When we decided to do a road trip from Bangalore to Northeast India, I knew Arunachal Pradesh would surprise us in many ways. But there was one place we hadn’t really planned for, one that felt more like a blessing than a destination — Gurudwara Teesri Udasi in Tawang.

I wasn’t expecting to feel what I felt there. It wasn’t on any must-see list I came across, and yet it turned out to be one of the most peaceful and soulful places we visited on our entire journey.

When we reached, there was no one else there, except the army personnel who maintain the place. And honestly, that made the experience even more special. Maybe not many people know about this Gurudwara, like we didn’t until just a day before (while visiting Sungester lake). Or maybe it’s because getting there involves a short uphill walk, and not everyone is up for that, especially when the weather is not that great.

It had also been raining since morning, so that could be another reason people chose not to visit it. But I’m so glad we didn’t skip it. Some places just find you when you’re meant to experience them and this was definitely one of those.

Gurudwara Teesri Udasi in Tawang is also known as Tiger Hill Gurudwara, as it is located on Tiger Hill, the name of the mountain. But why is it called Teesri Udasi?

Teesri Udasi Gurudwara Sahib, Tawang

You may check our Arunachal Trip Playlist on YouTube!

What is “Teesri Udasi”?

Before I talk about the Gurudwara itself, let me give you a quick background. The word “Udasi” means journey. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus, undertook five major spiritual journeys during his lifetime. These journeys are known as Udasis.

These weren’t simple travels, they were deep spiritual pilgrimages covering vast parts of India and beyond. He covered a distance of around 28,000 km on foot, over a period of 24 years. He travelled across India, South Asia, and even reached parts of the Middle East and Tibet, sharing his message of love, peace, equality, and the oneness of God (Ek Onkar).

During his third Udasi, believed to have taken place between 1514 and 1518, Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited Tibet twice. The first time, in 1514, he travelled to Mansarovar and Mount Kailash, and came back to India through the same route.

Way to Gurudwara Teesri Udasi

But the second time, his path was different. He travelled through Nepal, Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh, and from there, continued towards Lhasa in Tibet.

And it is believed that during this journey, Guru Nanak Dev Ji meditated in a cave right here in Tawang. That very cave has now been turned into a Gurudwara and because it’s associated with his Teesri Udasi, the name stuck.

That’s how this peaceful little place on a hill came to be known as Gurudwara Teesri Udasi in Tawang.

Our Journey to Gurudwara Teesri Udasi

We were staying in Tawang and had just started exploring the region. On our very first day of sightseeing, we planned to visit Bumla Pass, PTSO Lake, and Sungester Lake (also known as Madhuri Lake). But since our Bumla permit was scheduled for the next day, we decided to just do the lakes for now.

Here’s a video of how to get the permit for Bumla Pass on YouTube-

After soaking in the views at PTSO Lake, we moved ahead towards Sungester, taking the left turn at the Y-junction. Just about 2.6 km from there, something caught our eye, a small Gurudwara tucked at the base of a hill.

Curious, we stopped to check it out. There was something instantly peaceful about it. But since we were on a tight schedule and had planned the day around the lakes, we skipped the trek up to the main Gurudwara on the hill and continued on to Sungester Lake.

But the story didn’t end there.

While returning from the lake, we passed the same spot again. And this time, something tugged at our hearts. There was this unexplainable pull, like the place was quietly calling us back. We paused. Talked about it. We had just one more day in Tawang, and the next day was fully packed. We were finally visiting Bumla Pass, and from there heading straight to Zemithang.

Still, something inside us knew we had to return.

And so we did.

Here’s a glimpse of our visit to Gurudwara Teesri Udasi in Tawang-

The next day, after visiting Bumla, we were driving back on the same route. We took that turn again. This time, we parked the car and walked up the hill to the Gurudwara Teesri Udasi in Tawang.

And I can’t explain it in words, the experience was so peaceful, so soulful, it felt like the place had been waiting for us all along.

Sometimes, it’s the unplanned detours that stay with you the longest. For us, visiting Gurudwara Teesri Udasi in Tawang became one of the most heart-touching moments of our entire journey in Arunachal Pradesh.

A Simple Structure, A Strong Presence

The Gurudwara is tucked into the rugged cliffs of the mountain, quite literally built into the rock face. From a distance, it almost looks like it’s growing out of the hill itself, camouflaged by nature. But as you get closer, you begin to notice the bright prayer flags, the modest building, and the narrow path leading up to it.

It’s not a grand or elaborate structure. There are no huge golden domes. Yet, it commands your attention. Maybe it’s the setting, surrounded by towering cliffs and silence or maybe it’s the story behind it. Either way, the moment you see it, you feel a sense of awe and reverence.

The stairs to the Gurudwara are narrow and steep but well-built. And as you climb, the world around you starts to fade, it’s just you, the mountain, and a sacred stillness.

A Place Respected Across Faiths

You may already know that Arunachal Pradesh is known for its monasteries, especially the iconic Tawang Monastery, which is the largest in India and the second-largest in the world. But did you know that Guru Nanak Dev Ji is also deeply respected here?

Locals lovingly refer to him as Nanak Lama. In fact, in some traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, Guru Nanak is seen as an incarnation of Guru Rinpoche. He is also known as Guru Padmasambhava, the saint who brought Buddhism to Tibet. It’s rare and beautiful to see a spiritual figure being embraced across different faiths like this.

Inside Gurudwara Teesri Udasi

This deep sense of mutual respect and shared reverence is what makes this Gurudwara even more special. It stands quietly, high up in the mountains, but holds a powerful space in the hearts of the people from this region, regardless of religion.

The Role of the Indian Army

Since this area is very close to the Indo-China border, the presence of the Indian Army is strong throughout this region. In fact, the Gurudwara itself is maintained by the Army personnel stationed here.

They also serve a simple langar (community meal), and even if you’re not there during langar hours, they’ll always offer you tea or prasad with warmth and humility.

Teesri Udasi Gurudwara

We couldn’t help but feel grateful. Not just for the physical upkeep of the Gurudwara, but for their quiet, constant presence in such a remote and extreme terrain. It’s because of their dedication that this piece of history and faith continues to thrive, high up in the mountains.

Things to Know Before You Go

If you’re planning a trip to Tawang, do make time for this place. Here are a few tips:

• Start early in the day
  The Gurudwara is 25 km from Tawang and 2.6 Km from Y-junction. The weather in high-altitude areas can change quickly. It’s best to start your day early and keep extra time in hand, both in case the weather turns or if you’re planning to visit other places on the same route, like Sungester Lake or Bumla Pass.
• No permit needed
  You don’t need a special permit to visit this Gurudwara, unlike Bumla Pass. But since it’s on the way to Bumla, plan your stop accordingly.
• Located at a High Altitude
  The Gurudwara is situated at around 13,000 feet, so take your time while climbing. The air is thinner, and it’s normal to feel a little breathless. Keep yourself hydrated to prevent AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).
• Carry warm clothes
  Even if the sun is out, it can get windy, cloudy and cold, especially at higher altitudes. Layer up and keep a windcheater or warm jacket handy.

• 

  View from Gurudwara Teesri Udasi

• It’s a short uphill walk
  The Gurudwara on the hill is about a 20-30 minute walk from the road. The steps are steep but well-maintained. There are also resting sheds along the route and even a toilet, which makes the climb more manageable, especially for families and older visitors.
• Respect the space
  Though it’s maintained by the Indian Army, this is a sacred place. Cover your head, speak softly, and follow any instructions given on-site.
• Photography is allowed
  You can take photos inside and outside the Gurudwara, but always be mindful if Army personnel are around. Ask if you’re unsure.

There’s a Footwear protocol before entering. Just before reaching the Gurudwara at the top, you’ll find a Joda Ghar (footwear room). Visitors are expected to remove their shoes here and wear the slippers provided. These slippers must be taken off again at the Gurudwara entrance, as a sign of respect.

Most importantly, go with a quiet mind. You don’t have to be religious to feel the peace here.

Final Thoughts

Out of all the places we visited in Arunachal Pradesh, majestic monasteries, misty mountain passes, beautiful valleys — Gurudwara Teesri Udasi in Tawang offered something entirely different.

It gave us stillness.

It reminded me of the strength of simplicity. Of how one man’s journey, centuries ago, still touches lives in the most unexpected corners of the world.

And for that, I’ll always carry this visit close to my heart.

Have you ever visited a place that surprised you with its peace? Tell us in the comments below.

Planning a trip to Tawang? Here’s our detailed Tawang Itinerary, including how to get permits, places to stay, and hidden gems you shouldn’t miss.

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Mister Tikku.

The post Gurudwara Teesri Udasi in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh | Must Visit appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hello everyone, hope 2025 is treating you with love! My year started a bit rough, and by the time January ended, I was completely drained, physically and mentally. I badly needed a relaxing break, and our stay at RiverMist Resorts in Chikmagalur came at just the right time. Nestled in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, Chikmagalur is a peaceful hill station known for its lush coffee plantations and misty landscapes, just what I needed to reset and recharge.

