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Showing posts from February, 2008

Kodaikanal

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Kodaikanal is one of the most popular hill resorts in India. It is a charming hill station, stands amidst sylvan beauty on the southern crest of the upper Palani Hills near Madurai in Tamil Nadu. With its rocks, woods, lovely lake and bracing air, Kodaikanal is an ideal hill resort for the tourists. The unique flowering plant 'Kurunji'(Strobilanthus Kunthanus) that last bloomed in 2004, is nature's gift to Kodaikanal. Kodaikanal located amidst the folds of the verdant Pali hills is one of the most popular serene hill stations in India, which mesmerises any visitor and is frequented all through the year. Kodai is situated at an altitude of about 2,133-m high and covers an area of 21.45-sq-km. The hill town is renowned for its educational institutions of international repute. The hill-plantain fruits and plums are known for their freshness and taste. Berijam lake, one among the beautiful lakes of South India, spreads over an area of 24 hectares. Attractions: Kodai Lake: One o

Kerala Houseboats

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Kerala Houseboat Cruise Since ancient times Kerala has used its lake and canals as a water network for transporting men and material. Being aboard a houseboat is a tranquil, stressless adventure where you will see the beautiful Kerala keep passing by. The cruise down the mystical backwaters of Kerala is indisputably an experience of a lifetime. The Kerala Houseboat Features - Beside being an cultural heritage, the houseboats of Kerala offer an innovative holiday idea. The country houseboat in Kerala is referred to as 'Kettuvallam'. These eco-friendly houseboats are made from local materials like bamboo poles, coconut fibre, ropes, bamboo mats, carpets etc. Usually houseboats are the giant country crafts that are as long as 60 to 70 feet. While aboard the houseboat in Kerala you may enjoy the facilities of a star categorised hotel. Basically the houseboats are well appointed with an open lounge, one or more bath attached bedrooms and a kitchenette. A Kerala houseboats are gener

Kerala Backwaters

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Backwater tour in Kerala is one of the exhilarating ways of spending your holidays in Kerala. The gorgeous greens, the canopies of coconuts, the shimmering waters, composed beaches and the tantalizing b ackwaters welcome you to the God's Own Country - Kerala. The complete journey along the Kerala backwaters is a moving picture with beauty of nature at its best. Kerala backwaters cruises complete the tour to southern India. Kerala backwaters take you through the winding waterways unveiling the colourful culture and customs of the remote Kerala. The coastline of Kerala is dotted with delightful backwaters destinations.Kerala's palm-lined backwaters are inland lakes linked by a network of canals. With 41 west-flowing rivers, the backwaters stretch to almost 1,900 km. The backwater routes date back over the centuries and have been long used for all transition needs, in particular trade in coconut, rubber, rice and spices. Today, these waterways connect distant villages and islands

Ooty

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Ooty, also known as Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam, which lies 7,349 ft above sea level in the Nilgiris, is know n as the Queen of southern hill resorts of India. Situated in the Nilgiris, this famous hill station is at the junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, three southern states of India.Ooty, as it is popularly known, spreads over an area of 36 sq miles, and the temperature ranges from 25 degree celsius in summers, to near freezing in winters. It offers spectacular scenic beauty and salubrioud climate. The lush vegetation and the lavender-blue sheen of the mountains here offer a promising and peaceful rejuvenating summer. Sightseeing at Ooty : Botanical Gardens : Laid out in 1847, the Government Botanical Gardens is the most beautiful jewel on the crown of the "Queen of Hill Stations". There are over 650 species of plants housed in the garden. The fossil of a tree trunk believed to be 20 million years old is preserved here. The garden spread over 22 hectares posse

Nagarhole National Park

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» Location : Karnataka » Set Up In :1955 » Attractions :Snakes, Four-Horned Antelope, Sloth Bear Nagarah ole (check spelling please) is derived from the combination of two Kannada words-'nagar' meaning snake and 'hole' meaning streams and true to its name a number of streams snake through its rich tropical forests. Once an exclusive hunting preserve of the erstwhile rulers of Mysore, the terrain of this Park is gently u ndulating with lush green vegetation, swamps and numerous water resources, rendering it an ideal habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. Nagarahole is situated in the picturesque districts of Kodagu and Mysore in southern Karnataka. The Nagarahole National Park was first set up in 1955. In 1975 its area was increased to include a greater expanse of forest reserve. The Wild Population of Nagarhole National ParkThe forest is home to animals like the four-horned antelope, sloth bear, jungle cat, civet, spotted deer, elephant, wild dog, flying fox, tiger, pa

