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In Tourist Destinations Revisited-The Himalayas

Manipur-A bouquet of beauty you shouldn’t miss-Ukhrul and Loktak Lake

11/11/2023 No Comments

Loktak Lake-it’s a name on everyone’s lips, and why so?-because it’s unique: a floating garden over a vast lake, a life that thrives on it- and a unique ecosystem. Ukhrul is a remote hill station but doesn’t mistake it as one of the side track pyjamas. It’s one of the most gentle climbs to the top and so windy at the top with a beautiful panoramic view of the lower Himalayas—the sunset is worth a watch too!

Reasons why you must visit Manipur:

Phumdis, the circular-sized mass of vegetation, is the feature that sets Loktak lake apart from other lakes worldwide. It’s pretty distinguishable, and one will be in awe when seeing those.

The beautiful loktak lake in morning hours

You can enjoy a trip through Loktak lake by boating around at a minimal cost of, say, 30 INR and see the beauty of the beautiful lake. Mainly boating is used to go from one place to another within the lake-the lake is enormous!
Houses on Loktak Lake is another unique feature that sets it apart from the rest-spend. Some time in one of those houses with locals for a memorable journey.
INA Memorial Complex is a historical place which holds a lot of importance as the great leader Subhas Chandra Bose unfurled the first Indian flag in Moirang.

An evening with moon at foothills of Shirui Hills,Ukhrul

Shirui Hills, the hill range in Ukhrul, is famous for Shirui Lily, the State Flower of Manipur, which grows at around 3000 metres MSL, especially in May.
Khaya and Shirui Kashong Peaks are the two peaks in Ukhrul that offer a beautiful view of the lower range of the Himalayas. The sunrise and sunset at these places are worth a watch!
Nilai Tea Estate is a tea plantation site worth a look in Ukhrul and Khangkhui Cave, a limestone-based cave worth a watch.
You have Moreh in Manipur as an international border to Myanmar, so if you have a visa, you can make a round trip there too!

Location: Ukhrul is 80 km northeast of Imphal, the capital of Manipur state of India. Loktak lake is 50 km south of Imphal.

The entrnce to boating facility at Loktak Lake — The entrance to boating facility at Loktak Lake

Tourist Attraction on the spot:

Loktak lake in itself is vast and worthy of a visit tourist place. Ukhrul has many places to see like Pisgah Eco Park, Phangrei, Khangkhui Mangsor and Harva Khangai caves, Nillai Tea Estate and Shirui Kashong Peak.

Tourist Attraction in Vicinity:

You can visit Imphal itself alongwith Churachandpur,Moreh(India-Myanmar Border),Kohima and Dzokou Valley.

Distance Charts:(From Imphal)

Guwahati(485 km)
Ukhrul(85 km)
Loktak Lake(55 km)
Dimapur(205 km)
Itanagar(460 km)
Tawang(750 km)
Kohima(140 km)
Gangtok(1020 km)
kolkata(1500 km)
Agartala(540 km)
Aizawl(400 km)
Shillong(550 km)
Darjeeling(985 km)

The trail to foothills of Shirui Kashong

How to Reach Imphal/Ukhrul:

Road Routes:

Guwahati(Assam)-Dimapur(Nagaland)-Kohima-Zakhama-Senapati-Imphal-Loktak-Imphal-Ukhrul

A beautiful cluster of huts in Loktak Lake

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM MY EXPERIENCE:

1)Shirui Lily Festival happens somewhere in month of April-May.Check their official site before reaching here and please don’t miss out !

2)Try fishing and housing at Loktak Lake and enjoy local delicacies and culture of the place.This place is a memory treasure you’ll carry with you!

3)Roads are ultra-terrible right from Dimapur in Nagaland to Senapati in Manipur-so have spare tyres and keep your vehicle in robust state.

4)Ukhrul is remote region where public vehicles do ply but pretty much dependant on local public demand.Whatever means of transport you take,make sure you return by say around 6 pm or so.North east India is like start at 4 am and finish everything by 5 pm kind of .

5)Trekking to Shirui Kashong peak is surreal as when you reach the top,the windy pleasant climate just makes your day especially sunrise /sunset times.The view from the peak is refreshing and sweet..

The beautiful Himalayan ranges from Shirui Peak

RAIL:Dimapur is nearest rail station after which public transport is plenty to help you reach Manipur.

You can watch the below video to get a better idea!Do like and share if you find it worth…

AIR:Imphal has its own airport well connected to any part of India.

ROAD:There’s two ways you can make it to Imphal-one is via Dimapur-kohima and Senapati which gives a decent ride whereas there’s a route via Silchar-Aizawl which is very exhausting and terrible route in terms of road conditions-quite hilly too!

