Visit the exotic Coorg: 3-day itinerary in 60 seconds – Watch video

Famously known as the Scotland of India – Coorg is a hill station in the Karnataka. The place is blessed with wonderful locales and scenic sites which make it one of the apt places for a vacation.

Coorg can also be a weekend getaway – there are about ample of places you can visit in Coorg in a matter of 2-3 days.

Here we have a video for you which will help you prepare an itinerary.

Check it out:

Kasol - Rejuvenate yourself with serenity, peace in the nature's lap

Break the monotony and get out of your hectic city life to explore the silence and solace of nature amid glorious mountain peaks. In the land of the Himalayas, there are many places to rid yourself of stress and truly search for peace.

Kasol, located 42 km east of Kullu district between Bhuntar and Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful remote village situated in the Parvati valley, some 230 km from state capital Shimla.

The mesmerising view of the valley, complete with beautiful mountain peaks, pine trees, colourful flowers and the breezy wind gave me goosebumps once I touched base at Kasol. The snow clad-mountain peaks looked so calm and peaceful.

Kasol has many things to offer -- from trekking to camping to different types of cuisine, as well as shopping from the local market.

Apart from its scenic beauty the local people of Kasol are also very warm and welcoming to visitors.

Kasol is also famous as the 'Mini Israel' of India because of the large number of tourists from the West Asian country. The locals say they come to Kasol to unwind after finish their compulsory military service in Israel.

This influx has seen an explosion of restaurants and shops catering catering to their needs. Thus, one can easily get a variety of Israeli foods in Kasol.

To check this out, I ventured into the Sasi restaurant, situated on the banks of River Parvati. I glanced through the menu and ordered Shakshouka -- an Israeli dish made of poached eggs in tangy tomato gravy along with hummus and pita bread served with a glass of fresh watermelon juice. Quite a treat it was.

Apart from from the amazing hospitality, Kasol is also trending on social media sites for its long and short distance trekking options for casual walkers and the hardcore ones -- and even a combination.

There is, for instance, Tosh, a village on the slope of a mountain 18 km from Kasol, that involves a 16 km walk on a bumpy trail and a two km hike.

With its small population, the village can be explored within a day. It also provides a 360 degree view of the Parvati Valley and one can sit back and enjoy the beautiful view and sunset. It was even more vibrant than a smoky party.

Another trek is from Tosh to Kheerganga, 2,960 meters above sea level. This is a moderate trek of 14 km and takes fit and regular travellers about six to seven hours. The place remains snow-covered during whole winters.

At the highest point, there is a little pool with natural hot spring water. According to the locals, it is believed to be "holy" and also has healing powers. The pool is divided into two sub-pools separately for men and women.

On the way to Kheerganga, the village of Nakthan and the temple of Rudra Nag are ideal places to take short breaks. The sunrise and sunset are a must watch in the mountains. The sound of chirping and giggling birds, the silence of the valley and the majestic view of those snow covered peaks will surely rejuvenate you.

Then, a short distance night trek to Chalal after dinner is a must do for all those travelling to Kasol. It takes around 20-30 minutes and it is advisable to carry a torch for a better view and safety on the road.

Unlike other popular hill stations which offer equally majestic views, Kasol appears to be much more serene and tranquil.

So, get your bags packed and start exploring Kasol and the region around it. You will surely not regret doing so.

FAQs:

* How to reach: Alight at Bhuntar, which is well connected from Delhi and Chandigarh by bus. You can take bus or taxi from Bhuntar to Kasol.

* One can also take a flight from Delhi to Bhuntar.

* Places to visit: Camping near Parvati river, treks to Chalal, Tosh and Kheerganga.

* Where to stay: From budget home-stays to costly hotels and resorts, one can easily find various options to stay in Kasol in the Rs 300 to Rs 4,000 price ban.

* Summer is the best time to visit.

Dambuk in Arunachal: Reaching this land of oranges is an adventure in itself

They say getting to Dambuk in the Lower Dibang Valley, which is said to be India's 10th-least populous district, is an adventure itself. I couldn't agree more as I had to ride through water and forests to reach the north-eastern border state's land of oranges.

