Himachal - At Foot of Himalayas

Himachal Pradesh is a State in North India. It is surrounded by Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in North, Punjab in West, Haryana in South, Uttarakhand in South-East and International Border with China in East. Himachal is at the foot of Himalaya Mountains that span across the state. The Name - "Himachal" is derived from two Sanskrit words - "Hima" means Snow and "Achala" means Land or Abode. So, "Himachal" literally translates to Abode of Snow, aptly named due to existence of snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. 

In Himachal, there are multiple tourists spots that one can visit for adventure activities like Trekking, Snow Skiing, Horse Riding, Paragliding and many more. Three of the most popular spots are - Shimla, Kufri and Manali.  

The capital of Himachal Pradesh is Shimla, which is 370 KM (8 Hour) drive from Delhi, the National Capital of India. Most Tourists visiting Himachal are from North Indian states like Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab due to its proximity and pleasant climate, with reasonably good accomodation and facilities available.  

Shimla, being the state capital as mentioned above, offers variety of options for accomodation, dining and adventure activities. Popular sightseeing spots are Christ Church and Mall Road. The Latter (Mall Road) is very famous among tourists for shopping and hence, remains crowded all through the year. One must surely visit Mall Road to buy good quality handicrafts, clothes, fruits, foodstuffs, spices, condiments etc.  

Christ Church, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 

Mall Road, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 

Kufri is a hill station situated 16 KM (45 Minutes) from Shimla. Kufri has a Himalayan wildlife zoo that houses various animals like Birds, Deers, Bears, Leopards, Tigers etc. It offers a beautiful view of the Himalayan valley. One can avail rides on Horses and also Yaks, which is unique to the state. 

Goral (a type of Deer), Himalayan Zoo, Kufri, Himachal Pradesh 

Vallley view of Himalayas, Kufri, Himachal Pradesh

Manali is a Town, situated in Kullu district of the state. It is 230 KM (6 Hours) from Shimla. Manali offers several types of accomodation, right from Dormitories to Luxury Resorts, for Tourists to choose based on their affordability. Manali has a plethora of Adventure Activities for those who seek a dose of adventure in vacation. Activities like River Rafting, Rock Climbing, Snow Skiing and Paragliding provide an adrenaline rush, as they offer a heavy dose of Thrill to those who partake in it. 

Manali is placed on the banks of Beas River, that originates from Himalayas and flows into Punjab. Manali is home to Hidimba Devi Temple, built in 1553 in the honor of Devi Hidimba, a Hindu goddess who has been mentioned in Mahabharata, a popular Hindu epic. There is Vasistha Kund, a Hindu temple made out of wood that has sacred hot spring baths.  

Hidimba Devi Temple, Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Beas River, near Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Rohtang La is a mountain pass, nearly 60 KM (1 Hour 45 Minutes) drive from Manali. Rohtang La is 13000 feet above sea level and provides an amazing view of Himalayan Mountains and its snow capped peaks. The pass is open from May to November. It is not actually difficult to cross on foot by Himalayan standards, but it has a well-deserved reputation for being dangerous because of unpredictable snowstorms and blizzards. During winter season, adventure sports like ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) and Skiing are available to tourists who want to seek adventure and fun.  

Himalayan Snow Peaks, Rohtang La, Himachal Pradesh 

Shimla and rest of Himachal is well-connected by road to all Major cities in North India. National Highway 5 (NH 5) connects Shimla to Chandigarh, which is about 110 KM (3 Hours) drive. The Airport is nearly 18 KM (40 Minutes) from the City. Shimla's airport has limited flight connections to Delhi, Amritsar and Dharamshala (which also is in Himachal). Most tourists prefer to drive to Himachal, the road trip itself being the most exciting one.   

Mamallapuram - Temple at the Shores

Mamallapuram is a Town in Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu, in South India. It was formerly known as Mahabalipuram. It is 58 KM (1.5 Hour drive) from Chennai, the state's capital. Due to its proximity, it is considered as a Satellite town of Chennai. Tourists can visit Mamallapuram from Chennai and explore all its major attractions in a single day. 

Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 

Mamallapuram is famous for Ancient Hindu Monuments and Temples that were built during the 7th and 8th Century AD. The Monuments and Temples were built by Pallava dynasty, a powerful empire that ruled South India between 3rd and 9th Century AD. The town is named after Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, who was also known as Mamalla. 

