Attraction, Europe, Ukraine

Kolomyya

Kiev is the capital city of Ukraine and a great travel destination. Kiev has so many attractions and historical sites for the visitors to explore. You need ample time if you want to explore Kiev in detail. Some famous tourist attractions in Kiev which on your Kiev Tour Package you must explore are Kiev Perchersk Lavra, Saint Sophia’s Cathedral, Golden Gate, Mikhail Bulgakov museum and more. But in this article will explore another sparkling place in Ukriane and it is Kolomyya.  Kolomyya is a city located in western Ukraine and it is a great tourist attraction in Ukraine.  Kolomyya is famous for its architectural monuments. So all those travelers who love to explore monuments in different cities around the world must be here and also others who come to Ukraine on a Ukraine Tour Package must visit Kolomyya. Why? So let us explore this beautiful tourist attraction Kolomyya in Ukraine, a bit more.

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Kolomyya is old and it is beleived it was founded in 4th century and it is known as a symbol of a rebirth of forgotten places, the pearl of the soul of the Hutsul region. The city got mentioned first by the Hypatian Chronicle in 1240 and in 1241 in the Galician-Volhynian Chronicle. Kolomyya belonged to Poland from 1349 to 1569. In 1498, the Turks and Valkhs destroyed the city. After that, they plundered Pokutye almost every year. In 1502 and 1505, Kolomyia was burnt, and, in 1589, it was almost completely destroyed. Howeve Kolomyya remained and today Kolomyya is located on the Prut River in the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast and Kolomyya is district center of Ivano-Frankivsk.

Kolomyya has lot of tourist attractions. It has nice and orderly streets, numerous buildings of 19th and 20th centuries with great decoration and you can easily observe city character heavily expressed by Austro-Hungarian buildings. If you love to explore art work of a place then you should visit Kolomyya. You will see great wooden art work, pottery, painting and iconography on glasses here. You can see some big collection of such works in Ukraine which dates back to 16th century. Then comes the real attraction of Kolomyya and it is the museums of Kolomyya. You can see rare collections of archaeology of Trypillian culture of 2nd and 3rd millennia B.C. Two major ones among these are The Museum of Pysanka (Easter egg) and museum of Hutsulshchyna.

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The specialty of world’s only museum of Pysanka is that it has unique collection of miniature traditional paintings of Ukraine done on Easter eggs. It was specially constructed for keeping and exhibiting the works of pysanka painting. The museum is in the form of a huge Easter egg. Pysanka is a hen or goose egg painted using a special technology. The museum has more than 6000 exhibits which include works from Russia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and countries of Western Europe and America. Museum of Hutsulshchyna is special because it’s building was laid down before the world war I. This was built in 1902 and is a 3 storey building. The museum has over 30,000 items on exhibition and you can see some rare works of valuable folk art of Hutsul and Pokuttia regions of Western Ukraine.

Few other places of interest in Kolomyya are The wooden church of Annunciation, The Catholic church of Virgin Mary, The Town Hall and The Gymnasium of Grushevskiy. For all shopping lovers The Souvenir Market Hutsulshchyna is a great place where you can buy unique products of local craftsmen like leather, fur, ceramic, wood and metal handicrafts. To appreciate the true master piece work in every house you should walk on Teatralna Street which is a true paradise for those who love Viennese Art.

You will love every part of Kolomyya as the city is full of great architecture. Every building, churches, museums and streets create a beautiful view here. So on your Ukraine Tour Package or Kiev Tour Package you should go to Kolomyya and explore the great old art and architectures.

Attraction, Europe, Ukraine

Kamyanets – Podilisky

Ukraine is a bustling tourist attraction. Tourists from all parts of the world come to Ukraine now and explore this wonderful country. Ukraine is gifted with great mountain ranges like Carpathian Mountains where one can enjoy skiing, hiking, fishing and hunting. During the summers you can walk along the coastline of Black sea for a good vacation. Ukraine have ruins of ancient castles, historical parks, churches and more. Kiev, Odesa, and Lviv are some most famous cities in Ukraine where tourists come for some great travel experience and sight seeing. There is another city in Ukraine which is one of the oldest cities in Ukraine and is considered of great importance for its great culture.  This is Kamyanets-Podilisky. Kamyanets-Podilisky is a city in western Ukraine on the Smotrych River.  The city is culturally rich because all those people who lived here brought their culture and architecture along. One can see the examples of it which include Polish, Ruthenian and Armenian markets. You are suggested to visit the city on your Ukraine tour package. Let us see what makes Kamyanets-Podilisky worth visiting?

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Kamyanets-Podilisky is one of the oldest cities in Ukraine and is a phenomenon of a great cultural heritage. You can see great example s of miracles on stone in this rocky city which was created by well known and anonymous masters over thousand years. This rocky island Kamyanets-Podilisky is skirted by Somtrych River which flows in a picturesque canyon and this canyon where many activities can be done attracts lot of tourists. The canyon at River Smotrych looks absolutely beautiful. Other than the canyon some major attractions of Kamyanets-Podilisky are Ancient castle, various architectural attractions which include the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Holy Trinity Church, The city hall building and several fortifications. This is the reason why in the Western Ukraine the city has grown its stature as a tourist destination in Ukraine. You can explore the mysticism of the city as the actual age of the city has not been ascertained so far. Some annual festivals in the city of Kamyanets-Podilisky also attract lot of visitors. Annual Cossack games and festivals in which open ballooning championship of Ukraine is included, Car racing event,various music, art and drama activities make the city a happening place for tourists and attract thousands of people from different parts of the world. Tourism supports the local economy in a big way.

