air, the misty earth fragrance, the cold breeze, the sights and sounds of wild animals and birds was the best melody one can hear in the morning hours. On top of that, over two days I had seen plenty to send me chuffed – a parade of barasingha antlers in motion at the crack of dawn, blackbuck grazing in the distance, monkeys and wild boars running from pillar to post, jackals frolicking on the muddy pathways, White-rumped Shama humming melodiously and a family of bison munching on tender leaves was a sight to behold.
Kanha is genuinely mesmerising for all your senses and is one of the richest forests in terms of biodiversity. No wonder termite colonies are the largest in Kanha – almost the size of small hillocks. My forest-encyclopedic Naturalist, Ashu Khan, told me that Termites act as Environmental Bioindicators of the health of a forest and their mounds provide vital clues about the ecology of the region. They are indeed the architects of change.
Besides the wildlife, the park has a mythological connect too – Shravan Tal – a pond immortalised in Ramayana. It’s the spot where King Dashratha (father of Lord Rama) mistakenly killed Shravan (a devoted son of blind parents). Today, its a great place for birdwatching.
Here’s a video showing my experience at Kanha Eco Lodge and Kanha Tiger Reserve.
Located in the heart of India, reaching Kanha National Park takes time and, usually, various modes of transport are available. You can either take a train to Jabalpur (170km away), or fly to the airports at Jabalpur, Raipur or Nagpur, but a road trip will always be there.
You can go for a safari in four zones, of which Kisli and Mukki zones are considered best for tiger sightings, followed by Kanha and Sarhi zones.
Up to 140 four-wheel drive, open Jeeps (mostly Maruti Suzuki Gypsies) are allowed into the reserve per day. Each gipsy is permitted to carry six people along with a driver /naturalist and a guide assigned by the park. You can book your jungle safari online https://forest.mponline.gov.in, up to 120 days in advance. Tickets for 15 4WDs per day can also be purchased in person at the park gates between 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm for the next morning, and 11 am to noon for the same afternoon. But queues can start as early as the previous evening. To avoid any last-minute surprises I booked in advance through my trip organiser – Pugdundee Safaris. Try and book as early as possible, because popular zones sell out months ahead.
No one can predict what you’ll see in each safari but to get a holistic experience of the park, take at least 3-4 safaris. There are two safari slots every day: morning (6 am to 11 am) and afternoon (approximately 3 pm to 6 pm). Morning safaris are longer and tend to produce ore tiger sightings.
April and May is the best time for tiger spotting, but soaring temperatures make this time of year too hot to handle for many. November to March offers balmy temperatures and a lusher landscape.
While there is no shortage of good resorts and hotels in the vicinity of Kanha National Park, I would highly recommend staying at Kanha Earth Lodge. Located in the fringe of the buffer-zone you feel like you are staying in the greater forest ecosystem and most importantly, its eco-friendly architecture reflects the local landscape and tribal culture. Please read more details about my stay at Kanha Earth Lodge here.
If you have some spare time between jungle safaris and unwinding at your lodge, Kanha Museum is worth a visit. You can learn about the park’s background and landscape with information on the indigenous tribal people who once lived here, but were moved out when the area was made a tiger reserve. In case you are interested in more, there are two other museums located nearby at Mandla – Rani Durgawati Museum and Archeological Museum.
To make the best of your trip, I would highly recommend including the more accessible Bandhavgarh and Pench National Parks. Not only do they reduce journey times but also provide a range of contrasting park experiences.
Kanha Tiger Reserve is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India, and I would highly recommend you see. Have you visited the land of Tigers that saved Barasignha from extinction? Have you have visited this park or planning to visit soon? Please share your experiences with us in the comment section below.
Pugdundee Safaris invited me to experience their lodges after COVID19. However, all the views expressed above are my own and based on my personal experiences. Pictures were either shot by Nakul Sharma or me. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
There’s no better place to experience the majesty of biodiversity in India than Wildlife Sanctuaries. Here’s my experience of visiting a few notable Indian National Parks and Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh, India.
