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| A SIMPLE SMILE LIGHTS UP THE ENTIRE VILLAGE |
| Photo Location : Kathmandu, Nepal |
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Dipti Pradhan
The only thing that Dipti Pradhan remembered of her country, which she left at the age of 4, were the large eyes on the Swayambhunath temple in Kathmandu. Back from the United States to rediscover her roots at 24, it was the little things in the off-beat villages that really made her feel at home – the endless paddy fields, thatched roofs of homes, sickle and sack cladded farmers and kids playing on the streets with abandon. She once met a clutch of chanting Buddhist monks, who immediately flashed a smile and took her in as one of her own and offered a cup of tea in the monastery. This is one of the most heartwarming memories of her trip to the Himalayan home she sorely misses, back in New York.
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| Phewa lake in Pokhara |
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| A SUMME RDESTINAION THAT SHOULD BE THERE ON YOUR ITINERARY |
| OFFBEAT IDEAS TO STEP INTO 2016 |
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| Tropical summers of the subcontinent should not be a deterrent for you to visit the region. The foot of the Himalayas is where you should be headed and there is no better place than the small nation, north of India – Nepal. The dramatic peak tower over the spiritual capital of Kathmandu and other tourist gems like Pokhara, Bhaktapur, Chitwan and Dhulikhel. Expect to be in the company of great vistas and soothing reverence to the divine. Here are the top five experiences that would enrich the journey many folds. |
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| A Palate of Greens at Chitwan National Park – A safari in the Chitwan National Park will put all wildlife enthusiasts’ curiosity to rest. The dense jungle can be explored in many different ways in search for the elusive one-horned rhinoceros. Elephant backs, canoes or the industry of your own feet can unravel the beauty in the jungle at every bend in the dirt road. It’s a near ethereal experience to be in the midst of a thousand shades of green. |
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| The elephant interaction can be in one more way – you can actually help the mahout bathe and feed them – a perfect activity for children. Wonders of Pokhara – The reasons for Pokhara’s popularity in the tourist sector get summarized in two words - gorgeous views. It’s laid back vibe is a seductive hook to book a guesthouse by the lake and sit in the balcony with a good book. What adds to the charm of the placid lake is the reflection of the mountains. The mirror calm waters and the lopsided mountains in them make for a great photo opportunity as well. In the evenings, head to the many cafes that skirt the lake and also try your luck at the casinos. |
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| Elephant back safari to spot rhinos in Chitwan |
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Feel One With Nature at the Gokyo Lakes – Not everyone can manage to do the Everest Base Camp, but you have a worthy alternative – the Dudh Kosi Valley which houses the calm Gokyo Lakes. The Everest doesn’t seem too far from here and one almost imagines that the peak would be easy to climb. But leave that thought aside and enjoy the view instead and the proximity to one of the most picturesque place on the planet. Since the lakes are located at a high altitude, a little acclimatization is recommended. The Spiritual Draw of Bhaktapur – An essential on the itinerary for culture and history enthusiasts, the town of Bhaktapur fails to disappoint all who step here. The charming medieval alleys of Bhaktapur transport you into a bygone era, almost 5000 years ago. The intricate carvings on the wooden walled temples, a shrine at every corner and important historical relics are why this town is known as the ‘city of devotees’ or the ‘city of culture’. Add to this the peaks in the vicinity and the picture almost fits that of paradise |
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SUPRIYA SEHGAL
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Footloose in
Nepal |
| Walking on the Wild Side of Nepal |
| Imagine traversing the entire length and breadth of the country on foot? One would think that this is geared for exceptional adventurers or not made for the faint-hearted, but the walking trails of Nepal can be done even by those who are reasonably fit. Besides, what better way of seeing a country than a slow paced long walk, stopping when you please. From highlands to Himalayas, the county offers spectacular vistas to soak in. And if you’re walking through villages, you can be sure to see local life at close proximity. Who knows, you might also get invited for a cup of tea inside a local home. We’ve explored some of the best walking trails in the region for our adventure audience. Here are some of the best: |
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| Lotus Mahal |
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| Makalu Base Camp – Usually, travellers do not think ahead of the Mt. Everest Base Camp. Thousands of travellers from across the world want to reach here, if not the peak. We take you on a journey, which is away from this scramble. Try the Makalu Base camp. This peak is the 5th highest in the world and offers stunning scapes of dense rain forests over steep passes, to high pastures below glacier-clad peaks. Heaven on earth. Ofcourse, to traverse this ruggest trail, one should go with trained instructors, as all you see on the way is a handful of teahouses and villages. |
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Mardi Himal Trek – Just east of one the most popular routes, the Annapurna basecamp, the Mardi Himal Trek is delightfully untreaded.
