Moreh, sharing a close proximity with Indo-Myanmar border, is a commercial town attracting a large number of people from neighbouring places.
Bishnupur, the land of dancing deers, is a beautiful destination lies at the foot of a hill and is renowned for the 15th century Vishnu temple. The place became famous during World War II on account of the British war here Major-General Orde Wingate, the founder of the Chindits force, having died in a plane crash near here while flying back from Chindit-held bases in Burma.
Air
Manipur's capital, Imphal (53 km. from the park) is connected by flight to major cities like Delhi, Guwahati (469 km), Calcutta.
Rail
Dimapur (215 km. from Imphal) is the nearest railhead. Jiribam, a small town on Manipur's border, 225 km. from Imphal is an alternative, from where one can proceed to Keibul Lamjao by road.
Road
Imphal is connected by road with Guwahati (469 km.) through National Highway No.39 and Silchar through National Highway No. 53. The park is about 53 km. from Manipur's capital, Imphal and can be approached by bus or on private vehicles.
Tourists traveling to Bishnupur from across the globe can find a couple of comfortable accommodation options out here. These include Tourist Lodge and Government Rest House.
Poonch, popularly known as Mini Kashmir, is bounded by the Line of Control (boundary between Indian and Pakistan-administered Kashmir) on three sides (north, west and south). The 1947-48 war between India and Pakistan divided it into two parts. One went to Pakistan and the other became part of India. It is a conglomeration of various cultures and religions and is also bestowed with religious shrines which are widely visited by tourists from the whole world.
Poonch has witnessed many historical era. Around 326 BC when Alexander the Great invaded the lower Jhelum belt to fight with Porus, this region was known as Dravabhisar. In 6th Century AD, the famous Chinese traveller Huien Tsang passed through this area. According to his observation, this region was known as Part of Kashmir. Around 850 AD Poonch became a sovereign state ruled by Raja Nar, who was basically a horse trader. According to Rajtrangani Raja Trilochan Pal of Poonch gave a tough fight to Mahmood Ghazanavi who invaded this area in 1020 A.D.
In 1596, Mughal King Jahangir made Raja Siraj-Ud-Din Rathore, the descendant of Rao Jodha and Rao Suraj Singh, new ruler of Poonch. Siraj-Ud-Din and hisdescendent Raja Shahbaz Khan Rathore, Raja Abdul Razak Rathore, Raja Rustam Rathore and Raja Bahadur Rathore ruled this area up to 1798 AD. In 1819 this area was captured by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and it remained under the occupation of Sikh Empire until 1850.
Air:
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Road: District Poonch is connected to other parts of the state / country through Road links. It is about 250 Km form Jammu, the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir State. As road passes through hilly region the time taken to travel this distance is significantly more than that taken in plan area. The Public transport takes about 9 to 10 hours to reach Poonch from Jammu.
Patnitop, located in the Shiwalik belt of the Himalayas, is a beautiful hill resort of the Kashmir valley. The natural beauty, dense pine forests and flourishing green landscape of this hill resort makes it a popular tourist destination. Also a number of snow games like skiing add to the charm of the hill resort in winters. The river Chenab flows in close proximity to this location.
The original name of the hill resort was “Patan Da Talab”, which means Pond of the Princess. This so-called name was given due to the fact that there was a pond in the meadows wherein the princess used to bath. Even today, a small portion of the pond does exist near the youth hostel. However, the British could not translate this name into English for their records and finally the name of Patnitop was given.
According to a legend, Patnitop is in the heaven, not because it is in Jammu and Kashmir that is already considered a heaven on the Earth. Actually, when the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan came along with his wife Mumtaz Mahal here, he said the following words about this place: “If there is a heaven on the earth, then it is here, here, and only here!”
Air: The nearest airport is at Jammu at 100 Km and is connected to Delhi, Srinagar and Leh.
Rail: Jammu Tawi is the nearest railhead and is well connected to Delhi, Guwahati, Mumbai, Kolkata, Indore, Gorakhpur, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Mangalore. There are buses and taxis from Jammu.
Road: Patnitop is accessible to Jammu that falls on National Highway 1A which links it to Delhi via Jalandhar and is connected by national highway networking to all parts of the country. It is also connected by road to Kashmir, Ladakh and Srinagar.
