Kausani - The 'Switzerland of India'

The beautiful hill station of Kausani is located in Uttaranchal, India. It is just 53 km away from Almora which is another beautiful hill station of the state. Called the 'Switzerland of India' by none other than the 'Father of the Nation', Mahatma Gandhi, Kausani is the pride of the Himalayas.

An epitome of serenity and tranquility, and much famed for its pine trees covered valleys and the views of the snow covered peaks of the Himalayas, Kausani is honeymooners' paradise. From here, one can enjoy more than 300 km wide panoramic views of the Himalayas. The mesmerizing sight of the mountain peaks of the Trishul, Nanda Devi and Panchchuli from Kausani takes one's breath away. Kausani is also much famous for its beautiful sunsets and sunrises.

The place is so beautiful that it compelled even Mahatma Gandhi to prolong his stay here. He was supposed to stay for just two days here but the idyllic and stunning Kausani enticed him to stay here for 12 days during which he wrote his book on Anasakti Yoga. The place where the 'Father of the Nation' stayed is the Anasakti Ashram that shows Kausani's association with the Mahatma.

Kausani is also associated with the name of the great poet laureate Sumitranandan Pant who was born here. The Pant Museum at Kausani is worth visiting. Lakshmi Ashram at Kausani is yet another attraction of the place and worth visiting. It is symbolic of women emancipation.

Then there is the famous Baijnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which is just 25 km away from Kausani. This 1000-year old temple is located in pleasant surroundings and attracts people inspired by nature and religion. Mythology has it that the Goddess Parvati went to marry Lord Shiva from this place. The Nanda Devi Temple located 10 km away from Baijnath is yet another prominent attraction of the place. It offers wonderful views of the Himalayas and the pine covered valleys below.

Kausani is well connected by rail, road and air. The nearest airport is at Pantnagar which is 180 km away and the nearest rail head is at Kathgodam which is 142 km away. The best time to visit Kausani is October-November and February-March.

Wildlife Tourism in India

The Indian Wildlife has been varied as well as rich in nature. Indian land is almost 4% is covered by the forests where there are 90 national parks and 482 wildlife sanctuaries. There is the mix of species of the various origins. There is the huge number of the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the country. According to the study India has about 60-70% of biodiversity of the whole world.

Our country is the home of the numerous mammals like Asian Elephants, Asiatic Lion, Bengal Tiger, Sloth Bear, Indian Rhinoceros and Leopard that is associated with deities. Other Indian mammals like Wild Asian Water buffalo, Nilgai, Gaur and several species of the antelopes and deer. The dog family members like Indian Wolf, Golden jackal, Bengal Fox and Dhole or Wild Dogs which are vastly distributed over the place. Stripped Hyena, Macaques, Mongoose and Langurs are also find here in vast number.

Indian Wildlife has has the 'Wow' factor as it is having the varied biodiversity and the heritage that attracts the tourists and the visitors from all over the globe. Some of the famous National parks in India are Jim Corbett National Park (Uttaranchal), Bandhavgarh National Park and Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Gir National Park in Sasangir (Gujrat), Ranthambhor National Park in Sawai Madhopur which is having around 585 bird species. The Jim Corbett was the first National Park of the country which was established in the foothills of Himalayas.

There are certain famous and adventurous wildlife sanctuaries in the country such as:

Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan: It is known as the best bird sanctuary of the country. The Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary supports 300 species of birds and is spread over 29 sq kms.

Jim Corbett National Park: It has been located at the foothills of Himalayas. It is having the diverse variety of the flora and fauna. Basically it is famous for the Tigers, Leopards and Elephants. This national park has been established in the year 1936. About the flora of the Corbett it can be said that there are near about 110 species of trees, 50 mammal species, 580 species of birds, an 25 species of reptiles.

