Backwaters in Kerala

Hear the soothing sound of water rippling alongside your houseboat, as you drift on a Kerala backwaters. Feel completely relaxed as you enter a world of serenity and natural beauty in Kerala. See the green countryside, swaying palm trees, emerald rice fields and children waving from the banks of the backwaters of Kerala, India, as you sail on traditional Ketuvalloms or houseboats, on a Kerala backwater.
Be transported to a paradise where land, sea and sky, come together in a union of elements. As you float on a Kerala backwater, the beauty of the serene waterways and quaint inlets and creeks along the coast of Kerala will enchant you. Experience an unforgettable journey, along the tranquil backwaters of Kerala

Ganpatipule

Ganpatipule, a charming little town along the Konkan coast in Maharashtra, is important to Indian nationalists as the birthplace of the leader Lokmanya Tilak. It is also of significance to Hindus as the site of a famous Ganpati temple. But what really sets Ganpatipule apart from the numerous other coastal towns and villages along India’s seashores are the unbelievably beautiful beaches of the place.
Ganpatipule is idyllic… sparkling waters against silvery shores; jagged palm fronds framed against magnificent sunsets. This is the spot where you can soak in hours of sun and sea-spray, watch time drift by, wonder at sunrises, marvel at sunsets, drink in the moonlight and dance on the moonbeams. And if you are looking for a spot of action, Ganpatipule is a venue for paragliding.
Part of the excitement of going to Ganpatipule is the scenic drive through the Western Ghats – the chain of green hills along the Konkan coast. The beaches on the coastline are amazingly clear, of both rocks and hordes of visitors. All along the way are tiny fishing villages; groves of casuarina and tropical fruit; and stretches of clean, golden sand. Whether you go to Ganpatipule by rail or road, the route is as breathtaking as the destination itself.
Besides fabulous beaches and the ancient Ganpati Swayambhu temple, Ganpatipule affords a number of opportunities for excursions into remote fishing hamlets, villages and towns of the Konkan. The entire coastline is breathtakingly beautiful, with pristine beaches, overhung by cliffs and interspersed by pretty little creeks. Enthusiastic beach-lovers can actually hire a car and drive along the coast- it’s lovely all the way.
Access:-

Ganpatipule is 375 km away from Mumbai, the closest metro with an international airport. It lies 30 km off the Mumbai-Goa Highway, 50 kms short of Ratnagiri, which is the nearest railhead. You can take an overnight MTDC bus from Mumbai's Nariman Point. Or catch the magnificent Konkan Railway from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus). Disembark at Sangameshwar or Ratnagiri and take a bus to Ganpatipule.
Ganpatipule is a small town, and you do not really require transport to get to the beaches. Rickshaws are available for short distances, but be prepared to haggle over fares. The State Transport buses are not particularly recommended. If you are making longer excursions, your best option is to hire a vehicle. The tourist taxis and cars are reliable though you do need to fix the fare in advance.
Best time to visit:-

Though winter is the touristy time to get to most beaches in India, Ganpatipule can be spectacular during and just after the monsoons (June to October). This is also the time when fewer tourists come to Ganpatipule, so accommodation will be easier to get, and crowds don’t inundate the beaches.
Accommodation:-

Low-to-middle budget accommodation is freely available in Ganpatipule. MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation) has a resort right on the beach itself. It offers accommodation ranging from tents, dormitories and comfortable air-conditioned suites at affordable prices starting from about Rs 250 for two beds. Other accommodation, much of it privately owned, is off the beach; in most cases private properties offer more amenities and are proportionately more expensive. Other accommodation options include renting a room from the locals, who are geared for the tourist influx.

beach's in goa2

PANAJI:-

Panaji, the capital of Goa, is a tiny city that packs in a large punch. The church on the main square, the Baroque architecture, pretty villas, cobbled streets and interesting buildings give Panaji a distinctly Portuguese ambience. The city lies along the left bank of the Mandovi River, and close at hand are a bunch of good beaches, perfect for lolling around and soaking up the sun.
Dona Paula: -Dona Paula is a pretty and peaceful beach shaded by palms and casuarinas, 9 km southwest of Panaji. Dona Paula is quite a hotspot, not only for its beauty but also because of a romantic legend that gave the beach its name. Dona Paula de Menezes was a viceroy’s daughter who jumped off a cliff when refused permission to marry a local fisherman. The hapless maiden is said to be entombed at the nearby Raj Bhawan’s Cabo Chapel.
Dona Paula beach offers water sports facilities, especially water scootering.
Miramar: -The beach closest to the capital Panaji (3 km), Miramar is conveniently located in the heart of the state capital which is also why it is rather crowded and often dirty, though you can watch some spectacular sunsets, as the sun goes down at the confluence of the River Mandovi and the Arabian Sea
Bambolim: -7 km from Panaji along the Panaji-Vasco road to the airport, Bambolim is a minor beach frequented more by the local populace rather than by tourists.
Caranzalem: -Though not very pretty, Caranzalem (between Miramar and Dona Paula) is quiet and safe for swimming. It has water scooters and other water sports facilities as there is no undercurrent.
Vaniguinim: -The Vaniguinim beach overlooks the Mormugao Bay but is accessible only from the Cidade de Goa Hotel.
Bogmalo:- Just 4 km from the airport is the small cove at Bogmalo, not easily accessible, and, therefore fairly empty. Bogmalo lies between Panaji and the port town of Vasco da Gama; it’s good for swimming, and not too crowded.