Patnitop does not offer opportunities to shop. For really compulsive shoppers, a few kiosks are located beside the meadow selling Kashmiri specialties- handicrafts, namdas (embroidered wool carpets), pherans (embroidered long shirts) and woolens. The Basmati rice one gets here is also of great quality. Pashmina shawls and exquisite hand - knotted carpets of silk and wool are some of the popular take aways.
Shopping is limited in Patnitop. The few goods and handicrafts are available in the small stalls and include warm tunics ‘pherans’, shawls, wicker-work and scatter-rugs ‘namdahs’.
Despite being a small town, Patnitop is visited by lakhs of tourists every year. The town offers various private huts, tourist bungalows, budget hotels and luxurious hotels for comfortable and isolated accommodation. Most of the accommodation units are maintained by J&KTDC.
There are only a few hotels to stay and it is better to come back to Jammu in the evening. For security reasons, camping is discouraged in Patnitop.
There are plenty of accommodation facilities in Patnitop. Some of them are:
Subash Palace
Asia- The Oasis Resort
Green Tops
Vardaan Resorts
Trekking
Patnitop is an ideal starting point for many short or longer treks to the nearby destinations or hills. The picturesque walks to nearby areas like Sanasar, Sundarani or Shiva Garh (about 11 km) are the real pleasures at Patnitop. These walks offer splendid view of the mountains in the Chenab Basin.
Skiing
The town receives heavy snowfall in winters. The snow covered slopes of Patnitop are perfect skiing sites, for beginners. For those seeking more adventure, Madhatop (5 km) is a more difficult spot.
Paragliding
Aero sports are quite popular in town. The months of May-June and September-October are considered most favourable for paragliding. Hot-air Ballooning is another popular activity in Patnitop.
Katra, lying in the foot of Trikuta Mountains, serves as the base camp for visiting the famous shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi which is approachable on foot along a 13 kms long well laid footpath. The scenery throughout the trek is pictursque.
Pilgrimages to the holy shrine started many years ago. There is no official record to indicate the exact date of the start of the pilgrimage, just a geological study that proves the caves themselves are nearly a million years old.
First mention of Mata Vaishno Devi, the mother goddess is found in the Mahabharata, during the battle of Kurukshetra. Arjun, seeking victory prays to the Mother Goddess to be with him and make the Pandavas emerge victorious. Arjun addresses the Mother Goddess as ‘Jambookatak Chityaishu Nityam Sannihitalaye’, which means ‘you who always dwell in the temple on the slope of the mountain in Jamboo’, a possible reference to present day Jammu.
It is believed, after their eventual victory at Kurukshetra, the Pandavas undertook a pilgrimage to pay homage to Mata Vaishno Devi. At the time, they built temples at Kol Kandoli and Bhawan. These are also said to be the first structures of prayer and devotion towards Mother Goddess in the area. Adjacent to the Trikuta mountain (where the holy shrine is located) is a cave with five stone structures, believed to represent the Pandavas, drawing lifelong blessings from the Mother Goddess.
Air: Jammu, 48 kms from Katra, is the nearest airport
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Road:
Mata’s prasad is the one main token that pilgrims take back from Katra. Apart from that, there are many small shops that sell shawls and woolen clothing like firan - a woolen tunic, caps, etc. Some shopkeepers also sell pashmina shawls, but you needs to be careful from where you buy to be sure that it is authentic pashmina. You can check out the State Handicrafts Emporium for such handicrafts.
Doda, believed to be named after a migrant from Multan and a utensil maker Deeda, is a scenic town lying in the outer Himalayan range, bestowed with high altitude peaks and woody dense forests which makes the region suitable for challenging wild life explorations. Trekking, natural walks, mountaineering and rock climbing are all breathtaking activities attracting adventurous travelers.
This District has a rich history. The district derived its name from its district headquarters Doda. It is said that one of the ancient Rajas of Kishtwar whose dominion extended beyond Doda persuaded one utensil maker Deeda, a migrant from Multan (now in Pakistan), to settle permanently in this territory and set up an utensil factory there. Deeda is said to have settled in a village which later on was called with his name. With the passage of time the name Deeda has changed into Doda, the present name of the town.
The entire area of district, including Allaqa Dengbatal (Tehsil Mahore), was initially divided into two independent States of Kishtwar and Bhaderwah.
Air: The nearest airport to Doda is located at Srinagar, at a distance of 200 kms away. Srinagar is air connected to Delhi with regular flights. Taxis are available from airport to Doda for a fare of about Rs 3000.
