August to March is the best time for road trips on bikes in North India. Delhi, the national capital of India, is at crossroads of weekend getaways for bikers. Weekend road trips from Delhi are adrenalin-pumping adventure drives for biking enthusiasts. Some road trips from Delhi run along highways; some run through zigzags in valleys and mountains; some run by beautiful rivers or shimmering streams; some run crisscrossing barren landscapes, while some run through green corridors at escalating altitudes. Some roads for bike trips from Delhi are motorable, while some are precarious throwing challenge to road trippers. You can soak in the natural beauty of India hanging over concrete highways, sandy trails, and mountainous passes. Indian Eagle lists the best road trips from Delhi for bikers.

Road trip to Ladakh from Delhi

Driving to Ladakh at an altitude of 13,000 feet is one of the most coveted road trips from Delhi. Riding a Royal Enfield for a whopping 1800km of round trip is not for the fainthearted. A road trip to Ladakh is full of adventure making it an inspirational story of courage, passion and obsession for the aspiring road trippers. If you are not a seasoned biker, Ladakh road trip may end up being far from euphoria. Don’t let it disappoint you. There are not-so-adventurous weekend road trips from Delhi for you, too.

READ MORE Ladakh Road Trip: An Inspirational Story

Road trip to Dehradun from Delhi

The road from Delhi to Dehradun and Mussoorie is poor, but what makes this road trip a must have for bikers is the breathtaking sightseeing. Dehradun and Mussoorie are the nearest hill stations from Delhi, in the Himalayan region. It is a 6-hr drive from Delhi to Dehradun, and driving to the hilltop of Mussoorie takes another 1.5 hours. Do halt at Cheetal Grand, a roadside eatery, to fuel your body with Indian or western food during your road trip to Dehradun.

Road trip to Jaipur from Delhi

Jaipur is on every biker’s list of top 10 road trips from Delhi. India’s Pink City is an exciting 6-hr biking trip. It is worth a long drive from Delhi for several reasons including tourist attractions and Rajasthani food. The Delhi – Jaipur Highway is a part of the Golden Quadrilateral project. October to March is the best time for a road trip to Jaipur.

Road trip to Agra from Delhi    

Needless to say why driving to Agra is one of the best weekend road trips from Delhi. Driving a bike or car on the newly built Yamuna Expressway to the city of Taj Mahal is an inexplicable experience, which India’s fastest train from Delhi to Agra falls short of. The mouthwatering taste of Agra’s street food and the mind-blowing beauty of the Taj Mahal add to the joy of road trips to Agra.

Road trip to Bharatpur from Delhi  

Bharatpur is a small town on the Agra-Jaipur Highway and famous for the Bharatpur bird sanctuary. Driving to Bharatpur is a fancy ride across vast sandy landscape. The entrance of the sanctuary looks abandoned, but the interior will mesmerize you the more you will explore. October to February is the best time for a road trip to Bharatpur because the sanctuary welcomes beautiful migratory birds during this period.

Road trip to Rishikesh from Delhi 

Rishikesh is a must visit for not only pilgrimage, yoga and meditation but also adventure. One of the holiest places in India, Rishikesh offers toast of adventure in form of river rafting, trekking and hiking. Evidently, adventure-loving bikers must hit the road to Rishikesh from Delhi at any time of the year and that is because of pleasant weather.

Road trip to Dharamsala from Delhi  

Dharamsala in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh is a scenic drive from the hustle-bustle of Delhi. One of the best getaways for summer vacation in India, Dharamsala is a beautiful canvas crisscrossed by hilly streams flowing through deodar and pine forests. This Himalayan hill station is the headquarters of Dalai Lama, too. Road trip to Dharamsala is a must for biking enthusiasts.

Road trip to Chittorgarh from Delhi 

[pullquote]Check our infographic on the unforgettable story of Chittorgarh Fort.[/pullquote] Chittorgarh in Rajasthan is one of the best destinations for weekend road trips from Delhi. Though a large portion of the Chittorgarh Fort is in ruins, the story of the fort will not fail to haunt you once you step into the fort complex. The timeless tales of Rajput rulers’ valor and Rajput women’s spirit of sacrifice in Mewar are worth 7-hr driving from Delhi to Chittorgarh.

Road trip to Chandigarh from Delhi 

Driving to Chandigarh from Delhi is an adrenalin drive for bikers. The Grand Trunk Road is the main route to Chandigarh from Delhi, giving access to Shimla and Kasauli, two most popular hill stations in Himachal Pradesh. Both Shimla and Kasauli are 2-3 hour pleasant drive from Chandigarh. It is safe not to venture out for a bike trip to Chandigarh or Shimla in the thick of winter.

Road trip to Alwar from Delhi

Biking or driving to Alwar from Delhi is an adventurous experience. Alwar is one of the princely states in Rajasthan. Visit to Sariska, one of the most famous tiger reserves in India, is worth a road trip from Delhi to Alwar. The month of February / March is the best time to visit Sariska because tigers are the likeliest to be sighted this time. You can halt to see the haunted Bhangarh Fort on the way.

READ MORE  Haunting Stories of Bhangarh

Road trip to Nainital from Delhi

Driving to Nainital is an escalating ride across high altitudes in Uttarakhand. No provision for air travel or train travel between Delhi and Nainital has made road trip to Nainital a must for bikers. Nainital Lake and Jim Corbett National Park are the best tourist attractions of this hill station at a drive of 285 km via roadway from Delhi. Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest park in India.

Road trip to Ranthambore from Delhi

Ranthambore is a paradise of natural beauty in Rajasthan and home to one of the most famous national parks in India. Located in Sawai Madhopur, the Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve used to be a favorite haunt of the Rajput kings of Jaipur. The park is wildlife photographers’ delight, too, because of its scenic landscape and rich wildlife. Evidently, bikers brim with enthusiasm for road trip to Ranthambore from Delhi.

Road trip to Ajmer from Delhi   

Of the historic cities in Rajasthan, Ajmer is worth several road trips from Delhi. A 5-hr ride on bike, Ajmer is nearer than other cities to Delhi. Nestled amidst the Aravalli Mountains and founded by Ajayraj Singh Chauhan, Ajmer still carries palpable influences of the Chauhan Era in Rajasthan. The city is famous for its age-old artistry and the Ajmer Dargah.

Road trip to Almora from Delhi 

Almora is a gateway to adventure and sports tourism in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. One of the summer capitals in the Himalayas, Almora offers a springboard of outdoor activities including trekking and rock climbing. Many bikers, adventure lovers and sports enthusiasts from Delhi make road trips to Almora. Driving to Almora is much of an obsession with seasoned bikers and young road trippers.

Road trip to Mathura from Delhi

The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has many destinations for bikers from Delhi. Road trip to Mathura from Delhi is not just an adventuresome drive but a way to seek solace in spirituality since Mathura being birthplace of Lord Krishna is a glorious destination for pilgrimage. Mathura is a must visit on the occasion of Janmastami in August or September. Attend the magnificent pooja ceremony and get blessed with delicious Prasad during Janmastami in Mathura.

