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.

Lulung

Lulung is a beautiful tourist destination situated in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. The place is located on the outskirts of Simlipal National Park and is surrounded by dense forests of Sal, Mahua, Devdaru and other trees. Lulung is located on the bank of a tributary of River Palpala with perennial water flow. The lush green hill slopes, crystal clear river water and soothing peace and calmness make the place an ideal picnic spot. You can also take a stroll to the nearby Sitakund Waterfalls. The scenic beauty of the small waterfalls and a gorge filled with water is quite attractive for tourists.

Lulung

Getting There

The nearest railway station is Balasore which lies on the Howrah-Chennai main line. Baripada is easily accessible from Balasore by hired cars and buses. It takes about an hour and a half to reach Baripada from Balasore. Lulung is 38 km from Baripada.

Staying There

OTDC Aranya Nivas. Tariff - Rs. 850.

Tikarpada Gharial Sanctuary

Tikarpada Gharial Sanctuary is situated at a distance of 120 km from Dhenkanal in the Indian state of Odisha. River Mahanadi cuts through the 22 km long Satkosia gorge in Tikarpada and a visit to the place is an awe inspiring experience. The Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary is very rich in flora and fauna and is famous for its gharial breeding project. Various activities such as boating, white water rafting, angling and trekking through the beautiful forest are added attractions. Saptarshi and Raghunath temples located in the vicinity of the sanctuary are also visited by tourists. The best time to visit the sanctuary is from December to April.

Getting There

The nearest railhead is Dhenkanal which enjoys good connectivity with the rest of the country. Tikarpada Gharial Sanctuary is 120 km from Dhenkanal.

Staying There

Forest Rest House. Tariff - Rs. 200.
OFDC Tent. Tariff - Rs. 1100.

Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary

Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Nalanda district of the Indian state of Bihar. It is located on the periphery of Rajgir and spans over an area of 36 sq km. The sanctuary is home to barking deer, langur, leopard, giant squirrel and nilgai. A visit to this sanctuary also gives a peep into the glory of historic Rajgir, the seat of Indian empire in 6th century B.C., closely associated with the life and teachings of Lord Buddha and Mahavir Teerthankar. The place is also an ideal health resort with a number of hot springs. The best time to visit Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary is between the months of October to June.

Getting There

The nearest railway station and airport is at Patna, 105 km from the sanctuary. Buses and cars are available from Patna to reach the sanctuary.

Staying There

A number of economy hotels, rest houses and tourist bungalows provide accommodation to the tourists.

Namdapha National Park

Namdapha National Park is situated in the North East Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The park is famous for the extremely elusive snow leopard and clouded leopard. Three major rivers drain this area and flow into Noa Dihing, a tributary of River Brahmaputra. Some of the inhabitants of the park include the gaur, elephant, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, wild goat, binturong and the red panda. Apart from that, several primate species like the Assamese macaque, pigtailed macaque and the hoolock gibbon can be found in the area. The pristine quality of the forest has been well maintained at the Namdhapa National Park due to the inaccessibility of a major portion of the park. The park is also a Tiger Reserve.

Getting There

The nearest railway station is Ledo and the nearest airport is Dibrugarh. Namdapha National Park is 56 km from Ledo and 163 km from Dibrugarh.

Staying There

Forest Rest House, Deban. Tariff - Rs. 200-400.
For Booking Contact: The Field Director, Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Miao - 792122, Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh. Tel: (03807) 222249.

Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park is situated in the North East Indian state of Assam. Declared as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is located in the middle of the two rivers - Brahmaputra and Dhansari. The Kaziranga National Park spans over an area of 430 sq. km and is home to the famous One-horned Indian Rhinoceros. Apart from this, the park hosts 35 species of mammals, 491 species of birds and 27 reptile species. You can roam in the jungle either by car or elephant ride. The National Park remains open from November to April.

Getting There

The nearest convenient railhead is Guwahati which enjoys excellent connectivity with the rest of the country. Kaziranga National Park is 217 km from Guwahati. Cars and buses are available from Guwahati to reach Kaziranga.

Staying There

Aranya Tourist Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 1500-3700. Tel: (03776) 262489.
Wild Grass Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 2500 (including meal). Tel: (03776) 262085.
Dhanshree Resort. Tariff - Rs. 1300-1900. Tel: (03776) 262501.

Saranda

Saranda is a dense forest in the hilly regions of Jharkhand. The forest is situated at a height of 2000 ft and there are 700 hills in this area. The serene forests, hills, rivers, waterfalls and wild animals make Saranda, a nature lover's paradise. There are two hamlets on these hills - Kiriburu and Meghharaburu. These are inhabited by local tribal people.

Getting There

The nearest railway station is Ghatshila which lies on the Howrah-Mumbai main line. Buses are available from there to Badojamda. From Badojamda you can hire jeeps to reach Kiriburu.

