Eco Places in India

Chanting the ecotourism mantra in India

The diverse geographical features of India are enriched with hundreds of tourist destinations. No matter which region you explore, almost every part of the country is laden with numerous spots giving tourists wide range of Eco tourism places to explore.

Whether you are exploring the Monasteries and Himalayan glaciers of Ladakh in Northern part or roaming through rich Coffee plantation and world famous Kerala Backwater in South or enjoying the arduous trekking in Kanchenjunga in North-East or taking a desert camel safari tour in Thar desert in Western part of the country, the Eco tourism spots are pervaded everywhere. Many of them lying still in the pristine lap of mother lap guarantee its visitors to fetch them a unique view of their natural richness.

The thousands of species of flora and fauna find its natural abode in 89 of national parks and approx 430 of wildlife sanctuaries set in different naturally rich locations of the country. Besides, many of the dense forests, mountains and its hills, and rivers offer an immense range of adventurous Eco activities like Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Trekking, Mountain Biking, Nature Walking, Wildlife Viewing and River Rafting.

Coorg

Location : Western Ghats, Karnataka, Southern India.
Time to Visit : Between September and March, it is best time to visit Coorg.
Weather : Coorg experiences moderate climate with pleasant winters, warm summers and heavy monsoon.
Known For : Scenic Beauty.


The scenic beauty of this hill station is unmatched. Exploring this hill station and its natural possession, world famous waterfalls, Iruppu and Abbey, and Nagarhole National Park is worth making one's Eco vacation extremely enjoyable.

Garhwal

Location : In the state of Uttranchal in the northern part of India.
Time to Visit : Any Time of the year.
Weather : Salubrious and Pleasant.
Known For : The Rich Biological Resource.

"Garhwal is the most beautiful land in the mountains of the Asian subcontinent"
- Dr. T.L. Longstaff, world renowned mountaineer, naturalist and trekker.

Garhwal
Garhwal in the northern state of Uttranchal is an exceptional destination with charming surroundings. The snow-wrapped mountains, luxuriant meadows, high-altitude lakes and impenetrable forests in the hills of Garhwal support exotic wildlife, bird life and plant life. The beautiful creations of nature in the Garhwal region add a bit of splendour to nature's wealth that dwells in its surrounding.

In order to preserve this gift of nature and also to enable the visitors to have a privileged view of the abundant surroundings, the Government has created special areas, National Parks and Sanctuaries, which conserves the ample natural beauty, flora & fauna of Garhwal Uttranchal.

Garhwal Region
Garhwal comprises of the seven districts - Dehradun, Hardwar, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pauri, Tehri and Rudraprayag. The region is a unique mix of diverse geographical, demographic and social characteristics, heightened by an intensified sense of religiosity. Garhwal is the supreme haven for the devout, and the home of varied flora & fauna. Garhwal also has immense scope for adventure sports like river rafting, aero-sports and skiing. There is ample scope for wildlife watching also, making it an essential entry on the itinerary of adventure lovers, pleasure seekers and pilgrims, alike.

The sacred shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri & Yamunotri are located here and so are the source of the most revered rivers Ganga and Yamuna. The legendary valleys of Garhwal blooming with natural beauty, also offer an unique style of hill temple architecture and fantastic handicrafts.

Himalaya

Location : Stretches from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast India.
Time to Visit : Any time of the year, depending on the place you have picked to visit.
Weather : From freezing cold to desert hot.
Indian States Covered : Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttranchal, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh.

Extending over 2500 Km in East to West, and 250 Km to 400 Km from North to South direction, Himalaya with its many of highest peaks and rivers is one of the most favourite destination for Eco tourists.

The Himalayas
The Himalayas or the 'Abode of Snow' stretches from Jammu & Kashmir in north India to Arunachal Pradesh in the extreme northeast India. The Himalayan Mountain Range bisects India from the rest of Asia by its invincible mountain ranges. Though, major range of Himalaya does not cover the entire northeast India, its smaller ranges extends into the remote parts of northeastern states of India, thus it also separates northeast India from the southeast Asian countries.

The Himalayan Topography
The billowy Himalayas beckons with lush green thickets in the foothills of Shivalik Ranges, snow covered Dhauladhar range over shadowed by the Pir Panjal Ranges and the Great Himalayan Ranges. The land is sprinkled by beautiful lakes and luxuriant valleys located between an altitude of 350 m and about 6,810 m, interlinked by rivers and sprawling valleys.

The forests, flora & fauna, and natural scenic beauty with salubrious climate is a haven for the visitors. The alpine land, spread over Lahaul and Spiti to Pangi valley, is an ardent destination for Aplinists and a feast of hedonists.

