Kerala is the only Indian state of beaches, backwaters, lakes, houseboats, wildlife, waterfalls and watersports. Snake boat races are major watersports of Kerala. Boat racing is not just a sport but a traditional festivity, unique to the religious being of Kerala India. Though more or less religious in origin, the Kerala boat races used to be held as part of competition or settlement between two rival communities in the bygone eras. Boat racing being organized during temple festivals throughout the year, every month and every season is the best time to visit Kerala for tourists as well as sports enthusiasts. An interface between sports and festivity, most of the boat races are held on Kerala backwaters. Indian Eagle shares some tidbits of the most popular Kerala boat races.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race

One of the boat race festivals in Kerala, the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a visual extravaganza on the backwaters of Punnamada in Alappuzha district. This boat racing in Kerala is a rowing competition between several groups of oarsmen for the Nehru Trophy. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race owes its origin to a visit by Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, the First Prime Minister of India. A snake boat race was held to welcome him. He was so enthralled by the event and the gusto of the participants that he announced the Nehru Trophy to award the winning team. Since then, this Kerala boat race has been an annual event. The trophy is a silver replica of a snake boat.    

Champakulam Moolam

The Champakulam Moolam Boat Race on the Pampa River in Alappuzha district is one of the tourist attractions of Kerala India. The venue of this Kerala boat race is the Pampa River at Champakulam in Alappuzha. The shape of boats with a raised end at the back like the hood of a cobra is unique to the way the Champakulam boat race festival is celebrated to commemorate the age-old event of bringing a new idol of Lord Krishan from Karikulam Temple in Kurichi to a temple at Ambalappuzha by boat, at the behest of King Devanarayana of Chempakasseri. June or July being the month of this festive watersport is the best time to visit Kerala.

Payippad Jalotsavam  

Payippad Jalotsavam is not just the best snake boat race in Kerala but also an attraction of Kerala tourism in South India. A grand festivity for three days, Payippad Jalotsavam is held on the Payippad Lake at a distance of 35km away from Allappuzha, in honor of the presiding deity of the Subramanya Swamy Temple. According to the folklore, the inhabitants of Haripad Village had dreamt that an idol of Swamy Subrahmanya was lying on the bed of the Kayamlulam River before the temple was constructed. The idol was surprisingly found there and brought in a boat to where the temple is located today. This Kerala boat race is annually held to commemorate the event in the month of September.

“Bull Racing in Kerala is not just another adventuresome sport! It is one of the most offbeat sports in India. Kerala’s bull race is India’s answer to Spain’s bullfighting. This furious sport is an extraordinary show of men’s physical strength in contrast with the beastly force of bulls,” said the Editor of Travel Beats, an Indian Diaspora portal by Indian Eagle, a most trusted air-ticketing partner of Keralites in America.

Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali

The oldest boat racing in Kerala, Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali is part of the cultural extravaganza during Onam Festival in August. The Kerala backwaters brim with excitement and enthusiasm of the rowers in hundreds, who oar the boats at a breakneck speed making it a gripping spectacle of energy and madness on the Pampa River. Dedicated to Lord Krishna and his devotee Arjuna, Vallamkali is characterized by embellishment of boats with ornamental umbrellas and flags. 25 folk singers also accompany the rowers during the racing festivity. The racing boats are locally called ‘Palliyodams’. Monsoon being the season of Onam Festival and Vallamkali celebration is the best time to travel to Kerala.

Onam Festival of Kerala will commence on August 30, 2022. This harvest festival of India is celebrated through different ceremonies including Vallamkali Boat Race. It is not just the best time to visit Kerala, but the time for homecoming. Indian Eagle has unbeatable deals for affordable flights to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Click the button below to get the cheapest air tickets.

BOOK My Flight to India

The post Kerala Boat Races are Perfect for Adventure Travel in India appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Have you had enough of romance in India monsoon? Are you looking for a break away from typical romantic monsoon destinations? Give a try to adventure in Agumbe, a monsoon getaway in Karnataka. It is the wettest place receiving the highest rainfall in South India. Veiled by dense, lush greenery, Agumbe seems to be a land of phantoms in the dark. Much of the landscape of this monsoon town is dotted with rain forests in the Western Ghats. Trekking in the dark and dense forests is the most challenging pursuit of adventure here. If you are all set for an intriguing adventure travel to India, Indian Eagle will book the cheapest flight tickets to Bangalore for you.

