Yamunotri - the sacred dham of Hindus

From Delhi – 487 km

From Dehradun – 172 km

From Rishikesh – 213 km

Overview – 

Perched at an elevation of 3,293 mtr above sea level, Yamunotri is the source of the sacred River Yamuna. Situated in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, Yamunotri is one of the four (char) sacred dhams (places) according to Hindu mythology. According to Hindu mythology, it was the home of an ancient sage - Asit Muni. Thousands of pilgrims flock to the holy shrine here, which remains open between May and November. Yamunotri lies on the western side of the Bandarpunch Mountain (6,315 mtr) close to the Indo-China border. The Yamunotri Temple dedicated to goddess Yamuna and the hot water springs in the vicinity are the major attractions of this pilgrimage destination.  

Yamunotri

Don’t Miss – 

A dip in hot springs and cooking rice in its water are popular rituals performed by the devotees at Yamunotri. Surya Kund, an important thermal spring and Divya Shila, a huge rock pillar are other attractions. Jankichatti located 7 km from Yamunotri is famous for its hot water springs. Hanumanchatti - the confluence of River Yamuna and Hanuman Ganga, at a distance of 13 km, is the starting point for the thrilling Dodi Tal Trek.

Getting There –

Rail – Dehradun (172 km) and Rishikesh (213 km) are the nearest railheads from Yamunotri. Both these railway stations are linked to Delhi by a number of express trains. 

Road – From Delhi, take NH 58 to reach Rishikesh, via Modinagar and Roorkee. The journey takes around 6 hours. From Rishikesh, a 213 km road journey takes one to Hanumanchatti, where the motorable road ends. From here, one has to cover the 13 km trek either on foot or on ponies. Porters and palanquins are available on hire and the route passes through rugged mountains and dense forests. 

Vapi - the industrial town in Southern Gujarat

From Mumbai – 193 km

From Surat – 100 km

Overview - 

Vapi is an industrial town in southern Gujarat, approximately 28 km south of district headquarters Valsad. A fast growing city, Vapi is home to large number of industries such as chemicals, dyes, food products, glass, paints, paper, plastics, pharmaceuticals, packaging, rubber, textiles and woods. Set on the banks of Damanganga River, Vapi serves as a base to visit the union territory of Daman. From Vapi, taxis and auto-rickshaws to Daman are available at regular intervals. 

Vapi Beach

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Hardly 13 km from the industrial township of Vapi, the union territory of Daman is a favourite gateway for vacationers. Far from the hustle and bustle of cities, Daman welcomes discerning holidaymakers with soothing winds, clean white sands, tranquil environs, magnificent forts and massive churches.   

Getting There –

Rail – Vapi Railway Station is under the administrative control of Western Railways. Several intercity express trains connect Vapi with Ahmedabad and Mumbai, including the Shatabdi Express.

Road – Vapi is connected by NH 8 with Mumbai, Surat and other important places of Gujarat. 

Vadodara - the City of Culture

From Mumbai – 448 km

From Ahmedabad – 113 km

Overview - 

Earlier known as Baroda, Vadodara is often referred to as the Sayaji Nagari (Sayaji’s City) or Sanskari Nagari (The City of Culture). Situated on the banks of the River Vishwamitri, Vadodara is famous for the picturesque Laxmi Vilas Palace and Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. A historic city, Vadodara abounds with magnificent buildings, temples and monuments, old museums and well-maintained gardens. Besides a cultural and educational centre of Gujarat, the city is also home to big industries, shopping malls and multiplexes. 

A historical monument in Vadodara

Don’t Miss - 

Built by Maharaja Sayajirao in 1890, Laxmi Vilas Palace is a splendid Indo – Saracenic style building and a must visit place in Vadodara. The royal family’s residence has a well-ornate Darbar Hall and elegant walls with mosaic decorations. Laxmi Vilas Palace complex sprawling over 700 acres, houses several buildings including the Moti Baug Palace and Maharaj Fateh Singh Musuem which has a fine collection of old armoury and bronze sculptures. Other important places to visit in the city are Baroda Museum, Aurobindo Society, Kirti Mandir, Nazarbaug Palace, Makarpura Palace and Sayajibaug. 

