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These top Indian travel bloggers recommend some of the best summer destinations that you can still plan to visit even as the monsoons come on.
Do you believe words have the power to recreate the magic eyes once saw? As a travel writer this is what one is expected to do, recast the spell they were bewitched by while traveling. Here is a fine collection of summer destinations as recommended by our expert Indian travel bloggers for the ongoing summer-monsoon season. Have a look!
Shivya Nath
Just a girl who travels, as she calls herself, she is one of India’s youngest travel bloggers featured on BBC Travel, The Huffington Post and many more. The place she recommends is the one that tops almost everyone’s bucket list. Yes you guessed it right; it’s none other than Darjeeling.
Image source: By Aranya449 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Shivya fell in love with Darjeeling on her first visit as it not only allows one to pace slowly over the journey but offers beautiful offbeat local experiences. Shivya fell in love with Darjeeling on her first visit as it not only allows one to pace slowly over the journey but offers beautiful offbeat local experiences.
We second her absolutely, for across Darjeeling you can explore vast stretches of lush green tea gardens and bamboo forests, savour the finest hand rolled tea, enjoy the delectable taste of the famous momo’s and local thomba brewed from locally fermented millers. Nature lovers can fall in love with the cool breezy weather while cherishing snow covered peaks, and the adventurous soul can walk barefoot across the Rangeet river to Sikkim!
So what are you thinking? Pack your bags and get going for the best time to visit Darjeeling is now….April-July!
Find Shivya Nath’s blogpost at The Shooting Star
Anuradha Goyal
An award winning travel blogger from India, admiring art, history and culture of destinations both across and outside India, Anuradha Goyal picks the most exciting places of all – Dandeli.
Image source: By Rishikesh454 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Dandeli is a small town in the Uttara Kannada districts of Karnataka, the river Kali flowing from the Western ghats through it. The Supa Dam on this river creates backwaters ideal for watching sunsets along with offering a place for swimming and playing for the tourists. The river Kali is the biggest attraction here. Not only can you relax by it adoring its magical silence, but also enjoy birding. It is the home of Malabar Pied Hornbill, one of the 60 varieties of hornbill that is nearly endangered. A number of jungle camps have been set up here for exploring the flora and fauna.
One can also indulge in numerous water sports like white water rafting, kayaking, canoeing, boating, and river crossing. Isn’t it a complete package for a summer-worn-out-soul?
Find Anuradha Goyal’s blogpost at IndiTales
Lakshmi Sharath
Truly a vagabond in nature, Lakshmi has many feathers in one cap. She is a media professional, a traveler, a travel writer and a consultant. The destination she lets out of her kitty is my personal fantasy – Andaman and Nicobar islands.
Image source: By Shimjithsr (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
Nature here is at its wild best, pristine and mysterious. One moment you could be snorkeling over an octopus and beautiful corals with mystic hues and the other strolling across the clear white sands. Walking around the dense forests you shouldn’t be surprised if you find a bird or two land right at your doorstep. With the clouds floating overhead and sea changing colors every hour, this place is utterly blissful for lazying, meditating, relaxing and even more romancing! However, just be careful to not venture into wild bushes without local guidance, for you may end up meeting a giant-real-CROCODILE!
Find Lakshmi Sharath’s blogpost at lakshmisharath.com
Karthik Reddy
Karthik Reddy, though an MBA graduate, was never interested in looking out for a regular 10-5 job. Hence, he gave up his career to pursue his passion – travelling. Having travelled at length across India, he picks Leh-Ladakh as his summer destination recommendation.
Image source: By Always urs0509 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
If Kashmir is the crown of India, Leh-Ladakh is its most precious jewel. Known far and wide for its views and thrills, it is one you-cannot-afford-to-miss place to be explored.
While visiting Leh-Ladakh, you must make sure to visit the Khardung La Pass and the Sumkhel Lungpa River valley. The river valley is after Pang and just before the More Plains. The river flows serenely through the bottom of the valley bringing out its sheer magnificence. The Khardung La Pass is situated at an altitude of 17,580 feet and is one of the highest motorable roads in the world. A bullet ride along the Pass would easily cause an adrenalin rush in everybody.
Another must visit spot is the Gata Loops at an altitude of 15,302 feet that offers a spectacular view of the meandering roads and floating clouds. But remember that no Leh-Ladakh Trip is complete without a visit to the Pangong Lake. One can experience its serene, exotic waters by staying for a night in tents around the lake. Truly a mesmerizing and breathtaking experience!
Find Karthik Reddy’s blogpost at Romancing The Planet
Sankara
With monsoons just around the corner, Sankara has shortlisted two locations in Karnataka worth giving a shot, Thadiyendamol Trek and Sita Nadi River rafting.
Image source: flickr, for representational purposes only.
