Where to go
Vast forest covers and verdant locations with rich bio diversity are often the choice for many travellers who are looking at the outdoors for a holiday option.

Bird watching is especially good in the Kuttanad backwaters and plantation areas of Kerala, the Himalayas at Spiti and in the Rajasthan desert and hills. The Uttarakhand belt is also a great place for bird watching especially with the Corbett National Park in the region.

Other top destinations for birding in India include Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh, Chilika in Orissa, the Gir Forest in Gujarat, Kaziranga National Park in Assam and the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Goa.

Bird watching advice and information
It is just not about visiting the right places, it is about being there are the right time and having expert local knowledge to guide you.

1. To make the most of your bird watching time it is a good idea to be guided by a keen and experienced eye. If you are staying in a homestay ask your host to guide you to the best bird watchers and experts in the area if you are serious about this.
2. If you are entering a national park or a reserved forest ask make sure you have all the information you need about visiting and any permits which may be required. Birding can often be paired with wildlife spotting so consider a wildlife safari package.
3. Homestays which lie in relevant areas often have equipment like binoculars and camouflaging clothes or jackets which you will be able to borrow. Camping equipment for those who want to have a real outdoor experience can be made available.

Homestays which offer bird watching holidays are places where you will find like minded people who will only be too happy to share their birding experiences and stories with you. Get in touch if you would like more information about top destinations and homestays for bird watchers to visit.

Find out more about the different activities you can experience in India.

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Where in India
The Western Ghats of South India, especially the Nilgiris range of mountains has extensive plantations of various produce. North Kerala & Coorg are famous for coffee & spice plantations, while places like Coonoor in Tamil Nadu and Munnar in Kerala constitute of rolling hills of neatly lined tea bushes.

Picking
Planning a holiday in the plantation during the picking season? Pack some old shoes and clothes to rough it out on the field. Picking coffee or tea is quite a skill. Get a first-hand experience with the workers of the plantations to know what goes behind the scenes. This is a great activity for the whole family and children especially enjoy the physical activity as well as learning something new.

Process and Tasting
Follow up time spent out in the field with learning more about the processing of the freshly picked crops. If visiting a tea plantation you can also get some exclusive knowledge on tasting.

Guided Tours
Guided plantation tours help you understand about the cultivation of spices and tea and to learn about the way of life in plantations. These tours can be by Jeep or by foot.

Activities around the plantation
Usually far flung from the main towns, the activities in plantations are not sight-seeing led. However there are plenty of things to do at a plantation home. Most plantations are spread over a vast expanse and have plenty of mild trails for hikes. Spend a night camping and have a star studded night above you, almost in the wilderness. Many plantation owners will be happy for you to make a bonfire but don’t forget to clean your campsite before you leave.

Plantations are always a hotspot for wildlife spotting. Flora and fauna both exist in abundance and wild boars, elephants, leopards, sambars and gaurs are usually found in the Western Ghats. Plantation homes are also a favourite with bird watching enthusiasts. For example the Western Ghats of India have at least 500 bird species of which make can be found in the green confines of plantations

Relaxation
Coupled with the idea of plunging into these verdant surroundings, it’s the charm of the home run plantations, that visitors enjoy the most. Great local food, a well informed experience of the plantations and warm hospitality offer the perfect opportunity to relax. Pack a good book and absorb the boundless greenery and fresh air of an Indian plantation.

If you would like to stay in a plantation homestay then get in touch and we can help you plan a fantastic trip.

Take a look at other homestay activities to help you plan a unique Indian adventure.

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1. Mumbai
The vibrant city of Mumbai is certainly one of the few destinations in India, which can claim to have nightlife at all. Safe for women to travel even late at night, Mumbai has a burgeoning pub and live gigs culture. Some of the places that one must visit are Totos in Bandra for an old school feel of grabbing a beer with a friend, amidst loud thumping music from the 70s and 80s. Bandra has a bustling nightlife with a few pubs strewn in the area. This is probably where one can hop from one place to another; else the distances in Mumbai are long to traverse in the middle of the night. Blue Frog and Jazz by the Bay are some other options for live gigs and karaoke nights. Stand up Comedy is high on the list of things to do for the younger generation. Catch some fresh Indian talent at the Comedy Store and Cafe Goa, and some alcohol to go along with.

2. Goa
Goa has always been the destination of deliverance where nightlife spots are concerned. Usually when the season in bustling with foreign internationals, so are the party spots of Goa. This is between October to March. For the rest of the year, it is not worth your while to go looking for a spectacular nightlife here. While Titos and Mambos were the stalwarts of nightlife for many years, now newer names like Butter Lounge and Shiros rule the roost. On Saturday night, join the party goers at Anjuna Beach to catch some trance and psychedelic music. Image credit by Berno

3. Delhi
Apart from the mainstream drink and dance places in Delhi, there is a whole new breed of underground music artistes who are bringing a fresh dimension for people who always want to be surprised.  Catch B.L.O.T, Sifar and others who are hitting some new genres in Delhi. Shalom, Djinns, Mirage, Sahara, Mezz and Ministry of Sound are some places where you can catch some action on the music and dance scene in Delhi. Be careful as to be escorted by known people only and book your cab ahead if everyone in the group is drinking.

