Yearly Archives: 2018

Visiting Mumbai on a Budget – Travellers of India

Mumbai, formerly and emotionally known as” Bombay” is the financial capital of India, other than being the cushion to dreamers all around. Mumbai has myriad things to offer to anyone who wishes to tour around the city with a pre-decided budget, tight or splendid. Have a look at every aspect of your trip and plan in accordingly by booking cheap domestic flight tickets to Mumbai.

TRAVEL:
“Mumbai local” or railways is the lifeline of Mumbai, in that, it’s the most convenient, quick, cheap, and therefore the most preferred mode of transport throughout the city. Only a Mumbaikar would understand and feel the pinch of a downtime experienced in railways. A one-way ticket to any destination could only get as expensive as INR20! As far as roadways are concerned, BEST is the “best”, as in the “cheapest” mode of transport with an excellent connectivity from one bus-stop to another. Other than that, auto-rickshaws and kaali-peelis or taxis can let you access every “gully” or “nukkad” at your own pace and convenience. For those who can splurge into comfort, or can’t compromise on comfort, or can’t bear the heat that could be scorching during the day, there are air-conditioned cab facilities like Ola and Uber.

Must Read: Dindigad Shiva Mandir Bhiwandi – The Manchester of India

STAY:
Here again, there’s a possibility of you getting accommodation for absolutely no cost or having the most extravagant stay ever. Accommodation at no cost is possible if you’re fortunate enough to have friends or relatives that are permanent dwellers in the city and they’re hospitable enough to host you for as long as your stay lasts. If that’s not the case, you may want to book rooms in decent lodges or hostels that welcome travelers in the city. There are also an umpteen hotels for you to live in depending upon your budget, suitability and comfort. You may want to book your room online, advance booking being preferable. If nothing works, you may want to contact travel agents to help you book your room; however, this may make you spend a heavy amount unless you’ve honed your bargaining skills before landing to the city.

Related article: The Cities of Young India – Mumbai and Bangalore

FOOD:
A forewarning before touching upon this aspect of the city; you’ll put on some holiday weight before stepping out of the city, given the number of delicacies you will indulge in every single day of your stay here. Until you try out the numerous “Khaau gullies” of the city, your experience with the city will be futile. The delicacies like wada-paav, bhel-puri, sev-puri, paani-puri, paav-bhaaji, misal-paav promise a treat to your taste-buds without burning a hole in your pocket. The “cutting chaai” as an accompaniment with any of these or all by itself is the best beverage there can ever be. To enjoy a wholesome meal, there are several local and multi-cuisine restaurants that you can step into depending upon your choice of budget, taste and ambience.

SIGHT-SEEING:
Believe me or not, sight-seeing in Mumbai comes absolutely free of cost. The most popular sight-seeing locations in Mumbai include Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Siddhivinayak Temple, Babulnath Temple, Chowpatty, Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Haji Ali Shrine, Elephanta Caves, Nehru Planetarium, Nehru Science Centre, CST, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mount Mary Church, among many others. If walking is your thing, strolls around the lanes of Colaba, Bandra and Churchgate will let you shop the best of attire, accessories and antiques at the cheapest rates possible. Reminder: Don’t forget to bargain.

If this isn’t enough motivation for you to step into the “Maya-nagari” that Mumbai is, I don’t know what will be. Plan your trip to the “City of Dreams” at the earliest by booking cheap domestic flight tickets and avail amazing offers and discounts with Jetstay.com. You may just have someone waving at you at the airport singing, “Mumbai se aaya mera dost!” Have an incredible flight booking experience with Jetstay and an even better experience with “the city that never sleeps”!

