India Travel » Flora And Fauna

Luxury India Trains

admin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 02:33:58 +0000

India, the land of myriad hues and colours, never fails to surprise you. The seventh largest nation in the world–bounded by the great Himalayas in the north and caressed by the foaming Indian Ocean in the south–India is a haven for the tourists.

Its rich flora and fauna; thousands of year old cultures and traditions; delicious cuisines; awe-inspiring forts and havelis of a bygone era; majestic monuments and historical palaces whose each crevice whispers in your ears the tales of valor and chivalry of the erstwhile warriors and rulers; friendly and smiling people; and pristine and beautiful sea beaches–inspire the tourists to visit this beautiful country time and again.

Many travellers come to India to cleanse themselves and find the true meaning of their life through spiritual and religious tours. Many others come here to have first-hand experience of the throbbing and pulsating India, while many others come here just to have some fun and enjoyment in peaceful, sylvan surroundings. The purpose may be different but the destination remains the same: India. Certainly, which other country in the world can offer so many surprises and attractions?

India could be explored through various means, by making use of the many major travel routes that interconnect majority of the tourist hotspots of the country. Several attractive tour packages suiting all budgets, and cooperative tour operators and travel agencies ensure that travellers to the country visit the many destinations of their choice without facing any problem.

Luxury India Trains, as the name suggests, come with luxuries befitting the rajas and the maharajas of the bygone era, and give the tourists the opportunity of a lifetime to explore the wonder that is India in the best possible way.

Such trains are different from the others in the sense that they cater to only the most discerning–mainly those who are rich and famous. What really sets such trains apart from the others is that they greatly pamper the visitors making them feel like Maharajas while they explore the various tourist hotspots of the country scattered in the various states.

Presently, India offer five luxury trains, namely, Palace On Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, Heritage On Wheels, Fairy Queen and Golden Chariot. These trains that come with all the major facilities and luxuries that the wealthiest of travellers can think of take the visitors on royal tours to some of the famous tourist hotspots of the country.

Palace On Wheels

Palace On Wheels is the best luxury train on offer. Perhaps, the best luxury train in the world, the Palace On Wheels, is only for those quality conscious travellers who aren’t ready to compromise on luxury and comfort. The train that operates from September to April takes the tourists on a wonderful journey through the various attractive destinations that they remember all their life.

Covering the three states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan the train gives the tourists the chance to have an insight into the cultural, architectural, natural and traditional facets of many regions. The memorable train journey starts from Delhi and takes the travellers to Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur and Agra before bringing them back to the national capital.

Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh and Udaipur are some of the major Indian cities much renowned for their many imposing monuments, forts and other landmarks that show Indian architecture at its best. Jodhpur–bedsides being renowned for its monuments–is also world famous for its Bird Sanctuary. And, Agra is popular for one of the Seven Wonders of the World–the one and only Taj Mahal.

The train has 14 AC saloons with each saloon having four cabins complete with all modern facilities. The two kitchen cars of the Palace On Wheels–Maharaja and Maharani–serve mouth-watering cuisine ranging from Rajasthani to Chinese to Continental. Laundry, barber and parlour facilities on offer onboard superbly compliment the other services on offer. The Khidmatgars (servants) ensure that the visitors are served in the true Hindustani style, in the best possible way.

Deccan Odyssey

Yet another luxury train, the Deccan Odyssey, takes the visitors through the various tourist places of the Indian states of Maharashtra and Goa. The sleek blue luxury train with 21 state-of-the-art coaches complete with all modern facilities can give even the more famous luxury train, Palace On Wheels, a run for its money when it comes to unmatched style, luxury and comfort.

The Deccan Odyssey, which can accommodate 104 passengers, has a well-stocked library, gymnasium, beauty parlour, an ayurvedic body massage centre, and a bar among a host of other facilities. The well-maintained bar car attached to the train offers a variety of international and national brands of finest liquor to the passengers.