A Quick Life Update (Skip if You Want to Jump to the Resort Details!)

Has it ever happened to you that you planned something perfectly, only for life to turn around and say, “Nope, not today!”? Well, welcome to my life. This kind of thing happens to me all the time, and 2025 started off no differently. The first day was fine. We had just returned from a nice vacation in Kerala. And, I thought that was the perfect way to begin the year.

But on the second day? Boom. I fell sick. And not just a little sick, the “why is the world ending?” kind of sick. So much for a fresh start!

Now, a sensible person would have rested. But me? Nope. Instead, I poured all my frustration into work and went full-on editing machine mode on our Arunachal Pradesh vlogs. Five videos in a week, one after another. Did it help me calm down? Yes. Did it completely wreck my health? Also yes. Who could have seen that coming, huh?

After a week, I finally managed to drag myself around the house, thinking I was on the road to recovery. And that’s when these headaches kicked in. I was popping painkillers just to stay on my feet. I knew stress was partly to blame because, of course, January is Nemit’s birthday month and my mom was visiting soon.

Now, my mom visiting wasn’t the stressful part (love you, Mumma!). But planning Nemit’s birthday? That was a different story. I wanted to plan more than just a celebration, more like an experience for him and for us.

But that’s a story for another day, which I’ll share in another blog post, hopefully soon!

At this point, the headaches were unbearable, but resting was no longer an option. And since my mom was coming, we had to stick to our ritual of planning a relaxing trip together. That’s when RiverMist Resorts in Chikmagalur popped back into my mind.

This place had been on my wish list for ages. But, we kept postponing it because luxury comes at a luxury price. Honestly, we’re at that stage where we’d rather spend on adventures than fancy resorts. But considering how January had exhausted me, I thought it was time to give in and indulge. And that’s how this much-needed escape to RiverMist Resorts in Chikmagalur finally happened.

RiverMist Resorts in Chikmagalur

We’ve visited Chikmagalur three times before, and each time, we’ve experienced something new. RiverMist Resorts in Chikmagalur is one of those places that strikes the perfect balance between relaxation and adventure. For someone like me, who thrives on thrilling outdoor activities in nature, this resort was a dream come true. Surrounded by dense jungles and coffee estates, it offers an alluring view of the Charmadi Ghats in the backdrop.

From the moment we arrived, it felt like we were in the heart of nature. The resort is peaceful, with lush greenery all around, offering a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle. What I loved the most is that while the resort provides the luxury of comfortable cottages and modern amenities, it doesn’t take away from the raw beauty of the surroundings. It’s like the perfect combination of luxury and adventure, where you can unwind and relax or explore nature-filled activities, depending on your mood.

How To Reach RiverMist Resorts?

The most common way to reach Chikmagalur is by car. If you’re coming from Bengaluru, it’s about a 5 to 6-hour drive (approx. 250 km). We took the NICE road, then NH75. We passed through Sakleshpura and continued on SH27, eventually reaching Mudigere. From there, it’s about an hour’s drive to the resort.

The total journey took us about 6 hours, and the route is well-maintained, making the drive smooth and quite enjoyable. The resort is located around 68 km from Chikmagalur city.

A heads-up from the resort staff: about 5 km before you arrive, you’ll lose network connectivity, so they advised us to save the map offline. As we got closer, the road became more interesting especially the off-road stretch. The path was narrow, but driving through it was pretty exciting! The last 1 km before the resort was a bit patchy, and we even had to drive through a small river stream. It was a fun experience, and I’d love to go back during the monsoon to see the river with much more flow!

Overall, the drive wasn’t hectic at all. We left at 8 am, took a 30-minute break and a fuel stop, and reached the resort by 2 pm.

First Impression

As we drove through the last stretch and finally reached RiverMist Resorts, there was an instant sense of calm. We were greeted with a warm welcome by the staff, who offered us refreshing drinks, instantly setting a relaxing tone for the stay.

Upon arrival, we were also informed that the parking area is located a little higher up on the property. The staff handles parking for you, so there’s no need to worry about it.

Since it was already lunchtime, the staff kindly suggested we have lunch before heading to our room. One of the team members took a moment to give us a quick overview of the resort, outlining all the activities we could enjoy during our stay. They also told us about the private waterfall on the property, which we were all excited to visit. After thanking them, we sat down for a hearty buffet lunch. The spread was delightful, and we really enjoyed the food.

Accommodation at RiverMist Resorts in Chikmagalur

RiverMist Resorts offers a range of rooms designed to cater to different preferences and budgets. The resort has six types of rooms:

• Luxury Pavilion: Features a spa tub and an open shower.
• Luxury Wood House: Equipped with a jacuzzi, loft, and living space with a sofa.
• Family Room: Perfect for groups or large families, with four beds that can accommodate up to eight individuals and two washrooms.
• Luxury Cottages: Known for their classy interiors, jacuzzi, and huge balcony.
• Premium Cottages: Spacious interiors with breathtaking views of the Charmadi Ghats from the balcony.
• Deluxe Rooms: Spacious rooms, but without a balcony.

We had booked the Premium Cottage, considering both our budget and our requirements. Since my mother was also with us, we requested an extra bed, which was comfortable and met our needs perfectly. The room itself was spacious, featuring a king-size bed. The ample storage space with big almirahs was the cherry on the cake. The bathroom was equally spacious, with the shower area separated by a sliding glass door, adding a touch of elegance.

Image Source: rivermistresorts.com

One of the best features of our room was the window wall, which provided a clear view of the beautiful Charmadi Ghats. The large balcony facing the Ghats made it even more special. The room came with several thoughtful amenities, including a kettle with tea and coffee-making supplies, a refrigerator, toiletries, bathrobes, slippers, swimming towels, a yoga mat, and a clothes-drying rack in the balcony.

However, one thing I always find puzzling at resorts is the lighting in the rooms. While the room was cozy and luxurious, I personally prefer brighter lighting, especially at night. Some resorts, like this one, tend to use minimal lighting with yellow tones to create a warm atmosphere, but I do miss having a bit more brightness in the room.

Food & Dining

One of the best things about staying at RiverMist Resorts was that all three meals, along with evening hi-tea, were included in our package. Since it was a buffet setup, we didn’t have to worry about ordering from an à la carte menu, which made mealtime super convenient.

The food was a mix of different Indian cuisines, with a strong influence of South Indian flavors. Every meal had both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, and the best part? The food was light, non-spicy, and well-balanced, making it enjoyable for all of us, including our son, who can be a bit picky at times. They always had at least one or two kid-friendly options in every meal, which was a thoughtful touch.

Breakfast mostly leaned towards South Indian cuisine, with just one North Indian option. While everything was delicious, I do feel they could add a couple more North Indian choices to make it more balanced. That being said, the highlight for my family was definitely the dessert section! My husband, son, and mom all have a major sweet tooth, so they looked forward to trying different desserts after every meal. Seeing them enjoy their sweet treats was a joy in itself.

Activities at RiverMist Resorts

This was hands down my favorite part of the stay at RiverMist! In fact, there’s so much to share that I’ve decided to write a separate post just about the activities. Otherwise, this one will turn into a mini travel guide on its own.

But to give you a quick idea, RiverMist has an exciting lineup of activities throughout the day, from nature treks and river walks to stargazing and bonfires. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re an adventure junkie or just looking to unwind in nature.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Booking Your Stay

• Road Conditions & Accessibility – The last stretch to the resort includes an off-road patch and a river crossing, which can become tricky during the rainy season. If you’re driving a sedan, proceed with caution, as SUVs are better suited for this terrain. If you’re planning a trip during monsoon, check with the resort in advance about road conditions.
• Resort Layout & Mobility – RiverMist is built on a steep landscape, which means walking from your room to the dining or play area involves climbing slopes. If you’re traveling with very young kids, carrying a stroller can help. For elderly family members who may have difficulty walking, it’s best to be mindful of the terrain before booking.
• Mobile Network & Wi-Fi – There is no mobile network in the area, but the resort provides Wi-Fi. However, the Wi-Fi connection varies by location within the property. Some may find this inconvenient, so it’s best to disconnect and enjoy the serene surroundings with family.
• Best Rates & Booking Tip – If you’re looking for the best rates, it’s advisable to book directly with the resort rather than through third-party websites.
• Seasonal Activity Availability – Certain activities like river walking and waterfall visits may not be available during monsoons due to safety concerns. If these activities are a priority for you, check with the resort in advance about their availability.
• Weather & Packing Essentials – Chikmagalur has pleasant weather, but it can get chilly, especially in the evenings. Carry light woolens if you’re visiting in winter. If visiting during the monsoon, be prepared for heavy rains and pack accordingly.

