1. Anjuna:
Probably the finest of 30 beaches of Goa, this beach is located in northern Goa. The Sun, sand and water are pure and ideal for imbibing the beauty of the coastal are of the Arabian Sea. It is an ideal spot for sunbathing, water skiing, paragliding and boating.
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2. Ansupa Lake:
It is located at a distance of near Cuttack (Orissa). Its length is 3 km and its breadth is 1.5 km. The total area of the lake is 375 acres. It’s located on the left hand side of Mahanadi River near village Subarnapur (in Banki subdivision of Cuttack district). It is an ideal tourist spot.
3. Badaghaghra Waterfall:
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It is located at a distance of 10 km from Keonjhar (Orissa). The height of the waterfall is 60 m. It is an ideal picnic spot.
4. Badkhal Lake:
Maintained by the Department of Tourism, Haryana Government, this lake lies towards the south of Delhi. It is located off Mathura Road, at distance of nearly 40 km from the Inter States Bus Terminus. Facilities for boating are available at the lake. There is also a tourist resort and restaurant at the spot.
5. Balghai Beach:
It is located at a distance of 8 km towards east of Puri (Orissa) on Marine Drive. It is an ideal picnic spot. The Bali Harina Deer can be seen here. The Sea Turtle Research Centre is also located here.
6. Balramgudi Beach:
It is located at a distance of 2 km from Chandipur (Orissa) on the eastern coast of the country. It is an ideal tourist spot for undertaking fishing and boating activities.
7. Barkul:
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It is located in the area of Chilika (Orissa), the largest brackish water lake of India, quite close to the Bay of Bengal. The Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) has made adequate arrangements so that tourist could undertake activities related to various types of water sports.
A water sports complex has been constructed here. Facilities for kayaking, boating and canoeing are available. The local fishing community can be approached to take tourists on boats.
8. Calungute:
A famous beach of Goa, it is located in the southern part of the state. It is the glorious combination of the Sun, sand and water.
The nearest hotel is Hotel Star Beach resort, which is located at a distance of only 700 m from the main beach area. Restaurants, hotels and bars abound around the beach area. Tourists can take bath, swim and enjoy motorboat rides at this spot.
9. Chilika:
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A water sports complex has been constructed at Chilika. Barkul, Rambha, Satpada and Balugaon are the bases for visiting Chilika. Boats can be hired from these spots to visit Chilika Lake.
Canoeing, kayaking and boating can be done on the lake. Migratory birds (nearly 400 varieties) visit the lake during winters. Fishing can also be done on the lake.
10. Dhabaleshwar:
It is located at a distance of 4 km from Cuttack (by river). It can also be approached from Cuttack (Orissa) by road. Water sports are available at the spot; two water scooters and two boats have been provided for tourists.
11. Dona Paula:
Located in Goa, this beach is hostile because of the turbulent sea. But Sunbathers and swimmers enjoy the gushing waters throughout the year. The rocky area around the beach has been ‘used for shooting many Hindi movies.
The most prominent among those was Ek Duje Ke Liye (1982). A watchtower burling takes the tourist to a height of nearly 10 m; from’ its top, he can take photographs and have a breathtaking view of the sea.
12. Essel World:
Located at Gorai Island, this is a privately owned tourist resort of Mumbai. It has two parts-Essel World and Water Kingdom. It is perhaps the best theme park of western India. One would have to reach Marve Beach by taxi, auto rickshaw or bus from any part of Mumbai. Marve Beach is quite close to Malad (West).
From this beach, ferries and motorboats take him to Gorai Island. A surface route is also available for those who want to use cars or other modes of road transport. The cost of a combination of both the parks is about Rs 400. The tourist can stay for the entire day; he should start at the earliest point of time from his hotel to do so.
Both the parks have very good infrastructure, which includes joy rides, car games, water games, swimming (in most fantastic styles) and what not? It is an ideal resort for children in the age group of 8 to 70 years! Food, drought beer and cold drinks are available in abundance. It must not be missed, if the tourist is on a trip to Mumbai.
13. Gateway of India:
Motor boat rides are undertaken by tourists for a period of 30 minutes at very reasonable rates. The motorboat takes the passengers to a distance of nearly 3 km off the Gateway and then, it turns to move back to the shore. Other attractions of the area are shops, eating places and the magnificent Taj Mahal Hotel. We have discussed this spot elsewhere in this chapter.
14. Juhu-Chaupati Beach:
One of the most beautiful beaches of India, it is located in the southern part of Mumbai. It is a beach where tourists can enjoy bathe in the Sun, swim and indulge in a host of other activities,. Rides aboard horse-driven carts used to be organised but, the same have been stopped now. This spot is famous for the famous Juhu Centaur Hotel.
Chaupati is adjacent to the beach and is a famous market due to its south Indian and other delicacies. Marine Drive and Nariman Point are at a distance of 2.5 km and 4 km, respectively.
Juhu-Chaupati beach can be approached by taxi car or bus. Local trains arrive at Church Gate from where the taxi takes only ten minutes to arrive at the beach. Tourists can enjoy boat rides, para-sailing adventures and stints of paragliding at the beach.
