Bhandardara - A Perfect Weekend Getaway
India is blessed with various shades of nature and monsoon beauty covering the entire plateau is one among them. Holidaying at these exotic locations is surely a lifetime experience which leaves you spellbound with its beauty.
Lush green carpet, overflowing river & sparkling waterfalls makes you fall in love with Incredible India.
If you are looking for a drenching monsoon and is a nature lover, "Bhandardara" is the perfect place this Monsoon, to enjoy pakodas and hot chai. Not to forget the amazing beauty of nature and wonderful trekking sites. Hiring a car to Bhandarada is a preferred option to reach this place.
Located in the lap of Sahyadrai Mountain, Bhandardara is a hill station in Maharashtra. Connected to many mythological stories Pravara river is considered as a tributary of River Ganga.
This is a place which is loved not only by nature lovers for its crisscrossed trench but is also a major tourist attraction as dotted with major forts like Ratangarh & Harishchandragad Forts.. The most loved stopover for the people traveling to Nashik & Shirdi.
Though you can visit Bhandardara through out the year, but the best time to visit is Monsoon. It unleashes its real beauty in this season only. The rains are very heavy and continuous which is a treat for rain lovers.
Things to do:
Trekking, sightseeing, camping, Boating, Rappling.
Other Places to Visit in Bhandardara :
Wilson Dam :-
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| PC: Dinesh Valk, flickr |
Built with excellent engineering ,Wilson Dam is the largest earthen dam in India. It is built on Pravara river in 1910. Usually during monsoon the gates of the dam are opened to release the excess water and becomes the major tourist attraction in and around area.Adjacent to it a garden full of trees and natural green carpet add more to the beauty of Wilson Dam.
Umbrella Falls :-
Another place which comes to full life in Monsoon is Umbrella falls situated in Bhandardara. Umbrella falls are situated behind the Wilson Dam.
Necklace Falls: -
Water flow forming a natural Necklace like structure when falling down the rocks is Necklace Falls.It is active only in Monsoon.
Ghatghar Dam:
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| PC: Ankur | flickr |
People looking for solicitation and peaceful ambience must visit Ghatghar Dam.No very renounced and difficult to locate on map, reaching Ghatghar dam might require local help.
With its picturesque scene in rainy season Ghatghar Dam is a total treat to nature lovers and has waterfalls all over.Since the dam is located near hilly region this is consider as ideal spot for trekking and camping. Less crowded therefore food and other shops are not available.
Kokan Kada: -
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| PC: Ankur | Flickr |
Natural fall located at 1700 Ft above the sea level Kokan kada has amazing view from the top. This view is complementary to trekking at Harishchandra Fort which is easy at the initial stage but quite challenging once reaching the top.
Covered by dense forest the possibility of encountering wild animal like cheetah is high.
A perfect escape into nature's lap during short holiday is Kokan Kada.
The cliff at Kokan Kada looks like a hood of a cobra which a natural structure beyond proudly displaying the nature 's architect. Must loved place for over night camping as one can enjoy the cool breeze and natural view beyond description.
Randha Falls: -
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| PC: Elroy Serrao | flickr |
With a river bed of approx 140m broad ,this is one among the largest falls in India.Situated near Ranad region this falls receive water from Wilson Dam . Maintained by administration this is Much developed tourist spot compare to other spots . Safe walkways are constructed at some places over the river bed to provide a better view of the water fall.Parking and local eating facility is also available.
Other Places -
Arthur Lake , Ratanwadi Village, Agatsya Rishi Ashram etc.
How to reach Bhandaradara :
Bhandardara is connected though all the major cities in Maharashtra.
Mumbai to Bhandardara -> It’s 3 hour 45 minutes (163.6 km) from Mumbai . Bhandardara does not have a train station, and the nearest station is Igatpuri, at a distance of 28 kms from Bhandardara.
Pune to Bhandardara- It’s 4 hour 45 minutes (172.6 km) from Pune .
