Little Rann of Kutch: Wild at Heart

Pink birds of Kutch

This corner of Gujarat, a geographically unique landscape, and famous for being the world's last refuge of the Indian wild ass(Khur), makes a great getaway for the wildlife lover. Thanks to the conservation efforts, the area has been declared the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary. It has, in fact, been nominated by the forest department to be a biosphere reserve --areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems internationally recognized within the framwork of UNESCO's Man and Biosphere(MAB) programme.

Khur

At first glace, it may seem like a bleak, unbroken landscape, salt-encrusted mudflats stretching as far as the eye can see; but explore, and you'll realise it is a zone that's rich in biodiversity, home to a wealth of fauna and attracting scores of migratory water birds like cranes, duck, pelicans, flamingos and land birds like sand grouse, francolins and the Indian bustard. Seeing a flock of flamingos up close can be a memorable sight. It is also home to the Indian wolf, desert fox and nilgai. 

duck

Holiday companies such as Rann Riders offer cross-desert safaris across the Little Rann of Kutch in open vehicles. On these safaris, you'll visit the little hillocks known as 'bets' which were once islands on ancient seabeds which have, over centuries, risen above ground and are covered with grass and scrub. It is these 'bets' that are now the habitat of the handsome khur.  Seeing a herd racing across this dramatic landscape is a sight that makes the whole trip worthwhile. So, get your safari gear, pack your camera and go explore the Little Rann of Kutch that's big on experience.

Reach: From Mumbai, it's 527 km to Ahmedabad. From Ahmedabad, it's 190 km to Little Rann of Kutch. 

Stay: There aren't too many places to stay here. So, book in advance. The Rann Riders resort is a popular choice.

Tour Guide

Tip from Let's Unveil India: Do not venture into the Rann without a guide, for it can be teacherous. Stick with the organasied safari trips.

Pelling, The Heaven of Sikkim

Pelling

In July, the package tourists of summer have departed and the Sikkimese town Pelling. So, if you want a quiet break and don't mind the occasional shower, then this is it. The main attraction of Pelling, situated at an altitude of just under 2,000 m, is that it offers eye-poppingly close views of the mighty Khangchendzonga National Park and surrounding mountain ranges. It is form here that ardent trekkers set off to explore these heights.

Singhsore Bridge

If you aren't up for that sort of adventure, you can still take in the mountain views from the comfort of your lovely hotel. Wrapped as it in natural beauty, there's much to see and do in Pelling. The Kangchendzonga waterfalls are considered among the most beautiful in Sikkim. Active through the year, they surge with renewed vigour in the rainy season. Visit also the Khecheopalri lake, amidst thick forest. One of Sikkim's sacred lakes, it is a place of beauty and sanctity. If you want to hit the rekking trails, we recommended the three-day monastery trek: Pelling-Khecheopalri Lake- Yuksum - Tashiding. It follows quiet paths through some of the most fetching parts of the Northeast. 

Khangchendzonga National Park

Visit also the Darap Village to experience up close the life and culture of the indigenous Limbu people. Here, you can visit traditional houses, watch dances, sit in on story-telling sessions and participate in handicraft making as well as local farming. There are also a number of opportunities for volunteering with community programmes. 

Darap village

Reach: From Kolkata, fly into Bagdogra. From here, pelling is 140 km away and you hire a taxi for the distance. 

Stay: For a truly unique experience, opt for the homestays organised by the Darap Eco Tourism Committee in Darap Village.

Shop: There's a range of wooden artefacts here. You can also buy wollens and Tibetan thangkas as souvenirs. 

Experience History At Ellora

This getaway, an easy break from Mumbai, is a must-do for anyone who enjoys rambling about historical sites and appreciates ancient art and architecture. Ellora is a treat for heritage lovers and will take your breath away with its grace and beauty. The famous caves, now a UNESCO heritage site, lie on the outskirt of Aurangabad and make for a weekend of exploring the past. These caves, 34 of them, date from the 5th to the 11th centuries and are a captivating collection of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain structures.

 These include monasteries, prayer halls and multi-tiered structures that boggle the mind. Serene Buddha statues are set in the Buddhist caves, while tales from the Mahabharata and Ramayana are the intricate carvings in the Hindu caves. Among these, the Kailasa caves in particularly wondrous and you cloud easily spend several hours exploring its beauty. Wander about these exquisitely crafted spaces, stopping for closer look at  fascinating detail, take photographs or simply sit quietly, marvelling at the artistry and aesthetics of generations past.

There are guides aplenty here, but you could also tour the caves at your own pace. Since Aurangabad will be your base for exploring, use the opportunity to explore the city, which still reveals glimpses of its hoary past as well as its Mughal influences. Sites here include the Bibi ka Maqbara, also known as the Taj of the Deccan, and a 17th-century watermill. You could also spend a few pleasant hours at the Salim Ali Lake and Bird Sanctuary, named after the famous ornithologist.

Getting There: You could drive from Mumbai to Aurangabad, a distance of 300-plus km which will take you about six hours. Aurangabad is also connected by air.

Stay: We recommend staying in Aurangabad, which has more accommodation options. There are hotels for various budgets, and for a bit of luxury you could check in at the Vivanta by Taj, Aurangabad.

Shopping: Aurangabad's textiles and weaving techniques are famous. Shop for Paithani sarees or a prized handwoven Himroo Shawl.

Birdwatching In Bharatpur

Does birdwatching, or simply spending hours out in the wild, appeal to you? Bharatpur, in eastern Rajasthan, makes the perfect short break from Delhi and is just right, even for a tow-day getaway, far from city stress. Bharatpur town itself is a dust bowl with not much to do, but on the outskirts of it lies the splendid Keoladeo National Park, still known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary to most people.

If you absolutely love the wild and the sounds of the forest, we recommended staying at the state-run Bharatpur Forest Lodge located within the national park and barely 2 km from the entrance to the bird sanctuary. During your stay, you will spot an amazing array of birds --an astounding 250 plus species, including wetland birds, eagles, owls, falcons and a variety of small land birds. Bharatpur is also the migrating Siberian Crane that makes a spectacular sight.

Cycle rickshaws are a great way to take in the birdlife and the seasoned rickshaw wallahs double as guides, pointing to a waterfowl here and a vulture there. While the bird sanctuary will keep you engaged for most of the weekend, in the rainy season you could cruise down the lake in a boat. The Deeg Water Palace built by Raja Suraj Mal with its impressive water conservation and natural cooling systems and pretty gardens is also well worth a visit.

Getting There: Delhi to Bharatpur should take you just over three hours via the Taj Expressway from which you turn into the Hathras-Mathura Road. As you approach Bharatpur, be prepared for less-than-ideal road condition.

Tip from Let's Unveil India: Befriend your rickshaw-wallah and you will see the best of Bharatpur bird Sanctuary.

Sleep: While the Bharatpur Forest Lodge (www.bharatpurforestlodge.com) offers a close-to-nature experience, if you want a luxury stay, choose the Laxmi Vilas Palace Hotel (www.laxmivilas.com), which is a heritage property and a restored palace where you can get pampered with spa treatments as well.

Eat: You will have to eat where you are staying and the Forest Lodge serves satisfying, everyday fare. For a splurge, head for Laxmi Vilas Palace where you can order Continental and Indian.