While the trek covers Coorg’s highest mountain peak, Sita Nadi is one of the most popular rafting sports site in Karnataka. The trek treats you to walk through clouds and cross leech jungles while enjoying the mist and the greenery. Here you can also explore the Nilakandi Waterfalls, the coffee estates of Coorg and the Nalnad Palace. The river Sita Nadi flows ferociously flows through the rains thereby making it even more exciting. If extra time remains, one can also trek the breathtaking Kudlu Teertha Falls nearby.
Find Sankara’s blogpost at Be On The Road
Deepak Patel
Sikkim, one of the most beautiful, strategically important north-eastern states of India, has been long underrated.
Image source: By Vinay.vaars (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
I call it beautiful for its mystical Changu Lake that houses the flowing glacial waters, the snow covered peaks of the Himalayas and the colorful, vibrant culture of the Sikkimese. And it is strategically important as here is the Nathula Pass that connects India’s Sikkim with China’s Tibet region. It is located 56kms from the State’s capital Gangtok at an altitude of 14,450 feet.
One of the most important places to visit here is the Baba Harbhajan temple which holds great religious importance for our army. It is the shrine of a deceased soldier who is believed to be alive in spirit form protecting our forces in the rugged terrains. With the local temperature between 15-20 degree Celsius in March-October, it could be a much needed respite away from the summer stress of the plains.
Find Deepak Patel’s blogpost at Travel n Thrill
Mridula Dwivedi
Mridula Dwivedi, a Ph.D. from IIT Kharagpur, started her travel blog first in the year 2005 after quitting her job, and in this short span of over 10 years she has risen to be amongst the top 15 Indian Travel Bloggers. Though she loves to walk around the metros of the world, her recommendation for a summer destination is a treat for an adventurous soul in and around Delhi NCR.
She introduces us to Kaudilya and Rishikesh, places around the mighty Ganges.
Image source: By Tylersundance (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The biggest advantage of visiting these would be that they’re only a day away from Delhi which saves a lot of travelling time. Moreover, they treat you with an opportunity to feel the divine river and its clear flow without the crowd that flocks all other renowned tourist spots. Away from the hustle and bustle, and pollution of other spots in the Himachal, this is truly in Mother Nature’s lap. Nearby is the Rajaji National Park, a wildlife sanctuary offering a retreat in the beautiful surroundings. A place that children would thoroughly enjoy.
Find Mridula Dwivedi’s blogpost at Travel Tales From India & Abroad
Prasad NP
Prasad NP is someone who focuses equally on domestic travels as on international travels with laying a lot of emphasis on family vacations. He constantly discovers places that are well suited for kids, middle aged and old alike. Of these, one of his most favourite destinations is the Satpura National Park.
Image source: By Suvro Banerjee (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Highly rich in biodiversity, it is the home of leopard, sambhar, cheetal, deer, wild boar, sloth bear and many more. It is a delight for birdwatchers as it offers canoe rides for birding during the day. In the night the only light one can see is either from the resorts or the stars above. Calm, quiet and godly. The most famous bird here is the Papa Hornbill of Satpura. Many a times tigers and barasinghas have also been spotted. Spending time in the vicinity of wild nature can be an exciting indulgence!
Find Prasad NP’s blogpost at Desi Traveler
Ankita Sinha
Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in northern Karnataka, is a place of historical and archaeological importance.
Image source: By Previnnk (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Noteworthy places to visit in and around Hampi include the Queen’s Bath, Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stables, Tungabhadra River and many more. Evenings in Hampi are not only soothing but also interesting, for a number of young people from nearby urban cities flock for some or the other events. Though not certified, it continues to be a famous cliff jumping site in India after Rishikesh and others. Budget, eco-friendly, people- friendly Hampi is a perfect escape this summer!
Find Ankita Sinha’s blogpost at Anki On The Move
Ajay Sood
Ajay Sood of Travelure is one of those Indian travel bloggers that will ‘lure’ you to travel for sure. It is one of those blogs that truly captures the sights, sounds and stories of places visited by the writer, just as it claims. For the summers, Sood brings in the most captivating yet offbeat summer destination, Bir-Billing.
Image source: By Wikimate786 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
I am sure not many of us must have even heard the name ever, right? Well, what I am about to present is surely going to take your breath away. Bir-Billing is one of the hidden gems in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is that place that hosted the Paragliding World Cup in 2015.
Bir and Billing are two small towns near Baijnath where Bir lies exactly 14 kms away from both Billing and Baijnath. Bir is the take-off point while Billing is the landing spot.
It would come as a shock to you to know that it is the world’s second ranked paragliding site after Mexico’s Valle de Bravo. It has a capacity for 30-35 pilots to take off simultaneously in a couple of minutes. It has already been bid for the Super Finals that are to be organized this year.
Other unexplored gems of this region include the ancient Baijnath Temple that houses the twelve jyotirlings, the Sherabling Monastery and the 42 feet high Buddha Statue. You definitely need to explore this!
Find Ajay Sood’s blogpost at Travelure
Neelima Vallinga
Neelima, an offbeat travel writer and an adventure travel enthusiast, prefers hiking to unknown places and discovering the stories of these places. She has recommended Kashmir as a top summer destination.