On a seven-day sojourn, the train takes the tourists to several forts, beaches, palaces, besides the financial capital of India, Mumbai. The exciting train journey commences from Mumbai and covers Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Pune, Aurangabad, Ajanta and Nasik before chugging its way back to Mumbai.

Heritage On Wheels

The huge popularity of Palace On Wheels inspired the Indian government to introduce yet another luxury train to cover the desert state of Rajasthan. The new train, Heritage On Wheels–a joint venture of Indian Rail and Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation–covers the Bikaner and Shekhawati region of Rajasthan and has become a huge hit.

The train having 14 deluxe coaches comes equipped with all modern facilities that are the hallmarks of such luxury trains. The two pantry cars of the Heritage On Wheels-Maharaja and Maharani-serve delicious cuisine to the passengers who relish them while the train snakes its way towards its many destinations.

Many passengers after enjoying the sumptuous cuisine settle in the bar-cum-lounge of the luxury train that offers many famous Indian and international brands of liquor. Heritage On Wheels begins its journey from Jaipur and takes the passengers to Bikaner, Haat, Gajner, Taal Chhapar, Ramgarh and Nawalgarh before coming back to the state capital.

Fairy Queen

This is yet another luxury train that makes visiting tourist hotspots in India a pleasurable experience for the rich and quality conscious tourists. Operational from October to March, the Fairy Queen commences its journey on the second and the fourth Saturdays of the month. This heritage train has a 50-seater AC coach. It begins its journey from Delhi and goes to Alwar and Sariksa Wildlife Sanctuary on a two day-one night journey before returning back to the national capital.

The main attraction of Fairy Queen is that it’s run by the oldest locomotive in regular operation in India. The passengers enjoy the sight of the locomotive sitting behind a large glass window in the train.

The pantry car attached to the train serves mouth-watering cuisine to the passengers.

Fairy Queen is mainly for the lovers of wildlife as it takes them to Sairksa Wildlife Sanctuary and gives them the opportunity to enjoy jeep safari in the wilds of the sanctuary and have a rendezvous with the big cat, the tiger. There’s something for the culturally inclined passengers also. Cultural programmes are organised at the grand Sariksa Palace.

The Golden Chariot

The Karnataka Tourism Development Corporation run Golden Chariot is the latest in the fleet of luxury train services in India, and covers the various destinations within Karnataka.

Taking its name from the stone chariot of the Hampi ruins, the Golden Chariot starts its journey from the state capital Bangalore, proceeding to Srirangapatnam, Mysore, Kabini Sanctuary, and Shravanabelagola. From here, it leaves for Belur which is associated with 11th century Hoysala architecture, Halebidu, Hampi, Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal and Shravanabelagola, before culminating in Goa.

The itinerary enables a viewing of palaces, wildlife and beaches. The Golden Chariot promises a golden experience with privacy, comfort and a host of lively attractions all through the seven-night-and-eight-day journey.

The train’s interiors have been inspired by the opulence of Mysore and Hoysala architecture, and each of the cabins is equipped with wi-fi, LCD TV, writing desk and a wardrobe. A lounge bar and two restaurants (Nal and Ruchi), a business centre and wellness facilities (a spa and a gym) are also onboard.

By: Sanjay Kumar Pandey

Goa Tour on India Tours and Travels

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:32:45 +0000

Popularly described as the Pearl of Orient, Goa is the abode of scenic beauty and many tourist spots, intricate churches, terrific temples, exotic flora and fauna, evergreen hill and mountains and many more. It is globally famous for its pristine beaches fringed by the swaying palm and other leafy trees that create heavenly ambiance for tourists to enjoy the Goa vacation in a delightful and memorable way. It is visited by tourists all the year round making Goa the tourist destination of all seasons. Come to this state once and it is sure you will love to be back year after year to explore the beauty of the beaches and its amazing tourism options.

