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Most Thrilling November Activities and How to Prepare for Them

Often, people ask me, “What activities can one try in November?”

November is coming, and I know most of us want an escape from our life since we have been working so hard lately. So, it’s not like we want a break, it is more like we deserve one, or rather need one. It’s been too long since I left work behind and went some place nice and interesting, and met new people who had amazing stories to share. While pondering the thrilling activities that can be undertaken to blow off the boredom in coming November, I came across the following options. Just read through to see if any of these catches your attention. Below, you will also find a few tips to prepare for the activities.

9 Reasons that Make Assam a Great Travel Destination

I admit that I possess a certain bias towards north-eastern states of India; however, do not let that take away from the fact that Assam is a traveller’s paradise. Not me, but Assam’s umpteen qualities speak for itself. An entire day might not be enough to list all the reasons behind Assam being an incredible travel destination! Consider it a bold endeavour on my part to be trying to encompass the mesmerising charm of the state in a few words. From the vibrant culture to enchanting vistas, this state is an amalgamation of everything that a discerning globetrotter could ever want. Here I give you the top nine reasons that will make you visit this realm of beauty and magic as soon as possible.

Keep Calm and Go Birding

Far away from the hustle of mankind, there exists a separate world where birds chirp their way to happiness. Birdwatching, a hobby that is increasingly becoming popular, is all about finding a quiet corner in the midst of nature and silently observing the birds go about their everyday business. Everything about birdwatching, from the chirping sounds to singing tunes, takes the mind closer to the soul, instantly filling you with happiness unbound.
So, what is the best part about being a bird watcher in India? You don’t have to look far, or burn a hole in your pocket. A weekend away from home is enough to learn all about birds and a few lessons about unity and diversity. India, a home to incredibly rich fauna, offers a lot of birding locations in all parts of the nation. Want to find out some birding locations near your home? Keep reading!!

Pancheshwar, Uttarakhand
Around 40 km from Lohaghat, in the Champawat district of Uttarakhand, Pancheshwar is serene and sacred at the same time. This surreal town is bordered by the mesmerising hills of Nepal, and also marks as the confluence point of River Kali and River Saryu, a dip in the waters of which is considered auspicious. Add to all this the beautiful birdwatching trails, and Pancheshwar is just the place to be over the weekend. If lucky, you may see almost 180 species of birds, some of them considered rare.

Bheemeshwari – Weekend Getaway near Bangalore

Located picturesquely on the banks of River Kaveri, Bheemeshwari is approximately 100 kms from the tech city of Bangalore. It is a perfect weekend getaway for those residing in Bangalore and around. Due to the greenery and the tranquility that it offers, it makes for a great picnic spot for families. But there is more to this place than just picnics.

Due to vast verdant spaces, availability of camps and adventure activities like whitewater rafting, trekking, birding, angling, kayaking, camping and coracle ride, it is one of the most visited destinations for corporate off-sites and soft adventures. Click here for an adventure filled trip to Bheemeshwari.

It lies between the Shivasamudra falls and Mekedatu in the Mandya district and is a natural habitat for the Mahseer fish and many other animals. It has many fishing camps that offer accommodation and angling as a leisure and responsible sport where the Mahseer fish are released back into the water.

Bheemeshwari is also extremely popular for its wildlife sanctuary which is located amid natural waterfalls Barachukki, Mekedatu and Gaganachukk. It is an ideal place to go for a wildlife trek and watch wild animals like elephants, deer, wild boars, leopards, otters, crocodiles, monkeys, jackals and birds like ibis, herons, kingfisher and pigmy woodpecker in close quarters.

Cherrapunji – Where Bridges Grow!

Located in the East Khasi Hills district in the state of Meghalaya, Cherrapunji (officially called Sohra) is often touted as the wettest place on Earth. It holds the world record for the most rainfall in a calendar year (1 August 1960 – 30 July 1861) and month (July 1861). Cherrapunji sits on a plateau rising 600 meters above the surrounding valleys. It receives both northeast and southwest monsoonal winds that give it a single monsoon season and it rains mostly at night. It lies on the downwind side of the Khasi Mountains.

An image of Khasi children captured in 1944 Image Credits: Wikipedia.org — An image of Khasi children captured in 1944
Image Credits: Wikipedia.org

People living in and around Cherrapunji are known as the Khasis. The most interesting and notable characteristic about Khasi people is that they are a matrilineal culture. The husband of the youngest daughter lives with his in-laws and the children take on their mother’s surname.