We made the most of our time there, indulging in everything from off-road rides and fish feeding to silent stargazing sessions under a sky full of stars. But I’ll save all the details (and my favorite moments!) for another post. Stay tuned!

Have you been to Chikmagalur before? Did you know about RiverMist Resorts before? Or is this going straight to your bucket list? Let me know in the comments!

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.

The post Our Stay at RiverMist Resorts in Chikmagalur | A Weekend Getaway appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hello everyone! I know I’m super late in posting this, but better late than never, right? Now that I am halfway through the Spiti Valley vlogs on my YouTube channel, I am excited to finally share our quick Bangalore to Spiti Valley road trip itinerary with you all.

We had actually planned this Spiti trip twice! If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you probably already know the story. But for those who don’t, let me fill you in!

The first time, we only made it to day 2, reaching as far as Sangla Valley, near Chhitkul. Unfortunately, I started experiencing severe gallbladder pain, and we had no choice but to turn back. We were disappointed but had to put our plans on hold and return to my mom’s place in Delhi.

After recovering from gallbladder surgery and taking a month’s rest, we decided to restart our journey. However, this time, my husband could only get a week off from work compared to the two weeks we had originally planned. So, we kept things simple and planned a shorter, more focused route, making the most of our limited time in Spiti.

This was an incredible journey, especially as we traveled with our 8-year-old son, Nemit, and my 68-year-old mother. If you’ve been planning a road trip to Spiti but are unsure about the route or logistics, I hope this itinerary will help you plan an unforgettable adventure of your own.

Bangalore to Spiti Valley Itinerary

You must be wondering why we never visited these places in North India when we were living in Delhi. Well, the reason is simple. We travel with a kid! We did a few road trips with our son Nemit when he was younger. But then, we had to book a cab with driver because he needed our undivided attention throughout the travel. We only started going on self-driven road trips a few years ago. Spiti Valley was our second long road trip after Rajasthan, which was also a 9-day long road trip. So, you see, we were just waiting for Nemit to grow a little older so that long drives would be more manageable for all of us. But, as always, distances have never stopped us from exploring new places!

We did this Bangalore to Spiti Valley road trip in our Tata Punch car. Here’s a quick 15-day itinerary of Spiti Valley road trip.

Days 1-3: Bangalore to Delhi

We’ve already done Bangalore to Delhi by road twice in the last year. Both times, we took the similar route through 7 states – Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. However, we stayed at different locations on each trip.

I have already shared a post about our first trip from Bangalore to Delhi by road. In this post, I will be sharing the itinerary for our second trip.

Day 1: Bangalore to Nagpur

• Distance: ~1098 km | Time: 20 hours
• We kicked off our journey from Bangalore quite early in the morning. It was a smooth but extremely tiring drive on NH44.
• Hotel: Treebo Tryst Median Inn, Nagpur (Not recommended).

My advice: I wouldn’t recommend driving such long distances with family. It’s tiring, uncomfortable and risky. 

Day 2: Nagpur to Jhansi

• Distance: ~607 km | Time: 13-14 hours
• Another long day on the road, and it wasn’t as smooth as we hoped. The roads in MP were full of rough patches, and we had to be extra cautious with cattle roaming freely on the highways. Despite the challenges, our excitement kept us going. We reached Jhansi around 9 pm for an overnight halt, tired but relieved to rest before the next leg of our journey.
• Hotel: Regenta Place, Jhansi (Highly recommended).

Day 3: Jhansi to Delhi

• Distance: ~475 km | Time: 10-11 hours
• We set out after a hearty breakfast at Regenta Place and made our way to Delhi. The drive was smoother, but the traffic as we neared the city slowed us down. By evening, we finally reached my mom’s place, tired but relieved to be home. It felt great to end the long journey with a warm welcome and a chance to rest.

You may also watch our Bangalore to Delhi Road Trip Videos from our first trip.

• Bangalore to Hyderabad
• Hyderabad to Narsinghpur
• Narsinghpur to Delhi

After reaching Delhi, we took a week-long break to relax and recharge before continuing our journey to Spiti Valley. To keep the itinerary in order, I’ll start from Day 4, which marks the first day of our Spiti trip from Delhi.

Day 4: Delhi to Narkanda/Rampur Bushahr

As I mentioned earlier, we only had two days to travel during our first attempt before we had to turn back. In those two days, we drove from Delhi to Narkanda on Day 1, and from Narkanda to Sangla on Day 2. However, after a month’s break following my gallbladder surgery, we resumed our trip. And that time, we skipped Narkanda, heading straight to Rampur Bushahr. While Narkanda is a beautiful spot, you can skip it on the way to Spiti and instead stay there on your return journey. The choice is yours!

• • Option 1: Narkanda (10 hours from Delhi) If you want to enjoy beautiful views and cooler weather, stop at Narkanda. It’s a charming hill station, perfect for relaxing after the long drive. Or, you can skip it and drive directly to Rampur Bushahr.
  • Hotel: 13 Forest B&B, Kotgarh

You may also check this YouTube video: Narkanda to Chhitkul Road Trip!

• Option 2: Rampur Bushahr (11 hours from Delhi) For a quicker night halt, Rampur is your option. It’s a little further, but a great place to rest before continuing to Spiti.
• Hotel: C Square Homestay

Day 5: Rampur Bushahr to Nako

• • Distance: ~202 km | Time: 6-7 hours
  • After breakfast at Hotel Mahesh in Jhakri, we headed to Nako. The scenic drive with river views was stunning, and we took several short breaks for fuel and snacks. Nako village, known for its picturesque lake, was a peaceful stop.
  • Hotel: Rikpa Homestay, family room with a single and double bed.

Day 6: Nako to Kaza

• • Distance: ~110 km | Time: 6-7 hours
  • On the way, we visited Gue Mummy Stupa, which was fascinating and surreal. The drive was thrilling, and we reached Kaza by evening. We stayed at a riverside homestay with stunning views.
  • Hotel: Spiti River View Homestay

Day 7: Kaza

This day was all about exploring the iconic spots around Kaza. We visited:

• • Chicham Bridge (the highest bridge in Asia),
  • Key Monastery (a 1,000-year-old Tibetan monastery),
  • The scenic villages of Kibber, Langza, Hikkim (home to the world’s highest post office), and Komic (one of the highest villages in the world).
  • Hotel: Spiti River View Homestay

Day 8: Kaza to Kalpa

• Distance: ~215 km | Time: 8-9 hours
• After breakfast, we left for Kalpa. This long drive took us through winding roads and breathtaking landscapes. When we reached Kalpa, it started raining so we couldn’t explore anything that day. The next day, we left for Chhitkul. But, luck took us back to Kalpa and then we visited Kalpa Monastery and Kinner Kailash view point.
• Hotel suggestion: The White Castle, Kalpa

Day 9: Kalpa to Chhitkul to Rakchham

• Distance: ~100 km | Time: 5-6 hours
• From Kalpa, we set off for Chitkul, the last village on the India-Tibet border. The road to Chitkul is known for being extremely dangerous, so it’s important to drive with extra caution. After reaching Chitkul, we had lunch at the famous “Hindustan ka Aakhiri Dhaba”. The quaint, peaceful vibe of Chitkul was the perfect way to unwind. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a good place to stay, as all the best options were already booked. So, we began our return journey and found ourselves in another gem of Kinnaur, Rakchham village. After days of driving and exploring, we instantly fell in love with Rakchham’s charm and peaceful beauty as soon as we arrived. So, we decided to take it easy and stay an extra day here.
• Hotel: Rupin Riverview, Rakchham

Day 10: Rakchham

• Rakchham is a beautiful valley, and we spent the day relaxing & unwinding, soaking in the beauty around us. This quiet, less-traveled valley gave us a chance to connect deeply with nature and experience a slower pace. We spent the day exploring scenic trails along the Baspa River, taking in views of snow-capped peaks, and chatting with friendly locals. Rakchham turned out to be a highlight of our trip, a hidden paradise we were so grateful to have discovered.
• Hotel: Osiya Rangnoo Rakchham Retreat

Day 11: Rakchham to Rampur Bushahr

• Distance: ~200 km | Time: 8-9 hours
• Hotel: Hotel Mahesh

Day 12: Rampur Bushahr to Delhi

• Distance: ~478 km | Time: 12-13 hours
• After a relaxing stay in Rampur, we began our final leg of the journey back to Delhi. This marked the end of our Spiti adventure, but we left with countless memories!

Days 13-15: Delhi to Bangalore

If you’re planning a trip from Bangalore to Spiti Valley like we did, you’ll need to add a few extra days for a stop in Delhi. Since our parents live there, we were able to take a longer break before resuming our journey. You could either stay a night in Delhi before heading back or drive straight through, aiming to reach Bangalore by Day 15.

