What to Expect in Kerala Tour

Kerala is one of the best travel locations to visit. This place has a wide range of scenic beauties to offer. This article will discuss about all these locations that it offers. This article will help you explain what to expect in God’s Own Country, Kerala.

Beaches- Kerala is well known for its long beaches. This is a state which is located at the cost and thus, sea food is also a delicacy here. There are many beaches in this state and each has its own specialty. It creates lagoons and many other natural formations made by the sea. People love to enjoy this Kerala beach location with family and friends. Contrary to the Goa beaches, this is a calmer place. Some of the well known beaches are Alappuzha beach, Bekal beach, Fort Kochi beach and many more among the long list.

Hill stations- contrary to the beaches, there are hill stations too. Hill stations provide a great place for honeymoons and summer travel holiday spots. To name a few hill stations, there is the Chembra Park, Chithirapuram, Idukki, etc. Out of these, the best and the well known hill station is Munnar which is a tourist attraction to people all over the world.

Backwaters- Kerala Bacwaters tour are the main tourist attraction to all. Beaches can be found everywhere but the backwaters can be found only in Kerala. The main formation of the backwaters comes from the 44 rivers which flow through Kerala. There are various destinations for the backwaters and mentioning one will not justify the others. Thus, choosing the locations on the basis of your needs and penchants will be the best option. Travelling and even staying on a boathouse is a must do when you visit the state.

Forests and national parks- Kerala is also a home for forests and wildlife. There are national parks as well as sanctuaries that protect the flora and fauna of the land. There is the Eravikulam National Park which homes the much endangered Nilgiri Tahr tree. The UNESCO is also considering the decision of making this national park a world heritage site. Kerala also has the Idukki, Chinnar, and Periyar wild life sanctuaries along with a few bird sanctuaries like Kumarakom, Thattekkad, and a few others.

Kerala is home to all these diverse places in it. In short, Kerala is a smaller version of India hosting all the elements which makes a complete India, albeit a few like snow-capped mountains. The state is also culturally and traditionally rich as it hosts some world famous temples and traditions. With this, it is the home to the spice markets which was the main attraction for the British and other foreign countries to step in and invade India. Even today, these species are grown in the kitchen gardens as a common plant and herb. It also hosts markets for the medicinal herbs, oils and powders while travelers visit the state to get treated for all their illnesses. Thus, one can expect a lot and even get it from Kerala.

Taj Mahal Tours- How to Select a Tour?

Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This wonder is located in the heart of India and is a tourist attraction to foreigners all over the world. The state revenue comprises of a major contribution from the tourism industry of the city of Agra. There are various Taj Mahal tours made for the foreigners as well as the Indian residents.

The Taj Mahal is a symbol of love built by Shah Jahan to his wife Mumtaz. This piece of art took 22 years to be completed. An interesting fact is that the Emperor wanted to build the same monument in black marble for his tomb but this dream did not fulfill as he was imprisoned by his youngest son, Aurangzeb. Talking about the architecture, the colored stones used in the designing of the monument each were bought from a different country. These stones came from places like Sri Lanka.

The Taj Mahal tour packages will vary depending on the location you are coming from and the time that you want to spend there. For example, if you are from Agra and a local resident, the amount will be very small as the India travel agent is providing commute for a small distance and this will be a one day trip. The entire package will include travel from a particular place as decided by the agent and the sight seeing of the wonder. Taj Mahal and return to the agreed spot. This is a one day trip for the local people.

The other package will be mainly for tourists outside the state of Uttar Pradesh. The package will determine the items which will be included in the tour. For example, it will mention what all are included in the package like the travel, room and hotel service, food, entry fee and such other services. This should be looked into before you book the package. Sometimes, the train, bus or air fare will be included in the package if you are an outstation tourist.

By default, all the tours will include a tour guide who will explain all the history and details about the historic wonder. But it is always beneficial to know about the monument before you visit it in person. You can ask more questions to the tour guide if you know a bit about the place. There are tour organizers in many cities around the world. If you are a foreigner, then you can check the local yellow pages to find a travel agent providing the Taj Mahal tours. The prices that each of these agents will differ on the basis of the services and features that they are offering.

If you want to reduce the price of the entire package and get more benefits from it, you can opt to visit other monuments and famous tourist attractions in the country. There are various other well known attractions like the Red Fort, Chandini Chowk which is a market place for all kinds of local Delhi items and such other places.