Reference Article: Mumbai: Budget Travel Tips to Mumbai

A Week of Fun in Ladakh – Travellers of India

How many times have you felt envious after looking at the gorgeous pictures that your social media friends have uploaded after their trip to Ladakh? Well, envy couldn’t get you there, but booking cheap flight tickets with Jetstay.com could. Air tickets at lowest fares along with some discounts from Jetstay and an itinerary is all you need to have the best vacation of your life at Leh-Ladakh. Here’s how you can plan a week of fun, adventure and absolute bliss at Leh-Ladakh:

Related article: Five Things to Keep in Mind Before You Head to Ladakh 

Day 1: Arrival at Leh/ Ladakh
On the very first day, there shouldn’t be much that you should be doing in Ladakh. You’ll take quite some time to adapt to the weather that’s going to be chilly, frosty and snowy, pretty much unlike wherever it is that you’re hailing from. Make sure you don’t catch a cold or cough there or else all the fun will go down the drain. Take good amount of rest in the hotel and take a few strolls in the vicinity of your hotel to get used to the chilly weather there. You may also like to visit the local market and try some local cuisine there. Have a good night’s sleep that keeps you energized for the day to come.

Day 2: Ladakh Local Sight Seeing, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa, Magnetic Hill

After having spent a lazy and relaxed day, you should be energized enough to tour around the city. A warm and satiating breakfast will help you keep going throughout the day. Hall of Fame is where you can begin your sightseeing with by riding/driving via the Kargil Road. The hall of Fame is a museum located near Leh Airfield and was constructed by Indian Army as a tribute and mark of respect to the martyrs in the war. Then you can visit the Kaali-Mata temple that shares the space with a Buddha Monastery, known as Spituk Gompa. Post that you may want to visit the “Gurudwara Patthar Sahib” that lies deep down the Himalayan Valleys, constructed to honour the visit of Guru Nanak Dev. After a drive/ride of about 5 minutes, you’ll come across a hill that may have disappointed Newton, for it goes against the Law of Gravitation. The Magnetic Hill will leave you awed as you park your vehicle at the base, and with the brakes unlocked, find yourself moving uphill without any manual force. You will be amazed to see how some phenomena can destroy your belief systems; nature is mysterious after all! A little ahead of that, the landscapes will leave you marveling at the beauty that nature can depict while you head towards the confluence of Indus and Zanskar river. After a long, tiring, yet worthwhile day, you can take a halt, somewhere in the Nimmu village and be geared up for the adventures ahead.

Day 3: Khardung-la Pass, Nubra Valley and Hundur Monastery
Take a drive to Nubra Valley, formerly known as Ldorma, which has been popularised as the “Valley of Flowers”, given the myriad flowers that blossom throughout the year in the valley. You will have to reach out to the valley by going through the Khardung-La pass from Leh town. The Khardung-La pass is at a distance of about 39 km from Leh by road and lies part way up the Siachen Glacier. The Nubra Valley gives a beautiful view of Karakoram and Ladakh mountain ranges. After looking at the flowers and admiring them to your heart’s content, you can visit the Hundur Gompa in Hundur village. The village is strategically and nationally important owing to its proximity to the India-Pakistan border. You can enjoy a camel ride in the dunes while you’re in the village. Find yourself an accommodation in Nubra Valley and prepare yourself for the adventure the next day.

Day 4: Return to Leh via Diskit Monastery, Leh Local Market
This is the day to take a detour to Leh, but there’s pretty much you can do enroute. Diskit Gompa is the largest and the oldest Buddhist monastery in Nubra Valley and is a must-watch. It is a dwelling place for several Tibetan monks who meditate here. There are a number of shrines in the premise and an umpteen Tibetan and Mongolian scriptures in the monastery. After having experienced calm and solace inside the monastery, you could spend a relaxed evening by visiting the local market around and having a sumptuous dinner.

Book Ladakh Tour Packages with Travellersofindia.com

Day 5: Pangong Lake, Shey Palace, Changla Pass
You can start early this day and head to Pangong Lake, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions here. Pangong Lake is the highest salt-water lake in the world and is situated at a height of 14,000 ft above ground level. It’s said to belong to both India and China. Thanks to the location, the water in the lake is crystal clear and you may see your own reflection when the water is still. The water of the lake keeps changing colors and leaves you fascinated to an extent that you can’t take your gaze away for the longest possible time. While heading towards Pangong Lake, you may visit Shey Palace, once a residence of the royal family and Thiksey Gompa, another beautiful monastery. You can be around the Pangong Lake for as long as you wish to and then have an evening to yourself for leisure and relaxation.