Romance and adventure exist side by side in Agumbe. Panoramic views of the diverse geography of Agumbe ooze dollops of romance, while the precarious trekking trails penetrating through the forests highlight adventure. You can take fancy to the romantic beauty of Agumbe or respond to the calls of adventure, according to your travel taste this monsoon. Agumbe treats both romance seekers and adventure junkies alike. If the adventurer in you overpowers your romantic self, you must go through the rest.

Travel to India for an adventure holiday in Agumbe begins with an international flight to Bangalore, which is followed by a domestic flight to Mangalore, a coastal town in the state of Karnataka. Mangalore to Agumbe is a 100-km long drive via scenic roadway. You can take a road trip from Mangalore to Agumbe, which will offer a toast of adventure to you from the very beginning of the journey. It is one of the best road trips in South India.

If you want to drink to the scenic beauty of nature while sitting in a comfort zone on wheels, you can journey by train to Udupi Railway Station. Udupi is a coastal town where Agumbe is an only 55-km long drive from. Once you are in Agumbe town, your journey for adventure is all set to commence. The trekking trails through streams, waterfalls and forests are rough and precarious; so professional trekking guidance will be a great help.

Rows of trees at the initial phase of the journey lead to thick vegetation which ends into the deep of rain forests in Agumbe Ghat. Monsoon clouds from the southwest strike against the peaks of Agumbe Ghat, which measure more than 2,000 feet in height, and make heavy showers over the rain forests here. That is why the trails are slippery making trekking a challenge. As a result of heavy rainfalls in the months of Indian monsoon for years, the hillsides of Agumbe have got covered in the dark green cloak of rain forests, which is washed by cascading waterfalls.

What is the best month to travel to India for an adventure trip in Agumbe? Monsoon is the best time though you can visit Agumbe in any season of the year. July is the wettest month of India monsoon here. A veil of mist hangs over the hillsides of Agumbe in July and August, which you will miss in other times of the year. But, trekking is more challenging in monsoon than in other seasons. The width of the trails varies at different points in the forests. The width is very narrow at some places.

The Barakona Falls is the biggest waterfall in Agumbe. Some trails run down to the base of this waterfall. The breathtaking views of the Barakona Falls from close quarters are worth braving the challenge of trekking down to the base. You can explore the wilderness of Agumbe which teems with moths, butterflies, deer, scorpions, frogs and snakes. King Cobra, the largest and most venomous snake in the world, is noticed in the forests of Agumbe, mostly in the drier months.

As the population is sparse in Agumbe, there is little room for accommodation except a feudal home in the village. Overnight stay is not a wise option here. Therefore, a daytime trip to Agumbe is recommended. However, Agumbe, the Cherrapunji of South India, is an ideal monsoon destination for adventure.

Indian Eagle strives to make you travel on cheap flights to India even in the last minute. Once you have traveled to India, you can create many such wonderful stories of adventure and romance to cherish in the coming years. 

The post Agumbe, the Cherrapunji of South India, is More than a Typical Monsoon Destination for Romance appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

A lot has been said and written about the beauty & bliss of Kashmir. It is such an inexplicably beautiful part of the vast Himalayan region that it deserves to be shining like a gem in the crown of Mother India. In this context, we would like to quote the Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s exclaiming words, “If there is a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.” Inarguably, Kashmir is the paradise for poets, painters, photographers, bird watchers, peace lovers, romantics and adventurers. With tourists stopping by Indian Eagle to book cheap flights to India in the thick of summer, we are rolling out the list of things to do in Jammu and Kashmir for the adventurers among them.

Shikara ride

What is the very first thing to do in Kashmir? It is shikara ride on Dal Lake. Though a most common fact, it tops the list of activities for every tourist. The shikara ride on Dal Lake brings in both romance and adventure in rare mélange. The beauty of the landscape, the views of colorful houseboats, the slow movement of shikaras and the hues of life on the lake create a joyous sensation that can only be felt, not shared or explained.

Trekking

If lying back in the swing of romance is not your cup of tea, you can take a plunge into the pool of adventure that Kashmir is. Trekking is one of the most adventuresome activities in this part of India. Being a mountainous region, Kashmir offers trekking as a challenge that only professional or experience trekkers can dare to take up. The snowy trekking routes of Ladakh are popular with seasoned trekkers.

Mountain biking

Kashmir is a valley of valleys with rolling meadows and snow-covered mountain slopes which make biking a pursuit of adrenalin rush. Whether it is the lakeside zigzags or rough mountainous terrains, mountain biking in Jammu and Kashmir is an exciting holidaymaking activity. Ladakh has several mountain biking treks which will fulfill your craving for some doses of adventure.

