Guest blogger Mridula Dwivedi shares her photos and experiences of a trip to the Valley of Flowers and Hemkunt Sahib Trek, Uttarakhand in Uttarakhand with us.

If you would ask me what my favourite type of holiday is, I would have no hesitation in saying trekking every time. Recently I trekked through Valley of Flowers (3658 meters, 12001 feet) and Hemkunt Sahib (4329 meters, 14202 feet) in the state of Uttarakhand, India.

The Chamoli region is not so easy to reach. I landed up at Haridwar when the Kanwaria Festival was in full flow and for a while I thought I would get stuck at Haridwar! But I managed to get out and reach Rishikesh the same day. From there I took a bus to Joshimath at 4.00 am next day and reached Joshimath at 2.00 pm completely tired. A friend calls this bit ‘bone crunching’ and I completely agree with him.

I took a day’s rest at Joshimath. My guide Sohan Singh Bisht met me at Joshimath and recommended a 7.00 am start for Govindghat by a jeep. The trek starts from Govindghat. Our first stop was Ghangaria (3049 meters, 10003 feet) and it is 13km on foot. Horses are available for hire too. There is a helicopter ride also available in good weather from Govindghat to Ghangaria. None of these options interested me.

The way to Ghangaria is moderately uphill and there are a few flat stretches as well. On the way there are small tea shops that sell light snacks too. We stopped twice to have tea and had lunch on the way. The trail goes along the River Lakshman Ganga and it is a beautiful route. Instead of traffic you can hear the river roar and the tinkling bells of the horses.

A lot of pilgrims walk on this path as the base for the Valley of Flowers and Hemkunt Sahib is the same – Ghangaria. It took me 7 tiring hours to cover the 13 kilometers. I was so happy to reach to my hotel at Ghangaria and attack food! After an early dinner I called it a day as we were headed up to the Valley of Flowers the next day.

Day 2 of the trek started with a breakfast of bread omelet. We were also carrying a packed lunch with us as there is nothing available inside the valley. Valley of Flowers is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entry fee for Indian nationals is 150 Indian rupees and all kind of cameras are free except professional video cameras.

River Pushpawati flows through the park and from the entrance gate the valley is 3km away. This path itself is dotted with flowers. The valley then is huge and one day was not enough for me to explore it all. Even in July it was full of flowers.  We sat next to the river at the far end to eat our packed lunch. We walked a long way inside the valley and then we had to walk all of that back!

Later once again I went for an early dinner so that I could be fresh for my Hemkunt Sahib walk.

The route to Hemkunt Sahib is well maintained and the NGO Economic Development Committee, Bhuyander plays a large role in keeping both the Valley of Flowers and Hemkunt Sahib clean. The route is 6km all uphill. It was a long trudge for me that I could complete only with the help of tea and chocolates.

When we reached there, the lake was covered in mist that lifted partially for a while and then completely vanished from the view. There is a small temple devoted to Lord Lakshman and we visited both the Gurudwara and the Temple. We had khichdi and tea from the langar and then it was time to head back first to Ghangaria and next day to Govindghat and Joshimath and eventually to my more routine life!

About the Guest Blogger: Mridula Dwivedi is an academic from India who is passionate about trekking and travelling, and these days dreaming about going to Antarctica. She blogs at Travel Tales from India.

If you would like to write a guest post for the India Travel blog sharing your travel experiences and photos please get in touch.

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1. A visit to Tungnath temple in Uttarakhand
2. Uttarakhand tourism: Things to do in this State of bliss

Cradled in the lap of the beautiful Garhwal mountain range and bestowed with the best of natural beauty is the Tungnath Range, atop of which is Tungnath temple at an altitude of 3680 metres. The temple is one of the highest Hindu shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and also among five Panch kedars, others being Kedarnath , Rudranath , Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar.

I took this journey with a colleague and friend of mine, starting from Gurgaon early morning with the aim of finishing the Delhi –Rishikesh highways as soon as possible and entering into the mountain ranges before the sunset. We stopped for an enjoyable bath at Har ki pauri in Haridwar and delicious food of Chotiwala in Rishikesh before hitting the road again around 3pm.

The mountains started soon after this, giving us views of the impeccable beauty of nature. Smooth curvy roads, greenery spread all around, the river flowing by in the valley basin, nice weather and stunning views made the day worth remembering.

We decided to stay in Devprayag for the first night of our trip. Our guest house had good comfortable spacious room, with a balcony and lovely view of the river basin.

Devprayag is the site of confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers and Alaknanda officially becomes the river Ganga from this point.

The ambience of mountains had therapeutic effect which drove away all the weariness of previous day and we left the hotel by 7am the next morning. As we kept moving on the views became more and more scintillating. Halting at Srinagar, Rudraprayag and many other hill tops we reached Ukhimath-Chopta road by 3pm.

We were supposed to do a trek to the Deoria lake from this point. This lake is located about 2 km on an uphill trek from the village of Sari. After having some snacks and some rest in the village we started for the trek. The trek turned out to be more adventurous and fun than we had expected. The steep slopes of the trek, rainfall in between and the rare views of snow falling on the lofty hills curtailed by clouds turned out to be great ingredient of enjoyment.