Goa is predominantly known for its fun filled beaches that offer tourists to enjoy sometime of their life with immense happiness. The beaches creates amiable ambiance for tourists to enjoy the fulfilled beach activities along the silver coastline. You can sit under the umbrella of the beach and enjoy the scenic beauty of the surrounding. You can enjoy fun filled activities like swimming, angling, motorboat tour, beach volleyball, football and many other delightful beach activities can be enjoyed on the seashore of Goa beaches. Well for honeymooners and newly wedded couples beaches of goa creates heavenly ambiance. It is the most favored destination and offers couples to spend time in a romantic way to make the honeymoon tour Goa an experience of lifetime.

Exotic flora and fauna of the state also helps in the boom of Goa tourism. Most of the forest here is owned by the government making it most protected and safe place for the wildlife species. In the year 1999 the National Geographic Magazine compared the vegetation of Goa with Amazing and Congo basin. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Cotigoa Wildlife Sanctuary, Mandovi- Zaruri Wildlife Sanctuary, Bondala Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, etc are the most admired wildlife parks and sanctuaries of the state. Tourists can enjoy safari inside these national parks and sanctuaries to spot the wild in their natural home. You can also spot various colourful species of birds twittering in the jungle, flying here and there and some singing in the melodious tune. Enjoying safari in these exotic wildlife parks and sanctuaries of the state will truly be the delightful experience of tour in Goa.

Well if you know Goa only for its pristine beaches and exotic flora and fauna then you are missing the best part of the Goa vacation. This tiny state of India is also famous for its Heritage monuments and churches which till date preserves the essence of the Portuguese presence in Goa. Intricate churches with beautiful glass works and beautiful designed lures the heart of tourists. Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, St Francis of Assisi, St Cajetan, the tower of St. Augustine, etc are some of the finest churches in Goa. These are internationally known heritage sites which depicts the rich cultural heritage of India.

Beside these tours in Goa is made more delightful and memorable by the warm hospitality and world class accommodation facilities offered by the Goa hotels. Most of the hotels in Goa offer the scenic and picturesque view of the beaches making tourists stay in the hotel more memorable and enjoyable. There are many more to explore on Goa tours which can hardly be described with words but it is better experienced. Tour operators provide gamut of tailor made Goa packages for tourists to enjoy vacation in Goa in a delightful and memorable way. Overall we can say that holiday vacation in Goa the beach capital of India is a lifetime experience.

By: Terence Lewis

Enjoy Your Holidays In India

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:12:42 +0000

If you want to get a glimpse of perfect holiday and tourism in Asia, you must visit India which is considered as the most popular tourist destination of Asia. India is a true destination for those people who have desire to enjoy a lot of tourism options in a single country. In other word, it is a country that hosts something for everyone. In whatever part of the country you travel, North India, East India, West India, Central India or South India, you will find unity, love, rich cultural heritage, rich flora and fauna, generous people to help you, and wonderful holiday spots which surely will be a unique and pleasant experience. Truly, your India holiday tours will be a pleasant experience.

For spending holidays and tourism in India, there are several travel agencies or tour operators who offer attractive holiday tours packages to the various holiday spots of India and provide useful information on India tourism. One of the most popular holiday destinations in India is Rajasthan. Perhaps your India tours would be incomplete without taking a part in Rajasthan holiday tours . The largest state of India, Rajasthan is one of the most popular travel & holiday destinations of India and globally famous for its rich cultural heritage and tradition of finest hospitality.

In whatever part of Rajasthan you will travel, you will find several picturesque holiday destinations & spots dotted with magnificent forts & palaces. Drenched in rich culture and royal grandeur the royal land of Rajasthan draws the attentions of a large number of tourists from all over the world. During your Rajasthan holiday tours apart form rich cultural heritages and magnificent forts & palaces, you will also have an excellent opportunity to explore its rich flora and fauna or explore the desert landscapes and remote villages of the region by camel ride.