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This International Women’s Day, Indian Eagle brings you the stories of ambitious, independent, working women travelers from India. These urban women travelers of India not only travel but also blog about their experiences. Some are backpackers; some are solo travelers; some are road trippers; some are bikers. Though they define themselves differently, what they have in common is the purpose, that is breathe freely, taste the spirit of freedom, discover new places, meet new faces, experience new cultures, break loose from monotony, and explore the bounties of nature. On the occasion of Women’s Day, Indian Eagle shares with you how these women of today from different walks of life have carved a niche as independent travelers in India.

Vishakha Talreja

Vishakha Talreja, chief editor of digital hospitality magazine The Hotel Explorer, is much of a beach lover and an urban traveler. She loves exploring night-life spots, shopping destinations and spas. That is why traveling to cities with madding crowds is her favorite pursuit. Though, once in a while, she visits serene hill stations or farms in remote villages away from the hustle-bustle of city life.

The maxim, “Travel is the only way to see the world,” keeps her on her traveling toes. She loves exploring unknown territories, experiencing different cultures, and interacting with the locals. Vishakha shares with Indian Eagle what makes her standout as a traveler is her belief in packing smart. Traveling light like backpackers and road trippers is not her cup of tea.” [pullquote]I shudder at the idea of being only in my sports gear during a trip. Itineraries with lots of shopping and nightlife do always interest me.[/pullquote]

Vishakha Talreja has been to some of India’s tourist hotspots such as Kerala, Goa, Kashmir, and Khajuraho. She often visits Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru to review hotels in India. She has already explored many a weekend destination around Delhi, to say Mussoorie, Agra, Haridwar and Vaishno Devi. Being a hotel reviewer, she visits smaller towns in India as well.

Rajasthan for its warm hospitality, kaleidoscopic culture and royal cuisine is her favorite destination. She has already explored much of Rajasthan by visiting Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Ajmer. As per experience, the tourist attractions of Rajasthan never fail to mesmerize. As the sun glares over most of India during summer months, Vishakha would like to have hill stations like Darjeeling and the Himalayan valleys of Sikkim on her summer travel wishlist.

Sharmishta Chakravorty

Sharmishta Chakravorty is a biker for bikers. A Senior Manager with a corporate house during the week and Director of Musafirs Motorcycle Tours Pvt Ltd over the weekend, Sharmishta loves to explore the unexplored riding bikes. Inspired by a bike ride in 2010, she formed a biking club “The Musafirs” and reached out to likeminded biking enthusiasts. Biking enlivened her existence which had almost become stagnant due to a routine life.  [pullquote]When I am riding, I am with myself; I can dig deep within. It is a state of meditation. It provides a sense of HIGH! [/pullquote]

Sharmishta has led a gang of motorcyclists for over 50 biking expeditions in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Gujarat. She along with her gang has motorcycled all the way to Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. Ladakh and Spiti Valley are her targets in June this year. Her road trips in India are interspersed with pleasant experiences and memories. She reminisces, “During a ride to a small town about 350 km from Mumbai, we woke up a mechanic at midnight to fix one of the bikes. He not only fixed the bike but also offered us smoking hot tea and some food.”

Sharmishta connects with different places, different people and different cultures through biking. It bridges the gap between her inner world and the outer world. She is all set to explore Northeast India, Bhutan and Thailand on bikes this year.

Anjali Kirpalani 

A published author and cofounder of PR agency Epic Communications, Anjali Kirpalani defines herself as a flexible traveler. What makes her travel is to have new experiences for enriching life, which is not possible indoors. She travels whenever she feels sick of her routine life. It is an overwhelming feeling of excitement about discovering a new place that nurtures the traveler in her.

Anjali has visited Lonavala, Panchgani, Matheran, Nasik, Manori, Alibag, Delhi, Agra, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Manali, Coimbatore, Ooty, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. She has been to Goa several times. Her list of travels feels very short when she compares it to the tourism map of India. However, Goa does always enjoy a favor with Anjali as her favorite destination. She thumbs up the beaches, food and ambience of Goa for a relaxed vacation.

According to Anjali, India has huge potential for road trips and biking tours. But the dirty public loos hold women back from making biking holidays in India. Ubiquitous access to clean public toilets is the need of the hour to encourage women travelers like me for road trips as it is in the USA.

Anjali has authored two books – “Never Say Never” and “Written in the Stars”. Her global travel map displays her international trips to Greece, Sri Lanka, U.S., Hong Kong, and Singapore. In India, Ladakh, Kashmir, Kerala and Pondicherry are some of the dream destinations on her mind.

Prachi Garg,

Prachi Garg, a self-employed traveler and online entrepreneur at Ghoomophiro.com, is a complete backpacker. Her sister is the best companion during her weekend travels. She has been traveling whimsically on weekends for 5 years. She has already backpacked to the beaches of Goa, the valleys of Himachal Pradesh, the forests of Madhya Pradesh, the backwaters of Kerala, tourist spots of Gujarat, and Pondicherry. An obsession with offbeat tourist destinations in India fires up her zeal for nomadic life at times.

Prachi’s first impromptu trip to Shimla reveals how much of a nomad she is. She shares, “One Friday evening, I came back from work and was little tensed. I decided to leave for some hills immediately and took my sister along with me. We put some clothes and basics in a laptop bag, took an auto and reached Delhi ISBT. We thought we would sit in the first bus no matter wherever it was going. The bus was going to Shimla. That is how we did backpacking alone the first time.”

According to Prachi, women do still have a long way to go for solo travel in India because security is a concern. Srinagar, the capital of Jammu & Kashmir, is one of her best trips till date. She recommends a stay on houseboat and visit to the floating marketing in the morning in Srinagar. The tourist attractions of Northeast India are on her travel wishlist.

Megha Jamb

Megha Jamb, a communication consultant and one of the emerging women travelers in India, describes herself as backpacker and road tripper. She loves to experience the details of a particular place on road rather than waiting in queues to get boarding passes checked. Being a backpacker she feels free to travel at her own pace.

[pullquote]The saying, “It is better to see something than to hear about it a thousand times,” is my source of inspiration.[/pullquote] She is a nomad with innate curiosity to explore more and more about different tribes, cuisines, cultures, customs, and languages. Lessons from traveling teach her solid life skills and make her feel more humble. Besides, her overwhelming desire to see the beauty of the world fuels Megha for travels.

Megha has already traveled to Ladakh, Haridwar, Varanasi, Nainital, Dalhousie, Delhi, Agra, Mathura, Goa, Pune, Lucknow, Indore, Nasik, and Hampi, one of the weekend getaways from Bengaluru. Her favorite destination is Ladakh because of the picture-perfect landscapes, crisp air, simple local food, and virgin spots. The trip to Ladakh has influenced her so much that she believes, “You can take me out of Ladakh but you cannot take Ladakh out of me.”