Colva:-Colva beach, 6 km from Margao, has a throbbing nightlife but a somewhat downmarket ambience by day. Colva’s highly commercialised with resort complexes, large holiday crowds, trinket stalls, discos and restaurants, but a walk of a few hundred metres along the beach in either direction takes visitors to the quieter, more private spots. If one can get away from the crowded main beach, Colva is a great place to shack up. There’s good accommodation, great restaurants, the waterfront is clean and the water’s safe for swimming.
Benaulim:- Benaulim lies right in the centre of Colva, 7 km west of Margao. Benaulim remained a sleepy hamlet for centuries, then woke up with quite a bang- and is today a popular tourist hotspot with a crop of luxury resorts, time-share apartments, guesthouses and moderately priced hotels. Dozens of restaurants and beach shacks dot the seafront, serving authentic Goan seafood besides a variety of other cuisines. Despite its popularity, Benaulim still has an air of tranquility: the beachfront is beautiful, with silver sands, shady palm trees and safe waters.
Mobor:- Mobor is the spot where Colva ends and the River Assolna meets the sea, and the site of an exclusive luxury resort. The beach at Mobor lies in a sheltered cove overlooked by cliffs on one side - it makes for a picture perfect setting.
Majorda::- Majorda lies 2 km north of Colva, and is a pretty beach dominated by a luxury resort, hotels, restaurants, shops, boutiques and the best European bakeries in Goa.
MARGAO:-
Margao, the capital of Salcete taluka and the chief town of South Goa, has a decidedly Portuguese flavour and an old world charm. It’s a vibrant cosmopolis with a migrant populace from Maharashtra and Karnataka, peppering the existing Konkanese and Portuguese cultures; and this is also where some of Goa’s top beaches are.
South of Margao lie a host of quieter, more isolated beaches; venture beyond Cape Rama to the peace and beauty of the beaches at Palolem and Galgibaga- perfect for a day away from the crowds of bathers flocking around the more touristy beaches.
Nearby Agonda and Rajbag beaches lack shelter from the sun, making them rather isolated and inconvenient.

beach's in goa1

Mapusa:- in the northernmost part of Goa, is the state’s main market town. The administrative capital of Bardez Taluka, Mapusa is 13 km south of Panaji.. The town's name, pronounced `Map-sa’, after the Konkani words for `measure’ and `fill’, is an indication of its commercial nature. Besides being a busy market town, Mapusa is conveniently close to some of Goa’s most popular beaches.
Calangute:- About 8 km south from Mapusa, Calangute is Goa's most popular beach, a highly commercialised but sizzling beach that offers good sunbathing, passable swimming and the most delicious food along the coast. Though the beach itself is not spectacular, and the coarse golden sand drops steeply creating an undertow, there is something about Calangute that attracts the Indian tourist and Western sun-worshipper alike.
Baga: -A happening beach 10 km west of Mapusa, crescent-shaped Baga is less crowded than Calangute, but comparatively safer for swimming. Baga has soft white sand and a green backdrop of paddy fields. Baga is popular for water sports - parasailing, jet skiing, body boarding and surfing, though the waves aren't good enough for the professional surfers. Another hit with tourists are the dolphin cruises on a boat out at sea, bringing you within touching distance of these smiling creatures. Baga's nightlife is more sophisticated than Calangute's, with music, dance and wine.
Anjuna:- The "hip" beach that has lived up to its swinging reputation since the 70s, Anjuna has traditionally been a rave centre and attracts partygoers and backpackers to its famous beach parties, especially around the Christmas-New Year season. Anjuna's golden sands and tall coconut palms make the beachfront a pretty hangout place and the sea is safe for swimming.
Small Vagator and Big Vagator:- A little ahead of Anjuna lie the two Vagators - the big and the small Vagators. Both are secluded, palm fringed, quiet places tucked away in the northernmost tip of Mapusa. Small Vagator is a small cove - its fine silver sands and rocky sea shore surrounded by black laterite cliffs.The main Vagator beach (Big Vagator) is overshadowed by the 500 year old Portuguese fortress of Chapora that sits atop a rocky outcrop.
Arambol: -Way off to the north, near the border with Maharashtra, lies Arambol (also called Harmal), pretty but not overcrowded. Arambol’s stretches of soft white sand would be just what the doctor ordered for your peace of mind. It is also the paradise for the hippies, as there are regular "trance" parties and even "full moon" parties.
Also near the Maharashtra border is Querim beach (pronounced ‘Keri’) an idyllic beach but with barely any facilities or supplies available. Equally peaceful and bereft of logistics are Mandrem (just south of Arambol) and Morgim (Morji), on the Chapora estuary. Mandrem, a lonely stretch of white sandy beach with a couple of beach shacks, is frequented mostly by tourists who want to get a full body tan, away from prying eyes of interested locals.
At the foot of Fort Aguada lies the pretty palm-fringed Sinquerim beach, and near it Candolim beach, both popular with tourists.

