Travel> Weekend hotspots for you to explore

Text by: Tanya Munshi
When it comes to short breaks, one's spoiled for choice in India. Choosing from the numerous hill stations, beaches, lakes and waterfalls can be quite a task. To help you decide, Tanya Munshi lists some of her favourite escapes. From Himachal Pradesh in the north to Kerala in the south, Diu is the west and Orissa in the east -- take your pick to beat the blues, relax and rejuvenate or just have fun.

Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh
About 115 km from Vizag (Visakhapatnam) lies Araku Valley, located at an altitude of 900 m above sea level. Although it is a year-round destination, the monsoons are a good time to visit Araku. The drive up the ghats offer spectacular views of the lush green hills playing hide and seek with the mist and clouds. Araku is neither too far nor too close to the city. You can even make a day trip to Araku from Visakhapatnam!

Visit the tribal centre museum and pick up souvenirs from the gift shop. For the adventurous, Araku offers quite a few trekking trails. On the way to Araku, you will come across the Ananthagiri Hills, known for their coffee plantations.

It is advisable to first visit Borra Caves and then head to Araku. Located 29 km from Araku Valley, Borra Caves, one of the largest natural limestone caves in Asia are a must see! Hire a guide (Rs 30) for a tour of the caves.

Where to stay
Lodging options include Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation's Punnami Yatri Nivas,
Punnami Hill Resort (Phone: 08936 249491),
Jungle Bells Nature Camp (Phone: 0891 2713135, 0891 2746446) and
Padmapuram Hanging Cottages (Phone: 08936 249225).

How to get there

• Visakhapatnam airport is 112 km away.
• APTDC conducts a Rail-cum-Road package tour to Araku from Visakhapatnam.
• Vizag Railway Station is about 136 km from Araku. You can drive up from Visakhapatnam or take an APTDC Bus.

Balasore/ Chandipur at Sea, Orissa
When you reach Balasore railway station, it looks like nothing more than a dusty little town. But don't let this fool you as the beach at Chandipur is one of the most unique I have ever seen. If you are hiring a rickshaw to your hotel, haggle on the fare. Chandipore is 16 km from Balasore.
What's interesting about the beach at Chandipur is that during low tide, you can walk up to almost four km (maybe five km; that is how much the sea water recedes) towards the sea. During high tide, you will be lucky if you can see even an inch of the beach.

Take a stroll by the sea during low tide and watch the locals picking up mussels, which is a delicacy. The famous horse shoe crab can be found on this beach. My weekend trip to Balasore was one of the most beautiful and memorable.

Other places of interest in and around Balasore are the Khirochora Gopinath temple in Remuna (nine km from Balasore), another smaller Jagannath temple at Niligiri, Bhudharchandi temple in Sajanagarh (30 km), the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, the Simlipal Tiger Reserve (100 km) and the Shakti Shrine of Deokund.

Where to stay
Plenty of lodging options are available like Orissa Tourism Development Corporation's Panthanivas, Hotel Subham, Hotel Chandipur, Hotel Anandamayee and Hotel Pacific Inn. For details, check www.orissatourism.gov.in/hotels.htm#Chandipur.

How to get there

• The nearest airports are at Bhubaneswar (215 km) and Kolkata (220 km).
• The closest railhead is Balasore.
• Balasore is well connected by road to Bhubaneshwar, Puri and Kolkata.

Diu, Daman & Diu
A tiny island in the Gulf of Khambhat off the coast of Gujarat, Diu is perfect for those looking for sun, sand and sea. You will also find some of the most beautiful churches at Diu. Those who have visited Goa may find Diu quite similar since it was also a Portuguese colony, until 1961.

You can go swimming or just laze around on the pristine beaches: Gomtimata beach, Nagoa beach, Jallandhar beach, Chakratirth beach and Sunset Point.

When you have had enough of the sea, head to the massive Diu fort or the Panikotha (Fort de Mar) built by the Portuguese in 1541. Other places to see are the St Thomas Church which is now a museum, Jallandhar Shrine, INS Khukri Memorial and St Paul's Church, one of the most beautiful Portuguese churches in India which is adorned with beautiful wood carvings and old paintings.

You can even visit the Gangeshwar Temple, three km from Diu, in Fudam village. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Shiva lingas of this temple are washed by the sea waves. According to legend, the five lingas were set by the Pandavas of the epic Mahabharata.

Where to stay
Plenty of lodging options are available like Hotel Sao Tome Retiro (Phone: 02875-253137), Heranca Goesa, Hotel Cidade De Diu and Super Silver Guest House. For more information, visit www.diutourism.co.in/hotelguide.php.

How to get there

• Diu is 295 km from Rajkot and 495 km from Ahmedabad.
• Jet Airways connects Mumbai to Diu.
• The closest railhead is Veraval, 90 km away.

Pondicherry (Puducherry)
This 'French Riviera of the East' offers quite a world of its own. Don't miss the Walk on French Heritage along the beach road starting from the north end of Goubert Avenue that will take you through streets with unpronounceable French names and charming colonial-style villas.
Another must-see is Auroville and the Aurobindo Ashram.

Paradise, Serenity, Auroville and Promenade are the popular beaches in Pondicherry.
Paradise Beach about eight km from town is a cosy spot to relax. Tree houses are the hotspots here, and an overnight stay is a good idea.

