Chilika Lake, Orissa Located 100 km from Bhubaneswar, this lake covering 1100 sq km is Asia's largest salt and fresh water lake. It attracts a large number of migratory birds, like the flamingo, teal, bareheaded goose, shoveller and white- bellied sea eagle. The winter migratory populations come in from as far as Siberia. You will also see cheetals, blackbucks, fishing cats, and dolphins. GETTING THERE Take a bus from Puri of Bhubaneswar to Balugaon. Hop into a rickshaw for the remaining 7 km to Chilika. Tour operators also run day-trips for $5 per head.
Brahmaputra River Cruise Cruise up the Brahmaputra from Guwahati. Watch the tea estates slip by. Break journey at Kaziranga for the elephant safari of a lifetime. Move upstream to Majuli, the largest river island in the world. Visit the several satras or Assamese monasteries there. Buy some exquisite cane, bamboo and wood handicrafts. Downstream from Guwahati, land at Sualkuchi, one of the largest silk-producing and weaving villages in Assam, famous for golden muga silk. For 5 nights and 6 days, this cruise packs in a lot. Customized cruises are also available, duration ranging from day-long and overnight to 3N/4D. A minimum of 12 people is required to organize a trip. COSTS: $100 per person per day all inclusive (airport transfers,sightseeing,meals)
Gokarna Beaches Ever since someone discovered this geographical freak in the shape of two arched beaches with a notch in between, Om Beach near Gokarna has been the destination of choice for hippies, pilgrims and offbeat travelers alike. Its near-inaccessibility only adds to its mystique. The receding Uttar Kannada road twists through alleys, past people's houses, temple chariots and ?Way to Beach? signs until you realize that the tar underneath has given way to sand. This is where Ravana undertook the penance of his life to persuade Shiva to shift to Lanka. Shiva agreed but tricked Ravana into putting the heavy lingam down, which immediately took root. Pilgrims find themselves ensnared in Gokarna's mythology; knowing ones move in to find salvation at the beautiful beaches of Kudle, Om, Paradise and Half Moon. Reason to go: solitude and the prospect of enjoying a sunset without being pestered to buy a Ganesha postcard. GETTING THERE: Gokarna is 10km off NH-17 on the coastal route from Kumta to Karwar (55 km north). Take the Konkan Railway to Gokarna Road (10 km from town), from where you can hop onto a bus. FOOD & STAY Ask for Stefan at Vishwa Caf?, Main Beach, or Sherap at Tibetan Kitchen. BEACHES South ping scenery up to Kudle Beach, 20 minutes? walk away. A further 40-minute walk is Om Beach; ahead are the uninhabited paradise and Half Moon Beaches.
Andamans Ferry Indian Airlines flies to Port Blair four times a week from Kolkata and Chennai. Jet flies Chennai-port Blair daily. But many prefer to wait for the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) ferries, which ply two to four times a month from Kolkata and Chennai and once in two months from Visakhapatnam. The flight takes two hours. In good weather, the ferry crossing takes 56 hours from Kolkata and 60 from Chennai. This can go up to four days. Still set on the romance of a sea journey?
Diving Life underwater is breathtaking, counterintuitive though that may sound. If you're at all a water baby; don't miss a dive in Lakshadweep. The Bangaram Island Resort, 30 beach huts each with a verandah and bathroom, is a beautiful place to relax when you're not gasping at the fish and corals.
High season (Oct. I-Mar 31 except November) $190 for a double AP; peak season (Nov 1-30)$370 AP. All visitors require entry permits from Lakshadweep Administration. Kochi will take care of all such formalities for those who take SPORTS packages to Lakshadweep. The Andamans are equally beautiful, though the water is rougher and only experienced divers should attempt a dive.
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Heli- Skiing
Adventure- sports enthusiasts climb a hill, strap on a pair of skis, and come rushing down snow-covered slopes. That's skiing. Committed adrenaline junkies fly in a heli-copter to a tall mountain, strap on their skis, and make their way down steep slopes in a skilful hurry. This is heli-skiing. Heli-skiing isn't for everyone---you need to be an experienced skier, fit, and wealthy (heli-sking tours are expensive: Himachal Helicopter skiing offer packages for $5,750). But you can have a skiing holiday. Several Himalayan destinations have been developed for skiing: Narkanda in Himachal and Auli in Uttaranchal are big centres. At the former, HPTDC runs 7-days packages, which include accommodation, food and skiing lessons.
Fishing in Kumaon
In tiger country, it's fish that are hot. Track the course of the elusive Mahseer (not to mention Goonch, Indian Trout and Himalayan Angler) as it moves up the Ramganga and Kosi rivers in Uttaranchal to spawn. The Mahseer is renowned angling material, said to give more sport than the Salmon. To get at the best, little known spots, hire a guide or sign up at an angling camp. An outfit called Otter Reserves organizes both. They have fishing beats in Corbett National Park, among other places. Four rods per camp, for 6, 10 or 14 days. Non- angling friends can sign up to watch.
Frozen River Walk, Zanskar
The Zanskar gorge is a magical place any time of the year, but come winter you can walk on water here. To be more precise, on ice. By midwinter the river is frozen solid and stays that way until late February. ?The Chaddar? is an ancient seasonal trade route and several tour companies organize treks along this unique stretch, Expect to spend several days without sighting human habitation and at least a couple of nights in caves. There are numerous options, ranging from an excursion to the erstwhile kingdom of Zangla to a helicopter ride out of Zanskar(MANALI).
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