Goa

Goa- the name conjures up images of sun-baked sands, heady feni, and palm fronds waving in a cool sea breeze. All that may sound a wee bit clichéd, but Goa definitely isn’t. One of India’s hottest destinations for well over two decades now, Goa was- and still is- where everybody goes to party. A sunkissed land dotted with coconut trees and rice fields; old Portuguese churches and the prettiest of beaches- where February means Carnival and every day is an occasion for celebration.
Goa’s beaches are where much of the action is; some of the best beaches in India, these are the major reason why Goa attracts so many thousands of tourists- Indian and foreign- every year. The state’s beaches stretch all along the coastline, from the northern border with Maharashtra right down to the south, where peaceful stretches like Palolem are a godsend for anybody looking for an escape from the crowds.
The three main areas where Goa’s best beaches are concentrated include Mapusa, Panaji and Margao. Along most of the major beaches are resorts, hotels, cottages, restaurants and souvenir shops by the dozen, and usually an interesting flea market as well. All of which means that you can get a fairly complete vacation- with accommodation, dining, entertainment and shopping- all on one beach. What more could one ask for?
Best time to visit:-

Goa is a year-round destination, but the best time to go is in winter, between late October and early April. The winter weather is balmy, the days are sunny and the nights cool, especially on the beach. The summers are very hot and humid and it rains heavily from June to August, making it unsafe to swim.
The carnival period in the month of February through to early March is another peak time, attracting a lot of tourists to Goa. It is a great season with parades, pageants and merrymaking late into the night.
Access:-

Goa is well connected to Mumbai and other major cities by air, rail, road and a limited catamaran service, the latter only from Mumbai. Dabolim Airport, 30 km from Panaji, is the only airport in the state, but it’s got plenty of flights coming from the rest of the country.
Goa is also well connected by train, with Margao being the main station for the Konkan Railway plying between Maharashtra and Karnataka. Trains come in from Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Trivandrum and other major cities of the country. National Highways link Goa with other cities and there are regular overnight coaches and buses. Driving down from Mumbai is also a good idea, since its useful to have a vehicle in Goa.
The best way to get around Goa is to hire a vehicle, as public transport systems can be a bit unreliable: there are no metered taxis and the bus service is erratic. Riding pillion on motorcycle taxis is extremely popular and inexpensive. You can also rent cars or two-wheelers for the day.
Accommodation:-

Options for accommodation are virtually unlimited in Goa and you can find a room to fit any budget. There are luxury hotels in prime locations near the beach, holiday resorts, tourist bungalows, beach shacks, dormitories and paying guest accommodation with local families. Also available are hostel and dormitory style accommodation that is perfect for students and backpackers on tight budgets. All three areas- Margao, Mapusa and Panaji- have low-priced, state-run GTDC tourist hotels. Most tourists prefer to stay around the beaches in north or south Goa.
Book in advance during peak season, as accommodation can get very scarce at this time.

Gopalpur

Dubbed the `best beach resort in Orissa’ by the cognoscenti, Gopalpur-on-Sea is a lovely laidback seaport village, far removed in spirit from the nearby temple towns of Orissa. Starting life as an obscure little fishing village, Gopalpur-on-Sea became a prominent trading port during the days of the British East India Company. Today, neither the British nor the wealthy Bengalis who once made Gopalpur a vibrant, happening place are here any more. Gopalpur has gone back to being a quiet, relaxed place, but with one major difference- it’s today growing into one of India’s prettiest beach resorts. Nowhere as commercial and trendy as Goa, but with a charm all its own.
You can forget yourself at Gopalpur and have a lovely, lazy holiday. This languorous beach with coconut groves, casuarina coppices and gentle sand dunes is deserted for miles. Picture blue waters and high waves, sleepy lagoons and tiny creeks, a place where you can loll on the sand, stroll down the beach and gorge on seafood. Or tackle the high waves on a yacht moored at the crumbling ancient jetty… and then climb up the ancient lighthouse for a spectacular view of the bay.
The best thing about Gopalpur, besides the golden beach, is the seafood. This is a seafood lover’s paradise, but, like everything else in this resort, don’t expect meals in a hurry. The restaurants, shacks and even the locals are quite willing to cook a special meal for you – just remember to give them plenty of notice.
Best time to visit:-

