Things to do in India Archives - Page 12 of 12

A Safari trip to Tadoba National Park

Posted on June 26, 2015May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

Our friend Jenny decided to write a guest blog for us on planning a Safari Trip to Tadoba National Park. Jenny works with Tigers Heaven Resort in Tadoba, and definitely knows the inside scoop! Visit Tadoba National Park to glance at the beautiful wildlife India has to offer, including the famous Bengal tiger.

In 1955, the Tadoba Tiger Reserve was established and named after the local deity, Taru. According to the mythology, the tribal God Taru was famously killed by a tiger, and a shrine was devoted to him on the banks of the river Tadoba. Soon after, the park was declared a reserve in the year 1993, and since then has gained huge popularity.

Photography at the National Park

Location of the Tadoba National Park

Situated in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, the national park lies in the centre of the forest reserve, located within the Chimu hills. The park has been combined with the Andhari sanctuary to create the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.

Landscape

The extraordinary landscape includes valleys, meadows, lakes, and hills. Tadoba Lake, situated in the centre of the park, creates a picturesque and beautiful landscape. The National Park is the oldest and largest that you can visit in Maharashtra, completely encompassed by roughly 600 sq km of surrounding forest area.

Flora and Fauna

The diversity of flora and fauna in this national park is vast. Deciduous forests fill the entire reserve. The vegetation mainly includes Sal, Semul and Mahua. The national park also has Mango and Jamun fruit trees dotted around. Enjoy the unique experience walking through this natural reserve spotting tigers, spotted deer, wild dogs, leopards, sloth bears, blue bulls, wild boars, the langur, flying squirrels, and more.

Weather

Winter can be severe during the months of December to February. Summer starts from March to May followed by the monsoon season prevailing from June to September. It is always advisable to avoid the forests during the monsoons due to the risk of heavy downpours and flooding. Post monsoon season, the best time to visit the national park is from February to May. Furthermore, the park remains open throughout the year except on Tuesdays.

Where to Stay?

In the midst of the wildlife, you can stay in the budget resorts at Tadoba National Park. There are various camps and resorts that can provide you with great accommodation options. The Maharashtra Tourism Development and Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra controls a selection of these resorts. Available are a variety of eco huts, guest houses, and dormitories at cheap rates, and some of the lodges may offer viewpoints for spotting the wildlife.

(Photo Credit – Rohit Varma, Flickr)

Safari Ride

The major attraction of staying at the Tadoba National Park is the safari ride that will provide you with the unique opportunity of getting up close with nature. Embark on an open jeep safari as it enables you to enjoy the excitement right under your nose. You can experience safe encounters with the world-famous Bengal tigers on the safari ride as you travel in open, comfortable jeeps.

Here you will observe jungle cats, hyenas, wild bears, and cheetahs as well. The park is also home to over 180 species of birds including endangered species of water birds. You can also spot migratory ducks and marsh crocodiles around Tadoba Lake.

Proof of identification is required before you can enter the park. Foreigners will also have to show their passport upon entry. All of these are mandatory for an open jeep tour. For an unforgettable experience, hire a tour guide for detailed information about the different species you can find in the forest. Make sure to book your safari tour in advance from Chandrapur.

National Park timings are:

06:30 hrs to 10:30 hrs, then 13:30 hrs to 17:30 hrs (November-February)

06:00 hrs to 10:00 hrs, then 14:30 hrs to 18:30 hrs (March-June)

If you are lucky, you will spot a tiger!

Getting from Mumbai to Goa

Posted on June 17, 2015May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

This article will give you some insight into the best ways to get from Mumbai to Goa. Goa is the smallest state in the country, but definitely one of the most loved. A popular holiday destination for the youth, it’s earned the nickname of the party capital of India. It’s a coastal state on the western coastline stretching along the Arabian Sea. Goa is known for its beaches, fishing villages and rich heritage architecture. Goa is a popular tourist destination for Indian and International travellers. For more information about what to do in Goa, visit our blog!

Stunning view of the sunset at Goa beach (Picture Credit: Pixabay)

By flight

Mumbai, just like Goa, is located on the western coastline. There are daily flights between Mumbai and Goa. It is the fastest mode of transport. If booked in advance the flights are cheap. Flights during Christmas or New Years or any of the long weekends (Indian holidays like 01^st of May, 15^th August, 26^th January) are extremely expensive if booked at the last minute.

So if your trip coincides with Indian holidays, book your flights in advance. It takes an hour to reach Goa by flight. The Goa International Airport is located at Dabolim. Whilst this is probably the quickest mode of transport, flights are not the most sustainable way to travel.

Fly from Mumbai to Goa in just 45 minutes

By train

Getting from Mumbai to Goa by train is relatively cheaper. It’s obviously not as convenient as a flight. It only makes sense if you have time on your trip and are not on a tight schedule.

