Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur

About Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur
Keibul Lamjao National Park is located at about 48 kilometers away from Imphal, in the Bishnupur district of Manipur state in north eastern India. The National Park is about 40 square kilometers in area and is the only floating park in the whole world. The Keibul Lamjao National Park forms an integral part of Loktak Lake of Manipur. The greenery of the area and the moderate climate in the Park makes it a pleasant surprise and an interesting option for a family vacation.

Loktak Lake is a fresh water lake, also called as the floating lake because of the floating decomposed plant materials called phumdis in the local language. As this National Park is the natural refuge of the endangered Manipur Eld's Deer / Brow antlered Deer and Sangai also known as the Dancing Deer, this was declared as a Sanctuary in the year 1966. Later the Sanctuary got declared as the National Park in 1977.

The National Park is a swamp which was established by Mann Sharma with floating mass of vegetation. More than two thirds of the park area is formed by Phumdis . There is a water way which passes through the park gives you access through out the year . Boats plying through the lake to the Pabot Hill in the north of the Keibul Lamjao National Park. The swamp which forms the National Park contains three hills namely Pabot, Toya and Chingjao. During monsoon season these hills give refuge to the large mammals.

Apart from the Brow antlered deer there are many other species which are found here some of them are , Hog Deer, Wild boar, Jungle cat, Fox, Bamboo Rat, flying fox, Sambar Musk shrew etc. You can also find amphibians and reptiles like Viper, Krait, Cobra, Asian Rat snake, python,Tortoise and many more. You can also find bird species in this park like Kingfisher, Hill Mynah, North Indian Black Drongos, Indian White-breasted Water hen and Crimson-breasted pied wood pecker and many more.

How to reach Keibul Lamjao National Park?
Imphal, the capital city of Manipur, is the nearest airport. The airport is connected with New Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati. These three airports are connected with almost all the cities in India. The Imphal airport is placed at the heart of the city and you can easily get cabs to reach the National Park.

Nagaland and Manipur State transport buses operate from the towns of Aizwal, Dimapur, Itanagar, Kohima, Shillong and Agartala to the National Park. These buses ply every day and the tariff per seat is Rs 75 to Rs 250. The travel in a bus from Dimapur to Imphal requires approximately 8 hours.

Imphal does not have a railway station. The nearest one to Manipur is at Dimapur which is located at about 215 kilometers and will take about 8 hours of bus journey to reach Imphal. Guwahati , is the next railway station and is located at about 414 kilometers from Imphal.
Trains to Guwahati are available from various parts of India namely, Kanyakumari , Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, New Delhi etc.

About Chandigarh

Chandigarh is one of the 7 union territories in India and is located at the northern part of the country. The city serves as the capital city for both Punjab and Haryana statesbut the city is ruled by the union government and not by either of the two states.

Chandigarh is located at the foothills of the Shivalik ranges of the Great Himalayas.  The city has an area of 114 sq kilometers and placed at an altitude of 321 meters above sea level.

Chandigarh is a well planned city with pretty gardens and well laid roads and is well known for its design and architecture. The name Chandigarh was derived from the name of the Goddess Chandi who is the presiding deity at the Chandi Mandhir in Panchkuta district. 

How to get to Chandigarh?
Chandigarh is well connected by air, rail and by roads.
The airport is located at about 12 kilometers from the centre of the city.
There are two daily run trains connect Delhi and Chandigarh, Shatapthi and Himalayan Queen.

If you are travelling by road, there are two national highways No 21 from Ambala to Kinnaur, No 22 from Chandigarh to Leh connect the city with the Indian network of roads.

Places to visit in Chandigarh
There are Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden, Rose Garden, Leisure valley, Government Museum and Art Gallery, Musical fountain and many more places to visit in Chandigarh. 

