Category Tourist Spots in India

               Sandakphu is the highest peak in the state of West Bengal. It is the highest point of the Singalila Ridge in Darjeeling district on the West Bengal-Nepal border. The peak is located at the edge of the Singalila National Park and has a small village on the summit with a few hotels. Four of the five highest peaks in the world, Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu can be seen from the summit.

               Sandakphu is a true paradise for all adventure lovers. Trek to the highest point on this hill station and you will get a never seen before view of the Himalayan Range.

               A long stretch of the Himalayas, starting from Bhutan till Mount Everest is visible. The River Teesta flows through Sandakphu at quite a pace. The River Teesta also offers a great option for adventure sports especially river rafting. Sandakphu is the only place in the world where you will find rhododendron and silver fir forests.

               Located around 48 km away from Imphal, the capital of Manipur, the Loktak Lake is the largest freshwater lake in northeast India. The lake is mostly famous for the floating phumdis (floating decomposed plant materials) that even host a national park. Resembling miniature islands, these phumdis are found in various forms, floating on the lake.

               The lake’s rich biological diversity comprises 233 species of aquatic plants, more than 100 species of birds, and 425 species of animals, including the Indian python and the sambhar. The Keibul Lamjao in Loktak is the only floating national park in the world. It is home to the last of the brow-antlered deer, one of the most endangered deer in the world. The park, which was initially declared to be a sanctuary in 1966, was subsequently declared a national park in 1977, through a gazette notification.

               Loktak is also a bird watchers paradise. The most commonly sighted birds in the region include the black kite, northern hill myna, lesser skylark, Burmese pied myna, and more.

               Dhanaulti, Uttarakhand, known for its quiet and serene ambience, lies on the way from Chamba to Mussoorie. It is known for its quiet environs amidst the alpine forests of deodar, rhododendron and oak.

               This town is popular among tourists mainly because of its proximity to Mussoorie, which is just 24 km away. Travellers can enjoy the mesmerizing views of the Doon Valley from this place. One of the prominent tourist attractions of Dhanaulti is the Eco-Park surrounded by deodar forests.

               In addition, the place is also popular among travellers for its potato farm, locally known as ‘Aloo Khet’. The Dashavatar Temple, New Tehri Township, Barehipani and Joranda Falls, Deogarh Fort, and Matatila Dam are some of the other tourist hotspots located nearby. Visitors can also enjoy various adventure sports like rock climbing, river crossing, hiking, and trekking in the Camp Thangdhar.

               Since the heavy snowfall during winters, tourists flock here in huge numbers.

               Nestled amidst the Palani Hills in the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal is a very popular hill station in India. Kodaikanal is also referred to as the ‘princess of hill stations’ and has a long history as a retreat.

               The location of Kodaikanal, at 2133 metres above sea level, makes it a traveller’s paradise with all its charm and charisma. The history of Kodaikanal says that it was established as a hill station by American missionaries in 1845, seeking a resort in order to keep the glare of high temperatures, and the tropical diseases of the plains at bay.

               There are many high waterfalls and ubiquitous gardens and flower beds in bloom. Kodaikanal is known for its rich flora. Among the big trees, cypress, eucalyptus and acacia are the dominant varieties. There are numerous pear trees here, and the fruits are of high quality.

               Kodaikanal has some amazing places to visit like the Guna caves and the Dolphin’s Nose.

               Coakers Walk is a great place to catch some stunning mountain views.

Picture credit: google

               If you are interested in adventure, Kasol is the right place for you. It is an ideal destination for backpackers, trekkers, and nature enthusiasts due to its scenic valley, untouched mountains, and great climate throughout the year.

               Kasol is situated in Parvati Valley, on the banks of the Parvati River, on the way between Bhuntar and Manikaran. It is located 31.2 km from Bhuntar and 5 km from Manikaran. Kasol acts as a base for nearby treks to Malana and Kheerganga.

               Kasol has good weather throughout the year and receives fair amount of snowfall from late December to February.

               Kasol is ideal for a vacation if you want to chill in the lap of nature. The picturesque spots around this surreal town have some delightful tourist destinations like Kullu, the Parvati River, Malana Village, Kheer Ganga Peak, Bhuntar Town, Manali and these are considered as the best tourist places in India.

               Kasol is often known as mini Israel because of the huge number of tourists from Israel.

