Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race is a famous sport, which is attended by thousands of people, both tourists, and locals every year. The people of Kerala eagerly await this competition and preparations begin well in advance for the same. During this time, the otherwise calm and serene lake transforms into a battleground with boatmen from different villages competing for the prestigious trophy.
Flying across the Himalayas, the Great Himalayan Divide and the Pir Panjal ranges of Ladakh with views of the Eastern Karakorams before landing at Leh, experience possibly one of the world’s most spectacular flying experiences. Land at the quaint though now fairly bustling township of Leh and take rest for the day to acclimitise to an altitude of 3,500 meters.
A fairly demanding high altitude trek, starting with first arriving into Leh in Ladakh, driving to Zanskar, then over the Umasi La pass (5,300 meters), this trek takes you into the lesser known Sumchan valley. End the trek in the Kishtwar region located between Jammu and Kashmir after crossing the Great Himalayan Divide Ranges which separate the Himalayas from the Zanskar and further, Karakorams.
Ladakh, is a stark lunar landscaped land of a high altitude and a cold desert inhabited by Buddhist people following the Lama form of Mahayana Buddhism. Living under the shadows of the surrounding snow covered mountains of both the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges and praying at their monasteries perched on-top of hills trying to reach out to the gods. With prayer wheels in their hands rotating the prayers in the wind “Om Mani Padme Hum” describing the God Buddha as a jewel sitting in a lotus flower.
An exciting boat safari through the mingling waters of the Dhansari and Brahmaputra River with plenty of fresh water dolphin sightings. Get ready to spot swimming elephants, wild buffaloes, tigers, deer, occasionally rhinos, water monitor lizards, beavers, monkeys, turtles, eagles, vultures, storks, kingfishers and more.
The Diskit Monastery is 350 years old and is the main attraction of this village, is also consider the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery which houses a Maitreya Buddha statue, paintings, drums and Tibetan color-patterned silk.35 metre statue of Maitreya Buddha facing down the Shyok River towards Pakistan.
The sanctuary is one of the oldest parts of the Mount Abu mountain ranges and is the origin of numerous sightseeing points with exquisite views. It was given the status of a wildlife sanctuary in 1960 to preserve flora and fauna of the entire region and is, therefore, an important eco-tourism spot.
Pangong Lake is located through Changla pass at 5486 Mtr. It is the highest land locked lake situated at 14,000 feet (4,350 m ). A long narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly six to seven kilometer at its widest point and over 130 km long, it is bisected by the international border between India and China.
Shey Palace is regarded as the ancient capital of Ladakh. The monastery here has a huge gold-gilded statue of Buddha with a large silver lamp burning in front of the statue.
It is the of the most visited places in Manali, with the drive up to Solang being as picturesque as the valley itself. Not only does Solang Valley offer some breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, but its slopes are also a very popular skiing destination, especially during the winter. In summers, the place turns into a paragliding haven.
Thikshey Gompa is an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village. The monastery has a beautiful 30 m high gold-plated statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future.
Firmly perched atop a 100ft sand dune the Dera Dune Retreat is one of the few luxury resorts of its kind. This a place where the vast expanse of the desert completely envelopes your senses and you can’t help but give into its charms.
White water rafting is an adventure sport that should be on every traveller’s list.
Saved from the ravages of time and modern civilization is a small town called Orchha, which still carries remnants of its glorious past. And on the Betwa River, old-world charm comes into a seamless confluence with the modern world through river rafting.