National Tiger Reserves in India

Bandipur Tiger Reserve - Karnataka
Buxa Tiger Reserve - West Bengal
Corbett Tiger Reserve - Uttarkhand
Kanha Tiger Reserve - Madhya Pradesh
Manas Tiger Reserve - Assam
Melaghat Tiger Reserve  - Maharashtra
Palamau Tiger Reserve - Jharkhand
Periyar Tiger Reserve - Kerala 
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve - Rajasthan
Sariska Tiger Reserve - Rajasthan
Simlipal Tiger Reserve - Orissa
Sunderbans Tiger Reserve - WestBengal
Indravati Tiger Reserve - Chhattisgarh
Nagarjunasagar Tiger Reserve part - Andhra Pradesh
Ngarjunasagar Tiger Reserve part  - Telengana 
Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve - Uttar Pradesh
Kalakkad - Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve - Tamil Nadu
Valmiki Tiger Reserve - Bihar
Pench Tiger Reserve -  Madhya Pradesh
Pench Tiger Reserve - Maharashtra
Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve - Maharashtra
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve - Madhya Pradesh
Panna Tiger Reserve - Madhya Pradesh
Dampa Tiger Reserve - Mizoram
Bhadra Tiger Reserve - Karnataka
Pakke Tiger Reserve - Arunachal Pradesh
Nameri Tiger Reserve - Assam
Satpura Tiger Reserve - Madhya Pradesh
Anamalai ( Indira Gandhi) Tiger Reserve - Tamil Nadu
Udanti - Sitanadi Tiger Reserve- Chhattisgarh
Satkosia Tiger Reserve - Orissa
Kaziranga Tiger Reserve - Assam
Achanakmar Tiger Reserve - Chhattisgarh
Dandeli- Anshi Tiger Reserve - Karnataka
Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve - Madhya Pradesh
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve - Tamil Nadu
Nagahole ( Rajiv Gandhi ) Tiger Reserve - Karnataka
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve - Kerala
Sahyadri Tiger Reserve - Maharashtra
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve - UttarPradesh
Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Sanctuary - Karnataka
Kawal Tiger Reserve - Telegana
Mukundra Hills - Rajasthan
Bor Tiger Reserve - Maharashtra
Nawegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve - Maharashtra
Kudremukh
Satyamangalam - Tamil Nadu

Yelagiri, a trekkers destination in Tamil Nadu

Yelagiri is a popular hill station in the state of Tamil Nadu located on the Vaniambadi - Thirpattur road, surrounded by orchards, rose-gardens, and green valleys.
 Yelagiri hills is known for its salubrious climate throughout the year with an  altitude of about 1410.6 meters above sea level.
Tourists throng the place for trekkings. Swamimalai hill in Yelagiri is a well known destination for trekkers. In Yelagiri there are 14 small villages and many temples on the various hills of the region.
The highest point in Yelagiri is the Swamimalai hills standing at about 4338 feet. There is a Murugan Koil in the hills  and view from the summit is very beautiful.

How to reach Yelagiri?
Yelagiri hills are well connected by road from Chennai and Bangalore.
Chennai and Bangalore international airports and Thituchirapalli domestic airport are the nearest airports to reach Yelagiri.

Jolarpettai Junction is the nearest railway junction at about 20 kilometers from Yelagiri. You can get buses / taxis from the station to reach Yelagiri. Buses are also available from Thiruppattur, Salem and Hosur. 
By Road
From Chennai you can travel via Sriperumbudur, Vellore, Ambur, Vaniambadi on the Chennai Bangalore highway.
From Bangalore you can travel via NH 7, by the hosur road towards Krishnagiri.
While you drive by road there are 14 hairpin bends on the ghat section to Yelagiri.


Contact for more details
Forest Range Office - 04179 220185

Accommodation facilities in and around Yelagiri

Hotel Landmark
Boat House Road, Athanavur,
Opp: Murugan Temple,
Yelagiri Hills,
Tamil Nadu 635853
For Bookings:
Mobile : 9884608071 / 9444990325
Email: hlmyelagiri@gmail.com
Website: www.landmarkyelagiri.com

Yelagiri Hills Country Club
For Bookings, call - 04179-245290/ 04179-245457

Chariot Valley - 08939844511 / 04179245301
Kumararaja Palace - 04179 245325
Emerald Dove - 04179 245264
Madhura Resort - 09840544894
PWD IB - 04179 245222
YMCA Dormitories - 245226
Hotel O Nila- 04179 245371
Taj Gardens - 04179-245231/245445 /08423-245231

Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh

About Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary
Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary has been declared Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve in the year 1983 by the Government of India. This Sanctuary has a nature of true wilderness and a captivating beauty with lush green vegetation as well as impenetrable pristine and virgin forests. The National park covers an area of 1985 square kilometers and has various varieties of flora and fauna. This National Park and a Tiger Reserve lies at the international border between India and Myanmar, but within the Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh, one of the seven states in the northeastern parts of India.
Namdapha National Park has the richest diversity maybe in the whole of Indian sub continent since it has the great altitudinal variations one could find that is from 4500 meters at Daphabum which is the highest to the 200 meters in the lowest of valleys.