Rail: The nearest major railhead is at Srinagar, which is 200 kms away. One can reach Doda from railway station by taxis or buses. Taxi fare is about Rs. 3000.
Road: Doda is connected by Jammu and Kashmir state owned road transport corporation buses. Doda is well connected to Jammu (175 km, Rs. 120) and Srinagar (200 km, Rs. 140) by buses. Special luxurious buses will also be available from Jammu and Srinagar to Doda.
Trekking: Doda with snow clad peaks, undulated mountain regions and virgin trekking trails is best suitable for adventurous trekking. There are many trekking routes connecting Lal Draman, Machail, Gupt Ganga, Zumum Palmar, Vasukinag, Reushra, Sarthal and Kailash Yatra. Trekking through the unexplored hilly terrains of Doda district is really a wonderful experience of passing through places of incredible captivating scenic beauty.
The mountains and hill resorts in Doda are world known for amazing scenic grandeur and salubrious climate. The trekking trails in these regions offer mild to toughest trekking opportunities for enthusiasts of adventurous tourism.
Valley of Flowers, situated in the far interior of Garhwal Himalayas, is one of the national parks of India famous in the world for rare and endangered animals and meadows of endemic alpine flowers and outstanding natural beauty. It is set in the backdrop of the majestic Zanskar Ranges and is close to Nanda Devi National Park. It is a world heritage site and is situated at a very remarkable area, which is the conversion point of Himalayan ranges, Zanskar and Western and Eastern Himalayas.
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The Valley of Flowers is thought to have been mentioned in the Ramayana epic. It is believed that it was from here that the monkey god Hanuman brought the Sanjivani Booti plant that saved Lord Ram's ailing brother Lakshman.
Given the harsh conditions and inaccessibilty for much of the year, the Valley of Flowers was historically not inhabited. In 1931, Frank Smythe, the British mountaineer and botanist stumbled upon the valley by accident and spent several weeks exploring. The credit for the name "The Valley of Flowers" goes to him. He authored a book by that name, bringing the world to attention the beauty and splendours of the valley.
The place had disappeared from the tourist map due to its inaccessible approach but in 1931 when Frank S. Smythe a British mountaineer lost his way while returning from a successful expedition to Mt.Kamet and he reached this valley which was full of flowers. He was so attracted towards the beauty of the place he named it as "Valley of Flowers".He authored a book called "The Valley of Flowers" which unveiled the beauty and floral splendours of the valley and thus threw open the doors of this verdant jewel to nature-enthusiasts all over the world.
In 1939 Miss Margaret Legge, a botanist deputed by the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh arrived at the valley for further studies. While she was traversing some rocky slopes to collect flowers, she slipped off and was lost for ever. Her sister later visited the valley and erected a memorial near the spot. The memorial is still there.
By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 319 km from Valley of Flowers National Park. Nearest International airport is Delhi, which is about 500 km away from Valley of Flowers.
By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Rishikesh, 302 km. Dehradun and Haridwar railheads are also can be accessed which are about 320 km.
By Road: Joshimath is the nearest town at a distance of 17 km from Valley of Flowers. From Joshimath the distance has to be trekked. Bus services are available to Joshimath from Dehradun and Rishikesh. UPSRTC buses operate frequently between these towns with bus charge per head about Rs 300.
If you are really interested in various species of flowers, you can buy a CD from the check-post.
Overnight stay at the Valley of Flowers is not permitted. so there are no facilities for accommodation within the park. There are state-run tourist resthouses at Joshimath and Ghangharia; both in addition, have several tourist lodges and resthouses. Accommodation tariffs along the way can range from anywhere between Rs 100 to 1000.
There is a Gurudwara at Gobindghat and you can stay there if you want. Ghangaria is the main place to stay for tourists which is 3kms from the valley. It has several hotels among which GMVN one is the best. You may need to book the GMVN hotel in advance as it usually runs full. There is also a Gurudwara at Ghangharia offering accommodation.
It’s best to stay overnight in Joshimath before continuing to Ghangaria. The government run Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) guesthouses are the reliable options for accommodations in the area, and advance bookings are possible. There are plenty of other options to choose from though. At Ghangaria you’ll find both basic hotels and camping facilities. However, comforts are minimal, and the electricity and water supply are erratic. A deluxe double room costs 950 rupees ($25) at the GMVN guest house in Ghangaria. Alternatively, the more adventurous can camp as close to the entry of the park as permitted near Ghangaria.
