On the move
A smart little new package brings the magical archipelago of the Andamans a little closer to the hassled traveller.
The Blue Yonder
A smart little new package brings the magical archipelago of the Andamans a little closer to the hassled traveller. The Andamans, an enchanted archipelago of Stone Age tribes, lush tropical forests, and mangrove swamps, that look and feel so different from anything you've seen in the mainland that it often seems like a foreign place. Sadly, a paucity of proper knowledge and exorbitant airfares ensure that more Indians travel to Koh-Samui than to Havelock Island. One of the countless little bits of forested land and golden beaches that are strung out like pearls in the Bay of Bengal, Havelock is part of a neat little package from Make My Trip that should entice many to consider a trip to the Andamans this year. The company's 'Exotic Andamans' package takes in a tour of southern Andaman centred around the Havelock and South Andaman islands. For a modest amount of Rs 31,999 per person on a twin-sharing basis, you get a seven-day tour of the islands which includes two nights in Havelock island with plenty of snorkelling thrown in. You could even customise your stay here to take in a night or two at the famous Barefoot Resort off Radhanagar beach, recently voted the best beach in the world. Apart from this, the itinerary includes five nights in Port Blair, and sightseeing trips with visits to coral islands like Jolly Buoy and Red Skin as well as a ride through heavily forested Jarawa reserves to Baratang island, famed for its crocodiles and limestone caves. When you consider that airfares to Port Blair are never less than Rs 20,000 per head, this sure sounds like a steal!
Website: www.makemytrip.com
Immersive trail
The classic Inca trail to Machu Picchu is one of the delights of intrepid travel. But like other well-known trekking trails around the world, this one too has been overrun by crowds of tourists. Here's a chance to do it differently, following another old Inca trail over high Andean passes and through some gorgeous scenery to the fabled ruins of the Incas. And it's not the only Inca city you will pass on the way, as the trail lies through the living town of Ollantaytambo, where people still live in old Inca buildings. Along the way, you get a chance to give something back to the people through daily community work. This 16-day trip is organised by the UK-based adventure specialist Dragoman, in association with Andina Travels for Pound 1,070 (Rs 76,109) (exclusive of airfares) per person.
Website: www.dragoman.com
Winter trek Tunganath
Deep in the heart of Garhwal in Uttarakhand lies the highest temple in the country. At least a thousand years old, the Shiva temple of Tunganath is situated at the impressive height of 3,680m right on the brink of the Greater Himalayan Range. A redoubtable pilgrimage at the best of times, Tunganath offers a thrilling yet relatively easy winter trek in the Himalaya. Situated on the mountain of Chandrashila which soars to a height of 4,090m, it commands an incomparable panoramic sweep of the Himalayan range from Bandarpunch in the west to Nanda Devi in the east. Drive up to Ukhimath in the Mandakini valley via Rishikesh and Rudraprayag. From there, over the next four to five days, trek up to Chopta- the gateway to Tunganath- through dense forests, lush green meadows and the crystal clear lake of Deoria Tal. Its a tough slog up, but once you make it to the top of Chandrashila, great views await. Many great tour operators like Peak Adventure Tours organise treks for Rs 18,000 per person per day with accmodation in tents and meals included. For more details and exact
quotes
visit www.peakadventuretour.com
Ski like a pro
Winter sports tourism in India is growing in leaps and bounds and here's a great way for you to learn skiing. Uttarakhand state tourism's Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) organises a two-week certificate programme on the pristine snow slopes of Auli for Rs 11,550 a person. This includes training sessions, equipment and stay at GMVN accommodation. If you feel up to it, you could even go for short walks in the area overlooking the spectacular Alakananda gorge for some great views of the eternal snows. For more details visit www.gmvnl.com
Expert Opinions
If you're travelling around India in a luxury train, living it up like a prince and soaking in the culture and heritage, then its only natural that you'd like to be informed about aspects of our culture by the best in the business. The Maharajas' Express, a venture of Royale Indian Rail Tours have a host of experts joining guests for informative lectures including the likes of star chef Vivek Singh, journalist Michael Buerk and travel writer Mark Tully on their various tours like Princely India, Royal India, Classical India, and Celestial India. Prices start from $7160 (Rs 3.28lakh).