It is a challenge to find proper sanitation facilities, especially for women, on the road to Ladakh. She faced this problem as there was no restroom within miles.

Being a traveler she does have a long bucket list with Kashmir on top. The beauty of Kashmir is an irresistible call to her. Megha blogs about her travels at Travellingisblog.wordpress.com.

Nidhi Thakur

Nidhi Thakur is a solo traveler and a travel blogger at Untravel.in. Every new trip she takes has a different purpose. It may be thirst for knowledge, need to unwind, relief from monotony, desire to know the unknown, etc. Her solo travel started off as a desperate break from the monotony of her daily life in Mumbai. The fascination of meeting new people, collecting new experiences and treasuring memories is why she travels a lot.

Nidhi’s travel diary is a heart-warming account of Dharamsala, Manali, Gawahati, Cherrapunji, Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kolkata, Varanasi, Jaipur, and Goa. But, it is the beautiful Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim that she holds close to her heart. She recalls, “We left the guesthouse at 3 am. Though we were wrapped in multiple blankets inside the car, we were unable to speak to each other due to freezing temperature. Everything was forgotten the moment we set our eyes on the lake.”

Once she was walking with a Dutch guy in McLeod Ganj during her solo trip. A married lady from Chandigarh walked up to her and asked her if her parents knew that she was out with the guy. This shamelessly upfront encounter still sticks to Nidhi’s mind. She wonders if Indians would ever be okay with female solo travel.

Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh is one of her dream destinations. She is eagerly looking to visit this Himalayan valley this year.

Divya Rai

A solo backpacker, Divya Rai is one of the emerging women travelers and bloggers in India. The thought of a stagnant life sends a shiver down her spine. She wholeheartedly believes in the adage, “If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet.” It is what motivates and inspires her to travel India.

On being asked which tourist getaways in India she has already been to, she points at the beaches of Goa, the valleys of Himachal Pradesh, the historic attractions of Uttar Pradesh, the heritage of Rajasthan, Kutch in Gujarat, some temples of South India, the hill stations of Maharashtra, Punjab, and Uttarakhand on her travel map. However, her favorite destinations are Auroville in Pondicherry and Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh.

What Divya Rai finds the most challenging about traveling in India, is the lack of information about tourist attractions in rural India. There is a whole new world in the interiors of India. Her curiosity about Northeast India knows no bound. It is at the top of her travel list for this year. Divya is equally eager to explore Northeast India and share her experiences at her blog Aborrowedbackpack.com.

Aditi Dhar

Aditi Dhar, an NID graduate and an entrepreneur, loves not only designing premium leather bags but also backpacking in search of new places, news inspirations, new faces, new ideas…Road tripping is her another pursuit of discovery. On completion of every trip, she feels empowered as an individual woman, an ambitious entrepreneur and a creative designer.

Her quest for new ideas and thoughts for designs has made Aditi travel Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Karnataka. Her pursuit of discovery has gone international too. She has been to London, France, Italy, Spain, Hong Kong, Holland and the USA. But it is Kashmir that she loves the most as she was born and brought up there.

When Aditi was in college, she along with a friend of hers traveled by 8 trains from Ahmedabad to Quilon in Kerala via Mumbai in order to attend a friend’s wedding. When the Konkan Railway train from Mumbai was unfortunately missed, they ended up taking a long journey through Karnataka. Though all the travel was tiring, it is a pleasant memory today. However, Aditi’s dream destinations include Iceland and Patagonia.

About Indian Eagle

Indian Eagle is a USA based leading international travel organization inspiring tourists to travel India and booking their trips at the best prices. Indian Eagle celebrates the cultural richness, historic glory, natural beauty, and spiritual greatness of India.   

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The post These Women Travelers of India Inspire to Travel Solo appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

A trip to Ladakh is the ultimate relief from the scorching heat of summer in India. Bikers and road trippers eagerly wait for the right time to hit the road to Ladakh in the thick of summer, while the rest of India keeps the fingers crossed in prayer to the god of rains for showers. Evidently, Ladakh road trip is an endless story. Previously, Jatin Kapoor, MD of Alternate Atlas, shared his Ladakh trip story with Indian Eagle. Now, Radhika Sharma from India has her own story to tell on Travel Beats.

I am always fond of traveling though I am unlike travel junkies who are driven by wanderlust. But I am a petrol head cum road tripper with the passion for driving anything that has an engine in it. In June, 2010, my innate desire for driving took me on a trip to the valley of Ladakh in the Himalayas only to discover the pristine beauty that India is. [pullquote]Not all trips make good stories! But my trip will surely make an inspirational story for the readers of Indian Eagle.[/pullquote]

My Ladakh road trip is all about 8 friends, 5 bikes, lots of riding and Ladakh itself. The carrier of choice was Royal Enfield for the life-long journey from Mumbai to Leh via Delhi and Manali. We rode the Royal Enfield bikes for a whopping distance of 5200 kms. Despite being an avid petrol head, I did not drive the bike on that trip. Rather, I preferred being a pillion all the way. We friends got together in Delhi, and then set out for a 520km long ride to Manali when the night began getting darker.

The roads – NH1 and NH3 – were pretty decent and safe much to our surprise. The weather was as pleasant as the ride. It added to the joy of the journey. The erratic spells of rain accompanied us too. Anyway, it took us a full day to reach Manali where we lodged at a quaint Drifter’s Inn. The very first thing that blew our minds away is the scenic beauty of Manali. We breathed in the serene air of the place whose old world charm serenaded our souls.

The bikes were serviced in Manali for hassle-free, efficient riding. We picked a first aid kit, some medicines, some snickers and new helmets too. We took an off road to Rohtang and got closer to our destination. June is a month of the rainy season in India. Rohtang, the lord of all passes on the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, too receives spells of rain off and on. It was a massive hurdle during the trip.

The rainfall caused a landslide which resulted in huge sludge. We got stuck on the way for over 10 hours. One of the bikes broke down adding to our misery. I could not keep up sitting on the back for long; I fell off the bike, and the bike then fell on me injuring one of my feet when the bike was pushing hard to drag itself through the smudge. However, we had a nice time awaiting us ahead just as every cloud has a silver lining.

Once Rohtang was crossed, we were treated to the mesmeric beauty of Khoksar, Beas River, Keylong, Jingspa, ZingZing Bar, Sarchu, Baralachla, and Pang on the way to Leh. Along the way, the lofty mountains kept our company. The roadside (dhaba) street food added some gastronomic joy to the ride across the rough terrains. We got the wonderful company of other bikers too.

It took us 5 days to reach Leh. We took shelter at the roadside hotels along the way (most of them were basically decent tents with blankets and beds at cheap rates). We survived on Maggi for a few days. But the thrill of the trip was worth it. Though neither smooth nor plain like city roads, the roads to Leh are drivable and therefore, worth a mention.