After taking a flight from Delhi to Guwahati, I, along with a few other journalists, boarded a mini bus to reach Arunachal Pradesh's capital Itanagar. The festive season seemed to be in full swing as some of the trees were lit up by star lampshades.

We halted there for a night. The next day, packed in an SUV, we crossed a few tea estates in Assam, which border Arunachal Pradesh. Then we entered Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh. What followed was an off-roading adventure as we drove on anything but surfaced roads.

Once the tough terrain was over, we landed in the orange orchards in Dambuk, which remains cut off from the rest of the world during the monsoon. That's the time when the residents opt for elephant rides.

So, it was interesting to see a few off-roaders -- modified Gypsies and Jeeps -- engaged in challenging tasks to try and win the JK Tyre Orange 4x4 Fury championship, which was a part of the Orange Festival of Adventure & Music.

It wasn't just the participants who got the rugged vehicles. I was given an ATV to reach our accommodation -- a humble hut.

As I lay on my bed with three blankets on, I could see the clear sky, the gleaming stars and the white moon. Then came the actual challenge -- to apply make-up or shave without a mirror. But it seemed most people had mastered the art of using a razor or make-up tools without seeing their reflection as no one stepped out with cuts on their face or looking like a raccoon.

Then we headed out to watch the participating teams race on a river-bed. As the drivers did their thing, I sat down on the rocks and ate hot samosas, oranges and, of course, drank juice . With bountiful nature, it was the perfect spot to enjoy a holiday.

Later that day, the participants had to race down a 45 degree hillside and then make a rough 75 degree climb to complete the stage. I stood there with my mouth wide open in the middle of the road along with the locals, including school children and women.

Thank god the festival had music too as I had enough of an adrenaline rush. I was looking forward to some good food as well. While we were being mostly served rice, lentils and cabbage and potato dish at the huts, the fest offered much more. My favourite was the hot dog with fried chicken from a food truck that had come all the way from Itanagar.

The next day was for river rafting. I was initially nervous as I am a non-swimmer. But with the life-jacket and helmet on, I felt immortal.

I didn't paddle when we started off. Since we had to cover a distance of 12 km, I thought of trying it. Everyone said that the rapids weren't as strong as the ones in Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, but I enjoyed it till the time I got all drenched.

After drying up, we left for the headline act -- the Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen. I am not a fan of heavy metal music, still I felt pumped up. I also played an air guitar.

Soon it was time to head back to the city. Once the chopper started, I wondered whether to use my hands to shut my ears to avoid the loud noise of the engine or close my nose as there was a strong smell of fuel.

Within 30 minutes, we reached Dibrugarh in Assam. Five hours later I was back in Delhi.

It felt good to return to my family in a well-built house and not a cold hut. But I will miss waking up to the sound of chirping birds and the roar of modified vehicles.

Plan to visit the village in winter? Arm yourself with a tent, woollens, torch, raincoat, salt or lighter as blood-sucking leeches come out during rainfall.

By Natalia Ningthoujam

Forbes Lends You An Easy Guide To The Cheapest Places To Travel In 2017

I know what you must be doing right now! Thinking of new year party plans!

But why to spend time thinking about it when there would be party planners for it. What you need to think over is for further plans of how you can make the most of your 2017 in the cheapest possible way.

You all must have heard about the myths of Tuesday being the best day to book flights and January being the cheapest month, but how long can you rely on these? How long would you wait for the good hotels to be booked at the right time of the year with supportive air fares?

Forbes, like every year, brings out numerous lists based on various parameters and here we are with the new list of Forbes which has listed the top cheapest places to visit in 2017.

1. The Mazatlan coast.

Why: The current exchange rate of Mexico is $1=20.69 Mexican pesos, which
makes it one of the most affordable destinations right now. If you are a frugal
traveller then mark Mazatlan in the first place. This place, being the capital of
Mexico offers you with a great food paradise which comprises of fresh dishes. 

Hotels in Mazatlan are not a part of huge chains and therefore are not expensive.
El Cid Marina has awesome huge rooms, great food and awesome pools which
are perfect for family trips. Also, one of the major reasons for its cuisine to be
cheap is because Sinaloa grows the bulk produce in Mexico itself.