After being locked up in our homes for months, India is finally opening up, albeit with caution. While that bucket list international trip might have to wait a bit longer, the Great Indian traveller has started travelling again. Yes, domestic travel is on a rise in India and trends like staycations, workcations, revenge travel, slow travel, and road trips are topping the Google Trends. The beleaguered Indian Travel and Tourism industry is finally seeing a silver lining around a dark cloud. COVID19 has presented an opportunity for Indian travellers to discover loads of incredible and often ignored destinations closer to home. Like many others, I too was fed up of the lockdown. I started looking for the safest places to visit in India post covid19 and found many attractive options, but I settled for exploring the Wildlife Sanctuaries in India. This post and the subsequent articles will talk about my planning and experiencing wildlife tourism in India. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
One thing that I missed the most during the lockdown was nature. I was tired of working from home and was craving for some fresh air, greenery, wildlife and impromptu conversations with the strangers. I was missing the regional cuisines and cultural experiences. While video calls, webinars and virtual tours did help in bridging the gap, but there was no cure for my wanderlust. So, when the time seemed right, I jumped at the opportunity to be with nature and wildlife.
While I desperately wanted to get out of my four walls, two things were non-negotiable – safety and sustainability. In the absence of COVID19 vaccine, I didn’t want to be reckless and started looking for a destination where I knew the required safety protocols are followed. Crowded places were a big no, and maintaining social distancing was my top priority.
Secondly, COVID19 proved that if we don’t take nature seriously, it will destroy us. So, I wanted to travel responsibly, and the choice of place depended a lot on the ‘being green’ philosophy of the destination and the accommodation.
As the ‘Unlocking India’ began and states started easing out travel restrictions, a lot of options opened up for my next travel. Right from the towering Himalayan states of Himachal and Uttarakhand to coral-lined islands of Andamans, balmy beaches of Goa to sacred Shangri-La of Sikkim, opulent Havelies of Rajasthan to laid-back waters of Kerala. Nearly all major tourist destinations started vying for domestic travellers attention who were actively looking for best places to visit during Diwali or winter holiday break in India. But my heart was craving for something else.
Having been to the heart of India several times in the past, I knew there could be no better place than Madhya Pradesh as it guaranteed safety along with exceptional sightseeing opportunities. Thanks to a low population density in the state, especially around the National Parks, social distancing and taking safety precautions seemed a lot easier as compared to other tourist destinations in India that are currently flocked by travellers. On top of that, the joy of seeing the wild animals, especially the Tiger and the Barasingha, up-close in the wild is something that can’t be replicated anywhere else in India or abroad. The parks were reopening after seven months of closing. So, I was excited to see greener and lusher forests than before.
Madhya Pradesh shares border with five states and it is fairly easy to reach the state via road, air or train. The road network in the state is in top condition and perfect for a road trip. I saw people travelling from as far as Kolkata, Kanpur, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune and nearby places such as Nagpur, Jabalpur etc.
Most importantly, choosing an ecotourism holiday was the main reason for me to opt for Madhya Pradesh Wildlife Holiday. I had done enough background research to find out that Tiger Conservation helps in conservation of the environment and communities living around the park. The conservation of India’s national animal is most critical because of its role at the apex of the food chain. When you protect tigers, you save the whole ecosystem and provide a livelihood to the underprivileged people living in the periphery of the forest. Besides conserving wilderness, tiger reserves support human life by guarding fish nurseries, replenishing the agricultural land with genetic material and providing cheap, clean water for drinking and irrigation.
Moreover, Tiger reserves help in mitigating natural disasters such as floods and cyclones. Additionally, they also play a critical role in reversing the climate change impact by storing and sequestering carbon.
It was an uphill task to pick a handful of national parks out of 553 existing wildlife sanctuaries and 50 Tiger Reserves in India. After a lot of deliberation and help from Manav Khanduja of Pugdundee Safaris, I decided to spend twelve days in the wilderness of Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves. After all, these three reserves have played a big part in making Madhya Pradesh the ‘Tiger State’ of India.
While Tiger is a common denominator in all the three reserves their vegetation and landscape is remarkably different from each other. I was keen on seeing that contrast of landscapes and learning what they did differently that contributed to making Madhya Pradesh a front runner in the Tiger Conservation Campaign.
Choosing the right destination was just one part of the trip planning. It was equally important that I choose suitable accommodation too. And, here’s why I picked Pugdundee Safaris for my travel.