More Inspiration 10 Best Road Trips for Biking in India

We had a nice time over cups of chai (tea) on the roadside camps where we chatted with good-hearted people. The warmth of hospitality is still left with me. The pleasure of having Maggi at high altitudes is many times more than that on plains. The same is true about the taste of food at the roadside dhabas. After an eventful ride for 5 days and nights, Leh was our home for the next three days.

[pullquote]Leh is a perfect holiday destination for different people with different tastes.[/pullquote] There are cafes, adventure spots, and spots for leisure. Leh offers day trips to nearby lakes and hills. The place has a bit of antique charm that makes me feel relaxed with a desire to lay back turning my back on all worries. However, my posterior was relieved only when we checked into a hotel where we got read beds.

Then, we rode our bikes up to Khardungla, the world’s highest motorable pass at 17, 582 ft. What a great feeling! The next couple of days were spent taking trips to the beautiful Pangong Lake and the Shanti Stupa (the temple). Pangong Lake is the most scenic lake that I have ever seen in my life. The shimmering reflections of the surrounding mountains on the pristine blue waters of the lake do still take me on an imaginary trip. Then was the time to hit the road back home.

Leh, the ultimate destination of our biking trip, was worth riding all the distance. Our Ladakh road trip that lasted 10 days gave me a wealth of memories for lifetime. Finally, the road to Ladakh is neither a path of roses nor a bed of thorns. It is altogether a new experience, a pleasant memory, an inexplicable thrill, and an overwhelming joy!

Make sure to visit Ladakh, be with nature, wonder at the daring height of mountains, admire the beauty of lakes, and drink to absolute serenity, at least, once in your life. – Radhika Sharma

About the Author

Radhika Sharma is a media professional with 10 years of collective experience with some of the biggest media networks in India. She has conducted premier technology shows. Though personal technology and TV programming are her fields of work at daytime, she is a diehard EDM music junkie and a writer at night. She loves being a petrol head and secretly a Jedi as well. Radhika does not only take pride in being a traveler but also listen to the foodie in her by spending time with forks and knifes.

About Indian Eagle 

Indian Eagle is a fast-growing international travel organization booking the best & cheapest flights online.IndianEagle.com is a most user-friendly portal with simple online travel booking technology which gives safe access to a fair range of cheap flight deals from international US to India airlines.

The post The Road to Ladakh: A 5200km Ride on Royal Enfield appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Summer is the season of road trips in the Himalayan region of North India. Among the destinations for road trippers, Ladakh is the first to ring the bell when summer begins to feel hot. Inhabited by the people of the Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent, Ladakh spans from the Karakoram Mountain range in the north to the Great Himalayas in the south. Full of natural wonders, Ladakh is home to scenic lakes, hilltop Buddhist monasteries, and the world’s highest motorable pass. The road to Ladakh has been a pull to many road trippers like Jatin Kapoor, Managing Director of Alternate Atlas Travels. Jatin shares his story of Ladakh road trip with Indian Eagle.

In June 2014, our road trip to Ladakh took us through some of the less travelled and toughest roads on earth. I had no idea that the most magical lakes exist in this part of the Himalayan region. The trip was full of uphill driving, adventure, excitement, fun and thrill! [pullquote]To say precisely, the Ladakh road trip is a lifetime experience which will not fade until we drink to ultimate adventure.[/pullquote]

Usually, adventure begins its course from the moment the idea of a road trip to such high-altitude destinations like Ladakh comes to the mind. The idea of driving to Leh, the capital of Ladakh in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir, at an altitude of 11,562 feet, is an adventure itself. In fact, we were so driven by unquenchable thirst for thrill that we drove to Zanskar Valley beyond Leh. One fine day, we, a group of twelve friends, hit the road with a Porche, a Merc and a Pajero.

Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire in India, stated, “In India everything is done differently from the rest of the world. Nothing will ever change this,” according to historians. The culture & tradition of the forbidden kingdom of Tibet is on the verge to extinction due to the modernization spree of the Chinese Government, but you can still find the same thriving in the Buddhist Gompas of Zanskar. – Alternate Atlas

We started from Delhi and drove to Srinagar via Chandigarh and Pathankot. We took the Mughal Road, which was used for trading in the Mughal Empire. Driving past the chicken’s neck of the Mughal Road, we reached Pir Ki Gali in the Pil Pamjal Mountain range in Kashmir Valley.

The 84–km long Mughal Road passes over the Pir Panjal Mountain range, at height of 11,500 feet. It is higher than Banihal Pass. The Mughal Road to Kashmir Valley is a relief from the over-crowded Jammu-Srinagar Highway. The road has historical association with the Mughal era of India. The Mughal emperors used to travel to Kashmir via this road in the 16^th century. Akbar trod the road to conquer Kashmir region in 1586. Akbar’s son Janangir breathed his last on the way back from Kashmir via this road. – Indian Eagle

We felt an influx of adrenalin in our veins while navigating through the electrifying waters of the Zanskar River on the way to Zanskar. Another spot of awe-inspiring adventure was Hunder, an oasis in the desert of Nubra Valley in Jammu & Kashmir. Nubra Valley is a cold desert dotted with sand dunes. Driving through Hunder after sunset is a risk to get stuck in the giant sand dunes. I would like to suggest using a face mask to prevent sand grains getting into the eyes and mouth during a drive through Hunder in Nubra Valley.

Nubra Valley whose natural beauty stuns the senses is 7 km away from Diskit Town, which is known for Diskit Gompa, one of the famous Ladakh monasteries. A 160-km long scenic drive from Leh, Hunder Village is close to the Siachen glaciers and the Pakistan border. The area is beyond Hunder Village is prohibited. Khardung La, the highest motorable road in the world, falls on the way to Hunder. – Indian Eagle

We were fortunate enough to see double-humped Bactrian camels lying back on sprawling white sand dunes at Hunder. As far as I know, Bactrian camels are not of Indian origin. This particular species of camel came to India when a group of caravans used to tread this route for trading between India and the Central Asian region of Bukhara, Kokand, Turkestan, and Xinjiang region of China. [pullquote]The double-humped camels are the most beautiful beings in the Nubra Valley.[/pullquote]

Then, we rode bikes on the National Highway 1. We indulged in some fun over free-style stunts while riding bikes to the Magnetic Hill, which is also known as Gravity Hill. Then we visited the most famous Pangong Lake that changes its color several times a day. It is an unusual natural phenomenon that I have ever seen. We did photography and posed for the camera at Pangong just as every tourist does.

Then we drove to Shyok Valley, close to Nubra Valley. Khardung La is the gateway to both of the valleys in Ladakh. The beauty of Shyok Valley is the Shyok River where we enjoyed ourselves over fishing. The Shyok River, a tributary of the Indus River, flows through Ladakh in India and crosses to Pakistan. The river has maximum width at its point of confluence with the Nubra River.