Mountaineering

Kashmir is the topmost Himalayan region of India. Landscaped by mountains of varying heights on all sides, Jammu & Kashmir offers a lot of opportunities for mountaineering of all levels, low and high, easy and difficult. Some of the most popular and mountaineering-friendly Himalayan peaks such as Harmukh, Sunset, Kolahoi, Gulpa Kangri, Kun of Zanskar, Kang Yatsey and Bobab are in Kashmir.

Bird watching

If bird watching is your favorite sightseeing activity, Jammu and Kashmir travel is worth a flight to India. Sightseeing ranges from lakes to wetlands across the state. Kashmir has about 24 wetlands which are home to as many as 500 species of birds making it a paradise for bird watchers. Migratory birds can be seen only at specific times of the year though bird watching is an all-season activity in Kashmir.

Paragliding

Adventure tourism in Jammu and Kashmir thrives on the popularity of paragliding. Gliding in the air is the best way to catch a 360 degree panorama of the majestic valleys. Catching an eyeful of the lush green meadows below from high on is an experience to be cherished for lifetime. Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Sanasar and Harwan are the best places to indulge in this sporty adventure.

Skiing

Adventure knows no limit in Jammu and Kashmir when it comes to skiing. Having snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas in the backdrop, the state is blessed with popular skiing destinations. Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam offer ample room for skiing with lots of thrill. The tourism ministry of Jammu and Kashmir provides accommodation to skiers in Gulmarg.

Rafting

You can drink to thrills from your visit to Kashmir in different forms of adventure. Rafting is one of them. The landscape around the mountains is crisscrossed by such roaring rivers as the Indus, the Lidder and the Zanskar which make rafting a challenging indulgence for those in quest of high adrenalin rush.

Camping

Camping is one of the must things to in Kashmir for those seeking natural bliss in India. Kashmir offers several campsites where natural beauty of the mountains and soothing greenery of the valleys can best be enjoyed. Aru Valley, Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam are some of the best summer camping destinations in Kashmir. Click Best Himalayan Campsites to know more about camping in India.

The opportunity to buy cheap air tickets to India is as exciting as adventure itself! IndianEagle.com offers this opportunity in all seasons of the year.   

The post Adventure is Best of All Things to Do in Jammu and Kashmir appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Himachal Pradesh, a north Indian state, is the ultimate destination for romance, relaxation and rejuvenation in the Himalayas. It is a gateway to the world of adventure too. The valleys and hill stations of Himachal Pradesh are not just summer retreats but also adventure hotspots. They become camping grounds with ample room for adventure activities from March to September. Those who feel drawn to the enigmatic beauty of the Himalayas fly to India for camping in Himachal. It drives Indian Eagle to list the most popular Himalayan sites for camping.

Chail

Chail is more adventurous than Shimla for camping in the Himalayas. Situated at an altitude of 2,250 meters above the sea level, Chail is only 45 kms away from Shimla. The landscape of this Himalayan camping site is dotted with soaring deodars. Chail is not only known as a hill station with a thick cover of greenery but also famous for the cricket ground that is the highest in the world. This Himalayan destination for camping is a must visit for nature lovers too.

Shimla

Shimla is one of the few Himalayan hill stations where romance and adventure go hand in hand. Shimla, the summer capital of the British Raj and the present capital of Himachal Pradesh, is ideal for camping in North India. The idyllic landscape, rugged terrains and pleasant weather of Shimla fetch hundreds of youngsters for camping and trekking every summer. Shogi, Mashobra, Summwe Hill and Fagu are some of the hot spots for camping in Shimla.

Nahan

Nahan in Solan at an altitude of 932 meters above from the sea level is one of the best summer camping destinations in the Himalayas. Nahan is a picturesque town with clean streets and glimpses of natural beauty hanging all around. Karan Prakash, the King of Solan had laid out the foundation brick of Nahan in 1621. The town boasts a pleasing climate throughout the year. There is a beautiful artificial lake on the camping site in Nahan.

Manali

Manali is a wonderful summer retreat and an adventuresome camping spot. One of the most popular summer tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh, North India, Manali is a must stop on the National Highway to Leh in Ladakh District. It is one of the few places to find beauty in adventure. Manali is a must-visit summer camping resort town with snowcapped peaks, the meandering Beas River, fruit orchards, lush green landscape, and rolling fields.

Kullu

Kullu is a 40-km long drive from Manali on the way to Leh. A resort holiday destination with snow-covered peaks, Kullu is a favorite of trekkers and campers. It is equally popular for sightseeing and adventure. The season of camping in Kullu spans from April to June and from mid-September to mid-October. Kullu has several trails in the Himalayan range.