15. Kanya Kumari:
Previously known as Cape Comorin, this is the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula. It is located in the state of Tamil Nadu (district Kanya Kumari). It is at located a distance of 80 km from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala.
Bus services as well as trains ply to and from this place. Alternatively, tourists can come to Nagercoil from Thiruvananthapuram. From Nagercoil, they can take buses to arrive at Kanyakumari.
Private taxis can also take the tourists from Thiruvananthapuram or Nagercoil. At the tip of the land, three oceans (Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea) meet to create a picturesque scene of nature. The oceans are turbulent throughout the day and wind velocity is very high at all the times.
At a distance of nearly 100 m from the tip of the shore, there are two important memorials. One of these is the statute of Thirualluvar, the great Tamil philosopher and saint. Quite close to it, is the Vivekananda Rock.
On this rock, the Vivekananda Memorial has been constructed. This memorial was completed in 1971. The area of the rock on which, it is built, is 1.6 sq km. Swami Vivekananda had dived into the ocean to swim through the mighty waves and arrive at this rock.
He had meditated at this rock and contemplated the future course of his activities. His statute has been placed inside the memorial, which is made of granite .A motorboat takes the tourists to both of these spots. They can stay there for a period of two hours. The last ferry leaves the mainland at 4:00 pm.
Hotels and restaurants are in abundance in Kanyakumari. A temple is another attraction on the mainland. Images of gods can be purchased from the local market. Arrangements have been made by the Tamil Nadu Government to put luggage and other items of tourists on a rent basis. Two sunset points are located here.
At around C: 15 pm, the Sun sets below the vast mass of ocean water and presents a divine scene to tourists. Tourists can also visit the Gandhi Memorial Hall, which is located at the right side of the southernmost tip.
They can also enjoy bath in the turbulent waters. However, water skiing and water scooter riding are not allowed due to high wind velocities and turbulent oceans! Motorboats can be used to travel around the tip of the mainland, however.
16. Kempty Falls:
Located at a distance of 26 km from Mussourie, these falls are a magnificent example of the flow of water from the mountains. The waterfall has an approximate height of 20 m from the main road.
Water cascades down from the hilltop and falls into a natural water pool. Tourists can take bath in that pool. Around the limited bank area of this pond, there are many shops that provide food, cold drinks and snacks to tourists.
Such shops are also located on the way to the top (where the highway is located). The passage from the highway to the water pool has many stairs and tourists can take rest in the shops that are on the both sides of it. Buses, cars, jeeps and other four-wheelers can be used to move to and from Mussourie.
17. Kochu Veli Beach:
It is a famous beach of Kerala. It is located quite near the main city area of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. A thin strip of land separates the Arabian Sea from the inland waterways. These waterways can be scanned with the help of a hovercraft that can be hired at reasonable rates. Birds and fish abound in the backwater area.
The beach can be approached with the help of a man-driven boat. The beach is still untouched by humans in the sense that it is clean and quite natural. Taxis and buses ply from all parts of the city to take tourists to this spot. Package tours are also available.
18. Kanoark Beach:
It is located at a distance of 3 km from the Sun Temple of Konark (Orissa). Swimming cannot be done in the beach due to its turbulent waters. Krishna’s son, Sambha, was cured in a pond quite close to the beach. On the full Magha moon every year, a fair is organised here. People take bath in the pond at night and then, watch the Sun emerge into the horizon in the early morning.
19. Kovalam Beach:
The cleanest and most beautiful beach of Kerala, Kovalam is located at a distance of 16 km from the heart of Thiruvananthapuram. Tourists throng the beach from 10 am onwards. Boat rides are offered to tourists.
They can also bathe along the shores of the beach, but cannot go into deep waters. Hotel Kovalam Beach Resort is an ideal place to eat, drink and enjoy the nice food of Kerala. Shops and restaurants are there in abundance.
20. Mahabaleshwar:
It is located at a distance of 18 km from Panchagani. There are also 20 different points from where, tourist can have view hills. Venna Lake is popular tourist spot of this area. Paddle boats and oar boats can be hired at the spot for Rs 40 per trip onwards.
21. Majorda:
This is another beach of Goa in its southern part. It is quite close to Calongute Bea’ch. Majorda Beach Resort is a famous hotel of this beach area. Tourists can swim in the cool waters of the Arabian Sea. They can also enjoy boat rides and paragliding adventures at this spot.
22. Marble Rock:
It is a conglomeration of cliffs made of limestone. It is located at a distance of 23 km from Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh). The river imarmada flows through these cliffs at a very low pace. The river is very deep at certain spots and we do not rule the possibility of encountering crocodiles at this beautiful spot.
Tourists can use man-driven boats to have a glimpes of the beauty of the rocks. Some tourists also bathe here, just like locals. The place can be approached only by road. Taxis and buses ply to and from Jabalpur
23. Mount Abu/Dilwara:
Although it is a popular hill resort (and the only one in Rajasthan), yet it is famous because of its lake. Located at a height of 1,200 m above the MSL, it has dry and naked mountains all around it.