We came back to Delhi via the Leh-Manali route. When we returned, we felt heavy with a collection of digital photographs and a treasure of moments fresh on our minds. Adventuresome but successful driving for 4,000 kilometers certified us as road-trippers. We boast of this experience as a matter of pride, which we are sure, inspires others to hit the road to Ladakh.

My tips for upcoming road trippers 

• If you are a foodie, you must visit Chopsticks in Leh. The Honey Chilly Potatoes is one of the most delicious dishes to try at Chopsticks Noodle Bar & Café in Leh.
• There is hardly anything to eat and to do at the altitude of 15,500 feet. Make sure to have wai wai noodles and a few movies / videos on your tablet or smartphone for entertainment as well as time pass.
• Driving in Ladakh is full of kicking. But nonstop driving is exhausting. It dehydrates the body and dries the throat. It is better to halt at regular intervals and hydrate yourself with a plenty of water.
• Such a long drive takes a toll on the body. If you unfortunately get stuck in traffic jam, try to get some sleep for a fresh feel. We have mastered this art out of our experience during this road trip.

The last note for aspiring road trippers 

The native people of Ladakh are as innocent as the place itself. The smile on their faces reflects their inner beauty which harmonizes with the beauty of this Himalayan region. It is one of the experiences to cherish for years! Camping under the starry sky, picturesque landscape, warm hospitality, soulful nature and peaceful vibe of the place are some of the reasons to visit Ladakh.

READ more Best Road Trips in India

This story is brought by Indian Eagle with inputs & photographs from Jatin Kapoor. Indian Eagle is a leading international travel agency booking the best USA to India flights at the lowest airfare. 

About the Author

Jatin Kapoor is one of the young & dynamic travel professionals at Alternate Atlas. He is on a mission to help travelers explore the natural and cultural uniqueness of India. At Alternate Atlas, his team organizes village walks, road trips, birding trips, jungle safaris, home stays, and trips to offbeat destinations across India.

The post This Real Story of Ladakh Road Trip Inspires to Hit the Road to Ladakh appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Like every month in the calendar of India, February has got a few festivals which may not be as grand as Holi festival but add to the socio-cultural diversity of the country. These festivals make India a destination to be visited by tourists and travelers in the month of February. Ladakh in the Himalayan region, Khajuraho in central India, Jaisalmer in the sands of Rajasthan, Goa on the Arabian shore, and Allahabad on the confluence of three holy rivers are the festive destinations to be explored, rediscovered and enjoyed in February. Go through the rest to find how irresistible the fairs and festivals of India in February are.

Losar Festival in Ladakh

The white beauty of Ladakh wears a colorful look during Losar Festival in February. The festival marks the beginning of the New Year in this Himalayan region of India. The celebration is accompanied by mask dance performances, age-old rituals, and folk music unique to the culture of Ladakh. Dramatic depictions of fight between good and evil add to the significance of Losar Festival. Gompas or domestic shrines are colorfully decorated on the eve of the celebration.

CLICK to Read more Monasteries of Ladakh

Losar Festival is scheduled to be held on February 18 and 19 this year.

Goa Carnival 

There is no other street music & dance festival than Goa Carnival in India. The celebration is driven by lots of enthusiasm, cheerfulness, joy and love for life. Unlike conventional festivals in the rest of India, Goa Carnival brims with the frenzy of the locals and tourists who hit streets in glittering pageants. Unique to the be-happy-and-make-happy culture of Goa, this festival puts roses to every pair of cheeks. Goa celebrates the carnival like a dance of joy!

Goa Carnival is scheduled to be held from February 14 to 17 this year. 

World Sacred Spirit Festival 

World Sacred Spirit Festival is one of the few festivals of India dedicated to the celebration of folk music. It is a soul-stirring musical extravaganza for those who love drinking to music at historic settings like Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur and Ahhichatragarh Fort in Nagpur. The peaceful ambience of these forts adds to the beauty of the performances by famous artists who take the audience on an unforgettable musical ride.

World Sacred Spirit Festival is scheduled to be held from February 9 to 11 in Nagpur and from February 13 to 15 in Jodhpur this year. 

Khajuraho Dance Festival

Khajuraho Dance Festival is held to celebrate the culture and heritage of Madhya Pradesh in India. Classical dance performances are staged in the Khajuraho Temple complex, a most popular tourist destination in Central India. The Chitragupta and Vishwanatha Temples, brightly lit to beat enveloping darkness of the evening sky, serve as venue of this week-long cultural festival. The dance festival in the backdrop of the legendary Khajuraho is a feast for the mind.

Khajuraho Dance Festival is scheduled to be held from February 20 to 26 this year.

Desert Festival of Jaisalmer

The Desert Festival of Jaisalmer is a call to visit the golden sands of Rajasthan in February. This unusual festival is agog with amazing activities such as camel polo, long moustache display and turban-tying competition. The desert breeze blowing over sand dunes adds rhyme to musical entertainment under the moonlit sky. The symphony of traditional music not only stirs the soul but also shakes the being of the desert. Puppetry and folk dance are other attractions of the Desert Festival of Jaisalmer.

CLICK to Read Travel Guide on Jaisalmer Sightseeing

Desert Festival of Jaisalmer is scheduled to be held on 

Magh Mela 

Magh Mela is all about the sacred ritual of bathing at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the Sarawati River in Allahabad. The mythology of India refers to the origin of Magh Mela as the beginning of the universe. Magh Mela is much smaller than the world-famous Kumbh Mela in the number of visitors and the volume of crowds. It is an annual festival, whereas Kumbh Mela is held once in every three years.

Magh Mela started on January 5 and will continue till February 17.

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If you ask “What to see in Ladakh”, we would say “What not to see in Ladakh”. One of the highest and remotest regions in the world, Ladakh is the residence of Buddhist monks, the seat of monastic culture, the hub of monasteries, the haunt of austerity and the abode of peace in the lap of the Himalayas. Besides the beauty of nature, it is the monasteries or Gompas that make the serene landscapes of Ladakh worth several visits for photography, culture and history. Indian Eagle recommends a visit to the seven best Ladakh monasteries which have cradled the Buddhist culture and stood timeless for ages.

Shey Monastery

Shey Monastery is one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh. This monastery is a must visit in Shey, the once summer capital of Ladakh. Built in 1655 and dedicated to Singay Namgyal, Shey Gompa is popular for the gold-plated copper statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. There is a trekking route to the hillock which the monastery is located on. The other two attractions of Shey are the Shey Palace and the Rhupla Dance, performed by men in the guise of tigers.

Diskit Monastery

You might want to know which the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Ladakh. It is the Diskit Gompa in the Nubra Valley. Founded in the 14th century, the Gompa is steeped in solemnity. The prayer hall in the center of Diskit Gompa features a larger-than-life Maitreya statue which is surrounded by the impressive sculptures of other deities. The ceiling of this Ladakh monastery is decorated with the fresco of the Tibetan monasteries.

