In the Wilderness of Gujarat

Sitting gloriously on the western coast of India and surging with medium and large size manufacturing industries, Gujarat has sprung up to become the economic powerhouse of India. The elaborate palace structures and intricate temple designs speak volumes about its laudable past. From producing great leaders to entice the world with its unique craft and sharing its peaceful space with communities persecuted in many parts of the world, Gujarat seems to leave a permanent mark on the globe. But there is another side to this very land unveiled by the inquisitive birders and wildlife enthusiasts.

The assemblage of diverse landscape boasting beautiful colonies of birds and mammals are thriving in the blissful corners of this vibrant land. Jamnagar is one such destination. Situated on the shores of Arabian Sea, the place is a giant gateway for seabirds and other migrant species who travel all the way from Europe and upper regions of Asia. During winters its unique amalgamation of freshwater lakes and marshy wetland transforms into the breeding ground for Typical plovers, Kentish Plover, Common ringed plover, Black Ibis, Grey Patridge, Caspian Gull, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Green Stone Plover, Green Shank, Little Tern, Indian Skimmer, etc. One can get many opportunities to photograph the stunning congregation of Crab Plovers, Great Crested Grebe, and Oystercatcher from various angles.

Bhuj is yet another destination that has caught the eyes of many travel enthusiasts and photographers. Also popular by the name of Greater Rann of Kutch, the seemingly endless expanse of Bhuj radiates like a moon during nights. While getting soaked into the stunning vistas of white that extend to the horizon and beyond, and enjoying the colorful village life in the Rann, one can also take some time off to track down the mysterious lives of Chestnut Bellied Sandgrouse, Striolated buntings, Greater Painted-snipe, White-napped Tit, Variable Wheateater, Southern Grey Shrike, Rosy Startling, and the sought-after middle eastern bird the Grey Hypocolius.

 Six hours drive from Bhuj will bring you to the salt marshes of Little Rann of Kutch. The place has garnered international recognition for becoming the last refuge of Asiatic Wild Ass. The myriads of migratory birds gathering in its vast wetland seem to evoke a spectacular beauty. The congregation of Lesser & Greater Flamingos, the elegance of Desmoiselles Cranes, the muster of Northern Pintail, Common Pochard and the solitary lives of MacQueen's Bustard, Short-eared Owl, Marsh Harrier, Greater Hoopoe-Lark seem to add a surreal quality to this barren land.

Supporting the grassland Ecosystem, Velavadar National Park carries the highest population of Blackbuck- An antelope that has become vanished from many parts of Indian Subcontinent. The park also rose to fame for becoming the highest roosting point of Harriers. While traversing in the region one can find various species of Harriers including Montagu's Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, etc. During monsoon, one can also chance upon sighting the spectacular display of the critically endangered Lesser Florican which has become a prized possession of Velavadar National Park.

The last wilderness wonder of this vibrant land is GirNational Park of Sasan Gir. Known for its ultimate Lion Safari, the park is a classic example of sheer determination that has managed to swell the population of nearly extinct Asiatic Lion. Today, it has become the last bastion of these majestic felines that once dominated swathes and forests of Asia. Besides catering to the guests' needs, the staff work on creating birdhouses from the waste, growing organic food for the guests and using coconut pots instead of plastic pots to make the garden flowery.

Walking on these off the beaten tracks will surely make one realise the exclusive wildlife breathing in the diverse topography of Gujarat.

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What do you love about mountains?

Mountains have always been at my beck and call whenever I need a break from my hectic schedule bringing creativity in my thought process and newness in my perception. This time along with my office colleagues I planned to unfold astounding beauty of Kumaon. Although the region has garnered name across the tourists for its breathtaking landscapes, and mouthwatering cuisine, the trip handcrafted by Asian Adventures made us unlock many untouched places brimming with natural beauty away from the gaze travel buffs. Corbett National Park was our first stopover- surrounded by verdant mountains and crisscrossed by hidden creeks, the place is an ultimate destination to venture into the wild terrain of India. It took us around six hours drive to enter the Himalayan Foothills of Corbett National Park. The windy air in the area was enough to revive our excitement that was transforming into fatigue after six hours long drive. We had our breakfast at Tiger Camp Resort in Corbett where we stayed till noon.