Trekking
The trek towards the Valley begins at Govind Ghat. The crisscross mule trail uncurls all the way through mounting valley of lovely fields and shrubbery. After three kilometers of trek, there is a tiny locale by name, Pulna from where the ramble becomes much enticing with the views of glittering snowy peaks, gushing cascade and marvelous streams. The entire field looks as if painted with delicate colours. One can get some refreshments from the teashops on the sides of the way.
In between the flowery meadows, majestic Laxman Ganga topples down and unites with Alaknanda. Trek through the left bank of Lakshman Ganga needs much strength since trekking paths becomes sharper and stiffer. After two kilometers of tiresome trek, the trekkers would reach at the base camp, Ghanghria.
Trekking the valley of flowers uncurls the pictorial beauty of nature and trekkers are expected to keep up the serenity of the surroundings.
Uttarkashi, located on the banks of river Bhagirathi, is in the Garhwal Himalayas and best-known for being the base of the Gangotri and Yamunotri pilgrimages. It is also home to a number of ashrams and temples and also the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. Also known as Devbhumi or the land of the gods, this region has a stunning beauty untouched by human presence, making it seem truly mystical or divine.
By Air: Nearest airport is Jollygrant, 162 km.
By Rail: Nearest railway station is at Rishikesh, 145 km.
By Road: Uttarkashi is well connected by motor able road to Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar and other major towns of the state and region.
Uttarkashi offers limited accommodation opportunities. These are mostly ashrams, where charges are quite low. There are a few private hotels as well that offer accommodation ranging from medium to budgetary ones. The food served here is largely vegetarian, although non-vegetarian food is also found. Intake of alcohol is not encouraged.
AMing the accommodation options in this hilly town, there are some well-equipped private and govt hotels as well as tourist lodges and Dharamshalas. Here are some options:
Tourist Rest House. Travellers’ Lodge.
Forest Rest House.
Pwd Inspection House.
Birla And Kali And Kamli Wali Dharamshala.
Sattal, situated in the Lower Himalayan Range near Bhimtal, is an interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes: Panna Tal or Garud Tal, Nal-Damyanti Tal, Purna Tal, Sita Tal, Ram Tal, Laxman Tal and Sukha Tal or Khurdariya Tal. The place is one of the few unspoiled and unpolluted freshwater biomes in India and these lakes are a paradise for migratory birds.
Air: Pantnagar airport is the nearest domestic terminal. Delhi is the nearest International airport, which is 320 km away from Sattal. Delhi airport is well connected with major cities within the country and abroad. Taxis are available from Delhi and the fare is about Rs 6500.
Rail: Kathgodam Railway station, about 36 km away from Sattal, is the nearest railhead. Pre-paid taxi services are available from Kathgodam to Sattal which costs about Rs 750. Regular train services are available from Kathgodam to Delhi and also to other cities in India.
Road: Sattal is well connected with nearby cities like Nainital and Ramgarh in the state. Tourist and State owned bus services are available from Delhi to Sattal, covering the distance of 320 km. Bus fare is nearly about Rs 1100.
Boating: As the name Sattal suggests, this scenic place boast of some of the most pictorial biomes whose mere glance would enthrall each visitor. Being nestled in the lap of thick lovely woods and the towering peaks of Himalayas, these lakes have managed to survive all sorts of commercialization. A haven of exotic and migratory birds, these lakes present most memorable and fantastic vistas of nature to the onlooker.
A nice ride through the placid waters of these lakes offers you some of the unforgettable moments in your entire lifetime. Though the lakes set a beautiful ambiance all through the year, boat rides on a full moon night is really mesmerizing. While boating through the placid waters of the lovely lakes, you can feel the real charisma of an unspoiled wildlife along with the pure reflection of the all around foliage in the greenish waters.
Camping: After a lovely ride through the placid lakes, you can venture a pleasure trip in to the wilderness of the jungle where you and the enchanting nature would be alone. You can have two options in enjoying the loveliness of the jungle life. You yoursself can carry tent equipments and set it by the lake side or you can avail the service of organized camp sites, which are located at the foothills of the Kumaon Regions.
Camping in the organized campsite lasts for 3 to 4 days and accommodates fifteen families. A cluster of man-made tents set in the midst of thick woods on the background of lofty mountain peaks provides you with a wonderful feeling and you can experience the warmth of fresh air that surrounds the entire area. Camping encompass so many merriments that ranges from river crossing, rappelling, nature walks, obstacle course and lots of funny games.
