Location
Occupying its place in the Western Ghats, Coorg lies 225 km from Bengaluru in Karnataka. It covers an area of 4,102 sq.km. and perches 1525 m above the sea level. It is rightly considered the “Scotland of India”.

History
Coorg has a rich history, starting from 888AD, to narrate to her visitors. Coorg is also known as Kodagu meaning “Land of anger”. Quite appropriate, since many of our brave soldiers are Coorgies. It was ruled by various dynasties like, Kadambas, Cholas, Changalvas, Kongalvas, Talakad, Nayakas etc.

Places to visit
Omkareshwara temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Omkareshwara temple should be visited for its architectural grandeur. The temple displays Islamic and Gothic architectures. The Shivalinga at Omkareshwara temple is one of the most revered lingas in India.

Nagarahole National Park: Rich in its wildlife, Nagarahole National park is a treat to the eyes. Home to leopards, tigers, elephants, bisons etc, you wouldn’t want to leave this place.

Talakavery: The Cauvery, one of the sacred rivers of the Hindus, originates from Talakavery. It is around 48 km from Coorg. According to the folklore, Goddess Parvati on Tulasankramana day every in the form of sudden surge of water.

Raja’s seat: One thing that catches your eye is the mesmerising sunset at Raja’s seat. It is believed that kings used to spend evenings here.

Waterfalls: Cataracts like Abbey falls and Iruppu falls are sure to take you to a fantasy land. People flock Irruppu falls during Shivaratri to take a dip in the falls.

Madikeri Fort: This 19th century fort transports you to a different era. There’s a temple, a chapel, a museum and a prison in the fort.

Things you can do in Coorg
Coorg offers a wide variety of recreational activities to the tourists. For the Tiger Woods in you (we mean the golf), there is a 9-hole golf course. One can go trekking in Brahmagiri hills. If you are the adventurous soul, then white water rafting is the thing to lure you to Coorg. The backwaters of the Cauvery makes it an ideal place to throw in your fishing rod.

When to visit
The best time to enjoy the scenic beauty of Coorg is between April and November.

Travel Information
By Air: The nearest airports are Bengaluru (260 km) and Mangalore (135 km)
By Rail: The nearest railway station is Mysore (136 km)
By Road: Regular buses ply between Coorg and Bengaluru,Mangalore and Mysore.

Just like many other hill stations of India, this one was also “discovered” by an English official. It is named after W.D. Horsley, the collector of Kadapa district at that time. It was a summer retreat to him.

The splendid landscape of this place is irresistible. It is mostly inhabited by chenchu tribe, one of the predominant tribes of Andhra and Orissa. The shady slopes of the hills are filled with the fragrance of sampangi (a native flower variety). The lusty greenery is spread as far as your eyes will let you see.

Various traditional flowers, the products of which you may use in your daily life, but hardly get to see, are found in this region. Flowers of ritha, shikakai, sandalwood, red sanders, blue gum, mahogany and bamboo are abundantly found in this region. The animals such as bear, wild dog, jungle fowl, sambar and panther also inhabit this region. Some of these belong to rare and some to endangered species.

Main Tourist Attractions

Old Eucalyptus Tree
Just like the Adyar banyan tree of Chennai, trees narrate their own tales about the places which they inhabit. There is one such marvel in Horsley Hills too, the 150 year old Eucalyptus tree, bearing a pretty name “Kalayni”. Never miss this tree.

Rishi Valley School
The place is also fortunate enough to be associated with one of the greatest Indian thinkers of all time, Krishnaji (Jiddu Krishna Murthy). The renowned Rishi Valley School, run by Jiddu Krishnamurthy Foundation, is nearby Horsley Hills. If you want to witness the unfolding of true knowledge you should visit this place.

Mallamma (the local goddess) temple and the Punganooru cows (High milk yielding cows with less appetite) are some of the other tourist attractions.

Last but not least never miss the Kaundinya wild life sanctuary. It is 87 km away from the hillock of Horsley Hills and is worth visiting.

How to reach the place
Tirupati is the nearest airport and Madanapalle road railway station is the nearest railway station. The A.P. tourism and road transport buses also take you to this place.

Location
Shillong is the capital city of Meghalaya, snuggly located at an altitude of 1,496 m above sea level. It lies in the north-eastern part of India. It is only 56 km from Cheerapunji,the wettest place in the world.

