About
Orchha is a small town on the banks of Betwa river. Just miles from Jhansi on the way to Khajuraho.
The Case for
If you wanted to see India in the medival times, Orchha takes you back in time. Strategically placed on the banks of Betwa river and close to Jhansi which took all the wars and conflicts, Orchha was relatively peaceful with all its buildings intact. The palace, forts and many temples takes you completely by surprise with its medieval ambiance.
Attractions
Daily Costs $20/day
| Accommodation Dormitarty | 600 |
| Food | 300 |
| Beer | 50 |
| Public Transportation | 200 |
| Car rental | 1500 / day/4 travelers |
Getting to
- Orchha can be reached by Taxi or shared tuk-tuk from Jhansi. Jhsnasi is well connected to Delhi/Agra and can be reached in
About
Mahé is a town on the Malabar coast of Kerala.. A former french colony it is officially a part of Pondicherry.
The Case for
While Kerala needs no introduction to the travellers, Northern Kerala and Malabar are often overlooked. While the Malabar coast has many rustic and authentic tourist attractions Mahe lacks them, but is not devoid of Colonial history or rustic charm. This region was the first to trade with the Arabs and has created an interesting culinary variation called the Malabar cuisine. The union territory of Pondicherry has significantly reduced liquor tariff and the already cheaper beer is discounted another 50% here. The surrounding areas of Kannur and Thalachery are easily reached and has British and Dutch colonial influences and forts. The mighty Western Ghats are close by for a trek.
Attractions
- Attractions listed in WikiTravel are all well worth a visit.
- Thalachery, Kannur and Mahe are close to each other.
- Hiking the "Paithal Mala" is a must do attraction in this region.
Daily Costs $17/day
| Accommodation Dormitarty | 500 |
| Food | 300 |
| Beer | 50 |
| Public Transportation | 200 |
| Car rental | 1500 / day/4 travelers |
Getting to
- Kozhikode airport are about an hour away from Mahe.
- There are convenient trains to Chennai, Trivandrum and Mangalore. Mahe lies on Konkan railway and is also connected to Mumbai and Delhi.
- Kerala state transport buses connect Mahe to rest of Kerala and select cities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
About
Kotagiri is a town in Nilgiris district very close to Ooty, the queen of the hills.
The Case for
Perhaps because of its proximity to a major tourist destination, it is overlooked by tourists and hence is a travelers delight. At 1793 meters and on the Nilagiri range, Kotagiri offers the same refreshing mountain retreat as Ooty for a fraction of the cost and crowd.
Attractions
- Attractions listed in WikiTravel are all well worth a visit.
- Ooty is a quick day trip from Kotagiri. Riding to Ooty in the Nilagiri Mountain Railway from Conoor would be a pleasurable experience.
- Grand Anicut or Kallanai on way to Trichy.
Daily Costs $18/day
| Accommodation Dormitarty | 250 |
| Food | 300 |
| Beer | 150 |
| Public Transportation | 200 |
| Car rental | 1500 / day/4 travelers |
Getting to
- The closest airport is Coimbatore, about 1.5 hours away.
- There are convenient overnight trains to Chennai and rest of India from Coimbatore.
- TamilNadu state transport buses connect Kotagiri Coimbatore and Ooty. From Ooty one could get to Mysore and Bangalore by bus.
About
Once the capital of the great Chola kingdom and now a buzzing district headquarters and home to the Great Living Chola temples UNESCO world heritage site, Thanjavur is a delight to visit.
The Case for
Thanjavur is a perfect embodiment of everything you would want to see in Tamil Nadu. Its great temples and history, one of the very few well preserved palace, library and art gallery, this place will take you back a couple of hundred years. Thanjavur is also on one of the most fertile areas of the Cauvery delta and hence has settlement with centuries of history, art and culture. It is an ideal hub to explore the region.
Attractions
- Attractions listed in WikiTravel are all well worth a visit.
- Thiruvaiyaru is a quick day trip from Thanjavur.
- Grand Anicut or Kallanai on way to Trichy.
Daily Costs $31/day
| Accommodation | 1000 |
| Food | 300 |
| Beer | 150 |
| Public Transportation | 100 |
| Car rental | 1000 / day/4 travelers |
Getting to
- The closest airport is Trichy, about 1 hour away.
- Kanyakumari is connected to Chennai and Trichy by rail. There are convenient overnight trains to Chennai and Trichy a major transportation hub is an hour away.
- TamilNadu state transport buses connect Kanyakumari to the rest of state.
About
India's lands end and the southernmost point, one of the very few cape's of the world. Three great seas meet here the mighty Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. One of the very few beaches in the world where you could watch the sun rise and sun set form the same beach. It is also an important pilgrimage center in South India and so has good tourist infrastructure.
The Case for
Off the beaten path, foreign tourist seldom visit Kanyakumari. It has several interesting tourist attractions for the local population, but nothing touristy for the western folks. This makes it an ideal destination for the western traveler ( not the tourist) to immerse in the culture. Prices are very Indian and makes the backpacker very happy. The Western Ghats starts a stone's throw away from Kanyakuamri and has interesting water falls to cool off.
Attractions
- Attractions listed in WikiTravel are all well worth a visit.
- OBP recomends: Tiruparapu falls. Made famous by an Indian TV serial, this water falls is a refreshing way to beat the heat. Public transportation is available, but is best to arrange a car for a day.
- Sanguthurai and Chothavilai beach: Just west of Kanyakumari under 15 kms are two beaches away from the crowds.
- Vivekananda Kendra is an ashram founded on principles of Swami Vivekananda who is widely beleived to have brought eastern philisophy of meditation and yoga to the west. A visit and stay here is a must to all if your intention is for a little spiritual retreat. Accomodations are available and is modest and cheapest, a double bed-room for $6 a night and dormitary accomodations for 6 cost $2 (50c per person per night). A maximum of 3 nights stay is permited.
Daily Costs $30/day
| Accommodation | 1000 |
| Food | 250 |
| Beer | 150 |
| Public Transportation | 100 |
| Car rental | 1000 / day/4 travellers |
Daily Costs $11/day in Vivekanandapuram
| Accommodation | 300 |
| Food | 150 |
| Beer | NA |
| Public Transportation | 100 |
Getting to
- The closest airport is Trivandrum, about 3 hours ride away.
- Kanyakumari is very well connected to the rest of the country by rail. The prestigious HimSagar express that runs from Himalayas to southern Ocean (Sagar) originates at Kanyakumari. Several convenient overnight trains connect Kanyakumari to Chennai, which is a ideal hub to get into India from Europe, N. America and SE Asia.
- TamilNadu state transport buses connect Kanyakumari to the rest of state.