Reaching Deoria lake, the lavish greenery and beauty of lake was enough steal anyone’s heart. The scintillating view backed by the snow capped peaks, including mighty mountains ranges like Chaukhamba and Trishuli just added to the aura of the nature’s magic.

It started raining again when we were at Deoria lake top and we were forced to stay longer than we had planned. But there was a nice shop serving Maggie and tea and we devoured it all with great happiness.

When we trekked down to the village, it was already dark and we were physically drained so we decided to stay in village itself.

Next morning we started for the final destination of the journey, Tungnath temple. The temple is at a trek of 4 km from Chopta. The path uphill was steeper than the previous trek, but the amazing mountain beauty was a good enough motivating factor. There had been snowfall over Tungnath the previous evening and we could see fallen snow after finishing first half of the trek.

Weather again started getting turbulent and snow started to fall even before we had reached the temple. But we kept on moving ahead at slow pace.

I can not describe the feeling of reaching the temple top, it was just heavenly. The picturesque landscape had provided such an extreme solace that we had forgotten about the tiredness of the trek so far. With dark clouds hovering over the distant peaks, fresh snow turning everything white, the ancient architecture of the temple seemed to carry us to another era altogether.

After worshipping at the temple we stayed at the top for some time. Seeing the turbulent weather the priest suggested we go back down to the town before it really turned bad and the trekking route was blocked by snow.

Chadrashila is another hill worth visiting after coming here. It is only 2 km from the Tungnath temple. We could not go there this trip because of the rough weather though.

After trekking down to Chopta the entire experience all seemed like a dream where over just a few hours we had seen many incredible sights.

The journey back to Gurgaon was full of discussions about the marvels that we had witnessed in last few days, memories we will cherish the rest of our life.

About the guest blogger: Vishal Arora ,a software engineer by profession and photographer by passion, lives in  New Delhi, India. He is a passionate traveller and loves cherishing the memories of his travels in photographs and travelogues. You can see a collection of his works on his Facebook Page and website.

If you would like to write a guest post for the India Travel blog sharing your travel experiences and photos please get in touch.

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1. Valley of Flowers and Hemkunt Sahib Trek, Uttarakhand
2. India fact: The world’s first granite temple
3. The best places to visit in Ooty

We are Claudia and Freek from the Netherlands. We are on a around the world trip with since September 2011 and we’re not thinking about going home yet. After travelling in Asia and New Zealand for over nine months, we landed in India.

We started our India trip in New Delhi and on the next day we took the train to Jaipur, Rajasthan. We could not stop looking out of the windows. Everything was so new to us and we quietly watched the scenery passing by.

After five hours we arrived in Jaipur. We quickly dropped our bags in our hotel and we took a tuktuk to the city centre.

We immediately fell in love with the Pink City. We walked around the beautiful buildings, had great food en simply enjoyed the chaos in the centre. Today we’d love to share our Top 3 in and around this city.

1. Amber Fort

This imposing fort is situated just outside the city. The outside looks amazing and you can easily spend an hour just looking at the great fort. After that, we went inside and enjoyed the different parts of the fort. The views are great and it’s great fun to wander around the small corridors.

2. City Palace

The highlight of walking around in the old city was the City Palace. We simply loved wandering around the beautiful buildings and gardens.

3. Raj Mandir Cinema

Jaipur is more than forts and palaces. After three days of sightseeing we needed a bit of relaxation. We have always loved Bollywood movies and therefore we decided to escape the afternoon heath in the huge pink cinema: Raj Mandir Cinema. This cinema looks like a big pink cake and that makes it a great place to see a Hindi movie. This was our first experience with seeing a Hindi movie in India and we had a great time.

Getting to know Jaipur was a great experience. What is your favourite part of the Pink City?

About the guest bloggers: Claudia and Freek are two Dutch world travellers and bloggers for www.backpackgek.nl (meaning crazy about backpacking in Dutch). They quit their jobs and left their apartment in Amsterdam for the big dream: a world trip crossing the seven continents.

If you would like to write a guest post for the India Travel blog sharing your travel experiences and photos please get in touch.

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1. Sightseeing in Jaipur
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The curvy roads passing through sylvan surroundings, majestic mountain ranges, dense pine forests, small villages nestled in the deep valleys offers panoramic views around Chamba making it any nature lover’s delight.

A view of chamba valley from Chamunda devi temple

For me however, the most fascinating things about Chamba were it’s beautiful temples, especially The Laxmi Narayan temple.

The Laxmi Narayan temple compound had six big temples and many other smaller shrines dedicated to various Gods. The main shrine is of Laxmi Narayan with others consecrated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

An over view of Laxmi Narayan temple compound

All six temples stand side by side on stony platform. The temples with their magnificent shikhara, intricate carvings and detailing are insignia of medieval architecture. The shikharas of temples are composed of miniatures of itself, all grouped in an orderly way. The outer walls are broken into many layers to give a circular impression with the shikhara culminating into a circular disc shaped structure at the top above which rests the dazzling kalash.