Getting There –

Train – Vadodara Railway Station is a major rail head on the Mumbai – Delhi and Mumbai – Ahmedabad routes, served by several superfast and express trains.

Road – Take the NH 8 from Mumbai, passing through Navsari and Bharuch to reach Vadodara. The city is also connected through Indian National Expressway – 1 (97 km) with Ahmedabad.  

Uttarkashi – the sacred place for Hindus

From Delhi – 385 km

From Haridwar – 175 km 

Overview – 

Set at an elevation of 1,352 mtr above sea level, Uttarkashi is an important pilgrimage destination for Hindus. The picturesque town, situated on the banks of Bhagirathi River, also draws adventure seekers in large numbers. Uttarkashi is home to several temples and ashrams, with Lord Vishwanath Temple being the most important. Other noted temples of the town are Gyaneshwar Temple, Bhairav Temple and Ekadash Rudra Temple. Every year on the occasion of ‘Magh Mela’ (January 14), devotees visit the town to take a holy dip in Bhagirathi River. 

Uttarkashi

Don’t Miss – 

Located 5 km from Uttarkashi, the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering offers training in mountaineering to adventure enthusiasts. From the town, also pay a visit to Kuteti Devi Temple, perched atop a hill, about 1.5 km away. You may also take leisurely walks along the picturesque trails, leading to temples and ashrams in the vicinity. 

Getting There –

Train – Rishikesh railway station (170 km) is the major railhead close to Uttarkashi. From Delhi, a number of trains run to Rishikesh. From there, you have to travel by road to reach Uttarkashi, approximately six hours away. 

Rail – From Delhi, drive on NH 58, which takes you to Rishikesh via Modinagar and Roorkee. The journey should take you 6 hours. After crossing Rishikesh town, leave NH 58 and take a left turn towards NH 94. Further, NH 94 takes you to NH 108, which is directly connected to Uttarkashi. As the roads from Rishikesh to Uttarkashi pass through hilly terrain, the journey may take five to six hours.   

Thane - the suburb of Mumbai

From Mumbai – 35 km

Overview – 

Thane, literally meaning ‘station’ in Marathi, is an industrial town situated on Salsette Island, northeast of Mumbai. Set on the banks of Thane creek, the city is flanked by Yeour Hill and Parsik Hill, on the west and east respectively. Due to its strategic location, the city is a major hub of economic activity and is home to several industries. Thane is dotted with around 30 big and small lakes, making a perfect getaway for people living in Mumbai and nearby areas. Visitors throng the city to enjoy a pleasant break from their busy schedules.

Thane, Mumbai

Don’t Miss – 

While in Thane, visit the Masunda Talao, also called Talao Pali. Considered the most beautiful lake in the city, it offers excellent boating and water scooter facilities. Also visit Upavan Lake, another scenic lake in Thane to refresh yourself.  

Getting There –

Train – Thane railway station is an important railhead of the Central Railways and served by almost all trains running on the Konkan Railway route from Mumbai.  

Road – From Mumbai, a regular bus service to Thane is available at frequent intervals. You may also hire a local taxi from Mumbai to reach Thane.

Air – Mumbai airport is approximately 25 km from Thane, which is connected by numerous flights from important cities of the country. From the airport taxis are available to Thane, the journey takes around 30 minutes. 

Surat - The 'Diamond City' of India

From Mumbai – 263 km

From Ahmedabad – 255 km

Overview – 

Popularly called the ‘Silk City’ or ‘Diamond City’, Surat is renowned world over for its diamond and textile industries. A port city, situated on the left bank of the Tapi River, Surat is also renowned for its rich culture, scrumptious cuisine and numerous places of tourist interest. Chintamani Jain Temple, dating back to 15th century is a must visit place in the city. The temple is known for its delicate wood carvings and paintings and it houses some of the rarest paintings of Jain monk Acharya Hemchandra, King Kumarapal and Solanki King. Other interesting places in the city are Old Fort, Sardar Patel Museum, Dutch Garden, Dutch Cemetery and Choppati. 