 Mahabalipuram Beach, Tamil Nadu 

Lord Vishnu's statue inside a Temple, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu 

Out of several monuments prevalent in Mamallapuram, the most prominent two are Krishna's Butterball and Arjuna's Penance. Krishna's Butterball is a giant balancing rock, a granite boulder resting on a short incline. The boulder is nearly 6 Metres (20 Feet) high and 5 Metres (16 Feet) wide and weighs around 250 Tonnes. It seems to float and barely stand on a slope on top of a 1.2 Meter (4 Feet) high plinth, which is a naturally eroded hill. The rock is estimated to be about 1200 years old. 

Krishna's Butterball, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu 

Arjuna's Penance is a giant Open-Air Rock Monument, carved on two Monolithic Rock Boulders. It is also known as Descent of the Ganges. The story depicted in the monument is of descent of the river Ganges (which is considered sacred in Hinduism) to Earth from the heavens led by Bhagiratha, an ancient sage in Hindu mythology. The waters of the Ganges are believed to possess supernatural powers. The descent of the Ganges are portrayed in stone at this heritage site. 

Arjuna's Penance, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu 

Chennai's Municipal Transport and Tamil Nadu State Transport operate bus services between Chennai and Mamallapuram. Chennai is well-connected by Railways and Air. Chennai Airport is connected to many cities in India and abroad. 

A Busy Street in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu 

Statue of Unity - World's Tallest Statue

The Statue of Unity is a huge Monument located in Kevadia, Gujarat. It is 90 KM (2 Hour drive) from Vadodara. Statue is 182 metres (597 feet) tall and is Tallest Statue of the World till date. It dwarfs other famous statues around the world like Statue of Liberty in USA, The Motherland Calls in Russia and Christ the Redeemer in Brazil.  

The Statue of Unity is built in honor of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a popular freedom fighter and first Home Minister of Independent India. Sardar Patel had an extensive role in India's political integration after independence from the British and merging 500 princely states into the Union of India. That's how The Statue gets its name from. The Statue's construction began in 2013 and was completed in 2018, thus taking 5 years to realize it.  

Sardar Patel monument, Statue of Unity, Gujarat 

At Ground Floor level inside the statue, is an Art Gallery and a Museum depicting the life of Sardar Patel and his contribution to the nation. At Top Floor which is accessible by lift, is a viewing gallery, from where one can get a view of Narmada River and Sardar Sarovar Dam that is built across the river.  

Left - Art Gallery, Right - View Point, Statue of Unity, Gujarat 

There are many Tourist Attractions around The Statue of Unity. They are accessible via Shuttle Bus service which is complimentary for tourists, or through Electric Rickshaws which are available on chargeable basis (fixed fares). Reasonable infrastructure and civic amenities have been built there by the local government for convenience of tourists. One of the famous Tourist Attractions there is Maze Garden, since the entire Garden has been built in the form of a large complex maze. One must enter the Maze and follow the clues to reach the goal. 

Other Tourist Attractions available are Ekta Cruise, Jungle Safari, Cactus Garden etc. There is a Boat Ride available to visit Sardar Sarovar Dam view point from the river side.  

Maze Garden, Statue of Unity, Gujarat 

Narmada River, near Statue of Unity, Gujarat   

There are limited hotels for accomodation near The Statue of Unity as of today. Hence, it is advisable for visiting Tourists to stay in Vadodara, as the city has plenty of Hotels for various star categories. One can travel from Vadodara in Morning to visit the Statue and return back by evening on the same day. Vadodara is accessible by Rail and Air. The Airport has sufficient connections to major Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore etc.  

Bentota - Beach & much more

Bentota is a town in the south-western coast of Sri Lanka. It is 65 KM (2 Hour drive) from Colombo, the capital & largest city of the country. Bentota is well known for its beaches, though there are also other attractions that are worth sightseeing. Many tourists from India and other countries prefer to stay in resorts or shacks that are adjacent to the beaches. 

Buddhist Temple off Beach, Bentota, Sri Lanka 

Bentota has several restaurants offering local Sri Lankan cuisine, which is mostly Rice with various curries, including vegetables, sea food & meat. Nearly 18 KM (Half hour drive) from Bentota, is Madu River, which has extensive greenery in the form of Mangroves. Boat Ride is available for travelling across the river and exploring the plants. Within the Mangroves, there is a factory that cultivates, harvests & produces Cinnamon Oil in its own indigenous factory, for which Sri Lanka is famous for. Cinnamon Oil is known for its medicinal properties. It can be purchased there along with Cinnamon sticks at reasonable prices. 

