Balpakram, (Meghalaya) : | ||||
| The Balpakram National Park is located to the extreme South Garo Hills, Meghalaya at a distance of 90 kms. from Baghmara, the district headquarters of South Garo Hills. This pocket of pristine beauty named Balpakram National Park is also close to the international boundary of Bangladesh. | ||||
If “Balpakram” is translated to English, it means “The land of Eternal Wind”. Originally only the plateau was known as Balpakram and the Garo considered this place to be sacred. Literally, Balpakram means a place of perpetual wind and according to Garo mythology; it is also above of the Dead spirits. According to legends this was the place where the spirit of the dead first rested with the spirit of a sacrificed bull, before going on to complete their journey to the heavens. There are many legends attached to stones, ponds and mountains in this plateau, which, combined with the barrenness and solitude, creates a space of tranquility. The Balpakram National Park is shrouded in mystery, soaked with charms, breathtaking scenery, amazing variety of wildlife, magnificent and charming tribal lore, legends, beliefs and sentiments. Simply put, it is a Travellers Paradise. Balpakram has its own importance for the Garos and Hindus alike. Garos believe that when a person has discarded his earthly vestures the spirit journeys to the Land of Balpakram where it dwells temporarily until its final journey. It is also believed by Hindus that Hanuman the Monkey God while looking for the herb Sanjeevani to cure Laxman injured in the battle with Ravana found it in Balpakram and took the top of the hill from Balpakram leaving a plateau or flat land in its place, what is today known to the Garos as Chutmang Peak, the highest point in South Garo Hills. This park with its vast elevational variation supports a profile of varied types of floral and faunal compositions. There are perhaps very few places in the whole world where such a unique concentration of immense numbers of flora and fauna occur in such a small area. Elephants and Tigers are the flagship of the park. Hullock Gibbons, the only ape species found in India can be seen here. Other animals found in the park are Deer, Great Indian Hornbill, Pheasant, Wildcats, Wildcows, Wild buffalo, Leopards etc. Among the plants very rare species like Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes Khasiana), Orchids and Drosera flourish abundantly which often attracts wildlife biologists, researchers, nature-lovers and conservationists. Agar (Aquillaria Agallocha) is another endemic plant which enriches the flora diversity of the park. Today this plateau is part of the Balpakram National Park, covering an area of about 220 Sq. kms. with anumber of wild animals in it. The chief of it being the Royal Bengal tiger (19 tigers – 1991 census), the elephant, bison, black bear, leopards, sambar, deer, and many other species. The western side of the Park touches the Siju Bird Sanctuary which in turn is separated from the Siju village by the Simsang River. Siju, with the Simsang is an idyllic destination for a short pleasant holiday. Treks can be arranged to Rongsu village and onward to Chitmang (a small table top mountain), which offers a panoramic view of the Simsang river meandering through the lower hills.
|
Friday, August 28, 2009
Balpakram National Park ,Meghalaya,INDIA
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park ASSAM
| The little known wildlife sanctuary of Dibru-Saikhowa is an area of grassland and swamp forest sandwiched between the Brahmaputra and Dibru rivers in the east of Assam. Contained between these rivers, the park is a 340sq km reserve, which was set up with a view to protecting the grassland and swamp habitat on the flood plains of the Brahmaputra River.Dibru-Saikhowa is one of the biodiversity hot spots situated in the south bank of the river Brahmaputra in the extreme east of Assam state in India. It lies between 27°30' N to 27°45' N latitude and 95°10' E to 95°45'E longtitute at an average altitude of 118 m (range 110-126m) above the mean sea level. Biogeographically the area exhibits the properties of both the Indian and malayan sub regions and represents the North Eastern India-Brahmaputra valley Biogeographical province(9A). Dibru-Saikhowa is among the most vibrant wildness on earth and is also distinct for her pristine scenic beauty. Situated in the flood plan of Brahmaputra, Dibru-Saikhowa is a safe haven for many extremly rare and endangered species of wild life.VEGETATION T he forest type of Dibru-Saikhowa comprises of semievergreen forests,deciduos forests, littoral and swamp forests and patches of wet evergreen forests. The National Park is having about 35.84% moist mixed forests, 9.50% degraded forests and 21.25% grassland. Main tree species of the area are Salix tetrasperma, Bischofia javanica, Dillenia indica,Bombax ceiba,Terminalia myriocarpa,Lagerstroemia parviflora,Mesua ferrea, Dalbergia sissoo,Ficus spp. etc. are some of the species of the orchid flora of Dibru-Saikhowa. Arundo donax,Imperata cylindrica,Phragmaties karka,Erianthus ravanea, Saccharum spp. are dominant species of grasses in the Natioal Park. |
