Kerala Backwaters

Kerala backwaters have always been one of the greatest tourist attractions in India. A Tour to Kerala, India is unthinkable without a visit to this serene and beautiful place. In Kerala, there is an amalgamation of waterways, estuaries of more than forty rivers, lakes and natural canals and inlets from the sea, which together form the backwaters. For centuries the locals here have been using the Kerala backwaters for navigating to different places and for transportation. While on Kerala tours, you can enjoy the pleasure of swaying along the waterways by hiring one of the traditional houseboats.
You can opt for the backwater cruises which have emerged as one of the main tourist attractions of Kerala. While gliding along the backwaters, you will come across several towns and cities, which you can visit. A perfect blend of historal and modern towns can be found along these backwaters and make up for ideal holiday getways. Some of the places which can be visited during these tours include Cochin, Alappuzuha, Kasargod, Kollam, Kottayam, Kumarakom, Kozhikode. Large convertible traditional boats usually glide along the Kerala backwaters. The local name for these boats is “Kettuvalloms”. Originally these boats were used to transport rice, harvested in the fields near the backwaters, but now these houseboats have undergone a sea change and have been equipped with modern amenities to ensure the comfort of guests. These houseboats have separate spaces for sleeping along with toilets and dining areas. The accompanying staff takes the responsibility for preparing meals for the tourists on board. At night, you can sit out on the deck and observe the beautiful countryside. If bird watching is your passion, you can rest assure you will come across many rare species of birds during your tours. Another favorite pass time of the tourists is the rich aquatic life which is visible in the backwaters of Kerala. You can also halt at each of the backwater destinations, explore its different attractions and then return to the serene ambiance of the houseboat. All these experiences have made the Kerala backwaters an integral part of Kerala Tourist attractions, something you will always cherish.

TajMahal

The immortal monument of love, Taj Mahal is one of the most visited medieval buildings of the world. Such is the importance of this eternal monument that it has almost become a symbol of India. Most foreigners who visit India are lured by the Taj and it is one of the first things that they want to visit in the country. The Taj Mahal tours take tourists on the fascinating journeys of the city of Agra and its surrounding locates, all of which still smell of history. With the numerous historic monuments that a tour of Agra promises, the erstwhile capital of the mighty Mughuls is one of the highlights of tourism in North India. The star attraction of the Taj Mahal tours is of course, the Taj itself. Built by the fifth Mughul emperor Shahjahan (1628 – 1658), this monument has immortalized the name of Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved wife of Shahjahan, in whose memory he built this marvelous tomb. The Taj is characterized by highly stylized calligraphy, intricate carvings in marble, delicate arrangement of precious stones, and the famous pietra dura inlay work. The sheer size of the Taj is enough to mesmerize the observer, and indeed, many distinguished visitors from all over the world have been captivated by its ethereal beauty. Agra is known as the city of Mughuls, and rightly so. Before the Mughuls, there were rulers here, but it is the Mughuls who gave Agra worldwide fame as one of the most magnificent cities of its times. The other Mughul monuments have given Agra the status of one of the premier tourist destinations in India. The Taj Mahal tours also cover these amazing medieval monuments that have witnessed dramatic moments in the history of India.
The chief among these is the Agra fort, which remained the center of Mughul power till the capital was shifted to Delhi. Fatehpur Sikri is yet another famous place, known for the lavish fortified palace of Emperor Akbar. It is located 37 kms west of Agra, and is among the most important destinations to be visited on an excursion from Agra. The massive gate called Buland Darwaza and the revered tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti are the chief attractions of this place, apart from the magnificent red sandstone palace itself. Both the Agra fort and the palace complex at Fatehpur Sikri are among the best known Indian monuments. They also signify a great blend of Indian, Islamic and European architectural traditions that were allowed to fuse together under the patronage of the Mughuls. Besides the above, the Taj Mahal tours also cover some other monuments which have been outfamed by the Taj and the imposing Agra fort. These include the tomb of Nurjahan’s father, given the title Itmad-ud-daulat, Chini ka Rauza, which is a tomb of one of Shahjahan’s ministers, and is known for its brilliant glazed tiles. The city also has a few beautifully laid out gardens, whose origins date back to the times of Babur, the founder of the Mughul dynasty. The tomb of Akbar at Sikandara is located about 5 kms from Agra and is among the city’s major attractions. Last but not the least, the Taj Mahal tours let you visit the nooks and corners of the city that are still deep rooted in its history. The bazaars, the handicrafts, the fabrics, and even the sights and sounds, all make up the city of Agra

Auli

State: Uttaranchal
District: Chamoli
Language: Hindi, Garhwali and English
Best Time to Visit: January to December

Location : Perched high at an altitude of 2500 mts, in Himalayas of the Garhwal region, Auli is the best location for skiers in the alpine snow capped lands of Uttaranchal. It is hardly 15 kms from Joshimath, and around 270 kms from the state capital of Uttaranchal, Dehradun.

Auli is a comparatively recent addition to the tourist map of India. Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand among snow capped mountains, this small town is fast becoming one of the major tourist attractions of Uttarakhand. The main attraction of Auli is skiing. It is considered by many to be the best skiing slope found in Asia. Skiing in India is catching up as a popular winter sport. The vast snow-capped landscape and the perfect slopes flanked by oak and coniferous forests make Auli an ideal destination for skiing enthusiasts. November to March is usually the skiing season in Auli.The landscape of Auli is a visual treat with the Nanda Devi peak standing tall amongst the mountains facing the snowy slopes. The Hathigauri, Neelkanth, Comet and Eravath mountains present a spectacular panoramic view from Auli. The area offers splendid trekking routes to adventure lovers. A ropeway from Joshimath to Auli is one of the longest in India, extending to 4.15 kilometers. Auli is also the venue for the National Winter games in the months of February and March. Among the other interesting aspects of Auli is the grazing land spread over 6 kilomteres, known as Byugal in the local language. A large number of colorful flowers blossom during the monsoon.The population of Auli in Uttarakhand is composed of Tibetans belonging to the Bhotiya ethnic group. Hinduism is the chief religion practiced here.
There are many scenic and interesting spots around Auli. Joshimath, also called Jyotirmath is the site of one of the four religious centers established by the Hindu religious saint Adi Shankara. Badrinath, and Hemkunda sahib are among the famous religious centers located close to Auli. The valley of flowers is known for the colorful flowers that blossom there.Pithoragarh is another important tourist destination near Auli. Pilgrims to Kailash Manasarovar trek through this scenic town. The town of Bageshwar has many historic temples including the Baijnath temple, believed to have been built by the Pandavas. Almora is another important district near Auli. It is famous for many old temples. Auli is attracting an increasing number of adventure lovers and vacationers each year. Thanks to the promotional efforts of the state Government, this little hill station is already a major contributor to tourism in Uttarakhand. Touristplacesinindia.com offers all inclusive tour packages for Auli and other places in India.