What are the best and hidden places in India? Part 3

Continuing my series on one of the best and hidden places in India to visit are:

1- Chopta: Mini Switzerland of India

Snow-capped mountains view from Chopta-Tungnath Trek
Snow-capped mountains view from Chopta-Tungnath Trek
Alok Prasad (flickr.com/photos/alokprasad) – I (Alokprasad (talk)) created this work entirely by myself.

I’ve explored a #Mini_Switzerland of India, Chopta which is an unspoiled natural destination and still unexplored by travelers.
It is a beautiful hill station having superb #treks and trails cutting through #jungles and grassland.

2- Majkhali: An Unexplored Suburb in Ranikhet

Majkhali, snow-capped Himalayan peaks in India

#Majkhali is famous for its awe-inspiring panoramic sights and snow-capped Himalayan peaks like Trishul and Nanda Devi.

Majkhali is the most beautiful, #unexplored_travel_destination, which is surrounded by the pine, oak and deodar forest.

3- Binsar: God’s Blessing

Binsar, Uttarakhand, India

#Binsar is a beautiful, picturesque less explored destination, situated in Uttarakhand, which offers the attraction of 300 degrees of a panoramic view of Himalayas.

It is a #paradise for those who enjoy peace in nature’s bounty.

God has blessed Binsar with the best in everything.

4- Mukteshwar: The Charming city of Nainital

Mukteshwar, charming city of Naintal, India

#Mukteshwar is a settlement and an unexplored natural destination. It is an unspoiled stunning hill station having loads to offer.

The morning view from Mukteshwar is rejuvenating once the rays of the sun kiss the snowy mountain range with the chirping of birds.

5- Munsiyari: Little Kashmir of India

Munsiyari: Little Kashmir of India

#Munsiyari is a small suburb with an awe-inspiring panorama snuggled in the folds of snow-clad peaks of Himalayas. It offers spellbinding vistas of virgin nature and the gateway of three glaciers namely Milam, Namik and Ralam Glaciers.

Famous for its nature beauteousness, the small hamlet of Munsiyari is a base camp for trekking enthusiasts, mountaineers, and nature lovers.

6- Landour: Royal crown on the top of the Queen’s head

#Landour is a sleepy little cantonment town adjoining with Mussoorie, was named after a village called Llanddowror in south-west Whales.

If Mussoorie is a “Queen Of Hills”, then Landour can be termed as the “royal crown on the top of the Queen’s head”.

~ Aakash Yadav, traveller

Have you been to any of these best and hidden places in India?


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What are the best and hidden places in India to visit?

Sakleshpur:

If an offbeat, non-commercial location is where you want to go for your holiday, then Sakleshpur, a quaint hill town located amidst the mist-covered hills of Western Ghats is the place. As a couple, you can trek in the untouched forest reserves, visit the Manjarabad Fort and watch the beautiful sunset together.

Sakleshpur

Horsley Hills:

Located in the state of Andhra Pradesh and not far from Bangalore, Horsley Hills are a series of hills that are blessed with jaw-dropping views of the valley, rich flora and fauna, and a sparse tourist population that leaves the beauty of the place un-spoilt, making it a perfect destination for your weekend.

Horsley Hills

Ooty:

Call it the king of all weekend locations, Ooty has been the go-to destination for many couples since time immemorial. The majestic Nilgiris, the aromatic tea estates, the beautiful valley, and the low-hanging clouds, what else would you want for your vacation?

You may like to read Best Places to visit in Ooty

Ooty

Nandi Hills:

If you are looking to celebrate your holiday in resorts near Bangalore, then Nandi Hills is the perfect place to go. Nandi Hills is an offbeat honeymoon destination as it is not far away from Bangalore and yet has enough in store for romantic couples like the beautiful views from the hilltop and the historical temples around. Discovery Village on Nandi Hills is one of the best resorts in Bangalore and is custom-made for married couples.

Nandi hills

Coorg:

Scotland of India, Coorg is a gem in the crown of the Western Ghats and a paradise. In spite of being a major tourist hub, Coorg still retains its mysticism and purity, making it an ideal destination for couples in love.

Coorg

Jog Falls:

It’s not a bad idea to make a wish for the longevity of your love in front of one of the highest waterfalls in India. Located in the heart of Karnataka, Jog Falls is formed when the Sharavati River makes n 830 ft. deep plunge, creating misty water clouds that give a mesmerizing aura to the entire area around.

Jog falls

Chikmagalur:

If you and your partner like waking up to the smell of coffee, then this place is going to be heaven. Chikmagalur is also blessed with abundant natural habitat and has famous hills, forests, waterfalls, and some breathtaking viewpoints that are perfect to take you and your partner away from the rest of the world.