I felt like a liberated bird who got a new lease of life when she expanded her wings in the deep blue skies, flying over the thick Sal-Teak forests. The spotted deer, langurs, jackals, woodpeckers, giant spiders, leopards and tigers all felt like friends I had met after a long time. I got the most heart-touching welcome as the verdant jungle laid out its luxurious green carpet while the sweet misty forest fragrance and the perfectly orchestrated bird song melted my soul away. The three national parks – Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench – were so similar yet so different in their welcome.
The knowledgeable naturalists from Pugdundee Safaris and guides from the national parks further enhanced my wildlife safari experience. Their personal stories were as enchanting as the sights, sounds and smells of the woods. The food, stay, safety, amenities, safari…everything was perfect. Most importantly, it was the warmth of the Pugdundee staff that melted my heart. Whether it was the cucumber-like coolness of Harish Jee or Choubey Jee’s passion for the jungle, Ashu’s great offroading skills or Amit’s fondness for great food, Harpreet’s love for the butterflies or Mohan’s in-depth knowledge about tigers; I was left thoroughly impressed. All these people have become friends now.
I enjoyed my travels and even got time to ponder on some serious environmental issues that need our immediate attention.
In the upcoming months, I’ll share detailed individual posts on my experience at each National Park and lodge. Through a mix of experiential videos, articles and social media posts I’ll talk about the whole wildlife holiday experience including the Jungle safari, accommodation, food and safety precautions taken by the lodges, unfiltered stories from the locals and the experts, step-by-step itinerary and costs involved. So, stay tuned for updates.
In a nutshell, I can just say whether you are looking for the best places to visit in 2020 in India or warm places to visit during winter, hope this post helps in convincing you to explore the national parks and the wildlife sanctuaries in India.
After a long hiatus in tourism, almost all the famous tourist places in India started again welcoming tourists. Right from Himachal to Andamans, Goa to Sikkim, Madhya Pradesh to Kerala, nearly all major tourist destinations have launched enticing offers to woe the domestic travellers. Camping and lodging, jungle safaris and rafting, hotels and homestays are all back in business. While strict health protocols are mandatory to be followed; e-passes, COVID-19 RT-PCR Test, and compulsory quarantine are nearly gone. Domestic flight operations in the country will touch 75 per cent of the pre-Covid level this month itself.
Here’s a quick round-up about which famous tourist places in India state wise are open for tourism, and the safest places Travel See Write recommends to visit for your next holiday.
Ever since the tourism-dependent states of Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand started unlocking, they have been dropping travel restrictions month-on-month basis to get tourists back. Uttarakhand is even paying you to visit the state. Historical monuments such as Taj Mahal in Agra, Sun Temple in Konark, Amber Fort in Jaipur, Qutub Minar in Delhi, Hampi in Karnataka, Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh are all open for tourists. Although a cap has been put on the number of daily visitors, online booking is made simpler and strict health protocols are followed.
The state I am most excited to visit next is – Madhya Pradesh – as the National Parks and Tiger Reserves have opened up from 1st October, and some great Workcation Packages have been launched for work-from-home fatigued people like me. In fact, my next trip is to the three most famous National Parks of Central India – Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench.
While Maharashtra and West Bengal might not be as adventurous as Madhya Pradesh in their unlocking approach, their popular tourist destinations such as Lonavala and Darjeeling have started getting a surge of travellers. In fact, following Madhya Pradesh’s footsteps, West Bengal has opened Sundarbans, Joypur Jungle, Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Dooars and other forests for tourists. And, Maharashtra isn’t slacking behind to attract wildlife lovers to its Tadoba Andhari, Pench and Melghat Tiger Reserves with a new set of rules.
While Tamil Nadu has an official lockdown until 31st October, its hill stations such as Ooty, Yercaud, Kodaikanal, and Nilgiris are open, with an E-pass. The Union Territories of Puducherry and Ladakh are also open. Even the Andaman & Nicobar islands have resumed some tourist activities.