Gopalpur is a year-round destination, but the best time to go is from October to April. The temperatures range from a summer high of 35°C to a winter low of 16°C. The monsoon season (June to September) sees some hot and some very wet days.
Access:-

The nearest airport is at Bhubaneshwar, 180 km from Gopalpur. Bhubaneshwar is a one-hour flight from Kolkata, to which it is also connected by rail and road. From Gopalpur-on-Sea, the nearest railhead is Berhampur (16 km) on the Kolkata-Chennai line. You can drive in to Gopalpur on National Highway 5 from Berhampur, Bhubaneshwar and Barkul (75 km). Buses, minibuses, tourist taxis and even auto-rickshaws can be hired from Berhampur.
Auto rickshaws are available for moving around within the town - remember to agree on the fare beforehand.
Accommodation:-

There is no dearth of places to stay from star class hotels, tourist resorts and beach shacks. Luxury hotels offer rooms facing the sea, and come with all the frills you’d expect of a fine property. Quaint old bungalows built at the turn of the century have been refurbished and are let out to tourists, while backpackers can head for economy options like the youth hostel.

Gokarna

`Cow's Ear'- for that's what `Gokarna' actually means- is a mundane way of describing a place as pretty as this. Named for the ear-shaped confluence of two rivers which marks Gokarna, the place is a small town, known more as a pilgrimage centre than as a beach. Which is a pity, really- because Gokarna, with its coconut palms, its blue seas and clean sands, is perfect for an idyllic vacation by the sea. Situated along the Karwar coast, in northern Karnataka, Gokarna is beach-utopia if you're looking for minimal luxury but maximum privacy, with only the sun, the surf and the seagulls for company.
A somnolent one-street town consisting almost entirely of wooden houses, Gokarna is in close proximity to four beaches. Of these, Kudle, a kilometre-long stretch of white sand fringed by palm trees, is the nearest; just about 20 minutes' walk from Gokarna. Half an hour further from Kudle is Om beach, so named because it's shaped like the auspicious `om' symbol. Gokarna's two other beaches- Paradise and Half-Moon- are smaller and lesser known, but equally great for a bit of sunbathing and swimming.
All of Gokarna's beaches remain pretty empty, except for the odd `in-the-know' traveller, the hippy who's tired of Goa, or the many pilgrims who come to Gokarna for `darshan' at the Shiv Temple. Gokarna, like nearby Udipi, is a sacred place for Hindus, who believe it to be the place where Shiva emerged from the earth after a long penance in the netherworld. The town's main shrine is the Mahabaleshwar Temple, home to a very holy lingam that was reputedly rescued by Shiva's elephant- headed son, Ganesh.
Best time to visit:-
Gokarna is pretty much a round-the-year destination, although you'd be well advised to avoid it during the monsoon, when heavy rain can make it muddy and messy. In February-March, festivities mark Maha Shivratri, and along with other celebrations, there's a colourful procession in Gokarna. January and February, when the weather's good, are anyway a great time to visit the town.
Access:-
Gokarna is 60 km south of Karwar and 7 hours from the city of Mangalore. One of the best ways of getting to this town is aboard the Konkan Railway, which traverses the prettiest parts of India's western coast. Konkan Railway trains pass through Gokarna Road (10 km from the town), Ankola (25 km), or Karwar (23 km). From either of these railheads, a bus can be taken to Gokarna. Gokarna has good bus connections to a number of towns within Karnataka and along the west coast; Goa, for instance, is only about 5 hours away.
Accommodation:-
Gokarna's still fairly undiscovered as far as the beach crowd goes (although Hindu pilgrims flocking to the temple come here in substantial numbers). Consequently, accommodation options are neither exciting nor extensive. There are hotels- mainly budget or mid-range-, guesthouses and beach huts available, but quality can vary considerably. Expect to pay anywhere from Rs 20 to Rs 600, depending upon how much you're willing to rough it out. Among the best places around is the KSTDC hotel with accomodation starting from Rs 105 for one person. Along Kudle beach are a number of beach huts, all very basic- you'll even have to arrange for your own bedding. Eateries, like accommodation, are fairly rudimentary, but you'll invariably find good local grub, including seafood. A few beach shacks serve croissants, sandwiches and no-frills Western food.