By Air – Nearest airports Mumbai , Pune , Nashik
By Train - Bhandardara does not have a railway station of its own so nearest railway is Igatpuri .Igatpuri is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular trains. Bhandardara is 35 kms away from Igatpuri.
By Road- Car Rental are easily available from Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and all the major cities for Bhandardara.
So,pack your bags to add yet another fun filled travel chapter to your travel diaries. Log on to ClearCarRental to explore yet another adventurous location in India.
Tag :
Weekend Spots,
A quick trek guide to Korigad Fort
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| Plateau of Korigad PC: flickr |
Stands at 929 meters high above the sea level in the Sahyadri mountain range, Korigad fort is one of the most preferred trekking destinations in Maharashtra for one day trek from Pune and Mumbai. Fort can be visited throughout the year. Even the trek to this korigad fort hill is also a great night trekking adventure and is comfortable to trek in the summer months. The fort is located around 24 KM from Lonavala, Maharashtra.
The trek to Korigad can be catogories in easy level trek. Everyone can enjoy the trek to this fort even if you are the beginner. It takes around 1 hour to reach the top of the fort.
There are two ways to reach the top of fort; one is from Peth Shahpur and second is from Ambavne village. Starting trek from Peth Shahpur route is considered to be the easier one than second mentioned route. Enroute you can have a magnificent views of tiny waterfalls and lush greenery.
There is not enough information available about the history of this fort. This fort was incorporated into his Maratha kingdom by 'Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj' in 1657 and remain under their empire until 1818. Approximately the 2 km fort walls for fort circumference are still nearly intact.
What to see on the Korigad Fort
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| PC: flickr |
2] Some of the Cannons on the fort.
3] View of waterfalls falling along in the way to fort.
4] Two ancient rock cut cisterns on the fort which are also called as a tank.
Best Time To Visit Korigad :
If you love to monsoon and to view nature at its best then the monsoon is the best time to visit Korigad fort. or else you can also visit the place during September to March.If you are visiting the place in monsoon then be extra careful while trekking as the track route are slippery.
How to reach Korigad :
By road: You can reach to Aamby valley by bus but the frequency of them are quite low. If you are going by road to reach Korigad fort then you have to get down to Peth Shahapur village. You can rent a self or chauffeur driven cab from Pune, Mumbai, or Lonavala to reach the base village.By air: Pune airport is the nearest airport to Korigad fort. Before reaching to the airport you can hire a cab for Korigad.By rail: Nearest railway station to Korigad is Lonavala. Lonavala is well connected to Pune and Mumbai.Tag :
Weekend Spots,
All you need to know about National War Memorial, Delhi
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| Image by: Sanket Oswal, wikipedia |
“Quartered in snow, silent to remain. When the bugle calls, they shall rise and march again.” – The scroll of honour at the Siachen base camp.
Nation salutes to Indian Army for their unwavering commitment and bravery in the battle field since time immemorial. Among 29 Largest standing army in the world topped by China, India hold second position with an enviable reputation for having a well-trained and powerful army, which is really a remarkable achievement.
The story of their bravery and legendary sacrifices are still hold high by every single citizen of India.
In order to Honour their efforts, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, on 25th February inaugurated India’s first National War Memorial in Delhi not very far from the another popular tourism attraction in Delhi ,India Gate.
“National War Memorial will be akin to a pilgrimage to a holy place” as quoted by our PM Shri. Narendra Modi, depicts his true reverence for the Indian Army. A true respect to the sacrifices of men who laid down their lives for the sake of their country, so that we could live so that the country could be safe & secure, paving the way for development."
Though the proposal for the same was presented long back but it finally got approved in 2015. National War Memorial was built at the cost of Rs 176 crore which is spread in 40 acres.
Built in the vicinity of India Gate, the National War Memorial pays homage to the soldier who sacrificed their lives during various war. The memorial honors 25,942 martyr soldiers.
Build with perfect architect, the four concentric circles of National War Memorial represents the entire journey of soldier, from entry to martyrdom and finally merge with eternal flame represented by obelisk which is at the center of the circles.