So the main two attractions of Kamyanets-Podilisky along with other are Kamyanets-Podilisky castle and the canyon over Smotrych River. Kamyanets-Podilisky castle dates back to the early part of 14th century which was initially built to protect the bridge that connected the city with the mainland. The castle stood as natural defense system because it sits at the top of the peninsula created by Smotrych River. The castle had 12 towers but today only few of them remain unscathed. So you must explore this medieval castle where interiors and exteriors both offer a lot to the visitors. Go inside the towers and catch some beautiful views and don’t forget to enjoy the local food here. Second is canyon over Smotrych River which creates picturesque view for the viewers. Ballooning activities in the canyon of Smotrych River brings lot of tourists here.

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As you know, that Ukraine is a great travel destination and has some great travel places for the travelers. So when you are planning for a Ukraine Tour Package or a Kiev Tour Package then do think and include Kamyanets-Podilisky as one of your travel sites in Ukraine to explore. You can take bus, train or a car from Kiev to reach Kamyanets-Podilsiky. It is an easy route to get there as the infrastructure is quite developed. So get to the historical city called Kamyanets-Podilisky and have a good time here.

Armenia, Attraction, Eurasia, Yerevan

The Cascades – Yerevan

Armenia is becoming a popular travel destination every year. Armenia is one of the most ancient countries the region of Caucasus which is famous for both cultural tourism and adventure tourism. Armenia is unique country as it offers lot of exciting places to visitors despite being a small country in size. The uniqueness of the country Armenia is that it has in abundance the picturesque mountain landscapes, historical sights, fine cuisines and multiple of exciting places to see. One cannot think of a fulfilled Armenia tour unless he sees the ancient city Yerevan. Yerevan offers you plenty of excitement. You can enjoy here the cozy atmosphere, unique architecture, museums, and beautifully designed restaurants and cafes with great food. In Yerevan you can visit the city center where there is majestic Republic Square, Opera and Ballet Theater, and modern Northern Avenue and more places. So you see that on your Yerevan tour package you have lot of things to explore. In this article we will explore another thing to explore in Yerevan, Armenia and this is Yerevan Cascade or The Great Cascade, Yerevan. This is a beautiful structure and unique one. Let us explore Yerevan Cascade.

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Yerevan Complex is a complex of massive staircase with fountains. The Cascade is a happening place for both youth and old for a good time .You can enjoy to have a cup of tea, coffee and eating a bite here. You can also enjoy the outdoor concerts here and have a great view of it from up on the Cascade staircase. Many events like Jazz, musical guitar and others take place here. So, not just the day time but night time is also great at the Yerevan Cascade. So what is the Cascade? Cascade is a giant stairway in Yerevan and it links the downtown Kentron area of the city with the monument neighborhood. The construction of the Cascade started in 1971 during the Soviet period and first phase was completed in 1980. After that second phase started in 2002 and went till 2009 and there was a plan to construct a museum but it has not completed so far as the work was frozen in early years only. Also some stairs work did not finish. Cascade is an example of unique architecture. It is a system of huge staircase which connects the downtown area to the residential areas located at highs in the mountains. Inside the Cascade under the exterior steps there are escalators going to the length of the complex. Along the escalators there are some rooms composing Cafesjian Museum of Art. At the exterior of Cascade, you have multiple levels of stairs with fountains and sculptures. From the stairs of Cascade you can have unobstructed view of Yerevan and Mount Ararat. In the Yerevan city, The Cascade is located at the start of Tamanyan Street gardens and pedestrian zone. At the foot of the Cascade there is Tamanyan Monument and near the monument there is an amusing sculpture named “the Black Cat”.

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So you see that Yerevan Cascade is a cool place to be at in Yerevan. It is a unique architecture and looks beautiful also. In and around Yerevan Cascade you can also enjoy visiting Cafesjian Center of the Art which is an art museum in Yerevan located at the Kentron. Apart from this, walk up the stairs and enjoy fountains around at all levels. From the stairs, enjoy the great view of Yerevan city and of course you must enjoy the events taking place here. Yerevan offers you a great time when you land to this capital city of Armenia on your Armenia Travel Package.

Attraction, Bishkek, Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan

Museum of Fine Arts – Bishkek

Kyrgyzstan is land for travelers. One who comes to Kyrgyzstan goes back with best memories after seeing heavenly paradise. And when you want to look for beautiful architecture and culture of old time Kyrgyzstan Bishkek is the city you land to. One place where you can take the note of ancient Kyrgyzstan is State History Museum which we explored in our last article. There is another such museum where you can observe elements of Kyrgyz people, art, culture and Russian art of Soviet Period. This is Museum of Fine Arts in Bishkek city in Kyrgyzstan. So those who love to explore the details of elements which played an important role in the ancient times of a place should visit Museum of Fine arts when they are on a Bishkek tour package. You should take some time out to enter and explore Museum of Fine arts. Why? Let us see what is there for you at Museum of Fine Arts in Bishkek.