This Bangalore to Spiti Valley trip was a dream come true, even more so because we did it in our Tata Punch! While the roads and terrain can be challenging, it’s definitely doable with careful planning. If you’re traveling with kids or senior citizens, remember to take it slow, stay flexible, and enjoy the journey!

If you have a few extra days or are starting this trip from Delhi, I recommend adding an extra day in Kaza, another day in Tabo, and one more day in Nako. This way, you’ll have more time to truly experience each place.

You may also check the other trip itineraries below.

• • 6 Days Kashmir Trip Itinerary
  • 6 Days Krabi Trip Itinerary
  • 7 Days South Goa Itinerary
  • 8 Days Meghalaya Trip Itinerary
  • 10 Days Andaman Trip Itinerary

Now, tell me, have you been to Spiti Valley? If yes, what was the highlight of your trip? Was it a road trip? Share your experience in the comments below. If not, then would you plan a trip to Spiti by road?

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.

The post Bangalore to Spiti Valley with Family in Tata PUNCH | 15 Days Itinerary appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hello everyone! I started this Lakshadweep Travel Series to share my experience of traveling to Lakshadweep with family. Along with that, I also wanted to share my learnings to help you plan a perfect trip to this beautiful island destination. I have already written 4 posts in this series and made 4 YouTube videos. I have covered the topics like how to choose the perfect beach destination; different ways to reach Lakshadweep; which island to visit in Lakshadweep and how to do the bookings. Since, we stayed at Bangaram Island in Lakshadweep, I want to share more about this beautiful island. Hence this post. I will do this post in 2-3 parts which will give you a clear picture of what to expect in Bangaram. And, if you have any other doubts, you are always welcome to ask them in the comments below.

Bangaram Island is the most famous island among the tourists and it’s also the least explored part of Lakshadweep. It has also been ranked among the best getaways of the world. It’s the uninhabited island and it has only one Govt. run beach resort (Bangaram Resort) for the tourists.

It is nearest to the airport island, located just 12 kms to the North from Agatti. And, it takes about 30-45 mins to reach Bangaram island by boat.

The only way to reach Bangaram is by boat from Agatti Island. And, to reach Agatti, one has to take an Alliance Air flight from Kochi.

You may read – Different ways to reach Lakshadweep Islands to find all the details about flight and ship bookings.

I have also shared our experience of reaching Agatti from Kochi in this YouTube video.

Agatti to Bangaram Island in Lakshadweep

Once you reach Agatti island, you have to wait for 30-45 mins at the airport. During that time, they will check all your documents like hotel booking, return flight booking and entry permit. After this, you will be directed to the cab which will take you to the jetty.

That 10 mins cab ride is something I will never forget as I have never been on such a beautiful road which has the sea on both its sides. The views were truly mesmerizing!

Airport Road, Agatti Island

At the jetty, they will help you board the boat to Bangaram. The islands in Lakshadweep are surrounded by shallow blue lagoons with crystal clear water. For 10-15 mins, you will enjoy the boat ride through the surprisingly calm waters of the lagoon. You can also see corals down there and if lucky you may spot some turtles swimming around.

As the boat starts moving out of the lagoon, you will feel the choppy sea but not much if the weather is good. The color of the water will change from turquoise to teal and then to dark blue. You would want to sit tight as the ride gets a bit rough for 20-30 mins. If you tend to get motion sickness/sea sickness, don’t forget to carry your medicine. And, here you may as well spot some dolphins racing with your boat.

And, after that when the boat starts entering the lagoon of the Bangaram island you get to enjoy the serenity once again. Along with that, you get to experience the gorgeous view of the Bangaram island. I bet you would want the time to stop there, it’s a very different feeling, I can’t even explain that in words. But at the same time you would want to get down on the island and touch the white sand.

Boat to Bangaram Island

It was the moment when we realized that we have actually reached Lakshadweep. It was not a dream!

Day 1 at Bangaram Island in Lakshadweep

The day we reached Bangaram, I knew that 4 days were just not enough. Though the island is really small (just 1 km) and there is not much to explore, you still can’t get enough of its beauty and calmness. But that’s it, you can not book a stay for more than 4 days at Bangaram. So, prepare your mind before reaching Lakshadweep otherwise you will cry like I did on our last day there. Honestly, there is no other place that has made such a huge impact on me. I can’t wait to plan a trip to Lakshadweep once again.

You may also read – How to do the Bookings for Lakshadweep?

As soon as you deboard at Bangaram, you will receive a warm welcome with a cool refreshing drink. The manager then gives a short briefing explaining about the island and activities, etc. After which, you will be directed to the restaurant where a scrumptious buffet lunch awaits you.

Restaurant at Bangaram, Choora The Food Court

Some people decide to go directly to their rooms first, get freshen up and come back for the lunch. But since our flight was delayed it was already 2 o’clock when we reached Bangaram and we were starving so we decided to have lunch first and then went to our rooms.

So, you actually get only 3.5 days to spent at Bangaram.

On day 1, you are already tired with all the traveling and you are a bit overwhelmed too. You would want to rest for a few hours after lunch.

But if you are traveling with a kid who is past his afternoon napping age and who loves sand and water more than anything else then be ready to turn into super parents and ditch resting for the rest of your life. Just kidding!

No, I am not!!!

We skipped the resting part and decided to explore the backside of the island as we were told it’s surrounded by a shallow lagoon. So, Nemit (our son) could enjoy in the water and we can sit under the shade of a tree.

To reach to the backside, you need to walk through the overgrown shrubs and tress and follow one of the several paths. It’s so easy to get lost even in that small area if your direction sense is really bad. It’s better to ask the staff for the best and shortest route to the backside, trust me it will save you a lot of time. Even if you decide to do it your way like we did, the first look of the beach through those shrubs will take take your breath away. It felt like we are looking at the door to heaven.

Way to the backside of Bangaram Island

We spent a few hours there, came back, took a shower and spent the rest of the evening just lazying around. And, after having a candle light dinner under the stars, we decided to call it a night.

In case, you are still in the process of deciding which island to visit in Lakshadweep, then you may want to check out this video.

That’s it for this post. In the next posts of Lakshadweep Travel Series, I will give a quick review of the resort room and share about the activities that one can enjoy at Bangaram island in Lakshadweep. You may also check out the Lakshadweep Playlist on our YouTube channel.

I hope you are enjoying reading this travel series. Do share this post with your friends and family. I will meet you in the next post. Till then, bye bye and take care!

The post Bangaram Island in Lakshadweep | Day 1 of our Lakshadweep Trip appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hello everyone, I hope you are finding this Lakshadweep Travel Series helpful. In today’s post, I will discuss about the process of doing the bookings for Lakshadweep. And, how to easily obtain an entry permit. When we were planning a trip to Lakshadweep, doing the bookings was the most tiring and frustrating part of the whole process. But it was because we had no one to guide us. And, assure us that whatever we were doing was the right way. I tried searching on Google as well as on YouTube to get the answers to my doubts. But the information out there seemed incomplete and somewhat unreliable. And, that is the biggest reason why I want to write this post and share what we learned about doing the bookings for Lakshadweep. And, I hope that this post helps you in planning your trip with ease.

First Step to do the Bookings for Lakshadweep

Now, this is very important to understand that when you plan a trip to Lakshadweep, wait until everything gets confirmed. Don’t rush to book the trains and flights before getting the confirmation for the hotel/package you want to book in Lakshadweep.

Even if you get the verbal confirmation, I would say, hold on till you get the written confirmation.

Also, you need to keep an eye on the flight/train availability while you wait for the package confirmation.

So, the first step to do the bookings for Lakshadweep is to decide how you want to travel to Lakshadweep i.e. by ship or by flight.

I have already shared this part in my video, so do check it out before moving ahead with this post-

Also, to get more clarity you may read this detailed post, what is the best way to reach Lakshadweep. I have also shared the approx. prices for each category in this post, so that you find it easy to plan your budget for the Lakshadweep trip or to take the right decision based on your budget.

And, to decide which island you would want to visit in Lakshadweep, check out this post, how to plan a trip to Lakshadweep.

Once you go through these posts, I am sure you will get a clear idea what you want to do; whether you want to book a ship cruise or you want to stay at an island.

Now comes the main question!

How to do the Bookings for Lakshadweep?

There are two ways to do the bookings for Lakshadweep.

1. Through the Govt. website (SPORTS)
2. Through a Travel Agent (Only SPORTS Authorized)

Usually people like to go with travel agents and book the pre planned packages offered by them. But we, on the other hand, absolutely hate booking travel packages even if they come with great deals. Simply because they limit our options to explore and it feels like we don’t get much freedom to do as we please.

And, that’s the reason we choose to plan and execute all our trips on our own. That’s what we tried doing with Lakshadweep trip as well. So, let’s take a look how you can book directly through SPORTS website.

Step 1 – Go to the link https://samudram.utl.gov.in/ and Sign Up!

Sign Up!

You can skip the sign up initially and access the website like that only and once you want to proceed with the booking, you can do the Sign up.

