Saturday, July 31, 2010

Your footsteps in tiger land

If making a visit to India is on your mind, you surely should not miss out on tiger spotting. India is home to a plethora of flora and fauna in its wildlife sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries, national parks, tiger reserves and forest reserves. Amongst all animals, probably the gorgeous tigers draw the maximum attention of the tourists who gain a memorable experience of catching a glimpse of the magnificent creatures. Tiger, being the national animal of India, is reckoned as an asset of the country.

If you are thinking of visiting the tiger reserves, plan your trip between the months of December and May when the weather is cooler. During monsoons, many of the parks and reserves close down. The Bandhavgarh and Kanha national parks in India have been claimed by tourists as the best sites for tiger spotting. Elephant and jeep safaris are the best to track tigers in the Indian reserves while enjoying the beauty of nature and other species of flora. You could have chances of watching tigers engage into thrilling activities with other animals. The site of Bandhavgarh was the place of discovery of the white tigers of Rewa.

The Indian wealthy wildlife is one of the most desired destinations of tourists from all over the world. One of the most popular attractions of the Indian wildlife is the Royal Bengal Tigers. Bengal tigers, with their magnificent aura, are considered as the most glorious members of the cat family. Ranthambhore is one of the largest national parks in India with a rich population of Bengal tigers. Sunderbans of West Bengal is the leading Indian national park. It is house to about four hundred tigers and the tigers found here are excellent swimmers. The Kanha national park, which had served as plot for Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, is dense, grassy and serves as a perfect habitat for the royal Bengal tigers. Jim Corbett national park is one of the finest sites for tiger spotting between the months of April and mid June. The park organizes elephant and jeep safari depending on your preference. Jeep safari hoists your chances of spotting tigers by covering wider areas in less time. Go along with a guide versed with the howls and cries of tigers, making it easier for you to spot one.

Tigers are a protected species. Tiger poaching has reduced the number of adult tigers in India. An estimate by India’s National conservation authority reveals that only 1411 adult tigers are in existence. Efforts have been made to protect the majestic creatures. Several government restrictions and projects like Project Tiger and Save the tiger have created awareness among common people to preserve and protect the wild animal. Most of the tiger reserves are under the Project tiger to create a safe and suitable atmosphere for the growth and survival of India’s national animal.

Successful preservation efforts have made India the home of more than half of the world’s tiger population- the Bengal tigers. India is a paradise for nature lovers. India offers immense prospects and unmatched experiences of wildlife tourism. A wildlife tour in the tiger reserves can be really fascinating and adventurous. Resorts with rooms and tented accommodations on the outskirts of the parks are also an ideal romantic getaway for some.

For further info about India Wildlife Tours visit : India Tours, India Wildlife Safari Packakges

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Top 5 Most Visited Tourist Destinations to See During India Vacation

India is the cradle of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. It has the second largest Muslim population in the world. It has been chosen home for Christians, Jews, and Parsis for centuries now. Each of its 28 states has more historical monuments to boast of than several countries around the world with distinctive architectural, cultural, and regional flavor. Vacation in India offers numerous choices of tourist destinations and extraordinarily varied holiday experiences to satisfy the most discerning traveler. In this article, we will discuss top five most visited tourist destinations in India that attract thousands of foreign tourists every year:

· Taj Mahal: Opulent and glamorous, extensive and elegant - Taj Mahal is the biggest drawer of international tourists to the country. Bill Clinton once said, "There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who have seen the Taj Mahal and love it and those who have not seen the Taj and love it." The romantic mist that surrounds Taj on full moon nights is legendary. The national heritage of India, Taj Mahal is pride of India and is a highlight of almost all Honeymoon Tours and Family Vacation Packages in India.

· Khajuraho Temples: The splendid temple town of Khajuraho was lost in anonymity for centuries together and was re-discovered by chance. India's second biggest tourist attraction, Khajuraho was once the Capital of Chandella Kings and is the highlight of Madhya Pradesh Tourism and Central India Vacation Travel Packages today. The 1000-year old architectural splendor is now a source for wonder, aesthetic joy, and spiritual exaltation to tourists from all over the world.

· Varanasi: Holiest city of Hindus, include the eternal city of Varanasi in your itinerary during your vacation in India to see a bird-eye's view of true Indian spirit. Ghats of Varanasi stretch for miles along the holy river Ganges and present a festive scene of exotic cultural and religious fiesta of India every day. The numerous temples, prestigious Banaras Hindu University, Buddhist pilgrimage site Sarnath, and Ramnagar Fort are some of the highlights of Varanasi tourism but nothing equals the early morning boat ride along the Ghats in River Ganga and the enchanting Ganga Aarti in the evening. Benarasi sarees are famous and so are music and dance styles of the city.

