MACHU PICHU : The lost city.

• Perched 7970 ft on a mountain ridge and located above the Urumbamba valley in Peru, Machu Pichu is one pf the recently announced seven wonders of the world.


• The most familiar symbol of the Inca empire , it was built in 1450 and designated a world heritage site in 1983.


• Said to be the royal retreat of the Incans, it is said that the silhouette of the mountain range behind Machu Pichu represents the face of the Inca looking upwards towards the sky.

MAURITIUS

God first created Mauritius and then copied heaven from it.-- Mark Twain

• 60 day visa on arrival for Indians. No ECNR clearance is required to travel to the Island.
• Don't miss the folk dance SEGA that expresses the freedom of being on this beautiful island.
• GRAND BAY : A shopping and leisure paradise, also known for fun filled nightouts and La Cuvette beach.
• PEREYBERE : A beach popular for its shopping facilities, restaurants, pubs.
• BALACLAVA RUINS : Ruins of the old balaclava estate.
• THE TRIOLET SHIVALA : The longest village in the island, it houses Maheshwarnath, the biggest Hindu temple in the country.
• THE LABOURDONNAIS ORCHARDS : Discover a large variety of tropical fruit trees, colourful and perfumed exotic flowers. You can also go mountain biking or hiking.

WONDERS OF INDIA - Darjeeling toy train

• The train runs on a zig zag railway track not more than 2 ft wide.
• Along ts way, it crosses tropical mixed evergreen forests and tea gardens.
• Alog the 86 km stretch, one can sea magnificent pine trees dotting the Bhutan range, and the Teesta river just below.
• The train was built by Franklin Prestage, an agent of the Eastern Bengal company, between 1879 and 1881.
• It takes 8 hrs to cover the 8 km stretch between Siliguri and Darjeeling.
• Listed in 1999 as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
• Passes through Ghum, which is the highest station in India.
• There are no tunnels on this stretch. when the gradient gets too steep, the tracks go back a few yards and climb again.

WONDERS OF INDIA- Victoria terminus

• Was built in 1887 by FW Stevens in homage to British queen Victoria.
• Construction cost Rs. 16.14 lakh.
• Bears resemblance to St Pancras station in London.
• Was renamed Chhatrapati shivaji terminus in 1996.
• In 2004, UNESCO nominated it as a world heritage site.
• The Gothic architecture of the building softened by the city's lights at night , is very beautiful and awe inspiring.

LIFE IS LIKE A RAINBOW

Life is like a rainbow. You need both the sun and the rain for the colours to appear. Head to these destinations, where it doesn't just rain, it pours. Who knows, you might find our rainbow there.

• GOA :

Go there during the rainy season, if you want the beach all to yourself.

• CHERRAPUNJEE :

It is one of the rainiest places on earth.Buy orange honey, cinnamon, orchids galore.

• CHITRAKOTE FALLS, CHATTISGARH :

It is the country's largest waterfall and is often compared with Niagara. When water from the Indravati river falls off the buff boulders, this horse shoe shaped waterfall looks simply stunning. Drive two hours and go to the Titragarh falls also.

• BACKWATERS OF KERELA :

The sea is placid and the countryside picturesque. Sail in a catamaran and forget the world. When the heavens pour blessings as raindrops , hum along with the boatman. there is simply no experience more beautiful than this.

KUCHA PATI RAM LANE IN OLD DELHI

• Located past Turkman gate and opposite Sita Ram bazaar, the Kucha Pati Ram lane is largely residential and each haveli here has its own story to tell.
• Three expertly crafted peacocks at the apex of an arch in one of the many doorways at Shahjanabad's kucha pati Ram lane are similar in design to the arches in ShahJahan's peacock throne.
• In sharp contrast to the filth around you, tower these uniquely crafted doorways. And once you enter, a completely different world welcomes you. Many panels in the doorways are similar in design to those in Shah Jahan's palace in the Red fort.
• Ram kutiya is the oldest haveli in this lane.
• The ravages of time have not managed to touch the original architecture inside the havelis. The 16 ft high ceilings , stone flooring and huge entrances stand mute witnesses to the years that have gone by. One can still feel the old time charm, inside these havelis.
• These havelis were listed by the MCD as heritage sites many years ago, but no further action was taken after that.
• The government is planning to promote old Delhi as a major tourist destination during the commonwealth games.

OFFBEAT DESTINATIONS

CHOPTA:

• It is the Cherapunjee of Uttarakhand, 8000 ft above sea level.
• Very good trek routes.
• Tungnath temple, built by Pandavas.
• Heavy rains and exotic flowers.
• Chandrashila, where lord Rama is said to have meditated once.
• Devarshini, complete with Deodars and cedars.
• The 4 km trek , from Chopta to Tungnath.

• It is 510 kms from Delhi.
• You can stay in the GVMN log huts beside Mandakini river. As accommodation is limited, so you have to book early.
• July is the best trekking season. Be careful while trekking. The steep incline can leave you breathless and your knees wobbly.

CHINDI :

• 6000 ft above sea level.
• known for its apples.
• The green of the terraced fields and the serenity of the place can completely detoxify you.
• There are hot springs and a cave at Saror with a magnificent stalagmite Sivaling.
• You can trek, pick rare herbsor marvel at the mountains of the Kullu and Lahaul ranges.
• A quaint temple dedicated to Chindi at Mamleshwar.
• A temple dedicated to Karna at Bakhera.
• The 22 km trek from Chindi to the temple of Shikari devi.

• Chindi is 90 km from Shimla.
• There are no fancy provisions shops around. no fancy foods are available nearby. So, go prepared.

KAUSANI :

• Quaint little town in the kumaon region is barely 5.2 km in size.
• 6075 km above sea level.
• known for its stunning Himalayan views.
• Anashakti ashram.
• Poet Sumitra Nandan Pant's birthplace, which now houses a Museum.
• Tea Gardens, barely 5 km away from the Bazaar.
• A 1000 km , Lord Shiva temple at Baijnath, 17 km away.

• TREKKING :

1. Kausani-Garur-Baijnath-Bagheshwar circuit.
2. Kausani-Garur-Baijnath-Gwaldam circuit.
3. Kausani-Chhota Pinath-Bara Pinath circuits.

• It is 410 km from Delhi.
• You can stay in the Kumaon Vikas Mandal tourist guesthouses.
• Go in july to gaze at the 300 km panoramic view of the himalayas.Wait for the sunset.
• No fancy stores around, not a single ATM, just one bank.