| It has numerous internal water channels, seasonally flooded forests, "beels", and grassy pockets. This makes it an interesting birding destination for rare specialised grassland and swamp forest birds such as the threatened Marsh Babbler, Jerdon's Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Swamp Prinia and Jerdon’s Bushchat. Some of the other birds found here are Swamp Francolin, Cotton Pygmy-goose, Spot-billed Duck, Speckled Piculet, Drongo Cuckoo, Pale-capped Pigeon, Grey-headed Lapwing, Slenderbilled Vulture, Red-necked Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Darter, Rosy Minivet, Spangled Drongo, Little Pied Flycatcher, Pale-chinned Flycatcher, White-tailed Rubythroat, White-tailed Stonechat, Spot-winged Starling, Pale-footed Bush Warbler, Japanese Bush Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Bush Warbler, Grey-sided Bush Warbler, Spotted Bush Warbler, Paddyfield Warbler, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Thick-billed Warbler, Smoky Warbler, Striped Tit-Babbler, Chestnut-capped Babbler, Jerdon's Babbler, Nepal Fulvetta, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Black-throated Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, Black-breasted, Weaver, Streaked Weaver, Yellow-breasted Bunting, Black-faced Bunting. |
Manas National Park: (ASSAM)
Manas National Park: (ASSAM) |
The only Tiger Project in Assam, Manas, 176 km from Guwahati is one of the nine Tiger Reserves for conservation of wildlife in India. It is situated on the bank of the river Manas. Manas has its own peculiar faunal features, with the hispid hare, Pigmy hog and the fascinating Golden Langur. Other commonly seen animals are, Elephant, Rhinoceros, Water buffalo, Wild pig, Sambar, Swamp deer, Hog deer, During the winter, hundreds of winged species like Riverchats (White Capped Redstars), Forktails, Cormorants and various types of ducks including Rudly Shelducks migrate to Manas. The woodland birds are no less charming and include the Indian Hornbill and the great Pied Hornbill. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary: 60 km away from Guwahati is Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary where deers and rhinos can be seen. This Sanctuary is around 2 hours drive from Guwahati. |
Wildlife Tour: Manas National Park Visit JUNGLE NIGHTS : Your Intimate Affair with Manas |
Places Covered : Guwahati - Shillong - Manas - Guwahati. Duration : (2 night 3 days) Area: 2800sq km Best season to visit: November to March Status: World Heritage Site |
Kaziranga Hotel , Wild life safari at Kaziranga
COTTAGE HRISHIKESH KAZIRANGA : |
| Greetings from Hrishikesh Travels and Cottage Hrishikesh ...for homely comfort !! Location Middle Assam in North East India ( NAGAON AND GOLAGHAT DIST.) |
Located on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River in the far North East of India, Assam, Kaziranga National Park covers an area of approximately 430-sq-kms with its swamps and tall thickets of elephant grass making it the ideal habitat for the Indian One-Horned Rhino. Due to limitless poaching of this prehistoric survivor, the Kaziranga National Park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1940. Best Time to Visit Kaziranga National Park Kaziranga's visiting season is from mid-November to early April months. During the monsoons, the Brahmaputra River bursts its banks, flooding the low-lying grasslands and causing animals to migrate from one area to another within the Kaziranga National Park. |
Our Vision: |
Features : Number of Cottages - 4 Number of beds - 2 DBL Bed Per Cottage. Capacity - 4 Person Per Cottage. Facilities : Hot Water, Jeep & Elephant Safari Arrangements, Local Site Seeing,Pick up and drop to and fro airport, Travel Agency,TV,News Paper,Complementary Tea and Medical Consultation only(free),Kitchen on rental basis. Rates : 780/- for single occupancy. PRICES ARE SUBJECTED TO CHANGE |
| TERMS APPLY Elephant Safari - 300/-(INDIAN)1000/-(INTERNATIONAL) per person/Jeep Safari-340-450/- PP minimum 6 person. OPTIONAL ACTIVITY - TREKING,LOCAL VILLAGE VISIT,TRAVEL BY SHIP ON MIGHTY BRAHMAPUTRA,MAJULI VISIT,TEA-GARDEN VISIT,TEA GARDEN STAY AT HERITAGE BUNGLOW. For any queries please feel free to contact us. We do welcome your kind patronage and support in near future. For Direct Booking of Cottages Call :+91-361-2229920,9954364952(SMS) |