Carvings on outer walls of Laxmi Narayan temple

The temple dates back to 10th century A.D. Laxmi Narayan temple remains closed for about 2 hours in noon and when we arrived the shrine doors were still closed giving us time to walk around the compound and enjoy the beautiful carvings.

Carvings on outer walls of Laxmi Narayan temple

While waiting for the temple to open I sat facing the them, threw my head back and tried to fix my gaze on the finials of shikharas. The glorious blue sky glowed above and my heart filled with peace. It is said that in nagara style of temples there is a structure called gavaksh in the shikhara. This gavaksh is a closed window kind of structure which symbolically denotes open space from where the God pours his grace on the deity installed by man in the inner sanctum. At that particular moment I felt that several gavakshas have been opened in the sky itself and God was pouring his grace on me.

Quite near to this famous temple of Chamba is a comparatively lesser know temple of Harinarayan. This temple was built in 11th century a.d. Built in Shikhara style the temple is adorned with intricate carvings. Once this temple stood at the entrance of Chamba town. Though now midst the crowded market place, the temple still retains it’s architectural magnificence and spiritual appeal.

Chamunda devi temple

Chamunda devi temple in Chamba proved to be the best view point for us. We reached there at about 4 p.m.and the view of valley and river Ravi from the temple compound and stairs was spell binding. This temple is located on a comparatively higher point and is far away from the hustle bustle of market place and town. The compound has an ancient temple of nagar style dedicated to lord shiva and a wooden temple of pahadi style dedicated to devi chamunda. The distinct architecture of both styles has its own charm. The big peepal trees, the vermilion covered statues of various gods and goddess, the open compound and the reigning peace make it a perfect place to spend few hours.

A view of chamba valley from chamunda devi temple

There are other famous temple sites near Chamba such as Chaurasi temples of Bharmour, about 65 km from Chamba town.

The best time to visit the place from the point of view of enjoying the architectural magnificence is from September to November The rainy season being over and winters not yet fully arrived this is the best time to roam freely in the open compounds and premises of temples.

Nearest airports to Chamba are Amritsar and Jammu which are around 190 kms. Chamba is well connected by road from Delhi and Chandigarh. Delhi is 627 kms and Chandigarh is 357 kms from Chamba. Regular buses ,taxis and coaches ply from both the places. Pathankot in Punjab is the nearest railway station about 119km from Chamba.

About the guest bloggers: Namita Sunder worked as banking professional for 21 years and is presently enjoying her time reading,writing and travelling with a keen interest in Indian forms of art, architecture, folk tales/legends, culture and nature. Her husband Sunder Iyer is a journalist by profession and photographer by passion. He is a guest faculty at BHU and also takes photography classes at other institution as well as photography assignments. You can see a collection of his work here.

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1. Khajurao Temples
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3. The most famous temples in India

Universal reaction to the announcement that we were off to the jungles of Madhya Pradesh in the summer was disbelief, followed by a slightly concerned, “You DO know how hot it gets there, right ?”

Yes, we did.

And yes, it does.

But for an avid wildlife lover, summer is prime visiting time. Since the water levels are at their lowest, you have more chance of spotting animals at the few remaining watering-holes and since the vegetation is sparse and dry, visibility in the forest is that much better. No thick, lush, post-monsoon greenery, in other words.

This was our logic in heading off in the blazing summer heat to the charming Pench National Park, and with sightings of tiger, dhole (Indian wild dog – a first) and 4 jackals on a kill, we were not disappointed.

Getting to Pench is easy. Fly to Nagpur (which looked charming and neat and very well organized, as we zipped through it) and it’s a little over a 2 hour drive to Pench, on an excellent, well-maintained, not too busy road. There are a number of lodges close to the main Seoni Gate, all of them just a few minutes’ drive away.

Even in the height of summer, it is astonishingly cool in the pre-dawn darkness, when you wake up for your first game-drive. The Park gates open at 6.00, and that first hour is magical, with the jungle waking up, and the forest still cool. Even as the morning heats up, it is never too unbearably hot, simply because your open-topped vehicle is moving, albeit slowly.

The park closes for 3 hours between 12-3 (lunch time – for the employees, one imagines, not the animals) and that is the time when you get to enjoy your hotel pool, or have an afternoon siesta.

Leaving your cool air-conditioned room in the afternoon heat is tough, it must be said, and the first hour of the afternoon drive is possibly a little too hot and too bright and sunny for comfort, but as the sun slowly sets, the jungle weaves its magic again. The hour between about 4.30-5.30 is perfect. Perfect temperature. Perfect photographic light.

Give me the jungle in the summer any day – with fewer visitors than in the peak winter months, you have a much better, more solitary wilderness experience. There were 2 whole days when we didn’t have another vehicle on any sighting – and that included a long, lazy tiger sighting.

Wear your hat. Wear sunblock. Drink lots of water. And prepare to enjoy the jungle at its most unspoilt.

About the guest blogger: Christine Pemberton is a British writer, photographer & blogger, now based permanently in New Delhi, India, after a life of ex-pat wandering with her (Indian) husband. Christine has published 3 travel books, edited a 4th and runs three blogs including the Delhi Diary which can be found at christinepemberton.me

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The first time I travelled in India, in 2005-06, I arrived with a treasure trove of fantasies and ideas about India — and my expectations were high. I knew about the fairytale desert forts, the sacred pilgrimage sites, the monumental metropolises and, of course, the quaint hill stations, fabled relics of a bygone era.