Map:

Manipur to Loktak Lake and Ukhrul road Map — Dimapur to Imphal -Loktak Lake- Ukhrul Map

Time to Visit:

Best time to visit will be around either April-May or September-November(Avoid rains between June and September)

Spend Time With:

Family,Friends,Solo,Couple

Food and Lodging:

Hotels are easily available in Imphal and other parts of Manipur.Food is not an issue in Imphal but have snacks with you when you go towards Ukhrul as the number of shops on the way is scant.You can goto Goibibo,makemytrip,easemytrip if you need to make an advance booking.Zomato and Swiggy can be used for food bookings!Most cases,you don’t need advance bookings in Imphal.

Expense:

For a 2 day trip to Loktak Lake and Ukhrul,following is the expense:

Food:INR 150/person/day(3 times a day)X2
Transport:Consider INR 1500 for Kohima-Imphal-Ukhrul-Imphal route by shared car(if you take pvt car add 3000 INR for Ukhrul trip)
Lodging:INR 800/day X2 at Imphal (two nights stay)
Entry Fees includes various places (varies):Boating charges of approx INR 50 at Loktak Lake

Total: 3750 INR(Can go upto to 6750 INR if a shared car is availed)

Nearby Attractions(Imphal) :

Guwahati(485 km)
Ukhrul(85 km)
Loktak Lake(55 km)
Itanagar(460 km)
Cherrapunji(600 km)

A memorial at Ukhrul on foothills of Shirui

In Tourist Destinations Revisited-The Himalayas

Nagaland-Not to be missed : Tempting Dzokou Valley, fun-filled Hornbill Fest, and historical Kisama Heritage Village.

28/10/2023 No Comments

For reasons plenty, not many visit Nagaland and Dzokou. I visited once and loved the culture as well as the people. The ten-day Hornbill fest held every December isn’t to be missed-it’s so much fun with a mix of North East art and plenty of cultural shows. The city of Kohima is blessed with some beautiful landmarks along with being a beauty in itself. The Heritage Villages are unique to Naga culture and indeed to be explored, and how can one miss the lush green and beautiful Dzokou Valley Trek!

Reasons why you must visit Nagaland:

Dzeko Valley, the land of beautiful colourful (wild rhododendrons and lilies) flowers and lush green meadows, is a paradise to say the list-the beauty unmatched by any other hill station in India. Kudremukh in Karnataka may give a parallel comparison, but it can’t beat the beauty of Dzeko.
Japfu Peak(2438 m) makes for an ideal trekking treat with the Dzukou and Japhu rivers flowing by, the greenery and charm unexploited—a breath of fresh air!

Dzokou Valley shares itself between states of Nagaland and Manipur,India

The famous Hornbill fest in Naga Heritage Village houses about 20 bands who fill the air with dancing music and an aura of happiness along with crazy competitions like Naga Chilli and sweet pineapple eating competitions(watch my video).
Wokha, another city of Nagaland, offers splendid views of natural beauty with green hills and beautiful flowery orchards with meandering rivers.

Hornbill Fest happens 1-10 December,Nagaland

The Kohima War Cemetery in Kohima, Nagaland is known for its historical win by allied forces over Japanese forces; It is not a place to be missed. The Kohima Cathedral Church offers a beautiful view of Kohima city, and the church inside out is equally beautiful.

Location: Kohima is about 350 km from Guwahati, the capital of Assam and 70 km east of Dimapur.

Tourist Attraction on the Spot:

Kohima War Cemetery, Nagaland State Museum, Kohima Cathedral Church, Naga Heritage Village, Puliebadze, Touphema, and Khonoma are nearby places around Kohima to visit.

Tourist Attractions in the Vicinity:

Imphal, Dzokou Valley, Guwahati, Wokha, Ukhrul , Aizawl , Shillong, and Haflong are some exciting places 300-400 km from Kohima.

Distance Charts:(From Kohima)

Guwahati(350 km)
Imphal(140 km)
Loktak Lake(185 km)
Dimapur(70 km)
Itanagar(330 km)
Tawang(620 km)
Wokha(75 km)
Gangtok(890 km)
kolkata(1365 km)
Agartala(630 km)
Aizawl(540 km)
Shillong(410 km)
Darjeeling(850 km)

Beautiful Kohima from Nagaland State Museum

How to Reach Imphal/Ukhrul:

Road Routes:

Guwahati (Assam)-Dimapur (Nagaland)-Kohima – Dzokou / Wokha

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM MY EXPERIENCE:

1) Hornbill Fest-this is the time you should be here-1st to 10th December-any 3. One of the days of the fest and you are good to go-rock music, unique cultural art and food display, and Naga Heritage on display-do, don’t miss. Don’t forget the Inner Line Permit when you’re in Nagaland-ahghh how did I forget it!

