Places to "Go Wild" in India!

‘Jungle, jungle baat chali hai pata chala hai, arey chaddi pehen ke phool khila hai'

Remember this catchy tune? Of course, more than half of us do!

In all honesty, I still want to live the life of Mowgli (only with a few more pieces of clothes on my body!).  This time of the year (cool and pleasant) is the best time to swing from tree to tree, bellowing out the famous war cry of a certain someone called Tarzan. Yeah, that’s my secret jungle fantasy, what’s yours?

Camping in the jungle with your family or friends can be so much fun. Away from all the distracting gadgets (no more T.V. or smartphones or internet), you come close to nature and its wildest creations.

So without much ado, here are my pick for the three best wildlife sanctuaries that you and your family can visit and enjoy!

Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
Banks of River Beas | Photo Credit: Aurvi Sharma & Jayita EkkaFor tourists, Corbett is open from mid November to mid June. The months of December and January are the best time to enjoy the scenic beauty and the sight of wild animals lazing around in the warm sun. Bengal Tigers are the prime denizens of the jungle here that spreads over 500 square kilometres. They share the habitat with elephants, hog deer, Himalayan black bear, langurs, monkeys and leopards that stay in the highlands. There are over 600 species of birds and 25 species of reptiles that migrate to or inhabit the park.

What’s the most thrilling thing to do here? Well, that’s easy – go on a jungle safari! One can witness the wildlife at Corbett through an elephant  or jeep safari. Elephant safaris are most commonly organised in Dhikala. They are two hours long and are usually timed at 6:00 am and 4:00 pm. Try to be there before time as the number of elephants is limited and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you are looking for true adventure, stay overnight inside the resort in one of the three zones: Dhikala, Gairal and Bijrani. Prior reservation is strongly recommended.

Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
Again, the best time to enjoy the glorious sights of Ranthambore National Park is during the winter months between November and February. Ranthambore National Park is known throughout the world for its majestic collection of the most feared predator- the tiger. The chances of spotting tigers in winters are more as they venture out more because like us, they laze around in the sun too! Some of the common animals that inhabit this forest include the leopard, jungle cat, hyena, fox, jackal, sloth bear, wild boar, blue bull (Nilgai) and a wide range from the deer family.

The ruins of the Ranthambore Fort, the Ganesh Temple within its complex and the lake surrounding it are a must see.

The best way to explore Ranthambhore National Park is through safaris either in a 4-seater jeep or 16-seater canter. Navigate the often rugged, often beautiful landscape and suddenly spot a tiger, right in front of you. The thrill, the excitement, you’ve got to experience it firsthand!

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala
Photo Credit: Pranav BhasinCome, see, capture the best moments, go back home happy! That’s a line apt for the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Located close to the plantations and surrounded by the Cardamom Hills, the sanctuary enjoys a most scenic setting in the rich jungles of Periyar. Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978, it’s  one of the more prominent tiger reserves of the country and has played a major role in the conservation and increase of the population of tigers. That said, the star of the show in Periyar are the herds of elephants that descend down to the lake for water, fun, and play! Other intriguing and rare species of animals dwelling in the Sanctuary include the sambar deer, Nilgiri tahr, wild pigs, Nilgiri langur, the highly endangered lion tailed macaque, small Travancore flying squirrel, striped necked mongoose, Nilgiri marten and much more – you have to be there to sight them going about their business!

Come and experience nature at its best. Do book your holiday, hotels, flights, trains, buses and cabs with MakeMyTrip.com.

Champions League – The Clash of the Champions

It’s the time of the year when husbands, sons and brothers take charge of television sets (better still, fly off to South Africa) and give the saas and bahus something to really cry about. It’s the time of the year when the best cricketing clubs in the world assemble in South Africa to claim the iron throne. It’s the time for Champions League T-20!