Surat, Gujarat

Don’t Miss – 

Savour the traditional local cuisine, which is quite spicy and not typically sweet like Gujarati food usually is. From the city, take excursions to health resorts at Dumas (16 km) and Hajira (28 km), where you can relax and unwind. For a wild experience, visit the Vansada National Park in Valsad district to spot tigers, leopards and other animals. 

Getting There –

Train – Surat railway station is a major railhead of the Western Railways on the Mumbai – Delhi route. The railway station is served by several express and superfast trains from Mumbai and important cities of Gujarat.  

Road – From Mumbai, drive on the NH 8 that takes you to NH 6 (Surat – Kolkata Highway), a 16 km long connector highway to Surat. The city is also linked by the Golden Quadrilateral Highway. The road journey from Mumbai to Surat takes around five hours. 

Sonapani - a tranquil getaway closeby Mukteshwar

From Delhi – 360 km

From Kathgodam – 80 km

From Nainital – 55 km

Overview – 

Just 8 km from the famous hill station Mukteshwar, Sonapani is a small town in Nainital district. Far from bustling city life, the town is a tranquil getaway amidst ‘nature’s own abode’. Sonapani is an ideal place to enjoy a relaxed vacation, both for discerning travellers and adventure sports lovers as well. Set amidst the lofty Himalayan peaks, it offers breathtaking views of snow clad mountain ranges, including Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Maiktoli, Panchchuli and Trishul. 

Sonapani, Uttarakhand

Don’t Miss – 

If you’re looking for a never before adventure experience, then Sonapani is the perfect place for you. Adventure options available at Sonapani are rock climbing, rappelling, jungle and village walks, trekking to Kapileshwar Temple and river crossing. You can also visit Almora, 23 km away, for a quaint hill station experience. 

Getting There –

Train – The nearest railhead from Sonapani is located at Kathgodam (80 km). From there, you have to take the road to Sonapani, approximately two hours away. Kathgodam railway station is connected by Ranikhet Express and Uttarakhand Sampark Kranti Express from Delhi. 

Road – Take NH 24 from Delhi, drive till you reach Rampur and then turn left towards Bilaspur. Drive further to reach Haldwani via Rudrapur and take NH 87 for Nainital. From there, take the road passing through Talla Ramgarh and Malla Ramgarh. After crossing these places, turn towards Sonapani by leaving the road leading to Mukteshwar. The trip from Delhi to Sonapani will take around 10 hours. 

Solan - the Gateway to Himachal Pradesh

From Delhi – 340 km

From Kalka – 42 km

From Shimla – 52 km

Overview – 

Often referred to as the Gateway of Himachal Pradesh, Solan is a quiet small town, suitable for family trips and romantic vacations alike. Basically an agricultural area, the town is known as the ‘mushroom city of India’, for producing large varieties of mushrooms. Solan is also famous for housing the Mohan Meakins brewery, the oldest in India. Besides being an industrial hub of the state, the town, situated at an average altitude of 1,467 mtr, boasts of numerous old temples, architectural wonders of the colonial era and quaint picnic spots. Sholoni Devi Temple, dedicated to goddess Sholini (after whom the town is named) is a must visit place while in Solan.

Solan, Himachal Pradesh

Don’t Miss – 

For adventure enthusiasts, the River Giri meandering through the town offers some fine angling spots like Mareog, Karkanu and Gaura. Solan is a trekking paradise for nature lovers with hilly and picturesque trails. Some of the major attractions in and around Solan are Jatoli Shiv Temple, Karol Tibba, Meteol Tibba, Kotla Nallah, Yungdrung Tibetan Monastery (close to Nauni) and Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry at Nauni. 