· Goa: There was a time when meeting new people, fantasy, and cocktail parties defined ultimate vacations dreams. Today, serenity and isolation of deserted beaches free from crowds, villas hidden from sight, and relaxing and rejuvenating Ayurveda massages appeal more to inbound tourists to India. Goa with its golden sands and swaying palm and coconut trees has adapted to changing tourism preferences quite well and has turned from a destination for hippies to a quiet and well-behaved family vacation destination in India. Ultimate beach resorts and spa experiences lure tourists to Goa today.

· Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati: The world’s richest and most visited religious center (of any faith), Lord Venkateswara’s temple is situated on Venkatadri, one of the seven hills of Tirumala in Chittor district of Andhra Pradesh. Popularly known as Balaji Temple or Srinivasa Temple, about 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims visit it daily. The number of visitors to this pilgrimage destination shoots up during the annual festival which is quite a visual treat and photographers’ delight. The exact origins and antiquity of this legendary are still subject to scholarly debates.

Get to know more about India Tourism, India Tours and holidays in India, visit at- www.annonline.com

Monday, July 12, 2010

India and Nepal Travel - A Memorable Experience

India, people say, is not a country but a continent. The wide variety you see from North to South and East to West in topography, geology, climate, costumes and dresses, languages, cuisine, religions, socio-economic settings, flora, fauna, architecture, music, dance, arts and crafts, traditions and culture is simply overwhelming. To the northeast corner of this vast rich country is mysterious and mystical Nepal, the tiny mountain nation that was closed to outsiders till as late as 1950s. Our tour to India and Nepal was short but a fulfilling one.

We started our journey at Delhi, the Capital of India and its nucleus too. A quick tour to the famous Mughal mementos such as the Red Fort, the Humayun’s Tomb and the Jama Masjid and the British landmarks such as India Gate and the President’s House was followed by a trip to Qutub Minar, the first Islamic structure in India and one of the tallest stone towers of the world. We had decided to cover the famous Golden Triangle Tour Circuit first; visit the oasis of Rajasthan – Udaipur; stay for a night at Chitvan, the luxury jungle resort near Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh; and then go to Kathmandu, the Capital of Nepal.

Next day, we proceeded to Agra to see the famous Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Taj was exactly what we were anticipating it to be. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan at the time when Mughal Empire was at its height. Laid out on a 42-acre rectangular grid along the banks of River Yamuna, Taj is indeed a poem in stone. Gardens, pools and fountains are its prelude and the main mausoleum is its verses. Sapphires, emeralds, rubies and other precious stones lend color to motifs that grace the walls of this massive marble tomb. Often cited as an Ultimate Gift of Love, Taj Mahal was designed on the basis of descriptions of Paradise found in Quran.

After seeing lavish palaces and heritage monuments of Mughals, it seemed impossible to us to be able to appreciate other forts and palaces we were about to see. But a trip to Rajasthan soon cured us of this prejudice. The lofty Hawa Mahal at Jaipur meant to be the Summer Palace for royal ladies, and the sprawling City Palace preserves the life of the royals well. You can almost visualize the procession of the King, sitting on an elephant, passing through the city and gleeful crowds of their subjects lining the streets.

Romance of the Rajput Royals found ultimate expression in the form of the Lake Palace of Udaipur, a white island palace situated in the middle of Lake Pichola. Each inch of this palace is steeped in history, mystery, and artistic excellence of the region. We were fortunate enough to attend a Royal Rajasthani Wedding there and witness the beauty of innate hospitality and exotic culture of the desert state. We clicked several photographs of rare and endangered species during our wildlife safari to Kanha National Park and spent a lovely cozy night at the luxury wildlife resort Chitvan. Beauty of its surroundings, architecture that blends well with the settings, lush luxury of its rooms, and warm services of the lodge won us over.

Kathmandu, the last leg of our Indo-Nepal tour, is not only the Capital of Nepal and gateway to Nepal tourism but also the nerve centre of its economy. We went straight to Pashupatinath Temple and paid our ablutions at the world’s largest and most sacred temple of Lord Shiva. It is also the oldest Hindu Temple that exists. We did not had much time so we just visited Narayanhiti Palace where Crown Prince Dipendra gunned down his family. We ended our memorable journey of India and Nepal on a somber note and boarded the plane back to home thinking about the mortality of human beings and immortality of their achievements.

For more information about India Travel, tour to India and Nepal and more about Golden triangle tours visit: annonline.com