Beauty and Adventure Attraction of Ladakh

The high mountain passes of Ladakh make it is a thrilling place to visit. The geography and culture of Ladakh are amazing. The Tibetan-Buddhist culture draws a lot of tourist attention. It is also one of the most preferred destinations for adventure tourism in India. The Ladakh region is situated between the two great mountain ranges in north and south, which make it a perfect place for adventurous activities like trekking, mountain climbing, mountain biking, etc.

Some of the exhilarating trekking trails, which can be covered in Ladakh during Ladakh tours, are:

Himalaya Mountain Biking Tour:

Enjoy the pleasing experience of going through the high passes of the mountains on bikes (bicycles). Enjoy the ride as no city pollution or traffic will be there to hinder your trip. It will be both fun and challenging to cross two of the highest mountain passes of the world. While going through these rough terrains, enjoy the spectacular view of snow-capped peaks and landscapes.

Trekking in Ladakh

With two neighboring mountain ranges, trekking is one of the most famous tourist activities in the region. During your Himalaya tours you have to make plan as per sightseeing and places to visit in ladakh region. Trekking is a great way to see the wonders of Nature from a closer distance. With proper preparation and a clear weather, you can enjoy trekking with ease.

Sightseeing in Ladakh:

Although Ladakh is mostly famous for adventurous tourism, it still has many places to see and visit. The Buddhist Culture has a major influence in the region. There are few monasteries in the region which are centuries old.

Hemis Monastery and Hemis Festival:

It is a well-known Tibetan-Buddhist monastery located in Hemis, Ladakh. It is said to be made before the 11th century. Every 12 years, a great festival is celebrated in the memory of the Lord Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche). The main attraction of the festival is the mystic mask dances. It is a great place to visit for spiritual enlightenment.

Padum Valley

It is the main administrative center of the Zanskar sector of Kargil district. There are some Buddhist monasteries located near Padum. It was also the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Zanskar. It has become a major trekking base lately.

Famous Tourist Hotspots of South India

South India is a place full of amazing things. The state of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu along with the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry holds many tourist attractions. Each state has plenty of natural and man-made wonders. Natural wonders include backwaters, beaches, forests and wildlife while temples, monuments, ruins of ancient buildings and the hill stations are the man-made wonders. All these places are a must visit during your South India Tours.

Kerala is listed in the list of ten paradises of the world and is also called the God’s Own Country. Kerala Backwaters are famous throughout India and the world. Other major tourist attractions are the beaches, lake resorts, Ayurveda spas, temples, hill stations and wildlife sanctuary.

Tamil Nadu’s tourism industry is based on tours of Hindu temples. There are 34000 temples in Tamil Nadu. It also has many UNESCO world heritage sites. Other places of tourist interest are backwaters, Wildlife sanctuaries, Water fall, Hill stations and beaches. It is also famous for many colorful festivals like Pongal, Mattu Pongal, Karthikai Deepam, etc.

Karnataka is a land full of monuments. It has 507 (the second largest number among the Indian states) centrally protected monuments in India. The main tourist attraction is the ancient sculptured temples and monuments. The beaches, forests, hill stations, National parks and wildlife sanctuaries, Dams, Waterfalls and caves are piety interesting. Adventurous activities like rock climbing, mountain biking, rafting, river crossing, caving, etc. is also becoming more popular among tourists.

Andhra Pradesh has a very rich cultural heritage and history. One can find many temples of Hindu God all around Andhra Pradesh. It is best known for its pilgrimage sites. The Hyderabad city is famous for its rich history, culture and architecture. Food is one of its main specialties because Hyderabad is considered to be the meeting point for North and South India. Take a tour to south India to find an amazing and unique flavor of India.

Travel agents for India are arranged all necessary things for your planned tours according to your budget.

For tour bookings and enquiry visit here: www.ercotravels.com

Why India is called Incredible India!

Out of the many countless reasons, here are some of the top reasons why India is called Incredible India and why you should visit India on your next vacation tour.

India is a big country - Being the 7^th largest country by area in the world, India has very diverse natural features. Mountains covered with snow, hot and dry deserts, beautiful beaches and islands, rocky mountain range and dense forests, you can find all of them in India.

Colorful Heritage and Culture - The heritage of India is as vast as the size of the country. One of the oldest civilizations in the world, its heritage is rich in customs and traditions. So many different cultures have co-existed in the past and have blended together to form the present Indian society.

Great Architectural Wonders - The old rulers and emperors of India were great admirers of art and craftsmanship. The architectural marvels built by them are the proof of it. Temples, mosques, tombs, palaces and forts built by these kings are so mesmerizing you will not get enough of them.

Hospitality - With the motto ‘Atithi devo bhavah’ meaning guest is God, you will find the hospitality of India pleasing. Traditional rituals for greeting the guests at the time of arrival and departure have become a part of Indian customs.