Step 2 – Go to the Booking section and select the package you want to book.

Here you can choose Samudram, which is a 5-Day Ship Package or Bangaram, Kadmat and Kavaratti which are the Island Stay Packages.

Select the Package!

Both these packages are all-inclusive (stay and food) except certain activities for which you need to pay on the island. Please check the details of inclusions and exclusions under the Packages section on the website.

You will see there is an option to book Thinnakkara island but please note there is no stay option available at Thinnakkara as of now (March 2023).

Step 3 – Check Availability.

This is the most difficult part of the booking process. Because 99.99% times it will show ‘Sorry, Rooms are not available for the selected dates’. This could be because the website is not updated regularly. You will be tempted to try and check the availability for other dates or may be for other months too but don’t keep your hopes very high, you just may get only disappointment. Don’t want to demotivate you here but just stating what we experienced. So, try but don’t lose hope, okay!

Check Availability!

We started checking the availability in October for a trip we wanted to take in January. Luckily, we got it for the dates we were looking for. Right now in March I tried checking availability for the rest of the months but every time I got the same message of non availability. Here’s an update dated 2oth March, it seems like the website got updated recently as I checked the availability again and this time it worked in the first attempt.

Here I am sharing the screenshot of how it looks like-

Source – https://samudram.utl.gov.in/

The above screenshot shows the number of available room at Bangaram Island.

The above screenshot shows the availability of Samudram Package for the month of October and November 2023.

Step 4 – Booking & Payment.

Now once you get the available dates on the website, you can simply follow the further steps, fill out all the details and make the payment. In this case, you will receive an email from the SPORTS about the confirmation of your booking. You can also send an email on your own to confirm your bookings at laksports.reservation@gmail.com (e-mails will be answered within 48 hours). Or, you can call at +91 484 2666789, +91 484 2668387.

Fill out the details!

Once you get the confirmation, you can proceed to apply for the Entry Permit.

Even though we got the option to book the package online we couldn’t convince ourselves to make the payment because of the uncertainty of things. We were worried what if we never get an acknowledgement. What if things get delayed, etc.

Package Price for Bangaram Island for 4 people (2 rooms) for 4 nights

When we tried to contact on the number provided on both their websites, they gave us another number which belonged to some private travel agency.

We were quite skeptical about the online booking process hence decided to skip it altogether and go directly with the travel agent.

But let me tell you we were unnecessarily paranoid because in Lakshadweep we met people who have booked the package directly online and they faced no issues. Also, they mentioned that once the payment was done the SPORTS personnel stayed in touch with them through WhatsApp.

So, it’s totally up to you how you want to do the bookings.

However, I can give you one solid reason to go ahead with a travel agent. There’s a high probability that you may get some discount if you negotiate with the agent. While there’s no chance of getting a discount if you book directly online.

We talked to 2-3 travel agencies and did the final bookings with Mr. Irshad Hussain from Lakshadweep Voyage.

Lakshadweep Voyage

We found him easy to talk to, he sounded genuine and he also didn’t take any extra amount or service charge from us. He stayed in constant touch with us through calls and WhatsApp messages. I must say it was our best experience of booking a package through a travel agency. So, if you too decide to book with a travel agent you may consider, Lakshadweep Voyage, without a doubt.

Here is the list of all the SPORTS Authorized Travel Agents – https://samudram.utl.gov.in/sprt_Agents.aspx, in case you want to check out the others too.

Another thing to note, if you book with a travel agent then you don’t have to worry about the entry permit too. As, they take the whole responsibility for that as well. Entry permit is usually issued within 7-15 days of your journey.

How to Get the Entry Permit?

You will need to apply for an Entry Permit if you do the bookings for Lakshadweep online. There are two ways to do that. One, you download the application form for entry permit, fill it and send it to the concerned authority. You will have to provide the police clearance report with this and your id proofs.

Another way is to do it online.

E-Permit

Go to https://epermit.utl.gov.in/ and create your account. Here, click on Apply for new Permit under the Permit section. Fill the details in the form and attach the required documents. Pay the entry fees and it’s done. Your permit will be ready for download 15 days prior to your journey date.

To visit Lakshadweep Islands, you need a sponsor. If you know someone residing in Lakshadweep then you may ask them to sponsor you, they will provide you a letter which you need to upload in the form. Or else, you will need to get entry permit with the help of a travel agent. If you are booking a private hotel then they can also sponsor you for the permit.

So, this is how you can do the bookings for Lakshadweep trip and get the entry permit. I hope this information helps you in planning your trip to Lakshadweep. If you still have any queries, please feel free to ask them in the comments below.

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In the next post of Lakshadweep Travel Series, I will share all about Bangaram Island and what to expect there. So, stay tuned!

When are you planning your Lakshadweep trip? Please do forward this post to your friends and family. I will meet you in the next post, until then bye bye and take care!

The post How to do the Bookings for Lakshadweep and get the Entry Permit? Part 2 appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

It was August, my birthday month and just like the last year, we decided not to travel anywhere for the sake of our safety. But it was too hard to not think about the mountains and the beaches, the travel craving was at its peak. Surprisingly, this time even Nemit was missing the travel too much, he kept asking us when we will go on a vacation. And, we kept ignoring our inner voice until we could no longer control it. And, finally, we decided to keep all our fears aside and planned this family road trip from Delhi to Lansdowne.

However, this time the planning was next level and we had only 3 days to finalise everything.

Hello friends, welcome back to my blog. If you have been following us for quite some time now then you know that our travels are mostly to the less explored, quiet, and peaceful destinations. We try to avoid crowded tourist destinations as much as possible since that is not our style of travelling.

And, this time again we chose the destination which is not too famous among the tourists.

Planning for The Trip

The moment we decided to travel, we had to choose the destination. The beaches or the hills?

Since we felt we were not yet ready to resume air travel, we chose the hills. Next question was, Himachal or Uttarakhand?

Check out – Weekend Getaway from Delhi? Where to go, Himachal or Uttarakhand?

And, because we had only the weekend with us, we wanted to visit a nearby hill station.

By the evening, we zeroed upon two places where we could go, Rishikesh or Lansdowne?

I don’t have much experience of driving in the mountains but both Rishikesh and Lansdowne are known to me. We visited Rishikesh in 2019 and I drove to Lansdowne with my parents in 2013. So, now the final decision had to be made based on the place we like for our stay.

Check out our Rishikesh Road Trip Vlog from 2019, here-

Where to Stay?

We wanted to be very careful while booking the place to stay. Even though the coronavirus cases have drastically reduced in numbers, we still can’t take the risk. So, our best bet was to look for Airbnb properties like cottages with a bedroom, hall, and kitchen.

Check out – Why You Should Book an Airbnb when Traveling with Kids?

We didn’t like the Airbnb properties in Rishikesh, the ones we liked were out of our budget. So we called the resort where we stayed the last time. There the manager told us that weekend is not the right time to visit as it gets a bit crowded. Even that resort was fully booked for the weekend. We took the cue and dropped Rishikesh from our list.

It was Wednesday morning, I was sitting with Nemit for his online class. While he was busy doing his work, I was busy scrolling through the Airbnb app. And, just then I found this beautiful property by the name Blue Pine Orchards, 30 mins from Lansdowne. It looked really good. They had private 2 bedroom studio villas with a front yard. And, from the pictures, it looked perfect, just what we were looking for.

We booked it!

Source – Blue Pine Orchards

One tip – You may avoid booking through the 3rd party websites if you are looking for some discount. You can call the property first, and talk to the senior personnel, there are high chances they will offer you a good discount for booking directly.

Travel Guidelines to Visit Uttarakhand

Most asked question – Is the RT-PCR report mandatory for travel? Yes!

Before traveling to any place, do check the travel guidelines of that state. When we checked it was mandatory to carry a travel e-pass, vaccination certificate, or the RT-PCR negative report along with the hotel booking receipt.

All these documents were checked at the border and our details were registered. It took around 15-20 mins for the whole procedure at the check post.

Source – euttaranchal

The day we booked the hotel, we went for our RT-PCR test, the test was not mandatory for the kid. After that, we were just hoping that we get our negative report by the next day so that we could start our packing.

All our stars were in favour of this trip, we got the report within 12 hrs and we spent our Thursday packing our bags and daydreaming about the mountains & the pine trees.

Preparing for the Road Trip – Delhi to Lansdowne

No matter where you are travelling to, when you have kid/s with you, plan everything very carefully. I want to talk about packing for kids here.

• Always pack warm clothes even if the temperature shows not too cold. Go prepared.
• Always carry an umbrella and raincoat. The weather in the mountains is quite unpredictable.
• Carry a lot of dry snacks for munching on the go.
• During the road trips, we usually pack sandwiches and masala idlis, favourite of our son.
• Don’t forget to pack your child’s favourite toy.
• The car seat is a must for the safety of your child.