Mangroves in Madu River, Near Bentota, Sri Lanka 

Cinnamon Oil Factory, Madu River, Near Bentota, Sri Lanka 

Bentota is famous for its Turtle Hatcheries, where Turtles (esp. endangered species) are reared and nurtured. Once they are matured, they are let into the sea to live their lives. One must visit any of those Hatcheries to see how Turtles are looked after, right from the egg phase till they are fully grown and ready to be sent to the sea. It is a Turtle Conservation project, supported from the Local government to protect certain species of Turtles, in order to prevent them from getting extinct.

Beruwala Turtle Hatchery, Bentota, Sri Lanka  -  (Left - Dark-Skinned Turtle,  Right - Turtle Egg) 

Near 55 KM (1.5 Hour drive) from Bentota is the town of Galle. It is popular for its Cricket Stadium, where several International & Domestic Cricket matches have been played. Galle is known for its Fort & Clock Tower. Galle Fort is a certified UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in 1588 by the Portuguese, then it was extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. It is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers. It is also known as "Dutch Fort" or "Ramparts of Galle". Galle Clock Tower is located within the Galle Fort. It was constructed in 1883, paid for through public subscriptions by the people of Galle. 

Dutch Fort, Galle, Sri Lanka  -  (Left - Premises of Fort,  Right - Clock Tower) 

Towards the southern side of Sri Lanka, is Udawalawe National Park. It is 185 KM (3 Hour drive) from Bentota. One must leave early morning from Bentota to visit the National Park for viewing the Animals in the park during daytime. Elephants, Wild Buffaloes along with exotic birds like Cranes, Pelicans etc. can be seen in the jungle area of National Park.  

Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has allowed Visa-Free access to Indian Nationals from 1st October 2024 to 30th April 2025 as a pilot project. Beside this, Sri Lanka offers 30 Day Free Visa on Arrival to Indian passport holders. The nearest Airport to Bentota is Colombo International Airport (also known as Bandaranaike International Airport), which is 108 KM (1 Hour 40 Minutes drive) from Bentota. SriLankan Airlines, Air India and Indigo operate several flights connecting Colombo to various Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai etc.  

Abu Dhabi - Arabian Splendor

Abu Dhabi is the capital of UAE (United Arab Emirates), a country based in the Persian Gulf that is a union of 7 Emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Ajman and Fujairah. Each Emirate has its own ruler called as "Emir". UAE is a federal monarchy, where the Emir of Abu Dhabi is President and the Emir of Dubai is Prime Minister of the country. 

Most Tourists travel to UAE to visit Dubai - a popular tourist spot and shopping paradise. However, Abu Dhabi, which is just a 1.5 Hour drive (140 KM) from Dubai, has its own identity in the Middle East, where Arabian culture meets Western Lifestyle and Infrastructure just like other countries in the Persian Gulf. Abu Dhabi was formerly a traditional fishing village and trading port. In a few decades, it has drastically transformed into a world-class city offering a high-quality lifestyle to its citizens and expatriates living in the UAE. Many expatriates work or have setup businesses in Abu Dhabi. Most of them are from countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines etc. 

Glitzy Skyline of Abu Dhabi,  UAE

UAE, like most countries in the Middle East, is an Islamic state with Islam as its state religion. Following the same, Abu Dhabi is home to Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The Mosque (i.e. Islamic place of worship) was built in the honour of Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, former president of UAE who is known to transform the UAE into a developed country in present day. The Mosque is entirely white in colour with lots of calligraphy and paintings based on Islam and its principles. Both Muslims and Non-Muslims are allowed to visit the Mosque except on Fridays, as it is considered a Holy Day in Islam when Mass Prayers (i.e. Namaaz) are held for Muslims. Women are supposed to cover themselves from head to toe before entering the mosque. Abayas and Hijabs (Islamic attire) are available on rent for women to wear before they visit the mosque. 

Sheikh Zayed Mosque,  Abu Dhabi,  UAE  (Left - Main Entrance,  Right - Arabic Calligraphy)

Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi is a popular tourist attraction, built in a fashion similar to its European counterpart in Paris, France. Louvre Museum has several artifacts for exhibition collected from different parts of the world. The Museum is divided into many sections, based on time period and regions of the world. It is a must-watch, in case you are visiting Abu Dhabi for the first time.  

