Tyda

Tyda is a delightful tourist destination located in the Eastern Ghats region of Andhra Pradesh. The place is situated in a calm and peaceful environment surrounded by trees and forests. At a height of 1520 ft above sea level, Tyda offers amazing views of the undulating hills and lush greenery of the Eastern Ghats. The Visakhapatnam-Kirandul rail line is also visible from the hill top. The picturesque Tyda Railway station is worth seeing. Adventure lovers can go for a 12 km trek to Katiki Waterfalls. The beauty of the waterfalls increases after the monsoon. Other attractions near Tyda are Ananthagiri Hills, Ananthagiri Coffee Plantation and Borra Guhalu.

Getting There

The nearest major city is Visakhapatnam which is well connected with the rest of the country. Tyda is 75 km from Visakhapatnam. You can reach Tyda from Visakhapatnam by hired car, bus or train.

Staying There

Jungle Bells Nature Camp. Tariff - Rs. 2000-2500. Tel: (0891) 2788820.

Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary

Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at a distance of 15 km from Medak and 120 km from Hyderabad in the Indian state of Telengana. The forest spans across an area of 130 sq. km. This mixed dry deciduous forest is home to various wild animals and reptiles including panther, sloth bear, wild boar, cheetal, sambar, nilgai, hyena, jackal and python. Ducks, teals, storks, partridges and quails are also spotted at the Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary. The vast Pocharam Lake adjoining the sanctuary makes the place worth visiting. The best time to visit this sanctuary is from October to May.

Getting There

The nearest convenient railway station is at Hyderabad. Distance between Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary and Hyderabad is 120 km. Hyderabad enjoys excellent connectivity with other parts of the country.

Staying There

You can stay at the Inspection Bungalows located at Pocharam and Medak.

Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Sanctuary

Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Sanctuary is one of the largest tiger reserves in India. The reserve spreads over Nalgonda, Mahboobnagar, Kurnool, Prakasam and Guntur districts. Spanning across an area of 3568 sq km, these dry deciduous mixed forests along the Krishna river are home to various wild animals including tiger, panther, sloth bear, wild dog, jackal, fox, wolf, Indian giant squirrel. Other animals found in this sanctuary are cheetal, sambar, black buck, mouse deer, chowsingha, nilgai and wild boar. The best time to visit Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve is October to May.

Getting There

The nearest convenient railhead is Hyderabad which enjoys excellent connectivity with the rest of the country. The sanctuary is 130 km from Hyderabad.

Staying There

Rest houses and cottages are available at Srisailam and Mannanur.

Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary

Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary is located adjacent to Kolkata. Situated beside EM Bypass Extension between Narendrapur and Rajpur, this forest is locally known as Kayal-r Bagan. Many species of birds live in the trees of this bird sanctuary. The Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary is home to numerous types of insects, moths and butterflies. Animals like civet cat and fox are also seen in this forest. The sanctuary remains open on all days from 7 am to 5 pm. The entry fee is Rs. 15/- per head.

Getting There

Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary is situated in the vicinity of Kolkata. Kolkata enjoys excellent rail, road and air connectivity with the rest of the country. Taxis are available from railway station and airport to reach Bhaskar Bhawan Bus Stop near Garia. The sanctuary is 5 minutes walking distance from there.

Staying There

There is no accommodation facility inside Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary. However, there are ample accommodation options including luxury hotels, guest houses and lodges at Kolkata.

Panjhora

Panjhora is a serene forest situated adjoining the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary. The place is still virgin, unexplored and not much frequented by tourists. The peaceful environment of the dense forest is ideal for those seeking solitude. The cascading Murti river flows by the side increasing the scenic beauty of this place. The railway bridge over the Murti river along with a scenic backdrop of the mighty Himalayas is mesmerizing. Visitors can also get a taste of village life at Panjhora.

Getting There

The nearest railway station is New Mal Junction. From there cars are available on hire basis to get to Chapramari. Distance is 30 km. Panjhora is 2 km from Chapramari.

Staying There

Chapramari Wilderness Camp. Tariff - Cottage (Two Heads) Rs. 2500, Cottage (Three Heads) Rs. 3000.

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka. It is the largest wildlife sanctuary of Karnataka and is an unspoiled, untouched and unexplored treasure of wildlife. Spanning over an area of 475 sq km, the sanctuary is home to some very rare species of animals and birds. Amongst the animals found are sloth bear, tiger, panther, deer, gaur, elephant and partridge. The sanctuary offers wildlife safaris in jeeps, nature walks, bird watching, crocodile sighting trips, fishing, boat rides and trekking in the jungles of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.

Getting There

The nearest railway station is Dharwad, 60 km from the sanctuary. Hired cars and buses are available from Dharwad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Goa, Belgaum and Karwar to reach Dandeli. The popular beach destination of Goa is situated 130 km from Dandeli.

Staying There

Accommodation facilities are available at Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.

Tepania

Tepania Eco Park is becoming a popular tourist destination in the North East Indian state of Tripura. It is located 5 km from Udaipur on the Udaipur-Agartala road. This park was established in the year 1995, inside the Radhakishorepur Reserve Forest. Covering an area of 155 hectares, the Tepania Eco Park hosts an array of orchids and cactus surrounded by lush green forests. There is an orchid house which showcases more than 225 species of orchids and a cactus house which houses around 250 species of cactus. The orchids and cactus in this park has been collected from various places around the country. The stunning wooden hanging bridge and the thrilling experience of staying in tree houses inside the park are great attractions for the tourists. The Tepania Eco Park remains closed on Thursdays.

Getting There

Tepania Eco Park is 50 km from Agartala and 5 km from Udaipur. Agartala is connected by rail and air to various cities across the country. Hired cars are available from Agartala to reach Tepania Eco Park.

Staying There

There are some tree houses and resorts inside the Tepania Eco Park. Tariff - Tree House Rs. 300, Resort Rs. 200. For booking contact: (0381) 2224358.