Check out – 5 Simple Packing Hacks for Traveling with Kids.

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Delhi to Lansdowne – The Trip Begins

It was Friday morning, surprisingly that day we woke up even before the alarm. Our bags were ready, all our documents in place, the food was packed and we were all set to go on a road trip from Delhi to Lansdowne. We started at 6.30 am from Noida and reached our destination at 2.30 pm. We took 2 long breaks only after crossing Kotdwar. Since it was raining the whole night and some of the road patches were not in good shape, we wanted to cover most of the distance without stopping. Thankfully, our son, Nemit didn’t make any fuss this time, he was totally enjoying the road trip.

This is the route we followed-

Noida – Meerut – Bijnor – Najibabad – Kotdwar – Lansdowne – Chundai (Blue Pine Orchards)

Source – Google Maps

When it comes to hill stations, not many tourists prefer visiting Lansdowne probably because it’s not that commercialised and there are not many things to do here.

But if you prefer quiet, serene, and peaceful surroundings with not many tourists around then Lansdowne is a perfect place for you. It offers an unspoiled beauty to its visitors.

And, if you want to show your children how it feels to be closer to nature, then nothing can beat this place.

Check out our Day 1 Lansdowne Vlog here –

One Request– Avoid going to any hill station during monsoons especially when you are travelling with kids.

Lansdowne is still the safest of all hill stations during the rainy season.

We travelled in the last week of August. Usually, the rains stop by this time. But this year we can clearly see the impact of climate change since we are getting more than normal rainfall in the Northern regions. And the day of our travel we got to know that it will be raining heavily for the next 3 days.

Though there were small landslides at few places around Lansdowne the roads were still accessible. Mainly because this area is maintained by the army.

Luckily, we didn’t face any problem during our trip and there were only light showers which in fact enhanced the beauty of the place and made it more scenic.

Check out – 26 Best Tips for Traveling with Kids.

That’s all for this travel blog – Delhi to Lansdowne Road Trip. See you next time!

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My theme for #MyFriendAlexa is All under one roof called Parenting. And, this is my second post under the category Travel #TravelingWithKids.

If you liked this post, please do share it with your friends and family. Thank you!

The post Delhi to Lansdowne Weekend Road Trip #TravelingWithKids appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hanging out with your kids in Dubai? This city is action-packed with hundreds of activities approved by the little ones. No matter what your kids are into — be it sports or superman, food or flowers, adventure or amusement, Dubai will have them spoilt for choices. Put on your drysuit and dive into the list as we tick off the best things to do in Dubai with kids:

1. Plan a fun day out at Dubai Parks and Resorts

The largest integrated theme park destination in the world, Dubai Parks and Resorts brim with high-octane actions. Sprawling over 25 million sq feet, the park offers more than 100 thrill-packed indoor and outdoor rides, shows, and attractions. While Motiongate is dedicated to Hollywood legendary films, Bollywood Park is an explosion of dance and colors where you can catch the spirit of the Indian cinema in multimedia shows and interactive attractions. And then head to the Legoland theme and water park to splash, play and even customize your own Lego raft.

2. Escape to the Ski Dubai in the middle of a desert

Ski Dubai is the first and ultimate indoor ski resort in the Middle East for those looking to channel their inner pro skaters. There are snow slopes of varying difficulties for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Your kids can learn to ski and snowboard under the guidance of trained experts. Other highlights of this winter land include sliding on the traditional toboggan down the snow hills, zip-lining, taking a chairlift ride, and climbing inside the human hamster ball. And if you want to take a break from the polar activities, meet the penguins or sip some hot chocolate.

3. Bask in the sun at the Kite Beach 

One of the free things to do in Dubai with kids is to flock to the beaches. Be a part of the never-ending fun by hitting the fascinating beaches of Dubai. The parents can sit and relax on the sun loungers admiring the majestic view of the skyline, and the kids can build their sandcastle. Perfect for sun-seekers, sports enthusiasts, and foodies. This beach is clean, turquoise, and pristine. You can rent high-quality equipment to revel in the water sports like kitesurfing, wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, or just play beach volleyball. Spend a stress-free evening by meandering on the walkway and feeling the breeze in your hair.

You may also read – Best beach to explore with kids in Havelock Island!

4. Watch the Dubai Fountain

Your little ones will love how the tallest performing fountain dances to the beats of music. Nestled beside the legendary Burj Khalifa, on the 30-acre Burj Lake, the Dubai Fountain is a spectacular light, music, and water show. The fountain creates over 1000 water expressions with the help of super lights and color projectors. It jets up to 22,000 gallons of water as high as 140m in the air at any one time. The best spot to watch it is the Burj Lake boat ride or a spot on Boardwalk.

5. Splash joy at Aquaventure Waterpark 

This is a place where the whole clan can enjoy breathtaking water slides, laugh their way down the city’s longest Lazy River, or casually relax on the private beachside. Located inside the Atlantis The Palm, this is the No.1 waterpark in the Middle East with over 30 record-breaking rides and slides. Ranging from tame to terrifying, families can try out the rides based on various levels of skill. The kids ‘can’t keep calm’ at the Splashers Children’s Play Area because it is always their favorite zone. And when it’s time for a respite, stroll along the Palm’s serene waterways. The waterpark’s neighbor is worth a visit; the Lost Chambers Aquarium keeps 65,000 marine creatures for visitors to explore, swim and learn.

6. Visit Dubai Mall

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The largest shopping, entertainment, and leisure destination, Dubai Mall is undoubtedly the comprehensive family destination that has something for everyone. The fashionistas can go on a shopping marathon, adventure-lovers can ski in the Olympian-standard Ice Rink, techies can visit the VR Park, or casual sightseers can gawk at the giant waterfall. This mall’s major landmark is the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, which is home to 33,000 aquatic animals, a 48-m walkthrough tunnel, and a 10-million litre tank. No wonder kids will find one way or the other to stay here.

7. Immerse in the world of sand, camel, and camp

The desert safari in Dubai is an off-road excursion made to explore the Bedouin lifestyle with the best services and unmatchable hospitability. Feel the adrenaline rush when you dune bash sitting in an air-conditioned SUV, straddle the camels for a blissful ride or gear up for a thrilling quad biking. You can strap on the skates to slide down the dunes and go back up the hill. After the exhilarating adventures, desert camping begins with live shows and culturally-inspired activities. Round off your memorable desert trip with a scrumptious meal and unlimited pictures.

8. Get your heart pumped at IMG Worlds of Adventure.

Dubai’s best and largest theme park IMG, takes your imagination to another world. Kids will go gaga over the mind-blowing zones that have brought Marvel and Cartoon characters together in the form of exciting rides. From Ben 10 to Avengers, brace yourselves to fight the evil, compete with your siblings, and encounter surprises on the way. The other sections have the hair-raising dinosaur rides that take you millions of years back. Refuel yourselves with shopping and dining around on the campus of IMG Boulevard.

9. Enjoy amusing shows at Dubai Dolphinarium. 

The go-to destination for families, Dubai Dolphinarium, is wrapped with fun-filled activities. See the bottlenose dolphins and fur seals extravaganza for an interesting 45 minutes, where they dance, sing, juggle and even paint. Enjoy an astounding show of acrobatics, games, and tricks. The ticket will allow you to interact up close and personal with these playful and friendly marine mammals. Plus, the mirror maze puzzle, the bounce of the trampoline, and the exotic bird show will have you mesmerized.

10. Play and learn at Kidzania, Dubai with kids

Want to see your kids as a doctor, journalist, or chef? Venture out to Kidzania, the unusual combination of learning and entertainment. Resembling a city in a staggering 7,000 m2, the place has over 70 role-playing activities for children aged 2-16. Get into the shoes of adults and real-life professionals — be it from the world of education, media, food, health, retail, services, and transportation. One can upgrade and develop life-building skills. Children can make new friends, hang out with them in the games room, and test their sports skills.

You may also read – Rajasthan Road Trip with Kids!

11. Wander and wonder at Oli Oli

It is an attraction especially catered to children aged two to eleven, where they can discover 8 interactive zones with more than 40 activities belonging to different themes. Check out galleries like the Museum of the Moon, which ushers you with incredible lunar visuals. Overall, it is a hub of creativity and curiosity. Also, organizing your birthday is no more hustle. You can plan an impressive birthday party where all children can have tons of unique experiences.

Conclusion

Dubai is the ideal family-friendly destination. It engages and inspires kids with its fresh, innovative, and exciting concept. The city fuses all kinds of entertainment — desert safaris with sand skiing, eating by the beach with aquarium diving, and partying with learning. Pack your bags and tag along your kids to have a wonderful trip to this city

The post 11 Best Things to do in Dubai with Kids | Traveling With Kids appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hi friends, I am back again with another post on Andaman Island. In this post, I want to share about our experience of visiting Elephant beach in Havelock Island. So far, I have taken you to the extreme North in the Andaman archipelago to Diglipur. And, to the Middle Andaman, where I took you on a mesmerizing journey to the Limestone Caves at Baratang.