Kovalam

Once a hippie paradise, Kovalam’s increasing popularity has been a major dissuasion of late. No longer an undiscovered rural idyll, Kovalam has made rapid strides towards `resort-isation’ and is now one of the biggest draws to `God’s own Country’-Kerala. Highly commercialised and very crowded through most of the year, Kovalam manages, against all odds, to retain much of the charm which made it a popular beach in the first place.It still has a lovely shoreline and beautiful beaches lined with coconut trees, and local fishermen from the villages still go out at night for the daily catch. A towering promontory of rock dominates Kovalam, looking out over a bay of clear blue water. Golden sand slopes down into the sea for as far as 100 mt, and dotted along the coast are a few interesting coral reefs, which make for good snorkelling. Surfing and swimming are among the other water sports possible off Kovalam beach
Beachwear, light cottons, sandals and sun protection are, obviously, essential luggage to this beach town, although surfboards are available on loan for water buffs. And that’s not all. Kovalam has also acquired a reputation as being one of the best places in Kerala-or India, for that matter- for an invigorating ayurvedic course of treatment or rejuvenation. Ayurvedic massage parlours, spas and yoga centres are a dime a dozen in Kovalam, and there’s really nothing that can buck you up as much as a course of therapy- with herbal oils and soothing massages- at one of these! Many hotels and independent set-ups also offer yoga classes.
Best time to visit:-
Being near the sea makes Kovalam really a year-round destination weather-wise. The actual season is from September to March. The prices shoot up during the Christmas-New Year week as do the number of tourists, so it might be wise to avoid this period.
Access:-
Kovalam’s just 16 km south from Kerala’s capital, Thiruvananthapuram, so the nearest airport is obviously the international one there (10 km). Thiruvananthapuram’s railway station is well connected to the rest of south India, with a number of trains coming in from other parts of the country too. The capital also has extensive road connections to other cities and towns in Kerala and its neighbouring states.
Inexpensive buses run every half-hour from Thiruvananthapuram to Kovalam. There are also direct services from Kollam, Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu), Ernakulam and Thekkady. Taxis and auto-rickshaws will also make the trip but at comparatively greater expense.
Kovalam is small enough to cover on foot without much effort. There are local buses for trips out and one can hire two wheelers by paying a security deposit and producing a valid driver’s license.
Accommodation:-
The Indian Tourist Development Corporation has tried to develop an `integrated’ tourist area at Kovalam with a range of hotels, beachside cottages, ayurvedic hothouses, pools and shopping complexes at the Ashoka Radisson Beach Resort.
Properties further away from the beach are invariably lower-priced. There is a range for every pocket from very basic accommodation which comes for less than Rs 400 a night, to more fancy rooms with air conditioning and meals, right up to luxury hotels with 5 star facilities and prices. Expect to pay anywhere between a couple of hundred rupees to a couple of thousand- depending upon the facilities offered.
The beach is lined with restaurant shacks that serve varied fare: anything from eggs and muesli to idli- sambhar for breakfast and a range of seafood thereafter. Prices (which are negotiable) and quality vary from joint to joint.

Mamallapuram

Lying along the pretty Coromandel Coast, Mammalapuram is known primarily for its ancient rock-cut temples. The eight Rath Temples date back to the 8th century and have been carved out of monoliths. Each one is associated with one of the Pandava brothers, heroes of the epic Mahabharata. Close to these are the two-spired Shore Temple, the Krishna Mandapam- the world’s largest bas-relief with detailed carvings of gods, animals, insects, and birds- and eight rock-cut caves decorated with depictions of scenes from various legends.
The temples are all very well; a good way to while away the time between hours when you’re sunbathing, swimming, or simply lolling on the beach. But what really matters to beach buffs is the sand and the sea, and both are good here. Spend your day lazing on the beach, or go for a leisurely swim, followed by a satisfying lunch of freshly caught fish- you can’t go far wrong here.
About 20 km north of Mammalapuram is the beach of Covelong, a fishing village which is not as touristy as Mammalapuram, but is great if you want to get away from the crowds. Covelong Beach is good, and there are facilities for water sports such as windsurfing.
At about the same distance from Mammalapuram is Muttukadu, a water sports complex which offers a range of sports, including boating, kayaking and windsurfing.
Best time to visit:-

The best time to visit this pleasant seaside temple town is in the winter, between November and February. And within this period too, mid-January and mid-February are when Mammalapuram’s at its best. The weather’s great, the sand’s nice and warm, the sea’s deliciously cool, and there’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy yourself. This is also the time when the annual Mammalapuram Dance Festival is held; exponents of Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi and Kathakali perform on weekends through the month.
Access:-

Mammalapuram is fairly well connected to the rest of the state of Tamil Nadu. The closest airport is at Chennai, which is 58km from Mahabalipuram. The road is good and you can rent a car and be driven along the coast – it’s a pleasant and pretty drive.
The nearest railway station is at Chengalpattu.
Mahabalipuram is well connected with the rest of the state. Buses from Chennai, Pondicherry and Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram are frequent.
Accommodation:-

A wide range of accommodation facilities is available in Mammalapuram, including an ITDC-owned beach resort and a state-run complex. There are, in addition to these, a number of privately owned beach resorts, guesthouses and economy hotels- virtually any degree of comfort to fit almost any budget. Prices range between Rs 200-500 for basic accommodation to Rs 1,100 and above for more luxurious rooms.

