Thursday, June 27, 2013

Best Attraction Places in Oman

Muscat City




Muscat is Oman's financial and trade centre. Hamad bin Said took Muscat as Oman's capital from Rustaq between 1779-1792 and this has never since been contested. Today, under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, Muscat has improved beyond recognition, but has never lost its pride in its heritage and culture.

Nizwa Castle


Set amid a verdant spread of date palms Nizwa Castle is a powerful reminder of the town of Nizwa's invincibility through turbulent periods in Oman's long history. The town of Nizwa has a strategic location at the crossroads of vital caravan routes linking interior, Muscat and Dhofar.

Nakhl Castle



Located in Al-Batina region, the castle sets on top of a 200-metre rocky prominance in the foothills of the Western Hajar Mountains, overlooking the extended verdant palm farms of Nakhl countryside which gave the castle its name.

Bahla Castle


Located in Bahla; Ad-Dakhliyah region, the Castle is one of the oldest remaining strongholds in Oman and has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1988.



Wadi Shab


The Wadi is 76 Km from Qurayyat-Muscat. The road to the wadi dips as it crosses the bed of the ravine and rises steeply on the other side where the houses of Tiwi cling to the cliffs. At the mouth of the wadi is a single beach dotted with fishing boats.



Wahiba


Ash-Sharqiyah Sands (also known as Wahiba Sands) offer the romantic visitor desert in the accepted sense of the word. Rolling sand dunes, varying from deep red to a rich honey colour sands stretching as far as the eye can see.




Jabrin Castle


Located in Jibrin town in Wilayat Bahla; Ad-Dakhliyah region, Jibrin Fort resembles a remarkable blend of defensive architecture and sophisticated artistry. It consists of three floors and 55 rooms, and is penetrated by Falaj Jibrin.

Wadi Daikah


Known as the Devil's Gap, Wadi Dayqah was described by explorer S. B. Miles in 1896 as the most singular piece of earth sculpture in Arabia. The wadi runs through a narrow winding vertical-sided canyon that looks as though the mountain has been split in two. The walls soar to 1,700 meters and close in to 12 meters in some places.



Wadi Ghul


It is located approx 15 Kms from Al Hamra. Over here one can see an abandoned persian village perched on the sides of a steep cliff.Wadi ghul has a recharged dam built to stop floodwaters from washing into Al Hamra and to allow water to be stored and drained down into the Wadi bed.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

5 Destinations in this monsoon in India

1. Leh and Ladakh

Leh Ladakh

Ladakh region in general and Leh town in particular are two amazing place to visit especially at the end of summer and during the onset of monsoons. This mountainous region has enchanting beauty of the landscape and holidaying here is being in the lap of the nature fairly distant from your usual moorings and in the midst of an entire different civilization. Leh is the capital city of Ladakh, while Ladakh is the plateau with interspersing valleys lying close to the Greater Himalayas. There are several ways by how you can reach there depending on the route that would be open. Srinagar and Manali are two major gateways to Leh, Ladakh.

Leh, Ladakh

Ladakh is alluring with its altitude of at least 9,000 feet overlooking the Kargil and Tibet border. There are also many longertrekking trails to choose from, such as the ones from Likir to Temisgam, and Markha Valley from Spituk.
2. Rajasthan

Jal Mahal in Monsoon

Rajasthan is located in the northwestern part of the country and is the largest state of the India in terms of area. The state is surrounded by Pakistan to the west, Madhya Pradesh to the southeast, Gujarat to the southwest, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the north east, and Punjab to the north. The capital of Rajasthan is Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City. The state is a tourist’s delight with its natural beauty, a great history, splendid forts & palaces, colorful festivals & fairs, lively culture, and varied landscape.