Noa Dehing, Deban and the Namdapha are the rivers flowing in the area and you can see tropical rainforests in the valleys, with huge Hollock, Hollong and Mekal trees along with giant creepers namely, tall and dense Cane and Bamboo. There are deciduous forests and alpine forests in the higher regions which shows tht Namdapha is a botanical haven.

There are more than 150 tree species, flowers and orchids in the National Park. Blue vanda one of the rarest of Orchid species can be seen here

Tourist attractions in and around Namdapha Firm base, located at about 25 kilometers from the Deban Forest Lodge, on the Noa Dehing river, is a popular camping site. The base camp is nestled amidst beautiful and spectacular natures splendours. The track leads to an idyllic spot whih is surrounded by dense and luxurious forests. You can see birds of various species as well as some of the wild animals on the way to the camp. All the necessary equipments and guides are provided by the forest department for camping in the area.

Deban is a beautiful forest camp which is located on the bank of the river Noa Dehing and is placed within the boundary of the Namdapha National park. The place is ideal for trekking, hiking and angling on the river Noa Dehing. The forest bungalow is surrounded by evergreen forest is a place worth staying. It will be n experience you will find memorable.

Hornbill located at about9 kilometers from Deban is the homing ground for the hornbills . You can see lots and lots of these birds flying from one place to the other.

Camera Point is a camping site which offers you a vantage point for taking photographs of the wonderful and breathtaking views of the Namdapha landscape.

Gandhigram, located at about 120 kilometers from Deban, is placed on the southeast periphery of the National Park Namdapha. This is the last village in India which is wedged between China and Myanmar. This is also the home of the Lisu / Yobin tribe. Those who are interested in trekkng can try out a week long trek through these lush and dense jungles.

How to reach Namdapha National Park?
Dibrugarh is the nearest airport and Tinsukia is the nearest Railway station. Buses ply from from Dibrugarh to Miao regularly via Tinsukia, Margherita, Ledo, Jagun and Kharsang. Miao is an attractive little township on the banks of the river Dehing in the Changlang district of the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Miao town is the entry point for the Namdapha National Park, which is about 160 kilometers from Dibrugarh.

By Air
Nearest Airport is located at Mohanbari in Dibrugarh of the state of Assam which is about 182 kilometers from The Forest Rest House in Deban, within the Namdapha National Park area.

By Rail
The nearest main Railway station is Tinsukia, in the state of Assam, 141 kilometers from Forest Rest House, Deban, which is located within the Namdapha National Park area and the nearest Passenger Railway station is Margherita Railway Station in Assam at about 91 kilometers from Forest Rest House, Deban.

By Road
You can find good and motorable road connecting other towns and cities with the town Miao, which is entry point of the Namdapha National Park. The Forest Rest House, Deban is located within the Namdapha National Park area and is about 186 kilometers away from Dibrugarh, 141 kilometers away from Tinsukia, 91 kilometers from Margherita and 136 kilometers from the district headquarter Changlang.

The best way to reach Miao and then to Deban will be by Jeeps and Gypsies as it would be better to have your own vehicle to go to Namdapha. Taxis and other private cabs might prove very costly for the trip.

The best time to visit Namdapha National Park and the Tiger Reserve will be October to April that is after the North east monsoon season.

Languages spoken and understood in the surrounding areas are Tangsa, Singpho, Assamese, Hindi and English.

Indravati National Park, Chhattisgarh

About Indravati National Park
Indravathi National is the one and only Tiger Reserve and is located in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, in India. The park gets its name Indravathi from the river Indravathi which flows flowing from east to west forms the northern boundary of the park with the state of Maharashtra .