Champions League T-20 kicked off on October 9, 2012 at the New Wanderers Stadium in the beautiful city of Johannesburg. Exciting and eventful as the Champions League may be, it must be said that South Africa is one of the best places to have tournaments of great stature like this. Why? Because tournaments like this see a huge influx of tourists whose interests go beyond the sport to sightseeing, local culture, shopping and food.

Well, of course there are people like me (an adrenaline junkie) who want adventures galore and there are otherswho like to explore the beautiful terrains and the historical sites of a place. Here is a list of places you can visit while in South Africa –

Kruger National Park – The Kruger National Park, a spectacle of endless wilderness interspersed with teeming wildlife. The big five (African elephant, Cape buffalo, rhinoceros, leopard and lion) as well as the small five (buffalo weaver, elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, ant lion and rhino beetle) can be found either roaming around freely or lurking in the dense bushes.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia/Esculapio

Scintillating Sun City – Sun City Resort is known throughout the world as one of the most ornate and extravagantly luxurious resorts on the planet. Set in the rugged Bushveld, at the heart of a dormant volcano, Sun City offers the unique experience of coming up and close with African culture at the height of its glory.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia/Chantal Smith

Beaches – South Africa’s 3000-kilometre  coastline is one of the top places to surf in the world. Sagacious coastal beauty, sublime sands, and a large range of adrenaline rushing adventure and fun activities make the beaches of South Africa a prime tourist hotspot.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia/Entropy1963

The exciting tournament reaches its zenith on Sunday (October 28, 2012) when the final match will be played at the Wanderers, when Johannesburg will celebrate the victory of the Champion. So don’t lose sight of your remote, keep it safe and away from your eternal rivals – or better still fly off to South Africa with the Missus. You enjoy the cricket; let her enjoy the shopping!

MakeMyTrip offers international flights to Cape Town, Johannesburg, Centurion and holiday packages to South Africa. It’s easy to travel between the cities via connecting flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Rishikesh...Beyond Rafting!

Okay, so let’s face it, most of us still know little about Rishikesh beyond the fact that it has recently turned into the rafting capital of the nation. Travellers and adventure enthusiasts are desperate to beat the heat in the white waters of the GRiver Gangesanges; more so is the case with the denizens of Delhi and other North Indian cities. But apart from the raft-rage, there’s much more to Rishikesh - the Gateway to the Himalayas. After a brief introduction of the pilgrim paradise, let’s take a look at some other attractions to look out for in Rishikesh.

For those who have never heard of it, Rishikesh is a sacred city in Uttarakhand which lies nestled in the foothills of the lower Himalayas. Located in close proximity to Haridwar (20 kilometres), Rishikesh is 220 kilometres from New Delhi. Being a place of religious significance, it is strictly vegetarian and alcohol stands no chance amidst the spiritual highs of Rishikesh.

A paradise for the pious, Rishikesh is dotted with domes of ancient temples where pilgrims from all over the world come to seek blessings from the myriad gods and goddesses of the Hindu culture. Being the starting point of the Char Dham Yatra, Rishikesh is a holy haven of the pilgrims with endless possibilities to connect with their spiritual selves. Meditation, Yoga, kriyas and pujas are a way of life in these hillocks around Ganges.

Temple at RishikeshThere are several ancient temples scattered around the Lakshman Jhoola, a 500-feet bridge which spans across the mighty Ganges. Some important places of religious significance are Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Tryambakeshwar Temple and Triveni Ghat, the point which marks the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati. No starters here, but it sure is a chilly dip, especially spine-freezing during the winter months!

For those who wish to venture out and pump up the adrenaline, there are several outdoor activities which include water skiing, mountain biking, trekking and rock climbing at Kaudilya, which is a natural spot for an adventurous uphill climb.  The dense forests that surround Kaudilya also give you a chance to get a glimpse of the wildlife thriving in its natural habitat. What’s more, there are also arrangements for overnight camps with bonfire along the banks of the river.

To sum it up, you must explore a bit more of Rishikesh. There’s as much to explore on land as there is in the white waters of the Ganges.