TRAVEL SPECIAL..... Plan your year-ender getaway

Plan your year-ender getaway

With winter vacations for X’Mas right round-the-corner, make the most of upcoming long weekend treats

GO WILD IN ASSAM

Good news for travel buffs as two long weekends are here to complete the month of December. Christmas is on Monday (Dec 25) so you can club your weekend with it. New Year’s too is on Monday (Jan 1, 2018) and you can combine it with the year-ender weekend. Here are top experiences that you can indulge in.

SPOT WILD ANIMALS ON AN ELEPHANT SAFARI IN A JUNGLE

Region: Guwahati, Assam

The Pobitora National Park is situated in the Marigaon District of Assam. It is located about 48 km from Guwahati and is about one hour drive away through the road passing by River Brahmaputa. Many visitors come here to enjoy elephant safari during morning hours to spot the Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros. You may also be lucky to spot leopard, wild boar, Barking deer and wild buffalo. Home to more than 2,000 migratory birds and various reptiles, this locale is a nature lover’s and a photographer’s delight. Note: Safari needs to be booked beforehand and you must also check the timings in winters for the jungle entry.

MUSICALLY YOURS

RURAL TOURISM AT ITS CHIC HILT

Region: Rann of Kutch

The Rann Utsav or the Kutch Mahotsav is a terrific reason to head to the Kutch this season. During the Rann Utsav, glamping options are open for tourists where you can experience the local culture, cuisine and hospitality. The festival is a colourful spectacle on the white desert highlighting the vibrancy of the Kutch region’s culture and heritage. The days are filled with folk dances and music, adventure sports, handicrafts, food stalls, and excursions to surrounding places.

On full moon night during Rann Utsav, the region looks even more beautiful. Visit Kala Dungar, the Highest Point in Kutch Region where sunset hour is highly recommended. If you are a history buff, then head to Kutch Museum and then to Prag Mahal and Aina Mahal. Make a day trip to Narayan Sarovar, a wildlife sanctuary situated in the village Narayansar, which is situated at a distance of about150kms from Bhuj city. Note: Visit an ancient temple called Koteshwar. This holy spot attracts many visitors here daily.

WINTER CAMPING

WINTER CAMPING BY THE LAKE

Region: Lonavla, Khopoli, Kolad (Maharashtra)

Camping under the skies is trend catching up with Mumbaiites, of late. As more and more corporate executives look for options to recharge their energy levels, a drive to the outskirts for a weekend break seems just ideal. Locations such as Lonavla, Khopoli, Kolad, Panchgani and Nashik have sprung up beautiful lakeside or riverside avenues for a campsite where an open-air barbecue with live music adds a certain appeal to the experience. Many visitors go for soft adventure by taking a dip in the lake or zip lining or rappelling and trekking to make the most of a sunny winter day. Some private vacation agencies offer a complete package of pick-up and drop along with stay, organic food and live entertainment. Note: X’Mas and NY camping plans are gaining momentum.

CHADAR TREK PREPS

PREPARE FOR ‘CHADAR TREK’ ON FROZEN RIVER

Region: Zanskar River

Considered one of the most thrilling treks that is undertaken on frozen snow is the Chadar (means sheet in Hindi) Trek. This trek gives a chance to explore a whole new world in the Zanskar Valley. The lower sections of this gorge are quite popular in summers with tourists trooping in for river rafting expeditions. In winters, the Zanskar River freezes over and trekking enthusiasts come to this region to enjoy guided hiking expeditions. The trek across the frozen river is called the ‘Chadar’ trek. 

Compiled by Nimisha Tiwari
ETTR14DEC17