March 2019
Credit : pixabay.com
Venya (my six-year-old niece in an excitement mode)-
Yeyeye .. My vacations are going to start from tomorrow. Me (tensed and
stressed)- Oh yeah! I am glad to hear it, and what are you planning to
do? Venya (She shouts out loud)- I am going to play, practice drawing
and dancing, and go for a trip. Remember, you promised last time if I
get good marks in exam, you will take me to a summer vacation. So Aunty,
where are we heading to? At the beginning of every summer comes a day
of reckoning, the time when every man, woman, and child must answer a
crucial question: So, where are we planning to visit this vacation? The
statement of this tiny tot (Venya) landed me in trouble, and I started
recalling the places where I can take this little devil for a vacation.
And the next big question that clicked my mind was to look for such hill
station, which is quite close to my city because travelling all the way
to another part of the country with this little devil can be little
exhausting and exasperating. After some research, I jotted down some
places, taking into account what can appeal to a child, where we can go
for summer vacations. Also, I figured out that from towering hubs in
Himalaya and the lush hills of Meghalaya to the rich flora of the
Eastern Ghats and the grandeur of the Western Ghats, goodness of nature
is spread in each and every corner of India.
Now let’s have a look at the list.
Nainital – Of Serene Locals and Glorious Sunset…
Like most spectacular hill stations of India,
Nainital is plagued by a regular traffic. At an elevation of 1938 m
above the sea level, Nainital, the lake district of Uttrakhand, keeps on
buzzing with travellers, corporate and leisure, from different corners
of the world during the summer season. And why it shouldn’t be, the city
offers numberless activities, which makes it on the radar of every
traveller. Strolling on mall road, enjoying boating, view of the sunset
from the snow point, everything about this hill station fascinates
tourists. Venya is surely going to love this as where she can enjoy
sailing over the Naini Lake, spot some endangered high altitude animals
at the zoo, and experience the thrilling cable car ride. If your kids
like skating, then you can take them to Zoomland. Offbeat attractions
nearby Nainital like Saattal, Bheemtal, Naukuchiyatal, and Khurpatal are
also some attractive holiday spots. You can even go for a soothing
drive to Corbett National Park to make your kids summer holiday wild and
adventurous. After reading so much about it, I feel like going to this
place now.
Manali – Perfect Family Holiday Destination
Ahh.. Manali! When the summer reaches its peak and
the sizzling sun treats you with a 35to 45 degree, the only place to
visit on mostly North Indian people mind is MANALI. It’s soothing
environment, breezy air, and bountiful vistas make it one of the best
summer vacation place in India. Nestled at an altitude of 2050 m, in the
Beas River Valley, Manali offers spectacular views, gurgling water
streams and an array of kid-friendly activities. Earlier, I was little
muddled about whether I should take Venya here due to its high altitude.
But after a 2-hour exploration and scrutinising session, I realised
that missing it in my list would be a big mistake. When on a trip to
Manali, tourists can take their kids to Rohtang Pass, where they can
enjoy yak and ropeway ride. Besides this, you can also introduce your
kid to Buddhist culture by visiting the magnificent monasteries and
ancient temples beholding legendary stories. During your holidays in
Manali, you can visit Hadimba Temple, Solang Valley, Vashisht Village,
Naggar, and Rahala Falls for sightseeing.
