Matheran is declared Eco-Sensitive hill station. Motored vehicles are not allowed within 10/20 km circuit. Even if you go by your own vehicle you will have to park your car at Neral and from Neral a Toy Train takes you to the hill top. Make prior reservation for the train. You can decide to walk along the railway track by enjoying the scenic beauty around.

Situated at about 800 meters above the sea level, the hill station provides many viewpoints. You can even watch Bombay city from one point. MTDC self contained rooms are available here. There are private hotels also. Restaurants provide thali (plate) meals.

This place is for complete relaxation. Enjoy vehicle free zone, go for early morning walks to refresh yourself and you would be ready for a new week.

Malshej Ghat

Malshej Ghat is famous for Flamingos, and it is near the Shivaneri Fort. Shivaneri Fort is the birth place of Shivaji, the great warrior. This hill station also houses Buddhist caves dating back to 3^rd century.

You can approach this place via Mumbai or Pune. The hill station is located near Thane and Ahmednagar borders. But you can reach the destination by road only.

MTDC Flamingo Hill resort is the best option for staying overnight. Best time to visit is Monsoon season when the Flamingos start migrating to Malshej Ghat. Not only Flamingos migratory birds of other kinds also come here during monsoon.

You can visit Harischandraghad and Shivaneri fort along with Malshej Ghat.  

Lake Manas Sarovar is widely known as Mapam Yumco in the Tibetan region. It is a precious site of visit for Hindu, Jain and Buddhist pilgrims. It is a freshwater lake situated on an elevation of about 15,000 ft above the sea level. The lake signifies purity of mind and heart. Devotees believe that a ritual bath in the lake would cleanse off all the sins committed so far.

The Lake is located near the Mount Kailas and the Meru Mountain ranges. This beautiful lake looks like a heavenly abode in a clear daylight. In fact, it is said that the ‘Devatas’ (gods) come here every morning to take bath in the lake. Keeping the Mount Kailash in the centre, two lakes are situated in that place, actually. One is the well known Lake Manas sarovar and the other one is Lake Rakshas Sarovar. Lake Rakshas is a saline water lake.

For Buddhists, Bon Buddhists in particular, Manas sarovar basin is a holy site of meditation. Guru Rinpoche is said to have stayed in this place and we can see Buddhist Gompas around the lake. We visited the Chiu Gompa situated on top a steep hill.

We had arrived there at about 1.30 pm. It was a clear sky. We were bewildered by the serene lake and its beauty. White clouds had gathered over the lake like a white embroidered lace. Sun beams crisscrossed over the crystal clear water that reflected the color of the sky, which was blue at that time.

The place is well maintained by the Chinese authorities. A station has been built for the tourists accommodating a huge hall. There is enough space for a helipad around the building, in the forthcoming days one may get helicopter service upto Manas sarovar. The bus that we travelled dropped us there and it will come again to pick us on the last day of our Parikraman. Pilgrims do get special bus service meant for Manasarovar Lake (for pick and drop to nearby places).

Luckily, we got to have a dip in the lake. After that, we reached our base camp near another side of the lake. That night it rained like anything. We were speculating that the Kailas Parikraman would be cancelled if it continues to rain. We woke up to a clear, but a misty morning.

That day, in the afternoon, we were supposed to reach the base destination for the 3 day Kailas Circumambulation. Till then, we were allowed to take rest. Some devotees were performing rituals (Puja and havan), though it was not compulsory. In fact, the place does not have any Hindu temples, except some Gompas. Some were taking rest at the dormitory cells. We decided to explore the place. We visited the Chiu Gompa which was nearby.

The place where we had stayed is a small campus consisting rows of dormitory cells specially meant for the pilgrims. These dormitories will be booked in advance by the travel agencies. Rooms are equipped with solar electricity providing beds for 4-5 members. You can charge your camera cells and mobile phones. This is common during all three days of Kailas Parikrama. Earlier there used to be tents, now, tents have been replaced by tin sheds providing bare minimum amenities. Hot water will be provided for drinking and basic utility purpose. Common latrines were highly dirty. However, one must be prepared for extreme conditions.

In the afternoon, we left for Darchen located at about 8 km from the camp. The 3 day trekking will start and will end up in Darchen. On the first day, we walked from Darchen to Dirapuk (12km), on the second day, from Dirapuk to Zutulpuk (32km) and on the third day, we reached Darchen (8km) from Zutulpuk. Darchen is good for buying walking sticks, bead and Tibetan jewellery. As we walked back to our dormitory from the market place, a face of Mount Kailas was visible from a far distance. We were amazed at the sight of Kailas like that all of a sudden! Within a few minutes, the peak was covered behind a veil of clouds.

We stayed that night in Darchen. Our Parikraman began the next day morning. It is an experience for lifetime. Wait for the next episode!!