Hemis Monastery

The only Ladakh monastery that commands amazing views of colorfulness is Hemis Monastery, founded in 1630. What makes Hemis Gompa a must visit is the belief that it is the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. The majestic location of the monastery inside a gorge on the western bank of the Indus River is another attraction. It preserves a precious collection of ancient relics, a number of sacred thangkas, and gold & silver stupas. Besides, it is home to the Hemis Festival of Ladakh which fetches thousands of tourists to Jammu and Kashmir in June every year.

Sankar Monastery

Sankar Monastery stands still in seclusion and solitude at the end of a 3km long stretch from Leh. The abode of the head of the Ladakh Gelukpa, the monastery belongs to the yellow hat sect. It is somewhat adventuresome to climb up the hilltop where the Sankar Gompa is situated. Unlike other Ladakh monasteries, the Gompa is adorned with paintings on four sides.

Spituk Monastery

Spituk Monastery is the only three chapel monastery in Ladakh. It was envisioned as the seat of a monastic community and patronized by Lha Lama Changchub Od. The sanctorum (Dukhang) of the monastery features a majestic throne for the Dalai Lama. The center of the Spituk Gompa has a dark old chapel where the life-size images of Tsong-kha-pa and his disciples are on display. This Ladakh monastery is famous for the Gustor Festival, a spiritual extravaganza.

Lamayuru Monastery

Lamayuru Monastery is home to 150 monks in Kargil district. It retains distinction of being one of the largest monasteries in Ladakh. Established by Mahasiddhacharya Naropa, it is the official residence of the monks of the red-hat order of Buddhism. One of the five buildings that the Lamayuru Gompa consists of has succumbed to weathering and the test of time.

Likir Monastery

Likir Monastery is known as the abode of peace for the Nagas in Ladakh. Situated on the Leh-Srinagar Highway, the Gompa is bounded by two imposing images of serpent – the Nanda and the Taksako. The Likir Monastery preserves a huge number of clay images of Buddhist monks. Moreover, there are age-old manuscripts, thangkas, books and relics in the treasure trove of this Gompa. A massive Jupiter tree occupies most of the space on the courtyard. Domoschey Festival is a popular annual festival here.

Leh-Ladakh is a short flight away from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, which is served by major airlines flying from major airports across the world. IndianEagle.com books flights to New Delhi at the best prices round the year.

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You may have heard several stories of Indian summer. That summer is hot and scorching in most of the Indian states is an undeniable fact. At the same time, it is true that India has many summer holiday destinations in the lap of nature. Since the British Raj, these destinations have been the summer capitals where heat does not dare to touch anyone. Most of these places are hill stations where nature does not obey to the whims of summer. Indian Eagle points out on the map of north, northeast and west India the top 10 summer holiday tourist destinations for fun, romance, peace, adventure, photography….

Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir

It won’t be unjust to call Srinagar the goddess of natural beauty in India. The capital of Jammu & Kashmir, it is a mirror to the wonderful artifices of nature. The summer ambience of Srinagar is cozy and charming. Adding to the lure of the landscape and the serenity of the surrounding is the Dal Lake where the floating vegetable and flower market is a photographers’ delight, in the morning. Sonmarg at a height of 2740 meters is an ideal visit for trekking and skiing which offer dollops of adventure. The snowy beauty of Sonmarg is really admirable.

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

The summer capital of the British Raj in the colonized India, Shimla is one of the best summer destinations in Himachal Pradesh. The face of Shimla dramatically changed when Charles Kennedy, a Scottish Civil servant, set up his summer abode here in 1822, and when the town became the official capital of the British for the summer season in 1864. After the capital of British India was shifted from Kolkata (then Calcutta) to Delhi, the officers of the East India Company and the British ladies took refuge in the cool & cozy atmosphere of Shimla in summers. October to June is the best tourist season of Shimla.

Darjeeling, West Bengal

The geography of Darjeeling is waved by green valleys of tea plantation and rocked by scenic mountains. Established by the British as a summer destination for their army, this hill station is the life and soul of West Bengal tourism. Darjeeling ticks all the boxes – wildlife, adventure, fun and romance. The panorama of this tourist destination spans across Kanchenjunga, Tiger Hill, Happy Valley Tea Gardens, Toy Train, Senchal Lake, and Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. Photography is an irresistible pleasure during sunset and sunrise. To be precise, Darjeeling is nature’s darling!

Shillong, Meghalaya

Surrounded by rolling hills, landscaped by tall pine trees and beautified by picturesque waterfalls, Shillong is like a piece of cloud floating in the sky. Now the capital of Meghalaya, it used to be a major British settlement. The food habits of the locals are influenced by the British. One of the summer capitals of the British India, this northeastern hill station is full of tourist attractions such as Shillong Peak, Lady Hydari Park, Wards Lake, Don Bosco Museum, and Mawsynram. Shillong takes pride in its hills and waterfalls which keep summer away.

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Called “gateway to the heaven”, Rishikesh is a major destination in North India. Not only the beauty but also the spirituality of nature makes itself felt all over here. Home to hermits, sages and monks in the Himalayan region, Rishikesh is famous for the Gangotri. Besides being a spot of pilgrimage, a seat of meditation and a hub of yoga in India, it is a swing of adventure as well. It is equally popular with pilgrims and adventure buffs. It is a very short drive from Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand. Many foreign tourists visit Rishikesh to attend the International Yoga Festival in the first week of March every year.

Cherrapunji, Meghalaya

One of the best summer destinations in India, Cherrapunji is the right place for those who spring into adventure even in summer. In India, it is one of the few tourist destinations where there is no off season. It teems with tourists and buzzes with activities throughout the year. The beautiful natural setting of Cherrapunji promises a rejuvenating vacation to the tourists in search of relief from the heat of summer. Among the tourist attractions of Cherrapunji, Mawsmai Falls is an irresistible temptation in itself.

Nubra Valley, Ladakh

The abstract beauty of nature is sensuously manifested in each nook and each corner of Nubra Valley in Ladakh. Nicknamed Ldumra that means “valley of flowers”, Nubra Valley defines how pleasant, how beautiful, and how relaxing the world of nature is. The passage to Nubra Valley goes through Khardung La Pass, the highest motorable pass in the world. Popularly known as the Orchard of Ladakh, Nubra Valley boasts two natural rich places – Hunder and Panamik. Waved by sand dunes, Hunder is called “desert in the sky”. Monasteries add to the picturesqueness of the valley.

Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

If you are looking to spend summer months in the solitude of peace and silence, Tawang is a must visit in Arunachal Pradesh. Tawang is a sparsely populated town inhabited by the Monpa people who belong to the Monyul or Lhomon Kingdom. Home to beautiful monasteries, this region is like a hidden jewel. The tourist attractions of Tawang include Gorichen Peak, Craft Center, Sela Pass, Gorsam Chorten, Tsachu Hot Spring, Nuranang Falls, Banga Jang Lake, etc. This small town in Arunachal Pradesh has all the makings of a summer capital.