Stay near the beach

Talk beaches, and you talk golden sunshine, soft sand, clear waters- days of lolling around with nothing to do except soak in the sun, go for a leisurely swim, or gorge yourself on fresh seafood…. Suntans, green coconuts. Windsurfing and snorkelling. Beach parties and lively music.
There are plenty of good beaches along the coastline of India- some famous, some barely beyond an obscure fishing village- but they're there, all right. And they're worth visiting. Silver sands, casuarina groves, coral reefs teeming with a dazzlingly colourful range of marine creatures- and lots to see, lots to do. Paradise? Not quite, but close to it

DHANAULTI

Dhanaulti - a dreamy, misty mountain retreat in the Garhwal Hills is the perfect honeymoon hideaway. Tucked away in the midst of deep forests of oaks and conifers, rhododendrons and deodars, Dhanaulti is a woody paradise that makes you forget where you are. Caressed by a bracing mountain zephyr, this hill station is just ideal for long walks up shady slopes or quiet tête-à-têtes amidst grassy glens.
Dhanaulti is on the Mussoorie-Chamba track at an altitude of 2286 m above sea level. It is the kick-start point for many a trek into the snow-capped Himalayas. But the town itself remains blissfully secluded especially compared to the throngs that mill around the Mall at nearby Mussoorie.
Getting there:-
Dhanaulti is 25 km from Mussoorie (1hour drive), 60 km from Dehradun ( 3 hour drive) and 325 km from Delhi (10 hour drive). The nearest airport is at Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 82 km from Dhanauti and the closest railhead is at Dehradun. From here you can drive up to Dhanaulti, or take a tourist taxi or bus.
Accommodation:-
Dhanaulti is a medium-to-low budget holiday option. Accommodation is limited to a few tourist guesthouses, the GMVN tourist bungalow and the Forest Rest House for which you need permission from the Forest Dept. Prices range from Rs 300 to Rs 1500.
Best season:-
Dhanaulti is a great destination at any time of the year, but avoid the monsoons. You are likely to get marooned because of a landslide or broken road at that time of year! The summer temperatures range from 31° C to 7.5° C and winter temperatures hover between 7° C and 1° C. Carry light woollens for summer and heavy woollens for winter.

GANGTOK

Mesmerising, picturesque, colourful - Gangtok is the exuberant capital of Sikkim that lures you for an unforgettable honeymoon. Cool breezes blow over the lush mountainside and the air is fragrant with the profusion of wild orchids and rhododendrons. The bazaars bustle with the animation of trendy youngsters, elderly matrons in their traditional bakus and lamas in colourful maroon and mustard robes. Prayer flags flutter in front of pretty Buddhist shrines and pagoda-style houses that cling to the hillside.
At 5,800 ft, Gangtok offers panoramic views of the Himalayas, especially from Tashi Viewpoint. Though you will be charmed by Gangtok’s serenity, for energetic moments make a trip to Pemayangtse Monastery to see its
priceless antiques and idols, and to the nearby ruins of Rabdantse, the 17th century capital of Sikkim. The Institute of Tibetology, the Enchey Monastery, and the Rumtek Monastery are other interesting places. The Do-Drul Chorten is a splendid temple capped by a golden tower, with 108 prayer wheels. The sacred Changu Lake at 12400 ft, 40 km east of Gangtok remains frozen through the year and comes alive during summer when rhododendrons, irises, primulas and poppies burst into bloom on its banks and on the adjoining hill slopes.
Getting there:-
Gangtok is 721 km from Kolkata, 589 km from Guwahati and 584 km from Patna. The closest airport is at Bagdogra, 124 km and the nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri (125 km), with connections to all the major cities of India. You can drive to Gangtok from either of these West Bengal cities in 5 hours or from Siliguri 114 km away or Darjeeling, 139 km from Gangtok. The drive is facilitated by numerous taxis, shared jeeps and hired cars with chauffeurs.
Accommodation:-
There is a wide variety of hotel accommodation available at Gangtok, ranging from luxury and deluxe to standard and economy, depending on your budget. Prices are in the vicinity of Rs 2500 for luxury, Rs 1300 for mid-rung and Rs 500 for basic accommodation.
Best season:-
The best time to visit Sikkim is between October and mid-December when clear views of the Himalayan peaks are guaranteed or again between March and May when the flowers are in bloom. January and February means snow in the higher altitudes and visits to many of the tourist spots are not possible. June to September brings heavy rains causing landslides that often disrupt communication. Carry light woollens for summer and heavy woollens for winter. Rainwear is a must in any season.