[To be continued]

Life in a city sucks sometimes. It appears as though we are struck inside a fixed frame, lost in the mundane activities, and feel like coming out of the congestion. Congestion created by work related stress, family oriented pressures….After all we are poor human beings who need a break to re-charge our energy. We need a peaceful place that keeps you away from all worries, makes you forget the world and helps you to rejuvenate yourself. If you are in need of such a retreat, then, you must visit Ganaptipule.

Ganapatipule is a small village in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, India. The region of Ratnagiri lies in the Konkan Maharashtra along the western coastline. Ganapatipule provides a serene sea shore of a recreational kind. The village is also known for an ancient Ganapati Temple that lies near the seashore. It is located at 30 km away from Ratnagiri city.

It was in the last summer that we had planned for a weekend trip to Ganapatipule. We had planned to reach the place via Kolhapur. Kolhapur (140 km) is the nearest transport hub to reach Ratnagiri and Ganapatipule. Ratnagiri is connected by Konkan rail to Mumbai. We had hired a taxi from Kolhapur to Ganapatipule.

You can’t call Ganapatipule a town. Due to increased number tourists this remote Konkan village is expanding. Most interesting part of the village is the MTDC beach resort facing the calm and quiet sea shore. It is a huge campus comprising rooms and cottages facing the shore. Book the room in advance during peak seasons. You may get private hotels also, but, MTDC rooms provide direct sea view.

We had booked a sea view cottage. Our aim was to spend leisurely hours on the sea shore just like that idly. We had gone there to drench ourselves in the lap of nature. The beach was less crowded and it is one of the most untouched beaches of Maharashtra, one can say. We were blessed to have refreshing morning and evening walks on the shore. In fact, we were left to have our own time in the sea. I should say, I am enamoured by the profound serenity of the place, would love to go there again.

The MTDC resort has a restaurant that provides good meals. There are restaurants outside the MTDC compound if you want to try out. Remember to taste the ‘Sol-khadi’ a local drink. It tastes like flavoured buttermilk that is made up of Kokam fruits.

What to do:

The place is less modernised and it is solely for leisure trips. The beach is the main attraction, but it is not a commercialised beach. We enjoyed drenching ourselves in the unruffled seas reflecting the clear blue sky in the noon. We just sat there for hours together watching the playful waves. We gazed at the vast sea that turned crimson as the sun made his way for another evening. It was heavenly sight!

After the sunset, we visited the Ganapati temple which was situated on the other end of the same seashore. During high tide, the sea waves touch the entrance of the temple it seems. It’s a beautiful temple in a beautiful location providing a pious ambience to the place.

If you have time, you can take a round of nearby locations. There is an open air museum in Ganapatipule displaying the local Konkani lifestyle. There is a small shop inside the museum if you want to buy local products like Kokum, honey, pickles and snacks.

We visited Malgund, the hometown of Keshavsut - the much revered poet of Maharashtra. Malgund is just 10 minutes journey from Ganapatipule. Poet Keshavsut’s residence has been converted into a memorial now.

In brief:

Ganapatipule provides best recreation for those who love tranquillity. MTDC is the best available resort there. Autos are available for sightseeing. Main attraction is the beach. Best for a weekend getaway from Mumbai, Pune and Aurangabad. Good for all seasons except Monsoon. December is the peak season, so book rooms three months before if you are planning for December. Kolhapur is the nearest transportation hub. Ratnagiri is the nearest railhead.

Mumbai- 326 km, Pune-308 km , Kolhapur -140 km, Ratnagiri -30 km  

 Travel and hospitality sector in the Indian scenario is rapidly growing. It has become more organized, approachable and trendy than before. Especially, the hospitality sector had never been so versatile. Accommodations are available in various forms to suit the travelers coming from diverse backgrounds and having diverse tastes.
 

Cozy resorts providing spiritual healing centers, palaces converted into luxury hotels providing royal treatment, houseboats for a romantic holiday, a night at some remote jungle resort and huts on trees for a meditative mind…you can think of countless combinations like these. Backwater stays, rural home stays and village stays are gaining global recognition.  You will be surprised to find the one in some or the other corners of India.
 

As a major breakthrough, Eco Tourism has gained widespread popularity. As per the definition, Eco Tourism provides a unique traveling experience for nature lovers. It is another name for responsible traveling to save natural environment and to create awareness regarding the preservation of natural environment.
 

Eco friendly accommodation (Eco Resorts) is a part of that project. This is an effort to re-connect with the lifestyle that has gone into oblivion. In village stays, you would be offered to stay in the traditional style houses so that you can have a firsthand experience an Indian village lifestyle. You get village home stays in Coorg, Kerala, and the North-Eastern states of India especially.

