Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Manali is a beautiful destination that offers different charms in all seasons. Summers witness Manali turning into an escape from the blistering heat of the plains, while winters dress the town in a graceful garb of white snow. Here's a monthly breakup of Manali's climatic conditions so that you can plan accordingly:

September to February: The monsoons draw to an end in September and winter starts setting in from October. The temperature in winter months can go down to -1 °C, so make sure you carry enough woolens to keep yourself warm, especially for the chilly nights. 

December end to January is the time when you can enjoy snowfall and the spectacular scenic white views of the surrounding mountains, making it a favourite with the honeymooners. This is the ideal time for adventure enthusiasts who want to go skiing. 

March to June: Summer steps in from March but the weather is still pleasant. The temperatures during these summer months usually vary between 10°C to 25°C, so you might still need light woolens during the night. This is the perfect time to indulge in outdoor activities such as paragliding, rafting, trekking and mountain adventures in the Solang Valley. This is also the time when the region’s flora is in full bloom lending it the most pristine natural beauty.

July-August: Monsoons in Manali can be tricky as the region experiences heavy rainfall, which can also sometimes lead to landslides. But considering a lot of tourists don’t prefer to travel during this time, the prices of hotels tend to drop.

Andaman Islands, Scuba Diving

Andaman & Nicobar Islands are suitable for Adventure water sports like Scuba diving, Skiing, Sailing, Para sailing, Wind surfing, Snorkeling etc. Trekking through the dense evergreen forests and island camping in beach front forests are other adventure activities

Andaman Water Sports Complex offers all kinds of water sports facilities: Sail boats, Para sailing, Water scooters, rowing boats, kayaks, paddle boats, water skiing facilities etc.,. Boating from this complex up to the Ross Island is really an exciting experience. There is also a Sea water swimming pool and a change room. There is an artificial waterfall as well, which is a great attraction among the visitors. A children park nearby is a place for children to enjoy the serene environment.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is an adventure activity which is very popular off the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. One can enjoy the under-water marine life and view the rarest varieties of corals by Snorkeling in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. You can Snorkel pristine and undamaged reefs, right off white sandy beaches. Equipped with a mask, snorkel and fins, Snorkeling offers you the experience of studying the exotic wonders of the coral reefs. Snorkeling is an exciting sport that lets you rub shoulders with some unique marine species.

For some best snorkelling action you can also take a trip in one of the open fishing boats that offer excursions from different Islands in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Underwater, a kaleidoscope of coral colours showcase a variety of reef fishes, turtles, sharks and rays. Many visitors, never having seen fish in such densities before, are bewildered by the sheer numbers of the fish in the vast shoals that populate the reefs.

The best snorkelling site in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is at Havelock Islands. The sea around Havelock Islands, display an incredible density and diversity of marine life in seas that sometimes seem to almost boil with fish. The other best places for Snorkeling in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park near Wandoor, Jolly Bouy and the Red Skin Islands. Cinque Island is another location with some fantastic coral. Snorkeling is also possible off Port Blair at the Andaman Water Sports Complex. The under water corals in Andaman island beaches are extremely colourful. One can experience the live corals at Jolly buoy, red skin, North bay etc., People who do not know swimming also can experience the underwater marine world as they will be escorted by experienced person.

It is possible to snorkel in Andaman & Nicobar Islands throughout the year. However, these Islands are subject to monsoons, which bring with them heavy rains and strong winds, so it's a good idea to make a note of the seasons and so avoid the Islands that are subject to the bad weather. We will take you to all of the best snorkelling spots in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is the biggest activity on the Andaman & Nicobar Islands other than lying around and eating seafood. The best season for diving in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is from December to April.

The exciting experience of Scuba diving is a major tourist attraction. One can see the fascinating marine life among the world of amazing water bodies, colourful fishes and amazing corals. One can explore the wonders of scuba diving and can get the rare experience mixed with adventure. However, Diving in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is still in its infancy.

The Indian government takes a serious approach to protecting its marine resources.As a result, marine life populations are robust, and divers are often surrounded by fish. At places like Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in Wandoor, clouds of surgeons and barracuda gather in mid-water, snapper and sweetlips swarm over the rocky reef, and big fish like Giant Trevally and Bumphead Parrotfish are seen on nearly every dive. Giant Grouper and schooling Mobula Rays also make regular appearances. Many sites are home to endemic species like Andaman Damselfish, Andaman Sweetlips, and the distinctive Indian-Ocean Spinecheek Anemonefish.

The Scuba Diving centres has all the facilities and necessary equipments for a great experience of scuba diving. Adding to this there are many skilled trainers who can help the tourist in getting into the deep of the sea.