Evading the eyes of those who want to just tick
off the list, this is made for those who want an
easy pace to take in the stunning environs. The
trail wends along small dirt tracks, through a
magical copse of rhododendron trees until you
climb out of the forest at an elevation around 3,300 m. The landscape changes quite abruptly to a rugged high mountain landscape, but what waits ahead makes it all worth it - amazing views
of Mardi Himal, Machapuchre, Annapurna South
and Hiunchuli. Annapurna Sanctuary – It is just not about scaling high peaks, it’s also about being immersed in the local life of Nepal. The Annapurna Sanctuary
trek, begins from Pokhara, and leads to the base
of this impressive 8,091 m mountain. It is a long
trail of 8-10 days, but one that is stunning. The
sanctuary was believed to be the home of several
deities, from Hinduism and Buddhism, but that
has nothing do with the spiritual connection that
one feels. If you love the company of mountains,
this experience is a moving one. The Humla Circuit- Humla is one of the most untouched places in Nepal. The villages here have never been inundated with western influence. |
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| Hampi Ruins |
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The only tourists that one might spot are the on
the border town of Hilsa in Tibet. This is the old salt trading route that used to go all the wayup to Tibet. Be ready to be mesmerised by the
simple living of the Thakuri women in heavy gold jewellery and the livestock roam on the undulating hillsides with abandon. This is one of
the most rewarding walking trails in Nepal. Rara and Humla – This is a special trail for birding enthusiasts as almost 250 species of birds surround the Rara Lake, the largest in Nepal. The trek offers many deviations - from here, trekkers can head along the old salt route to Humla, the royal highway to the plains, or take any of several adventurous paths into neighbouring Dolpa. This place is what adventurer’s dream is made of – authentic culture, a wealth of natural beauty and the trails largely to yourself. |
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With many esteemed guests to their list, Soatlee Crowne Plaza has established that it is the
preferred address for heads of states, travellers
with discretion and those like to be ensconced in the lap of luxury. It offers the incredible combination of outstanding hospitality, a peek into local culture and international standards. Choose this as your holiday haven for a number of reasons – on property entertainment, spa, excellent dining options with four restaurants and a bar, and out of this world, comfortable rooms. A Stay in Soaltee ensures that your trip to Nepal is going to be an exquisite one.
Highlights include:
• Contemporary architecture with a local essence
• Vantage location in the city to access sightseeing spots
• Personalized attention to guests
• A swimming pool for a relaxing swim
• Outdoor and Indoor pool
• Superior recreation facilities
• Five options with local delicacies & International cuisines
• Dedicated ‘Quiet Zone’ rooms for blissful sleep
• An on-site spa for weary travellers to relax
• An overall immersive experience of Nepal |
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| Cheer in the Indian Skies |
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Tamil Nadu tourism is all set launch a helicopter service for tourists on the temple trail of the state. The Commissioner of
Tourism & Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), said, “Hopefully, we will be coming up with adventure tourism products like helicopter services. Right now we are planning these services between Madurai- Rameshwaram, Madurai – Kanyakumari and Madurai- Kodaikanal. The plan is already in the pipeline and once a few issues are cleared, we will launch it. We also want to focus on rural tourism, especially Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Madurai, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, which are less visited areas as compared to other parts of the state.” He also mentioned that that the state is trying to develop beach tourism as well. |
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Look Forward to the
Odisha Travel Bazaar |
In order boost the state’s tourism, Odisha Tourism has planned to organise the ‘Odisha Travel Bazaar’ on the lines of the Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) and Kerala Travel Mart (KTM). Dr. R K Pattanayak, Tourist Officer, Department of Tourism, Govt of Odisha, said, “We are still on the verge of finalising this but we are going to have it by the end of this year or next year beginning. We look forward to attract more investments and tourists through the ‘Odisha Travel Bazaar’.” Utpal K Pati, Deputy Director, Department of Tourism, Govt of Odisha, says, “We are expecting travel agents as well as tour operators and 10-15 states and Union Territories to participate in the
exhibition.” |
Fortune Hotels add to
the Preferred Hotels &
Resorts List |
| Preferred Hotels & Resorts expands its partnership with Fortune Hotels by announcing the addition
of seven new properties to its portfolio, bringing
its partnership with the group to a total of nine properties across key destinations in
India. These include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, |
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| Chennai, Gurgaon, Navi Mumbai and Noida. The association between Preferred Hotels& Resorts and Fortune Hotels began in 2014 when My Fortune Bangalore and My Fortune Chennai joined hands to amp up the brand. Since January 2016, the seven Fortune Hotels additions to the Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio include Fortune Select Trinity, Bengaluru; Fortune Park, Ahmedabad; Fortune Select Global, Gurgaon; Fortune Inn Grazia, Noida; Fortune Select Exotica, Navi Mumbai; Fortune Select Grand, Chennai; and Fortune Select Excalibur, Gurgaon. Fortune Hotels, a wholly owned subsidiary of ITC Ltd, caters to the mid-market to upscale market segment in business and leisure destinations. With this addition, Preferred Hotels & Resorts has its presence in India with a total of 32 member hotels across the country. |
146-room Grand
Mercure has an address
in Mysuru |
| Accor Hotels and Brigade Group, Bangalore announced the opening of Grand Mercure Mysuru. The hotel has 146 spacious rooms and suites and is located within close proximity of all major tourist |
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| attractions as well as the central business district. The sixth floor of the hotel features a viewing gallery overlooking the Dasara procession, which happens in October. Given that Mysuru is a central town from where many top Karnataka destinations emanate, the hotel is sure to be a successful one. |
Golden Tulip Salt Lake
Hotel opens in Kolkata |
Golden Tulip Hotels South Asia announced the launch of its first property in the eastern region of India – in the city of Kolkata. Golden Tulip Salt Lake Hotel Kolkata is a four-star contemporary luxury hotel will offer 55 rooms. It also offers a multi cuisine restaurant and a coffee shop for both in house guests and outside guests. A variety of different styled meeting rooms make it an ideal choice for social and corporate
events in the region. The hotel is located just 20 kms from the airport and 5 minutes walking distance from the City Centre shopping mall and activity hub. Given the location of the hotel, it is likely to be on the top of the list for travellers. |
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