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| Image by: wikipedia.org |
The four concentric circle or 4 chakras around the obelisk are 'Amar Chakra' , 'Veerta Chakra', 'Tyag Chakra' and 'Rakshak Chakra'. The outmost chakra Rakshak Chakra represents spirit of security.
Moving towards inner circle the second chakra Tyag Chakra represents sacrifice of soldiers. The third chakra represents courage and bravery of the Indian soldiers and the inner most chakra near obelisk is Amar Chakra representing eternity of the soul.
To make it a green zone around 700 trees were planted and the area is well manicured to make it as popular tourist attraction in Delhi.
WeBe design lab of chennai is the winner of the design selected for Memorial.Beautifully designed in a form of Chakravyuh the architect is unique in itself.The walls are made up of granite brick .It also has Brick with Name of each soldier, his ID, regiment, and rank. Going a step further and making things easier for the visitors an app is available on google play store by which one can type the name of the solider and find the location of the brick. It also hold statue of 21 Param Vir Chakra Awardees at Param Yoddha Sthal.
How to Reach National War Museum : -
Delhi is well connected with all the major capital of all the states, through Air ,Train and Road network.
National War Memorial can be easily reached from all corners of Delhi though Public or Private Transport. You can also book a Cab for local site seeing. There is no entry fee for visiting the National War Memorial in Delhi.
Best Time to Visit The National War Memorial : -
Like other tourist attractions in Delhi, It is also open on all days of the week. However, the entry to the National War memorial is restricted on certain days.
The official timings for the War Memorial Delhi is from 9 am to 6:30 pm till March and From April, the timings would be 9 am to 7:30 pm.
Other Places to Visit Around Delhi : -
India Gate :
Formally known as Kingsway. The India Gate is a war memorial located astride the Rajpath. This was built in the memory of 70,000 soldiers both Indian and British who lost lives in World War – 1
Rashtraparti Bhavan :
Rashtraparti Bhavan is yet another amazing place to visit. Occupying 330 acres it has 190 acres of garden area.It has 340 room build over four floors. The legendary Mughal Gardens has an Persian style architect which cover an area of 15 acres and have 159 celebrated varieties of roses, varieties of bougainvillea. The walls are covered with creepers like Jasmine, Rhynchospermum, and China Orange trees. From Feb to March every year The Mughal Gardens opens for general public i.e during Udyanotsav.
Swaminarayan Akshardham :
Awarded with the Guinness World Record as the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple Akshardham epitomizes thousand years of history of Indian Culture, India’s ancient architecture, and the essence of spirituality which flows in every Hindu.
Apart from this Delhi tourism covers places like Red Fort, Rajpath, Humayun Tomb, Agrasen Ki Baoli, Lotus Temple, Birla Mandi, Dilli Haat, Garden of Five Senses, Shantivan, Iskcon Temple, Jama Masjid, Jantar Mantar, Lodi Tomb, Qutab Minar and many more.
So log on to Clear Car Rental to check out yet more Near by Tourist attractions in Delhi and add few more cherishing memories in your travel diary .
Tag :
Best of India,
Top Preferred Yoga Destinations In India
International Yoga Day has been celebrated every year by millions of people across the globe on 21st June since it's inception in 2015. Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual exercises or disciplines which originated and started in ancient India, helps to improve health happiness.
Millions of people are joining the moment every year and continues to growth across the world. If you too have been inspired by the yoga and want to roll out yoga mats somewhere at the best places but not sure where to go then surely the list will help you a lot in your plan for yoga tourism. And here we bring you a quick list of yoga retreat places for you. You may have visited many places from the list or have planned to go.