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Bishkek is the first city you come to when you are on your Kyrgyzstan tour package. Bishkek is beautiful and around Bishkek city also you have many places to visit and one of them is famous and beautiful Issyk Kul Lake. So when you have a good time in Bishkek, add Museum of Fine Arts to your list. Museum of Fine Arts is dedicated to Kyrgyz Fold and applied arts and Russian art of Soviet times. Initially the museum was located in St. Nicholas Church in Oak Park and in the beginning it was state picture gallery. Today Museum of Fine Arts houses the gallery of Soviet Artist’s union. The modern museum’s building was built in 1974 as a part of overall capital city development project. Museum is named after famous Kyrgyz painter Gaper Aitiev and you can see several of his paintings in the museum. Museum features yurts, unchanging shyrdaks along with other things. Museum exhibits several masterpieces of National Arts and the collection of items of paintings, drawings, traditional decorative and applied arts in exhibit is over 17,500. When you are here you can see collection of artwork of Soviet period, work of Egyptian and Greek reproduction, classical western sculptures and more epic collections in the Museum of Fine arts, Bishkek. You can take a walk in the gallery here where painting from Soviet period is on display. You can also see collection of lino cuts by Hertzen based on the Manas epic. So the uniqueness of the museum is that it is a mix of Kyryz national art and Soviet modern art and every visitor can find something very interesting here. As you wind through the museum you can see the progression of medium and expression and ideology behind the works in all the items like Shyrdak carpets, intricate jewelry, sculptures, paintings which wander from romantic seascapes to social realities. So exploring the finer details of all works would be interesting for you as you would come to know about both temporal and political history.

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Museum of Fine Arts is located in the center of Bishkek city on the Sovetskaia Street 196 and remains open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday between 9 AM to 5 PM. So when you are in Kyrgyzstan having a great time in Bishkek, do explore some museums of Bishkek city. One is State History Museum where you can observe about every thing of ancient Kyrgyzstan and when you want to know about the modern Kyrgyzstan then do visit Museum of Fine Arts in Bishkek. Your Kyrgyzstan tour package or Bishkek tour package should include Museum of Fine Arts, Bishkek if you love to explore such places on your trip.

Attraction, Bishkek, Central Asia, culture, Kyrgyzstan

State History Museum – Bishkek

Kyrgyzstan is a popularly growing tourist destination in Central Asia region. In Kyrgyzstan there are many natural sites to visit and Issyk Kul Lake comes first to any one’s mind when we talk about natural paradise in Kyrgyzstan. Song Kol Lake, Karakol, Fairy Tale Canyon, Sary Chelek Biosphere reserve and Konorchek Canyon are some of the God’s gifted places in Kyrgyzstan which are must see when one is on a Kyrgyzstan tour package. Apart from the Bishkek is the most popular city in Kyrgyzstan which attracts thousands of visitors every year. Bishkek is a historical city which has its own color, architecture, culture and many elements which draw travelers to explore the city. In this article we will see a place in Bishkek which is State History Museum and it is a site which you should visit when you are here on a Bishkek Tour Package. When you come to Kyrgyzstan first city you visit is Bishkek, so when you are in Bishkek you have plenty of places to see and one of those should be State history museum. Let us explore State History Museum in Bishkek a bit more.

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State history museum is located at the Ala too square which is a popular site in Bishkek. This main city square is a vast expanse of concrete that the site of frequent political demonstrations and regular festivals.  At night many vendors set up photograph and karaoke booths, and there’s a synchronized sound and light show in time with the fountains. Ala too square offers you a great time when you are here. You can sense the grandeur of this area. You can enjoy this place which is full of fountains and has a huge flag surrounded by huge buildings. At this popular Ala Too Square is State history museum. This museum was earlier called the Lenin Museum. The museum has quite a few attractions to offer to visitors. You get the opportunity to see some exhibits of rock paintings, the Bronze Age household items, nomad jewelry as old as dating from the 1st century to the 5th century AD, Turkic stone collection, Talas stones which has runic inscriptions, old time ceramics, several glass and metal items and there are also number of ancient coins which you can see.

The museum has 3 stories. Ground floor houses temporary exhibits while first floor houses permanent exhibits depicting natural and political history of the country and Soviet heritage. In the State history Museum you can also observe extensive collection of ethnographic objects belonging to late 19th century and early part of 20th century. These collections also include wool and wood work of Kyrgyz craftsmen of those times, knitting and embroidery works, Kyrgyz national costumes, and traditional women’s jewelry. So you see that State history museum takes you back to old Kyrgyzstan and you can observe all elements of old Kyrgyzstan. This is fascinating especially for those who love to explore historical part of a place. There is statue of Lenin on the south side. This museum sits between Ala-Too Square and the Parliament building. So you can have a good time at Ala Too Square and visiting State History Museum will add to your good experience when you leave this place.