Every hill station in India lays claim to being the “queen of hill stations” and I am sure they all have their charms. I haven’t been to all of them, just two in fact — Simla and Darjeeling — but they both won my allegiance.

I arrived in Simla after a month of volunteering in Dharamsala, and I was looking forward to a few days of aimless respite. I had been ill in Dharamsala, and was worried the long drive to Simla — along narrow winding roads with heart-stopping drop-offs — would wear me down.

But as soon as I arrived in the hill top town, I felt my spirits lift. I have discovered after almost 15 months of travel in India, spread over five trips, that places either strongly agreed with me — or the opposite. Simla agreed with me. It turned out to be the perfect place for a break from it all. I found the mountain air and panoramic views reviving, and I loved to just stroll along the ridge-top Mall discovering historical sites like the former Viceregal Lodge (now an educational institute) and Scandal Point.

After a day or two in Simla, my boyfriend joined me, and when together we walked along the Mall I was aware that at one time we would have caused a scandal indeed: a woman of British descent walking with an Indian man. In fact, it would have been illegal for him to walk on the Mall before independence. Times do change for the better.

When it came time to leave our beloved sojourn in Simla, we took the toy train down to Kalka, where we were meeting the train back to Delhi. We stopped and ate snacks along the way, counted the 103 tunnels, joked about walking alongside the train (and probably getting to our destination faster) and had a delightful time.

It was several years before I travelled to my second hill station. I was approaching a red-letter birthday — a biggie! — and I pondered deeply about where I wanted to spend it. But even though I pondered, I knew: Watching the sunrise against the backdrop of the white wall of the Himalayas from Tiger Hill, outside of Darjeeling.

I arrived the day before my birthday and it was love at first sight. I walked up to the top of Observatory Hill, to Mahakala Temple, sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists and then had tea at the historic Windamere Hotel, one of Asia’s top heritage hotels. The views of swirling mist around the mountain top; the sound of the temple’s hundreds of prayer flags flapping; the taste of the light, fragrant, tea — I loved it all.

The next morning, I bound out of bed before dawn to make the drive up to Tiger Hill for the sunrise — knowing that we may or may not have a clear day (the odds seem to be about 3-to-1 against). Luckily for me, and a good augur for the decade to come, the morning dawned perfectly clear. And though the viewing area was crowded and noisy, and I was tired and cold, watching the sunrise light up the white wall of the Himalayas in the distance — colouring the mountains gold, rose pink and deep mauve by turn — was worth the effort. It was one of the most spectacular travel moments of my life.

My guide Paras and I walked part way down Tiger Hill, stopping at a tiny, ancient Durga temple, built literally into the side of the hill, with earth and tree roots forming the interior. We arrived just in time for puja — just Paras, me and three female devotees — and I received a blessing. As we walked further down, we continued to see the five massive peaks of mighty Kanchendzonga, the world’s third highest mountain, looming above the valley like a giant ocean liner sailing on a sea of clouds.

Back at the Windamere for breakfast and more Darjeeling tea, I was served on the terrace with the panoramic view. And as I watched the dance of the breaking sun vying with the swirling mists, and heard the prayer flags from the temple above flapping in the breeze, I felt serenely, majestically happy.

Images are of Darjeeling and the Makaibari Tea Company. See more of Mariellen’s photographs from this trip.

About the guest blogger: Mariellen Ward is a Canadian freelance writer and travel blogger, well-known on the Internet for her love of “all things India.” Mariellen has traveled for more than a year altogether in India and publishes an India-inspired travel blog Breathedreamgo. She writes about India, meaningful adventure travel and yoga for newspapers, magazines and many online sites and recently published her first book, Song of India: Tales of Travel and Transformation.

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Not too many countries on earth have a state budget made separately for the Railways, neither have they inspired authors and film-makers for ages. The Indian Railways, carrying 30 million passengers and joining 65,000 km of India, isn’t unique only for these numbers, but for the diversity it carries along. It joins the length and breadth of India and touches her heart like no one else does. Probably the best way to see India is by taking a train ride, sneaking into her undiscovered cultures, gazing into her unexplored landscapes and soaking in her invigorating air.

Being a passenger in the Indian Railways for over twenty years and having travelled on numerous routes, it isn’t an easy task to choose the best routes; still I will try and do my best.

The expensive special trains and their journeys will be kept out of this post for obvious reasons. Let the budget traveller rule the roost!

1. The Kashmir Railway (Jammu – Udhampur)

The Kashmir Railway is one of the most challenging engineering projects in India. The extremes of cold and heat along with the unfavorable terrain and political scenarios make this route one of the most thrilling of all Indian train routes. This route has 20 major tunnels and 158 bridges which offer awe inspiring views of the rivers and valleys around the beautiful Shivalik Mountain Ranges.

2. The Snow Sojourn (Qazigund-Srinagar-Baramulla)

This is a part of the Kashmir Railway, but currently work is going on the section between Jammu and Qazigund, thus making this another separate leg of the journey. When complete, this will be a part of the greater Kashmir railway which will connect Jammu to Baramulla, or rather the plains to the Valley.