Louvre Museum,  Abu Dhabi,  UAE  (Left - an Ancient Artifact,  Right - Outer Premises)

Other famous Tourist Atrractions in Abu Dhabi are Emirates Palace Hotel and Ferrari World. The Emirates Palace Hotel is a high-end Luxury Hotel offering Food and Accomodation that is affordable only by the affluent elite (millionaires and above that). Ferrari World is an amusement theme park based on Ferrari, a popular Italian brand of Luxury Sports Cars. The park offers various rides like high-speed roller coaster and virtual games that will attract those having a passion for adventure.  

Emirates Palace Hotel,  Abu Dhabi,  UAE

Ferrari Car Model,  Ferrari World,  Abu Dhabi,  UAE

Indians need a Visa prior to visiting the UAE. However, the Visa can be booked online with a few airlines while booking Air Tickets. Else, it can be arranged through a local travel agent. Etihad Airways, the flag carrier of Abu Dhabi, offers direct connections to Abu Dhabi from many Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai etc. Other Airlines like Air India, Indigo and Vistara also have flights to and from Abu Dhabi. 

Busy Downtown of Abu Dhabi,  UAE

Singapore - East meets West

Singapore is a tiny island country in South-East Asia. It is surrounded by Malaysia in north and Indonesia in south, east and west. Formerly a British trading port, it got independence in 1959 and since then, has grown by leaps and bounds to become a developed country with high levels of income and a First-World Lifestyle equivalent to any country in the West. Singapore was earlier part of Malaysia until 1965, when it separated and became an independent nation as we know it today. 

The Merlion, Singapore 

Singapore is barely 735 sq. km. in area. It is possible to drive from one end of Singapore to the other end in a day. About 5.9 million people live in the country. Majority of the country's population is of Chinese origin, with sizeable portions of Malay and Indian origins too. Amongst the Indian origin, majority of them are Tamils. Singapore has 4 official languages - English, Mandarin (Chinese), Malay and Tamil. 

The country has a unique blend of Asian cultures with Western lifestyle, education and infrastructure. It offers a high-quality lifestyle to its citizens with education mostly funded by the state along with universal healthcare and good social security. Singaporeans enjoy one of the longest life expectancies, fastest Internet connection speeds, lowest infant mortality rates, and lowest levels of corruption in the world. Singaporeans enjoy visa-free travel to several developed countries like USA, UK, Canada, Australia etc.  

(Left - City Flyer,  Right - View of City from the Flyer), Singapore 

Popular tourist attractions in Singapore include Gardens by the Bay, which contains a variety of plants available for display to visitors. Jurong Bird Park has collection of several exotic birds from different parts of the world. 

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore 

Exotic Birds, Jurong Bird Park, Singapore 

Sentosa is a small island on the outskirts of Singapore. It is a must-see for every tourist who visits Singapore. It requires at least a day to explore the entire Sentosa. Famous attractions in Sentosa are - Big Merlion, Cable Car, Sea Aquarium, Laser Show and Universal Studios. 

Cable Car Ride, Sentosa Island, Singapore 

Laser Show, Sentosa Island, Singapore 

Universal Studios is an amusement park in Sentosa. It has various rides based on popular Hollywood Movies produced by the banner of same name. Some of the movies depicted in the park are cult classics like Jurassic Park, Transformers, The Mummy etc. 

Universal Studios, Sentosa Island, Singapore 

Indians require a visa in advance before traveling to Singapore, that can be arranged through a local travel agent. Many airlines like Air India, Indigo and Scoot offer direct flights to Changi Airport, the country's sole commercial airport. Changi Airport has been consistently rated as one of the best airports in the world. Singapore Airlines, the country's flag carrier, has direct connections to many cities in India like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore etc.  

Mahabaleshwar - On the Hills

Mahabaleshwar is a popular Hill Station located in Satara district, in the south-western part of Maharashtra in India. It is famous among residents of Urban areas of Mumbai, Thane, Navi-Mumbai and Pune as a weekend holiday spot for picnic, adventure and trekking activities. People from these cities often come here to take a break from the hustle-bustle and commotion that is daily faced in every Indian city.

Venna Lake, Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar is about 230 KM (5.5 hour) drive from Mumbai and about 120 KM (3 hour) drive from Pune. It does not have a railway station of its own, the closest being Satara railway station, which comes in Satara city, that is 57 KM (1.5 hour) from the hill station. 

