Destinations that don distinctly different looks with change of season are hard to find. iDiva explores some such rare places transforming themselves through the magic and mystery of nature.
Where: The Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand
Why: This splendid landscape comes alive after the cold harsh winter. In complete contrast to the snowy white cover, spring brings the first signs of new life and with the light rain in summery June this alpine meadow blooms with almost 300 varieties of wild flowers in front of your eyes. The bright colours provide a beautiful contrast with the stark white of the snow-capped mountains, and it is because of the wondrous transformation that locals believe that this is the land of fairies. Nature lovers would be thrilled with the various species of butterflies and Himalayan birds. The very rare snow leopard, Himalayan bear and the musk deer can also be spotted here. Lose yourself in nature and find yourself spiritually enlightened!
How: There are organised tours from Rishikesh that also include a visit to the holy town of Badrinath. After getting to the closest town of Joshimath, there is a 13 km trek from Gobindghat which is an hour away from town, to the base camp at Ghangaria. From there, it is a 3 km walk to the main valley. To prevent people from causing too much damage to the foliage, the park is only open from 6am to 6pm and the last entry is at 3pm. No overnight camping is allowed and you have to trek back to base camp the same day. You should carry food and dry clothing on the hike, in case there’s a sudden downpour. Porters are available to make the trek easier for you, so you needn’t worry about your bags weighing you down.
When: June-August
Where: Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary, Orissa
Why: This salt-water lagoon is the largest in Asia and is famous for the Irrawaddy dolphins, an endangered species, that are found only in this area and some parts of South East Asia. This lake is a perfect place for bird watching, fishing and boating. The winter season is the best time to visit because the serene lake becomes overpopulated with countless migratory birds. This arrival is truly beautiful to watch. A rough estimate states that around 4.5 lakh birds from close to a 100 different species come to Orissa during the winter from places like Siberia, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Himalayas. You can spot flamingoes, spoonbills, and purple moorhen among others. Also, the lake is abundant with sealife and crabs, fish and prawn make up for a large part of their livelihood, so you will not be denied of delicious seafood. Other than this, Chilka also houses blackbuck, spotted deer, golden hyenas and more. There are also temples and picnoc spots around the sanctuary that you can visit.
How: It is around 120 km away from Bhubhaneshwar, which has the closest airport. There are state transport buses that ply back and forth to the lake and you can also avail of tour operators. Rambha and Balugaon are the closest train stations and connect places like Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai.
When: October-March
Where: River Zanskar, Ladakh
Why: There can be no better way to define the word versatility. From gushing white waters to a frozen sheet of ice, the Zanskar River is completely transformed with the onset of different seasons. During the months of July and August—considered summer in Ladakh—people head to Zanskar for the thrill and adventure of white-water rafting amid Grade III rapids. The intoxicating feeling of your adrenaline pumping and the tiresome yet excited enthusiasm of rowing through the rapids makes rafting worth the while. As winter arrives, you can come back for an experience that is unmatched by any other. Walking on a frozen river is the craziest adventure you’ll ever have. You can walk through the small towns of Pishu, Pidmo, Stongde and Zangla and their impressive gompas and forts. What makes this even more enticing is the unpredictability of the conditions encountered and the remoteness of the area visited. Be sure to do a proper research of the weather and other conditions of the place before you head there, as one needs to acclimatise to the altitude.
How: The nearest airport is at Leh. Zanskar is also connected to Kargil via rail. The roads connecting Kargil to Zanskar are open from July to October only. There are several tour operators that offer trained local Zanskari potters and guides one you’re at Leh.
When: July-August is ideal for rafting. The Chadar trek usually takes place between December and February.
Why: This splendid landscape comes alive after the cold harsh winter. In complete contrast to the snowy white cover, spring brings the first signs of new life and with the light rain in summery June this alpine meadow blooms with almost 300 varieties of wild flowers in front of your eyes. The bright colours provide a beautiful contrast with the stark white of the snow-capped mountains, and it is because of the wondrous transformation that locals believe that this is the land of fairies. Nature lovers would be thrilled with the various species of butterflies and Himalayan birds. The very rare snow leopard, Himalayan bear and the musk deer can also be spotted here. Lose yourself in nature and find yourself spiritually enlightened!
How: There are organised tours from Rishikesh that also include a visit to the holy town of Badrinath. After getting to the closest town of Joshimath, there is a 13 km trek from Gobindghat which is an hour away from town, to the base camp at Ghangaria. From there, it is a 3 km walk to the main valley. To prevent people from causing too much damage to the foliage, the park is only open from 6am to 6pm and the last entry is at 3pm. No overnight camping is allowed and you have to trek back to base camp the same day. You should carry food and dry clothing on the hike, in case there’s a sudden downpour. Porters are available to make the trek easier for you, so you needn’t worry about your bags weighing you down.
When: June-August
Why: This salt-water lagoon is the largest in Asia and is famous for the Irrawaddy dolphins, an endangered species, that are found only in this area and some parts of South East Asia. This lake is a perfect place for bird watching, fishing and boating. The winter season is the best time to visit because the serene lake becomes overpopulated with countless migratory birds. This arrival is truly beautiful to watch. A rough estimate states that around 4.5 lakh birds from close to a 100 different species come to Orissa during the winter from places like Siberia, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Himalayas. You can spot flamingoes, spoonbills, and purple moorhen among others. Also, the lake is abundant with sealife and crabs, fish and prawn make up for a large part of their livelihood, so you will not be denied of delicious seafood. Other than this, Chilka also houses blackbuck, spotted deer, golden hyenas and more. There are also temples and picnoc spots around the sanctuary that you can visit.
How: It is around 120 km away from Bhubhaneshwar, which has the closest airport. There are state transport buses that ply back and forth to the lake and you can also avail of tour operators. Rambha and Balugaon are the closest train stations and connect places like Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai.
When: October-March
Why: There can be no better way to define the word versatility. From gushing white waters to a frozen sheet of ice, the Zanskar River is completely transformed with the onset of different seasons. During the months of July and August—considered summer in Ladakh—people head to Zanskar for the thrill and adventure of white-water rafting amid Grade III rapids. The intoxicating feeling of your adrenaline pumping and the tiresome yet excited enthusiasm of rowing through the rapids makes rafting worth the while. As winter arrives, you can come back for an experience that is unmatched by any other. Walking on a frozen river is the craziest adventure you’ll ever have. You can walk through the small towns of Pishu, Pidmo, Stongde and Zangla and their impressive gompas and forts. What makes this even more enticing is the unpredictability of the conditions encountered and the remoteness of the area visited. Be sure to do a proper research of the weather and other conditions of the place before you head there, as one needs to acclimatise to the altitude.
How: The nearest airport is at Leh. Zanskar is also connected to Kargil via rail. The roads connecting Kargil to Zanskar are open from July to October only. There are several tour operators that offer trained local Zanskari potters and guides one you’re at Leh.
When: July-August is ideal for rafting. The Chadar trek usually takes place between December and February.
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