History
The British made it the civil station of the Jaintia hills and Khasi hills in 1864. Shillong was the capital of Assam till 1972, after which it belonged to Meghalaya.

Places to visit
Shillong Peak: The panoramic view from the peak is spectacular. At a height of 1,976 m above the sea level, one truly feel on top of the world. It also bears religious significance. Many pay respect to the sanctum sanctum at the summit of the peak.

Sohpetbneng Peak: Just 20 km from Shillong lies the Sohpetbneng peak. As per the native folklore, it is considered as the “Navel of Heaven”. You can find tranquility among the pristine beauty of the place.

Lakes: You can steal some romantic moments with your beloved and spend some time at the Ward’s lake or Umiam lake.

Botanical garden: If you are into plants then Botanical gardens is the place for you. A wide variety of exotic plants will surely make your day.

Golf course: This 18 holes course was developed in 1889. It is a golf lover’s paradise. Termed as the ‘Gleneagle of the East’, this place will surely bring out the Tiger Woods in you (and we mean in a positive way!)

State Museum: To get an idea of the lifestyle and the rich culture of the native, a visit to the state museum is a must.

Cathedral of Mary Help of Christian: This Cathedral is a major tourist attraction as well as a religious haven.

Falls: The umpteen falls in Shillong Sweet Falls, Crinoline Falls, Elephant Falls etc. will soothe your senses and rejuvenate you.

Cheerapunji: just 56 km from Shillong, Cheerapunji is the wettest place in the world. If you love nature then you must add Cheerapunji in your itinerary.

When to visit
The best time to visit Shillong is between October and April.

Travel information
By Air: The nearest airport is Guwahati (100 km)
By Rail: The nearest railway station is Guwahati (100 km)
By Road: Shillong is well-connected by regular bus service to many cities in Meghalaya.

History
This serene place sings the glory of its rich history. It was a part of the Mughal Dynasty and later of the Sikhs. The town was named after Champavati, daughter of Raja Varman. Champa Valley is known for its temples of artistic grandeur.

Places to visit
Laxmi Narayan temple: It forms one of the most famous tourist attractions of the place. One can find six temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

Kalatope Khajjiar Sanctuary: Just 30 km from Dalhousielies Kalatope Khajjar Sanctuary. The peaceful surroundings and a pleasant track will make you forget the outside world.

Lama Dal: This long lake is sacred to Lord Shiva. A must-see attraction in Chamba valley.

Pangi Valley: This unexplored valley is hidden between Pir Panjal and Greater Himalayan Zanskar. Truly an escape to paradise, we would say!

Parbati valley: This valley is comfortably hemmed by the huge mountain peaks. One can get lost in the lush green meadows and the pine forest here.

Ghadhasaru Lake: The lake Ghadhasaru is 24 km from Tissa. At an altitude of 3,740 m, it sure is worth visiting.

Bhuri Singh Museum: The museum is named after Raja Bhuri Singh who ruled the place between 1904 and 1919.

Other attractions
Excursions and trekking: Chamba Valley is surrounded by umpteen valleys and mountains which would make it any adventure-lover’s delight.

Fairs and festivals celebrated by the simple folks of this place will definitely make you come back to this lovely world.

When to visit
The best place to visit Champa valley is between March and June as an escape from the scorching summer heat.

Travel information
By Air: Nearest airport is Kangra valley (180 km)

By Rail: Nearest railway station is Pathankot( 122 km)

By Road: It is well-connected from Dalhousie by bus service.

Location
Araku is a hill station in Andhra Pradesh. It proudly resides at a height of 1,300 meters from the sea level. At a distance of 120 km from the Steel city of Visakhapatnam, Araku is a refreshing change from the other over-crowded and highly polluted hill stations.

Places to visit
Hanging cottage: The cottages are on the tree top and gives a whole new meaning to vacation in the wilderness. These huts are ten feet above the ground, providing the basic amenities.

Tribal museum: Araku is inhabited by some 17 tribal communities of the Eastern Ghats. The musuem displays the rich tribal culture and handicraft. One can even buy the tribal goods sold here.

Tyda: A nature camp located near Araku is worth visiting. One can go for trekking, rock climbing or bird watching in this eco-tourism initiative.

Anantagiri Ghats: Just a few kilometers from Araku lies Anantagiri hills. An ideal place to escape from the daily din of the city life. The orchards, waterfalls and the peaceful environment will win anyone’s heart.

Sangda waterfalls: Araku is surrounded by gushing cascades and Sangda waterfalls is one of them.