2) If I have talked about Hornbill Fest, why miss Dzokou Valley. How can one miss Dzokou Valley when they are in Nagaland. You’ll reach the proper Dzokou Valley and know what I mean! The green valleys and hills with a slight drizzle make a complete package!

3)Khonoma Village was a unique experience for me because it showcases the core Naga culture and the beautiful landscape. It takes quite a bit of walking, but it’s worth it; you won’t even regret the short trek, and I hope you do!

4)Now, if I have talked about December and Hornbill, then beware that getting hotels is complicated and if by chance you get one, be ready to pay 2500 INR plus a couple or more. So book in advance with cancellation if you want to save some big bucks-a folded hand request!

Rail: Dimapur is the nearest rail station, after which public transport helps you reach Kohima.

You can watch the below video to get a better idea!Do like and share if you find it worth…

AIR: Dimapur has its airport well connected to any part of India.

ROAD: One and only one route. You come from around the world-land to Guwahati and then get a train to Dimapur or road. From there, take a shared car/bus to reach Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. Assam State Transport helps you to get to Nagaland quickly.

Map:

Dimapur Kohima Dzokou Valley and Mokokchung travel map

Time to Visit:

Best time to visit will be from October to May.

That's why you come to Dzokou-Enchanting greenery — That’s why you come to Dzokou-Enchanting greenery

Spend Time With:

Family,Friends,Solo,Couple

Food and Lodging:

Hotels are readily available in non-peak seasons only; if you land here somewhere in Hornbill fest, you’ll regret not booking from before. Better go to Goibibo, MakeMyTrip, and EaseMyTrip if you want to save some bucks by making a booking. Even food is costly here . Zomato and swiggy can be used for food bookings! You won’t face the issue of food and snacks at most places in Nagaland.

Expense:

For a 3 day trip to Kohima(during Hornbill fest):

Food: INR 150/person/day(3 times a day)X3

Transport: Consider INR 1000 from Dimapur to Kohima; Kohima local shared transport.

Lodging: INR 1200/day X3 at Kohima (two nights stay)(can be 700-800 INR in non-peak rainy season)

Entry Fees include various places (varies): Consider around INR 300 in total(Dzokou entrance-50 INR, state museum, Khonoma, Naga Heritage Village)

Total: 6250 INR

Nearby Attractions(Kohima) :

Guwahati(350 km)
Ukhrul(215 km)
Loktak Lake(185 km)
Itanagar(330 km)
Cherrapunji(460 km)
Thimpu-Bhutan(800 km)

Naga Heritage Village-where Horbill happens from 1-10 december every year

In Tourist Destinations Revisited-The Himalayas

Mizoram-The less frequented Himalayan Jewel of North East, not to be missed!

03/09/2023 No Comments

Mizoram: Yes, it exists, and it’s a state of beautiful North East, but many miss out on this pretty state. This state has unique art and culture, a distinct landscape, and natural beauty. Aizawl is a lot to explore, with Reiek presenting a fantastic view of meadows far and wide; Hmuifang/Phawngpui Peak gives a dreamy greenery view along with the crispy Himalayas in sight from Lalsavunga Park. Vantawng Falls, Tam dil(lake) and Palak Dil(Lake) are some other beautiful places in Mizoram.

Reasons why you must visit Mizoram:

Mizoram is synonymous with Tamdil lake, famous for frogs, boating, and an enchanting green landscape.

Hmuifang,an hour drive from Aizawl in early afternoon

The Durtlang hills are a great viewpoint close to the capital of Mizoram to have a birds-eye view of Aizawl.
The Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary, Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary, and Dampa Tiger Reserve are beautiful places in Mizoram if fauna is something you love!
Vantawng Khawhthla or Vantawng Falls, about 140 km from Aizawl with a height of 750 feet, is the most famous and must-visit waterfall in Mizoram to visit from September to January.

Falkawn-a hamlet near Aizawl, is a great place to witness the rich culture of the Mizo people.
Saiha has the largest lake in Mizoram, Palak Dil, with a wildlife sanctuary as a bonus. The lake is pretty like many other lakes in Mizoram.

Location: Aizawl is about 450 km south of Guwahati capital of Assam and about 170 km south of Silchar, a town in the Tripura state of India.