1] Rishikesh :
Rishikesh, a city nestled amidst beautiful mountains of Himalaya and on the bank of Ganga river, is at number one position in our list and should be on the first position as it is the capital of yoga practice of the world. There are a good number of yoga classes and ashrams where you can try your yoga practice
2] Varanasi :
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| Image courtesy: wikipedia |
Varanasi always been on yoga practioner's radar as it is one of the premier yoga places. It is also known as Kashi and Banaras situated on the bank of holy river Ganga in Uttar Pradesh state. It is the most ancient city in India. There are several Yoga schools where you can go and learn or practice yoga.
Instead of this Varanasi is famous for numerous Hindu temples including Kashi Vishwanath Temple and many ghats and delicious food.
3] Goa :
Goa is not all about parties. In recent years, Goa has emerged as one of the most popular destinations for yoga practitioners. Goa's uniquely calm and soothing ambiance makes it one of a prime place for a yoga practice. If you want to have a vacation while practicing yoga in wonderful surroundings, Goa might be a good fit for you.
Spend a blissful week in a gorgeous Goa, surrounded by amidst best beaches and magically aesthetic culture. You can easy find the yoga retreats center with a simple search in Google. Few of them Bamboo Yoga Retreat, SWAN yoga retreat, The beach house and many more.
4] Auroville :
What could be a better place for your yoga tourism, if you are looking for a yoga retreat in south India.
Auroville is an experimental township in the state of Tamil Nadu. Silence and spiritual atmosphere of Auroville makes it a perfect destination for every yoga enthusiast. You could visit other places in and around Auroville, when you get time from yoga.
Take a local ride in and around Auroville with a cab to visit some of the most beautiful sights like Matrimandir, Auroville Bakery and Boulangerie, Auroville Beach[ restricted for swimming due to high tide], Auroville Botanical Gardens.
5] Dharamshala :
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| Image courtesy: wikipedia |
Nestled amid dense forest of northern India, and surrounding stunning natural beauty makes Dharamshala a popular destination for Yoga retreat.
Enthusiasts will have plenty of yoga school choices to choose from with this, you can also have the opportunity to participate in yoga teacher training programs.
6] Manali :
Manali does not have as much yoga centers as compared with other places from the list but misty and beautiful Himalayas and lush greenery around it offers the perfect yoga retreat.
7] Mysore :
The list incomplete without including Mysuru. Mysore is famous for an excellent style of yoga to accommodate people of all levels. It's a home of Ashtanga yoga, Late yoga guru K. Pattabhi Jois’ founded the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute which is best known yoga schools in India and the world.
8] Kerala:
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| Image courtesy: wikipedia |
It will be the perfect destination for you if you are looking for an Ayurveda and yoga retreat. Kerala is known as the 'God's own abode' which has been blessed with dense palms, bushy trees and serenity. ideally, people looking for solace and peace opt Kerala as their yoga destination.
So let’s make Yoga an integral part of our daily lives and also inspire others to do the same, for a better and healthier future.
Tag :
Archive,
Shantivan in Delhi
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| image courtesy: wikipedia |
'Shantivan' which means 'Forest of Peace', a peaceful area surrounded by plants and shady trees and lush green lawns is a memorial site dedicated to 'Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru' [first and longest serving prime minister of India]. 'Shanti van' is the place where Pandit Nehru's last rites were performed on 27th May 1964. Shanti van is located north of Raj Ghat [The samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi] in the banks of River Yamuna, Delhi.
'Jawaharlal Nehru' was born on November 14th, 1889 in Allahabad in British India. He is known as a man of vision who envisioned modern India and played a key role in prosperous India. fought and took a part in long struggle for freedom of India from the British rulers.
Pandit Nehru's birthday [14th November] is celebrated in India as 'Children Day' [Bal Diwas] in recognition for his love, affection and respect towards children. He came to be known as 'Chacha Nehru' for the children of the country because of his special love towards children.
If you are in Delhi then must visit this place where you can spend quality time. It is open on all days of the week, from 5:00 AM - 7:30 PM and there is no entry fee to visit this site.
You can reach Shantivan by cab, taxi or metro as it is located near southeast of Red Fort, near Rajghat.