Borra caves: These caves are one of the largest caves in India. It is said that William King George of Geographical Survey of India discovered these caves in 1806. Many legendary fabels surround its history. The caves are full of impressive patterns formed by stalactites and stalagmites.

Other places like Damuku View point, Mulberry garden and Government Silk Farm are also worth paying a visit.

Other attractions
The journey to Araku valley is best enjoyed by train. One can come across umpteen tunnels, streams and hillocks on the way. One can shop, eat, trek or simply enjoy the solitude of the place.

When to visit
Araku valley remains pleasant throughout the year. The best time to visit the valley is the monsoons when the waterfalls are overflowing with water and the lush green fields presents a picturesque landscape.

Travel information
By Air: The nearest airport is Visakhapatnam (120 km)

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Visakhapatnam (120 km)

By Road: It is well-connected by road to Vizag.

History
Just like the place, its history is equally romantic. Captain Young of Britain visited Mussoorie in 1820. He came, he saw and he fell in love with the place. He chose to make this ethreal place his residence. Since then, it has enamoured many with its charm.

Places to visit
Gun Hill: At Gun Hill you can catch a breathtaking view of the Himalayan ranges. It offers a rope way ride on the second highest peak of Mussoorie. Long ago a gun used to be mounted on the hill for the people to know the time and adjust watches.

Municipal Garden: A lavish garden and an artificial lake is what makes this garden an ideal picnic spot.

Falls: Mussoorie is surrounded by lavish falls cascading down the hillocks. Falls like Jharipani falls, Kempty falls, Bhatta falls etc are not to be missed on your trip to Mussoorie.

Clous end: This bungalow was built by a British Mayor in 1838. This breathtaking resort is amidst woods overlooking the snowcapped Himalayas and the Yamuna.

Vinog Mountain Quail Sanctuary: A huge area of 339 hectares is a home to the rare bird species, mountain quail.

Van Chetna Kendra: The park offers a variety of wildlife and is an ideal leisure spot.

Academy: The prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administrationis situated in Mussoorie. It is here that the country’s best administrative, foreign and police officers are trained.

Temples: Mussoorie is also abode of many temples like Nag Devta Temple, Jwalaji Temple, Surkhanda Devi etc.

Dhanolti: If you want to relax, head for Dhanolti. This mesmerising retreat offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges.

Naga Tibba: This is truly a trekker’s paradise. At 10,000 feet, Naga Tibba is the highest peak near Mussoorie.

Camel’s back road: The place resembles the sitting camel at sunset,hence the name. It provides an awesome chance to hold your beloved’s hand and go for a long, romantic walk.

Other attractions
Besides the usual sight-seeing, Mussoorie presents a wide variety of options to the tourists. There are many skating rinks for the young ones. Long walks to the Tibetan settlement can refresh you instantly. Trekkers can check out the Black peak, Garhwal Himalayas, Har-ki-Doon to satisfy their trekking bug. The Aglar river and the Yamuna are perfect spots for some trout fishing.

When to visit
Mussoorie remains pleasant throughout the year. However, the best season to visit is September to November and April to June.

Travel Information
By Air: The nearest airport is Dehradun (24 km)

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Dehradun.

By Road: Mussoorie is well-connected to Dehradun and other cities in Uttaranchal.

The Queen of hills surely gives a royal treatment to her visitors.

History
It is said that Guru Adi Shankaracharya treaded the paths of Auli in the 8^th century AD. For centuries it has been home to the colourful tribes of the Bhotiyas. The slopes of Auli have also been a training terrain for the Indo-Tibetan Border Security Force.

Location
Snuggly located in the north of Uttarakhand, Auli is a part of Garhwal mountain range. This beautiful hill station is just 16 km from Joshimath, on the route to Badrinath . It offers a panoramic view of the umpteen Himalayan peaks such as Mana Parvat, Nanda Devi, Kamet etc.

Places worth visiting
Gurso Bugyal: A 3 km trek from Auli will transport you to a whole new world of lofty mountain view. Enveloped with forests of oak and conifer, Gurso Bugyal is indeed a trekker’s dream come true. One can see lush green meadows here during the spring and sheets of snow during the winter.

Kwani Bugyal: At 3,380 meters above sea level, Kwani Bugyal is a trekker’s delight. If you are bitten by the trekking bug, then include Kwani Bugyal in your itinerary.

