Club Mahindra Ooty the green Paradise

Ooty was earlier called OOtacamund and it  is situated in the Nilgiri hills. Nilgiri hills are also called The Blue Mountains. The name Nilgiri either comes from the blue haze due to the eucalyptus trees that are there in the area or  the Kurunji flower. This flower blooms every twelve years and gives the Nilgiri Hills a bluish tinge. Ooty was the summer capital of the British who were stationed at the Madras Presidency.

Every year a number of tourists flock to Ooty. Ooty is a green heaven with high mountains, lakes, thick forests and large stretches of grasslands. It is also famous for its beautiful tea gardens.

Ooty is loacted in the Nilgiri hills at a height of 2240 metres. This place has lush green tea and coffee estates. Summers are pleasant with a maximum temperature of 25 degree celsius and minimum of 10 degree celsius and winters are cold with a high temperature of 21 degree celsius and a low temperature of 5 degree celsius.

Places to view in Ooty are:

Government botanical garden: This garden is spread over 22 acres of land and has some of the finest collection of plants.

This garden is divided into six sections: Rose garden, this has some of the rarest collections of roses.

Lake park: this park is located on the banks of the Ooty lake.

Ooty lake: This is the pride of the Nilgiri Hills.It extends over an area of 65 acres and this artificial lake was formed by the collector of Coimbatore.

Deer Park:The deer park covers an area of twenty-two acres and has some of the finest collection of animals.

The kalhatty falls near Ooty are worth a visit.This is located about thriteen kilometers from Ooty.The height of this waterfall is one-hundred feet. Ooty is one of the most beautiful hill stations located in South India and is worth visiting once.

Club Mahindra Fort Kumbhalgarh

Kumbalgarh is situated about 105 kilometers from Udaipur. This fort was almost inaccessible earlier and Rana Kumbha of Mewar designed it keeping its safety in mind. This fort is about 3500 feet above sea level and it provides a clear view of Ajmer and  Marwar.

Kumbhalgarh is also known as Kumbhalmer and it is located in the district of Rajasmand, in Rajasthan.Kumbhalgarh can be easily accessed from Udaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur and Pushkar. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations of India.Kumbhalgarh has the distinction of being the birthplace of the great warrior MaharanaPratap. This fort’s popularity is just second to Chittorgarh. The surrounding walls of Kumbhalgarh cover an area of 36 kilometers. Earlier this fort was occupied now this fort is open for the public as a museum.

The fort has three hundred and sixty temples, out of which three hundred are ancient Jain temples and the rest are Hindu temples.

Kumbhalgarh also has a famous wildlife sanctuary. It covers an area of 57778 square kilometers and has a collection of wild animals and birds. The Jain temple of Muchchalmahavir and Ranakpur are very famous. Some of the castles have been converted to hotels and heritage sites, Haldighati is very popular for the historic battle that was fought there.

Rana Kumbha was  one of the most important rulers of Kumbhalgarh.Kumbhalgarh  was known as the most impregnable fort.

Kumbhalgarh  has a tropical ciimate, with temperatures rising up to 42 degree Celsius in summer. Winters are cooler with a maximum of 25 degree Celsius to a minimum of 11 degree Celsius.

The best time to visit Kumbhalgarh is between September to March This famous fort is cradled among thirteen peaks of the Aravali range. This fort was won over only once by the Mughals. If you love historic sites, this place is worth a visit, but make sure you don’t visit it in summer as it is extremely hot then.

Gir Forest National Park

Gir forest is a popular tourist resort among wildlife lovers. It is known as the last habitat of the Asiatic lion. Other than Africa, the lion can only be seen in its natural habitat here. It is a land that has a long and deep historical past and is popular all over the world. It is the favourite with wild life lovers all over the world. This forest has a variety of fauna and if you love wildlife a visit to Gir is a must. Other than the Asiatic lion, the forest has a variety of other animals and birds. You can see the Panther, the Hyena, the Indian Deer, Sambhar, Chital, Nilgai, the four horned antelope, the bear and the long-tailed langur here.

In Gir you can see the Maldhari community that co-exists with the wild animals, in the Gir forest. You can go on a safari in your vehicle and may be if you are lucky you will sight some of the wild animals.

Though Gir is famous for its fauna, it has some of the finest collection of flora too. It is full of mountain ridges, thick forest, grasslands and other kinds of plants. Part of Gir is made-up of fine teak forests. The river Hiran flows through the Gir forest the year long.

The wide variety of vegetation also makes it home for a wide array of animals that survive on the green grassland and other kinds of flora. The most sighted animal in Gir is the Chital also known as the Indian spotted deer. The sambhar lives in the wet Western part of the forest. The fastest of the Indian antelopes, the blackbuck is also is found in the Gir forest.

Gir is home to many wild plants and animals and you can go on a jungle safari, if you want to spot some of the rare breeds of wild cats and deers.