Must Read: Heavenly Places to Visit/ Experience in Leh Ladakh

Day 6: Return to Leh / Hemis Monastery
If you haven’t gotten enough of the Pangong Lake, you can make a quick visit to the lake and enjoy the scenic beauty around before returning to Leh. While returning to Leh, you may want to pay a visit to Hemis Gompa, the last Buddhist monastery you might get a chance to visit while in Leh.

Day 7: Rest / Leisure Day
The trip could’ve been overwhelming in terms of the long drives/rides you would’ve taken to visit the aforementioned destinations. Save a day for you to do nothing, except enjoying the comfort of the hotel room and sipping coffee while enjoying the beautiful sceneries outside of the window. If you haven’t bought souvenirs for your loved ones yet, now is the time to do so.

Day 8: Departure – Ladakh Airport
With a heavy, yet a happy heart, bid adieu to the city that let you have the time of your life while you were there. With gazillions of memories, you might want to recollect every moment spent in the White City while you look at it from the window seat of your airplane.

If you’re feeling the Goosebumps already, wait no more before you book yourself and your friends, cheap domestic flight tickets to Ladakh with Jetstay.com. Jetstay will amaze you with the surprise deals, offers and discounts along with the lowest air fares that you will come across while booking your tickets online. Everything can wait, but not a trip to Ladakh!

Must Read: Leh Ladakh Road Trip – The Ultimate Road Adventure

How to Buy the Best Pocket Knife for Your Outdoor Adventures?

There is a huge variety of knives available in the market today. But not all the knives are made with the same sharpness of the blade. Like you can’t pack carving knife or a butter knife as one of your camping gear. Carving knife or butter knife have their purposes, but you won’t be able to get things done when you are outdoor.

Buying the best pocket knife of 2018 would be the best bet, but then again a question arises as to which one is the best knife out there. The best one offers many benefits which shouldn’t be overlooked.

The survival knife is one of the essential pieces of outdoor equipment. Its usefulness can be judged from the fact that within a past few years’ thousands of people have taken them for their outdoor adventures. Most of the survival pocket knives are foldable and have one or more blades depending on their model.

With a foldable blade that fits inside its handle, the survival knife can be placed inside the pocket or be clipped onto the belt so it can be fetched easily. The length of the blade varies from 2 inches up to 6 inches. You can have many things done with this nifty little tool in a short amount of time. It’s your loyal friend to have while hunting, camping, and hiking or any other outdoor venture which you might feel like doing.

Background

Picking the best one out of many survival knives is hard work. And a lot of people get confused when it comes to choosing the reliable and long-lasting survival pocket knife, but going to the basics could make it easy to select a durable and reliable knife that will work under severe conditions.

Read along to see some of the exceptional survival pocket knives with the reputation of exceeding of what was expected of them by many professional and experienced campers and hikers. You can also use the guide to buying the best pocket knife online which can save your time.

Must Read: 15 Pro Tips for First Time Solo Travel Internationally

How to choose best survival or pocket knife?

As mentioned before, picking the best one out of many survival knives is hard work. A lot of outdoor enthusiasts have their opinions, but there are some which all of them agree upon. And they are the following three essential qualities that make the survival knife stand out among all other kinds:

  • Fixed Blade:

While the foldable blade is easier to carry but a fixed blade is more durable and reliable. Depending on your type of adventure you might choose either of them, but fixed blade wins in most of the situations. Fixed blade could be a utility knife, survival knife or a drop point knife.