 The resort is encompassed by thirteen independent cottages and fourteen superior rooms offering a mesmerizing view of the dense thickets. It is interesting to see how all the rooms of the resort gives a comfortable and luxurious stay without compromising with the ethos of the surrounding. Besides taking a dip in the swimming pool it also has its own private meadow where one can relax and enjoy the course of Kosi river. After having a hefty breakfast and spending some time in the vicinity of the resort we headed towards Ranikhet yet another Kumaoni destination perched at a height of 6,153 feet. As we were crossing through the dense thickets of Corbett our eyes glued at the serpentine flow of Kosi river beautifully blending with the verdant hills of the region. While driving upwards we got an amazing view of the Garjiya Devi Temple, one of the prominent temple in Uttarakhand located at the outskirts of Corbett. The captivating scenery motivated us to take some photographs before resuming our journey. Our driver told us that the temple precinct is not only sacred for the pilgrims but it is also considered a holy grail for some of the rarest and gorgeous species of Himalayas including Ibisbill, Pallas's fish eagle, Tawny fish owl, etc. Cruising through the scenic pathways of hovering clouds and green hills we reached Ranikhet- the Queen's meadow.

Carrying the colonial connection, this prolific hill station and cantonment town of Ranikhet was established as a holiday destination during summers by the Britishers. We came across several scenic spots giving a spellbound backdrop of the majestic Himalayan and the blooming valleys. Located near the army cantonment area and dedicated to Goddess Durga sitting on a swing, the 8th-century Jhula Devi Temple is highly revered amongst the Goddess devotee attracting pilgrims from all corners. As we entered the temple we were surprised by the number of bells hanging across the temple vicinity. While the sanctum sanctorum of the temple embellished by statues of Gods and Goddess. Just a minute walk brought us to another famous temple- the Ram Mandir founded by a famous saint living in the region. To reach the sanctum santorum of the temple we had to climb fleets of stairs and made our way to the ancient cave which was sitting just below the temple region. Driving through the topsy-turvy lanes brought us one of India's most spectacular garden- the Chaubatia Garden. While walking through its green and flowery passage we were exposed to the beautiful fruit orchards of Apricots, Lychees, Walnuts, and Apples scattered across its vast and astonishing expanse. As everyone were busy capturing this scenic views in their cameras, my eyes fell upon 2 pheasants who were playing around as I inched towards them they concealed themselves in the large blades of grasses. 

The area was echoing with the whistling call of Blue-whistling thrush and Hoopoes. From Chaubatia Garden we made our way to Mankameshwar Temple and Shall Factory- A place that has a beautiful collection of handmade stuff by the locals. Haidakhan Temple was our last stop before we retired for the day. Founded by Haidakhan who is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva to whom this temple is dedicated, the place is ringed by the renowned peaks of the Himalayas attracting an amazing influx of both pilgrims and adventure lovers who desire to soak into the glory of temple's mystical and natural beauty.

As the dusk was falling rapidly, we moved towards our hotel- Snow View Ranikhet. Making our way through the bustling market as reached the hotel it was already dark. We settled down in our respective rooms, rested for a while before coming down in the dining area for devouring into the sumptuous Kumaoni cuisine. Residing in the picturesque location and offering a panoramic view of the valley, Snow View- Ranikhet comprises of ten rooms equipped with modern amenities and a team of caring staff who ensure that you have a cozy and comfortable stay during your sojourn in Ranikhet. Next morning we woke up to the shaft of light penetrating through the window and witness the romance of floating clouds caressing the verdant hills. Post breakfast we headed towards Ranikhet's Golf Course which included amongst the highest golf courses of Asia. This smoldering place is just a few minutes drives from our hotel- Snow View Ranikhet. Strolling around its tranquil landscape everyone was captivated by the magnificent location the place had to offer. We spend around an hour over there before proceeding towards Jageshwar- the abode of Lord Shiva. En-route we enjoyed watching the humble life of villagers who are settled across the breathtaking hamlet of Himalayas. Sitting at a height of 6,135′ feet, Jageshwar is considered to be one of India's ancient village that earlier used to be halting-place for the pilgrims of Kailash Mansarovar. On arrival at this picturesque location amidst the dense thickets of Deodar trees, we had a scrumptious lunch at Cafe Swayambhu of Van Serai and strolled around the vicinity before making our way to Jageshwar Dham.