Website: www.rirtl.com
Kerala Homestay
One of the most beautiful places in the country, the Vembanad lake and its surrounding backwaters are enchanting in any time of the season. If you don't like the cold in the northern plains, then head south this winter for this absolute steal of a deal. Mylanthra House is a lovely old bungalow set on the outskirts of the Vembanad lake in a lush green area surrounded by mangroves and water channels. Your hosts will be Basil Mylanthra and his wife Annie Basil. Enjoy the quiet life and if you're feeling adventurous, go for houseboat rides on the lake and the surrounding backwaters and enjoy delicious homecooked meals with fish straight from the fishing nets. All this for an unbeatable tariff of Rs 1,300 per day which includes a lavish breakfast. For more details including availability, visit.
www.riversideheritage.com
A smart little new package brings the magical archipelago of the Andamans a little closer to the hassled traveller. The Andamans, an enchanted archipelago of Stone Age tribes, lush tropical forests, and mangrove swamps, that look and feel so different from anything you've seen in the mainland that it often seems like a foreign place. Sadly, a paucity of proper knowledge and exorbitant airfares ensure that more Indians travel to Koh-Samui than to Havelock Island. One of the countless little bits of forested land and golden beaches that are strung out like pearls in the Bay of Bengal, Havelock is part of a neat little package from Make My Trip that should entice many to consider a trip to the Andamans this year. The company's 'Exotic Andamans' package takes in a tour of southern Andaman centred around the Havelock and South Andaman islands. For a modest amount of Rs 31,999 per person on a twin-sharing basis, you get a seven-day tour of the islands which includes two nights in Havelock island with plenty of snorkelling thrown in. You could even customise your stay here to take in a night or two at the famous Barefoot Resort off Radhanagar beach, recently voted the best beach in the world. Apart from this, the itinerary includes five nights in Port Blair, and sightseeing trips with visits to coral islands like Jolly Buoy and Red Skin as well as a ride through heavily forested Jarawa reserves to Baratang island, famed for its crocodiles and limestone caves. When you consider that airfares to Port Blair are never less than Rs 20,000 per head, this sure sounds like a steal!
Website: www.makemytrip.com
The classic Inca trail to Machu Picchu is one of the delights of intrepid travel. But like other well-known trekking trails around the world, this one too has been overrun by crowds of tourists. Here's a chance to do it differently, following another old Inca trail over high Andean passes and through some gorgeous scenery to the fabled ruins of the Incas. And it's not the only Inca city you will pass on the way, as the trail lies through the living town of Ollantaytambo, where people still live in old Inca buildings. Along the way, you get a chance to give something back to the people through daily community work. This 16-day trip is organised by the UK-based adventure specialist Dragoman, in association with Andina Travels for Pound 1,070 (Rs 76,109) (exclusive of airfares) per person.
Website: www.dragoman.com
Deep in the heart of Garhwal in Uttarakhand lies the highest temple in the country. At least a thousand years old, the Shiva temple of Tunganath is situated at the impressive height of 3,680m right on the brink of the Greater Himalayan Range. A redoubtable pilgrimage at the best of times, Tunganath offers a thrilling yet relatively easy winter trek in the Himalaya. Situated on the mountain of Chandrashila which soars to a height of 4,090m, it commands an incomparable panoramic sweep of the Himalayan range from Bandarpunch in the west to Nanda Devi in the east. Drive up to Ukhimath in the Mandakini valley via Rishikesh and Rudraprayag. From there, over the next four to five days, trek up to Chopta- the gateway to Tunganath- through dense forests, lush green meadows and the crystal clear lake of Deoria Tal. Its a tough slog up, but once you make it to the top of Chandrashila, great views await. Many great tour operators like Peak Adventure Tours organise treks for Rs 18,000 per person per day with accmodation in tents and meals included. For more details and exact
quotes
visit www.peakadventuretour.com
Winter sports tourism in India is growing in leaps and bounds and here's a great way for you to learn skiing. Uttarakhand state tourism's Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) organises a two-week certificate programme on the pristine snow slopes of Auli for Rs 11,550 a person. This includes training sessions, equipment and stay at GMVN accommodation. If you feel up to it, you could even go for short walks in the area overlooking the spectacular Alakananda gorge for some great views of the eternal snows. For more details visit www.gmvnl.com
If you're travelling around India in a luxury train, living it up like a prince and soaking in the culture and heritage, then its only natural that you'd like to be informed about aspects of our culture by the best in the business. The Maharajas' Express, a venture of Royale Indian Rail Tours have a host of experts joining guests for informative lectures including the likes of star chef Vivek Singh, journalist Michael Buerk and travel writer Mark Tully on their various tours like Princely India, Royal India, Classical India, and Celestial India. Prices start from $7160 (Rs 3.28lakh).
Website: www.rirtl.com
One of the most beautiful places in the country, the Vembanad lake and its surrounding backwaters are enchanting in any time of the season. If you don't like the cold in the northern plains, then head south this winter for this absolute steal of a deal. Mylanthra House is a lovely old bungalow set on the outskirts of the Vembanad lake in a lush green area surrounded by mangroves and water channels. Your hosts will be Basil Mylanthra and his wife Annie Basil. Enjoy the quiet life and if you're feeling adventurous, go for houseboat rides on the lake and the surrounding backwaters and enjoy delicious homecooked meals with fish straight from the fishing nets. All this for an unbeatable tariff of Rs 1,300 per day which includes a lavish breakfast. For more details including availability, visit.
www.riversideheritage.com