  • Full Tang:

Survival knife with fixed blade gets more durability if it has a full tang. Full tang means that both the blade and handle are made out of a single solid piece of metal, without any joint. Grips or scales are attached on both sides of the handle part of the tang for a more secure and comfortable grip. Knives with full tang supposed to be the perfect kind for any outdoor ventures as it gives them strength.

  • Good Stainless Steel:

It is evident as it will not get rusty for a long time. It is almost indestructible, can take a severe beating. Stainless steel is a little more expensive than the carbon one, but it is worth its price. However, some people prefer carbon as it keeps its edge sharper for a long time than steel.

Must Read: The Ultimate Trekking Destinations in Maharashtra During the Rains

Witness Impeccable Beauty Only at Kerala

India as a country is not just famous for its traditions and culture, but is also well-known for the beauty it houses in the form of different destinations. Yes, traveling to an international destination is always a great idea on account of the beautiful attractions and tourist points it withholds. But, little did we know, that our country-India, is no less when it comes to offering beauty in the form of attractions and destinations.

Many times, we opt for tour packages to witness the charm and gorgeousness the cities or states within India. But at times, due to certain circumstances, we might have to explore such places by ourselves. Hence, you got to start somewhere! While you cannot settle for ‘THE’ best place, since there are too many, I shall go with the one that has stolen everyone’s heart, and continues to do so time and again. It is none other than KERALA!

Yes! With the beautiful Arabian sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering the east, and divided by many rivers, Kerala boasts unique features that have made it one of the most sought out destinations in India, and Asia.
Kerala is well-known for many things. An equable climate, serene beaches, tranquil stretches of backwaters, lush hill stations, and greenery almost everywhere. Not to forget waterfalls and countless tea plantations that attract a number of tea lovers from all over the world. Kerala, apart from offering such beautiful aspects, is also known for its advanced society which has a 100% literacy rate! Isn’t that astonishing! Moreover, it also has the highest physical quality of life in India and is the cleanest state too. Yes, the list can go on. But let’s establish the real reason for me writing this blog, and that is to list down some of the best places to visit within Kerala.

Related Post: How Kerala became God’s Own Country

Munnar

Let’s start with the place that is one of the most opted for destinations-Munnar. Yes, you may have heard your friends talk about this destination and its beauty, and let me tell you this, whatever, they’ve said, or you’ve heard, it’s all true. Munnar in every sense is ‘beautiful’.

It rises as three mountains streams merge, and was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government. With sprawling tea plantations at every nook and corner, winding lanes, and waterfalls, Munnar is one of the most popular places in Kerala to visit. You can witness the exotic flora and fauna along with lush green forests. Munnar also houses the highest mountain in South Asia-Anamudi, which is also an ideal place for trekking (any trekkers in the house, do visit this peak!)

Thekkady

Giving some competition to the lovely Munnar is Thekkady, that is famous for a perfect jungle vacation. Any animal lovers around? This is your next holiday spot! The very sound of the name Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, chains of hills, and spice scented plantations. What more, well the Periyar forests of Thekkady is one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in India. It is also a place where you can enjoy some bamboo rafting in the catchment area of Mullaiperiyar Dam, hiking, and more! Popular for its excellent eating joints, at Thekkady, you can also enjoy its vast stretches of spice gardens and various adventure sports.

Alappuzha
Experience another beautiful destination within Kerala, Alappuzha. This place has always captured an important position in the maritime history of Kerala. It is also referred to as the Venice of the East. Today, it is famous for its boat races, backwaters, houseboats, beaches, and the greenery that is present almost everywhere. Alappuzha beach is also considered to be a famous beach spot and houses a lighthouse that makes for the main attractions that intrigue visitors.

Athirapally

Are you a waterfall lover? Even if you aren’t, you should stop by Athirapally, which by far, houses the best waterfalls that are a sight worth witnessing. Athirapally Waterfalls are located 1000ft above sea level at the Chalakudy River in Thrissur district of Kerala. In the monsoon season, in its full might, the waterfalls appear like Niagara Falls. Athirapally falls can be visited anytime during the year. Though the waterfall appears to be the best during monsoons, heavy rains can sometimes cause significant inconvenience.