A 2500-year-old Shiva Temple Complex carrying more than 100 small temples dedicated to Gods and Goddess besides lord Shiva. Mukteshwar was the next destination in this enchanting journey. The place is composed of independent cottages and beautiful garden giving an incredible view of the enchanting valley blending with the snow-capped mountains ringed around the surrounding. While strolling around the resort’s vicinity we tried out freshly made chocolates beautifully placed inside the choco-house of Mountain Trail. After having dinner in the dining area we discussed our next day's plan before retiring to our respective rooms. Next day I woke up early morning to witness the crimson sky and capture the alluring sunrise that had cast a magical spell on the valley. Following breakfast, we headed towards Chauli Ki Jali- a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Bounded by the mesmerizing views of the Himalayan range and Kumaon valley, the adrenaline rush we experienced while climbing the rock was inexplicable. From Chauli Lo Jali we trailed towards the century-old Mukteshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The culmination of the tour was when we visited the cascading waterfall of Bhalu Gaad Falls. The two night three days journey made me explore the hidden gems of Uttarakhand untouched and unspoilt by the maddening crowd. It has beautifully rekindled my bond with mountains which lost in the competitive struggle of metro cities.

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Weekend Excursion to Jaipur

Inside the pink city of Rajasthan- the land of glorious history, exuberant lifestyle, and palatial edifices, we got the opportunity to explore the quintessential of Jaipur. To avoid the chaotic traffic of Delhi and NCR we chose to kickstart our journey at the crack of dawn. En-route we halted at Highway King to have our breakfast. After filling our palate with the scrumptious Cholle Bhatture and Stuffed Paranthas, we resumed our wonderful excursion. As per the plan, we were all set to explore the eerie fort of Bhangarh shrouded with many mysterious stories. Unfortunately, the uninvited glitch in our bus prevented us to visit the place and unfold its mystical structure, nonetheless, we continued our journey and entered the Rajputana kingdom by noon. The heat was soaring but it did not deter our enthusiasm to experience the extravagant lifestyle of Jaipur's royal family.  

City Palace was our first stop, established by Maharaja Swai Jai Singh 2, the place is not only an epitome of Indian architecture it is inscribed in the Indian History for playing a historic role in the 1947 partition of India-Pakistan border. Our guide Mr. Shekhawat navigated us through the entire palace telling us interesting stories about each king who has occupied the throne of this great kingdom. From the two large Silver Water Urns for keeping Gangajal to the stylish robes worn by kings and queens, miniature paintings superbly exhibiting the famous battle of Panipat,  and the array of armaments employed during wars, everything was beautifully preserved giving us a deep insight into the dazzling world of the royals.

Jantar Mantar was our next stopping point. Sitting adjacent to the City Palace, Jantar Mantar was yet another wonderment built by Maharaja Swai Jai Singh 2 in 1724 with the purpose of astronomical and astrological calculation. The number of yantras established within the observatory of Jantar Mantar to study the patterns of stars and compute time. It clearly validates that the place was ahead of its time even before the idea of the complex Hubble Space Telescope Observatory was conceived by the west. We spent a significant amount of time in the area looking at how these ancient old instruments operate many of us were enthralled by the accuracy with which these devices calculated time through sunlight. We were so engrossed in the science of calculation that we became oblivious to our check-in time. By the time we reached Ginger Hotel, it was already 3 PM we were famished but the restaurant was closed. 

However, the staff was gracious enough to serve us lunch in spite of our tardiness. After having a delicious meal everyone retired to their rooms. At 5 PM everyone assembled at the reception area and made our way to the famous bustling Bapu Bazar. Before dispersing to our respective zone of interest we gathered at Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar trying its unique beverages and snacks including Lassi, LMP rejuvenation, Ghewar, and Onion Kachoris. The bazaar shared a slight resemblance with Delhi's Chandani Chawk. Encircled with traditional artisans’ quarters, Bapu Bazaar is filled with traditional Saris and fabrics. While traversing through the place the girls were transfixed by the glitters of bangles and danglers, the boys were busy taking photos at Hawa Mahal. 

Finally, we met at a common point from where the vegetarians moved towards Balaji for eating the traditional Rajasthani cuisine including Dal Bati Churma, Jwar Ka Parantha, and Gatte Ki Sabzi and the Non-vegetarians moved towards Serai Marg exploring the spicy mutton curry and smokey chicken tikka.

Next morning with the wee hour we moved towards the most awaited Leopard Safari in 

Jhalana  National Park. Settled at a stone’s throw from the heart of Jaipur City, the dry deciduous forest of the park boasts the highest concentration of Asian Leopards. As we paved way through the woods the mesmerizing sights of the peafowl transfixed our eyes. 