Image source: By Kundra95 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Traveling through the Sonmarg Highway, you are able to get a few glimpses of the snow covered peaks and meadows. The flowing glacial waters have formed clusters of lakes between Sonmarg and Narnag called as the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. Camping around the valley treats you to the clear mystic night sky with a million gleaming stars, making the site surreal and dreamy. Watching the horses and other animals graze around the vast lands makes you feel as if you are living some fairy tale. The people around are exactly opposite the weather, warm and kind and extremely helpful. When visiting, do not forget to try the special Kashmiri tea, the Kahwa. Indeed Kashmir is Heaven on Earth and ought to be seen!
Find Neelima Vallinga’s blogpost at The Wandering Soul’s Wander Tales
Ami Bhat
Also known as a Restless Ball of Energy, Ami is a vagabond. Driven by her passion for exploring the world, she left her marketing job to become a travel blogger. The place Ami has picked is one of my own personal favorites, Meghalaya.
Image source: By Rupak Sarkar (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
One of the seven north eastern states, Meghalaya remains mostly unexplored still. It literally means ‘abode of clouds’ and is every bit of it. Surrounded by hills on all sides, it continues to preserve natural beauty in its purest and pristine form. Its capital, Shillong, is widely known as ‘Scotland of the East’ for its British influence. Going back to your geography classes you’ll remember, Cheerapunji, the place that receives the world’s heaviest rainfall is also here. What is remarkable are the bridges made from living roots used by the locals for crossing streams and rivers. With a number of other noteworthy offbeat places to visit nearby, you must definitely march for this one this season!
Find Ami Bhat’s blogpost at Thrilling Travel
Alka Kaushik
A Delhi based travel blogger and travel consultant, Alka has carved her niche among India’s most famous travel bloggers. What makes her stand out of the herd is the fact that she writes her articles in Hindi which appeal to the simple masses.
Alka here reveals one of the most unsung yet marvelous destinations remaining hidden in Maharashtra – the Arthur Lake in Bhandardara.
Image source: By Desktopwallpapers [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Can you take a guess where is it even located? Well, I’ll make it easier for you. It’s located in Maharashtra and is being promoted extensively by The Maharashtra State Tourism Department.
You must be wondering what is it that makes it so special. The striking feature of Arthur lake is its Firefly Festival. Absolutely spectacular and unique, it ought to be witnessed. Following through the nature’s trail around the lake in the monsoons, one can witness hundreds of fireflies illuminating the dark forests. This festival is being organized every two years in the months of May-July. This should definitely be a part of your bucket list!
Find Alka Kaushik’s blogpost at Life In Transit
Sandeepa-Chetan
This Mumbai based couple sold their house and belongings, left their jobs and dedicated themselves to full time travelling. Introduced in 2014, they have made their mark as the third most popular of Indian travel bloggers. The surprise destination that they offer us out of their posse is the Dudhsagar Falls.
Image source: By Purshi (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
It is a four tiered waterfall located on the Mandovi river on the border of Goa and Karnataka.
The magnificent 600 meters waterfall appears like a stream of milk rushing down, thus the name “Dudh” (Milk) and “Sagar” (Sea). The ferociously gushing down water, its thunderous sound takes away your breath for a moment. Also ahead of Dudhsagar is the tiny town of Castle Rock that is majorly owned and operated by the Indian Railways. It also has one ‘Castle Rock Adventure Camp’ run by the Karnataka government. This fully functional campsite amidst the misty forest and nature trail is apparently unknown to many. A perfect getaway from Mumbai or Pune, Dudhsagar and Castle Rock has it all – adventure, intimacy with nature, and a touch of divinity.
Find Sandeepa-Chetan’s blogpost at SandeepaChetan’s Travel Blog
So ladies, with the most picturesque summer destinations right at your disposal by some of the top Indian travel bloggers, lock in your favourite spot and get going before the vacations end. Happy Holidays!
Header image source: By Razaashrafsbs (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons, for represenational purposes only.
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UP Boards Topper Prachi Nigam was trolled on social media for her facial hair; our obsession with appearance is harsh on young minds.
Prachi Nigam’s photo has been doing the rounds on social media for the right reasons. Well, scratch that- I wish the above statement were true. This 15-year-old girl should ideally be revelling in her spectacular achievement of scoring a whopping 98.05% and topping her tenth-grade boards. But oddly enough, along with her marks, it’s something else that garners more attention – her facial hair.
While the trolls are driving themselves giddy by mocking this girl who hasn’t even completed her school yet, the ones who are taking her side are going one step ahead – they are sharing her photoshopped pictures, sans the facial hair, looking nothing less than a celebrity with captions saying – “Prachi Nigam, ten years later”.
Doctors have already diagnosed her with PCOD in their comments, based on photographic evidence. While we have names for people shamed for their weight – body shaming, for their skin colour- racism, for their age- age shaming, for being a female- sexism, this category of shaming where one faces criticism for their appearance has no name. With that, it also has zero shame attached to it.
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