2. On safari in South Africa.

Why: Although, the infrastructure in South Africa is well developed, and also it
is an established tourist destination, but the exchange rate is in our favour at
present.

The initial months of 2017, could be easily spent in Cape Town. You will also be
supported by cheaper transportation and hotel expenses.

Since South Africa lies in the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are just opposite;
consider going in summer when the safari lodges will be even less expensive.

The best part of your visit to this place can be wine, since it would cost you less
than that of a soda can.

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3. Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Why: The best time to visit the Caribbean is at the end of April to mid-December
i.e in the low season. This place fits your budget and if you stay within the two-
square-mile radius of the old city, you won't even require rental cars to access
sightseeing and restaurants. 

Villa Herencia and Hotel Casa Blanca are two of the high-style hotels with low-
cost boutiques.

4. A Santiago cityscape, Chile

Why: Europe has always been at priority on everyone's list, plus the exchange
rate is more favourable than it has been in years, especially for the American
travellers. There is surprising German heritage, and it is also easy to rent a car
and explore the area. Santiago is known for its wine, vibrant food, hip hotels and
delicious tapas. You can explore volcanoes and go to the top of a volcano.

5. A waterfront taverna in Crete.

Why: With the e

conomic crisis in Greece and the U.S. dollar strong enough against the euro at 
present, it's the perfect time to visit the wonderful island of Crete. With locals who
 welcome tourists with open arms, you are bound to save a few dollars along with 
having a trip for the lifetime. This place is a foodie's dream come true. 

6. The affordable Riad Yasmine in Marrakech.

Why: For all the Morocco dream visitors, it is important for you to know that this
place is one of the most affordable places in Africa. Typical meals can cost you
ranging from $2.50 to $15 for two including appetisers, unlimited mint tea and
entree. Well, this place will also offer you with a large variety of vegetarian food
and with shopping to suit everyone's budget including leather handbags and
wallets. 

Riad Kheirredine will provide you with a cell phone to ensure your safety during
your stay, also a queen-like stay without even breaking your bank account.

7. Seaside in Belize.

Why: This place bestows upon you with its blend of modern and historical flavour,
 where you can plan your budget suiting romantic trip. Also, many four star hotels
offer such low rates which include bicycle on rents as well as Belize's local wines. 

Both, the oceanside Royal Caribbean Resort in San Pedro and George Hardie's Las
 Vegas Hotel in Corozal can be booked for under $100 per night, providing you
with cheap as well as delicious meals.

8. Boats sit in the harbor in Halong Bay, Vietnam.

Why: Vietnam with healthy food, upscale accommodations and beautiful sights is
a standout among the budget friendly locations in South Asia. The Tirant Hotel
in Hanoi allows you to take a room for less than about $70 a night. And the Hanoi
street food tour is not to be missed, with just $20 per person and a guide. A sip of
the steaming 'pho' noodle soup available in the restaurants, food stalls and
pushcarts is the takeaway of the trip.

9. Costa Rica landscape.

Why: Costing only a few dollars for entry, there are plenty of national parks to
explore which comprise of sloths, monkeys, macaws and tapirs. Corcovado and
Manuel Antonio National Parks being the best. The public transport is also very 
cheap in Cota Rica which enables you to travel between destinations with
affordable prices. The surf ride in Costa Rica can be as petty as $6 per person.
And the local dish "plato tipico" can be enjoyed at about $2-3.

10. Cliffside in Lagos, Portugal.

Why: The dollar being strong against euro at present, the landscapes of "California
 Highway 1 meets Tuscany" can be enjoyed within the budget. This place will also 
offer you with a bottle of port, a meal of the day and a glass of wine for around  
€5 each. Portugal has the most affordable travel in comparison to the rest of 
the Western Europe.

Adventurous Sports That You Must Try In 2017

If you are young, brave, sportive and waiting to do something exciting in life, then here is the end to your wait. Here are the most dangerous sports of the world which you must try to combat your fear. And once you try them, you'll feel the change in yourself. 