Gir National Park in Gujarat: It has been situated at the southwest peninsula of the Gujarat which is spreaded over 116 square mile of the state. The sanctuary has been made for the wild lions. The major wildlife attraction of the Gir National Park is the Leopard and it is known for the largest home for the Leopards.

Periyar National Park in Kerela: In the ranges of the western ghats in Kerela, Periyar National park is situated. It has been a home for the Tigers and Indian Elephants. The other major wildlife attractions of the Periyar National Park is the Gaur, Wild Pigs, Barking Dear, Sambar, Dole or Wild Indian Dog, Mouse Dear.

Manas National Park: Manas National Park or Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at the foothills of Himalayas extended till the parts of Bhutan. The park has been home to the endangered species such as Assam Roofed Turtle, Golden Langur, Hispid Hare and Pygmy Hog. This wildlife sanctuary has been spread over 360 Sq km. It has been declared as the World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO and is basically situated in Assam, India.

Kaziranga National Park: Kaziranga National park is located in Assam. The park was declared as the highest Tiger reserve in the year 2006. The park has almost two-third highest density of the one horned rhinoceros. It has the vast number of the tall elephant grass, marshland and dense tropical moist broadleaf forest.

Kanha National Park: Located in Mandla and Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh. Kanha National park is a home to the Royal Bengal Tigers, Sloth Bear, Leopards, Indian Wild Dogs and Barasingha. It has been established in the year 1955.

iExplore Egypt & Kenya Experience

Experience two sides of Africa. Explore the ancient wonders of Egypt before heading over to Kenya's Maasai Mara for intense game viewing....

Travelers have been marveling at Egypt's wondrous antiquities for thousands of years - even the ancient Greeks and Romans were awed by them. But today, a visit to Egypt is more than an immersion in past glories. The clamorous present is ever-present: Mud-brick villages sprout TV antennae, stone and glass high-rises tower over ancient monuments and pop music from boom boxes counterpoints the call to prayers.

Near all of Egypt is desert, but the small part that isn't - the valley of the Nile River - is vital to the nation (95% of the population lives within a few miles of the Nile's banks). Most tours of Egypt, whether by cruise, via train, on a bus or in a private car, never stray too far from the river's shores. Egypt is the largest country in the Arab world, and among African nations, is second in population only to Nigeria (Cairo, the continent's most populous city, alone has 16 million people).

Heaven on Earth

Cape Town is the capital of South Africa and is said to be the heaven on earth. It is a small town with many small roads along with the greatest mountains. It shows the greatness of nature and shows how small a man is in front of this great Mother Nature.

Cape Town is famous for its natural floral kingdom as well as its harbor. This town is one of the most popular tourist attractions of South Africa, with its wine tasting day trips, whale and dolphin watching.

Greatest Tourist Spot - North America

USA is located in North America and is one of the greatest tourist spot. People from all over the world come to visit the entertainment capital of the world—Las Vegas. Other places worth of attraction are Golden GateBridge in San Francisco, Mount Rushmore, and the spot of the former WorldTradeCenter in New York, Disneyland, and Lincoln Park. But the most famously visited place in USA is the Grand Canyon; it is actually a very sharp canyon by the Colorado River, Arizona that has the most mind boggling scenery. Scientists are of the opinion that the canyon has been created by the Colorado River over a six million year period. It is not the deepest canyon in the world, it is known for its extremely huge size and beautifully intricate landscape. The Grand CanyonNational Park is said to be one of the first National Parks in the United States and attracts more than five million visitors a year.

The Romantic Route Express

This trip covers some of Switzerland's most spectacular Alpine passes, the Furka Pass, the Grimsel Pass and the Grosse Scheidegg. For those who love steam trains, there is a special surprise, you can do part of the trip by the recently restored steam engine. The Swiss Alps are synonymous with picturesque Post Bus rides. And so, The Swiss Romantic Route is experienced on these very attractive and modern Swiss Post Buses. They complement the trains and boats, which are part of Switzerland's much admired public transport system. These buses are comfortable and safe. The drivers are especially trained to drive in all weather conditions and on tight alpine roads. The windows of the buses are huge and give all a good view of the Alpine world.