There are a lot of trains between Mumbai and Goa. You would want to take a train that originates from Mumbai. We would suggest avoiding one that starts from Delhi. These trains are often late and dirty. They do not stop at the more accessible stations in Mumbai, making your trip all the more difficult.

We suggest you pick any of these four trains:

1. Jan Shatabdi

Jan Shatabdi is the fastest train from Mumbai to Goa. It’s an early morning train from Dadar railway station in Mumbai and ends in Thivim in North Goa. It’s a single-track train and takes between 8 to 9 hours to reach Goa. The train leaves from Mumbai at 05:25 Hrs and reaches around 14:00 Hrs in Thivim. It’s a beautiful ride full of mountains and waterfalls. It is the second-fastest route to Goa.

2. Konkan Kanya Express

The Konkan Kanya Express is another superfast train between Mumbai and Madgaon. You can board the train from CST (Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus) in Mumbai. Get down between Thivim (North Goa) and Madgaon (South Goa) depending on where you’re staying. The train runs along the western coastline and covers a distance of 580 kms. This train is a night train from Mumbai, it leaves CST at 23:05 Hrs and reaches Goa at 10:45 Hrs. It takes around 13 to 14 hours, so ideally you go to sleep in Mumbai and wake up in Goa!

3. Mandovi Express

Mandovi Express is another daily train that runs between Mumbai (CST) and Goa (Madgaon Junction). It takes approximately 14 hours to reach Goa. The train is named after the Mandovi River, the lifeline of Goa. The route is the same as the Konkan Kanya Express, just slower.

4. Netravati Express

The Netravati Express is a Mumbai-Kerala train but has stops in Madgaon and Canacona. If you’re staying near the beaches of Palolem, Patnem or Agonda then this train is ideal. It’s a 45-minute ride from Madgaon to Palolem but if you get down at Canacona it’s just 3 kms away. The train starts from LTT (Lokmanya Tilak Terminus) a major railway station near the central suburb of Kurla at 11:40 Hrs and reaches Canacona Station at around midnight.

5. Matsyagandha Express

The Matsyagandha Express is essentially a Mumbai-Mangalore train, with similarities to the Netravati Express. This train also originates from Kurla. It is a good option if you plan to stay in South Goa. This train stops in Madgaon and Canacona in Goa. It leaves Mumbai in the afternoon at 15:20 Hrs and reaches at 02:30 Hrs. The reason why this train is so far down the list is purely because of the time it reaches Canacona. Apart from that, there aren’t really any major drawbacks to taking this train.

For more information about train travel in India, have a look at our blog.

Dudhsagar Waterfall view from train (Picture Credit: 7SeasFly)

By Bus

The distance between Mumbai and Goa is approximately 600 kms. You can take a night bus from Mumbai and reach Goa in the morning. We suggest Paulo Travels. You board a Volvo at night, sleep through the journey and reach Goa in the morning. Bus services like Neeta and VRL are also good options if you don’t get a train ticket and flights are too expensive.

Mumbai, India

For some inspiration, check out Monica’s trip to South India. Alternatively, for any more information or for help planning your perfect trip to India, feel free to contact us!

Impressions of Kochi

Posted on April 2, 2015May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

Kochi (Cochin) resembles the city of Pondicherry in more ways than one; it’s a town by the sea which is historically very interesting and a place where you will feel emerged in India’s colonial past yet feels present in its contemporary casual culture.

More Posts from Fabia from their Kerala trip:

Kerala Anyday, First Stop North Kerala Wayanad
On the way to Munnar
Thekkady @ Indhirivam

These are a series of humorous blog posts by Fabia about her recent travels with her mum (Soraya) to Kerala. Fabia and Soraya also run the most wonderful AirBnb in Bombay.

Fishermen using the Chinese fishing nets in Kochi

Our trip

We hopped on a train to Kochi at mid-day, and by late evening we were already browsing the lanes of this small yet charming city. Tourists from everywhere in the world strolling around, wearing baggy Aladdin pants and kolhapuris, escaping the winters of their own countries. Solo travellers make conversation at Tibetan cafés whilst Malayali couples cuddle along the Mahatma Gandhi beach.

The Chinese fishing nets are incredible inventions; and are where the city gets its name, Kochi translates as like-China. Not only does the town have an East Asian influence, it is also an amalgamation of European art and architecture due to the struggle between the Dutch, Portuguese, and the British to have possession of the land. Arabian traders were also frequent visitors to the shores of Kochi, to trade Kerala’s well-known spices like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon.

One can quickly notice the variety of religious communities which inhabited this region and still do, after visiting the elaborate churches, the old synagogue in the Jew town area, observing the auto rickshaws covered in stickers of Mecca and Medina, and the intricate carvings of the Jain temple.