In Himalayas, medicinal herbs have been growing throughout the region since times immemorial. Adventure sport is another area of tourism activities, which yields greater scope for trekking, camping, mountaineering and skiing, etc.

Goa

Location : On the western coast of Indian Peninsula, Goa is geographically located between the latitudes of 15deg.48' N to 14deg. 53' N and longitudes between 74deg. 20' E to 73deg.20'E.
Time to Visit : The best time to visit Goa is during peak monsoon season between Mid July to September or peak winters in the months between November to Mid February.
Weather : Goa experiences moderate climate with negligible variations throughout the year. May is hottest month of the year while January-February are the coldest. Monsoon shower this bewitching place from Mid July to September.
Known For : Sandy Beaches and scenic beauty.

Goa
Spell bounding travellers with its magnificent beauty and crowning beaches, Goa is an ultimate tourist destination in India. There is a famous saying that says life itself is a beach in Goa. These magnificent wast stretches of sea and sand are life line of this union territory of India. An amalgamated form of monuments, century old churches, wildlife and beaches are the true essence of Goan life.

With roars and cheers all around, life is a great celebration for people here. The dew on the palm trees, blue sea, and breeze on the sea shore; Goa seems a perfect destination for nature lovers. The kissed sandy beaches of Goa are the perfect remedy for all ailments. Spend some time here, rejuvenating and healing your inner self.

Manali

Location : Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh in the northern part of India.
Time to Visit : Any time of the year.
Weather : Pleasant & healthy.
Known For : The Rich Biological Resource.

Manali
Manali is situated at the northern end of the Kullu Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. Manali has spectacular vistas of snow laded peaks and wooded slopes. The river Beas gushes along its rocky treks amid grassy surroundings, layered with wild flowers and wagtails hop along from stone to stone along the stream's edge. The lined orchards and fairy-tale forests of deodar offers marvellous walks.

The Manali market is peopled with mosaic of interesting shops selling Tibetan carpets and crafts, and the appetizing aroma of steaming noodles hangs about the little restaurants located around. Manali also has a Mountaineering Institute, which is a popular base for trekking and mountaineering in summer and skiing in winter. Interesting routes into the surrounding valleys, over the high passes, are provided with tourist huts and rest houses for trekking enthusiasts.

Rishikesh

Location : In the state of Uttranchal in the northern part of India.
Time to Visit : Any Time of the year. Rishikesh hosts an International Yoga Festival, which is held every year in the first week of February.
Weather : Temperate.
Known For : The Pilgrimage Centers and Yoga & Meditation Centre.

Rishikesh
Rishikesh is the Gateway to the Himalayas in the Tehri-Garhwal region of Uttranchal India. Rishikesh blossoms in natural splendour. The charm of the Ganga gushing through the Himalayan foothills is a spectacular sight. Several temples stands on the banks of the river Ganga at Rishikesh. This place is considered as the entry point to the three other pilgrim places of Badrinath - Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri the four great places which combine to make Chardham .

Located at a height of about 1360 ft from sea level, Rishikesh has been an abode of several yogis and sages since time immemorial, who lived and practised penance here. Rishikesh represents the place where Vishnu vanquished the demon Madhu. Rishikesh is also world famous for ashrams teaching Yoga & Meditation. Rishikesh is not only attracts pilgrims but also the foreign nationals, who want to know about Hinduism, who want to spend some time close to the Lord, people who love rafting come here to conquer the rapids of Ganga. Rishikesh is also an ideal base camp for trekking in the nearby Himalayas.

Yoga & Meditation in Rishikesh
Rishikesh is home to many ashrams, and most major Indian ashram, including Vivekenanda, Sivananda, Osho, Bihar school of yoga, have an office there. If you want to experience the classical Indian Yoga & Meditation, then this is the place for you. The slow and spiritual atmosphere of Rishikesh makes its an idealistic place to begin discovering what India has to offer. Rishikesh is slow and less intense as compared to other parts of India, probably because people have religion in their minds.

The pilgrims gather in Rishikesh to bathe in the sanctified waters of the Ganges, as Hindus believe this can remove layers of sin. This peaceful ashram centre here is certainly one of the most atmospheric places in India. Right from the dawn to the dusk, the entire ambience of Rishikesh is filled with a divine aura. The air of Rishikesh allows the chimes of the temple bells and religious chants float through out the city, creating a celestial synergy, where God and Man seems to unify, without any caste or creed discrimination. The day starts at 4 am in Rishikesh, from then onwards various religious activities are performed till the night arrives.

Rishikesh is completely vegetarian, you won't even find an egg there.