It will give you a sense of achievement, build your confidence, relax your mind and you'll get an experience for a lifetime. 

Just don't think too much, pack your bags and go. 

1. Downhill mountain biking

It might seem very easy for the people who haven't tried the sport yet because they often compare it with childhood or teenage bike riding. But, let me tell you there is a vast difference, as the bikes used for downhill mountain biking are completely different, they have a front and rear suspension with 8-inches of travel, the brakes are completely different and the path is extremely steep, with very sharp turns. So, make sure that when you try this sport you have learnt the appropriate skills required. 

2. Big wave surfing

Wave surfing is one of the most dangerous sports in the world because you challenge the big waves against harsh weather conditions, and the game can change any moment. This sport has taken many lives in past decades. And few of the popular spots for wave surfing are Tavarua (Fiji), Sunset Beach, Arica (Chile), Todos Santos (Mexico), Teahupoo (Tahiti).

3. Cage diving in shark alley

If you love underwater marine life, then this is something you experience once in your lifetime. Those of you who don't know what 'Shark Alley' is, then let me tell you, it is the strip of sea between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock, as the region has a lot of seals it acts as a constant food source to the sharks.

4. Hang gliding

f you are someone who has Acrophobia, then this will definitely help you overcome this fear. According to Wikipedia, "Hang gliding is an air sport in which a pilot flies a light, non-motorized foot-launched heavier-than-air aircraft called a hang glider. The pilot is in a harness suspended from the airframe and controls the aircraft by shifting body weight in opposition to a control frame."

5. Running with bulls

It is an 8-day festival celebrated across the villages of Spain, Mexico, Portugal and in some cities of France. This sport was started in the 14th century, and according to Spanish tradition, the youth showed their bravery by running in front of the bulls. This sport is still practised, and if at all you are planning to participate, make sure you are good at running. 

6. El Caminito del Rey trekking

El Caminito del Rey is the most dangerous walkway in the world. The walkway is 111-year-old and is very risky. The El Caminito del Rey trekking is basically, walking through the entire 3-kilometre walkway and there are many crazy people trying out the sport. 

7. Cave diving

As the name suggests this is not normal cave exploration, but one has to go deep under the water and visit the cave. It is mainly considered as a technical type of diving and has a beautiful scenic beauty.  

Five must-buy things from Kerala

World famous as God’s own country – Kerala – the southern coastal state is paradise for tourists. Endowed with nature’s bounty, Kerala’s mesmerising backwaters, gorgeous waterfalls, captivating hills, spice gardens and tea/coffee plantations will lure you to the core.

Besides nature, Kerala’s traditions and culture will leave you spellbound. From Mohiniattam to Kathakali, from Kaikottakali to Kalaripayattu the state has plenty to offer, perhaps more than what one can dream of.

If you ever wish to visit this beautiful place, you can make the most of your trip by picking up souvenirs as a token of remembrance. Kerala is also a shopper’s paradise and has been into a variety of stuff that’s popular worldwide.

In this post, we will take a look at 5 things you cannot afford to miss in your shopping list -

• Spices – Kerala produces the finest quality of pepper, cinnamon, clove, cardamom and vanilla. You cannot afford to miss these!
• Ayurvedic products – One of the prime hubs of Ayurveda, Kerala has a wide range of Ayurdedic products in store for its visitors. From Hair oil to body oil, beauty to medicinal products, Kerala has almost everything under the sun.
• Kerala Handloom – Famous for is Set Saris for women and Veshti-Chattai for Men, Kerala handloom has a distinctive appeal and beauty.
• Handicrafts –You can pick your favourite handicraft from a wide range of handmade products in offering. From wooden elephants to masks, jewellery made of pancha dhatu (five metals) to cane products, the state has so much art to display.
• Sun-dried savouries, banana chips and sweets – Kerala is famous for its banana and jackfruit chips. Besides these, there are several oher food items that you can pick to keep munching as you make your way back home.  Banana halwa, wheat halwa, Unni Appam etc are some of the items you must buy.