The journey promises a refreshing ride through the Kashmir Valley, weaving through the snow capped peaks at a distance and the Chinar trees all around. The best part of taking this journey is during the winters when the surroundings are filled with snow.

There is only the option of an unreserved DEMU train currently on this route.

3. The Kangra Valley Odyssey ( Pathankot – Kangra-Palampur-Jogindernagar)

The Kangra Valley Railway belongs to the sub-Himalayan region in Himachal Pradesh. Starting from Pathankot in Punjab, it covers 164 kms to Jogindernagar in Himachal Pradesh, meandering through numerous passes, rivers and valleys. Even though it’s a laid back option of traveling across the Kangra valley, yet the views it offers compensates the speed. The sight of the snow capped Dhauladhar hills at a distance after Palampur rewards the tired soul exuberantly.

The journey of 165 km from Pathankot to Jogindernagar takes almost a whopping 10 hours.

The unreserved Kangra Valley Passenger is the only train on this route currently.

4. The Konkan Railway(Ratnagiri-Madgaon-Honnavar-Mangalore)

Amazing greeneries, plethora of water bodies, stunning curves and the magnificent Sahyadris join hands to make this one of the most sought after train travel experience for any railway enthusiast in India.

The Konkan Railway is also an example of the high spirits of the engineers of this country, who constructed this marvel battling against a hostile loose terrain with frequent landslide tendencies.

5. The Goan Experience ( Vasco Da Gama – Londa Jn)

Goa might be known for its pristine beaches and emerald waters, but there is another side of Goa which cannot be missed. The lush green villages, thick jungles and the abundant waterfalls constitute a charming world of Goan Rails. A train ride from Vasco takes you from the serene beaches to the precarious curves of Western Ghat Mountains offering a breathtaking sight of the Dudhsagar Waterfalls, one of India’s highest and most exquisite falls.

6. Nilgiri Mountain Railway(Mettupalayam-Udhagamandalam)

When the blue and cream coloured coaches chug up the blue mountains, even the crudest of all hearts will skip a beat. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, running for over a 110 years is another train journey, you simply cannot miss.

The steam engine covers the 46 km to Ooty in four and a half hours, twisting and turning through the rocky terrain, before slowly meandering into the sprawling tea estates. The familiar chuffing sound of the steam locomotive casts an old world charm and reminds of the legacies of the British Raj.

7. Himalayan Queen(Kalka – Shimla)

Being the only mountain railway in India, to be used by regular commuters, the heritage railway between Kalka and Shimla features in the Guinness Book of World Records for offering the steepest rise in altitude in the space of 96 kilometers.

Built in 1903, it passes through 102 tunnels and 864 bridges, flanked by the picturesque Shivalik Hills on both sides. The train guzzles along the track, built over viaducts which resemble the arch galleries of ancient Roman architecture. A morning ride on this stretch, wrapping the fresh air, whistling past the oak, pine and maple trees has all the ingredients to make it a journey of a lifetime.

8. The Toy Train-Darjeeling Himalayan Railway( New Jalpaiguri – Darjeeling)

The oldest of all mountain railways in India, the Toy Train is also a World Heritage Site, declared by UNESCO in 1999.Loops are a special feature of this railway to give it a natural ascent. The most popular being the ‘Batasia Loop’ which offers stunning views of Darjeeling town and the snow capped Mt Kanchenjunga on a clear day.

On its ascent from Sukna, the train crosses a few settlements and towns weaving through the tea gardens, tea factories and small forests of maple, chestnut, pear and cherry. One can also sneak a peek into the hustle bustle of the Gorkha settlements on the way. Gorkhas are an ethnic group of this region with Mongolian features known for their valor and bravery.

The train chugs alongside the busy highway and often intrigues the traveller with its slow, yet effective pace.

9. Matheran Hill Railway (Neral-Matheran)

Matheran, nestled in the Western Ghats, is one of the favourite weekend destinations for busy Mumbaikars. It still holds its charm, thanks to no vehicles being allowed in the town. One has to take a pony ride or walk on the dusty and muddy roads to go around Matheran.

The Matheran Hill Railway is the only heritage railway in Maharashtra. This narrow gauge rail link between Neral and Matheran was built by Abdul Hussein Adamjee Peerbhoy between 1901 and 1907 at the cost of Rs.1600000. The route, through large swathes of forest territory, covers a distance of 20 kilometers in about one and half hours, is full of panoramic views .Any lone visitor will surely enjoy the tranquillity this ride offers.

10. Dooars Voyage (Siliguri – New Mal – Hasimara –Alipurduar)

A vast expanse of dense forests brimming with wildlife, murmur of streams trotting down from the hills of Sikkim and Bhutan, interwoven by tea gardens and dissected by the gorging Teesta River make Dooars a unique palette of nature.

The train route recently converted to broad gauge has minimum traffic but passes through notable wildlife sanctuaries abound in a fascinating diversity of flora and fauna. It crosses Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Chapramari Forest, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary and Buxa Tiger Reserve along with numerous stream crossings. You can get down at Chalsa, Hasimara or Rajabhatkhawa to get drenched in the Dooars experience.