Places you can visit near Shanti Van :
- Shakti sthal
- Vir Bhumi
- Vijay Ghat
- Delhi gate
- Raj Ghat Kisan Ghat
- Khas mahal
- National Gandhi museum and library
- Shahi burj
Tag :
Historical,
Tourists Places near Delhi to Explore on Weekends
Many of us who cannot take a long period off work, always seek some great places for shorter breaks near them that can turn their regular weekend into mini-vacation. There are always several weekend getaways from your city but you did't know about it. Here we have given some famous and popular places near Delhi where you can go for a short weekend break with family or friends.
Either you can book your tour through any of the trusted tour operators or else just book a chauffeur driven cab from your destination and go you own.
1] Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary :
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| Image courtesy: wikipedia.org |
Established in 1986 and spread over 4707 acres 'Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary' is an ideal place for wildlife lovers and all travelers. It is located 48 km away from the Delhi. Sanctuary is home to the wide range of birds and reptile along with amphibians and mammals.
Visiting time of the sanctuary is 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM.
2] Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
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| Image courtesy: wikipedia.org |
A famous national park of the country is located at Sultanpur village on Gurugram-Jhajhar highway away 41 km from Delhi.
If you love birdwatching then going to Sultanpur bird sanctuary will be your ideal choice. Park is famous for migratory and resident birds species whrer you can found approximately 250 bird species.
3] Vrindavan
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| Image courtesy: wikipedia |
One of the oldest city and most significant pilgrimage site in India and amoung Hindu religion because of its glorious ancient history associated with Lord Krishna. It is believed that Lord Krishna spent his childhood here.
You can visit here Banke Bihari mandir, Prem mandir, ISKON temple, Radha Raman temple, Shahji temple and many more..
Delhi to Vrindavan distance is 183 km and will take around 3 and half hour time to travel by road.
4] The Keoladeo National Park
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| Image courtesy: wikimedia |
Another perfect place for bird watcher. If you are in Delhi then it is 223 km away from you. The Keoladeo National Park is a world heritage site which is formerly known as 'Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary' in Rajasthan. It is famous avifauna [the birds of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.] sanctuary that hosts thousands of birds and one of the best birding spots in India.
Visiting time : 6.00 AM to 6 PM in summers and 6.30 AM to 5 PM in winter season.
5] Agra
The home of one of the 7 wonder of the world - 'Taj Mahal'. Apart from the Taj Mahal there are also more to see and visit such as Agra fort, Mehtab Bagh Gardens, shopping market of Sadar Bazar.
Agra is 233.2 km away from Delhi and can be reached by train, air and road trip by a cab.
6] Jim Corbett
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| image curtsy: wikimedia |
India’s oldest and most reputable national park is a treat for photographers, wildlife lovers and for those who want to enjoy an exciting safari and catch a good look of the king of jungle. Delhi to Corbett road distance is approximately 245 km and 6 hours of drive.
Write in the comment and let us and our traveler friends know about the other places where you had visited instead of these!
Tag :
Weekend Spots,
World famous 'Kumbhalgarh Fort of Mewar'
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| Image courtesy: wikimedia |
This mammoth fort, located at the height of 1100 meters above sea level is situated on the hills of Aravali in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan and 128 km away from Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh fort, which was built in the 15th century by Maharana Rana Kumbha under the expert supervision of the famed architect Mandan, is one of the famous and important fort of Rajasthan and is still very proudly present and celebrate the glory of that century. During 2013, this fort has got UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
Kumbhalgarh is also the birthplace of Maharana Pratap Singh - who was a emperor of Mewar and a great warrior. From Maharana Kumbh to the time of Maharana Raj Singh, the royals were in this fort at the time of the attacks on Mewar.
The wall of this fort is known as the second largest wall after the wall of China which is 36 kilometers long and 15 feet wide. There are seven gates for entry inside the fort, in which Ram Darwaza, Pag Door, Hanuman Dwar etc. There are 360 temples inside the perimeter of the long wall of Kumbhalgarh fort, out of which 300 are of Jain religion and the rest of Hindu religion.