Havelock Island is another major Scuba Diving Centre. Both operators on Havelock, Barefoot Scuba and Dive India are PADI certified dive centers, provide good equipment and offer training up to instructor. Dive India is located on Beach No. 5 and Barefoot Scuba is on Beach No. 3 run by Barefoot Resort. They share pretty much all of the same discovered dive sites, and prices are more or less standardized at Rs.3000 for two dives.

Chadar – The Frozen River Trek

Ladakh can be a difficult place to travel. The mountains are steep and in the winter snowfall closes many of the mountain passes and makes the few roads treacherous. Some villages become completely inaccessible between November and March. One method of accessing snow-bound villages during the winter is trekking on top of the ice of frozen rivers. The Chadar trek is one such route, connecting villages in the Zanskar valley (deep in the mountains) with Chilling (on the road to Leh) along the frozen Zanskar River. This route has been used for centuries for trade and transportation, and is most reliable in February when the ice is most stable.

Now, We should make it clear that the Zanskar river is big and fast-flowing. For most of its length between Chilling and the Zanskar valley the river is confined within a steep canyon. If the idea of walking over frozen river ice with a large pack on your back and very cold rushing water a few inches below your feet is terrifying, then you are not alone. People sometimes die on the Chadar trek, usually local porters who carry goods on the river for their livelihood and can't afford to be conservative. The hike from Chilling to the Zanskar valley takes more than a week, and at night porters usually sleep in caves in the canyon walls.

This trek is considered as one of the most exciting and unique treks – a very special and an extraordinary trek on shiny ice on the bank of Tsarap River. You will be dropped by a vehicle at Chilling Sumdo (crossed road) then yourtrek leads in a narrow valley filled with breath-taking views of ice-peaks and unexpected hanging icicles that will attract your gaze for some time. You will spend the night at cave camps with the help of a born fire that will keep you warm and relaxed.

Our daily trek begins at around 9:00am and by then the sun's up and blue skies bring cheer despite the cold temperatures. The trek goes along the Tsarap River in the region of Nyerag, Lingshed and constitutes toZanskar!

Needless to say, having a good guide is critical on the Chadar trek. Trekking on the ice was intimidating. A covering of snow made it difficult to assess its thickness. At times we had to walk along a narrow margin of ice, constrained by the canyon wall on one side and deep rushing water on the other. Slipping in or falling through would not just be cold; it could be fatal. The water was deep and fast, and you would likely be swept under the ice in seconds.

For better or worse, the Chadar trek is an endangered activity and within 5 years will cease to exist in it's current form. A road is currently being blasted out of the rock face above the river. When completed, winter access to the Zanskar valley villages in the interior will be relatively straight-forward. The road will certainly be safe and more convenient than the river, but its completion will mark the end of an ancient local practice.

The ‘Chadar’ is a perfect example of this resourcefulness of the Ladakhis and their indomitable spirit, in the face of such daunting odds. The term ‘Chadar’ means blanket in the local language, thereby giving an indication to the nature of this whole experience. Large sections of the river Zanskar, which is one of the mightiest rivers in Ladakh, freeze over in the dead of winter and are covered by a thick blanket of ice. This frozen blanket or ‘Chadar’ is the only way in and out for Zanskaris in winter, when the road and various other caravan routes are closed due to heavy The icy wonderland of the ‘Chadar trek’ snowfall blocking the high passes. It has been their traditional trade route in winter for Centuries. The seven to eight days walk from chilling to Padum is both challenging as well as an incomparably exiting experience. The landscape aquires a pristine grandeur in winter as the trail enters into the gorge of the Zanskar, where temperatures sometimes drop to –30 to - 35 Degree Celsius.

Pangong Lake, Ladakh

Pangong Lake. Situated in the upper reaches of Himalayan Mountain range in Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir, the most notable feature of the lake is the ever changing hues of the lake.

Situated at a height of about 13,900 ft, the name Pangong is a derivative of the Tibetan word Banggong Co meaning “long, narrow, enchanted lake”. One third of the lake is in India while the remaining two thirds lies in Tibet, which is controlled by China. Majority of the streams which fill the lake are located on the Tibetan side.

Pangong Tso is about five hours drive from Leh in Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir. The route passes through beautiful Ladakh countryside, over Chang La, the third highest motorable mountain pass (5289 m) in the world.

The first glimpse of the serene, bright blue waters and rocky lakeshore remains etched in the memory of tourists. There is a narrow ramp-like formation of land running into the lake which is also a favourite with tourists.

During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water. The salt water lake does not support vegetation or aquatic life except for some small crustaceans. However, there are lots of water birds. The lake acts as an important breeding ground for a large variety of migratory birds like Brahmani Ducks, Rare black necked cranes and Seagulls. One can also spot Ladakhi Marmots, the rodent-like creatures which can grow up to the size of a small dog.