Bandipur National Park

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» Location : Karnataka » Area :874.20 Sq.Km » Major Variety of Animals found here :Asian Elephants and Gaurs In Karnataka, the two attractive wildlife parks of Nagarhole and Bandipur, tho ugh separate entities, are part of a larger contiguous wildlife reserve that includes the Mudumalai Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and the Wynad Reserve in Kerala. Both the parks are easily accessible from Mysore. A dam on the Kabini and its picturesque reservoir separate the two parks. In the dense moist deciduous forests of this area the upper canopy reaches heights of 30m and valuable hardwoods like teak and rosewood are also to be found here. The 874.20 sq. km. Bandipur National Park, which is also a Tig er Reserve, with its open grassy woodland, lies to the south of the Kabini River while Nagarhole, 643.39 so. km. in area, to the north of the river, has taller and denser forests. Bandipur, lying in the shadow of the Western Ghats, is one of the finest habitats of the Asian elephant. Drained by the Moya

Periyar (Thekkady) Wildlife Sanctuary

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» Location : Kerala » Also Known as :Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary » Main Species of animals found :Elephants, Tigers, Spotted Deer » Best Season :October to June One of the well known wildlife sanctuaries in the south, Periyar sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers every year. Also called the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching the animals in their natural habitat. The forest here, slopes into the manmade lake at th e bottom of the hill. This lake serves as the waterhole for the animals and they come here to drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can be spotted here. There are boat services which takes the visitor around the lake. The best season to visit the park is between October and June. Spread over 777 sq.km of the Cardamom Hills of Western Ghats, the Periyar sanctuary is located 137 km from Madurai. Although an excursion on the splendid artificial lake is the standard way to experience the sanctuary, you can also walk a

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

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» Location : 40 Kms From Thodupuzha, Kerala » Main Attractions :Elephants » Area :77 sq. Kms » Altitude :450-758m Above Sea Level Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of 40 kms from Thodupuzha. This sanctuary extends over the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki district spreading over 77sq. kms, at 450 - 748m above sea level.The Idukki reservoir formed by three dams-Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu-extends to 33 sq. km.A picturesque lake, a majestic arch dam across two hills and roaming herds of elephants and gaur are sights that lure you to this enchanting canopy of tropical semi-evergreen and deciduous forests. The fauna also includes Langur, Leopard and Wild Boar. Wild Population of Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary The sanctuary has a large variety of flora and fauna. Among the mammals, Elephants, Bison, Sambhar, Deer, Wild Dogs, Jungle Cats, Tiger, Wild Boar etc reptiles such as Cobra, Viper, Krait and a large number of non- poisonous snakes can be seen.Jungle Fowl,

Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary

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» Location : 17 Kms From Munnar, Kerala » Unique Attractions :Nilgiri Tahr, Atlas Moth » Area :97 sq. Kms » Declared Sanctuary in :1978 Eravikul am Wildlife Sanctuary is a sanctuary set up for the preservation of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr.Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq. kms of unblemished natural splendour. Anamudi, the highest peak south of Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride.The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas Moth, largest of its kind in the world, is a unique possession of the park.The sanctuary was declared as a National Park in 1978. The park is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world. Wild Population of Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary The main inhabitant of the park is Nilgiri Tahr. Now the park has the largest known population of Tahrs existing in the world.The park

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

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»Location : Idukki, Kerala » Main Attractions :Giant Grizzled squirrel, Elephants, Spotted Deer » Best Time To Visit :Throughout The Year Except In Monsoon Months » Declared Sanctuary in :1984 Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique thorny scrub forest with xerophyte species.Chinnar is the habitat of the endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel of India. Located in the rainshadow area of the Western Ghats, unlike other sanctuaries, Chinnar has only 48 rainy days in a year.Dry deciduous forests, high sholas and wet grasslands are also found here. As one travels from Karimuthi to Chinnar Elephants, Spotted Deer, Sambhar, Hanuman monkey and even Peacocks can be seen on either sides of the road.Declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1984, it is spread over an area of 90,422 sq. kms. The undulated terrain with rocky patches adds to the scenic splendour of the sanctuary. Wild Population of Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary The main attractions of Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary are Elephants, Gaurs, Panthers, Spo