In South Andaman, I took you on a cruise to Havelock Island. And in that post, I also mentioned about the best beach to visit with kids in Havelock i.e Radhanagar Beach. While Radhanagar beach is an ideal place to relax & rewind, Elephant beach is a perfect place to enjoy water sports and adventure activities.

So, while coming back from Radhanagar beach, we asked the bus conductor to suggest some fun activities we can enjoy as a family. It’s always better to check with the locals, they can be your best guides, you know! And he suggested a Trek to the Elephant Beach. He told us about the trekking path which goes through the beautiful jungle and leads directly to the beach. And, we decided to try that out the next day.

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Trek to Elephant Beach

Next morning, we all were so excited about the adventure. We reached the exact location from where the trek begins. There were a couple of forest guards seated at the entrance where they were noting down details of people taking that trek.

We checked with them about the trail and asked them if it is safe to go with a 2-year-old child and 2 senior citizens. They said it’s a plain trail through the forest and if we can walk for 30 mins then we are good to go. Just then a local villager approached us & asked if we want to take a guide. We wanted to do this trek on our own and at our own pace hence refused him.

Beginning the trek

During the trek, something went wrong perhaps we should have hired a guide. Though, we are still not sure!

You may check our Andaman Trip Itinerary here!

And, the Trek Begins…

After completing all the formalities we started our trek. We anticipated that this trek could take around an hour since the guards said it is a 30 min trail. We had walked only 15 mins when we were joined by 2 foreigner ladies who were also grannies & they were friends.

Trekking going smooth

For the next 15 mins, we all walked together and chatted along the way. It was getting hotter, I remember it was not noon still we could feel the sun directly on our head. Even though it was hot & humid, we were enjoying the trek. But a moment later, we saw a big mud puddle in front of us.

There was no way to go around it, we had to walk through it. And when we walked into that puddle, we realized that this was going to be very difficult. It was not mud, it seemed like clay, very slippery and it was deep. We couldn’t keep our balance and had to hold on to the little branches hanging from the trees. Now, this was totally unexpected. And, we were not prepared for it. 

Also, this was not the kind of adventure we were looking for!

But to our own surprise, we were quite thrilled after crossing that puddle. We were giving hi-fives to each other as if we accomplished some kind of a mission. We took a short break there.

Happy faces

You may also read – How to manage food for babies & toddlers while traveling?

We had no idea just after a turn, the whole path was covered with even bigger mud puddles. My mom told us that it had rained last night which might have resulted in this. But, forest guards didn’t mention this at all.

Millions of thoughts were crossing our mind. Maybe we were on a wrong path since we hadn’t seen anyone in the last 15 mins. Maybe we should have hired that guide. Our phones were not working so there was no way to call for help. Also, the 2 ladies who were walking with us, they suddenly disappeared. None of us saw them going ahead. All this was freaking us out!

We crossed another puddle and saw elephant poop on that path. Well, that just added to our anxiety. And we thought this is called elephant beach so there might be wild elephants in this jungle too. Oh my God, we were so terrified and all kinds of irrational thoughts were crossing our minds.

Just before getting into a big puddle

The next step was to calm down and look for a solution. In that particular moment when none of us was speaking a word and we could hear our heart’s thudding sound, I felt a moment of Nirvana.

And after some time, we all said together, let’s do this!

Although it took us another one and a half hour to come out of that trail, the feeling was idyllic. I was never so happy to see a beach in my life. We were covered with mud from head to toe. Yes, because at some places we had to crawl on our knees & bums to pass through the puddle.

Happy & excited to see the beach

I can never forget that trek. That 3 hr long trek taught me so much about life, balance, fear, love, will to survive, togetherness, moreover, accepting the situation when it is not as per our plan.

This is what travel teaches us and that’s why I want my son to travel and explore such places from this very early age.

Finally, we saw the white sand beach with the most beautiful turquoise water in the distance. We ran to the shore and cleaned ourselves and thanked our stars. We were happy we didn’t find any wild elephants!

Water Sport Activities at Elephant Beach

After relaxing a bit, we checked what all we can do there. We were shocked to know that they were almost closing. Yes, the beach closes around 3.30 pm. They clear off the beach by 4 pm as it gets high tides in the evening. And, it’s not safe!

We realized why we couldn’t find anyone on that trail. The officials at the beach told us that the best time to reach here is early morning.

Water Sport Activities

There were many activities to do, like snorkeling, banana boat ride, jet ski, and sea walk. We chose to go for sea walk since we had never tried this before. So, our mothers decided to relax on the beach and we left Nemit with them. And, booked a sea walk session for us.

Sea Walk at Elephant Beach – 2500/- per person.

It was a surreal experience to walk on the sea bed, circling around a big coral, and feeding colorful fishes with our hands. What did I like most about that experience? Making poses underwater and getting clicked!

Sea Walk

So, guys if you plan to trek to the elephant beach, do consider hiring a guide. And as I always say, be flexible, keep your calm and have a Plan B ready.

You can also take a boat to reach the beach.

Speed Boat

Speed boat transfer – 750/- per person 

That’s all for today.

This is Day 5 of #BlogchatterA2Z and the letter of the day is ‘E’. My theme for the challenge is ‘Traveling with kids‘ & I have chosen E for Elephant Beach. 

You can read all my posts under BlogchatterA2Z here!

I hope you liked reading our experience. Do leave a comment below and don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family.

See you tomorrow!

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The post Elephant beach – Trek with Kids in Havelock, Andaman Island appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hey guys, hope you all are doing good. Today, I want to share my experience of traveling to the extreme North in the Andaman archipelago to the town of Diglipur with my family. As I mentioned in our Andaman Itinerary, Diglipur is the largest & the farthest town in North Andaman. Although, it is not the main tourist attraction you can witness a beautiful island village life here, which makes it truly special. Also, you will find some most exotic & untouched beaches near Diglipur.

You may also want to read –Best Beach to visit with kids in Havelock Island!

Diglipur seemed to me like a dream. People were just lazying around, there was no stress on their faces, they were happy doing their own thing. And their simple rice & sambhar with pickle & papad is the most delicious meal I’ve ever had in my life. The whole experience at Diglipur was just magical. And, I wanted to stay there forever.

PIN IT!

Not many people know about Diglipur including the locals at Port Blair. None of the travel operators will add this in your trip itinerary unless you mention it specifically. Only a few tourists travel this far in the North & they are mostly the explorers and the nature lovers. Yes, we can call Diglipur a nature lover’s paradise.

No doubt, we are a family of nature lovers!

How to Reach Diglipur?

I want to say one thing to all the people reading this post. Don’t expect too much, you won’t find any luxury in any part of Middle or North Andaman. But you can experience the best of nature, pristine beaches and explore the most beautiful untouched locations there.

In my previous post on Baratang Caves, I have shared the route maps from Port Blair and few options for the overnight halt. The distance from Port Blair to Diglipur is 300 Km and it may take up to 14 hrs if traveling with kids. The road condition in many parts is not that good which will further slow you down. You will need to cross Jarwah Reserve Forest and 2/3 water streams on vehicle ferries if starting from Port Blair.

The Route we followed to reach Diglipur

PIN IT!

We started early morning around 5 am from our resort (Ixzire Resort) and reached Jirkatang check post by 5.45 am. After all the formalities to get the permit to pass through the Jarwah Reserve Forest, we started in a convoy at around 6.30 am. We reached the Middle strait jetty after an exciting road journey of 90 mins. Next, we took a vehicle ferry to reach Baratang jetty at Baratang Island. From there, we started our onward journey towards Rangat.

You may also read – Meghalaya Trip Itinerary!

We reached Rangat at around 1 pm and stopped at Priya International Hotel for lunch. This is the same hotel where we stayed overnight while returning back from Diglipur.

Amkunj beach

After lunch, we directly visited Amkunj Beach which is a famous beach in Rangat with eco-friendly facilities like eco huts, log sofas & wooden swings. After spending some 30 mins in and around the beach, we started our onward journey.

Amkunj to Dhani Nallah Beach and Dhani Nallah walkway to Beach

There is another beautiful beach located 13 km from Amkunj beach towards Diglipur i.e Dhaninallah Beach. It is famous for the longest Mangrove Nature Walkway, 713 meters long, in India.

Dhani Nallah Mangrove Nature Walkway towards Dhani Nallah Beach

The boardwalk and the beach facilities are completely eco-friendly. There are many halts on the long boardwalk and these are named after the commonly found birds in the Andaman Islands.

Halts named after famous birds of this region

Since we had to reach Diglipur before night, we visited Dhaninallah beach on our way back from Diglipur. Our next stop was Diglipur market where we ordered a cake for our son since it was Nemit’s 2nd birthday on the next day.