Chittrakund: This picturesque lake in the middle of the forest is a treat to the eye. Just 1 km from Gurso Bugyal, Chittrakund resembles fairyland.

Chenab lake: Still untouched by the common tourist, its virginity is quite enchanting. Situated ahead of Dang village, Chenab lake is waiting to be explored.

Joshimath: It is one of the four “maths” established by Adi Shankaracharya. It serves as a home to Lord Badrinath during winters. One can see the highest cable car of Asia here, connecting Joshimath to Auli.

Other attractions
Skiing: Auli is fast growing into a hot skiing spot of India. It boasts of a clean stretch of 10 to 20 kms of mountains slopes covered with snow. The forests on slope reduces the wind velocity, thereby, assisting the skiers. It is considered as the best skiing slope in Asia.

Trekking: Gurso Bugyal and Kwani Bugyal provide ample opportunities for trekking. So don’t forget to take your trekking gear.

Rope-way: You can take a ride in Asia’s longest ropeway. Connecting Joshimath to Auli, this 4 km long rope-way is worth the experience.

When to visit
Auli is breathtaking throughout the year. However, the best time to visit this exotic hill station is the winter (December to March). Then one can witness the heart melting snow fall.

Travel Details
By Air: The nearest airport is in Dehradoon (298 km)

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh (235 km)

By Road: It is well connected to Delhi, Hrishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradoon and Joshimath by convenient roadways.

Ropeway: Another option to reach Auli from Joshimath is through a 4 km long rope-way.

The pristine beauty of Auli is sure to take your breath away!

History
The history of Munnar dates back to the 10th century. However, various relics found here can be traced back to the Stone Age. Around the 17th century Muthuvans, Tamil origin people, settled here. The Duke of Wellington visited this place and was captivated by its pristine beauty. It soon developed into a popular summer retreat for the British. In fact, they also cultivated the area for tea plantation.

Place worth visiting
Tata tea museum: Here you can witness the entire process of tea production and processing. You might also do some tea tasting.

High range club: Styled in the colonial way,this club will take you back to the British Era with its gentelman,s bar, billiards table and library.

CSI church: This 19th century church is embellished with artistic stained glass windows and brass plates.

Kuthumkal waterfalls: The waterfalls attracts thousands of tourists to enchanting Munnar. It surely is a feast to the eyes.

Potheamedu: Barely 6kms from Munnar, Potheamedu offers a scenic landscape with its tea, coffee and cardamom plantations.

Mattupetty: This 1,700 mts high locale is an ideal spot for trekking. Besides this, you can also go horse-riding and boating. One can even use this serene place for some bird watching.

Devikulam: Just 7 kms from Munnar, Devikulam is yet another hill station in Kerela. Other than the usual tea plantation, you can also go fishing at the lake.

Nayamakad: This picturesque town (10 kms from Munnar)will surely captivate your heart with its cascading water falls.

National parks: Munnar is surrounded by many national parks like Eravikulam National Park, Rajamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. You can shoot many animals with your camera.

Other attractions
Trekking: If you are the more adventurous one, then Munnar is just the place you were looking for. At Lock Heart Gap, you can catch some breath taking views and refrsh yourself with frsh mountain air. Anamudi is also popular among trekkers.

Camping: Munnar offers you an exotic experience of camping.

Best time to visit
Munnar remains pleasant throught out the year. The temperature remains between −10°C (14°F) and 0°C (32°F) in winter and 8°C (46.4°F) and 16°C (60.8°F) in summer. The tourist season is from August to May. However, it looks the most enchanting when Munnar is drenched in the monsoon rains.

Travel Details
By Air: The nearest airport is Kochi (130 kms)

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Kochi (130 kms)

By Road: Munnar is well-connected by roads from Madurai, Coimbatore, Kottayam, Kochi.

Rest assured, you will discover yourself in the scenic landscapes of Munnar.

History of Pachmarhi
Panchmarhi narrates a rich history of her existence. This serene hill station was discovered by the Captain of Bengal Lancers, James Forsyth in 1857. When the Maratha soldiers declared a Mutiny, the captain was sent to pacify the rebel. After walking for about 17miles, he finally reached Panchmarhi. Upon returning to plains, he suggested that Panchmarhi should become a sanatorium. Therefore, one can see the remains of the English churches and monuments even today.

Places worth visiting in Pachmarhi
Priydarshini (Forsyth Point): This is the point from where Captain Forsyth discovered this captivating hill station. Needless to say, the view from this point will leave you spell-bound.