Their calls were reverberating in the entire jungle. While some were perching on the trees others were fanning their tails alluring their better halves to join them and mark the beginning of their courtship period. After every small interval, we would get fleeting glimpses of Golden Oriole, Rufous Treepie, Black Drongo, Magpie Robin, Grey francolin and Red-wattled lapwing. At times our ears would buzz with the sharp whistling call of Indian Pitta but couldn’t track it down until we saw the passerine bird roosting on a tall tree. All the colors of the spectrum seem to radiate from the beautiful plumage of this winged species perhaps that’s why it is a target species for a lot of birding enthusiasts. It was almost two hours we had covered all the area of this vast forest, many of us who were excited in the beginning were heavily drowsily waiting for the safari to come to an end and then there were few who were receptive to every movement taking place in the jungle. The air was extremely calm without a single call of a bird or a mammal we were moving downwards and within a fraction of seconds, a leopard and a leopardess crossed our path back to back. While the Leopard sprinted up in the hills the Leopardess popularly known as Flora gave us some time to photograph her before vanishing in the thick foliage.

PC- Devyani Leo

It was a dream come true for all of us who desired to see this shy yet majestic being from close quarters.

By Devyani Leo For Asian Adventures

Asian Adventures Takes Weekend Trip to Jhalana For Leopard Safari and Birdwatching.

Contact us for more details on Weekend getaways from Delhi and Jaipur Tour Packages  

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Family Holiday Packages in India

Experience India in its delightful glory through well-chosen India family tour packages; take help of Expert advice of Asian Adventures Experts. With an ancient history spanning thousands of years, India is a land of over a billion hearts, rich culture and incredible visuals and heritage. Each region of India is blessed with its unique geography, wildlife and flora, and fauna, and with it come exclusive cultures, cuisines, traditions, and lifestyles.

There are many different manners to witness the grandeur of India. Indian cultural tours, classical India tours, wildlife and birding tours, adventure tours, spiritual tours, luxury tours, wellness tours and many more tours crafted to explore incredible India. With its history of various rulers, Indian cuisines reflect all of their cultures and hence are a heady mix. Delicious Indian cuisines are not to be missed in any India tour you choose.

The sheer magic of Rajasthan is simply overwhelming. The peaceful sand dunes come alive up with the colorful disposition of its people. There are many UNESCO world heritage sites in the state of  Rajasthan. Magnificent forts and monuments, Camel rides, local musical folklores, beautiful handicrafts are some of the trademarks of a typical Rajasthan city. Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Udaipur, Pushkar are a few places a family will love to visit in Rajasthan. One can also opt for a luxury train tour  which will give your family a lifetime experience of Royalty of Rajasthan.

For Families interested in a Himalayan sojourn experience the spectacular Himalayas and its surroundings in Asian Adventures Himalayas tour. India is home to many scenic hill stations with the Himalayas as their backdrop. The Himalayan Snow capped mountains the clean springs and lush green carpets of grass are home to many species of birds and mammals. Himalayan Lodges offer many adventures activities for indulging in some adventure sports like trekking, paragliding, skiing and similar activities. Nainital, Manali, Ladakh, Shimla, Darjeeling, Dharamsala are a few of such places.

God's own country Kerala the southernmost state of India has tranquil backwater, hill stations with lush tea plantations, clear beaches and outstanding bird and wildlife sanctuaries. This is amongst the must visit destinations of the world in a lifetime. You have to soak in its beauty and witness its grandeur. Kerala is also known for its fantastic Ayurvedic massages and therapies which are simply the best in the world.

Amongst option for a family holiday package in  India the Indian national parks, wildlife and bird sanctuaries to be a nature lover's delight. Asiatic Lions, Leopards, Tigers,  single-horned rhinos, elephants, cheetals, blackbucks, elephants, and many more draw a complete picture of a typical Indian wildlife. The Bird sanctuaries are home to both domestic and migratory birds too. Kanha National Park, Ranthambore National Park, Sunderbans are just a few of such locales.

India offers a chance for the spiritually-inclined to understand and practice various religions. From Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam to Christianity, India has welcomed all religions with open arms and each faith is celebrated with equal fervor. Asian Adventures signature tour Sikkhism, Buddhism and the British Raj is another tour ideal for families to undertake and this family tour packages give you a glimpse of the Golden triangle and Dharamshala.

Family Holiday Packages in India with Asian Adventures offers an experience of the most exotic land in some in wonderful and unparallel ways. You can choose from the many options of India tours packages that are on offer by Asian Adventures or let our experts design a tour to suit your requirements.

Want to spend your holidays in India, Explore India Family Tour packages, India Cultural Travel Packages and India visit www.asianadventures.in