Nainital, Uttarakhand

If Rishikesh is popular with the spirituality seekers, Nainital is a favorite of romantics. Among the best hill stations in Uttarakhand, Nainital is gifted with the romantic beauty of nature. Lavished with serenity and greenery all over, this hilly region inspires tourists to fall in love with the lakes and hills. A must visit in summers, Nainital is sure to make you feel young during a sightseeing tour. Boating and angling in the Lake Naini are among the joyous things to do. The authentic Tibetan cuisine is a must try here.

Gulmarg, Kashmir

Glorifying Kashmir as a summer holiday destination in India is Gulmarg in the Baramula District. Gulmarg is the place to be for those who drink to pleasure out of peace and those who find adrenalin rush in adventure. Do feel the soulfulness of the place during a Gondola ride, do catch an eyeful of the panorama from the cable car, and do experience the kicks of adventure while skiing on the snow. So, why not add Gulmarg to your list of Indian destinations to visit in summers?

IndianEagle.com is booking the cheapest flights to the summer capitals of India. Hope, you are no more in two minds about flying to India in summer months!

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The Union Ministry of India Tourism held the most awaited event, National Tourism Awards 2012-2013, in New Delhi today. The event is organized to felicitate the Indian states, cities, airports, hotel groups and tour operators with awards on the basis of their contributions to the growth of Indian travel & tourism in different categories. Indian Eagle shares with you who won the best award and in which category.

The first prize for the Best State in the category “Comprehensive Development of Tourism” has been awarded to Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Kerala and Gujarat are at the second and the third place in the same category, respectively. Moreover, Andhra Pradesh has been titled the Best Film Promotion Friendly State.

Tirupati, the largest pilgrimage spot and the fourth largest city in Andhra Pradesh, bagged the Best Heritage City Award. Tirupati is known for its scenic hilly beauty and the Lord Venkateswara Temple. The 2000-year old temple is the apex of pilgrimage which fetches around 2 crore visitors from the world over and generates an annual income of approximately 2,250 crores.

Among the Indian capital cities, Hyderabad is in the spotlight of the National Tourism Award this year. The award for the Best Airport in India has gone to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. Hyderabad International Airport won the prestigious title for the second time. Golkonda Fort, a jewel in the crown of Hyderabad tourism, stole the limelight as the Best Maintained and Disabled-friendly Monument in the country. Leonia International Centre for Exhibition & Conventions in Hyderabad is the best standalone convention center.

Among the states of north and north-east India, Jammu & Kashmir is conferred on the award in the category the “Best State for Comprehensive Development of Tourism”. It is the second time that Jammu & Kashmir won the title. The Kerala Tourism is shining with the “Most Innovative Information Technology Website” award. The Kochi Muziris Biennale Project, an initiative by Kerala Tourism, is declared the Most Innovative Tourism Project in India, at the National Tourism Awards function today.

The Best Responsible Tourism Award, one of the most coveted recognitions in the tourism sector, has gone to Ladakh, the land of high passes in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Several eco-tourism projects are underway in the Leh District. Ladakh is one of the sustainable tourism centers in India.

The state to have won the award for implementation of rural tourism projects is Sikkim in northeast India. Bhim Dhungel, Tourism Minister of Sikkim, received the award. An ambitious project worth a whopping 140 crore has been launched to develop infrastructural facilities including view points, conference centers, halting points, retiring units and likes for the convenience of tourists in Sikkim.

In the absence of Dr K. Chiranjeevi, the Minister of Union Tourism; and Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India, Dr Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for Human Resource Development, played the host and addressed the attendees at the Indian Tourism Awards event. Dr. Tharoor sounded eloquent about the need of a strict policy to ensure absolute security of tourists, which is one of the bottleneck issues to be dealt with in the travel & tourism industry of India.

We at IndianEagle.com convey our hearty congratulations to the winners of Indian Tourism Awards.

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Many Indian Americans have already circled the dates of important festivals and business events on the calendar to fly to India on, in 2014. Indian Eagle got in touch with some of them in the USA and Canada to know their New Year wishlists of travel in India. Karthik Naidu, one of our NRI customers in Miami, shares his wishlist with us.

Shopping for pearls in Hyderabad

Hyderabad is popularly nicknamed the “City of Pearls” in India and abroad. If Biriyani is a must taste, pearl is a must buy in the capital of the bygone Sultani era. Pearl is an integral part of the semi-precious jewellery that steals the show with travelers in the city. The Hyderabadi pearl is the purest find in the whole country. “I can’t afford to miss buying a pair of pearl earrings or pearl bangles in the City of Nawabs.”

Playing Holi in Shantiniketan

The Holi Festival is a colorful extravaganza celebrated with unlimited fun and frenzy the country over. Holi festival celebration is a distinct cultural statement in Shantiniketan, home to Visva Bharati University that the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore had established in West Bengal. Girls dressed in yellow saris with green border, and boys dressed in yellow or white kurtas celebrate the festival of colors through folk music (mainly Rabindrasangeet, the songs composed by the Bard of Bengal) and dance. Mr. Naidu wishes to make Holi 2014 in India an experience to be cherished forever.

Having parathas & lassi in Amritsar

“Relishing the flavors of Punjab through bites of delectable parathas and sips of lip-smacking lassi in Amritsar is on my India travel wishlist 2014,” shares Mr. Naidu uninhibitedly. The mouthwatering taste of makki di roti (flat breads made from popcorn flour), aloo parathas (pan-fried flat breads stuffed with spiced potato mash), and lassi with cream (a curd special drink) makes travel to Amritsar a foodie’s delight.

Traveling by train in Konkan Region

The Konkan Railway is the lifeline of travel and transport in Konkan Region spreading over Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra states in India. The Konkan is a coastal stretch of land with the Arabian Sea to the west and the Sahyadri Hills to the east. The railway track, an engineering excellence in the face of geographical odds, runs through rolling valleys and soaring mountains of the region. A train journey in the Konkan region is like a flight to the Paradise. “Traveling on the Konkan Railway is a long-cherished wish of mine on the list of things to do in India.”

Listening to the Rajput stories in Rajasthan

“Since childhood I have been wishing to leaf through the history of Rajputs in Rajasthan. I am looking to fulfill this wish of mine in 2014,” says Mr. Naidu to Indian Eagle. Dotted with historic forts and palaces, the state of Rajasthan is a book of stories related to the Rajput kings of Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Mewar, Amer, Bikaner and Chittorgarh. The history of Rajasthan is a compilation of Rajput stories of bravery and chivalry, royalty and gallantry.

Strolling on the beaches of the Andamans

The Andaman and Nicobar, an archipelago of islands with pristine beaches, coral reefs, dense rainforests and mirror like waters, is the best of all seaside destinations in India. To be precise, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a paradise of natural beauty in the Bay of Bengal. Unlike the crowded beaches of India, the beaches of the Andamans retain purity and virginity. Of the things to do in the Andamans, strolling on the beaches in the solitude of peace during sunrise and sunset is a soulful delight. “I want to feel the warmth of sands and waters beneath my feet in the Andamans,” expresses Mr. Naidu eloquently.