11. Flavours of Assam (Guwahati-Lumding-Silchar)

The aroma of Assam runs into your senses as the train inches into the lush greenery of the adjoining valleys of Haflong, before joining the banks of River Jatinga and meandering along with it. A few hours later catch the flavour of the tea gardens of Barak valley, before running into the plains. This track now goes south and connects Agartala (the second largest city of North East India) to rest of the country.

12. Desert Queen ( Jaipur-Jaisalmer)

Jaisalmer is the gateway to all the camel safaris in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. A train journey from Jaipur to Jaisalmer can be a great experience of viewing the barren stretches of the Thar Desert. The vibrant settlements of colourful mud huts and stray camels grazing in the flat desert against the rising sun can be a sight to cherish forever in life.

13. Arakku Valley Railway ( Vizag – Arakku)

Arakku Valley is a popular hotspot for nature enthusiasts, boasting of thick forests and coffee plantations. Vishakhapatnam, an important port city of East India has a rail link to Arakku, which lies on the Kothavalasa and Kirandul (KK) Line. This is one of rare broad gauge hill railways of India, which was built to transport iron ore from the mines of Chattisgarh to the port city of Vizag, presently known as Vishakhapatnam.

The rail route is one of the better ways to travel to Arakku Valley, crossing quite a few caves and waterfalls on the way.

14. Malnad Magic (Hassan – Mangalore)

The picturesque green paddy fields and Areca nut palm trees of the Malnad region encompasses this route. The best stretch is the one between Sakleshpur and Subramanya stations, where the train chugs through 57 tunnels offering a stunning view of the misty mountains and the sparkling waterfalls all around.

15. The Sea Bridge Ride (Mandapam- Pamban- Rameswaram)

The bridge that connects Mandapam in TamilNadu to the Pamban island is the second longest sea bridge in India and even if you are not a pilgrim to the Varanasi of south, you will fall in love with this train ride crossing the Gulf of Mannar.

16. The Western Ghat Saunter( Karjat – Lonavala)

As the train passes Karjat in Maharashtra, it enters the hinterland of the Western Ghats, not the mightiest in terms of height but extremely rich in biodiversity. During monsoons, this journey comes alive with numerous streams and cascading waterfalls on its way. The dense foliage with the backdrop of the hills will make you move out of your seat and enjoy the scenery at the door.

The train passes through the village settlements of Thakurwadi before hiking up Monkey Hill, then crossing the romantic Khandala reaches Lonavala.

17. Chambal Express (Agra to Gwalior)

The infamous Chambal region has been in the news for decades, thanks to the dacoits who might have created a record for the maximum number of extortions, robberies and murders in the region. But there is something about the ravines of Chambal that impresses the eye. The terrain has been supporting the sons of her soil since ages, with its unique diversity of undulations that makes it easier for the villains to rob and escape. A train ride through the Chambal ravines can bring a rush of adrenaline to the adventurous and a sense of curiosity to the landscape lover.

18. The Kerala Anubhavam (Ernakulam-Kollam-Trivandrum)

There isn’t a better way to experience the magic of Kerala, than by taking a train ride from Ernakulam(Cochin) to Trivandrum via Kollam (Quilon).It is like a holiday package which offers you all in one. The enchanting backwaters, the pristine lakes, the coconut palms fencing the water channels and a peek into the rural life of Kerala living in islands formed out of the backwaters.

19. The Travancore Railway (Kollam-Punalur-Sengottai)

The erstwhile Maharaja of Travancore had flagged off the first train on this route, way back in 1907.The section from Punalur to Sengottai crossing the beautiful Cardamom Hills is the best part of this journey in terms of the lushness of nature and the architectural marvels. The famous 13 arched bridge is a sight to remember on this route.

This section is currently closed for gauge conversion. Once complete this will connect Trivandrum to Chennai in the fastest way. Expected to complete by 2013.Currently one can take a ride up to Punalur only.

20. Unknown Andhra (Guntakal – Guntur)

The section between Dhone and Cumbum on the Guntakal – Guntur boasts of a scenic journey through the Eastern Ghats. Most of the express trains pass this stretch at night, but there are a few passenger trains that can be taken to experience the scenic beauty of this unexplored part of Andhra Pradesh. One can also alight at Cumbum station to see the Cumbum Lake, the oldest man-made lake of Asia.

21. Tribal Orissa Odyssey (Koraput – Rayagada)

Popularly known as the KR line, the Koraput-Rayagada line is an off shoot from the Kirandul- Kothavalasa (KK) line. Koraput is about 800 meters above sea level and the journey till Rayagada at 200 meters is an enchanting downhill experience. The dense forests and horse shoe curves add a charm to this unknown ride.

22. Lake View Chilika (Bhubaneswar- Brahmapur )

Take a morning ride from Bhubaneswar to Brahmapur in Orissa to experience the grandeur of the Chilika Lake on your left and the Eastern Ghats on your right. Chilika is the second largest lagoon on earth and a haven for migratory birds. If you are into bird watching, make sure you sit on the train window with a binocular.