Route: Andermatt - Furka Pass - Gletsch - Grimsel Pass - Meiringen - Grosse Scheidegg - Grindelwald.

The Romantic Route starts in Andermatt where you will board one of the distinctive yellow coaches that make up Switzerland's much-loved Alpine Postbus fleet. Your trip over the Furka Pass to Gletsch, with views of the famous Rhone Glacier, promises to be an unforgettable experience.and skirts the Rhone Glacier on its way down to Gletsch. Steep switchbacks and many hairpin bends bring the bus to the Grimsel Pass (2165 m a.s.l.), then swoops by a deep blue manmade lake and on through the Hasli Valley to Meiringen, where the world-famous meringues, an airy confection of sugar and egg whites, were invented. Cool glaciers contrast the meadows exploding with color, all set to the sound of cowbells clanging.

Then it is on through the romantic Reichenbach Valley and over the Grosse Scheidegg. On the Grosse Scheidegg be prepared for the alpine triumvirate, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, the breath-taking mountains of this area. This valley was traveled two centuries ago by Goethe, Mendelssohn and Lord Byron, when they discovered the fascinating mountain world of the Bernese Oberland. Glaciers, Alpine pastures and cheese dairies all make the Swiss Alps look just as you expected. Eventually the bus reaches Grindelwald, the alpine village of world renown. Here, enjoy the views of the Eiger North Face, a daunting wall braved by many a mountaineer, as well as all the other imposing mountain peaks that surround this charming village.

Running once per day in both directions the approximate travel time taken is 7 hours. Seat reservations are mandatory and can be made at any Swiss train station or your local Swiss Travel System sales point. A surcharge is applicable for the same. Please note that the ride from Schwarzwaldalp to Grindelwald is not included. The charge needs to be paid directly to the bus driver. Swiss Pass discounts are applicable on this excursion.

Option: To really make this a unique adventure, take the vintage Furka Steam Train from Realp across the Furka Pass to Gletsch.

iExplore Central Mexico & the Pacific Coast Experience

Enjoy a 10-day cultural tour featuring Mexico City, central Mexico and the Pacific Coast.

One of the world's largest metropolis’ Mexico City is also the oldest urban center in the Western Hemisphere, when it was called Tenochtitlán…

Querétaro, one of Mexico's colonial jewels, and picturesque town studded with charming and amazingly well-preserved baroque churches, temples and mansions boasting graceful balconies and ornate facades.

San Miguel de Allende is so strikingly lovely in its architecture that it has been designated a national monument. Its many beautifully restored colonial mansions house delightful patio restaurants and fine shops. Students of all ages come to San Miguel de Allende to study art, painting, weaving, sculpting, photography and Spanish.

Guanajuato, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988, is nestled in a narrow canyon between huge mountains, and a photographer's delight with its quaint plazas, colonial buildings, winding cobblestone streets, hidden alleyways and underground passageways.

Morelia, considered the aristocrat of colonial cities features few modern buildings, and architecture kept in the traditions of Old Spain. Wide polished-stone streets and stately buildings give this city its special attraction.

Guadalajara, one of the most serenely beautiful and stately cities in North America, is a city of parks and fountains, of monuments and rose-lined boulevards, a city alive with color. Its rich colonial heritage dates back to 1542 and is evident throughout the city.

The Costalegre, a stretch of Pacific coastline that runs from Manzanillo in the South to Puerto Vallarta in the North, is an area of unspoiled tropical jungle, gorgeous beaches, bays and lagoons filled with exotic birds, tiniy fishing villages, and small hidden luxury hotels. With exclusive polo tournaments, impressive cliff side golf courses and many famous weddings going on around the area, the Costalegre is becoming a sought-after destination for the rich and famous.