Getting There –

Train – Kalka railway station is the major railhead close to Solan. Board the overnight Kalka Mail from Delhi, which reaches Kalka early in the morning. From Kalka, take the toy train (Kalka – Shimla) to reach Solan. 

Road – From Delhi, drive on NH 1 till Ambala. Further, take the NH 21 and then NH 22 to reach Kalka. Solan is situated on the Shimla – Kalka Highway (NH 22), at a distance of 42 km from Kalka and 52 km from Shimla. From Kalka, buses and taxis are available at regular intervals to Solan. The road journey from Kalka to Solan takes around one and half hours. 

Siana - a small hamlet in Jalore, Rajasthan

From Delhi – 690 km

From Jodhpur – 180 km

From Udaipur – 175 km

Overview – 

Situated 180 km from Jodhpur, Siana is a perfect place for a weekend break, far from the busy city life. Siana is a small hamlet in Jalore district of Rajasthan, around 36 km from district headquarters. A historic place, Siana was ruled by several mighty kingdoms, including the Rajputs. Located in south western Rajasthan, the town is still untouched by modernisation and offers a wonderful chance to see and experience the centuries old traditional lifestyle. 

Don’t Miss – 

Set amidst the Aravalli Hill range, the terrain of Siana consists of a fine blend of sand dunes and auricular lands, which make the area perfect for camel and horse safaris. During your trip, enjoy a pleasant ride on camel or horse back, across the picturesque countryside. Meet local villagers and experience their unique culture and lifestyle. Camping is another exhilarating adventure activity at Siana. Don’t forget to visit the Aisrana range, where the rock formations offer a wonderful sight, against the picturesque backdrop of the setting sun.  

Getting There –

Train – Sirohi Road railway station is the nearest railhead from Siana, connected by a number of trains to Delhi via Jaipur and Udaipur. 

Road – From Delhi, take NH 8 and leave the road at Beawar. From there, take a right towards NH 14 to reach Pali. Further, a state road takes you to Jalore and finally to Siana. The road journey from Delhi to Siana usually takes around 14 hours.

Sawai Madhopur - the gateway to Ranthambore National Park

From Delhi – 435 km

From Jaipur – 180 km

Overview – 

Sawai Madhopur is a small town of Rajasthan state and often referred to as the gateway of Ranthambore National Park, located 12 km away. A historic town, it is named after its founder Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur. Comprising twin towns of Old City and the Main town, Sawai Madhopur serves as the base to visit Ranthambore National Park. Nestled amidst the Aravalli and Vindhyachal ranges, Ranthambore is a world famous tiger reserve. Besides tigers, Sawai Madhopur is famous for its historic fort. 

Don’t Miss – 

While in Sawai Madhopur, a tiger safari in Ranthambore National Park is a must-do activity in the world’s only dry deciduous tiger habitat. Explore the Park and there are fair chances you’ll spot tigers, mostly around the water streams flowing through the Park’s rocky outcrops. Leopards, hyena, jackals, sloth bears, wild boars, crocodiles and tortoise are other animals which you can see. Ranthambore National Park also provides shelter to more than 250 bird species. Ranthambore Fort, a 10th century fort built by the Chauhans is situated inside the Park and it deserves a visit. 

Getting There –

Train – Sawai Madhopur railway station is an important railhead on the Delhi – Mumbai route. Almost all trains running on this route stop at Sawai Madhopur railway station. From Delhi, a number of trains are available to Sawai Madhopur, including August Kranti Rajdhani Express, Golden Temple, Jan Shatabdi Express and Intercity Express. 

Road – From Delhi, drive on the Delhi – Jaipur Highway to reach Jaipur. The 265 km long journey to Jaipur should take around five hours. From Jaipur, NH 12 takes you to Tonk and then take a left to reach Sawai Madhopur. The road trip from Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur takes approximately four hours.