23. Aravalli Adventure (Himmatnagar – Udaipur/Mavli – Marwar)

The Aravalli range runs across the state of Rajasthan from north to south. These old mountains consist of steep rocky ridges, formed due to erosion of an ancient folded mountain. They are rich in the history of Rajasthan which unfolds when a journey is taken to the interiors meeting the locals, listening to the folklores.

A train journey from Ahmedabad to Udaipur passes through a section of the hills and is a nice experience.To travel into the interiors of Aravalli, the meter gauge line from Mavli to Marwar is ideal. Mavli is 43 kms from Udaipur City and is waiting for a gauge conversion to be sanctioned between Mavli and Marwar.

24. Gir Safari (Junagarh-Delvada)

The Metre gauge railway from Junagadh to Delvada in Gujarat is an interesting journey through the wooded hills of Gir National Park. It is an extremely slow journey but for the laid back traveller planning for a stopover at Gir and looking to soak in the culture of Saurashtra (western region of Gujarat), this is a journey to look for. The train stops at Sasan Gir station, which leads to start of the National Park. One can also head to Diu using this train passing through the coastline of western Gujarat.

25. Shindavane and Ambale (Pune-Satara)

The ghats of Shindavane are known for the barren and lofty Sahyadri Mountains. The railway cuts deep through the mountains and passes through loose rocks on all sides. This lies in the Pune-Satara section of the Central Railways.

Notes:

• The routes mentioned here can be closed due to various reasons, like gauge conversions, landslides or other unavoidable circumstances.Be well informed about the train availability on the routes before you plan a ride.
• Do check the official website of Indian Railways for all train and route related information: www.indianrail.gov.in
• Image Credits : Wikimedia Commons and IRFCA
• Special thanks to Apurva Bahadur, Jay Balakrishna, Lalam , Mohan Bhuyan, Bharath M,Naren Damodaran and Tushar from IRFCA for their support.

About the Guest Blogger: Arnab Maity is an independent traveller and a documentary photographer. He says, “Creating new trails and following the unknown paths satisfies the traveler in me. I am also an avid history and culture enthusiast looking for stories and structures lost with time.” He runs his own blog at Arnab Maity Travel and Photography.

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Waking up in one of the luxurious rooms at the premium homestay, Taamara, is a holiday highlight all on its own. Lazily pulling back the curtains I returned to my comfortable bed and curl up to watch the morning activity on the lake. Fishermen paddle by in their wooden canoes to haul in their nets to provide the fresh fish for local markets, luxurious houseboats designed like kettuvallams (rice barges) drift by and exotic birds perch on the cantilevered fishing nets just off shore. In a flash of blue a kingfisher plucks his breakfast from amongst the carpet of green lily pads, punctuated by soft hyacinth purple blooms.

Located in Alleppey, sitting on the shores of Vembernand Lake this beautiful homestay offers affordable luxury in a very special location.

Considered to be one of the highlight destinations of Kerala, it’s the perfect spot for exploring the vast network of backwaters the region is so famous for. Traversing through some of the 900km network of canals and palm-fringed lakes is undoubtedly one of India’s most enchanting experiences. Alleppey isn’t just about the backwaters, as we soon discovered its other offerings; golden sandy beaches, delicious Keralan cuisine and Aurevadic spa treatments.

Arriving at Taamara we received a warm welcome, a beautiful lotus flower was placed around my neck and a refreshing glass of coconut milk in my hand. With just four rooms guests are assured a complete VIP experience as soon as they arrive and it is easy to imagine this place as a secret hideaway for the rich and famous.

The guest rooms are located in a separate building which was designed by a local architect to make full use of the stunning views over the lake, while offering complete privacy. The air-conditioned rooms are comfortably furnished with large beds, crisp linen and modern bathrooms. Most importantly huge windows running the length of the room fill them with light and make the most of that all-important lakeside view.

It wasn’t long before we had the opportunity to get out onto the lake ourselves. Our homestay host, Nirmala, arranged for one of their fisherman neighbours to take us out onto the lake in his wooden canoe, just as dusk was falling. We drifted slowly along the shoreline, the silence punctuated by the gentle splash of the paddle and the sound of singing from a church on the bank of the lake.

The following morning we were out on the water again, this time exploring the canals that make up the famous Kerala backwaters. As our boat traversed through lagoons and small waterways we caught a glimpse of village life on the water, passing people washing clothes, scrubbing dishes and bathing in the canals. Chickens scurried along the banks, chased by children who stopped to wave as we passed by, all set to a tropical green backdrop of palms and waterlillies.

Our homestay hosts, Mr. V. V. Babu, an award-winning filmmaker and his wife, Nirmala were extremely attentive, from arranging our backwater trip to lending binoculars so that we could get a better glimpse of the varied bird life on the lake.

A real highlight at Taamara is the delicious home cooked Keralan cuisine, without doubt some of the best Indian food we have ever tasted. A special lunch served on a plantain leaf was a particular highlight as Nirmala took the time to explain the significance of each item to us, all beautifully presented and packed full of flavour.

Having discovered our love of South Indian cuisine we were invited into the kitchen for the chance to help prepare a meal, learning several techniques and filling my journal with delicious recipes, hurriedly scribbled down between mouthfuls of the delicious fare on offer.

