In 1931, Frank S. Smythe was one of six British mountaineers who climbed Kamet. On his return to the plains, he crossed the Bhyundar Pass, standing at 5,086m, “with the intention of exploring the mountainous region at the source...

• Ferns, of which there are now about 12000 species, have been on our planet for more than 300 million years in the Carboniferous Period (about 369-280 million years ago), they grew abundantly; the period was known as the ‘Age o...

Smythe recorded some 262 species of flowers in 1937 and 29 more were added to the list a few years later. You will find anemones, geraniums, marsh marigolds, Primulas, potentilla, geum, asters, lilium, ranunculus, corydalis, inu...

Chilika Lake, Orissa Located 100 km from Bhubaneswar, this lake covering 1100 sq km is Asia’s largest salt and fresh water lake. It attracts a large number of migratory birds, like the flamingo, teal, bareheaded goose, shovelle...

India has seven major religions and many minor ones, six main ethnic groups, and countless holidays. Religion is central to Indian culture, and its practice can be seen in virtually every aspect of life in the country. Hindu...

The Rajs demise was partially a result of its remarkable success. It had gained control of the country by viewing it as a source of profit. Infrastructure had been developed, administration established, and an entire structure o...

Yes it’s in the state of Andhra Pradesh of India. In an earlier avatar when Horsley Hills was not the commercial hill station it is now, it used to be an undeveloped rustic hillock. According to local legend, a pious woman cal...

It’s a ghost town. But don’t panic in Detroit. Twenty years ago Detroit was the sixth biggest city in America. Today it’s the umpteenth. Everybody left in the 1980s. So why would you go there? In transit; a lot more people pass...

1.GRAND TRUNK EXPRESS: - This one’s an understated classic. At least three generations of cosmopolitan Indians have traveled on this grand old train--The Grand Trunk Expre

In Calcutta, each street has a story, by every cornice hangs a tale. And a trip to the Heritage-heavy city is wasted if you miss the significance of the grand old edifices that fill it. Charlock’s city is notorious for its humid...

9. Palace on Wheels Rated one of the ten best luxury trains in the world, inspired by the original wood- panelled saloons of the maharajas. These days, it only takes $200 per person per night. For six nights a trip, about six...

In India, ecotourism is still mostly hype and inaction. The National Tourism Policy of 2002 is quite ambitious about eco-tourism. Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh also have ecotourism policies. But these are plans in governme...