Arunachal Pradesh seeks to become adventure tourism hotspot

 Encouraged by a 50 percent growth in tourist arrivals over the past few years, Arunachal Pradesh is seeking to promote the strategic border state as an adventure tourism hotspot to draw the young and the daring.

The state, abutting China, is already known for its natural beauty -- picturesque hills and valleys, landscapes snowed white in winter, famous monasteries, unexplored passes and tranquil, high-altitude lakes -- and registered about five percent growth in tourist footfalls in 2015. What was missing were adventure hotspots.

"With the focus on adventure tourism and showcasing exotic tourist spots, the state has been organising many theme-based events like the Tawang festival, Ziro festival of music, Arunachal spring carnival, adventure at Mechuka as also the Kameng river festival. The objective is to create a buzz among local youth and tourists outside the state," state Tourism Department Director K. Lekhi told IANS.

A project has been sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan scheme for integrated development of new adventure tourism with central assistance of around Rs 97 crore ($14 million).

According to Tourism Department data, arrivals in 2015 stood at 3,57,933 against 3,41,178 in 2014. In the last decade, arrivals jumped manifold from 3,255 in 2000 to 2,31,252 in 2010. Between 2011 and 2015, inflows surged by 50 percent from 2,37,980 in 2011.

Being a sensitive state, foreign tourists visiting in groups of two or more require the Protected Area Permit for a period 30 days. Domestic tourists also require an Inner Line Permit.

"We have eased the procedures for providing permits and one can carry out the process from Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati," Lekhi said.

"Over the years, the number of tourist arrivals has been increasing. Theme-based festivals and events around the year helped to achieve sustained growth," Arunachal Pradesh Tourist Information Officer Takom Kena told IANS.

The land of dawn-lit mountains is endowed with green forests covering over 80 per cent of its 83,743 sq km area, besides rivers like Kameng, Subansiri, Siang and Tirap. Such resources make Arunachal an ideal place for adventure sports like trekking, angling, boating and rafting.

Gauging the potential for adventure sports, the Centre has set up the country's first adventure sports institute -- the National Institute for Mountaineering and Allied Sports (NIMAS) -- at Dirang in West Kameng district to provide structured training in mountaineering as well as aero and aqua sports.

"Arunachal is the most suitable place for conducting air, water and land-based adventure sports. For example, Mechukha is best for paragliding and trekking, and Tawang for parasailing and river rafting. Apart from Mechukha, we are giving a thrust in Anini, Rupa and Tawang to adventure tourism," state Directorate of Youth Affairs' Adventure Cell In-charge K. Romeo Meetei told IANS.

With a thin population density of 17 persons per sq km, the state is trying to provide adequate employment opportunities through adventure tourism, which is currently conducted only during the festival season.

"The state is trying to train local youths so that they can organise adventure sports and serve the tourists round the year. It will create employment opportunities for local youth. At present, facilitators are being brought from outside to conduct such events," Meetei said on the sidelines of the 4th edition of Adventure@Mechukha festival.

However, communication and transportation bottlenecks have been a major impediment in attracting more tourists.

"At present, the condition of roads are not that good. Maintenance is by the Border Roads Organisation. The state government does not have much say. A trans-Arunachal road project has been taken up and once this fructifies, the problem will ease out to a large extent," Lekhi said.

Apart from improved road connectivity, tourist arrivals are expected to increase with better rail and and air connectivity.

Currently, Naharlagun, 15 km from Itanagar, is linked to New Delhi via Guwahati by an air-conditioned superfast express. There are also plans to connect Pasighat in East Siang district and Bhalukpong in West Kameng by rail. This is in the domain of the Railway Ministry, Lekhi said.

"The state government has approached the Centre to open up the advanced landing ground (ALG) at Mechukha (29 km from the Sino-Indian border) for civilian purposes to strengthen connectivity in the Aalo-Mechukha circuit in West Siang district. The landing ground is currently used only by the Indian Air Force," Mechukha's MLA and Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism P.D. Sona told IANS.

Over time, the IAF plans to activate nine ALGs in Arunachal Pradesh and there are indications that some of these could also be put to civilian use.

Bappaditya Chatterjee