Most alluring attraction would be the overnight stay in the tents where there is no distraction from the outside world. You may not be able to live even a single day with out electricity in your home, but in the camp site you would not even think of that since your are in the lap of the mother nature. Though you have to survive there with the help of lanterns, you would be provided with all other modern facilities and all varieties of foods according to your choice.
Mountain Biking: The sports of riding bicycles through the rough terrains have become a popular sporting event in recent times. Roughly categorized in to four major categories such as cross country, downhill, freeride, and trials or street riding, this event demands much courage and vigor from the participants. If the visitor is dare enough to take the risks he can opt this dangerous but enjoyable pass time.
Mountain biking is more pleasurable and enjoyable in Sattal since it is naturally bestowed with rocky and rough terrains. Riding through the lofty areas of Sattal would obviously make your trip a pleasurable and delightful one as you would sense the merriment in every notch.
Rafting and Kayaking: Water sporting has now a days gained momentum around the globe and the most alluring sites of these adventurous activities are the Himalayan rivers. Sattal in the lap of the Himalayan mountain peaks boast of the most picturesque water bodies, which are quite famous for its challenging expeditions. An excellent tourism spot where one can go for Kayaking and Rafting, audacious drive through the fresh water lakes simply leaves you enthralling.
Rafting through the water bodies of Sattal is as thrilling as it is through the swirling rapids of a mountain river. It offers some of the best rafting paths and rafting through the glittering waters while the greenish woods and the lofty peaks flash by is a memorable moment that should be experienced at least for once in a life time.
Rock Climbing / Rappelling: An exclusive place that unsurprisingly favours risky ventures and excursions, Sattal offers a myriad of options to those visitors who are fond of adventures. People with a desire of having an arduous excursion would never find an exciting place like Sattal. This lovely place in the Lower Himalayan ranges is a hub of Challenging activities, and among them rock climbing dominates pretty well among the others.
Rock climbing in Sattal entails the participants the opportunity to climb up the lofty rock formations that are scattered in around the region. Though dangerous, climbing through the pre-determined paths to reach the summits of the peaks is really thrilling and the daring visitors seldom spare this rare chance of exploring the rough nature. If you take a trip to Sattal, never miss to take a rock climb if you are keen in trying something new and adventurous.
Trekking: A place where the snowy peaks and the placid lakes intertwined in the luxury of a deep jungle, Sattal leaves before you an amazing time in haunting activities. A haven of adventurous activities this delightful place welcomes both hard trekkers and toddlers alike. Those who are not much interested in arduous treks can go for a stroll from Bhimtal and reach the waterfall to feel the real touch and stroke of the forests.
Sattal peaks offers a two hour trek to the challenge lovers and by that time the trekker would come across with the vibrant and captivating sceneries in Sattal. Sattal bears a classy scenic look with exquisite and outstanding vistas that would mesmerise the picnicker. Travelers can also take a 7 kilometer trek from Himalayas to Sattal. It would be advisable to get the service of a tourist guide during the trek, as the path of the forest would fade away every so often. If you are part of an organized trekking unit, they would provide you with several other attractions and entertainments, which make your trekking more pleasurable.
Rudraprayag is one of the Panch Prayag (five confluences) of Alaknanda River, the point of confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini. The meeting of the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers has a unique beauty of its own and it seems as if two sisters were embracing each other. It is believed that to master the mysteries of music, Narad Muni worshipped Lord Shiva, who appeared in his Rudra Avtaar (incarnation) to bless Narad.
Rudraprayag named after Lord Shiva (Rudra), situated at the meeting place of two rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini. The holy confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers nature beauty attracts to the visitors. It is a night halt place for pilgrims. The presence of two separate routes for Badrinath and Kedranath pilgrimages from Rudraprayag render great importance to the place. The entire region s blessed with immense nature beauty, places of religious importance, takes & glaciers. According to the legend Narad Muni worshipped here for several years. Lord Shiva blessed him with perfection in music.
Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 159 km.
Rail: Nearest railway station is Rishikesh, 142 km.
Road: Well connected by road to all the important places of Garhwal divison. Regular bus services are available.
Shopping in Rudraprayag mainly consists of small souvenirs to take back home as gifts from your tour to Rudraprayag. These include miniature wooden sculptures of Lord Shiva, the main deity of the Rudraprayag. Besides this, a number of small shops have been set up in recent times to cater to the needs and tastes of almost all the tourists planning a holiday in Rudraprayag.
