Manali
40 Kms. away from Kulu to the north, Manali is situated near the end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh. The landscape here is breath taking. One sees well-defined snow capped peaks, the Beas river with its clear water meanders through the town. On the other side are deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards. It is an excellent place for a holiday, a favorite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur, Leh and Zanskar regions in Kashmir valley. It is known as SWITZERLAND OF INDIA. Manali is an important hill station of northern India and is the destination of thousands of tourists every year. Its cool atmosphere provides a perfect heaven for the ones afflicted by the hot Indian summers. Besides offering quite a few places for sightseeing, The city is also famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking. In short, Manali-is the "Valley of the Gods" and an ideal place for the ones in search of both adventure and comfort.
Shimla
Situated in the north-West Himalayas, Shimla the summer capital of India before independence is now the capital of Himachal Pradesh.Shimla derives its name from "Shyamala";- the goddess Kali,whose temple existed in the dense forest that covered Jakhu Hill in the early 19th century. The English named it " Simla ". Shimla is well connected by air, road and rail with all parts of Himachal Pradesh, and the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashimir and the Union territory of Chandigarh. Covering the area of 18 sq. km. at a height of 7,238 ft. Shimla is surrounded by pine, deodar, oak and rhododendron forests. Its well developed facilities, easy accessibility and numerous attractions make it one of India's most popular hill-stations.
Nainital
A small town in the hills of Kumaon, Nainital is a lovely hill station surrounded by mountains on three sides. Once this area had many lakes and it was called the City of 60 lakes or 'Chakta'.
Most of the lakes in the region have disappeared and whatever remains is just a glimpse of what they might have been in the past. Today the life of Nainital revolves around the lake of Naini. But there are few other lakes around Nainital which are equally beautiful and attractive as the Naini lake. River Ramganga originates from the Doodha Tauli ranges in district Pauri Garhwal. It enters into district Nainital, before re-entering into district Pauri Garhwal. Nainital was discovered in 1841 by a Britisher called Lord Barron. The weather, the surrounding and the mesmerising beauty of this area attracted the British administrator who turned Nainital into the summer capital of the United Province. Being a major tourist place Nainital is always bustling with visitors and it is always better if accommodation and other facilites are prearranged.
Jim Corbett
Corbett National Park is India's first nature reservoir. Here the country's richest biodiversity has been conserved for over 50 years. Today, the park is said to offer one of the finest wildlife experiences out of which the elephant safari is an unforgettable one. It has a rich variety of wildlife: Tigers, Leopards, Elephants, Wild Boar, Ghural, Sambhar, Chital, Hares, and more. There are about 500 species of birds and the Ramganga River is replete with Mahseer fish, Mugger, Gharial. Jim Corbett National Park has a strong historical background, which can be traced from the early 1800 when its forest were private property of the rulers of the Terhi Garhwal.
Goa
The most comprehensive beach resort in the country, Goa's coastline provides endless sun drenched crescents of sand. Parasailing, yachting, windsurfing, and deep sea diving are some of the more popular water sports. In addition, every sort of accommodation fringes the beaches, from deluxe resorts to budget lodgings. Inland, 451 years of Portuguese rule has imbued Goa's towns and villages with a unique culture. Whitewashed chapels and churches that dot the landscape are surrounded by sleepy villages and rice fields. Panjim, the capital city, and Margao, an important town, have private houses and government buildings that date back to Portuguese times. Old Goa, now deserted, has a collection of Goa's largest churches: Se Cathedral with its Iberian exterior, Bom Jesus which enshrines the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier and the starkly beautiful Convent of Saint Monica are a few of these. Mapusa, a market town, comes alive every Friday with a quaint pavement bazaar.
Delhi
Delhi is the ideal place to start your exploration of northern India. The Tomar king, Anangpal, was the founder of the first city of Delhi. Delhi was ruled by a series of muslim dynasties, each of whom imparted a different artistic style to the city - Khiljis, Tughlaqs, Sayyeds and Lodhis. Shahjahan, the famous mughal emperor, made Delhi his capital and embellished it.The capital of India and a city of fascinating contrasts, Delhi's monuments and structures take you through the centuries past seven older cities that existed here. So go sight seeing -Qutub Minar, the tall victory tower built in 1199, the splendid. Red Fort and the majestic Jama Masjid with its striped domes and tall minarets. Other architectural delights include the Humayun's Tomb, the Jantar Mantar, the Purana Qila and the magnificent government complex on Raisina Hill the Rashtrapati Bhavan framed by the Secretariats and the circular Parliament House. Delhi is a marvellous place for shopping. So visit its hustling bazaars and don't forget to have a taste of the best of Indian cuisine at its fine restaurants.
Agra
Agra is famous as being home to one of the Seven Wonders of the world-the Taj Mahal.
The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal empire, of which Agra was the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries. While its significance as a political center ended with the transfer of the capital to Delhi in 1634 by Shah Jahan, its architectural wealth has secured its place on the international map. A pleasant town with a comparatively slow pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone by craftsmen who are descendants of those who worked under the Mughals. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes
Jaipur
Jaipur- Known as the Pink City, Jaipur's buildings have a pink tinge to them, being built of the local sandstone. Built by Jai Singh II, it is now one of the world's major gem centres. Places of interest are the city palace or Chandra Mahal - Converted as a Museum, Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds),Jantar Mantar - The Royal Observatory built by the Maharaja Jai Singh. Excursion to Amber fort (The Massive citadel on the hill) Highlighted by an elephant ride upto the entrance of the fort. The fort is a living example of the grandeur and majesty of the Rajput Kings.
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