In a diverse country like India, choosing unexplored travel destinations isn’t much of a problem, especially if you want to give the crowds a miss and look forward to a fun-filled vacation in the lap of nature to beat the blues. However, for the Indian middle-class, a fun-filled vacation means where he can have loads of things to see and do, and yet not break the bank while paying for accommodation and dining. So, here are 3 destinations that can give the middle-class Indian his money’s worth:
·
Nawalgarh
(Rajasthan): If you have planned a trip to Rajasthan and yet want to head
straight to a place that lets you get a glimpse of the old world hawelis
without the crowd and din of big cities, Nawalgarh is your ideal bet. Drawing
its name from its founder - Thakur Nawal Singh, Nawalgarh is often dubbed as an "open air art gallery" and
the "land of havelis" that draws tourists by hordes - families,
couples, singles et all.
During your trip to this city, take in the
beauty and old-world charm of the various havelis – both big and small, dotting
the place. Some notable ones that should feature on your travel itinerary
include the Roop Niwas Palace, Hira Lal Sarowgi Haveli, and the Aath Havelis.
You should also set a date with the Nawalgarh Fort, the south eastern part of
which displays some of the finest frescos belonging to the Shekhawati region. You
can reach here from Delhi and other cities of Rajasthan (Bikaner, Jaipur, Kota,
Ajmer, and Jodhpur) by bus. For accommodation, you can choose from http://www.heritagethikana.com/ and http://www.touristpension.com/. Lodging
would cost anywhere between INR 1200-1500 per night (a family of 2 adults+1
kid), and 3 meals a day (per person) would set you back by around INR
900-1000.
·
Kolad
(Maharashtra): This small village in Maharashtra’s Raigad district is your best
bet if you are eyeing an action packed vacation. Kolad’s key attraction is
enjoying whitewater rafting at Kundalika River. Friends, families, singles –
everyone can get a chance to enjoy a wide variety of other activities as well like
river crossing, trekking, and kayaking during your Kolad trip. For nature
lovers, the splendid marshlands and valleys, against the backdrop of the magnificent
Sahyadris, which would enthrall the sore eyes and refresh battered souls, are a
treat for sure!
You can reach Kolad from Pune (157 kms) by
road in about 2 hrs and 10 minutes. Though there are many budget lodging
options, the one rated as the best is http://www.kundalikarafting.in/. A 2
Night/3 days package would cost anywhere between INR 2100 to 4500 per day per
person depending on the time of your visit (weekday or weekend) and how many
persons are in a group (rate varies as per double occupancy/triple or quadruple
sharing basis).
·
Masinagudi
(Tamil Nadu): If a vacation in the jungle where you get a chance to see the wildlife of that area from close
quarters, excites you, this is the place to be. Starting from van safaris into
unspoilt sanctuary areas, and bird watching, to taking a tour of the elephant
camp, and a trip to the local tea/ pepper/coffee plantation, you can enjoy all
these and more during your Masinagudi sojourn. You may even plan a full day
excursion through the twin sanctuaries of Mudumalai and Bandipur, along with a
visit to Gopalswami Betta, which is a hill whose peak plays host to a historic
temple. Families, elders, couples, singles – everyone will have something or
the other to look forward to once they reach Masinagudi.
From Coimbatore Airport, about 123 Kms from
Masinagudi, you can reach here easily via road. Ooty - 28 kms away, though, is
the nearest city from Masinagudi. There are many accommodation options at this
place to suit your budget. You can stay
at Glen View Resorts (rates
vary between INR 2115 and 5828 for 2-4 persons), or Bamboo Banks Farm Guest House (rates
4000+ for couples and families per night), both of which are highly rated on
TripAdvisor. Another good place to stay at is http://www.masinagudi.com/. At Masinagudi,
3 meals a day (per person) would cost you anywhere between INR 900-1000.
India has many more of such hidden gems that offer tourists an
uninterrupted, leisurely and calm experience, which most popular tourist
destinations these days can’t. So, plan tours to these unexplored destinations
and we’ll return soon with another set of attractions that are still not
battered by stream of tourists and let you enjoy your own slice of paradise!
Photo
courtesy:
6 comments:
Hey sonali, these three places are awesome. I have been to Kolad once. It was a great tour. Thanks for sharing and keep posting. :)
Thanks for stopping by, Deepak. Would be great to know the place where you stayed and any other recommendations that you could make for would-be Kolad visitors to enjoy their trip to the fullest.
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Thanks T.SAMBASIVARAO for taking time to read the post and leave a comment.
I have been to kolad for river rafting. It was an awesome experience.
Wow! Very good list of destinations. I just booked a ticket for river rafting.
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