Pangong Tso lies on the Sino-Indian Line of Actual Control and hence requires an Inner Line Permit. Most of the lake is in Chinese-controlled territory. Owing to Pangong’s proximity to the border, tourists are only allowed to visit the lake upto the Spangmik village. For the hardcore adventure lovers, there is a camping site on the shore of Pangong. But do remember that the weather tends to get harsh after dusk. The place is a photographers’ delight and camping is the only option if you wish to see the sunset and the sunrise.

The place is under consideration for inclusion in Ramsar Convention for the conservation of wetlands. When it happens, Pangong Tso will be the first trans-boundary wetland in South Asia under the convention. The lake has become a star attraction after being featured in the Rajkumar Hirani’s blockbuster 3 idiots.

On October 20, 1962, Pangong Tso saw military action during the Sino-Indian border conflict. Pangong Tso is still a delicate border point along the Line of Actual Control and for security reasons, boating is prohibited on the Indian side.

Saputara : Gushing Waterfalls

Gujarat is one of the diverse state of India where be it tradition, culture, palaces, long barren desert or festivals, everything here is unique. With so many things to explore here, one more place that attracts visitors is the Saputara Hill Station. Saputara, literally the ‘abode of serpents’, is best known hill resort ,at the height of 875 metres, saputara offers a pleasant climate and panoramic view of lush green Dang forest. Nesting at around 1,000 meters in the southern part of Gujrat, Saputara a densly wooded hill station is blessed with placid lake, waterfalls, natural trails, ropeway which offers a panoramic view, a fort, temples, a museum and even a bee centre. Saputara becomes even more beautiful in the monsoon & is a perfect place for a quick get-away, picnic or even a short holiday. It is an ideal place to escape from the hustling bustling city life giving peace of mind and serenity. Saputara helps in the restoration of youthful features to fluvial landscapes amidst the green woods.

The main attraction of the Saputara hill station is the Saputara Lake where the tourists can hire the sailboats, paddleboats and rowing boats to enjoy the lake and lakeside recreational activities through boating. There are several gardens at Saputara such as the lake garden, step garden and rose garden as on the banks of the river are always loaded with various flowers and are the perfect place to laze around in the vacations. Various attraction places has made Saputara a destination of Indian tourists along with the foreigner as the tourists. The ropeway which is run by the Hotel Vaity is a tremendous experience almost floating and overlooking the scenic vista of the bordered greenery with mountains peeping high

According to the legends, Lord Shri Ram had spent 11yrs from his exile in this place. The name of Saputara is extracted from the image of snake on the banks of the river Sarpagana which is worshipped by the adivasis on the holi festivals.

Lying in a densely forested plateau in the Sahyadri Range, Saputara holds the distinction of being the only hill station in Gujarat. This picturesque hill station will provide the beautiful scene of Sahyadari Mountain. Visitors can enjoy the cool air breezing from the Sahyadari peak even during the hot summer season. The surrounding of the hill station is covered with thick forest where tribal people reside. The sunset and sunrise from Saputara give the most panoramic and varied views of sun.

Nahan : A crown nested in the Shivalik Hill

Nahan is a charming and quite hill station at a height of 950 m above sea level in Sirmaur district in Himachal Pradesh. Surrounded by undulated hills and lush greenery, this small village is situated on the Shivalik Hills. Nahan is a well laid-out picturesque town, known for its cleanliness and dust free streets. Situated at the Southern tip of Himachal Pradesh, Nahan can be driven to in about 5 hrs from Delhi.

According to legends, The city is believed to be founded in 1621 by Raja Karan Praksh in 1621. It is beleived the city takes it name from Nahar (The Lion) who was an companion of a saint who used to live here. Nahan meaning “don’t kill” is believed to have got its name from an incident where the king was about to kill a lion and a saint by the name of Baba Banwari Das stopped him saying “nahan”. There are some other legends as well associated with how this hillside town got its name.

Nahan situated amidst nature' lap is surrounded by many beautiful places worth visiting. It is known for its many temples, temple festivals, wild life sanctuary, local markets and beautiful scenery. Nahan is closer to the plains as compared to the peaks. Nahan is a popular among tourist due to its scenic beauty and picturesque surroundings. The forest routes filled with lush greenery adds to the calm nature of the place. Nahan is a small town in the centre of lush green mountains nearby.

Another interesting site one can visit on the way to Nahan is the Suketi Fossil Park. Coming from Kala Amb go straight instead of turning left at the Himachal border toll bridge, it is about 5km from here but the road is nothing to write home about. The Park houses fossils of pre historic animals dating back 8.5 million years to the Jurrasic era, which were found at the site. There are also life size models of the same animals set in a jungle like atmosphere. A good show especially for the kids.