Kashmir Valley – India’s Answer to Switzerland
“Agar firdous baroye zameen ast, hami asto, hami asto
hami ast” – Amir-e-Khusru Dehluvi (If there is paradise on earth, It is
here, it is here, it is here) These were the wise words stated by the
great poet Persian poet, Amir-e-Khusru Dehluvi, when he was left
awestruck by the beauty of Kashmir. No doubt it’s a paradise on this
earth and many people keep on saying this thing …’Go to Kashmir’. People
say zillions of things about its beauty, but according to me, there are
very fewer words that can elucidate the mysticism’s that this city
boasts. Speaking about the best summer holidays for children in India,
Kashmir Valley is something you shouldn’t miss. Though the city has been
a talk of the town due to many interferences, yet this charming city
with amiable hospitality can make you forget all the disturbances and
scorching city life that has baked, sterile your working life. Coming
back to my agenda, where should I visit in Kashmir? Well, my research
says I should begin with Srinagar, Rajauri, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Pahalgam
and Kishtwar. Starting with Srinagar, here you can go for a soothing
Shikhara ride over the dal lake, indulge in water skiing (if your kids
are minimum 12 years of age) or can visit orchards to pluck some apples
from the trees. If your kids are more of nature lovers, then you can
visit the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden to see the mesmerising and
eye soothing tulips. April, May and June are the best time to visit
Tulip Garden as the flowers are in its full bloom. One place where
tourists in large number throng is Gulmarg, a popular hill station in
Kashmir. The major attraction in Gulmarg is the two-tiered Gulmarg
Gondola ride, world’s second highest cable car which connects Kongdoori
and Apparwath Peak. Chances of experiencing snowfall are quite bright
here, thus, here one can indulge in activities like snowboarding,
skiing, and sledging. Besides tourists can also visit Sonmarg, an
offbeat attraction in Kashmir, which’s hard to reach but has many
interesting things to offer. Summer is the best time to visit Kashmir as
the place looks like a mosaic of varying shades of green – rice fields,
meadows, trees, etc. and Srinagar with its lakes and waterways is a
heaven after the scorching heat of the Indian plains.
Ranikhet – Uber Cool Destination of summer
A perfect escape from the scorching heat of the
summer, Ranikhet holds a charismatic layer of grasses dotted with
wildflowers. Home to military quarters, peaceful parks dotted
kaleidoscope of flowers, and gorgeous temples, Ranikhet is one of the
laid back hill station of North India for summers that is hardly
explored by tourists. Those who want to relax, rejuvenate and love to
live in the harmony with nature, should visit Ranikhet. If travelling
with kids, take a trip to Chaubatia Orchard, the garden captivates kids
to such an extent that they can spend years just by lying on the turfs
and relishing the view. In the garden, kids can see two hundred
varieties of flowers and fruits. If you have kids older than 12 years,
you can go for trekking from Gagas to Dwarahat. You can also consider a
visit to some pilgrimage sites like Mankameshwar, Binsar Mahadev, and
Haidakhan Temple.
Darjeeling – Wonderland of the East
In my four years of travelling experience with Venya,
I have realised that she love train journey, especially the part when
she peaks outside the window and spot animals, colours, and hills.
Keeping her interest in my mind, I think Darjeeling would be an
incredible place to visit as she can enjoy the toy train ride. The train
runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. Tourists have exploited
Darjeeling, but the silhouette of the city is still maintained, and it
had managed to keep hold of its old world charm. Surrounded by
well-manicured gardens and towered by majestic Khangchendzonga peak,
here one can indulge in perfect summer holidays. Toy Train is one thing
that you should try, besides you can also visit the Tiger Hill to see
the silhouette of magnificent birds gliding below the sun. A ride on the
Darjeeling-Rangit passenger cable car or the ropeway can be a thrilling
experience for your kids. Singalila National Park, Padmaja Naidu
Himalayan Zoological Park, Observatory Hill, Japanese Peace Pagoda, and
Neora Valley National Park are some famous attractions of Darjeeling
that has lots to offer to its visitors.
Sikkim – A Slice of India’s Heaven
Slice of India’s heaven lies in Sikkim. A visit to
the northern part of Sikkim can soothe your soul with its luscious
mountains, sprawling forest and fresh air. Small in size and colossal in
beauty, North Sikkim is an ultimate destination for summer vacation
which any traveller shouldn’t miss. When on a summer holiday with kids,
you can visit monasteries, lush biospheres, garrulous waterfalls and
shimmering lakes. There are many breathtaking destinations in Sikkim
where one can go to spend ideal summer holiday. Confined within the vast
ecosphere of Sikkim are some places like Lachung, Yumthang Valley,
Lachen, Chungthang, and Thangu, boasting the diorama of different
ethnicities like Lepchas, Nepalese and Bhutia. Hence, it’s a great place
to meet and greet people from various cultures. A picturesque town in
the North-Eastern region of Sikkim, Lachung is a tiny village, few
kilometres away from Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary. If your health and
kids get acclimatise, you can head out to Thangu to savour the
impeccable view of Kanchenjunga range. Another summer retreat in North
Sikkim is Lachen, a tiny settlement amidst the snow clad mountains and
famed for Gurudongmar Lake and Lhamu Lake. Besides, tourists can visit
neighbouring places like Ravangla, Gangtok, and Kampong.