Before the Kathakali show, you can watch how the makeup is done on the performers

Advice and tips for Kochi

If I was to share any advice for Kochi, it would be:

You will have to do a lot of mosquito murdering here. Please carry mosquito repellant unless you want to be eaten alive!
Ask at your hotel/homestay how much a tuk-tuk or rickshaw would cost to where you want to go before setting off so that you know how much you should be paying as they don’t run by meter
Don’t try to save money on food here, eat at well-known places because you get your money’s worth. Oceanos’ Syrian Christian fish curry is really authentic
The afternoons are very hot, it would be a good idea to do all your exploring in the mornings. In the evenings carry a sun umbrella
Get tickets to the Kathakali dance at the Kochi Kathakali centre one evening
This is the kind of town where you are likely to be so at ease that you will not be wary of your belongings. Don’t carry any extra bags if you are the forgetful kind, like me!

Discover More: Perfect Time to Visit Kerala

The Bishop’s house in Kochi

Ten Adventure Activities in India

Posted on October 8, 2014May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

Considering looking into adventure sports in India? In a land of culture and creations, travel and tradition, have you done enough to feel your pulse racing? Join a trek, scuba dive off the coast, ski in the mountains, or take part in various water sports. Whatever adventure activities you fancy, India has it all!

Here’s rounding up in a beat, 10 adventure activities in India that we at India Someday recommend.

Read our top 10 adventure activities in India

1. Chadar Walk in Leh

If searching for adventure activities in India, then consider hiking across the beautiful Himalayas. Chadar hike in Leh is one unique trek located in Jammu and Kashmir. The trek connects villages to Chilling and Zanskar during the months when the mountains are snowy and too treacherous to cross. So if you are a lover of hiking, it’s time you make it a little extreme.

Take the excursion along the frozen Zanskar River, like locals have to during the winter months. Remember to bring warm clothes and heavy woollens with you as temperatures can get as low as -20°C! At an altitude of more than 10,000 ft and on a blanket of ice, you will witness unusual scenery, weather conditions, campsites and a walk to remember. The view of the Himalayan peaks on this nine-day trek is breath-taking!

Where Two Rivers Merge – Zanskar (Picture Credit: ABP Live- ABP News)

2. Heli-skiing in Gulmarg

The Himalayas are mighty and Kashmir is pristine. What can be more exciting than gliding down the snowy slopes here? Untouched terrain, remote slopes…this is an exceptional site to indulge in some serious skiing! Why not visit one of the most popular destinations for Heli-skiing in the world? Go to Gulmarg where you’ll fly to the top in a helicopter and slither down the mountains in an unimaginable frenzy!

Heli-Skiing (Photo Credit – Roderick Eime)

3. A Trek in Uttaranchal

This state is an absolute paradise for adventure sports in India! There are vast amount of treks on offer such as from Auden Col to Bali Pass, some of the most popular hikes. Accordingly, the mountains and valleys here offer breathtaking, enthralling trekking opportunities. Don’t let go of any chance to rush to the Himalayas and spend some time trekking through the panoramic beauty and de-stress in some of the most blessed hill stations in India.

Garhwal mountains (Photo Credit – Stefanos Nikologianis)

4. River Rafting in Rishikesh

Rishikesh is known for being a spiritually refreshing area in India, but it has further become an unmissable adventure destination in India. Rafting down the voluminous white waters of the meandering Ganges and its tributaries give you a rush of adrenalin like nothing else. Whether amateur or seasoned, the speedy rapids around Rishikesh will not let you down!

White water rafting (Picture Credit: The Travel Boat)

5. Bungee jump in Rishikesh

For an exhilarating chance at an adventure sport in India, gather your guts and jump down Mohan Chhati in Rishikesh, (harnessed of course). With all safety standards met, you will have a plunge in the valley and a rush you will never get over! Time to take the leap!

Rishikesh is considered the highest bungee jumping with a height of 83 meters (Picture Credit: Rudra Adventures)

6. Mountaineering in Sikkim

Sikkim can be dramatic with its rugged mountains, deep valleys, rivers, and waterfalls. It is also one of the best locations to release the spirit of mountaineering inside you! The mountains are known for their steep altitude and extreme adventure. Go for a climb in Sikkim, it’s sure to leave you high, among other effects!

There are some great mountaineering opportunities in India

7. Zip-lining in Rajasthan

Considering a variety of adventure activities in India? Become a flying fox as you zip down steel lines. Let gravity take care of everything as you zoom across lines, harnessed to safety and lost in awe. See Rajasthan like you never have before in its adventurous game, and it’s time you played it! Zip-line at Mehrangarh Fort in Alwar, Jodhpur, or Neemrana Fort is an adventure you won’t forget.