The area of the park is approximately 2800 square kilometers. The Indravathi park was declared a National park in 1981 and a Tiger Reserve in 1983. After the park was declared as a tiger reserve under the Project Tiger of India , it became one of the most famous tiger reserves of India

The altitude of the Park is from 177 to 599 m above the sea level and it has become famous for its unique and diverse wildlife and bird species including some of the most endangered species such as Wild Buffalos and Hill Mynas.

Beautiful hill ranges with lush green vegetation and unique and varied wildlife makes the park " a must see " for a tourist and a wild life enthusiast.

Flora and fauna of the National Park
The major wildlife in Indravati National Park include the endangered Wild Buffalos, Barasinghas, Tigers, Leopards, Gaurs (Indian Bison), Nilgai, Sambar, Chausingha (four-horned Antelope), Sloth Bear, Dhole (Wild Dog), Striped Hyena, Muntjac, Wild Boar, Flying Squirrel, Porcupine, Pangolins, Monkeys and Langurs among many others. The commonly found reptiles in the park are Freshwater Crocodile, Monitor Lizard, Indian Chameleon, Common Krait, Indian Rock Python, Cobra and Russell's Viper to name a few. The Park also gives shelter to the large variety of birds of which Hill Maina is the most important species here.

How to Reach the Park?
By Air: Raipur is the nearest Airport which is 486 kilometers away and the railway station is Jagdalpur which is 168 kilometers away.The Village Kutrue is the entry point to the Indravathi national park and the link road is situated at a distance of 146 kms kilometers from jagdalpur on the jagdalpur - Bhopalpattinam Road. From the Village Kutrue it is still 22- 23 kilomters to reach the park. It would be betterif you can hire a car from the railway station at Jagdalpur.

By rail: The nearest railway station will be Jagdalpur which is the district headquarters.

The nearest bus stand for Indravati National Park is Bijapur and the town is well connected from different parts of the state.

Best time to visit the National Park:
You can visit the park at any time of the year, but would be better to avoid the rainy days of the North east Monsoon and southwest monsoons. As such December to June will be the best time to visit the place.

Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary

Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, is one of the well known tourist destinations, where one can enjoy nature and the wildlife at the same time. 

Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary has an area of 591 square kilometers and was established in the year 1978. located at about 50 kilometers  from Rajahmundry in the district of Khammam of the state of Andhra Pradesh. The  Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary represents the tropical forest on the eastern ghats of the India.

You can find a wide variety of plants and shrubs grow and that make the vegetation of the place rich and vibrant, other than the fauna in the park. 

Trees like Tectona grandis, Tominalias, Tomentosa, Lagerstroemis Lanceolata, Albizzia and others are found in the park. Other than Tigers and Leopards one can find Spotted Deer, Antelopes, Sambar, Hyena, Sloth Bear, Muggers and Gharials. 

The Wildlife Sanctuary has an environmental education center and Museum located inside to develop the interest and taste for wildlife among the students and the other visitors . Safaris and river trips are arranged regularly on the river Godavari. 

The months after monsoon that is from November to June  will be the best time to visit the wildlife Sanctuary. 

How to Reach Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary?

Hyderabad will be the nearest international airport to reach the Sanctuary. From there you can get cabs, trains and buses to reach Rajahmundhry which is about 50 kilometers away from the Park. 

Rajahmundry is the nearest railway station. Tourists can reach the sanctuary by road  as it is just about 50 kilometers away from Rajahmundry. 

From Rajamundhry local jeeps, buses or rented cabs are the options that one can use to reach the Sanctuary.

Accommodation Facilities in  and around the Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary.

Forest rest house at Rajamundry is the nearest accommodation facility near the forest area. You can also stay in Rajamundhry and drive to the wildlife sanctuary as a day excursion.

Other tourist destinations like Maredumilli and Kannapuram have few guest houses that provide the overnight stay facilities to the visitors.

 

Some of the hotels in Rajahmundhry are
River Bay
KEI, RajaMahendhri ResortPLtd
5-1-36to 43, River Bay oad,Near Gouthami Ghat
Rajahmundhy, Andhra Pradesh - 533101
TEl : 91 883 2447000
Fax : 91 883 2447006
EMail : fom@riverbay.co.in
Website: http://www.riverbay.co.in/

2. Anand Regency Hotel
26-3-7, Jampet
Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh,
Pincode- 533103
Phones: 0883 2461201
Email : info@hotelanandregency.com
Url: http://www.hotelanandregency.com