Mahabaleshwar – For a Perfect Family Holiday
Keeping in mind kid’s love for fruits, I have listed
Mahabaleshwar on my blog. A former capital of Bombay Presidency,
Mahabaleshwar is a gem of Western Ghats, perched at an elevation of 1372
metres in Satara district of Maharashtra and is quite famed for
strawberry farms. Mahabaleshwar offers soothing environment so tourists
can savour the view of nature at its blooming best. Visit to the Venna
lake could be a good treat for the kids as here they can indulge in
boating, horse riding, trampoline, and bungee jumping. Also, there are
many sightseeing places in Mahabaleshwar like Arthur’s Seat, Needle Hole
Point, Kate’s Point, Wilson’s Point and 3 Monkey Point, from where you
can see the view of the sun gliding below the horizon, leaving behind
the hues of orange. You should also stop at gardens like Mapro Gardens
and Cream Corner to pluck some fresh strawberries and pick bottles of
some fruit jams. If you love strawberries, you should visit
Mahabaleshwar particularly in the month of May as this is the time when
‘strawberry festival’ kick-starts. Food lovers should try strawberry
with cream, which is available at almost every restaurant of
Manahabaleshwar.
Saputara – A Fascinating Treasure trove of West / An Unique Pick
Not many people in India know that Gujarat has a hill
station within its vicinity. Sapatura, a tiny hill station snuggled in
the enchanting greens of Dang forest and ensconced in the Sahyadri
range, is a little hub for mostly people living in West India.
Obviously, every time one can’t visit all the way to Nainital or Shimla
in up north, or Queen of the Nilgiris, Ooty, which is too south for a
summer break. Therefore, Saputara is one of the places to visit, and it
is easily accessible for residents of the west India. However, Saputara
has an influence of India’s best Hill Station- luscious forest reserves
of Chail, sunset points from Nainital, botanical gardens from Ranikhet,
and waterfalls from Kerala. It’s a fantastic place to look out for
nature’s bounty and spend some good playing time with your kids. For
those travelling with family, a visit to Saputara Tribal Museum and
Artist Village is a must as here one can get to know more about tribals
staying in native Dangis. Rose Garden, Lake Garden, Step Garden, Gira
Waterfalls, Mahal Forest, Gandhi Shikhar and Sunrise Point are some of
the prominent places, which are truly a delight to visit in Saputara. In
Saputara, you can also enjoy a ride in the cable car and paddle boat.
Honey Bees Centre can be the sweetest point to visit in Saputara as it
brings the amazing world of the honeybee to the general public. The
interactive tour to the honey bees centre includes insight into the
functioning of honey industry. It is also a great place to purchase
health products made from natural bee products and of course – honey.
The hill station is hardly 280 km away from Mumbai, 180 km from Surat
and can be easily reached by any mode of transport.
Munnar – Perfect Holiday in God’s Own Country
After jotting down a little bit of North, West and
East India destinations, now it’s time to move to South India. If you
have been thinking Munnar is all about backwater and south Indian
dishes, like mostly Kerala towns, then let me tell you that it is a
leisure hill station that holds the secrets of India’s best tea and
spices. In class by its self, Munnar was once the retreat hub for
Britons and still retains its old world charm, which is quite evident
from drowsy little bungalows that here one can see. Your kids are going
to love this place as here they can see some gushing waterfalls, get to
know more about tea culture, enjoy bumpy elephant rides and visit forest
covers and grasslands as here where they can see the Nilgiri Tahr. With
the presence of some soul soothing places like Kundala Lake, Marayoor
Sandalwood Forests, Blossom Hydel Park, Echo point, Rose Garden,
Mattupetty, Rajamalai National Park, and Elephant Lake, Munnar is a
great place to escape for family trip from sizzling scorching summer.
