Three close-to-home quick getaways for the extended weekends

FROM MUMBAI: VANSDA NATIONAL PARK, SURAT

Surat is known to be the textile and diamond hub of India. Apart from that there are several tourist attractions such as Chintamani Jain Temple, Diamond Industry, Sardar V Patel Museum and Planetarium, etc.

WILDLIFE: Take your kids to Vansda National Park in Surat. The deciduous forest area is nestled in the Western Ghats of Sahyadri range, it has a unique flavour of flora and fauna population. Apart from the botanical garden, some of the other attractions include local tribes, Gira Falls, and the Conservation Center. There is also an abundance of pythons and 30 other species of snakes, including venomous ones like Russel’s Viper, cobras, kraits. There are around 121 species of spiders, insects, centipedes, millipedes, and snails. More than the mammals, reptiles, and insects, are the main draw of Vansda is for bird-watchers for more than 115 species of birds, including the racket-tailed drongo, paradise flycatcher, pompodour pidgeon, grey hornbill, jungle babbler, yellow back sunbird and more.



Spot these cute bear cubs in Vansda National Park, Surat


FROM DELHI: BEDINI BUGYAL, UTTARAKHAND

Bedini Bugyal attracts trekkers from across the world. Bedini is a Himalayan meadow, situated at an elevation of 11,004 ft in Uttarakhand. Bedini Bugyal Falls is a tourist attraction on the way to Roopkund near Wan village. Also towns such as Trisul and Nanda Ghunti are clearly visible from here. This lush green meadow is adorned with blooms in a wide range of varieties. There is a small lake named Vaitarani situated amidst the meadow. The rich flora of the area includes Brahm Kamal.



Trek up the Bedni Bugyal in Uttarakhand

ET Panache Travel reader Lokesh says: “We had a memorable trek to Bedini Bugyal. Initially, we were scared considering that Bedini is amongst the finest high altitude grasslands in the Uttarakhand Himalayan Mountains. Enroute is a small village called Someshwar on the banks of River Gowri. Someshwar is known for an ancient Shiva temple. Lush green steps of cultivated land was adding to the mood of the place and I was not able to resist myself and clicked this beautiful lush moment during our journey.”

FROM BANGALORE: KOTAGIRI, TAMIL NADU

A small and green hill station Kotagiri is located amidst the Nilgiri Hills. It is about 33 kms from Ooty. Along with Ooty and Coonoor, Kotagiri is one of the most famous hill stations of the south. The largely unexplored terrain and soothing weather throughout the year is one of the prime reasons as to why travellers head to Kotagiri. The colonial flavour of the town comes across in its historic bungalows, churches and tea plantations.



Spend time by the quiet river in Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu (Image: Vinay Kadaba Srinivas)


MUST-SEE: The town is surrounded by many tourist spots. The Kodanad View Point is accessible by road, 16 km (10 miles) from Kotagiri or about 30 minutes by vehicle, it provides a splendid view of the Mysore Plateau and the picturesque farming landscape.

-Located within Kotagiri town, Longwood forest, a pristine tropical evergreen forest is a secluded refuge for those seeking peace and quiet, it is home to the flying fox/Malabar Squirrel, bison and more.

-The Nehru Park in the town has a big complex, which houses a temple of the Kotas, the Gandhi Maidanam, which is the public playground, congregation centre and the flood shelter, which is used in normal times for indoor games. A private park about 3 km from the town on coonoor road specialises in roses and is a must see in the months of March to June.