Tourist Attraction on the spot:

State Museum, Solomans’s Temple(Church), K.V.Paradise,Reiek Tlang,Lalsavunga Park, Hmuifang, VantawngFalls,Tuirihiau Falls

Tourist Attraction in Vicinity:

You can visit Imphal, Haflong, Agartala, Gangtok, Shillong, Kohima and Tawang, among others, within 500-600 km from Aizawl.

Khonoma Village near Kohima is an excellent place to be!

Distance Charts:(From Aizawl)

Himalayas as seen from Lalsavunga Park,Aizawl

How to Reach Imphal/Ukhrul:

Road Routes:

Guwahati(Assam)- Karimganj-Aizawl

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM MY EXPERIENCE:

1)Mizoram is a great place to be, especially if you look for stretched meadows amidst green hills with short trails and hikes

2)Hmuifang and Reiek are must visits -try spending a day at each of these places-it’s worth it. The view is like the countryside, greenery all over and calm winds blowing across-its so much fulfilling!

3)Winters, I’ll say it is a lovely time to be you get pleasant weather plus its Christmas time-a lot of hustle bustle in the capital.

5)Try visiting Palak dil and Vantawng Falls if you can add two days to your itinerary or Mizoram as these are must-visit places.

Vantawng waterfalls Mizoram

RAIL: Silchar is the nearest rail station, after which shared cabs are there to help you reach Aizawl.

You can watch the below video to get a better idea! Do like and share if you find it worth it…

AIR: Aizawl has its airport well connected to any part of India.

ROAD: You can come down straight from Guwahati via Karimganj to Aizawl, or else you can get a cab from Silchar will drop you at Aizawl in 7 hours.

RAIL: Silchar is the nearest rail station, after which shared cabs are there to help you reach Aizawl.

You can watch the below video to get a better idea! Do like and share if you find it worth it

AIR: Aizawl has its airport well connected to any part of India.

ROAD: You can come down straight from Guwahati via Karimganj to Aizawl, or else you can get a cab from Silchar will drop you at Aizawl in 7 hours.

Map:

Time to Visit:

The best time to visit will be around either September-March (Avoid rains between June and September)

Spend Time With:

Family, Friends, Solo, Couple

Food and Lodging:

Hotels are readily available in Aizawl. Food is available at almost all places on the roads of Mizoram. You can go to Goibibo, Makemytrip, and Easemytrip if you need to make a booking. Zomato and Swiggy can be used for food bookings! In most cases, you don’t need bookings here.

Expense:

For a 2 day trip to Aizawl,following is the expense:

Expense:

For a two-day trip to Aizawl, the following is the expense:

K.V. Paradise, Aizawl

Food: INR 100/person/day(3 times a day)X2

Transport: Consider INR 1500-2000 if you hire a motorbike cab that lets you see places like Hmuifang, Reiek, etc.INR 500 for a shared cab.

Lodging: INR 700/day X2 at Aizawl (two nights stay)

Entry Fees: Around 100 INR(max)

Total: 4100 INR(Can go upto to 4600 INR)

Nearby Attractions(Kohima) :

Guwahati(470 km)
Ukhrul(480 km)
Loktak Lake(390 km)
Itanagar(670 km)
Cherrapunji(410 km)
Thimpu-Bhutan(920 km)

In Tourist Destinations Revisited-The Himalayas

Khajjiar,Kangra and Billing-The Shiwalik Himalayas of India you can’t miss on!

13/03/2023 No Comments

Khajjiar has beautiful green meadows with mountains as a backdrop. Kangra has a famous Jwalamukhi temple where hot springs flow and fire is naturally ignited underground along with Kangra Temple. A Baijnath Temple with a stunning Himalayan backdrop also falls on the way to Bir-Billing, where Bir is the base and Billing is the top for the start of Paragliding-the world paragliding championship took place in Billing once, and this place is worth a shot! You can cover all this with the Pathankot-Jogindernagar Railway(Narrow Guage) railway, which frequents daily on the Kangra route with beautiful views of forests and fresh air all along!

Wonder-la Reasons why you must visit Billing, Khajjiar and Kangra:

When paragliding comes to your mind-look, no further than Billing and Bir, the height is perfect for paragliding at Billing with Bir provides excellent snow-capped mountain views on clear sunny days.

Kangra’s Jwalamukhi Temple is known to have emanated fire from underground rock, which has been considered God’s blessing. This is one of the reasons to be here. Fort in Knagra is also worth a visit due to its architecture and pleasant valleys that have been overlooked.
Kangra is the gateway to some scenic trekking spots like Kareri Lake, Indrahar Pass, Manimahesh and Triund, offering staggering Himalayan views of the Dhauladar range, not to forget Palampur in the near vicinity is known for its tea estates.