Chikmagalur

Kabini:

The sound of exotic birds chirping and the soft humming of a river flowing by while you relax on a soft cot with your partner in the middle of a dense jungle. Sounds exotic? It gets even better when you are actually there. Words are not sufficient to describe the beauty of Kabini. It is perfect for a vacation!

Kabini

Gundlupet:

Even imagined running around fields filled with endless rows of beautiful, yellow sunflowers? No, you don’t have to go to Europe to experience this. A trip to Gundlupet, a town on the border of Kerala and Karnataka is a sight to behold and a perfect place for a holiday.

Gundlupet

Bheemeshwari:

If you are an adventure-loving couple and want to have a vacation filled with activities such as river crossing, trekking, camping, and other adventurous activities, then Bheemeshwari is the place to make your trip no less than a dream come true.

Bheemeshwari

If you are looking for an apt holiday destination near Bangalore, then these are certainly the best amongst the lot that deserve to host this special period of your life and turn it into a memory that will last forever.

~Megha V.



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One of the most dangerous airports in the world.

Paro Airport in Bhutan is 1.5 miles above sea level and surrounded by sharp peaks of up to 18,000 feet tall.

So treacherous is the landing that only eight pilots in the world are qualified to land there. Until July 2011, just one airline, Druk Air, was allowed to use the facility.

Paro day, one among the most dangerous airports in the world
Paro day
Doug Knuth from Woodstock, IL

The runway is just 6,500 feet long – one of the few in the world shorter than their elevation above sea level.

Planes have to weave through the dozens of houses that are scattered across the mountainside – coming within feet of clipping the roofs.

Strong winds whip through the valleys, often resulting in severe turbulence. Passengers who have been on flights to the airport have described the landing as ‘terrifying’.

Boeing has said that Paro airport is ‘one of the world’s most difficult for take offs and landings’.

Flights are only allowed during the daytime and under visual meteorological conditions – strict light allowances in which the pilot must make his judgements by eye rather than rely on instruments as is the case in nighttime flights.

Despite the perilous conditions, the views over the clear blue waters over the Paro river and the lush green foliage of the Himalayas are breathtaking.

An estimated 30,000 tourists use the airport each year, often for holidays in Bhutan. Yongphulla Airport in Trashigang District is the only other airstrip in the country, which is yet undergoing re-construction.

Buddha Air is the only international airline to use the airport. Anybody flying to Paro must first land in neighbouring countries then catch a connecting flight.

Paro Airport in Bhutan might look beautiful but it is one of the most dangerous airports in the world.

~ Rishabh Sahay



The approach to Paro is unbelievably complicated. It is flown visually through a valley with high mountains all around and no sight of the airport until the last moment..

Paro airport illustration

Approach to runway 15, marked in red, is worse in this regard..

The approach to runway 33, marked in blue, allows a bit more of a straight final, but not by much. In either case the aircraft must emerge from the turn with correct altitude, speed and rate of descent. So the pilot has to know landmarks in the valley and how to judge correct approach profile by them. The approaches also often involve turning around higher in the valleys which again must be done by landmarks at places where it is known to be possible. It is this knowledge pilots have to demonstrate before they can attempt the approach. Pilots have to receive special training to be permitted to fly there .. and only 8 pilots in the world are qualified to get permitted.

~ Aajitya Dubey



So, have you been to the beautiful but one of the most dangerous airports in the world?
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Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan

Trekking to the SPECTACULAR Monastery on a Cliff!

Trekking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan (Paro Taktsang in Bhutanese Dzongkha), which sits literally on the edge of a cliff. The hike takes about 3 – 4 hours or so.

The trail, although steep, isn’t really dangerous in any parts, as long as you keep your eye on the trail and don’t try to get too close to the edge. At the top of Tiger’s Nest Monastery they don’t allow any photography, so you have to check in your bag. We walked around the monastery for a little while, ate some snacks, and then headed down.

Despite Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan being one of the most famous attractions and icons of Bhutan, it really is spectacular.

Round-Trip Taxi from Paro to Tiger’s Nest – 1,400 BTN ($20.99) It’s typically recommended that you visit Tiger’s Nest at the end of your trip to Bhutan so that you acclimatize better to the elevation.

Gangtey Palace Hotel – After returning from Tiger’s Nest, we checked into the classic Gangtey Palace Hotel for our final night in Bhutan!

Do you want to explore Bhutanese cuisine in Bhutan? Go to http://food.mybhutan.com to book your exclusive food tour with MyBhutan.



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