Staying There

There are 3 forest bungalows in Saranda Forest - Thalkobad, Saraikella and Tirinposi. To obtain permit to roam around in the forest contact : District Forest Officer, PO-Chaibasa, Singhbhum, Jharkhand-833201. Apart from these there are some hotels and lodges at Saranda.

Amarkanan

Amarkanan is a nice jungle destination located in Bankura district of West Bengal. Situated at the foot of Koro Hill, this place is ideal for spending a day or two away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The main attraction of this place is the reserved forest. A river is flowing through this forest. Another attraction of Amarkanan is Sri Ram Krishna Seva Dal Ashram. You can also walk to the top of the hill. The scenery from the top is impressive. The Susunia Hill is also visible from here.

Getting There

The nearest railway station is Durgapur which is well connected to other parts of the country. Amarkanan is 32 km from Durgapur. Buses are available from Durgapur to reach Amarkanan.

Staying There

You can stay at the Forest Bungalow. Tariff - Rs. 300. For booking contact Forest Department Office at Bankura.

Valley of Flowers National Park

The Valley of Flowers National Park is situated in the North Indian state of Uttarakhand, bordered by the neighboring countries of Tibet and Nepal. The park spreads across an area of 87.5 sq km and was declared as a national park in the year 1982. Ranging at an altitude of 3352 to 3658 meters above sea level, the Valley of Flowers National Park is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stunning landscapes and meadows covered with endemic alpine flora are the prime attractions of this national park. This high-altitude Himalayan valley hosts around 300 species of alpine flowers which appears as carpet against the snow capped mountainous background. Some rare and endangered animals including snow leopard, Asiatic black bear, red fox and musk deer are also residents of the Valley of Flowers National Park. The best time to visit the park is from July to September.

Valley of Flowers National Park

Getting There

The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, 276 km away. Hired cars are available from Rishikesh to reach Govind Ghat. Ghangaria is a 13 km trek from Govind Ghat. The Valley of Flowers National Park is another 3 km trek from the base camp at Ghangaria.

Staying There

The best place to stay is at Joshimath where there are a number of hotels and accommodation options.
GMVN Guest House. Tariff - Rs. 1300-2000. Tel: (01389) 222226.

Keoladeo National Park

Keoladeo National Park is situated in Bharatpur in the state of Rajasthan. It is one of the most famous bird sanctuary in India and has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The park spans over an area of 29 sq km. The primary vegetation type is tropical dry deciduous forest along with dry grasslands and scrublands. The Keoladeo National Park hosts an impressive number of bird species including Indian grey hornbill, common teal, tufted duck, crested serpent eagle, osprey, white spoonbill and herons. Every year during winter thousands of migratory birds flock to this place making the national park a paradise for bird watchers. The park is also home to animals such as nilgai, sambar, chital, wild boar and Indian porcupine. Apart from that around 50 species of fishes, 13 species of snakes and 7 amphibian species are residents of the Keoladeo National Park.

Getting There

The nearest railway station is Bharatpur which is well connected to other parts of the country. Keoladeo National Park is just 5 km from Bharatpur railway station.

Staying There

Hotel Bharatpur Ashok. Tariff - Rs. 3500-4000. Tel: (05644) 222722.

Kunjanagar

Kunjanagar is an amazing destination situated 10 km from the town of Falakata in West Bengal. The place is surrounded by dense forests and corn fields. There is a suspension bridge. On one side of the bridge is Kunjanagar and on the other side is Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary. River Torsa is flowing in the middle of Kunjanagar and Jaldapara. A watch tower is there for seeing wild animals. The view from the tower is awe inspiring. The popularity of Kunjanagar for boating is increasing rapidly in the recent years.

Getting There

The nearest railway station to Kunjanagar is Falakata. Falakata is well connected to Kolkata which in turn enjoys good connectivity with the rest of the country. Kunjanagar is 10 km from Falakata. Hired cars are available from Falakata to reach Kunjanagar.

Staying There

Forest Bungalow. For booking contact: DFO, Coochbehar, Forest and Wildlife Department, P.O. - Coochbehar, Dist. - Coochbehar. Tel: (03582) 227185.

Bodaganj

Bodaganj is a virgin and unexplored jungle destination situated near Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. The place is surrounded by forests and tea gardens with a beautiful backdrop of the mighty Himalayas. The Teesta Barrage is located very close to Bodaganj. Various wild animals including the one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, barking deer, hog deer, spotted deer, sambhar, wild boars and Gour are sighted in the jungle around Bodaganj. The forest is also home to numerous bird species.

Getting There

The nearest railway station from Bodaganj is Jalpaiguri Road. Jalpaiguri Road is connected to Kolkata which in turn enjoys excellent connectivity with the rest of the country. Bodaganj is 17 km from Jalpaiguri Road station.

Staying There

WBFDC Forest Bungalow. Tel: (033) 22370060. Tariff - Double Bed Rs. 800.

Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Baragarh district of Odisha. It spans over an area of 347 sq km. The sanctuary is situated in a calm and pleasing environment at a distance of 50 km from the town of Sambalpur. The vegetation primarily consists of mixed deciduous trees and shrubs. Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife including tiger, leopard, elephant, sloth bear, sambar, chital, gaur and Nilgai. Since the sanctuary lies in close proximity to the Hirakud Dam, it attracts a number of migratory birds such as Crested Serpent Eagle and Chousingha. Mugger crocodiles and turtles also reside in this forest.

Getting There

The nearest railhead is Sambalpur which enjoys good rail connectivity with the rest of the country. Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is 50 km from Sambalpur.

Staying There

You can stay at the Forest Rest Houses in Dhodrokusum and Dechua. Accommodation is also available at the Tourist Cottage at Chaurasimal.

Khutimari

Khutimari forest is located in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. It is situated at a distance of 70 km from the town of Jalpaiguri. The prime attraction of this place is its immense natural beauty and stunning wildlife. The forest of Khutimari houses a range of wild animals including elephant, leopard, gaur, barking deer, hog deer, spotted deer and wild boar. Various species of birds also live in this jungle.

Getting There

Khutimari is situated at a distance of 70 km from the town of Jalpaiguri. Cars are available from Jalpaiguri to reach Khutimari.

Staying There

There are two forest bungalows at Khutimari.

South Khayerbari Nature Park

South Khayerbari Nature Park is a tiger rescue centre situated 15 km from Jaldapara. The park has been developed with the objective of treatment and rehabilitation of leopards and tigers. The leopards and tigers have been kept in a natural environment in this park. Battery operated cars are used to conduct safari tours in this nature park. River Buri Torsa is flowing through the South Khayerbari Nature Park. Boating can be done in the waters of the river.

Getting There

The nearest railway station is Hasimara. Hasimara is well connected to Kolkata which in turn enjoys excellent connectivity with the rest of the country. Madarihat is 12 km from Hasimara station. South Khayerbari Nature Park is 15 km from Madarihat.

Staying There

There are three cottages of the forest department on the bank of Buri Torsa river.

Hatibari

Hatibari is an amazing tourist destination located on the borders of the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha. The place is surrounded by small hills and lush greenery. River Subarnarekha flows through the place. The chirping of birds in the forests of Sal, Piyal, Teak and Eucalyptus trees make the environment of Hatibari mesmerizing. You can spend your time watching the fishing boats in the waters of Subarnarekha river. Gopiballabhji's Temple is a must see attraction from Hatibari. You may also visit the nearby Jhilli Dam, Kendugari and Rameshwar Temple.

Getting There

The nearest railway station is Jhargram. Jhargram enjoys good rail connectivity with Kolkata which in turn is well connected to the rest of the country. Hatibari is 62 km from Jhargram. Buses are available from Jhargram Bus Stand to reach Hatibari.

Staying There

Hatibari Forest Bungalow. Tariff - Double Bed Rs. 400.
For booking contact: DFO, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram Division. Tel: (03221) 255010.

Madhav National Park

Madhav National Park is situated in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. The forest had once been the summer capital and hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Gwalior. The national park covers an area of 354 sq km and remains open throughout the year. The jungle is not very dense and provides ample opportunities of sighting wildlife. The Madhav National Park is home to leopard, wild dog, wild pig, wolf, jackal, hyena, spotted deer, Nilgai and Chinkara. There is an artificial lake named Chandpata inside the park. During winter months hundreds of migratory birds including pelican, spoon bill, pochard, paradise flycatcher and sunbird visit this lake. A great attraction for tourists at Madhav National Park is the Sakhya Sagar Sailing Club from where one can get a stunning view of the whole lake.

Getting There

The nearest railway station is Shivpuri. Gwalior and Jhansi are the major railway stations near Madhav National Park which are well connected to the rest of the country. Regular bus services are available from Gwalior and Jhansi to Shivpuri.

Staying There

MPTDC Tourist Village. Tariff - Rs. 2600-4000. Tel: (07492) 223760.

Purbasthali Bird Sanctuary

Purbasthali Bird Sanctuary (also known as Kasthashali Bird Sanctuary) is located in Burdwan district of West Bengal. The place is a paradise for bird watchers and photographers. The prime attraction of Purbasthali Bird Sanctuary is the beautiful oxbow lake created by the meandering River Ganga. There is boating facility in the lake. Hundreds of bird species such as Lesser Whistling-duck, Red-crested Pochard, Kingfisher, Osprey, Little Cormorant, Great Egret and Spoon Bill are sighted in this lake. The place also attracts a number of migratory birds during the winter months.

Getting There

The nearest railway station is Purbasthali which is well connected to Kolkata. Kolkata enjoys excellent connectivity with the rest of the country. The bird sanctuary is 3 km from Purbasthali station. Van rickshaws are plying from the station to the sanctuary.

Staying There

Tourist Guesthouse. Tariff - Rs. 500. Tel: 8001554531.