| NEAREST PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST (COURTSY MR.MANOJ DEKA) Garampani : It is a hot water spring inside the Nambar Reserve Forest, about 18 Km South of Golaghat town; only about 50 M. from the NH 39 on the way to Dimapur in Nagaland. One can visit it by hiring a taxi from Golaghat town or by public buses plying on the Golaghat Dimapur route. During winter season lucky visitors may get to see herds of wild elephants grazing by the side of the highway as NH 39 passes through the thickest portion of Nambor Forest. Neghereting Shiva Mandir : Perched on a hill top, it is an ancient Shiva temple built by Ahom kings. It is surrounded by lush green tea gardens and is a popular picnic spot. From the NH 37, it is only about 1 and 1/2 Km to the north. From Golaghat town, it is about 30 Kms and from Jorhat town it is about 32 Kms. Neghereting temple is also the home of hundreds of monkeys. Deopahar Ruins, Numaligarh : Is that ruins are always so much more appealing than restorations ? Deopahar is an example. Scattered on the hill top are ruins of an ancient temple with statues lying shattered and greenery sprouting from the heads of others. The climb to the top of the hill is exhausting, especially on a hot day, but the view from the top spanning across Numaligarh Tea Estate and nearby Karbi Anglong hills and forests is simply divine. Deoparbat is situated just by the side of road, about only 5 Kms. from Numaligarh Tinali on NH 37, from where the N.H. 39 leading to Dimapur starts. Uncle Robin's Children Museum : The museum is located on the main road in Golaghat town and within the residence of Dr Robin Banerjee, a naturalist of International repute. The museum is full of dolls, artifacts, mementos, movies and other personal collections of Dr Banerjee's lifetime. Dolls : There are 587 dolls and 262 other show pieces. They have mostly been presented by admirers and children during his many trips to abroad and within the country as well. Paintings/Photographs : There are 194 Paintings and 19 Award winning Photographs. All the paintings were done by Dr. Robin Banerjee and all the photographs taken by himself in very adverse conditions related to wildlife. Artifacts : There are 93 pieces artifacts. For instance, (a) Naga Warrior's head hunting basket, (b) Dalai Lama from Patala palace, Tibet made up of Fish Bones and (c) One small beautiful Horse made up of Turquoise and was gifted from China. Films : 26 documentary films started from 1953 to 1998 which were shot by him and six films are still in the cans without editing etc. Timings : From 10 A.M. to 1 P.M. and 2 P.M. to 4 P.M. (Museum) Film : After 5 P.M. Open on Monday to Friday, Sunday by appointment. GOLAGHAT BAPTIST CHURCH: Golaghat Baptist Church, one of the oldest and biggest Baptist Churches in Assam, which celebrated its Centenary Jubilee in 1999, came into being in December 1898. The pioneering man in this Great Venture was Dr. O. L. Swanson, a missionary from America, who had come to Assam in 1893 along with his wife. Dr. Swanson was assisted by a number of local people. |
Sunday, August 9, 2009
NAGALAND, STATE OF THE HEADHUNTERS ( 14 DAYS Tours)
Day 1: Arrival at Dibrugarh airport. Transfer to hotel in Sibsagar. Afternoon local sightseeing. Overnight hotel.
Day 2: Full day sightseeing at Sibsagar. Visit Shiva and Vishnu temples and the ruins of the Ahom kingdom – memories of a time when the Ahom kings ruled Assam. Overnight hotel in Sibsagar.
Day 3: Today we are driving from Sibsagar to Mon. First we will pass the Assam tea gardens before we enter Nagaland. When reaching Mon, we are in the heart of the Konyak tribal area. Here former headhunters with their tattood faces and big horns in their ears can still be admired. In the afternoon visit of Angh´s house at Chui. Konyaks are still ruled by heredetary chiefs known as Anghs. Overnight Mon.
Day 4: Full day visit of Konyak tribal villages. First we will drive to Shangnyu, which possesses a unique piece of woodcarving. It is a 20 feet long and 12 feet high fertility shrine made of one piece of wood. In the afternoon you will visit the traditional Mon Village. Overnight Mon.
Day 5: Full day drive through beautiful countryside to Mokokchung. This town is the cultural centre of the Ao Naga tribe. Overnight Mokokchung.
Day 6: Today whole day exploration of Ao Naga tribal villages. In Impur you can walk around the village on the old missionary´s path and visit the local museum with tribal exhibits. In the afternoon we will visit Longkhum, a vanguard village in the days of headhunting. Finally we will go to Ungma Village, the oldest and biggest Ao village. Overnight Mokokchung.
Day 7: After breakfast we will drive to Tuensang. In this area the Chang, Yimchunger, Khiamungan, Sangtam and Phom Nagas live. In the afternoon visit Tuensang Village. Overnight Tuensang.
Day 8: This day you will go to tribal villages in the region of Tuensang. It is an area, where you can also see many mithuns. The most important and still very traditional villages will be Noklak and Pangsha. Overnight Tuensang.
Day 9: After breakfast we will drive to Wokha. Near this town there is Longsa Village, which is inhabited by the Lotha tribe. Here Longzu (monoliths) are erected that remind of the merits of some ancestors. Thereafter we will continue our drive to Tuophema Village, where you will attend a cultural show in the evening. Overnight Tuophema Village.