Aravalli Ranges

Aravalli Ranges

The Aravali Range, one of the oldest mountain ranges of the world, runs across the state from southwest Guru Peak (Mount Abu), which is 1,722 m in height to Khetri in the northeast. The Chambal River, which is the only large and permanent river in the State, originates from its drainage to the east of this range and flows northeast. The monsoon brings relief to the sultry and sun-baked terrain of Rajasthan during the month of June and July. The state receives maximum rainfall during this period. The lakes get rejuvenated, massive forts and palaces have a freshly washed new life look, and flora and fauna find a new spring in their step. The temperature also drops to 30 degree Celsius. With cooler temperatures and soaring sprits, it is precisely the place to visit during monsoons.
3. Goa

Monsoon in Goa

Goa, the land blessed with splendid scenic beauty, golden beaches, beautiful rivers and lakes and architectural splendors is undoubtedly a “Tourist’s Paradise”. The perfect words to describe Goa are – “The land of Sun, Sand and Sea”. A leisurely day basking under the sun on the white sandy beaches of Goa is definition of a perfect holiday. The second smallest Indian state (area wise) is also known for its unity in diversity.
One of the best reasons to visit Goa during the monsoon is the vibrant festivals that are celebrated. The most popular festival, Sao-Joao (the fertility feast of Saint John the Baptist), is celebrated in late June and involves the interesting feat of men jumping into overflowing village wells to retrieve bottles of local alcohol ‘feni’. The feast of Saints Peter and Paul, at the end of June, sees people sailing up river on rafts performing plays and songs. In late August, the carnival-like Bonderam flag festival is held on tiny Divar Island, off the coast from Panaji. Ganesh Chaturthi is also observed in Goa during the season.

Mandovi River

Mandovi River

During the monsoons, Mother Nature is in her full element and brings a fresh aroma, romance and liveliness to this coastal state. Places like the Mollem National Park and Cotiago Wildlife Sanctuary, the famous Dudh Sagar falls and the gorgeous spice plantations in Savoi are spectacular in the rains. Those in search of some hard core romance can take a boat ride up the Mandovi River and get a feel of the historic Goan architecture. If you’re looking for some quiet time, you could also just spend hours just watching the rough waters.
4. Coorg
Homestay in Coorg

Coorg or Kodagu, as it is officially known, is one of the tiniest districts in the southern part of Karnataka covering an area of 4,104 Sq Km. Coorg consists of three taluks or administrative units viz Madikeri or Mercara, the District Headquarters, Virajpet and Somvarpet. Coorg borders Mysore district to its east, Dakshina Kannada district on the west, Hassan district in the north and the state of Kerala to the south.

River Cauvery in full swing at coorg

River Cauvery in full swing at coorg

The largest river here, River Cauvery, which the local people worship, rises on the eastern side of the Western Ghats. Its tributaries drain the greater part of Coorg. Coorg is the largest producer of Coffee in India. Monsoon in Coorg is the most romantic season of all, especially for the newlyweds. The Weather is cold that induces couples to cuddle-up almost all the time! A mild walk in the rain through the sleepy city sharing just one umbrella is an unique experience. There is an added charm in enjoying the mist and fog all around that adds mushiness to the air. The mountains and fields cover themselves with a verdant green carpet ready to welcome you to the land of eternal beauty with thunderstorms rolling in from all most everywhere.

5. Lahaul Spiti

Accommodation in Lahaul

Lahaul & Spiti is a big district in Himachal Pradesh having international boundary with Tibet. The valleys. mountains, glaciers, rivers, forests, pastures, gompas (monastries) and ancient forts of the former rulers are the principal objects of interest. The area located  just south of Ladakh, is one of the most sparsely populated regions in India and is the perfect place to get away from the crowds. Miles and miles of high altitude desert stretch in the rain shadowed side of the Himalayas promises to be perfect get-away.

Adventures at lahaul

Adventures at lahaul

The rugged awe-inspiring snow clad mountains are standing invitation to the hikers, mountaineers and adventurers. The entire district is full of natural scenery exhorting the tourists and visitors to explore and imbibe its natural grandeur. The customs, myths, beliefs and conventions of the simple people are the unique features of this border highland. Every village or hamlet has a prayer flag fluttering over the Buddhist monastery. These shrines are the centers of the cultural life of the people that have influenced their religious beliefs for centuries and form the core of their social life.