Where to stay
Plenty of lodging options are available like the Hotel Ashok (ITDC), Anandham Residency, Hotel L'Orient, Le Dupleix, Anandha Inn, International Guest House, Park Guest House and Auroville Guest Service. For details, check www.pondicherry.ind.in/pondicherry_hotels.php.
For more information, check http://tourism.pondicherry.gov.in/.

How to get there

• The closest airport is at Chennai, 150 km away.
• The closest railhead is Villupuram (36 km).

Amba Ghat, Maharashtra
Looking for trekking options in the Western Ghats? Head to Amba Ghat on the Konkan belt. Located 3,200 feet above sea level, about 65 km from Kolhapur, Amba Ghat is an ideal spot for nature lovers.

You can go trekking, bird watching or take a nature walk in the forest. Other places of interest around Amba are the Parshuram temple, Jagrut Shiv temple at Marleshwar, Vishal Gad, Pavan Khind and Panhala Fort.

Where to stayPavankhind Resort is a beautifully done up, homely place where they serve some of the most delicious Maharastrian cuisine. Phones: 09420480913, (02329) 264860
Another option is the Hornbill Deluxe Hill Resort:Phones: 09867034243, (02329) 264758E-mail: sunil.gupte@rediffmail.comWebsite: www.hornbill-deluxe-hill-resort-ambaghat.com/index.html

How to get there

• Amba Ghat is about 65 km from Kolhapur and 62 km from Ratnagiri on the Kolhapur-Ratnagiri highway, the closest railway stations.
• Ratnagiri is about 375 km from Mumbai and 331 km from Pune.

Chilka Lake, Orissa
Located about 100 km from Bhubaneswar and spread over an area of 1,100 sq km, Chilka is the largest brackish water lake in the country. Also called the Honeymooners' Paradise by some, Chilka Lake is dotted with a number of islands and the area attracts a large number of migratory birds.

About 45 km away is Gopalpur-on-Sea, a peaceful seaside resort and a great place to spend your day on the quiet beach sprinkled with coconut and casuarina groves. If dolphins are what you want to see then head to Satpada Island. Mornings are the best time to visit the island which is located where the Chilka Lake meets the Bay of Bengal.

Where to stay
The Orissa Tourism Development Corporation offers accommodation at Rambha, Barkul and Satpada. For details, check www.panthanivas.com.

How to get there

• Bhubaneswar is the closest airport, about 100 km away.
• The closest railheads are at Balugaon, about seven km from Barkul, and Puri, about 50 km from Satpada. Barkul, Satpada and Rambha are the three entry points to Chilika Lake.
• Regular buses and taxis are available from Puri and Bhubaneshwar.

Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Situated on the Betwa river in Madhya Pradesh, this sleepy village town is dotted with 16th and 17th century monuments. A former princely state, Orchha was the capital of Bundela Rajput chief Raja Rudra Pratap.

The 17th Orchha fort is a must-see for its ornate Jehangir Mahal, the Raj Mahal (for its beautiful, bold colourful murals) and the Rai Praveen Mahal, a two-storied brick structure in the gardens of Anand Mahal.

The Laxminarayan temple, the Ramaraja temple and the Chaturbhuj Mandir are other interesting attractions that form part of Orchha's rich heritage.

Where to stay
Lodging options include Orchha Resort, Sheesh Mahal, Palki Mahal and Betwa Cottages. For more details, check www.mptourism.com/dest/orchha.html.

How to get there

• The closest airport is at Gwalior about 120 km away.
• Khajuraho is 170 km away and Agra is 225 km from Orchha.
• The closest railway station is Jhansi, 17 km away.
• Shatabdi Express connects Jhansi to Delhi and takes about four and a half hours.

Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh
This charming hill station in the Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh is divided between upper and lower Dharamsala.

Mcleodganj (upper Dharamsala), located at 1,800 metres offers beautiful views of the Dhauladhar range and is a bustling town with its bazaar (with shops selling Tibetan handicraft), hotels, restaurants, Buddhist monks and of course the seat of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. The Tsuglag Khang temple complex is the most important Buddhist site here as it houses the Namgyal Monastery and the residence of the Dalai Lama.

Do visit the Dip Tse-Chok Ling Gompa and the Tibet Museum that offers a pictorial account of the Chinese invasion of Tibet.

In lower Dharamsala you can visit the famous Kotwali Bazaar and the Kangra Art Museum for its exquisite works of miniature art. Other places to visit in and around Dharamsala are the Bhagsunag temple and waterfall, St John's Church, Dal Lake (yes, Dharamsala has a Dal Lake too!), Naddi and Dharamkot (picnic spots with panoramic views), Kunal Pathri (rock temple) and Chamunda Devi temple (25 km away). Don't miss delicious Tibetan dishes like the momos and Thukpas while in Mcleodganj!

Where to stay
Plenty of lodging options are available like White Haven Estate, Club Mahindra Kangra Valley, Anand Palace, Asia Health Resorts, Glenmoor Cottages, Surya Resort, Anupam Resort, Grace Cottage and Snow Hermitage Resort. For more details, check http://himachaltourism.nic.in/hotdir/hotdisp.asp.

How to get there

• The closest airport is at Gaggal, 13 km away.
• Pathankot is the closest railhead, 85 km away.
• Dharamsala is well connected by road to Chandigarh (239 km), Amritsar (200 km), Delhi (514 km), Shimla (322 km), and Dalhousie (55 km).

Published in Rediff.com on July 24, 2008
Link: http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2008/jul/24sld.htm