Cycling and trekking is the best way to get to know Munnar better.
Ooty – Queen of Hill stations in South India
As the tedious summer descends in India, tourists are
often seen thronging to Ooty as this is what the perfect places to calm
down and beat the heat. Summer vacations in Ooty can be a thrilling one
as the weather is good enough to do to keep your days packed with
activity and excitement. There are many fun places to visit in Ooty like
Rose Garden, Botanical Garden, Wax Museum, Mudumalai Forest Sanctuary,
Doddabetta Park, Annamalai Temple and Pine forest. The Ooty Lake is a
must visit, if travelling with family, as the place offers many
fun-filled options for kids as toy train ride, horse riding and boat
rides. Also, they can go for a thrilling go karting session at Jolly
World Children Park. A visit to Black Thunder, one of the finest theme
park, is also a must on a trip to Ooty. A swimming pool for kids built
around an artificial volcano deserves a special mention along with other
adventure and water rides. Also a holiday in May can be fun as it in
time to witness the glorious beauty of the ‘Ooty Summer Festival.’
Organized every year by the tourism ministry, the festival hosts a
series of events and fun-filled activities by locals for the visitors in
the Botanical Garden, the venue of the event.
Andaman and Nicobar – For Unmatched Children Summer Holiday
Oh yes, Beach Holiday! Venya loves beaches and
coastal areas as she enjoys splashes in the waves of the sea, make his
fairytale castles, roam freely, and get dirty and drenched. However,
there are many summer beaches in India, but Andaman and Nicobar’s azure
water and the sun-kissed beaches make it the land of unending beauty.
Showered with heavenly landscapes, this enigmatic group of island in Bay
of Bengal and Andaman Sea has surprised tucked in every nook and
corner. Besides a sunny day at the beachside, you can take your kids to
cellular jail, where they can see the an eye-catching yet enlightening
light show and get to know more about the India freedom struggle. Also,
here your kids can spot brilliantly-colored tropical and native
butterflies. Furthermore, kids can also visit the Mahatma Gandhi
National Marine Park to see the magnificent underwater and sea life of
Andaman Sea. Radhanagar Beach in Havelock Island, Ross and Smith Island
Beach, Laxmanpur Beach in Neil Island, Lalaji Bay Beach in Long Island
and Wandoor Beach in Port Blair are some of the best beaches to visit in
Andaman and Nicobar with kids. Apart from its unmatched beaches, you
can visit the beauty of Andaman by visiting Japanese Bunker, Limestone
Caves, Mount Harriet National Park, Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve and
Austin Creek. Go ahead and enjoy your summer.
Kodikanal – For a Refreshing Summer Holiday
If Ooty is the queen of South India Hill Station,
then Kodaikanal is its princess. Cious environment to soothe the senses,
picturesque landscapes and salubrious climate make Kodaikanal a popular
hill station in South India. Spread across the scenic Western Ghats at
an altitude of 7,200 feet, the misty air of the place will infuse your
soul as you set to experience some of the breathtaking destinations of
Kodikanal. Kodai Lake is the centre attraction Kodikanal, apart from
Berijam Lake, Pillar Rocks, Kurinji Andavar Temple, Telescope House,
Green Valley View, Thalaiyar Falls and Kukkal Caves. If your kid has a
keen interest in astronomy, then you can visit the Kodaikanal Solar
Observatory, which offers tours of the facility, access to the astronomy
library, night time telescopic sky viewing, seminars, and workshops.
And for more BOOK YOUR TICKETS FOR KODAIKANAL RIGHT NOW!
And finally, my list of best summer destinations in
India has come to an end. Hopefully, I will pick one of them and make
Venya’s 2018 summer holiday a memorable affair. And if you think, I have
missed out some places; please feel free to mention them in the comment
box below. Also, if you have already explored some of these
destinations, please share your experience in the comment box below.
To Know More Information About Travel Packages for Summer Holidays from Thane By Crossworld Holidays- Tour Operator in Thane Mumbai
Source - www.tourmyindia.com
Crossworld Holidays gives the Travel Agent in thane Contact us at (+91) 4038 4747 or Email us at - info@crossworldholidays.com