However most of the Indian fort is surrounded by a high observation site in the hill or forest but both of these facilities are available in the fort of Kublalgarh. You can also take a glimpse of the amazing beauty of 366 luxurious and good buildings, temples and green gardens. As you head towards 'Badal Mahal' you can also see the beautiful surroundings.
There are seven gates for entry inside the fort, in which Ram Darwaza, Pag Door, Hanuman Dwar etc are famous. Every evening at 6:45pm there is a light and sound show at the fort which narrate the secret history hidden behind the stone facade of this majestic fort.
Tag :
Historical,
Gulf of Mannar - Explore Marine Majesty !
As you leave from Rameshwaram to Tuticorin, a new face of nature unleashes. Mannar Marine National Park is a UNESCO declared natural biosphere and is one of the richest areas in terms of marine biodiversity. The first Marine Biosphere Reserve in south-east Asia it is blessed with a mix of marine, intertidal and shore habitats.
The Mannar Biosphere Reserve covers a huge area of 1050000 hectares, on the south-east coast of India across from Sri Lanka and considered as one of the world’s richest regions from a marine biodiversity perspective.
The Mannar Biosphere Reserve covers a huge area of 1050000 hectares, on the south-east coast of India across from Sri Lanka and considered as one of the world’s richest regions from a marine biodiversity perspective.
Complete combo of beaches, forest, algal community, sea grasses, coral reefs, mangroves and salt marshes, this biosphere reserve comprises 21 mesmerizing islands.
Considered biologically the richest coastal region, Gulf of Mannar has around 3,600 species of plants and animals known to live within its boundaries.
World famous “Adam's Bridge” or Ram Seth provides a natural division to Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay between India and Sri Lanka.
Recognized in 1989 by Indian Government with the assistance of UNEP, it is a home to sea horses, diverse species of fish, sea cucumbers, sponges, assorted kinds of corals and species of sea grass. In addition more than 150 species of bird are found nowhere else. More than 10 species of mangrove forms a natural ecosystem provide a chosen habitat and important fish nurseries.
Located in Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin district Mannar Biosphere reserve is a place which give pleasure to mind aesthetically. The biosphere is divided into three explicit Marine ecosystems like Coral reefs, Sea grass and Mangroves accompanied by salt marshes and Algal communities and the enchanting beaches accentuate the beauty of this place.
Though it experience tropical climate condition but receives heavy pour down during October to December due to both Southwest and Northwest monsoon.
Other Places to Visit-
Rameshwaram Comorin Cape (S India), Ramen Point, Pamban Pass, Tuticorin, Kanyakumari Port, Vivekananda rock - Thiruvalluvar Statue. The park has certain visiting hours with a very nominal entry fees [Rs. 10 per adult and Rs. 5 per child].
Best time to visit :
October to March is the best season to visit Mannar, as the climate is favorable for those not accustomed to Humid and Hot Climate.
How to Reach Gulf of Mannar :
By Air-
Madurai is the nearest airport which is about 150 Km away from the Gulf of Mannar- Marine National Park. Car on Rent Madurai ,may be hired since the airport is well connected to the road routes.
By Train –
Rameshwaram is the nearest railway station. A well defined railway connectivity from Madurai , Kanyakumari, Chennai, Tirupati. Okha to Rameshwaram is a special train for the people travelling from Gujarat.
By Road –
Cab hire services from Chennai , Madurai and all the major locations is available through clear car rental, providing chauffeur driven car and cab, trusted and authentic travel partner.You may book Taxi or Cab from multiple cities to enjoy an enchanting experince at Gulf of Mannar.
Accommodation in Gulf of Mannar –
Travellers looking for accommodation may choose to stay as per their budget.Many hotels with tariff ranging from 1200 Rs /Night to 3000 Rs /Night are available out side the park .
“Work, Save ,Travel, Repeat”- Get inspired for your next adventure!
Stay tuned to explore other Biosphere Reserves in India ! Also read Pachmarhi biosphere