Features:
Eco resorts will be built without harming the local environment by utilizing what is available at local sites. Basic amenities will be provided along with hot water and internet facilities. Housekeeping department will ensure that there will be eco-friendly/organic products kept inside each room. If it is located in any sanctuary area there will be a guided tour or wildlife safari attached to that. Trekking, hiking, and camps will be arranged by the local guides. At present, you would get cottages, bamboo and wooden huts, houseboats, tree top huts and village home stays in India.

Location of some major Eco Resorts:    
‘God’s Own country’ Kerala has the highest number of eco lodges and resorts in India. ‘Tourindia’ group of enthusiast were the pioneers in the field of backwater tourism in India. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is the most visited destination.  You would get houseboats, tree houses, Tiger Trails, eco-lodges and cave-houses for nature lovers.
Karnataka state is renowned for Bandipur resorts, Nagarhole jungle Inns, home stays in Coorg, Dandeli resorts, Kabini reservoir lodges, cottages at B.R.project. You can enjoy wildlife safaris, joy fishing, trekking, bird watching, elephant rides, and many more attraction in these resorts.

Some of the famous Eco- Lodges:

Nyalam is situated at about 35 km from the Kodari border at 12, 300 ft altitude. It is located in the Shigatse Prefecture of Tibet. It has expanded from being a village to a small town by housing shopping streets and hotels. From here onwards, we start experiencing the climatic variations of a typical Tibetan Plateau. We can feel a warm morning changing into a windy noon, accompanied by sudden downpour. Evenings will be very cold and it gets dark very late. Nyalam is the place where we get acclimatized with the crazy weather conditions of Tibet. It is better to be wrapped up with warm cloths.

The road from Kodari border to Nyalam was mesmerizing. The journey begins at the lower point of a Ghat section and as we move on, the landscape changes. Green hill slopes, river streams, steep valleys, countless waterfalls…nature unwinds in varied forms. As we approached Nyalam, we began noticing the Rocky Mountains and dry pastures.

We were accommodated in a dormitory. Accommodation for all Yatris will be the same upto Manas Sarovar. These towns will be closed for winter. Don’t expect any luxury at these dormitories. There will be common latrines with very poor conditions. It is better to carry tissue roles. At some points, especially during the Kailash Parikrama, we used the open ground for that purpose. But, be careful about the dogs there. Never go alone.

Food will be prepared by the Sherpa team, a soup will be provided every evening. Good enough for the survival. The leader of our Sherpa team was Sangey. The team carries utensils, cylinders, groceries and vegetables in a separate vehicle. After reaching every destination, they would be busy with unloading, cooking, washing, serving, and again loading everything into the luggage van. They were our chefs, guides and doctors! They are well experienced trekkers; they know how to survive in extreme weather conditions. If at all could get through the risky Parikrama of the Mount Kailash it was due to the support of these Sherpas. Very friendly and affectionate companions.

The team used to provide the Diamox tablet after dinner. Diamox tablets are essential to overcome the ‘altitude sicknesses. We had started the diamox course in Kadori itself. As we move on to higher altitudes, we start feeling nausea, headache, and fever. Symptoms may vary from person to person. Increased heartbeat, pulse rate, palpitation, sweat, and loss appetite may cause troubles. We get tired very easily. It becomes very hard even to walk. Once after acclimatizing with the climate, these symptoms may disappear. Nevertheless, it is better to take diamox tablets to avoid the risk.

You can buy accessories of trekking in Nyalam. Walking sticks, down jackets, shoes, water cans could be bought here. Carry enough Chinese Yauns, you may need the currency to pay for porters and ponies during Kailash Parikrama.

Next day morning, we left Nyalam for Dongba. It takes about 8 hours to reach Dongba from Nyalam. On the way to Dongba, we passed through the Brahmaputra River valley. We had finished the packed lunch on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. We reached Dongba at about 5 in the evening. Most of our teammates were tired and despite the intake of Diamox, we were suffering from Altitude sickness. Headache, nausea and loss of appetite were common symptoms. We were instructed strictly to cover our body with thermals and down jackets. We stayed that night at Dongba.

The most awaited day had arrived. We left Dongba, next morning. It is about 3 to 4 hours journey from Dongba to Lake Manas. Our bus moved along the serpentine path, passing through bare hillocks covered under white clouds. Our initial excitement to reach the ultimate destination had been hushed by the tedious travel experience. Most of our senior mates looked tired and sick. It was indeed a hard time for us to manage our mental and physical health under the erratic climate condition of Tibet.

But, all that misery seemed temporary when we had a glimpse of Lake Manas from our moving bus. It was a clear noon, fortunately. All our dismal faces brightened up. Wow, what a breathtaking moment!! In a clear day light, the lake surrounded by snowy mountain peaks like a glittering blue veil appeared heavenly. It was an ethereal sight.

[To be continued…]