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The State History Museum m in Bishkek is open for visitors from Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 AM to 15:00 PM. When you come to explore the Bishkek city, you should explore State History Museum on your Bishkek tour packages.

Adventure, Asia, Attraction, Desitination, Hill station, India, North India

Hill Stations in Himalayas – II

In the last article we explored some of the famous hill stations in Himalayas like Shimla, Manali, Mussoorrie, Dharamshala and Nainital. In this article we will see some other famous hill stations in Himalayas in India. Ladakh and Spiti valley in the upper regions of Himalaya we have explored as they are one of the most beautiful places not just in India but in the entire world. Other hill stations in Himalayas are easily accessible and thousand s of tourists visit them during a year from all parts of the country and the world. Weather, natural beauty, food, people, adventure and much more comes in a single package when you visit these hill stations in Himalayas in India.

Rishikesh

Rishikesh is located in Uttrakhnad and is quite a hot destination for people who seek spirituality or adventure or both at one place. Rishikesh is located in the lower region of Himalaya and is the connecting point to some pilgrimages in the Himalayas like Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. These four pilgrimages are also popularly known as Char Dham. People come to Rishikesh for Spiritual retreat as Rishikesh along with Haridwar has a special place in India. Both are considered quite a sacred place and river Ganga plays an important role in this. But even if you are not for spirituality, Rishikesh is a happening place for adventure lovers and those who just want to spend some peaceful time also find Rishikesh a place to be. Rishikesh is 6-7 hour journey from Delhi by Road. For adventure lovers River rafting, Bunjee jumping, camping, trekking are some activities they love to explore here. Some of the main tourist attractions of Rishikesh are Lakshman Jhula, Swarg Ashram, Triveni Ghat, Gita Bhawan and more.

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Kullu

Kullu is another famous tourist destination and hill station in Himalayas. Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh and on the bank of Beas River Kullu is a broad open valley which is formed by Beas River between Manali and Largi. Kullu is a famous place for its temples, picturesque beauty and its majestic hills covered with forest where you will find pine, deodar and sprawling apple orchards. Kullu valley is placed in such a way that it is sandwiched between Pir Panjal, Lower Himalaya and great Himalayan ranges. Kullu is famous for sightseeing and also for shopping. You can see main tourist attractions here of Kullu which are Kali Bari temple, Raghunath Temple, Mahadevi Tirth Temple,Raisoon, Shoja, Nggar and Bijli Mahadev Temple. You can shop here in famous Akhara Bazaar where you can shop woolens made by locals. You can reach Kullu from Delhi via road and the nearest airport is at Bhuntar Town. Kullu Holi is quite famous and is celebrated for two days.

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Dalhousie

Dalhousie is yet another famous tourist destination and hill station in Himalayas. Dalhousie is in Chamba District in Himachal Pradesh and when you visit Dharamshala, you can go 92 KM more to reach Dalhousie. Dalhousie is located at the height of 1,970 m above the sea level and is situated on 5 hills. You will see colonial touch in Dalhousie in its buildings and architectures. Like other hill stations Dalhousie also has many tourist attractions. Some of them are Dainkund Peak, Khajjar, Bakrota Hills, Village Lohali, Dalhousie Cantonment, Sadar Bazaar, Tibetan Market, Panchpula, Kalatop Forest and Salooni. If you want to enjoy majestic views in Dalhousie then you must go to Alla which is a potato field and offers mesmerizing landscape views and if you are looking for breathtaking views then you should go to Salooni which is 50 KM from Dalhousie.

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Darjeeling

Darjeelling is in the eastern part of India. Darjeeling is in the state of West Bengal and is a dream tourist destination and hill station in Himalaya. Darjeeling is located at the height of 2,042 m above the sea level. Darjeeling is famous for its Tea industry and superb views of Kangchenjunga which is the world’s 3rd highest mountain and Darjeeling Himalayan Railway which is a World UNESCO World Heritage Site. Darjeeling has seen thousands of foreign visitors every year. Another famous attraction of Darjeeling is Toy Train. In Darjeeling you can see British Style school buildings and you can experience varied culture here. You will be lured by amazing and dazzling snow capped peaks of Kangchenjunga. Then there are beautiful tea gardens, the orchids, pines and Cute Himalayan Toy Train which when whistles passing through mountains gives you a feel of majestic music. Along with great sight seeing experience you will also enjoy the food and shopping in Darjeeling.

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Gangtok

Gangtok is another hill station in India which is quite famous among domestic and foreign visitors. Gangtok is the capital city of Sikkim. Gangtok is located in the Eastern Himalayan range and is located at the height of 1,650 m above the sea level. Gangtok is like a fairy-tale land with its flowing rivers, snow capped hills, and lush rice terraces. The main places of attraction are Tsuk-La-Khang monastery, Lal bazaar, Dul-Dul Chorten and Jhang Club Chortan, Institute of Tibetology, etc. Among the nearby places there is Rumtek Monastery, Tashiding Monastery, Pemayangtse Monastery,Yuksom, Mangan to name a few. Gangtok also offers magnificent views of Kangchenjunga and Gangtok is one of the most beautiful hill stations not only in India but in the entire world. Gangtok is a paradise in the northeast part of India.