4. Bangalore
With a legacy of being the ‘beer and pub’ city of the country, Bangalore might have lost some lustre where the nightlife is concerned, but its easy paced fun is contagious. Still a great place to get a beer and enjoy the weather, Bangalore has a number of places to enjoy the evenings, except that one must wrap up by 11.30 p.m Jayamahal Palace for a slice of royalty, 13^th floor for the old timers and Toit, the latest addition, are all great places to catch up with friends. Places like Dewers, the first pub of Bangalore, are sorely missed by the locals. Another great pub for which many eulogies have been written but it still appeals to many, is Pecos. Known for its esoteric choice of music with jazz and blues, people still like Pecos for its impressive collection of cassettes. Try another classic place called Styx for some heavy metal. Though dancing is not allowed in Bangalore, Mynt is the only reasonable place where one can shake a leg. The central M.G Road area is known to have over 40 pubs in a radius of 1 kilometre.

5. Chennai
Unlike its image of a largely middle-class lifestyle, Chennai’s nightlife has been on an upswing for the last 5 years or so. Names like Dublin, Zara (an old time favourite), Hell Freezes Over, Bikes and Barrels and Geoffrey’s are names the young lot reckon with.  Be at any of these for a fun filled evening.

6. Hyderabad
10 Downing Street, Bottles and Chimneys, Touch, Liquids, N, Ahala, Excess and Torque are some of the places which are worth your while in the ever growing pub scene of Hyderabad. The music sometimes can be a disappointment, but the number and variety of places in Hyderabad that make the nightlife more exciting, are in plenty. Try some ‘Famous’ ice-cream after you are done for the night.

7. Varkala
A surprise entry on the nightlife sector, but Varkala certainly owns a special spot here! The calm beaches on the edge of a cliff are the perfect backdrop for a couple of drinks in the months of October to March.

If you would like your next trip to include some of our top picks for India nightlife then get in touch and we can help you plan a fantastic itinerary.

For accommodation in India take a look at our homestay collection. Your hosts will be happy to help you find the best places locally for a good night out!

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India has always been looked at as a cathartic destination for those seeking inner peace or enlightenment. With a rich lineage of Gurus and other Yoga practitioners, there are a number of credible institutes and ashrams that are known for their expertise. Yoga has roots deeply entrenched in everyday life in India, making it one of the most sought after yoga destinations in the world, attracting many travellers and students. Here are some top yoga destinations that you might want to explore.

Alleppey
Kerala has always been synonymous with Ayurveda and other forms of healing. Due to the popularity, the concept has been plagiarised by many so choose your learning centre carefully if you are looking for an authentic experience. Keraleeyam, in Alleppey, is one of the most eminent destinations for Yoga.

Pune
Guru B.K.S Iyengar has etched the name of Yoga across international boundaries and can certainly be called the ‘grand old man of Indian Yoga’. His institute in Pune, Ramamani Iyengar Memorial, is a prestigious centre for Hatha Yoga. Classes are held for both adults and children and sometimes getting into the institute can be quite a feat – people have known to queue up for 2 years. This is an advanced learning centre and one has to have some amount of prior expertise.

Rishikesh
Parmarth Niketan, yet another stunning institute, is nestled in the verdant environs of Rishikesh. The ashram has over 1000 rooms on the 8 acres campus. If you want to be a visiting student, you can choose to stay in Rishikesh and visit the centre for classes. An international Yoga festival held in March sees a number of yoga enthusiasts visit from all over the world.

Chennai
Chennai has always been strongly associated with the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, which is run by the kin of T. Krishnamacharya. This Yoga Centre is known for Viniyoga. There are a number of courses available for one to choose from. The most popular ones are the Non-residential Pilgrimage of Sound Vedic Chanting, Heart of Yoga, and Pranayama courses that are opened bi-annually for students around the world.

Munger
The 1960s was the decade of discovery of India by the Western World. The Beatles might have started the trend, but the rage has never died out. One such institute that was started in the 1960s was The Bihar School of Yoga, Munger. Till this day and date, the school is considered as one of the best in the country. Though the main school has a rigorous schedule, for those who are interested in lighter and short duration yoga classes can look out for the one of the branches of the same, the Bihar Yoga Bharati Institute.

If you would like to learn yoga in India you will find our homestay hosts can offer excellent support and advice. Get in touch with our reservations team who can help you plan a fantastic itinerary.

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So why not plan your yoga holiday yourself? You’ll save money and be able to arrange your India trip around the places YOU want to visit.

Whether you’re interested in Ashtanga, Bikram, Hatha or Kundalini, yoga sessions are widely available all across India – most towns have specialist centres.

Design your own itinerary and enjoy a more informal and fun yoga holiday.

Below we highlight just five India homestays where your host will help arrange yoga. However, be aware that at virtually all of our India homestays your host will be able to direct you to a good local yoga centre, so browse the full list and choose your favourite properties.

Delhi – Haree Shankar

The Singhs will go out of their way to organise meditation, yoga, cooking and pickle-making sessions for guests as well as organizing Kerala massages, astrological readings and tarot sessions.

Jaipur – Nohra Homestay

You can arrange yoga at this modern but traditional Indian bungalow, and it also has a basement with its own gym for solo practice or personal training.

Agra – Lamba Homestay

With over 4,000 guests from over 60 countries, worldwide, Colonel Lamba’s Indian Homestay is well respected. Yoga can be arranged here. And the delicious vegetarian food on offer has apparently charmed guests “to consider becoming vegetarian”.

Kerala – Maria’s Homestay

In this Kottayam homestay you can practice yoga while breathing the scents of cinnamon, cardamom and pepper from nearby plantations.

Cochin – The Bungalow

This homestay is found on the island of Vypeen, just a five minute ferry ride from Fort Cochin. It has a dedicated yoga centre nearby.

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