After six months of Lockdown, Kerala has decided to welcome guests again. Though major tourist hotspots will be open for visitors, beaches will remain shut till 1st November. If you are thinking to visit Kerala, do not forget to register yourself on www.covid19jagratha.kerala.nic.in. If you are planning to stay for over 7 days, you are required to either carry a COVID-19 negative certificate or undergo a COVID-19 test post entering the state.
Most of India’s eastern states such as Odisha, Sikkim, and Tripura are slowly and steadily starting to welcome tourists in October. People can visit the beaches of Puri or the temples of Konark in Odhisa. The state government has launched the ‘Odisha by Road’ campaign to urge travellers to explore the state’s tourist circuit by road.
Sikkim has opened its borders with West Bengal from 1st October and bookings for hotels, homestays and other tourism-related services have resumed from 27th September. Here’s a detailed guide on what places to visit in Sikkim.
Tripura has also reopened all tourist spots in the state from 1st October and is building infrastructure to promote tourism. A helipad near the famous Dumbur Lake in the Chabimura region is being constructed and new activities are added such as water scooters, floating jetty and speed boat services at Dumbur Lake.
Neighbouring states of Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal and Assam are still not open for tourists. In all likelihood, Arunachal Pradesh will reopen for tourists after October.
In short, while most of India is now open for tourists but remember what PM Modi said, “Jab tak dawai nahi, tab tak dhilai nahi. Do gaj ki doori, mask hai jaroori (No carelessness till a medicine is found. Face mask and maintaining a distance of two yards is necessary). Before venturing out anywhere remember, there are strict rules in place for our own safety. Masks are mandatory wherever you go; physical distancing is obligatory, and the need to respect local sensitivities and concerns is now more important than ever.
While almost the whole of India is open for tourism, here are the Safe Places that I would recommend visiting in India post lockdown because of their unscathed natural surrounding and less population density that makes them ideal for maintaining social distancing.
Go for: Lush nature walks in untouched Lahaul Valley and admiring the latest engineering marvel of BRO – Atal Tunnel.
If there’s a part of Himachal that had managed to maintain its serenity, calmness and can still be termed as offbeat, it would be Lahaul Valley. Until this year, it was just a pit stop for Manali-Leh travellers. Hardly anyone explored it beyond a night halt. But after the opening of Atal Tunnel, things might change now.
How to go: Drive/fly from Delhi to Manali and then take a taxi or drive to Lahaul via Atal Tunnel. Takes around 16 hours by road (14 hours bus ride from Delhi to Manali and approx. 2 hours taxi ride from Manali to Keylong)
Where to stay: Government-approved homestays and hotels.
Price starts as low as 500 INR per night.
Go for: Working from the wilderness, a taste of village life, and learning the lessons in wildlife conservation that goes beyond greenwashing.
The advantage Madhya Pradesh has over other states is its low density of population, especially around the National Parks. Moreover, Jungle Lodges are among the safest holiday places equipped with good Wi-Fi and high sanitisation measures as prescribed by MHA. By their very nature, jungle lodges have a limited number of cottages that too spread out in the wilderness with no lifts or elevators. Most of the action takes place outdoors, whether it is dining or activities. So, city folks can work out of the wild without worrying about the virus. One can either drive to any of the big six national parks in M.P. or fly to Nagpur, Raipur and Jabalpur.
Last but not least, Work from Wilderness can be the much-needed ecotourism push that can bring a positive change in the lives of locals who are the direct beneficiaries of responsible wildlife tourism.
How to go: Fly into Jabalpur, and from there it takes a 4-hour drive to reach Bandhavgarh
Where to stay: Pugdundee Safari’s Treehouse Hideaway
How much does it cost: Price includes all meals, tea/coffee and current taxes:
07-12 nights – INR 9000 per room per night
13-21 nights – INR 8000 per room per night
22+ nights – INR 7500 per room per night
Go for: the mountain vibes of the vibrant state of Gujarat
Saputara lies very close to the border of Maharashtra and is very easy to get here. Despite being the only hill station in Gujarat it doesn’t get overly crowded. You can enjoy a safe and quaint holiday with your partner, family or friends. You can go trekking in the hills or go for other adventure activities like nature walks or boating.