Visiting the temples of Tamil Nadu

The history of Tamil Nadu ranging from the royal era to the Sultani age to the British period is treasured in the temples of the state. Dotted with temples of different times across Madurai, Mahabalipuram, Kanchi, Tanjore, Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu is righty nicknamed the state of temples in India. Built in such different empires as the Chola, the Chera, the Pallav, the Pandya and the Vijaynagar, the Shore Temple, the Meenakshi Temple, and the Brihadishwara Temple are a few eminent names. “I wish to visit the temples of Tamil Nadu and write a travelogue based on it,” Mr. Naidu brims with delight.

Exploring the Himalayan region of Leh

Leh is the largest town in Ladakh, a Himalayan region of mystic wonders including flora and fauna, folk music and dance, fairs and festivals in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Ladakh is the highest plateau in this northernmost state of India, spanning from the Karakoram Range of mountains to the Himalayas. The Pangong Lake in the solitude of snow is a beautiful manifestation of nature in Leh. Another attraction of this place at the altitude of around 6,000 meters is the Ladakh Festival. “The thrill of exploring the unexplored always fascinates me. Therefore, my travel wishlist 2014 includes a visit to Leh in India,” says Mr. Naidu with exuberance.

Wandering in the tea estates of Assam

“I have watched the videos of a few Bollywood songs filmed in the sprawling tea estates and gardens of Assam at the Himalayan foothills in east India. Hope, 2014 will come with an opportunity for me to take a tea tour of Assam,” Mr. Naidu bares his mind to Indian Eagle. With most of the tea estates and gardens in the Brahmaputra Valley, Assam is the largest producer of tea in India. The flavor of Assam tea has traveled far away outside of India.

Booking the cheapest flight to India

“My New Year travel wishlist will meet with reality if IndianEagle.com offers me the lowest airfare to India. Booking the cheapest flight for my India tour is the first wish of mine that Indian Eagle fulfills every year. I am looking forward to having the same favor in 2014 too.”

We wish all the best to Karthik Naidu and our other NRI customers for their New Year travel wishlists.

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What makes India incredible? You might have found the answer in the diversity, beauty, heritage, culture, festivals, architecture and nature of India. Besides, there are many offbeat destinations where India is full of incredible wonders. Indian Eagle explores and lists the 10 best offbeat destinations that make India incredible.

Sanskrit: the ancient India in Karnataka

Sanskrit, once the language of learning, teaching, reading and communication for the elite and the erudite in ancient India, is alive at the few places like Mathur, a village on the Tunga River in Karnataka. The 21st century India might have forgotten Sanskrit in the times of globalization, but this South Indian village, Mathur, communicates in this language in day-to-day life. Gamaka art, a dying form of storytelling in music, is part of culture for the natives of Mathur.

Bhangarh: the haunted India in Rajasthan

If you are daring enough to penetrate the mystery shrouding the haunted forts in India, visit Bhangarh in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. Bhangarh is a haunted place of ruins which speak of its history of devastation. The haunted status of this part of Rajasthan is an attraction to tourists. Entry to Bhangarh is permitted in the daylight but restricted in the dark. One of the most haunted places in India; Bhangarh was desolated and devastated due to a curse on the natives, as the history goes.

Raipur: the place of rural Olympics

India has its own version of Olympic in the rural backwaters of Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh. The race of cattle including bullocks, donkeys, mules and dogs, a medium of recreation for the farmers of Kila in Raipur, is referred to as “Rural Olympics” in India. In the year 1933, it was initiated as an attempt to get the farmers of Kila and the neighboring villages together. “Rural Olympics” makes Kila one of the best offbeat destinations in India. It is held in February every year.

Rann of Kutch: the desolate land of wonders

Among the offbeat destinations in India, Rann of Kutch in Gujarat captures the imagination of explorers the world over. Harshest in summers but coolest in winters, it is a vast stretch of desolate land. With innumerable wonders to be explored demystifying the enigma, the Rann of Kutch provides shelter to several communities of refugees. It is also home to Asiatic wild asses in the saline desert with rocky grasslands and thorny shrubs. It has been conferred on the status of a sanctuary.

Shetpal: the land of snake worshipers

Image curtsy: week.manoramaonline.com

India is no more a land of snake charmers and snake worshippers. While India is venturing out to Mars and the moon, the people in a corner of the country have been keeping up with the age-old tradition of worshipping snakes. The place is Shetpal in the Sholapur district of Maharashtra. Each of the households in Shetpal has shelter for live Cobras. Surprised? To be precise, the villagers and Cobras live together at this offbeat destination in incredible India. What is more surprising is that no one has been reported to be bitten by snakes.

Vadi tribe: professional snake charmers

If you are curious about the snake-charming art and eager to meet snake charmers in India, visit Gujarat where the Vadi tribe, a community of professional snake charmers, lives. Their profession is the tradition that dates back to the 10th century. It is common to see their children sitting near poisonous snakes. What will take you aback is no sign of fear in them, even in the presence of deadly snakes. The children, at the very tender age of two, are trained on how to take snakes out of their habitats.

Karni Mata temple: the habitat of rats

Among the offbeat holy shrines of India is the Karni Mata Temple in Bikaner, Rajasthan. What makes it an offbeat destination is the habitation of thousands of rats. The rates are taken care of here. It is believed that the devotees who fortunately see white rates in the temple are blessed by the Goddess. Karnia Mata, the presiding deity in the temple, is an incarnation of goddess Durga. The temple, located in a small town Deshnok, is supposed to date back to the 14th century.

Shani Shignapur: the land of door-less houses

Do you ever keep your house unlocked from inside or outside? A big ‘No’. However, there is a village in India where the houses remain open throughout day and night. It is Shani Shignapur in Maharashtra. Not a single house in Shani Shignapur has doors. Even, there is no door frame. The belief that the villagers are blessed and safe from crimes makes Shani Shignapur an offbeat destination. Even, the United Commercial Bank (UCO) has its lockless branch in the village.

Roopkund Lake: the death spot in Himalayas

Roopkund Lake is one of the secluded, scariest and spookiest places in the Himalayan region of India. The surrounding area of the lake is inhospitable. Roopkund Lake has been notorious as “Skeleton Lake” since the discovery of hundreds of skeletons of corpses dating back to the 15th century. The death of so many people in the lake is still a mystery.

The wonder of magnet in Leh, Ladakh

Have you ever seen a vehicle wheeling up on a steel hill? Vehicles move up the Magnetic Hill in the Leh region of Ladakh. As high as 11,000 feet above sea, the Magnetic Hill pulls vehicles by means of its magnetic properties. Many tourists stop by this offbeat destination to experience the wonder that is an optical illusion.

IndianEagle.com offers the lowest airfare to India (in all seasons) which is as incredible as offbeat Indian destinations.

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