Rajasthan tourism presents a real image of India tourism and never fails to impress its visitors with its several tourism options be it cultural, adventurous, wildlife expedition, nature walk, or simply a luxurious holiday. If you too want to spend your holiday and enjoy an unforgettable holiday experience during your India tours you must be a part of Rajasthan holiday tours. You may opt for any one of Rajasthan tour packages offered by various travel agencies or tour operators and book your tour package through their websites. In brief, India is a perfect holiday destination and famous among tourist from all over the world.

By: Michael Braganza

Experience the Ultimate Thrill of Safari in India

admin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:41:03 +0000

India is one of the few destinations in the world where spending wildlife and adventure vacation can surely turn out to be your unforgettable experience. Today it won’t be wrong to say that India is a country that offers enormous opportunities to travel around its diverse natural beauty and enjoy adventure activities that can be rarely found in any other parts of the world. In fact, it is a land that is blessed with tremendous natural beauty in the form of dense forests with unique flora and fauna.

Travel to these dense forests can offer an ample of opportunities to view some of the rare and unique animals through naked eyes. The thrill of watching a tiger in the jungle on an Indian wildlife safari or having a close look on the dewdrops that sparkles on a spider’s web, among the vegetation of an Indian wildlife sanctuary cannot always be described in words. The joy of watching different aspects of jungle’s natural beauty through safari can really be a trilling experience.

Scenic grandeur, incomparable adventures and varied cultural splendors are just few countable attributes that combine collectively to give a distinctive glimpse of this unique place and enjoy safari tour. It is a land of sweeping landscapes that take your breath away and a paradise filled with a captivating diversity of the most impressive and amazing wildlife to be found anywhere. This exciting mixture of elements naturally serves to make Indian safari holidays the most memorable travel experience that any adventure freak person can hope for.

Over the last few years, this land has attracted the attentions of numerous wildlife enthusiasts, adventure lovers and researchers. Featured with a fine range of luxury and easily accessibility of different budget accommodation options to choose from, wildlife tours in India has gained new recognition. Adding to this, today this land also encapsulates the parks, dense woods and beautiful camping areas.

Some of the places that have always pulled the attention of national and international vacationers are Jim Corbett National Park, Ranthambore National Park, Kanha National Park and Kaziranga National Park. Situated in some of the major regions of the country, these safari destinations are the ultimate treasure of flora and fauna that is worth to explore once in a lifetime. So, this season, if you are looking forward or planning to have Indian safari tours, here are some of the few best options you can go for:

Wildlife Safari - India has a lot to offer when it comes to favorite destinations for wildlife safari. There are different travel operators that offer safari tour packages. Each of these safari tour programs is well-planned and has a bunch of experienced and knowledgeable guides, who have expertise in geographical conditions, culture, backgrounds related to a particular destination.

Jeep Safari – Jeep Safari is a perfect alternative in lieu of natural rides for getting close to the nature. The most famous and exciting route in India is Delhi to Leh that encapsulates numerous exciting places in between. In addition to this, other favorite destinations are Kerela, Madhya Pradesh, Ladakh and many more. Today there are number of jeep safari tours in India that covers some of the best places located in the regions like the Himalayas, cities and deserts of Rajasthan and many more.

Motor Bike Safari- Motor biking is a rigorous sport and in last couple of years has gained immense popularity among adventure lovers. Biking in middle of the luxurious surrounding of nature becomes more tranquilizing and this is what a vacationer can enjoy once he or she opts for a motor bike safari tour package offer. It doesn’t matter whether it is the mountain ranges of the Himalayas or the south Indian mountainous treks, motor biking in India can be a real adventure experience in India.

Camel Safari- Camel Safaris in India are now one of the fastest selling safari tour programs. Today camel safari in India is a great way to see the desert, visit the villages and know more about the culture and tradition of places encompassing deserts in India. Apart from this, it also provides numerous options for sightseer to look out for amazing sand dunes in the middle of a camel safari.

Elephant Safari- Riding an elephant takes one back to the royal era, when only the kings use to ride on these majestic creatures. The ride is extremely calm and takes the traveler on a beautiful journey, passing through the arduous paths; where vehicles can’t even make a move. The major and the most popular places that are covered are primarily the southern as well as few parts in the northern part of India like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and many more.