Cherrapunji is known all over the world not just for the heavy rainfall but also for the very popular living root bridges. The Southern Khasi and Jaintia hills around this town are humid and warm, and on these hills is found a species of Indian rubber tree. This tree has an unbelievably strong root system that has been thriving for many centuries. It also has a secondary root system originating from high up in the trunks. These secondary roots can easily roost atop big boulders or even in the middle of the rivers. A tribe in Meghalaya called the War-Khasis noticed this a long time ago and realized that these strong roots can offer an opportunity and means of easily crossing rivers in many places.

These have come to be known as the Living Root Bridges and one of the most popular one is the Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge.

Chitwan National Park – Nepal

Located in the Chitwan District in south-central Nepal, Chitwan National Park was established in 1973 and granted the status of World Heritage Site in 1984. Covering an area of 932 sq km, its altitude ranges from 330 feet to 2,674 feet.

Chitwan National Park Image Credits: johntyman.com — Chitwan National Park
Image Credits: johntyman.com

Literally translated, Chitwan means Heart of the Jungle. It was a favorite hunting ground for the royals of Nepal since the end of the 19^th century. During the winter seasons, comfortable camps were set up in the area for the hunters and their entourage and hundreds of tigers, rhinos, leopards and sloth bears were hunted.

Chitwan’s forest extended beyond 2,600 sq km in the 1950s and was home to more than 800 rhinos. But the area was gradually opened for settlement and unrestrained poaching of the wildlife started. Edward Pritchard Gee surveyed the area and recommended that a protected area and wildlife sanctuary be created north and south of the Rapti River respectively.
By the end of the 1960s only 95 rhinos were left and thousands of people had settled in the area. This striking decline in the wildlife propelled the government to form the Gaida Gasti – a rhino recon patrol of 130 armed men and a network of guard posts all over the area. Following this the National Park was gazetted in 1970 with an area of 544 sq km. and enlarged to its present area in 1977.

Being a part of the central climatic zone of the Himalayas, Chitwan has a tropical monsoon climate with high humidity throughout the year.

Kedarnath Sanctuary

Situated in the Western Himalayas, Kedarnath Sanctuary is located in the Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts of Uttarakhand. A part of the Himalayan Highlands, it has an elevation ranging from 3,810 ft to the Chaukhamba peak at 23,189 ft. It gets its name from the famous Kedarnath Temple that was built in the 8^th century AD. It is just outside the northern border of the sanctuary.

Kedarnath Temple Image Credits: photos.wikimapia.org — Kedarnath Temple
Image Credits: photos.wikimapia.org

Covering an area as 975 sq km, it is the largest protected area in the Western Himalayas. It was formally established in 1972, primarily to protect the Himalayan musk deer and because of that it is also called the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary. It has been designated a “Habitat/Species Management Area” by the IUCN.

It is popular for its great biodiversity, picturesque snow-covered mountains, lakes, glaciers, valleys and the glistening Mandakini and Alaknanda Rivers. It’s often called one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in India. The density of the flora changes with the elevation – from sub-alpine forests to alpine shrubs, Himalayan flowers to permanent snow lines with little or no vegetation.

World’s Adventure Destination – India

For eons India has been the home of spirituality, yoga, tradition, history and cultural diversification. People from all over the world have visited this great land for trade, knowledge, and spiritual freedom. A multitude of cultures have found their way right to the country’s heart over many centuries.

In addition to being rich in history and culture, India is also a land of varied landscapes. From mountains to beaches to valleys and rivers, you can find it all here. Himalayas along with the many rivers that flow from it, dominate the topography of the north. There are also many National Parks all across the country teeming with tigers and other animals, which make for great wildlife safaris.

Himalayas attract mountaineers and adventure buffs from all over the world. It offers plenty of scope for trekking, paragliding and skiing and some serious mountaineering. River Ganges is one of the most popular rafting destinations in India. Rishikesh in the foothills of the Himalayas is the ultimate destination for rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping and zip lining.

Rivers Kundalika and Kali in the west and south respectively are also popular spots for rafting. Maharashtra in the west is another adventure hub that offers rafting, rock climbing and rappelling, trekking, paragliding and hot air ballooning.

In addition to all this, the Thar Desert in the west is the perfect place for a desert safari where one can experience life amidst the vast expanses of sand.