Valley of Flowers A pristine land of mythical serenity

Valley of Flowers is a vibrant and splendid national park reposing in West Himalayas. Nestled in Uttarakhand, this alluring place is famous for its charming meadows of alpine flowers. Endowed with a diverse range of endemic flora, it is picturesque in its beauty. This lush region is also home to some rare and endangered animal species. You may spot animals like Asiatic black deer, snow leopard, musk deer, red fox, brown bear and blue sheep. High in the lofty Himalayas of the Garhwal region sprawls this enchanting valley. Legends believe it to be the place from where Hanuman had collected the Sanjeevani buti for curing Lakshmana. This place has floral pastures, running streams and beautiful backdrop of the mountains.

It’s a core zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. A colossal expanse of 87.5 sq kms and myriad alpine flowers makes this place a colorful paradise. Perched at an altitude of 3658 mts above sea level, Bhyundar Valley is the home to this surreal place. Historically, the beauty of the place was unknown to world until in 1931, three British mountaineers came here. They lost their way and happened to discover this alluring valley and named it Valley of Flowers. Later in the year 1939, Joan Margaret Legge, a botanist arrived here to study flowers. She was deputed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Krew but she lost her life by slipping from the rocky terrain. Her sister later came here and erected a memorial near the spot.

Location of Valley of Flowers

Valley of Flowers is located 300 Kms North of Rishikesh, near Badrinath. You need to Travel by Road till Govindghat and from there the trek to Valley of Flowers starts. Govindghat is 20 Kms beforeBadrinath. Till Govidghat there is a motor-able Road. Rishiksh is 6 Hours Drive from New Delhi, India.

Emerald mountain ranges, green meadows and white clouds fuse to create a dreamlike locale called Valley of Flowers. Cascading waterfalls are abundant while you’re traversing towards the valley. Declared as the National Park in 1982, the vibrant valley is a world heritage site as well. The pristine beauty, mystical surroundings lures nature lovers, photographers and botanists.

Valley of Flowers remains covered with a thick blanket of snow during the winter season. It is in full bloom during July, August and September. This is the best time to explore the splendor of this magnificent place. The aqua waters of Pushpawati River bifurcates the valley into two parts. Dew drops of flowers, the rhythmic sound of flowing water and the romantic breeze can be enjoyed by the visitors during the period of July to September. As per the local beliefs, this valley was inhabited by fairies. No wonder, it’s a fairy land.

Ghangaria is the base camp for the trek to Valley of Flowers. It has private lodges and hotels for accommodation. One cannot stay at Valley of flowers, therefore Ghangaria remains an ideal place to relax and sleep. It is managed and administered by the Uttarakhand State Forestry Department and Ministry of Environment and Forests. Settlement in this park is not allowed and grazing is also banned since 1983.

Khajjiar Emerald of Himalayas

Khajjiar is one of the most spectacular places in India. The beautiful Khajjiar located in the hearts of Himalayan Ranges is officially known as mini-Switzerland of India. Khajjiar is possibly one the India’s most charming places. The place looks picture perfect. Khajjiar is 6,450 feet above the sea-level in a shape of saucer. The place is covered with Devadar trees with a beautiful lake in the middle. The large meadow is quite a sight when you are going towards Chamba town. Here you will find the rare combination of ecosystem; the forest, the lake and the pasture all three at same place.


It is situated in midway of Dalhousie and Chamba. The road from Dalhousie passes through some steep roads and dark emeralds of dense green forests with pines and cedar. When you enter Khajjiar, you can feel the peace and untouched innocence. It is the most endearing and pleasant place in Himachal Pradesh.

Glacier lake of Khajjiar is surrounded by Deodar trees. It is situated at the center of lush woods. Its shape is like that of a saucer. Basically like a huge bowl with 7 emerald-turf meadows. The lake is surrounded by high mountains and dense pine forest. Between its fringes, you can view thick forests form the banks of river Chenab, Beas and Ravi. With a splendid look of the nature and magnificent lake and the wet fragrance that keeps you fresh one can simply stay there for hours and feel the cool breeze.


Khajjiara has many such beauty spots for the tourists to spend time. One of the places that you must visit is Khajji Naga shrine. The place has a temple of Khajji Nag that was build during 12th century A.D, it 15-20 mins walk from the lake. The temple has beautiful mandapa with images of Kauravas being defeated by the Pandavas on it. The chambers of the temple are having carvings of wood are very beautiful. There are more to the attraction of Khajjiar, a beautiful golden-doomed Devi temple, a heavenly golf course.