People often visit Mahabaleshwar to buy edible products like Jams, Squashes (Sherbets), Sugar Candies and most important - Fresh Strawberries. Mahabaleshwar has vast estates having Strawberry Farms that are used to prepare Jams, Milkshakes and also Syrups of the red fruit. People are fond of eating Strawberries with Whipped Cream besides its Milkshake, that is a must try in this place. Venna Lake is a large water body in Mahabaleshwar, which has paddle boats for tourists, to traverse across the lake to enjoy its natural beauty. It is clearly visible from the highway to the Main Market of the Hill Station. Many eateries are available on the border of the Lake. 

View of the Valley with Mist, Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar gets it name from Shri Kshetra Mahabaleshwar, a Holy Shrine of Lord Shiva. Shivaji Maharaj, a famous Maratha king used to often visit there to take blessings of the Deity. Mahabaleshwar is known for its proximity to Pratapgad Fort, which has its own historical importance related to life of Shivaji Maharaj. Pratapgad is 21 KM (45 minutes) drive from Mahabaleshwar. It is said that in 1659, Shivaji was supposed to meet Afzal Khan, a military general of the Bijapur Sultanate. The meeting was scheduled to establish a truce between both Maratha and Bijapur kingdoms. 

Pratapgad Fort (Left - Outside View , Right - Inside View ), Mahabaleshwar

However, Afzal Khan had sinister motives. When both Shivaji and Afzal Khan met and hugged each other, the latter tried to stab Shivaji. However, Shivaji was well-prepared for this betrayal. He (Shivaji) took out his wagh-nakh (metallic tiger claws) and pierced the stomach of Afzal Khan, who died on the spot. That resulted in Battle of Pratapgad, in which Marathas defeated their enemy, forcing them to retreat back to their home territory.  

Mahabaleshwar offers adventure activities like Horse Riding, Trekking and Paragliding across the Valley. It is close to Panchgani (20 KM, 40 minutes drive), known for its large houses owned by the rich and famous in India. It also has a few elite boarding schools, established in the late 19th century. They attract students from the nearby cities of Mumbai and Pune. 

MSRTC and Private Bus Operators have daily scheduled bus services between Mumbai and Pune to Mahabaleshwar via Panchgani. Mahabaleshwar has numerous hotels and resorts, that offer accommodation to various categories of tourists based on budget and group size. 

Andamans - Away from the Mainland

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is an Archipelago (a collection of islands) located 700 Nautical Miles (1300 KM) away from the mainland of India. It is designated as a Union Territory, which means it directly comes under the rule of Central Government. The islands are sandwiched between the Bay of Bengal to the west and the Andaman Sea to the east. The islands are close to 3 countries in South-East Asia - Myanmar to the north, Indonesia to the south and Thailand to the east. 

There are 572 islands in this territory, out of which only 38 are inhabited. Some of these Islands are not accessible to Tourists, as they are home to indigenous local Tribes that don't want any contact with rest of the world. Port Blair is the capital and the only entry point of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

Kaala Patthar Beach, Havelock Island, Andamans 

Port Blair is home to Cellular Jail, a large Prison built by the British to imprison and torture Indian Freedom Fighters while isolating them from Mainland India. It was called 'Kaala Pani' Jail (it means Black Water in Hindi) during pre-independence era, as only the hardest of criminals were sent there and were subject to extreme labor and most atrocious punishments. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, a prominent pro-independence activist, was kept imprisoned there during the freedom struggle. 

Cellular Jail, Port Blair, Andamans 

Port Blair has also other Tourist attractions worth watching like Anthropology Museum, Aquarium, Science Center, Clock Tower and Corbyn's Cove Beach. 

Anthropology Museum (Left) and Corbyn's Cove Beach (Right), Port Blair, Andamans 

Andamans has several islands famous for water sports like Scuba Diving, Parasailing, Jet Ski and Sea Floor Walking. Out of these, Havelock and Ross Islands are the most popular ones. Havelock Island has Radhanagar Beach, which is known as one of Top 100 beaches in the world. Radhanagar beach was awarded the prestigious Blue Flag certification in 2020. 

Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island, Andamans 

Ross Island, Andamans 

Tourists can access Andamans through Port Blair by Air. There are regular scheduled commercial flights to and from Veer Savarkar International Airport, which is located 2 KM from the city. Ferry Services are available in Andamans to travel between the various islands. Many Tour operators offer Cruise Services to visit Andamans starting from Port Blair.