Food and Cuisine - The food is an important part of any culture. For many visiting tourists Indian food has always been on the top of the list of things to try. The Indian food is full of variety and the taste is simply unforgettable.

Festivals - Visit India during any festive season and you will find how colorful and vibrant life can be. With so many festivals celebrated throughout the year, life itself becomes a part of this celebration.

Wildlife - Visit the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to get a chance to see the Mother Nature at her best. Variety of wildlife species, plants and tress can be seen in these parks and will take your breath away because of there sheer beauty.

India Tour Operators present informative clause according to Incredible India gives you just an idea about great India. You can choose India tours plan and enjoy your vacation in more convenient and enjoyable way.

India Tourism Industry Growth Rate 2011-12

The Indian tourism industry showed a tremendous growth of 8.9 percent which is almost double as what was expected to be around 4-5 percent in 2011 by the United Nations World Trade Organization (UNWTO). India also did well as compared to the other Asian countries as more than 6.29 million tourists visited India last in 2011.

The growth is the sign that India is regaining its position as the most favored Asian tourist destination. The growth percentage of 8.9 was lower than 2010’s growth rate of 11.8 but still the total number of tourist of 6.29 million was greater then last year’s 5.78 million.

The global slowdown and the travel advisories issued at the end of the year were some accountable factors but still not strong enough to hinder the growth of the Indian tourism industry. In fact, the last month of the year, December proved to be a great month for the tourism in India as roughly 715,000 foreign tourists visited India in December of 2011 as compared to 680,000 tourists visited in the same month of 2010. The growth percentage in December was about 5.2 percent comparing to 4.7 per cent in November.

The growth is expected to increase steadily in 2012. The coming months of 2012 are going to be very busy for various Travel Agency in India as more and more international tourists will be coming in to see the colorful India.

The Top Must-See Historical Tourist Attractions for India Tours

India itself is rich in history as well as historical places which are the top tourist attractions in the country. From North to South, East to West, you will find attractive tourist destinations in India. So, never miss these must-see historical places when you visit India to see the luxury as well as the rich culture and history of India.

India is a huge land and there are numerous spots you can visit. From East to West, North to South, there are several attractions which you can see, with each more attractive than the other. Out of those thousands, here is a list of the must-see tourist attractions in case you have India tour packages. Whether you are just on a short tour or a long visit, you must see these historical places in India since they are not worth a miss.

A Brief Introduction to Indian History

India is the great grandmother of tradition, the grandmother of legend, the mother of history, the birth place of human speech, and the structure of human race. The history of India can be nearly divided into the 6 periods: post-independence, the struggle for independence, colonial period as part of The Raj, the years of the Company, Medieval India and Ancient India.

The Must-See Historical Places of India

India Gate – Situated in Rajpath, New Delhi, India Gate is a leading tourist attraction for India tours, and must be included at the top of your list. Also known as the India War Memorial, this monument was constructed in honor of the memory of about 90,000 fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives for freedom at the time of World War I. This is also a memorial to the second war in Afghanistan in 1919. The gate consisted almost entirely of sandstone, is roughly 42 meters in height and was first built by the Duke of Connaught in 1921.

Bodhgaya – This is a spiritual sanctuary for religious Buddhists and attracts thousands of the devoted to the sacred monument every year. Situated just outside of Niranjana, this tourist site is known to be one of the holiest of pilgrimage sites, as history claims that this place is where Buddha achieved his enlightenment.

Khimsar Fort – Originally built in 1523 AD by well-known architect Rao Karamsiji, Khimsar Fort should also be included in your list of the must-see tourist attractions when you have India travel. Located on the Great Thar Desert, and having the 20th descendent as the occupant, it is more like a palace instead of a hotel. Khimsar Fort is ranked as the most desirable Royal Retreat that you can stay at while having a visit in India. The hotel features 50 ultra luxurious rooms, equipped with all of the facilities, from air conditioning to hot and cold water as well as a 24-hour room service.

Konark Sun Temple in India Tours

Located in Orissa just outside of the city of Puri, Konark Sun Temple is known to be a “medieval masterpiece” that symbolizes the wealthy architectural heritage of the culture of India from this time period. Created mostly from intricately hand sculpted segments and pieces, the temple was built complete with 24 wheels (each having around 10 feet in diameter), and complete of elaborate details like the spokes. The temple’s entrance is guarded by two fearsome lions, there are 7 horses which pull the chariot, and rearing elephants welcome travelers and tourists to the primary steps that lead to this temple.