Things to keep in mind while on a Wildlife Safari

Wildlife Safari is mostly a relaxed and fun activity and it can prove to be one of the best holidays you have ever had. It is not just thrilling and adventurous but also educational. To make sure that you get the best out of this experience there are a few things you should keep in mind while going on a Wildlife Safari:

International Destination – The Archipelago of the Azores

Azores View from above Povoacao to the Atlantic ocean Sao Miguel

Located out in the Atlantic, the isolated Azores is 1564 km directly west of Lisbon, Portugal, and 3900 km off the North American coast. This chain of nine islands, all volcanic in origin, was colonized by the Portuguese in the mid-15th century. The islands’ location, almost bang in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, has proved of great strategic value. Today, they are a key mid-ocean refueling and pit stop for commercial airlines, international shipping, cruise ships and private yachts.

Extremely popular for deep-sea fishing, wine production, many varieties of tropical fruit and local cheeses, the Azores is increasingly becoming a favorite tourist destination. Even the nonchalant traveler will be smitten by the emerald-green and sapphire-blue lakes, volcanic craters and cones, verdant grasslands, 15^th-century churches and majestic manor houses.

National Parks of India

Jim Corbett National Park

The first National Park to be established in mainland Asia (1936), CorbettNational Park has captured the imagination of many with the diverse wildlife and the natural uniqueness of the area. It is situated in the town of Ramanagar in the Nainital district of Uttrakhand. Covering an area of 521 sq km, it offers a remarkable variety of landscapes formed by the streams, rivers and many ridges crisscrossing the terrain.

CorbettNational Park is home to a varied species of plants, birds and land animals. Among the birds Crested Serpent Eagle, Red Jungle Fowl, Blossom-headed Parakeet are commonly seen. Kalagarh dam located in the south west of the wildlife sanctuary is considered to be the best place for birding.

Tiger spotting at Jim Corbett — Jeep Safari at Jim Corbett National Park
Image Credits: tempotravellerindelhi.in

The many colors of India!

Mountains, beaches, deserts and the colorful festivals, India has it all. Offering activities like Mountaineering, Kayaking, Cruising, Birding, Wildlife and Desert Safaris, Outdoor Photography and more – India is a popular travel destination.

Here are some glimpses of this diverse landscape –

Safdarjang, New Delhi
Image Credits: facebook.com/PhotographyByManoo/

November Jaunts

“Winter is coming,” is a phrase made popular by the characters of a widely popular TV series – except, in the series they say the words in fear, while we in India say them with cheer!

Winter, the time to get out and explore, to ski, sail and more!

Here is our pick of some of the most beautiful places to visit in India in the month of November – the official beginning of the winter season:

Andaman (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) – The apotheosis of beauty, the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago is unlike any other place in India. This collection of 572 islands in the Bay of Bengal has so much to see and explore that any number of days you decide to spend here would seem too little.
Natural Coral Bridge – Andaman
Image Credits: https://www.facebook.com/anandkshitij/media_set

You can choose from thrilling water-based activities like scuba diving and snorkeling, historical sites like the Cellular Jail, and also beautiful islands (Havelock, Neil, and Baratang) that boast of some of the most stunning beaches around. This cluster of islands is also home to the Onge and the Jarawa, tribes that are many centuries old but whose populations are dwindling.
For trip details click Here
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Corbett Beauties!

Howdy outdoorsy folks!

It’s Monday again, and our animal friends from Corbett National Park are here to add cheer to your week.

Spotted Deer
Image Credits: weareholidays.co.in

Red-Whiskered-Bulbul Image Credits: walkthewilderness.net — Red-Whiskered-Bulbul
Image Credits: walkthewilderness.net

Hanuman Langur Image Credits: walkthewilderness.net — Hanuman Langur
Image Credits: walkthewilderness.net

It’s Time for Tanzania!

Howdy, outdoorsy folks! A new week is here and with that it’s time to talk about new things, new places and new adventures. This time we bring to you The African Adventures in Tanzania. From national parks and wildlife safaris to the continent’s highest mountain peak, this East African nation has it all. Here’s our pick of the top 10:

Serengeti National Park – Wildlife/Jeep Safari, Photography

The Serengeti National Park has the perfect African safari setting. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tanzania and is well known for its annual wildlife migration of wildebeest and zebra. The month of May is one of the best times to visit the park, when the grass is dry and the wildebeest and zebra start to gather in huge armies, presenting an amazing wildlife show. Meanwhile, the vast spread of grasslands make the Serengeti ideal for witnessing lion kills – one can see the whole spectacle clearly!