How to go: A 5-hour drive (247.5 km) from Mumbai via NH160 and Saputara – Nasik Rd
Where to stay: Sunotel Resort or Club Mahendra Hatgad
The price starts at INR 5500 per room per night (prices change with availability and holidays)
Go for: rafting in the Ganges and quaint village life
Rishikesh has always been a favourite of weekend travellers, adventure enthusiasts, spiritual seekers and. Therefore, as soon as the travel restrictions were lifted, the sleepy town on the Ganges started seeing an influx of tourists. Besides the state has announced a ‘Tourists Incentive Coupons’ scheme to reboot travel under which tourists would get either INR1,000 or 25% discount – whichever is lower – on per day accommodation charges for up to three days.
How to go: A 5-hour drive or bus or train from Delhi. You can also take an overnight train to Haridwar.
Where to stay: Glass House on the Ganges or Atali Ganga
The price starts at INR 5500 per room per night including one raft trip and three meals at Atali Ganga
Go for: nature and wildlife. The state is a paradise for mountain lovers.
Often termed as the Himalayan Shangri-La, Sikkim has just reopened its gates for tourists and has a plethora of top-notch travel experiences to offer, despite its small size. Read more about the state here: Visit Sikkim – The Himalayan Shangri La
How to go: Fly from Delhi or any other city to Bagdogra and then take a taxi to Gangtok or whichever place you want to visit.
Where to stay: WelcomHeritage Denzong Regency
The price starts at INR 7,150 per person per night
If you want to reconnect with nature after spending months at home, Coorg is a great option. Located in a coffee-growing region, it is a place where you can go on rejuvenating treks, aromatic plantation trails or simply enjoy a private campfire. Coorg is blessed with lush greenery, plantations of the most aromatic coffee and spices, gurgling streams, and gushing waterfalls.
Like other parts of India, homestays and resorts in Coorg have also started Workcation packages, especially for the people of Bengaluru.
How to go: Approximately 4-hour drive from Bengaluru or a 6-hour bus ride.
Where to stay: Tamara Coorg
Price starts at Special Package – Breakfast only from INR 16,520/- per night.
So these were my suggestions for visiting the famous tourist places in India state wise. Have you ventured out anywhere lately? If yes, how was your experience?
What are the right questions to ask in a pandemic stricken world and how you can preserve the memories of life during COVID19 era
Ever since Covid19 pandemic made an uninvited entry to turn our lives upside down, the most frequently asked question, “how are you” became the most irrelevant question. The truth is no one’s really doing well. People are falling sick and dying in alarming numbers all around us. Today I am lucky to be fine, but tomorrow I might not be. Our jobs, our economy, our entire financial future is in ICU. We are all dealing with pandemic stress, and we are not even sure how much and for how long we have to endure this stress. So, what’s the point of asking an inappropriate question that was once a polite way of expressing concern for a person’s well-being?
If you are genuinely interested in someone’s well-being, then perhaps rephrase your questions that clearly check about their emotional or psychological well-being. “How are you coping with the pandemic?” for instance, signals that you don’t expect them to be doing great, and that you are genuinely interested to know how they’re handling things. “What’s going on your mind lately?” suggests an openness to a more in-depth conversation. You might also follow up with a more positive question, “did you try out any new thing” or “we are living in the most historical times of your lives, how are you going to showcase your pandemic memories to future generations?”
When a crisis hits us, there are two ways to deal with it –succumb to it without trying or find a silver lining around the dark cloud. Being an eternal optimist, I opted for the latter. I started exploring all the unexplored creative desires I didn’t know I possessed. While anthropologists and historians around the globe are using this stressful time to create archives that can be cherished for years and years to come, I realised that I too needed to document this vital part of my life. The pandemic may not discriminate between its preys. Still, every single individual has a unique experience that could be great bedtime stories for their grandchildren or inspiration for literature and TV novellas. If you can’t simply seem to decide where to start before the unique experience takes a backseat in the train of your thoughts, use the following to help yourself from pandemic stress and simultaneously start preserving pandemic memories effectively:
I have always found describing my feelings in words therapeutic. Journaling allows you to identify your problems and find solutions to them. Every time you open your journal, you slide into a safe mental zone, you can pour out all your feelings into without the fear of being judged. Be it your tiring work from home schedule or a small disagreement with friends or closed ones because of the sudden responsibilities the pandemic has delivered in our laps; the journal is the most healthy way to express your anger and frustration. You can also experiment with different ways of journaling. Personally, my favourite one was creating a Pandemic Travelogue, but here are some more ways you can explore:
Photo essays are extremely suited for some of the most commonly experienced things by people during COVID-19; some of them are:
The most crucial change that pandemic brought in my life is a healthy mindset – I became more health-conscious and started exercising regularly. Being a night owl morning walk was a far-fetched dream for me, but thanks to the lockdown period I did the unthinkable – I adopted the ‘early to bed early to rise’ age-old wisdom into my daily routine.