               A paradise for nature-buffs, Cherrapunji is an ideal destination if you want to take a break from your monotonous life. It was known for being the wettest places on Earth, but nearby Mawsynram currently holds that distinction. Cherrapunji is ideal to experience the bliss of rains.

               There are spectacular waterfalls in Cherrapunji credited for the beautiful landscape. Among the most popular waterfalls in Cherrapunji are the Nohkalikai Falls and Dainthlen Falls.

               Cherrapunji is a sub divisional town in Meghalaya. Meghalaya state government has renamed Cherrapunji back to its original name, ‘Sohra’.

               It is blessed with profuse vegetation, containing numerous endemic species of plants, including Meghalaya subtropical forests. In general, Cherrapunji is a good place for trekking. The most popular trekking route is the one that leads to the Double decker living Root Bridge.

               There are many other living root bridges too, like the Umshiang root bridge, Ritymmen Root Bridge and Mawsaw Root Bridge.

               Beyond the dazzling royal cities of Rajasthan lie Jaisalmer, the gateway to the Thar Desert, and a popular tourist destination in India, notable for its incredible yellow stone architecture, and the Jaisalmer Fort, also known as ‘Sonar Quila’. This fort contains a royal palace and several ornate Jain temples.

               Many of the houses and temples of both the fort, and of the town below, are built of finely sculptured sandstone. Jaisalmer is situated on a level plain in the heart of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. Jaisalmer is one of the last big towns in Rajasthan closest to the India-Pakistan border and stands in the heart of the Thar Desert. The city, also dubbed the ‘golden city’ was established in the mid-12th century by Rawal Jaisal.

               Jaisalmer have many artistic structures, and monuments of local historical importance, that attracts tourists. The Gadsisar Lake is another great attraction here. Desert Festival of Jaisalmer is the most awaited and famous cultural and colourful event that dominates the sands of Rajasthan.

               Pay a visit to Darjeeling, you will be lured by the dazzling snow peaks of Kanchenjunga overlooking the hill town, the beautiful tea gardens on the slopes of rolling hills, the orchids, pines and rhododendrons, and the cute Himalayan toy train whistling its way through the mountains.

               Darjeeling is the headquarters of the Darjeeling District which has a partially autonomous status within the state of West Bengal. It is also a popular tourist destination in India.

               One of the popular tourist attractions here is the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Darjeeling has been a popular hill station since the British established it as a rest and recreation centre for their troops in the early 19th century. Darjeeling offers a plethora of options for those seeking an adrenaline rush. Visit the Singalila National Park to catch a glimpse of the red panda or for some high altitude trekking. Colonial architecture characterizes many buildings in Darjeeling, exemplified by the Raj Bhawan and the Planters’ Club.

               Standing against the backdrop of the Vindhyas, Khajuraho presents a magnificent view to the beholder.

               It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. It is also one of the most popular tourist spots in Madhya Pradesh. It is famous for its ancient temples that depict some of the finest art in the world. Built between 950-1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty, these temples depict various forms like meditation, spiritual teachings, kinship, wrestling, and royalty.

               Some of the famous temples in the complex are the Lakshmana Temple, the Vishwanatha Temple and the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple.

               The temples in Khajuraho are broadly divided into three parts: the Eastern group, the Southern Group and the Western group of temples. The Khajuraho Dance Festival is held every year in February. It features various classical Indian dances set against the backdrop of this architectural marvel. The Khajuraho temple complex hosts a very good sound-and-light show every evening.

               If you are an adventurer and a wildlife enthusiast, Kaziranga is the place for you. Kaziranga National Park which is also a world heritage site, hosts two-thirds of the world’s greater one-horned rhinoceros.

               Kaziranga also boasts the highest density of tigers among the protected areas in the world, and was declared a tiger reserve in 2006. Though sighting of tigers is difficult, because of the tall grasses that provide excellent camouflage, their presence can be felt everywhere by way of pug marks, kills, and territorial markings. The park is home to large breeding populations of elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer.

               First established in 1908 as a reserved forest, it subsequently was designated a wildlife sanctuary before becoming a national park in 1974. Kaziranga National Park is a birding paradise; the grasslands are a raptor country that can be seen on safari makes a remarkable experience. Huge numbers of migratory birds descend on the park’s lakes and marshy areas during winters, including grey-lag geese, bar headed geese, gadwall, falcated duck, red crested pochard, and the northern shoveller.