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So these are few other popular hill stations or tourist attractions in Himalayas in India. Though there are more hill stations in Himalayas but for now we can close with these. These are popular anyway so anyone who is on a India tour must visit these hill stations in Himalaya.

Asia, Attraction, Desitination, Hill station, India, North India

Hill stations in Himalayas – I

Himalaya has been a sense of wonder for people from across the Globe for centuries. Travelers from India and all parts of the world continuously visit India especially for Himalaya tours. Over the years several hill stations in Himalaya attract hundreds of visitors with modern infrastructure in place. Shimla, Nainital, Dharamshala, Manali, Mussoorie, Ladakh, Rishikesh are some very popular hill stations in Himalayas in India. As there are several popular hill stations in Himalayas in this article we will try to cover some of them and some more in next article. These hill stations are popular tourist destinations in India.

Shimla

Shimla is an absolute beauty. Known as one of the God’s gifted land this hill station in Himalaya attracts tourists all round the year. The hill station is famous for its panoramic beauty. Shimla is the capital city in beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh in northern part of India. Located at the height of 2,159 m above the sea level, Shimla has numerous beautiful sites to see. Some of them are Mall road, Christ church, Kufri, Narkanda, Green valley, Himalayan Nature Park, sankat Mochan temple, Chail Palace etc. One can go to Shimla from Delhi and the nearest railway station is Kalka which is 90 KM away from Shimla. You can also go by air. The nearest airport is Chandigarh. Green pasture and snow capped peaks of Himalay entice visitors. You can also go for mountain activities in and around Shimla like trekking, horse riding, Bike Riding, River Rafting, Paragliding, Skiing, Camping and much more. Shimla is also a great destination for Honeymoon. Kalka Toy Train is also one of the major attractions of this beautiful hill station.

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Manali

Manali is another famous hill station in Himalaya in Himachal Pradesh, India. Manali is surrounded by majestic Himalaya and woody forests. Manali has grabbed the attention of tourists from all parts of the world and is now one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. The major attractions of Manali are Rohtang Pass and Solnag Valley. Rohtang Pass is covered with snow for whole year and is an exciting experience. One who loves to rejuvenate in the lap of nature must visit Manali and spend some great time here. Manali is at the height of 6260 feet above sea level in the Himalaya. Manali offers lot of activities for adventure lovers. Trekking, Paragliding, Skiing, Zorbing, Water rafting and such adventurous activities fascinate hundreds of visitors. Manali is close to another famous place Kullu. One can take a bus or hire a cab from Delhi to get to Manali and one can go nd enjoy in Manali for 12 months of a year.

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Dharamshala

Dharamshal is a nature’s gift located in Himalaya in the state of Himachal Pradesh. One who is on a trip of Himachal Pradesh or on a North India tour must visit Dharamshala. 185 KM away from Shimla the weather of Dharamshala is pleasing almost for the full year. Snow capped mountains in this hill station must be seen especially in winters. Some of the major attractions of Dharamshala are Kangra Art Museum, Dharamshala Cricket stadium, Chintpurni Temple, St. John in the wilderness church, Kareri Lake, Namgyal Monastery and more. The Colorful temples and Gompas attract hundreds of visitors. Food here is also superb as is in the other hill stations in Himalayas. Reaching Dharamshala from Delhi is easy by bus and Cab. One can be easily mesmerized by dense pines trees and deodar forests that surround Dharamshala. Adventure activities like Trekking, Camping, and Paragliding etc. can be enjoyed by all the adventure lovers.

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Nainital

Nainital is in another Himalaya state Uttrakhand in India. Quite close to Delhi, Nainital is an absolutely popular hill station and tourist destination in India. Located at the altitude of 1,938 m Nainital is in the hills of Kumaon in Uttrakhand. Nainital is a beautiful travel destination which is surrounded by mountains from 3 sides. Nainital is famously known as City of lakes. Some major attractions of Nainital are Naina Peak, Raj Bhawan, Kilbury, Naini Lake, Eco Cave Garden, The Mall Road, Naina Devi Temple, Snow View Point, Jeolikot, Himalaya View Point, Land’s End and Hanuman Garhi etc. Here you get great panoramic view of snow capped Himalaya from Naina Peak. Like other hill stations here also you can do lot of adventure activities like Trekking, Paragliding, Horse Riding etc. Reaching Nainital from Delhi is quite easy and can be accessed by both road and train.

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Mussoorrie

Mussoorie is also in the state of Uttrakhand in India, another popular hill station in Himalaya. Mussoorie is in Garhwali hills located only 34 Km away from capital city Dehradun of Uttrakhand. Mussoorie is located 2,500 m above from the sea level. Mussoorie is famous for its immense natural beauty among visitors and that is the reason why it is also called the queen of hill stations. Its natural beauty is a visual treat for nature lovers and onlookers. The One can enjoy the view of contemporary bungalows, beautiful gardens and malls here. These are the main reason for tourist attraction. Some of the main tourist attractions in Mussoories are Lal Tibba, Municipal Gardens, Kempty Falls, Gun Hill, etc. Also nearby attraction from Mussoorie are Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Sahastra Dhara, etc. One can enjoy adventure activities also and all those newly wed couples find Mussoorie a great Honeymoon destination also.