Zipline in Mehrangarh Fort (Picture Credit: Maharajas’ Express)

8. Skydiving in Dhana

For one of the most visually stunning adventure activities in India, consider skydiving. We suggest jumping out of a plane in Dhana, Madhya Pradesh. If you are an adventurer at heart, you just need a little push and a free fall like never before. With a little training here, you’ll experience a thrill that won’t leave you!

Sky-diving is considered as an extreme sport that takes a lot of courage and prior training

9. Scuba dive in the Andamans

There’s a world underwater waiting to be explored, and this is one of the best adventure activities in India to try; you just can’t stay away from it! Fly to the Andaman Islands, located in the Bay of Bengal just east of India and Sri Lanka, and discover an island paradise. The Andamans offer some of the best scuba diving locations in India. Dive into these worlds of stunning marine life, emerald waters, coral reefs, and depths beyond your reach. You may even spot turtles! Be assured you’ll be left captivated by this experience.

Snorkelling in Andaman waters

10. Kite surfing in Rameshwaram

Professional or first-timer, you have to give yourself up to the winds in Rameshwaram. This is one of the perfect adventure sports in India if you are looking for a thrill! Let them sweep the kite as you glide over the waves on your surfboard. Also, kiteboarding is the best mix of surfing, paragliding and wakeboarding and the waters at Rameshwaram are as good as it can get! Here’s one sure-shot adventure activity you shouldn’t miss.

Kite Surfing in Goa

Once you fill your bucket list with these adventure activities in India, we at India Someday will gladly help you with everything you need to tick them off. And once you tick them off, try them again! One can never have enough adventures in India!

Discover More: Immerse in India’s Vibrant Activity Scene

Best Places to Street Shop in Mumbai

Posted on July 7, 2014May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

In Mumbai and looking to shop? Ditch the snazzy boutiques and comfort of air-conditioned malls and hit the road for some fun street shopping! The best street shopping places in Mumbai have a variety of clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery to choose from and all at affordable prices.

One golden rule though: you have to haggle. Haggling is an art and if you’re up for it, then you’re all set for an awesome shopping spree.

Here are some of the best Mumbai markets for shopping that are a must-see on our list!

When shopping in India don’t forget to bargain!

Colaba causeway

In the same area as the Gateway of India, and a definite stop for all tourists. One of the cheap shopping places in Mumbai for jewellery. Chunky jewellery, neckpieces, danglers, bangles, bracelets, they’ve got it all. They also sell some lovely scarves here and antique wares like clocks, lamps, bells etc. Walk around here just to get a feel of the city, as this is in the heart of the backpacker district in Mumbai

It is amazing what knick-knacks and antiques you can find on the market stalls (Picture Credit: The Leela Palace)

Fashion street

This shopping lane is near Churchgate railway station. Mainly for clothes and a few shoe stalls, it’s one of the few places that also caters to men. Don’t expect their clothes to last you a lifetime but at the prices they offer, you can change your wardrobe every three months. It is a shopaholic paradise with over 100 stalls that feels like it goes on for miles.

An array of colourful garments to buy! (Photo Credit: Adam Cohn)

Hill road

A hip shopping locale in the ‘Queen of the Mumbai Suburbs’, Bandra is our pick when shopping in Mumbai for clothes. Frequently visited by college girls looking for trendy stuff. Most people love this place particularly for shoes! Boots, Wedges, Kitten heels, Stilettos, the whole shebang! A good place to get western clothes, gowns or evening dresses stitched. Bandra is slightly north of Colaba but just hop on a train and you’ll be there within no time.

Bandra is hippy central of Mumbai so you can find a lot of chic items to buy. (Photo Credit: Jugyah)

Linking road

This is on the other side of Bandra. I guess of the places suggested, this is the longest shopping lane and it has lots to offer too. You’ll find a string of shoe stalls here but mostly daily wear. There are also quite a few boutiques here, some by budding designers and some export rejects. It is easy to get here from Bandra station, only about a 15 minute walk or a quick rickshaw ride away.

You can’t go wrong with such a wide variety at such bargain prices (Photo Credit – Gil Shindler)

Chor bazaar

Literally meaning ‘Thieves Market’, it’s one of the largest flea markets in India. You can find almost anything here and it isn’t limited to just clothes and accessories! The place is massive and has everything from brassware and ceramic to vintage collections. You can even get imported stuff at dirt cheap prices. Brands – think Puma, Nike, Hummel. A paradise for brand-conscious guys that is also light on the pocket!

You can find many vintage treasures at Chor Bazaar – furniture, clothes, accessories, and more (Picture Credit: Travelogy India)

Get in touch with us, and we will help you find some of the best places to visit in India. We can customize the perfect trip for you based on your preferences and budget, ensuring you go back with unforgettable memories.