GOA

Goa, a little state with so much soul, is the ultimate honeymoon haven for beach lovers. Laidback, Goa is a merry blend of Portuguese and Konkani, with the atmosphere of a lively carnival town.
Think Goa and you think beaches. All the beaches have a different character and are known by the quality of sand on the beach and the passions of the people who groove there. Anjuna is known for its shingle-sand and sixties-style flower culture. Peaceful Agonda, rocky and sandy Arambol, happy and happening Baga, red sand and coconut grove Calangute, popular Vagator, untouched Polem and Palolem and enchanting Colva are the other beaches.
The towns and beaches are flooded with shacks and restaurants where you can gorge on Goan and Mediterranean cuisine, especially seafood and sample some local feni (cashew brew), port wine and passoa - liquor from passion fruit.
Goa is ideal for a passionate honeymoon, strolling hand in hand down the beach, dancing by the fireside at midnight, singing old songs to the beat of a strumming guitar. There is much to see and do - backwater cruises down the Mandovi and Zuari rivers, dolphin cruises on the high seas, adventure sports and water sports - para sailing, wind surfing and water skiing - or you can simply hold hands and dance over the crashing waves! Chances are that you may never want to come back to terra firma once you have been transported into raptures at Goa. But so what… you can re-live your honeymoon in Goa again and again.
Getting there:-

Goa is well connected to Mumbai and other major cities by air, rail, road and a limited catamaran service only from Mumbai. You can fly to Goa’s Dabolim airport or take a train on the spectacular Konkan railway. National Highways link Goa with other cities and there are regular, overnight coaches and buses. Driving down from Mumbai is also a good idea, since its useful to have a vehicle in Goa.
Getting around:-

The best way to get around Goa is to hire a vehicle. There are no metered taxis and the bus service is erratic. Riding pillion on motorcycle taxis is extremely popular and inexpensive. You can rent two-wheelers for the day.
Accommodation:-

Hotel options are virtually unlimited in Goa and you can find a room to fit any budget. There are luxury hotels in prime locations near the beach, holiday resorts, tourist bungalows and beach shacks. Prices range from Rs 100 for a shack on the beach to Rs 300-1500 for middle-rung hotels and Rs 2000 and above for luxury hotels. Book in advance during season.
Best season:-

Goa is a year-round destination, but the best time to go is from October to March. The winter weather is balmy - the days are sunny and the nights cool, especially on the beach. The summers are hot and humid and it rains heavily from June to August, making it unsafe to swim (ideal for a torrid indoor romance!).

LAKSHADWEEP

After the hectic wedding celebrations, when you have had a surfeit of sweets and relatives, rituals and revelry, all you want to do is drift and dream in a quiet honeymoon interlude. Let your thoughts turn to Lakshadweep, a gorgeous archipelago of coral islands in the sunny Indian Ocean, where you can float and tumble, dive and soar. Here you can take long leisurely walks on soft sand, gentle waves kissing your feet. Sway gently in a hammock, sip coconut water together, swim languidly in the moonlight, linger around the glowing embers of a campfire and chase that last drop of ambrosia.
If this sounds romantic, you simply have to come here to believe the incredibly beautiful reality of Lakshadweep. Lying 350 km off the Kerala coast, strung in a shimmering strand of jewels, the islands are coral atolls that encircle a fabulous aquamarine lagoon. Out of the 36 islands, only 10 are inhabited, and that too, sparsely – great news for honeymooners who want to just lose themselves.
Bangaram is the most sought after island, with rafting, snorkeling, deep-sea diving and deep-sea fishing. Sail in glass-bottomed boats, swim with turtles and dolphins, snorkel in the reef through colonies of fish. Surf the aqua marine waters, romp the white sands. Just revel in the anonymity of Lakshadweep, for that honeymoon of a lifetime.
Special Permits:_
A trip to Lakshadweep requires a tourist permit. This can be arranged at the Lakshadweep Tourist Office in Cochin (Kochi). The only way to visit is to hook up with a package tour group. Tour operators start the first of the trips in October and continue till May. Bangaram is open to both Indian and foreign tourists who have permits. Though Kadmat, Kalpeni, Minicoy and Kavaratti are open to Indian tourists only, movement is restricted to the tourist area.
Getting there:-
The usual way to get to Lakshadweep is to fly from Cochin (Kochi) in Kerala to Agatti Island. The airport takes small aircrafts and helicopters, which allows only up to 10 kg baggage weight per person. The govt tourist dept operates cruises from Cochin to all the islands that are open to tourists. This is strictly a package deal though, and is not really a ‘getting there’ solution, plus it’s open to only Indian tourists. Kerala Tourism offers special 5-day cruise packages for the islands of Agatti, Kavaratti and Kadmat, with on-board accommodation.
Accommodation:-
People usually stay at the resort island of Bangaram, the only island that offers overnight accommodation at a private resort. There is no indigenous local population so this is an out and out tourist facility. The hotel has cottages on the beach; a multi cuisine restaurant with a bar, a library, scuba diving gear on hire, and tons of ambience. Catamarans, kayaks and sailboats are free: grab and go! Government accommodation is available at Kavaratti, Kadmat and Agatti. Prices range from a minimum of Rs. 3500 to Rs 10,000 for the cottages.
Best season:-
The most popular months are from January to the middle of May when the diving and fishing is good but it’s possible to visit any time in the year. Lakshadweep has a tropical climate with temperature ranging from 25° C to 35° C in summer and winters are just marginally cooler.