Taamara is the perfect homestay for anybody wanting a bit of luxury, ideal for a romantic break. You are sure to fall in love with the peaceful surroundings of this special property that will stay in the memory for a long time.

Find out more about Taamara homestay, see the video or book a room with Mahindra Homestays.

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If you have been to India already, it is likely that you have visited Rajasthan. It is after all the largest state of India and certainly the most common destination for Western tourists travelling to this country.

The tours of Rajasthan usually start from Delhi, but if you are already in Mumbai for leisure or work, you can still plan a trip to the land of the Rajputs. Mumbai was the starting point of my road trip to discover beautiful Rajasthan. Willing to experience “the real India”, I decided to travel by train and local buses. Reaching Jaisalmer was my first goal.

The journey to cover the distance of more than 1,000 km from Mumbai to Jaisalmer was long, but not boring. Travelling in the Sleeper Class, you will encounter many different people and if you are lucky enough to travel with a Hindi speaker, you will end up spending most of the journey chatting and eating, sharing stories and food with your berth neighbours.

Railways in India are an institution and travelling on trains will give you the opportunity to discover the country and its people. It is not always the most comfortable way, as any 18-hour journey in a third class train would be, crossing three states and going from the humid 40°C of Mumbai at noon to the dry 0°C of the Rajasthani night. Certainly it will be an experience that you will never forget!

I arrived in Jodhpur just after dawn and, without much time to stretch my legs, I jumped on a bus to Jaisalmer. Squashed in my seat and wrapped around my bags, I sat on the bus for 6 hours and was very grateful for the two rest stops to breathe the fresh air and drink chai by the side of the road.

In the early afternoon I reach my destination, just in time to reach the top of the Maharaja Palace and admire the sunset.

Jaisalmer is nicknamed the “Golden City” and a look at these photos will make you understand why. Overlooking the city from the fort, you will see thousands of houses in the colour of golden sand. All around them, the Thar desert.

It is a stunning and breath-taking view, especially when the sun sets and casts shades of crimson red over the buildings.

While at first you will be amazed by the monochronism of Jaisalmer, once you start walking thorough the alleys and squares, the colours of the city will hit you. The bright colours of the women’s sarees, of the exotic fruits sold in the streets, of the clothes left to dry outside the windows, of the Diwali decorations that have been hanging for weeks but nobody really wants to take them down.

I loved shopping at the many leather shops, where you can get genuine camel leather footwear and bags custom-made to your needs, at genuine Indian prices!

A trip to Jaisalmer is not complete without visiting the sand dunes in the outskirts of the town. Choose one of the many packages available at hotels and travel agencies and spend the night in a desert camp. You will be able to ride on camels at sunset and sunrise, taste a typical Rajasthani dinner served in a ‘thali’ and admire a show of Kalbeliya dance and music. A truly memorable experience.

About the guest blogger: The photos and travel guide were provided by Giulia Mulè, a freelance photographer with a passion for food and travelling, author of the food blog Mondomulia

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The Konkan beaches are something straight out of fantasy for the inland dweller and it was no different for me, living in Pune. For my colleagues at work, any free weekend meant a drive to one of the numerous beaches on the western coast. I too went on one such journey on a cool winter weekend.

I didn’t want to drive far and spend my energy on the travel rather than at the destination. So, the stretch starting from the south of Alibaug until Murud beach was shortlisted for the trip. I was advised to skip Alibaug as it is almost always crowded and not the cleanest of beaches.

If you start on the coastal road going south from Alibaug, everyone would point to Kashid as the “next” touristy place, but there are some interesting detours on the way. Around 5 kms south of Alibaug, is a small village Akshi. If you drive into the village from the main road for around 3-4 kms, you hit Akshi beach, an unspolt beach hidden away from touristy eye. Soft clean sand and a shallow tide make the experience ethereal.

If you continue south and if you have a keen eye, you would notice that you are actually driving by the walls of an old fort. This is the Revdanda fort. You can also take a detour to the Korlai fort which juts out into the sea.

After you cross the bridge from Revdanda further south, taking the westward road will take you towards Kashid. Kashid beach, though the most popular in this area, is pretty clean. The soft white sand is quite cool even in the heat of the noon. You can spend a lot of time at Kashid, as there are many kinds of water sports e.g. Jet-Ski and banana boat, available here. You can also try the sand buggy or some parasailing. If you have the time and interest, you can visit the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary just next to the beach. This sanctuary is good for bird-watching, though the guides tell you that there are leopards supposed to be in there.

Going further will take you to Murud, a small town referenced as Janjira Murud to distinguish it from another Murud 50 kms further south. Murud, in contrast to Kashid, has black sand, almost a volcanic feel to it.

Five kms from Murud is the village of Rajapuri, the base village for the Janjira fort, which of course, is to be shortlisted for the next trip.

About the guest blogger: Rajaram S, a software engineer by profession, lives in Pune with his wife and 3 yr old daughter. He loves travelling with family and friends and this passion of travel and photography is reflected in his blog Places near Pune. He hopes that the details he provides on his blog will help everyone plan the perfect weekend!

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