Thanks to my health-conscious friends like Amit I started exercising at home, and once parks opened, I started morning walks in nature. The bonus was capturing the simple moments of life which I overlooked until now. Moments such as listening to the birdsong in the park, witnessing sunlight transform dewdrops into natural prisms, sweepers calmly making India ‘Swacch Bharat’ while we only indulge in sloganeering, doodhwallah (milkmen) and newsaperwallah (newspaper delivery man) going door to door, morning joggers catching up on national issues while catching their breath and many more such seemingly mundane moments suddenly became interesting.
I started appreciating the vagaries of ordinary life while keeping myself healthy. Slowly the lockdown didn’t appear to be so bad as it gave the much-needed time to reflect on the fragility of life and appreciate the little moments. If you did the same, why not share it with others. Who knows your effort can become someone’s inspiration?
All of us understood the importance of cookbooks we had buried beneath the piles of unread magazines, YouTube videos and recipes from the best cooking blogs around the world better than we ever have. I started experimenting with the ingredients in my kitchen and sharing the proud result of my culinary skills with my friends. While I am not into food blogging, you can write about all the new recipes you cooked for yourself in the pandemic and how you made local or vegan versions of dishes from all around the world. Those mouth-watering dishes definitely deserve the best clicks!
As work from home and video calls became the new norm of professional life, the need for renovating your work area started gaining momentum. Take, for example, my friend Shalini who works as a creative Director in an Ad Agency, started subtly showcasing the creative workspace during office video calls. She always wanted a corner office like her boss, so she took lockdown as an opportunity to create one with a couch, artefacts, flowers, and plants. She started experimenting with lights, plants, furnishings, and even different corners of the house. Suddenly her aesthetically done workspace became the conversation starter in her official and personal video calls.
Travellers all around the world, in a brave yet intelligent way, played a crucial part in creating a new normal for the Travel Industry. With all the Personal Protection equipment and safety guidelines guiding my Staycation in Hyderabad, I could see an entirely new way of travelling and personal care being born. I made sure to share the insider information with my readers to quell myths about flying in 2020 and safe travels. Travel Photography companies like ShootMe have created options for you to capture your journeys (even to local areas) safely and professionally along with making quality virtual shoots a possibility in this pandemic.
If you’ve been posting out a lot of videos on Social Media lately for communicating the changes that have come into your life, and for motivating others, in that case, video journals are just the thing for you. Video journals or vlogs can be simple collections of all the little things you did in the pandemic, alone or with your loved ones. Even saved recordings from an online meet with my friends and family stuck in different corners of the world has helped me understand the value of all these emotional bonds we took for granted. I used this time to create informational videos about my past trips from Laos and Maldives.
So, these were some of my ideas on how you can preserve Pandemic Memories during COVID19 era. Have you learnt any new skill during this time or brought a positive change in your life? If yes, please feel to share your feedback in the below comment section.
In this article, you’ll find almost everything you need to know before booking a Maldives holiday package. Read about India-Maldives air bubble, the latest travel advice, how to get there, cost of Maldives holiday packages, what is the food like and which activities to do.
Very few things have been left unscathed with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. One thing that the covid19 failed to change is – the love for the Maldives amongst luxury travellers. People might have postponed their dream trip to paradise, but they haven’t stopped dreaming about it. A recent global survey by Official-Esta.com reveals the Maldives as the second ‘Most Googled Destination’ for post-lockdown holidays. According to Google, “flights to Maldives” and “trips to Maldives” were among the most searched for topics during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 15th July in an official statement on travel protocols, the Maldivian authorities announced that the Maldives is now open for tourism. But is it safe to visit?