There are few notable monasteries in Bir and Kangra, like Gyuoti, Tashigong, Palpung and Tsering Jong, among many others, where you can attain peace and beautiful landscape.
Baijnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and hence is significant in Kangra. The bonus of viewing snow-clad Dhauladar ranges is more mouth-watering!
The meadows of Khajjiar and Khajjiar lake and Kalamuni top are must visit in Himachal. I had underestimated Khajjiar, but once you are in it, you will surely tell yourself you would have missed significant time!
Chamba is mainly known for many temples like Shree Hari and Chamunda Devi Temple, with a gateway to Sach pass of approximately 4500 metres of elevation, which serves as a gateway to Keylong or Kashmir.

Location: Chamba is 100 km northeast of Pathankot and Kangra is 85 km from Pathankot, and 80 km beyond Kangra is Billing

Tourist Attraction on the spot:

Bir-Billing Paragliding spot, Chamba Devi Temple, Khajjiar, Dalhousie, Kangra Fort, Jwalamukhi Temple, Nagarkot Temple, Tashi Jong Khampagar Monastery

Tourist Attraction in Vicinity:

Shimla, Sach Pass, Bhakra dam, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Tosh, Manali, Kullu, and Narakanda are some of the places with 300-400 km to visit.

Billing -Heaven for Paragliding

Distance Charts:(Kangra-Himachal)

How to Reach Khajjiar,Chamba,Kangra and Bir-Billing:

Road Routes:

Pathankot-Nurpur-Chamba-Khajjiar-Chamba-Sihunta-Shahpur-Kanra-Ranital-Jwalamukhi-Ranital-Nagrota-Palampur-Baijnath-Bir-Jogindernagar

Mighty Himalayas,Shivaliks,Baijnath Paprola

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM MY EXPERIENCE:

1)Khajjiar and Billing are two golden places you can’t afford to miss! Try paragliding once (1500 to 3000 INR) at Billing and spend some hours at the meadows of Khajjiar.

2)Public transport is 24/7 here, so hop in midnight and reach places by morning. Roads are pretty good too!

3)You’ll find hotels and restaurants regularly, so that won’t be an issue. Even vehicle repairs will do fine.

4)Temples are optional, but Baijnath temple shouldn’t be missed -the view of streams and mountains is damn awesome!

RAIL: The beautiful scenic rail for Kangra Valley is there from Pathankot Punjab to Jogindernagar, which you can drop at Kangra or Baijnath railway station. For Khajjiar, the road is a better option.

You can watch the below video to get a better idea! Do like and share if you find it worth it.

You can watch the below video to get a better idea!Do like and share if you find it worth…

AIR: Chandigarh/Amritsar are the nearest airports.

ROAD: A road from Pathankot bifurcates towards Chamba via Khajjiar and others towards Kangra. Best will be first to visit Chamba and Khajjiar, and state transport from Chamba will get you to Kangra Valley. Regular buses are available for Shimla, Bir and Dharamshala from Kangra. HPSRTC and private buses are aplenty to cater for your needs.

Map:

Time to Visit:

April-Early June; September to November

Spend Time With:

Family, friends, solo, couple

Food and Lodging:

Chamba and Kangra have no hotel shortages, just that peak season rates are on the higher side but available. Refer to Goibibo, MakeMyTrip, and EaseMyTrip if you want a booking. For food, you have lots of cheap and best hotels where you can have a good meal. Only towards Bir-Billing, you’ll need snacks with you.

Expense:

For a 3 day trip by state transport for Khajjiar followed by kangra and Billing:

Food: INR 100/person/day(3 times a day)X3

Transport: INR 600-800 max with public transport; more savings if commuted by train for Kangra only. A private vehicle will be required only from Bir to Billing(INR 1000)

Lodging: INR 700/day X2 at Chamba and Kangra (Check out on day 3 )

Entry Fees include various places (varies): No entry fees

Kangra Bus stand in the early morning hours of June

Total: 3900 INR(Can go upto to3200 INR if a shared car is availed for Billing)

Kangra Bus stand in early morning hours in June

Total: 3900 INR(Can go upto to3200 INR if a shared car is availed for Billing)

Nearby Attractions(Tso Moriri) (30-40 kmph is expected speed of vehicle)

Leh (650 km)
Chandigarh:(220 km)
Delhi:(450 km)
Kargil:(630 km)
Valley of Flowers:(750 km)
Khajjiar:(120 km)
Billing:(65 km)
Diskit:(730 km)
Hunder:(740 km)
Tso Moriri:(620 km)