Sangla Valley

Sangla Valley is one of the lesser-known camping destinations in the Himalayan region. Situated at an altitude of 2600 meters from the sea level, the valley is towered by the huge Kinner Kailash peak. The zigzag slopes of Sangla Valley are flooded by the beauty of cedar, pine, walnut, apple and apricot trees. The picturesque hamlets with wooden walls make Sangla Valley a remarkable spot for nature photography too.

Dalhousie

Named after its founder, the British Viceroy Lord Dalhousie, Dalhousie is a most popular Himalayan hill station with adventuresome camping spots. Nestled on the western end of Dhauladhar, Dalhousie fetches not only domestic travelers but also foreign tourists. Raw natural beauty of the lush green landscape dotted with pine, cedar and deodar trees is the best bait of Dalhousie to adventurers, photographers and nature lovers. Dalhousie is the only place in Himachal to offer soulful views of the horizon where the sky and earth embrace each other.

Dharamsala

Camping in Dharamsala is an adventure in the lap of nature. Dharamsala, a Himalayan hill station in Himachal Pradesh, offers multiple opportunities for active camping. March to mid-September is the best time camping in Dharamsala.

IndianEagle.com is the only online travel booking portal to offer guaranteed lowest airfare for trips to India. There is special discount on booking of flights for trekkers, nature lovers, photographers and adventurers this summer.

The post Best Himalayan camping sites for adventure appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Have you ever heard of any never-never land? It means an imaginary place where everything is perfect. If there is any never-never land in India, it is Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea on the west coast of Kerala. Lakshadweep is an archipelago of 36 coral islands which are, in fact, the flat peaks of the undersea mountains. Among them, 10 islands are inhabitable for leisurely stay and adventure tourism in the lap of nature. Agatti Island with a regional airport is the gateway to Lakshadweep. Sun-kissed pristine beaches, crystal clear greenish-blue waters, swarms of colorful fish under the sea, coconut trees dotting the beaches and rolling green landscape – all these make the tourist destination under government of India a never-never land.

Apart from the virgin beauty of islands that inspires creativity for poetry and painting, Lakshadweep is famous for adventure sports in the solitude of nature. Here adventure is a breath of fresh air unlike sporty activities on the coastal beaches of India. The island beaches with corals and reefs are ideal places for diving and snorkeling which offer the best adventure toasts to the riders on an adrenalin drive. Resorts on some of the islands organize various adventure activities for their guests. Overnight stay on a floating boat is not just a thrilling adventure but also a romantic experience for the honeymooning couples.

If you are fond of kayaking, parasailing, windsurfing, canoeing, cruising or jet skiing, there is no reason for you to feel disappointed. Some sports are relaxing, while some are spine chilling. Besides exploring the world under water and catching glimpses of the coral reefs, what you can do on the beaches of Lakshadweep islands is peaceful strolling. Moreover, Lakshadweep is an emerging ecotourism spot in India. It is being promoted as a natural ecotourism destination in alignment with the guidelines, framed by the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, to preserve the wildlife and mitigate the environmental concerns.

Biking is the most feasible option to explore the interiors and experience the local lifestyle on some of the islands. Bikes are available on rent per hour or per day. Biking or cycling is a pleasurable activity on Kadmat Island where there are resorts, schools, coconut factories, and a hospital.

The best season of Lakshadweep tourism is from October to April. From May to September, it is windy, rainy and rough there. Agatti and Bangaram islands remain open during monsoons too. If you are looking to reach these islands by water, it is difficult to ride the sea in the rains. However if you can brave the odds, you can bask in the glory of fresh greenery all around.

Agatti Island is well connected to the coast of Kerala by air and water. Daily flights to Agatti Island are operated from Kochi Airport. Air travel to Lakshadweep takes about one hour and a half. Ships leave for Lakshadweep from Calicut or Kochi. The voyage by ship takes some 22 hours.

Smoking, alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited on the islands. Swimming or sun bathing naked is a big ‘NO’. The tourists on visit are required to comply with the rules and regulations, for the ecological and environmental wellbeing of the islands.

IndianEagle.com books the cheapest flight to Kochi International Airport, Kerala. Grab the opportunity of flying at the lowest airfare before the season of Lakshadweep tourism is over by the mid of May.