Day 10: In the morning you can trek for some hours in the mountains near Tuophema (optional). In the afternoon we will drive to Nagaland´s capital Kohima. In this area you will find Angami Naga tribes. Overnight hotel in Kohima.
Day 11: In the morning sightseeing in Kohima. In Kohima you can still find the old town gates with their carved motives of headhunting. Another interesting sight is the local market and the war cemetery. In the afternoon visit Khonoma Village. Here the Angami Nagas fought a fierce battle against the British, who came in an expedition to these Naga hills in 1879. Overnight hotel in Kohima.
Day 12: Today you can make an easy trek in the paddy fields south of Kohima. Visit two villages of the Southern Angami tribe. Overnight hotel in Kohima.
Day 13: In the morning we will drive to Dimapur. Here you can see ruins from the Kachari Kingdom, that was established before the Ahom invasion in the 13th century. In the afternoon 13 km drive to Diezephe Craft Village (woodcarving and weaving). Here you can buy some final souvenirs. Overnight hotel in Dimapur.
Day 14: Transfer to airport for departure.
More Details-
Discover North-East India
Hrishikesh Travels
(Approved by Dept. of Tourism Govt. of Assam)
H.O : 38, Survey, Chandan Nagar, Beltola,
B.O : 4,Jatiyo Shahid Path,Beltola,
Guwahati - 781028, Assam,India.
Branch Office :
Nagaon, Kaziranga, Dibrugarh ,Jorhat , Silchar
E-mail:
hrishikeshtravels@gmail.com
Phones :
+91 361 2229920
+91 99543 64952 (8AM-8PM)
+91 98645 04986
+91 98599 78178
SMS :
+91 94350 32013 (24 HRS SMS)
TeleFax :
+91 361 2229920
Arunachal Pradesh MONASTIC TOUR and Kaziranga safari
Day 01: Arrival in Guwahati. Transfer to hotel. In case of early arrival visit of Kamakhya Temple in the afternoon. Overnight hotel.
Day 02: Drive through the Brahmaputra Valley to Nameri National Park. Choice of angling, a boat ride, bird watching or relaxing. Overnight in Nameri Eco Camp.
Day 03: Today we will enter Arunachal Pradesh and drive to Dirang. Enroute you will visit Tipi Orchidarium, Asia´s largest orchidarium with over 7500 orchids. In the afternoon visit Dirang, a Monpa village, with its traditional water mills and Dirang Dzong. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: In the morning you will visit the Buddhist Kalachakra Monastery. After that drive to Tawang. To get there we will have to cross the 4150 metres high Se-la Pass, which was once the battlefield where the Indian and Chinese armies fought against each other. Enroute we will visit the Se-la temple and stop at small villages on the road. In the afternoon visit a Buddhist nunnery, the Gyangong Ani Gompa close to Tawang town. Overnight hotel in Tawang.
Day 05: Explore the 350 year old Tawang Monastery and take part in the early morning puja. Tawang Monastery is the largest Tibetan style monastery in India and the second largest in Asia. It is inhabited by monks who belong to the Gelupa Sect of the Mahayana School of Buddhism. In the afternoon visit the Urgelling Monastery that was built in the 15th century. It is the birthplace of the Sixth Dalai Lama. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Drive back over the Se-la pass via Dirang to Bomdila. Enroute stop at villages and take photos of a fantastic waterfall. Overnight hotel in Bomdila.
Day 07: In the morning visit Rabgyaling Gontse Gompa, Upper Gompa and Thupchob Gatseling Gompa. After that we will have to leave the mountains and come to the plains of Assam when we drive to Kaziranga.. Overnight hotel.
Day 08: Early morning elephant safari. After breakfast a jeep safari to watch the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros and wild fowl. Overnight hotel.
Day 09: Drive to Guwahati. Check into hotel. Evening watch life on the river banks of the Brahmaputra or visit emporiums to buy some souvenirs. Here our interesting tour will end. Overnight hotel.
Day 10: Transfer to airport for departure.
More Details -
Discover North-East India
Hrishikesh Travels
(Approved by Dept. of Tourism Govt. of Assam)
H.O : 38, Survey, Chandan Nagar, Beltola,
B.O : 4,Jatiyo Shahid Path,Beltola,
Guwahati - 781028, Assam,India.
Branch Office :
Nagaon, Kaziranga, Dibrugarh ,Jorhat , Silchar
hrishikeshtravels@gmail.com
Phones :
+91 361 2229920
+91 99543 64952 (8AM-8PM)
+91 98645 04986
+91 98599 78178
SMS :
+91 94350 32013 (24 HRS SMS)
TeleFax :
+91 361 2229920