Must Read: “Nalumanikattu” an Epitome of Sustainable Tourism in Thiruvanchoor – Kottayam, Kerala

Another astonishing feature of this waterfall is that it’s famous in the Bollywood industry. If you are someone who doesn’t live under a rock, then you might have come across the movie or even watched it-Bahubali. Yes! Its eye-thundering VFX effects and the mind-blowing sceneries in the film are one of the biggest factors that contributed to its success. However, the point I’m trying to establish here is that the waterfall through which SHIVA (famously known as Prabhas) reaches to the Mahishmati, which is located above the clouds, is not at all the VFX, but in fact is an actual location, which is none other than the Athirapally Falls. So, if you are a big fan of the movie (or the lead actor), then this makes for a great reason to stop by this beautiful creation mother nature has offered.

Kovalam

Another shining jewel of Kerala, Kovalam is just located at 17kms from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. The word Kovalam when translated means ‘a grove of coconut trees’, which I feel is the perfect name on account of the beauty this beach city holds.

This city has been a hit list since the 1930s and continues to attract a number of tourists. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters, which is suitable for sea bathing. Moreover, the leisure options in this city are diverse. From sunbathing, swimming, herbal body massages, to catamaran cruising, you can find things that will inevitably amuse and pamper you.

So, now that we’ve established why is Kerala the perfect holiday destination in India, and have listed down the most famous destinations to stop by, the only thing left to do is pack your bags and head out to God’s own country!

Must Read: The Cities of Young India – Mumbai and Bangalore

Reasons to Visit the State of Fantastic Mountains, Himachal

Himachal Pradesh is a northern state, situated in India. The state is known for a plenty of reasons including the mesmeric snowcapped highlands. The state is blessed with some of the most beautiful locations in India. It is believed to be one of the topmost preferred hill stations in India. A plenty of world-class cities and some of the most visited tourist locations are situated in this state, including places like Shimla, Kangra, Kullu etc. A trip to Himachal is just perfect to break the monotony of the busy life. And, a plenty of Himachal tour packages are available to be booked, to plan a fantastic vacation in Himachal Pradesh.

Must Read: Places to Visit in Shimla During Your Trip

Here are some reasons to visit this beautiful state:

  • Spend some time amidst the mountains

Himachal Pradesh is one of the most visited places in India, and there are a lot of reasons which make it an ideal holiday spot. The soaring highlands in Himachal give the perfect hilly feel. Just image, relaxing on the couch in your hotel room, while sighting the beauty of the setting sun is certainly one of the most amazing things to experience in the state. You can also choose to climb the mountains, to explore the beautiful area more profoundly.

  • Spend some moments of peace

Himachal is a very tranquil piece of land. The different parts of Himachal Pradesh are blessed with immaculate quietness. A walk in the serene gardens, or conversations with your loved ones amidst the greenery, Himachal Pradesh offers a plenty of opportunities to enjoy some unforgettable moments in the hills. The place is extremely calm, hence, days spend here, literally rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul. And, several wonderful Himachal tour packages are arranged by various firms, which comprises of everything starting from transportation to food.

  • Experience the regional goodness

Himachal Pradesh is known for some of the most delicious local dishes, and tourists who visit Himachal Pradesh never miss out on relishing some of the tastiest regional dishes of the region. In fact, there are a plenty of local sweets that are extremely unique and scrumptious. Plus, people in Himachal also enjoy the regional folk arts as well. And, while holidaying in Himachal one gets immense opportunities to buy the wonderful local dresses.

Himachal Pradesh is undoubtedly home to a host of stunning tourist destinations in India, and therefore, it is being visited by several people on a regular basis. Plus, the place is nicely connected to the rest of the country, making it easier for people to reach the place.

Must Read: Places to Visit in Kullu Manali this Winter 2021