You may also read – Krabi Trip Itinerary!

Where to Stay in Diglipur?

There are only a few accommodation options in Diglipur mainly in nearby Kalipur village. And you need to book your stay well in advance. We had stayed at Pristine Beach Resort which is the best resort in Diglipur. Other in the town are Turtle Resort (it is government property) & Saddle Peak View Resort.

Places to visit in Diglipur?

Ross & Smith Island – Twin Island

As I mentioned earlier, the next day was Nemit’s birthday and to celebrate that we chose Ross & Smith Islands.

Nemit with his Nani & Dadi at Smith Island

These are one of the most pristine and secluded Islands of Andaman. And are connected to each other with a thin strip of the white sandbar. You can literally walk from one island to another. Check out the detailed post on Twin Islands here.

Kalipur Beach – Turtle Nesting Ground

Kalipur beach was 10 mins walking distance from our resort. It is famous for turtle nesting and tourists visit this beach mainly to watch turtles. As per our guide, one needs to spend some 3-4 hrs at the beach late at night to spot the turtles which come out of the water to lay eggs on the beach.

Since we had only 2 nights to spend in Diglipur, we couldn’t cover all other places of interest. And these are still on our travel bucket list.

Diglipur map

-> Saddle Peak – Highest Peak in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

-> Alfred Caves – Limestone Caves in Diglipur

-> Mud Volcano at Shyam Nagar 

That’s the hidden gem of North Andaman for you guys. We traveled with our 2-year-old son and his grandmothers. The journey was a bit tiring since it was quite hot even in the month of January. But the whole experience was out of this world and I can’t truly express it in words. One should visit Diglipur to witness the charm of this rustic village and its nearby places.

Today is Day 4 of #BlogchatterA2Z and the letter of the day is ‘D’. My theme for the challenge is ‘Traveling with kids’ & I have chosen D for Diglipur.

You can read all my posts for AtoZ challenge here!

That’s all for today, guys! I hope you liked the post. Do tell me in the comments below if you have visited this place or would like to travel to Diglipur soon. Also, you know sharing is caring, so please share this post with your friends and family. I would really appreciate that.

Take care, see you tomorrow!

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The post Diglipur -The Hidden Gem in North Andaman #TravelingWithKids appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hi friends, hope you are enjoying the travel posts this month. Today, I am going to share our experience of visiting the Limestone Caves at Baratang Island in Middle Andaman. This is one experience you should definitely gift your children if visiting the Andaman Islands. And, I am damn sure your kids will have a wonderful time during the Baratang excursion.

You may also want to read – Andaman Trip Itinerary (9N/10D)!

If I will only talk about the caves at Baratang, that would sound quite boring to you. Because here the journey to the destination is more exciting than the destination itself. The Baratang excursion to reach the limestone caves is what makes the whole experience enriching for kids as well as adults.

Nemit playing outside the Limestone cave

This journey starts from Port Blair passing through the thick jungles in a convoy of vehicles and crossing the strait on a vehicle ferry to finally taking the speed boat which sails through the mangrove creeks & drops you near the limestone caves from where one needs to walk through the fields to finally reach the caves.

Source- Google Maps

Baratang Island connects the South Andaman to the Middle Andaman. And it is known for it’s natural wonders and the thick tropical & mangrove forests. 

Sadly, there is very little information available online especially for tourists traveling with young children & senior citizens. Hence, I will try to share as much useful information as I could in this post based on our experience and some research.

How to reach the Caves at Baratang Island?

First, you need to decide whether you want to do a full day tour or stay overnight at Baratang. Or, if you want to go further to the North Andaman.

Since we had planned to explore Diglipur in North Andaman, we decided to visit the caves on our way back. Check option 3 below.

Basically, there are 4 options-

• Option 1- The easiest one is to book a full day tour from some trusted travel agent. It starts at 4 am from Port Blair & ends around 5 pm when they drop you back to your hotel. I will not recommend this if you are traveling with young children since it will get too tiring for everyone. You can consider this option if your kids are 5+ in age. Check out the route below-

Source- Google Maps

Port Blair -> Jirkatang check post -> Jarwah Reserve Forest -> Middle Strait Jetty -> Baratang Island -> Baratang Jetty -> Limestone Caves at Baratang

• Option 2-  is to book a personal cab & stay overnight at Baratang Island. And return back to Port Blair on the next day. Recommended. But it will be costly. Also, it will depend on hotel availability since there are only a few hotels in Baratang.

• Option 3- if you are going further north, visit the caves while returning back. You will need to stay overnight either at Mayabunder/Rangat/Baratang on your way back from North Andaman. Recommended. But since it’s a long journey, it may get tiring for kids.

Source- Google Maps

Port Blair -> Jirkatang check post -> Jarwah Reserve Forest -> Middle Strait Jetty -> Baratang Island -> Rangat -> Mayabunder -> Diglipur

• Option 4- is to visit the caves en route to North Andaman & make an overnight halt at Rangat/Mayabunder. And, again stop overnight at Rangat/Baratang while returning back. Recommended if you have some extra days in hand. In case you are covering only the Middle & North Andaman then this will suit the itinerary best.

The total distance from Port Blair to Diglipur is about 300 Km which can take up to 12-14 hrs if you are traveling with kids.

We did a mistake by covering South, Middle & North Andaman in 10 days. It got too hectic by the end of the trip. It would have been better if we’d planned 2 separate trips. One for South Andaman and another for Middle & North Andaman.

You may also want to read – The Best Beach to Visit with Kids in Havelock Island!

Things you must know before visiting the Limestone Caves at Baratang Island

• All tours start from Port Blair.

• All the vehicles need to stop at Jirakatang check post to get a permit to enter the Jarwah reserve forest. (You don’t need to worry about the permit, your driver/tour agent will arrange that for you).

Vehicles lined up at Jirkatang check post

Port Blair to Jirkatang check post – 42 Km

• If you plan to travel by a private cab, you can book a hotel near to Jirakatang check post. We had booked Ixzire Resort which is 30 mins from Port Blair. By booking this hotel we saved some time in the morning.

Ixzire Resort to Jirkatang check post – 20 Km

• The Jarwah reserve forest starts from Jirakatang check post & stretches up to 49km & ends at the Middle Strait Jetty.

• All the vehicles leave in convoy from Jirakatang check post. Each convoy has a bus in the front with 1-2 armed policemen inside. This experience of passing through the dense forest was quite exhilarating.

• There are 4 convoys throughout the day (6 am, 9 am, 12 pm, 2.30 pm).

• If you miss the convoy, you can’t enter the Jarwah reserve forest. So, take note of these times & plan your visit accordingly. No person or vehicle is allowed to stop once inside the reserve.

• Jarwah are the tribal people of Baratang Island who are completely cut off from the outer world.

• Taking pictures or interacting with Jarwah tribe is not allowed & is a punishable offense. Though interacting with tribal people was not allowed, we were hoping to catch a glimpse & we did. But we made sure not to take their pics or startle them with our actions. They are humans just like us living in a different habitat.

• Once you reach the Middle Strait Jetty, you need to wait for the vehicle ferry to cross a strait & reach the Baratang Island. It takes only 15 mins to cross the strait.

Vehicle ferry in the background at Middle strait jetty

• Once you are on the other side of the Jetty, you need to take a speed boat from there that will take you through the mangrove creek to Nayadera jetty. This is truly a mesmerizing journey of 45 mins through the dense tropical forest.

Speed boat from Baratang jetty to Nayadera jetty

Boat passing through mangrove creeks

• After getting down at the Nayadera jetty, you need to walk for 300 meters on a wooden bridge.

Wooden bridge

Taking the wooden walkway towards Limestone caves

• Once you cross the bridge, you need to walk further 300 meters through the fields and a small village to finally reach the limestone caves.

Walking through the fields

Walking through the village

The cave is not very big and the entrance is quite compact. But, once you are inside you feel the adrenaline rush looking at all the mesmerizing limestone formations.

Entrance to the Limestone Cave

Caves have always fascinated us. Although the whole journey seems tiresome the memories you take away from this journey makes the whole experience worthwhile.

Limestone formation

And, when you come out after exploring the cave, do try the refreshing lemon water villagers sell just outside the cave.

Lemon water stalls outside the cave

If you are traveling with kids or elderly (60+ age), please keep their requirements in mind. Don’t push them to try their limits & keep ample time in hand. Always have a Plan B ready in case the actual plan goes down. In short, be flexible!

You may also want to read – 7 Best Family Adventure Trips to plan with Kids!

Today is Day 3 of #BlogchatterA2Z and the letter of the day is ‘C’. My theme for the challenge is ‘Traveling with kids’ & I have chosen C for Caves.

If you liked this post then do drop a comment below and don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family.

That’s all for today, see you tomorrow!

The post Visiting the Limestone Caves at Baratang with Kids – Things to know! appeared first on Growing With Nemit.