Here is everything you need to know before planning a trip to Maldives along with specially curated tips to have an unforgettable post-lockdown holiday:
As close and friendly neighbours, India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial relations steeped in mutual respect. In this hour of crisis, the two countries decided to help each other and hence, set up an Air Bubble, which is first of its kind in South Asia that allows the citizens of both the countries to visit each other without undergoing quarantine. This arrangement is made primarily for two reasons – to boost tourism in the Maldives and to allow the medical tourists in India. Maldives economy is heavily dependent on tourism – 80% of Maldives GDP comes from Tourism – and India is the second-largest market for the island nation. So, it’s a win-win situation for both the countries to have this ‘Air Bubble’ arrangement.
Tip: With effect from 10th September, all tourists and short term visitors are required to carry a Negative PCR certificate on arrival in the Maldives. Rules keep changing with changing situation. So, check the latest travel advisory on ‘New Normal’ Measures for visiting the Maldives (for tourists).
No, Maldives is one of the safest countries in the world to visit post-lockdown and has earned the WTTC Safe Travels stamp for adopting health and hygiene global standardised protocols. So, you need not worry before booking a holiday to Maldives.
As per the official records, Maldives has only 1,346 active cases, and those too are restricted to the capital, Male. And, when you arrive in the Maldives as a tourist, you don’t spend much time at the capital. You are directly escorted from the Male Airport to your resort either through a speedboat or a seaplane. The Maldives has been able to restrict the transmission of the covid19 transmission because of its One Island One Resort philosophy. The island nation is geographically scattered and distanced, making the destination safest for a post-pandemic holiday, said Thoyyib Mohamed, Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).
Also, Maldives has been very proactive when it comes to safety and hygiene. When I visited the country in February 2020, that time only they had initiated thermal scanning, health declaration form filling and social distancing practices. Now they are following even more stringent measures as per the international and local guidelines.
As per Badhiya Gunatilake, the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Adaaran Resorts, Maldives, it’s a normal holiday in Maldives where they welcome all guests. There is no quarantine requirement, but all the resorts have to follow strict safety guidelines. When guests go into a restaurant, their tables and chairs are thoroughly sanitised. There are in-house doctors and nurses along with an emergency response medical team. Moreover, every resort has isolation centers to isolate guests, in case of a suspected case. All the resorts have electrostatic spray machines, which cleans the island every six hours. To have contactless experience, they have also created QR codes, which allows the guests to have all the details regarding food and beverages menu, spa treatments, excursions on their phone.
Here is a detailed video of whether it is safe to visit Maldives or not
Tip: Download app Trace Ekee app (like our Aarogya Setu app) prescribed by the Maldives Ministry of tourism.
The island nation is warm and sunny year-round but consists of two main seasons – a dry season that’s best for visitors and a wet, rainy season that is usually a lean season. The best weather – and the best time to visit the Maldives – is between November and April. Usually, the peak season is between December and March and May to October is the monsoon season.
The Maldives is more affordable now. Perhaps it is the best time ever to book a trip to the island nation as the ongoing Maldives holiday packages are available at rock bottom prices. Resorts are offering as much as 50% discount on regular rates. Now 3N4D package (inclusive of return flight, accommodation, meals and activities) starts as low as INR 40,968 ($556) per person.
And, the best part is some of the hotels such as Adaaran Resorts are offering Maldives holiday packages with additional features such as Flexi cancellation which allows cancelling or rescheduling your booking up to 24 hours before your arrival. However, if you are taking a seaplane, make it 72 hours. Also, it is advisable to book an all-inclusive package that covers your accommodation, food, drinks and excursions. Works out to be a cheaper deal than booking separately.
Tip: check out deals on travel websites such as MakeMyTrip or any other aggregator website.
The Maldives is geographically well connected with Asia, Europe, Africa and America. And, it doesn’t take long to get to the Maldives from the Indian subcontinent. Earlier Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi were the main airports to board an India-Maldives flight. It takes around 7-11 hours to get to the Maldives depending on the layover. Now the situation has changed. Starting August Air India started flying a direct flight from India and other airlines such as indigo are soon to start flying again to Male. In India, you can currently fly from Kerala. But soon, like before you can fly from Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka as well. I flew via Colombo with Sri Lankan Airlines in February.