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These are only 5 major hill stations in Himalayas in India. In the next article we will see few more beautiful hill stations from Himalayas in India. Every nature and adventure lovers from all round the world who are on India travel package must see these famous and beautiful hill stations.

Almaty, Central Asia, Kazakhstan

Zenkov Cathedral of Holy Ascension in Almaty

Do you love unique places to see when you are on a trip? Do yo get fascinated by historical places? If yes then there is one such place in Almaty, Kazakhstan which is blend of both. Zenkov Cathedral of Holy Ascension which is also knonwn as Svyato-Voznesensky cathedral is over a century old cathedral and is unique because it is made completely of woods. Almaty has lot of attractions for tourists and you can easily add Zenkov when you are on an Almaty tour package. Almaty is a bustling city in Kazakhstan and is seeing growth in tourism every year as the city has now world class infrastructure and can be easily compared with any European city. Indian travelers on an Almaty tour package from India have plenty of options here to when it comes to sightseeing and shopping. So Zenkov Cathedral should be there in your must see places list in Almaty. Let us know more about this historic and unique cathedral in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

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You know that Panvilov Park is an exciting place in Almaty for tourists. In this park is located Zenkov cathedral. This cathedral is unique because it is probably only cathedral in the world which is made of wooden completely. Another uniqueness of the cathedral is that it is built without using any nails. Yet another uniqueness of the cathedral is that it has survived major earthquake in the region which is attributed to the architect quality of the cathedral. How the cathedral came into existence? In 1903 the bishops of Turkestan and Tashkent, Paisii (Vinogradov) laid the foundation of the church. Then construction took place and between 1904 and 1907 it lasted. The church was designed by best engineers and architects of the time K.A. Borisoglebskiy, N.I. Stepanov, S.K. Troparevskiy and A.P. Zenkov. The building of the church was erected as per a unique technology in which no nails were used. That’s why this cathedral which has five domes and three aisles with a built in bell tower is among the top 8 highest buildings of the world which are completely wooden made. Interior of the church was also worked by famous and brilliant Russian artist and painter N.G. Khludov. The inner structure was made in the artistic workshops of Moscow and Kiev. The inner walls of the church had paintings of dozens of saints. The decoration was also superb made by masters. Gold plated domes with crests shone of sun and one could notice church from quite a distance.

There was an earthquake in 1911 but the church survived this with minimal damage. And then some bishops attributed this as divine intervention especially because church had no nails and it still survived. However the some due credit might also be given to the brilliance of advanced anti-earthquake technique applied by the architect A.P. Zenkov. The church did not had to go through only earthquake but it also faced hardship period in the Soviet Rule and in 1927 the cathedral was closed by government order. Then the church was robbed, and all bells were thrown down, the library was partially destroyed which created fear among the locals that the cathedral might be completely wrecked. The church survived this also and it stayed. It lost its originality and until 1994 it was used as a Central Museum of Kazakhstan, but in 1995 local authorities’ control of the cathedral was given back to the Russian Orthodox church and it took some additional restoration work and then was reopened for religious service in 1997.

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So today, the visitors can visit Zenkov Cathedral for religious purpose and for accessing its both internal and external beauty. One can observe the customs of the cathedral and should respect it at the same time. Viewing the cathedral from all four sides is worth and so is the walk around. On one side you can see an open area where stalls for children’s activities and rides are laid out. In the center of Panvilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral is worth a visit for everyone who is in Almaty on a Kazakhstan Tour Package. The cathedral is like a sanctuary for Christians and for other tourists also it is a wonderful attraction in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Adventure, Asia, Attraction, Desitination, India

Road trip to Ladakh & Spiti Valley :Roof of the world

It is known to all that when you are on an India tour then you must visit Delhi, Agra in north, Goa in west, Kerala in south and several other famous tourist destinations in India. But as we saw in last article that those who love adventure and off the beaten path travel experience they can touch high peaks of Himalayas. Spiti valley by road is once in a life time experience. Then there is the roof of the world known as Ladakh. As you can see different colors and flavor in places like Agra, Delhi, Goa and Kerala, you can experience completely different world in Himalayas. Life is different here, it slows down. Your days are made of gorgeous walks, mountain greenery, freshest and purest air and hot cup of tea with locals. We saw that Spiti valley at the height of 12, 500 feet above sea level is a cold desert mountain valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. Another jewel in the Himalays is Ladakh. Road to Spiti from Manali is an absolutely tough terrain but roads going to Leh Ladakh from Manali-Khardungla pass are better and well connected. Ladakh is accessible both by road and by air but road trip to Ladakh has best of travel experience. So let us see this beautiful place, roof of the world in Himalayas in India, Ladakah in detail.