The Nakhi Lake is a deep lake in the middle of Mount Abu. There are hotels of moderately nice facilities in the town. Nakhi Lake had frozen due to extreme winter in January. 2003. Boats can be used to enjoy the beauty of the lake. Fishing is not allowed in the lake.
Further, Dilwara Jain Temples are located at Dilwara, which can be approached through Mount Abu. There is also a Sunset point that is quite close to Dilwara temples. The Sun goes down in the distant horizon with its full glory and the sight is captured by tourists in their digital and video cameras.
24. Ooty lake:
Located at a height of 2, 175 m above the MSL, Ooty is located in the Neelgiri Hills in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is known for the famous Ooty Lake, where tourists can enjoy motorboat rides; they can also use pedal boats to indulge in adventures dipped in fun and frolic. Restaurants are located on the side of the lake. We have discussed Ooty elsewhere in this chapter.
24. Paradeep Beach:
It is located at a distance of 94 km form Cuttack (Orissa). Kendrapara is located at a distance of 65 km from this place. It is an ideal tourist spot.
26. Puri Beach:
It is located near the famous temple of Lord Jagannath. It is an ideal place for swimming and having a splash in the cool waters of the Bay of Bengal.
27. River Rafting Flicks in Beas:
Manali is the ideal place for this thrilling experience. But, the river is pretty cruel in the higher reaches of mountains. These experiences are suitable only for experts.
28. River Rafting Flicks in Brahmaputra:
The mighty Lohic it the pride of Assam. It has 6 different points where tourist can undertake rapid rafting. Special government permission is needed to undertake rafting at the river. The experiences are not suitable (or recommended) for novices.
29. River Rafting Flicks in Indus:
Tourist would have to go to Leh (Ladakh) to enjoy the gushing waters of Indus. Prior acclimatization is a must. Rates vary from Rs 1,000 to Rs 15,000.
30. River Rafting Flicks in Kali:
The officials of the Supa dam open two gates every morning and the discharge of water is enough to provide fun to rafters. Tourists would have to go to Panaji (Panjim), the capital of Goa, to get the experience.
31. River Rafting Flicks in Teesta:
Tourists would have to go to Gangtok. Local guides would take them to Teesta. Facilities for rafting are available at high prices.
32. River Rafting Flicks in the Ganges:
Rishikesh is an ideal spot for getting topsy-turvy in the waters of the Ganges. It is located at a distance of 30 km from Haridwar (Uttaranchal). The latter is located at a distance of 225 km from Delhi. The duration of the rafting experience could vary from 90 minutes to 12 days. Rates vary from Rs 1000 to Rs 15,000.
33. River Rafting Flicks in Tons:
Sikkim offers great opportunities for white water rafting. Tourist should go to Gangtok (Sikkim). From there, a 1.5-hour drive would take them to Bardang. White water rafting can be done only under the supervision of experts at Bardang.
34. River Rafting Flicks in Tons:
This River is a tributary of Yamuna. A firm (Aquaterra) conducts rafting stints at Mori., Contact Aquaterra at 011-2623264.
35. River Rafting Flicks in Ulhas:
This River offers unique rafting experiences. Tourist must arrive at Mumbai and then after a day-long drive (by buses or is), arrive at Dandeli (Karnataka). Alternatively, they can go to Goa and arrive at the place by two-wheelers or buses. Dandeli is a 2 hours drive from Panaji. For rafting at Dandeli, contact Indian Adventures Wildlife resorts at 022- 26408742.
36. River Rafting Flicks in Zanskar:
Tourist would have to go to Leh (Ladakh). River rafting can be done at reasonable prices and expert guides are also available to give them support.
37. Saat Taal:
There are seven lakes on the way from Nainital to Bhimtal. Each one of them is worth a visit. Package tours are available from Nainital. The Christian Ashram and government bungalow are the places where tourists can take rest at Saat Taal.
The same route takes tourists to Kausani the last point of the journey from Nainital. Taxis and buses ply on this route, which passes through the beautiful environs of Kumaun.
38. Shivpuri:
It is located in Madhya Pradesh. From Rishikesh (MP), tourists can take buses or taxis to arrive at Shivpuri, Water rafting, kayaking, hiking, etc can be done here. Rafting can also be done in the river; the ideal time period to do so starts from mid-September up to April.
39. Sunderbans:
It is located in West Bengal and Bangladesh. It is a World Heritage Site. The Ganges and Brahmaputra merge here and flow into the Bay of Bengal. Its total area is 90,000 sq km. It has water creatures, trees, swamps and shrubs in abundance.
40. Taj Mahal (Yamuna Waters):
We have discussed the Taj elsewhere in this chapter. On the backside of the Taj, the river Yamuna flows quietly. Tourists can enjoy boat rides in the river and at the same time, imbibe the beauty of the Taj (from its back).
41. Tapola:
It is located near Panchgani (Maharashtra). Motor boats, speed boats and water scooters can be used here to have a rendezvous with water bodies of the area. The rates vary from Rs 150 to Rs 200. Children would have a fine time at this place.