Destinations to romance the rains
As the monsoon looms
closer, consider these unlikely destinations that don their rainsoaked avatars
with effortless charm. From an endangered island on the vast Brahmaputra in the
East to a magical flowering valley in the North, a lowdown on four offbeat
monsoon getaways you can explore this season.
A JUNGLE RESORT
Green paradise in Wayanad: Located between the
Kannur and Kozhikode districts in Kerala, Wayanad is a sparkling green emerald
sprawled across the slopes of the Western Ghats. The rainy season starts in
June and lasts all the way till mid November, during which the already lush
landscape takes on an even more vibrant shade of green, and everything is
washed squeaky clean. The most enjoyable way to experience it is by checking
into a jungle resort; even better if it has a treehouse. During the occasional
dry spells in between, venture out and enjoy everything else the region has to
offer. Wayanad wows tourists with some interesting prehistoric archaeological
sites, tea plantations and thick forests, and is also home to some of the
oldest (and most insulated) tribes in India.
A BLANKET OF FLOWERS
Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand:
Popularly referred to as the playground for fairies and nymphs, the Val ley of
Flowers in Uttarakhand is an enchanting spot that unveils its beauty only
during the months of July and August.
Formed by retreating glaciers, it remains blanketed in snow and ice through the remaining part of the year it's only after the thaw that it gets inundated with a sudden profusion of colour.
With around 300 varieties of flowers -including geraniums, wild roses and asters -set against the stunning backdrop of the Garhwal hills, with gurgling brooks and streams meandering through, it's enough to take your breath away. Made popular by a book of the same name written by mountaineer and botanist Frank Smith back in 1937, the valley has managed to remain untarnished till date. Be prepared to trek the 15-km trail that gets you there.
Formed by retreating glaciers, it remains blanketed in snow and ice through the remaining part of the year it's only after the thaw that it gets inundated with a sudden profusion of colour.
With around 300 varieties of flowers -including geraniums, wild roses and asters -set against the stunning backdrop of the Garhwal hills, with gurgling brooks and streams meandering through, it's enough to take your breath away. Made popular by a book of the same name written by mountaineer and botanist Frank Smith back in 1937, the valley has managed to remain untarnished till date. Be prepared to trek the 15-km trail that gets you there.
WATERFALLS IN THE RAIN
Cascaded beauty at Malshej Ghat:
Located at an altitude of 700 m, Malshej Ghat is one of the less frequented,
albeit most charming hill stations in Maharashtra. Surrounded by waterfalls
cascading down its steep cliffs, Malshej Ghat is beautiful all year round. But
the best time to visit is during the monsoon months, when the water gushes with
gusto and exotic flamingos migrate to its green environs. If you love being
outdoors during the rains, there's no limit to your exploration here.
From placid lakes and gushing waterfalls, to fun hiking trails and an extensive bird life, the place can thrill one and all. For the culturally inclined, this was the birthplace of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Ancient Buddhist caves and the Shivneri Fort are other attractions.
From placid lakes and gushing waterfalls, to fun hiking trails and an extensive bird life, the place can thrill one and all. For the culturally inclined, this was the birthplace of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Ancient Buddhist caves and the Shivneri Fort are other attractions.
THE LOST ISLAND
Riverine Island Majuli: Another superb monsoon
getaway, this one comes with a caveat. Make sure you head here before it's too
late; a high rate of erosion by the Brahmaputra leads to the gradual decline of
its beauty. Surrounded by the vast and beautiful river, the 452-sq-km Majuli is
India's largest river island. As soon as your boat reaches the place and its
silt-laden shores, you're transported to a beautiful area with rice paddies and
flowering meadows. There is an old-world charm to the island that definitely
warrants a visit. Moving inland, there are some beautiful ancient satras (monasteries)
dating back to the 15th century (there were originally 60 satras, but today
only 22 exist).
ARE YOU MONSOON READY?
Dress appropriately Your clothing will suffer the brunt of wading through knee-deep puddles.
So, bring along clothing that you absolutely don't care about. Opt for loose fitting, light clothing like shorts as opposed to jeans or heavier knits that take a long time to dry.
Wear sturdy shoes Keep a pair of comfortable sandals or well-soled shoes handy. Rains can drench an area quickly, making the surface slippery. Carry a pair of Wellington boots or gumboots and keep lightweight sneakers as an alternative. Make sure you don't carry any of your favourite pairs as they are bound to get filthy.
Travel prepared Characteristically, this season is wet and sticky and you're sure to run into creepy crawlies. So, keep mosquito repellents, anti-itch creams and disinfectants handy. If you're planning to trek or spend the night in a tent outdoors, always pack a portable mosquito net.
This way you'll be less likely to get covered in itchy bites by morning. Purchasing a water-resistant bag for valuables such as cameras, phones, jewellery, credit cards, and medicines is a wise decision. Also, keep a flashlight or torch witn you; it's of great use.
Don't forget that umbrella The most obvious and imperative The most obvious and i step towards staying dry, when travelling, is to carry a heavy duty umbrella. Make sure your umbrella is in good condition and doesn't have any broken rods. Also, keep a raincoat in your bag without fail. It not only your bag without fail. It not on saves the body from getting wet, but also provides maximum com fort by keeping your hands free. Keep an eye on the news Keep an eye on the weather and related news about the place and related news about the place you are headed to. Avoid areas that look like they may be dan gerously hit by the rains.
Dress appropriately Your clothing will suffer the brunt of wading through knee-deep puddles.
So, bring along clothing that you absolutely don't care about. Opt for loose fitting, light clothing like shorts as opposed to jeans or heavier knits that take a long time to dry.
Wear sturdy shoes Keep a pair of comfortable sandals or well-soled shoes handy. Rains can drench an area quickly, making the surface slippery. Carry a pair of Wellington boots or gumboots and keep lightweight sneakers as an alternative. Make sure you don't carry any of your favourite pairs as they are bound to get filthy.
Travel prepared Characteristically, this season is wet and sticky and you're sure to run into creepy crawlies. So, keep mosquito repellents, anti-itch creams and disinfectants handy. If you're planning to trek or spend the night in a tent outdoors, always pack a portable mosquito net.
This way you'll be less likely to get covered in itchy bites by morning. Purchasing a water-resistant bag for valuables such as cameras, phones, jewellery, credit cards, and medicines is a wise decision. Also, keep a flashlight or torch witn you; it's of great use.
Don't forget that umbrella The most obvious and imperative The most obvious and i step towards staying dry, when travelling, is to carry a heavy duty umbrella. Make sure your umbrella is in good condition and doesn't have any broken rods. Also, keep a raincoat in your bag without fail. It not only your bag without fail. It not on saves the body from getting wet, but also provides maximum com fort by keeping your hands free. Keep an eye on the news Keep an eye on the weather and related news about the place and related news about the place you are headed to. Avoid areas that look like they may be dan gerously hit by the rains.
reva.vidyalankar TL140622
No comments:
Post a Comment