Jamuna Prapat: This water fall is quite popular among the tourists and is sure a place worth visiting.

Apsara Vihar (Fairy Pool): This shallow pool makes a perfect dip for the kids as well as the adults.

Handi Khoh: Handi Khoh with its 300 ft high precipice surely makes it one of the most sought-after sights of Panchmarhi. An interesting story surrounds this spot. It is said that an Englishman discovered this ravine and in the inebriated state fell off the valley.

Jatashankar(Shiva’s Locks): The formation of rocks in this cave bears resemblence to Lord Shiva’s tresses. Hence, the name.

Mahadeo Hills: The exquisite rock paintings of the Mahadeo hills, which dates back to 500-800 AD, are magnificent to say the least. The oldest paintings are supposed to be 10,000 years old.

Pandava caves: These ancient caves are said to have provided shelter to the Pandava brothers from the Hindu mythology. Their history and mythical story is hard to resist.

Rajat Prapat: Imagine water cascading down a hundred and ten meters! It looks like a silver stream. Standing under the fall will relax not only your body but also the soul.

Dhoopgarh: This is the highest point of the Satpura ranges. Standing at this point, one literally feels like the King of the world. Or maybe the Queen!

Catholic church: The church, built in 1892, has artistic stained glass windows and a cemetry.The graves here date back to World War I and II. Morbidly fascinating, I would say!

Christ church: This church bears testimony to the Anglican connections. Built in 1875, its stained glass panes were specially imported from Europe. This is the oldest church in Madhya Pradesh.

Satpura National Park: Spread across an area of 524 sqkm, the National Park provides habitat to umpteen species like four-horned deer, leopard, bison, blue bull, tiger and a variety of birds.

Other Attractions in Pachmarhi
Camping: Panchmarhi provides ample opportunities for camping. It is a popular spot for winter training camps, scouts training camps and mountaineering camps. One can easily get transported to another world. The burbling of water, chirping of the birds, rustling of leaves, beautifully sculpted ant-hills give a whole new meaning to the camping experience. It is a welcoming change from the hustle-bustle of the contemporary life.

Trekking: It is an ideal location to put on your trekking gear. The woods provide a suitable track to go for a leisurely stroll. For the adventure lovers, there are caves and valleys to satisfy your adventure bug.

When to visit Pachmarhi?
Although, the hill station is open throughout the year, the best time to visit is the rainy season (June- August).However, the pleasant weather will make your stay comfortable round the year.

Travel information for Pachmarhi
By Air: The nearest airport to Panchmarhi is Bhopal (195 kms).

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Pipariya (47 kms)

By Road: The hill station is well connected to Bhopal, Pipariya, Hoshangabad, Chindwara and Nagpur by roadways.

With such splendid locales and virgin forests, you will definitely come back totally rejuvenated.

Thai food is very famous because of its wonderful blend of five basic flavors like bitter, salty, sour, sweet and hot. This is best described as amalgamation of flavors of four different regions of Central, Isan or Northeastern, North and Southern.

Thai food is mostly influenced by the Chinese stir fried food and Indian curries and yet managing to hold its native flavors. It is also well known for its considerable use of the fresh spices, herbs along with the fish sauce.

Famous Thai Dishes:
Following are some of the famous Thai dishes which are worth going out of your way to experience during the tour. You don’t find these served in most Thai restaurants overseas.

Som Tam: This is a northeastern Thailand dish and most consider it as Thailand’s national dish. It contains thin slices of green papaya along with vegetables, peanust and dried seafood. These all are mixed with spicy salads which is eaten with fresh grilled chicken and sticky rice. This is very tasty but spicy too.

Khanom Cheen: This is a famous Chinese breakfast. It contains a plate of rice noodles which is covered with the spicy fish flake curry and is served with the plate of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Khao Yam: You must have this dish. It is a plate of rice with shrimp paste (kapi).

Khao Mok Khai: This is a fragrant yellow rice which is served along with chicken. This is usually served with lunch. This consists of roasted chicken on the bed of the saffron rice and mixed with the ginger that has been slightly fried for making it crispy. This is not a spicy dish until you dip the chicken in the sweet hot sauce provided.

Hokkien Mee: This is a Chinese dish. It is a yellow noodle soup served along with shrimps. This can also be served as a soup or dry noodle dish. This is also served as fried noodles or Hokkien Mee Phat.