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Ladakh is located in northern most state Jammu & Kashmir, India. Ladakh is known as Little Tibet. It is a barren landscape on the roof of the world where one can feel other worldly life experience. Given a chance one must not miss the opportunity of taking a road trip to Ladakh as one should not miss going to Spiti valley. There are two way to reach Ladakh. One is through Manali-Leh highway and the other is Srinagar-Leh highway. But whichever road way you choose you must know the weather condition ad the condition of road in advance as in the winters due to heavy snowfall roads remain closed. Both the road routes have its own elements of adventure and excitement along with challenges. Road from Manali-Leh highway is better one especially when you need any kind of help. Unlike road going to Spiti valley which is far more challenging and takes lot out of riders, the road to Ladakh is less challenging. However both road trips offer you unique set of experience. When going to Ladakh on your own vehicle, one needs to get permit from the office of Sub divisional Magistrate of Manali and Leh. You can also choose to go by bus from Delhi and Manali going to Ladakh. Cab service is also available for travelers from Delhi and Chandigarh. Air route is also there from Delhi. However last two options can be little expensive.

Road trip to the peak of Himalayas is not easy to be described in words as it would not match the inner feeling of the traveler. Reaching Ladakh by road is deeply satisfying and kind of spiritual because the road involves crossing the highest mountain passes in the world. One can easily describe as the best road trip in the world. When one travels through amazing valleys and the mountain passes with serene beauty all around which raises you’re his heart beat and the memory gets registered forever. Ladakh is at the height of 3000 meter above sea level and whether you are going solo or in a group going down the hilly road you would simply fall in love with the place. As mentioned one route to Ladakh goes from SriNagar-Leh. On this route you will see beautiful villages, war memorial, Himalayan valleys, a mountain top Gurudwara, monasteries and many more beautiful things. This trip is of a kind which exposes you to the various facets of Ladakh. In this exciting road trip, you visit spectacular locations beyond your imagination. Let your eyes be filled with the beauty of green fields of Sonamgarh, quaint and happy villages on the bank of Sindh River introducing you to the essence of Ladakh. On this route you cover a distance of over 430 KM. Best time to take this route is from early May to late October when Highway opens. On the route you cover major milestones which you must visit are Srinagar – Sonamgarh-Zozi La-Drass-Kargil-Mulbek-Lamayaru-Saspol-Leh.  Another route is Manali-Leh. On this route you cover slightly longer distance which is around 500 KM. This route is absolutely fantastic as well. You will pass through high mountain passes, hair pin bends and picturesque valleys. Don’t forget to click the best panoramic pictures here.   When you take this route in the way you will go through Manali-Rohtang-Gramphu-Kokhsar-Keylong-Jispa-Darcha-Zingzingbar-Baralacha La-Bharatpur-Sarchu-Gata Loops-Nakee La-Lachulung La-Gya-Upshi-Karu and Leh. The best time to go through this route is from June to September.

Places mentioned on these 2 routes going to Ladakh must be given some time especially when you are going on a bike. Srinagar, Sonmarg, Drass Valley, Kargil, Mulbekh, Lamayuru, Moonland, Alchi, Likir and Leh are all God’s special places with penultimate beauty. On the other route Manali is special. Rohtang La is among the highest mountain passes in the world. Keylong is headquartering of Spiti region and a paradise on the planet. Jispa along the Chandra River is another paradise filled with sightseeing locations. Darcha, Zingzing bar, Baralacha La, Sarchu, Gata Loops, Nakee La, Lachulung La, Tanglang La, Upshi, Karu and Leh demand you to stay and explore the scenic beauty and mountains magic.

Must see places in ladakh

When you reach Ladakh you must see some beautiful lakes, Monastery and more. There is Magnetic hill at the height of 14,000 feet. These magnetic hills are said to have some magnetic energy which can pull cars uphill. It is there on the Leh-Kargil- Batalik national highway.

Tso Moriri Lake

You cannot miss Tso Moriri Lake when you are on a road trip to Ladakh. This lake is set amidst the mountain ranges in Leh and this lake mesmerizes you with some of the best views with peaceful surroundings.  Surrounded by barren hills with the backdrop of the snow capped mountains this lake is a must see spot.

You will instantly fall in love with this place for the crystal clear water and blue color of the lake. This lake was once a popular source of salt. You must not miss a chance to explore this lake while on your road trip from to Ladakh.

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Pangong Lake

This is another must see spot here. This is 134 m long lake and is an endorheic lake located in the Himalayas.  You will be mesmerized by the lake as it slowly keeps changing its colors. The scintillating water of the lake is very famous among the visitors here. You must spend some time here and you will be enchanted by the breath taking view of the lake.

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Khardung La Pass

Your road trip to Ladakh becomes perfect because of Khardung La Pass which is the most noteworthy motorable street in the world. At the height of 5,359 meters this is vital door to Nubra and Shyok valley. Kahrdung La is also door to Siachen Glacier.

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Tso Kar Lake

This is another magnificent lake in Ladakh. This is popularly known as ‘White Lake’. The range encompassing Tso-kar Lake is rich with wildlife and birds. Be that as it may, the main fascination here among the birds life at Tso Kar is dark necked cranes.

Sangam Point

This is an amazing point, a must see for you. As the name suggests this is the meeting point of Indus and Zanskar Rivers. The water of the Indus River is very warm and the water of Zanskar River is frozen so the sangam Point is absolutely fantastic for onlookers. You must soak yourself into this majestic meeting of two rivers.

