THE BACKWATERS OF KERALA

Kerala is said to have sprung from the ocean. All along its coast, these exotic backwaters, canals, lagoons and inlets create an intricate maze that stretches for 1900 km across  the land. Begin your journey at Alappuzha, floating  slowly past coconut palms dipping down towards the water and serence villages, as the moving landscape creates a living portrait   of Kerals's rural life. Other country crafts will go by, some carrying a load of fresh bananas   or coir, others filled with people travelling to nearby villages.  

At  Kumarakam, a 14 - acre bird sanctuary, that is accessible  from Alappuzha, by the vividly beautiful Vembanand Lake, see the nesting storks and a variety of water fowl. Some of the most unforgettable scenery is on another waterway from Alappuzha that leads up to the ancient port of Kollam, winding  up the Pampa river to the island hamlet of Chemakkulam and then into the Karumadi  canal. Here stands the status  of Karumadi Kuttan, believed to be the Buddha, beside   the ruins of an ancient Buddhist settlement.

SHILLONG

Shillong, a hill resort with an incomparable climate, is the capital of Meghalaya. Often likened to Scotland, it has rolling hills, heather-covered slopes, beautiful waterfalls, moving mists, silent lakes and a rich and unique variety  of flora and fauna.

SASAN GIR

The last surviving population of the Asiatic lion can be seen at the Gir National Park, Located  in the Saurashtra peninsula in Gujarat, Gir is composed of terrain with steep rocky hills, deep ravines and occasional stretches of grasslands. Irrigated by many rivers, the park supports  mixed semi-arid deciduous forest.

MUSSOORIE

In 1827, Capt. Young of the British army chanced   upon this extraordinarily beautiful wooded ridge and created the center around   which the hill station grew.  Just 38 Km   from Dehradun, Mussoorie offers  views of both the Himalayan ranges to the north and the Shivaliks and plains to the south. This erstwhile aristocratic resort is now a popular hill station and promises a variety of entertainment throughout the year. Landour retains much of the old-world charm of the place.