Today there are many safari holiday options in India that help you revitalize your mind and know more about some of the most important lessons of life and different safari destinations. All that is required is selecting the safaris tour program that you as a traveler would like to be part of.

By: Kandpal Chandra Subhash

Travel to India – A Perfect Destination for Your Memorable Holiday

admin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:57:03 +0000

Since historic ages, India had been a popular destination of tourist interest. It had been attracted tourists, backpackers, vacationers, honeymooners, nature lovers, business men, merchants, etc from all over the world. India has been gifted with a lot of tourism options and has something for every tourist. Snow-capped mountain peaks, breathtaking beaches, rich cultural heritage, blazing deserts, rich flora and fauna, diverse & picturesque landscapes, pilgrimage centers, spots for adventure & sports, lovely lakes, magnificent hotels and excellent accommodation, etc are enough to make India one of the most popular tourist destinations around the world.

On your India tour, in whatever part or states of India, you will travel in you will find something extra and something new to please you. Every region and state of India has something to offer its visitors. Rajasthan (famous for magnificent forts & palaces, deserts and rich culture & tradition), Goa (famous for exotic beaches, churches, etc), Kerala (famous for breathtakingly beautiful beaches, backwater, natural beauty, etc), Kashmir (famous for extraordinary natural beauty), Himachal Pradesh (famous for beautiful hill stations), Uttaranchal (famous for natural beauty and hill stations), Uttar Pradesh (the home of India’s star attractions – Taj Mahal), etc are some major tourist destinations which you love to visit during your India tours.

To have a comfortable and hassle free India tour and glimpse of tourism in India, you can opt for good services of India travel agents . There are a number of travel agents in India which offers good services. They also offer useful information on India travel guide and India travel packages according to your preference and choice. You can select India travel packages according to theme like heritage tours, adventure tours, monument tours, historic tours, cultural tours, wildlife expedition, pilgrimage tours, trekking tours, beach tours, etc. In fact, India tourism has something for every tourist. Even honeymooners and newly wedded couples prefer to enjoy their honeymoon holiday in India.

India travel agents can assist you to choose your right tour package according to your preference and choice. If you too have decided to travel to India, it is advisable, opt for services of a good India travel agent and book your tour packages well in advance so that you can avoid last minute disappointment and travel in the country in more and more convenient way. Keep it mind; always select a good India tour operator or travel agent, who has experience, excellent infrastructure, dedication and who is real professional to plan your precious India tours.

By: Michael Braganza

Wildlife Sanctuaries of South India

admin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:20:13 +0000

The best part with wildlife sanctuaries in south India is that they have awaken interest in wildlife even in persons who have not so far been much concerned with the great struggle fought for conservation. They showcase the beauty & grace of the denizens of the forests and something of the high drama of life itself.

Overview

The rich wildlife of this region of India – comprising states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Pondicherry and Andhra Pradesh – is a big hit with tourists from across the globe. The sumptuousness in the wildlife comes with the varied climate and topography. March to October is the best season to explore the wildlife sanctuaries.

It is an incredible land with amazing wildlife destinations in its sleeves. A home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, this region is truly a paradise for wildlife buffs.Visit this enchanting land and treat your senses with a variety of wildlife, including the endangered ones. Capture the delightful sights of the colorful birds and fascinating animals in your camera and make your own record of golden memories to take back home. Here you will find adventure in plenty!

Major Wildlife Sanctuaries

The legacy of exotic wild animals that we have inherited in our forests in this region of the country is controlled by several wildlife sanctuaries & national parks. In its diversity of life forms, India is the second largest country of the world. Some of the best wildlife sanctuaries of South India are:

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) Periya Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) Bandipur National Park (Karnataka) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu) Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu) Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka) Dandeli Kali Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka) Crocodile Bank (Chennai, Tamil Nadu) Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu) Kumarakam Bird Sanctuary (Kerala) Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)

By: Sanjog KR