The post Lakshadweep Islands – pearls in oyster appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

You have visited India for family occasions, festive holidays, romantic vacations, and pilgrimages. Why not give a twist to your travel taste, with road trips in India during the next visit? The road trips in India tick all the boxes – adventure, photography, nature and beauty – to rank at the top on your personal travel index. The geography of the country is crisscrossed by routes, short and long, for road trips in the coastal areas, mountainous regions, hilly terrains and the desert zone. IndianEagle handpicks the following road trips for your travel plan in 2014. Each of these is a rollercoaster ride of fun and joy.

Mumbai to Goa Road Trip

The road trip from Mumbai to Goa is a favorite of bikers on weekends. This getaway to the beaches of Goa has been riding the waves of popularity since the Bollywood movie Dil Chahta Hai, a story about three friends, became a hit with the youth of India. The route down the NH 17 through Maharashtra’s hinterland is very smooth and fit for vehicles – cars as well as bikes. The Karnala Bird Sanctuary, the Sindhudurg of Shivaji’s times, the Mahabaleshwar Hill Station, and the scenic Vashisti River and Kolhapur are the traps of attraction on the road trip from Mumbai to Goa.

Bangalore to Goa Road Trip

A road trip along the Bangalore-Goa route is full of thrills and spills. It is a craze with the Gen Y. The drive from Bangalore to Goa is as pleasant as swing, in any season of the year, because of the scenic natural artifices hanging over both sides of the route. The route is divided into two – one via Belgaum, and the other via Shimoga. The Belgaum route is preferred to the Shimoga route which may be disrupted due to landslides at any time. The famous Jog Falls, some forts and Murdeshwara on the Bangalore to Goa route bring the itinerary alive.

Manali to Leh Road Trip

If adventure is your cup of tea, get going for the Manali-Leh road trip in the Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh. The Manali-Leh route is a precarious yet beautiful one. Snowfall keeps the route blocked round the year except the month of June when the snow is cleared. Driving along this route in the Himalayas is thrilling and challenging at the same time. August-September is the ideal time for bikers to hit the road from Manali to Leh. Somewhere rough while somewhere smooth, the route passes by beautiful Buddhist monasteries and through mountains.

Dehradun to Nainital Road Trip

The road trip from Dehradun to Nainital in Uttarakhand is one of the getaways with feast for the eyes on the way. The route through hills makes the drive a rollercoaster ride for bikers. It is landscaped with hills and rocks for most of the distance. Those in quest of adventure for adrenalin rush will cherish this road trip as an evergreen memory. The natural beauty of Kumaon Hills is irresistible bait on the way. Including shrines and wildlife parks, there are many things to see and do on the 355-km long route from Dehradun to Nainital.

Chennai to Kanyakumari Road Trip

The Coromandel Coast of India from Chennai to Kanyakumari is dotted with heritage sites, pristine beaches and spectacular waterfalls. The Chennai-Kanyakumari road trip is so full of joy that it can outshine your travel memories in any other part of India. Pondicherry is a must stop on the route. Steeped in tranquility and lavished with natural beauty, it is a seaside town of the Portuguese era. Kanyakumari is just an eight-hour drive from here. This road trip promises a sporty experience.

Jaipur to Ranthambore Road Trip

Among the road trips in Rajasthan, the Jaipur-Ranthambore is a most adventurous one. The route from Jaipur to Ranthambore passes through the major tourist destinations – Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. The glamor of palaces, the wonder of desert and the variety of wildlife on the way endear the road trip to riders. Both architecture and nature exist side by side on the Jaipur-Ranthambore route. It provides riders with many opportunities to photograph the beauty of Rajasthan that manifests itself in architecture, desert and wildlife.

Shillong to Cherrapunjee Road Trip

Rajasthan offers road trips through rough and rigid terrains. Road trips in the Himalayan region are made through corridors of hills. The Shillong-Cherrapunjee road trip is a drive in the greenery. The route from Shillong to Cherrapunjee is dominated by lush green landscape on both sides. It makes the drive a breath of fresh air for the mind and the soul. The slippery road makes driving a risky affair in the rainy season. The road is smooth and safe in other times of the year.

Mumbai to Lonavala Road Trip

Looking for a change in the monotonous way of daily life? Do ride a bike from Mumbai to Lonavala. The Mumbai-Lonavala road trip is too short to make whenever you wish. Besides, it offers a refreshing break from the traffic of Mumbai to the tranquility of Lonavala, one of the hill stations at a short drive from Pune too. Lonavala falls on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Catching glimpses of green landscapes hang over the route.

The first step towards making these road trips is booking a flight to India. IndianEagle.com is offering a good range of cheap flight deals for your travel plans in 2014.

The post Drink to Adventure on These Best Road Trips in India appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.