Tip: If your resort is far away from Male, you’ll need to take a seaplane ride. So, keep the arrival and departure day free.
The Maldives is a small island nation in South Asia, scattered in the Arabian Sea of the Indian Ocean. It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 700 kilometres from the Asian continent’s mainland. The Maldives is 99% water and only one per cent land. And, that’s why the archipelago nation is so blessed with postcard beauty of powdery white sand beaches lined with turquoise blue lagoons. Out of the 1,200 islands of the country, only 200 islands are inhabited. The reefs in the Maldives are extremely rich and constitute almost 5% of the world’s reef. The marine life here is so rich that you can find over a thousand species of fishes and over two hundred kinds of corals.
Tip: Seaplane ride is a great way to see the unique geography of the Maldives from above
Maldives is synonymous to luxury. Imagine waking up to a perfectly laid out breakfast on your sundeck and then enjoying the water therapy of the Indian ocean. You swim with colourful baby sharks and manta rays as the waves gently cradle your ocean villa. And, when you are done with your swimming session, you take off with your personal butler in an electric car to enjoy the action on the island. What is more, you can experience the hospitality of garden and beach villas. The resort nation provides you with luxury, which you can only dream.
As far as accommodation is concerned, the options are many starting from an uber posh resort such as SONEVA JANI starting at Rs 912,503 ($12,403) to a local guesthouse coming at as low as $50 a night. But the charm of Maldives is in staying at its luxury resorts.
Tip: As per the Maldives Government you can only stay at one resort Have a mix of stay – water villa and beach villa
Since Maldives is almost 99% sea, it is not surprising that fish (mainly tuna) is the crucial staple of the Maldivian diet. The local cuisine is a mix of Arabic, Indian, Sri Lankan and Oriental influences. But once you are in the resort you can have whatever cuisine you crave for – be it Continental, Mediterranean, Mexican, Indian, Chinese, Arabic or any other food you are in the mood to have.
Each resort has five to seven restaurants and bars with speciality chefs, who can cook as per your liking, as per your taste. The cocktails are to die for in Maldives. Even after seven months, I can’t forget the taste of the wood-fired oven pizza I had at Lohi’s in Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi. One of the best pizzas I ever had and the icing on the cake was the setting sun on the wild surfing waves. All food and drinks were included in my all-inclusive package except for special dinner or breakfast at the beach.
Tip: Have one special meal at the beach or on a sand bar.
While Maldives is like a postcard to look from overland, the real magic lies under the waves. Therefore, it would be blasphemous to visit Maldives and not experience its marine life. When I went diving, I felt I was in a world of Nemo with 1000’s of fishes, corals, turtles, damselfish, baby sharks and many more of different colours, different varieties swimming all around me. It is an experience that you must have.
Besides scuba diving, there are many other activities you can do at the resort that are usually included in your package, such as snorkelling, paddleboarding, and non-motorised activities.
Plus, there is no shortage of land activities such as football, Tennis, Aerobic, Yoga and a lot more. If you want a massage then go to a spa where you can enjoy massages of different kinds like Balinese, Chinese, Indonesian or whatever you want, you can get it.
Tip: you could get seasick on the boat after scuba diving or during a sunset cruise, so carry medicine to avoid sea-sickness
Being one of the lowest-lying countries in the world, Maldives grapples with sea storms, and sea swells several times a year. Maldives has already lost twenty islands in the last twenty years. The fear is increasing by the day. If we don’t bring our carbon emissions down, the whole of Maldives can be drowned in the next thirty to fifty years.
Therefore, the Maldivian government and the local resorts are putting a lot of efforts to make travel more sustainable for tourists by using ecotourism activities such as employing green and clean energy options, group transfers instead of individual transfers, no motorised vehicles on the island, installing solar energy panels, water recycling, growing vegetables and fruits, making islands plastic-free, beach cleaning, and coral restoration.
I hope I have been able to answer all your queries regarding Maldives Travel. When are you going to experience the sunny side of life in Maldives?
Below links will provide you with the updated and correct information on the COVID-19 scenario in the Maldives.
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