MANALI

Romantic, beautiful Manali. Nestling like a rose bowl in the lap of the majestic Himalayas, makes it a cosy, winter honeymoon hideaway. Outside, snowflakes fall softly, adding flecks to silvery deodars. Inside, crackling logs light up an open hearth, while you keep warm with steaming cups of coffee and snug rugs to huddle in. What can paint a more romantic picture than the hush of Manali under a blanket of snow?
Manali is surrounded by fruit orchards, deodar and pine forests, hot water springs, mineral springs, splendid mountains, caves and temples. The mighty Beas hurtles through the town, carving a deep gorge in its wake. The river is great for fishing and rafting adventures in summer, but is
freezing in winter. The Mall or main bazaar is the hub of activity, flooded with shops, restaurants, trekking and mountaineering outfits and wayside food stalls. But you can escape down many a cosy walk in the nearby forests, up pretty, secluded mountain trails, charming villages and Tibetan settlements. Manali is an adventure and mountaineering sports paradise, so if you are up to an energetic honeymoon, remember to pack those extra woollies.
Getting there:-

The nearest airport is at Bhuntar, near Kullu, 50 kms from Manali. Regular bus services and fixed-fair taxis connect the town to the airport. The Bus stand is in the centre of town on the Mall, with road connections from Kullu, Chandigarh (284 km), Shimla (270 km), Delhi (585 km via Mandi) and most major north Indian cities. The nearest railhead is on the narrow gauge line at Jogindernagar (135 kms).
Accommodation:-

Manali has no dearth of accommodation options, from luxury resorts and up-market hotels, to guesthouses, tourist lodges and low budget hotels. Prices range between Rs. 600 to Rs. 3000.
Best season:-

Each season in Manali has its own charm. Winters are snowy, summers are crowded and the monsoons are heavy. The best seasons are March-April and after the monsoons between September and November. Always travel with sufficient warm clothing.

OOTY

Nestled in the Nilgiri Hills, enveloped in blue mist, the lovely laidback hill station of Ooty exudes its own special charm. Ootacamund is Tamil Nadu’s most sought after honeymoon destination, the stuff a dream holiday is made of. Hill slopes veiled in a profusion of wild flowers, plantations of cardamom and tea, and eucalyptus forests take over the landscape.Ooty offers the most scenic walks, into dense forests, pretty mountain trails and to fabulous viewpoints like Wenlock Downs, Snowdon, Ketty Valley and Dodabetta Peak. From here you can sweep across the Blue Mountains, wander through the misty forests, chance upon unexpected waterfalls and brilliant bird species. Canter away on ponies or have a romantic little picnic in the woods. Ooty is tranquil enough for a pair of lovebirds to get lost among the other dreamers who are seeking quiet havens and parks. Look for secluded corners in the Botanical Garden with its amazing collection of trees and shrubs, and the beautiful Rose Garden. For times when you want to join in the action, walk down to the lake and soak in the excitement from the safety of the banks or venture onto the lake and tandem in pedal boats, rock together in rowboats and motorboats. And finally, catch the picturesque little Blue Train, a beautiful journey through tea plantations, eucalyptus forests and hills.
Getting there:-

The nearest airport is at Coimbatore, 89 km from Ooty, with connections to Bangalore (290 km from Ooty), Chennai (535 km) and Mumbai. You could also take a train up to Mettupalayam and catch the quaint hill train upto Ooty, 35 kms away, You can also take a bus or hire a private car or taxi and have the luxury of your own transport.
Accommodation:-

Ooty has many luxury hotels; some with an old-world charm, wooden furniture, manicured gardens, rooms with fireplaces that work. Budget accommodation is comfortable and quiet. There are numerous mid-rung properties with good facilities, and the option of taking a cottage on the grounds. Prices start at Rs 500 for an economy room and go up to Rs. 3000 and above for deluxe rooms.
Best season:-

You can come to Ooty at any time of the year, especially in the winter when most tourists keep away. Ooty is cold in winter, but beautiful nonetheless if you enjoy the clouds and the mist floating into your face. Summer is peak season and the hill station gets rather crowded in May and June, especially during the summer festival when there are flower shows and boat races. Carry light woollens for summer evenings and layers of woollens for winter.