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These are only some magical places to see in Ladakh. There are some monasteries like Shey Monastery, Namgyal Monastery, Spituk Gompa, Thiksey Monastery, Hemis Monastery and Diskit Monastery which you must visit. Apart from these Hemis National Park, Shanti Stupa, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Hall of Fame and Royal Leh Palace are places to see.

When you are on a road trip to Ladakh or to Spiti you must be careful and take some vital information with you in advance. Ensure that your bike is in proper working condition as you you will find only few mechanic shops. Be aware of the weather and keep proper clothes. Keep stock of dry fruits, chocolates and food which are not easily perishable. Carry enough cash as number of ATMs is less. Likewise you should take care of other factors which matters for your road trip to Ladakh in upper Himalayas.

This journey is absolutely once in a lifetime kind of journey especially for foreign travelers. But not for everyone as the trip is demanding and challenging at the same time. Adventure lovers must go on a road trip to Ladakh and Spiti. On your India Travel Package you can think of adding this special road trip.

Adventure, Asia, Attraction, Desitination, India, North India

Spiti Valley – Grand Himalayan Roadtrip

Travelling is making your fantasy come true. And there are some places on the planet earth which once seen make you experience something which is difficult to express in words. A true traveler goes extra mile and takes risks to explore such places. Talking about such places, Himalaya has plenty of them. Some terrain of Himalaya is tough and one needs to adventurous to go and see these terrains. One such place is Spiti Valley. Spiti Valley has been best described by Rudyard Kipling’s words which say “Surely the Gods must live here; this is no place for men”.  But all of you men and women who desire and actively love adventure must go to Spiti Valley. Spiti Valley sits at an altitude of 12,500 feet above sea level in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. Spiti valley is a cold desert mountain valley in the Himalayas. Spiti means ‘The middle land’, the land between Tibet and India.The way to go to Spiti valley is by road. So let us explore this paradise and after that you would love to include Spiti valley on your India tour.

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Spiti valley is not for everyone. This is for those who love to drift from normal and have the appetite to take risk to take off the beaten path. Spity valley is remotely tucked in the lap of giant and barren Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh. You can ride to Spiti and hike along snow leopard and Himalayan Wolf habitats. You can visit some of the oldest Buddhist monasteries and the most ‘Godforsaken’ landscapes of this high altitude of Himalayan desert. Some of these monasteries date back over 1000 years. Culture here is fascinating, cuisine is different from other parts of India and people here are kindest who live in the harshest conditions. There are 2 routes through which one can go to Spiti. One route is from Shimla that goes via Kinnaur valley and the other route goes from Manali both in Himachal Pradeh. If you choose route from Shimla, it takes minimum 2 days in which you take a halt at night in Kalpa or Reckong Peo. Yes this route takes long time but it gives you more time to gradually reach the high altitude of Spiti valley. Road through Manali takes 12-15 hours but the duration depends on the condition of the road. The Spiti valley and the surrounding area here is among the least populated area in entire India. At the northernmost reaches of India, Spiti is research and cultural center for Buddhists. Key Monastery and Tabo Monastery are the highlight here as they are among the oldest monasteries in the world. Key monastery is the biggest center of Buddhist learning in Spiti and it is over 1000 years old, the oldest training center of Lamas. Another monastery is Dhankar monastery which is located at the highest point in Spiti valley. In 17th century it used to be capital of Spiti. Referred to as Ajanta of Spiti valley is Tabo monastery which sits at the height of 10000 feet. Lhalung monastery is known as Golden temple.

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The terrain here is mind-boggling and seriously challenging at the same time. Landscapes are beyond gorgeous. One of the best adventure destinations not just in India but the entire world, Spiti valley is home to some highest villages, oldest monasteries, and the mot fantastic landscape you could ever imagine. The trek to Spiti involves some rigorous walking on the treacherous mountain path of Himalayas where you have to be ready to face uneven and dangerous path. There is no access to Spity by railway. The only way to reach Spiti is by road. But you should know that some of these roads remain close for six months because of heavy snowfall. So the best time to go through road to Spiti valley is from June to September. If you love to travel by road on the mountains then Spiti valley is for you. But you should take care while packing for your road trip to Spiti. Weather is unpredictable and confusing. At places it is too hot but shades areas are cool enough make you wear a jacket. So it is best that you take range of clothes with you like full sleeve cloth, sun hats, sun glass, and good shoes. You can go solo or in a group. You will get the warmest reception by the people of remote villages in Spiti. If you are an Indian then you don’t need any permit to enter the Spiti but foreign travelers need to get inner line permit when entering from Kinnaur route from Shimla because this route touches Tibet border and they can obtain the permit at Reckong Peo near Kalpa.

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As you noted there are 2 popular road going to Spiti valley, Shimla-Kaza and Manali-Kaza. Road from Manali takes less time but road from Shimla is more exciting. Foreign travelers can reach Shimla or Manali from Delhi by bus, taxi or train up to near by railway stations. Spiti is so beautiful that one who sees it for once would never forget it but definitely Spiti is not for everyone. One who has taken India travel package can choose to go to Spiti only if he is adventourous, loves challenges in travel and is absolutely fit for mountains.