Jim Corbett National Park

Corbett National Park is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is located in the state of Uttarakhand and is a haven for wildlife lovers. This tiger reserve covers 1318.54 square kilometers, which includes 520 square kilometers of core area and 797.72 square kilometers of buffer area. The core area of this wildlife sanctuary forms the Corbett National Park and the buffer area  forms the reserve forests. The rich eco system of the park is formed by the park’s rolling grasslands and flat valleys.

Corbett wildlife sanctuary is one of the greenest and most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries. It has a tiger population of one hundred and sixty. This wildlife sanctuary is one of the most important bastion of tigers, one of the most endangered species.

The Corbett national park is home to several types of flora and fauna. About six hundred species of birds have been sighted in the Corbett national park and this park is a haven for bird lovers in India.

The Corbett national park covers mountains, Sal forests, grasslands, rivers. This makes it home to various species of trees, birds, shrubs, herbs, grass and bamboos.

This park was established in 1936 and was initially named Hailey National Park. Later the name was changed to Ramganga National Park and finally it was named Jim Corbett National Park after the big game hunter who turned conservationist. He was known for hunting man-eating tigers and leopards in the Kumaon and lower Garhwal region.

Corbett Natioanl Park is the site for launching of the Project Tiger conservation program.

The main wild animals found in the Corbett National Park are tigers, King Cobra, Elephants, Nilagai, Chital, Sambhar, Gharial, Muntjac, Flying Fox, Indian Pangolin, Hedgehog musk deer and some six hundred species of birds. If you want to see wildlife, a visit to Corbett National Park is a must.

Ashtamudi the Water Paradise

Astamudi the water paradise is located in the Kollam district of God’s own country, Kerala. It is known for its magnificent views. Ashatamudi literally means eight coned  or eight armed after the eight branches of the lake.  It is a gateway to the backwaters and  the second largest lake network in Kerala.Ashatamudi is surrounded by villages and coconut grooves. Because of this it is also known for its lush greenery. The lake network opens into the Arabian sea in the north. The backwaters are self-supporting and full of aquatic life. The canals connect quaint villages located on the banks of the lakes and are used for local transport.The placid backwaters are heavenly to crusie on.

 Ashtamudi is a palm shaped water body and is 55 kilometers long. It is divided into eight creeks. The eight arms converge into a single exit point at Neendakara near Kollam where it enters the Lakshadweep sea or. This is the deepest estuary located in Kerala. It is 6.4 meters deep at the confluence zone. The main river that discharges into the Ashtamudi backwaters is the Kallada river. It is formed by the coming together of three rivers, mainly the Kulathupuzha, the Chendurni and the Kalthuruthy. The origin of the Kallada river is in the western ghats. It runs through thick rainforest and finally joins the Ashtamudi wetlands. You can cruise on the Ashtamudi lake by hiring boats.

Kerala has splendid rainforest, lush green coconut trees and serene backwaters. It is aptly called God’s own country. The Ayurvedic massage centers located in Kerala are world renowned with many Hollywood and Bollywood Celebrities frequenting it. Kerala is unique because of its backwaters. Because of the huge network of rivers, lakes and canals that open into the Arabian sea, Kerala is famous for its greenery. A trip to Ashtamudi is indeed worthwhile.

Binsar the green Valley

Binsar, a beautiful hill station is located at an altitude of 2480 meters above sea level. It is situated 33 kilometers offAlmora, a small town in Uttarakhand.Binsar gives you a panoramic view of the beautiful Himalayas. You can see Kedarnath, Shivling, Nanda Devi and Trishul. This town was the summer capital of the Chand Kings.

 Binsar has a wild life sanctuary which is spread over an area of 45.59 kilometers. It is rich in flora and fauna. This sanctuary lies about 400 kilometers north of New Delhi. It is between Corbett National Park and Nanda Devi national Park.

Binsar hills offer a beautiful view of the Almora township, Kumaon hills and the beautiful Himalayan valley. The surroundings areas are full of beautiful ferns, hanging moss and different varieties of wild flowers.
The main attraction of Binsar is a view of the Himalayan valley. The place symbolizes calm and serenity. The beauty of Binsar is such that the tourist feels he is in heaven.

The climate of this area ranges between sub-arctic and temperate. Winters are very cold and snowfall can be expected.

Binsar is an ideal location for nature lovers, writers and tourists who want to enjoy the peace and calm of the beautiful Himalayas.

The thick Binsar Wild life sanctuary is home to some two hundred species of birds, barking deer, musk deer, Himalayan bear, leopard, fox, porcupine, langur, chital, flying squirrel, jungle cat etc.
The Chand kings who made Binsar their summer capital ruled there from the eleventh to the eighteenth centuries. The climate of Binsar is salubrious throughtout the year, with cold winters and rainy monsoons. You can enjoy long walks in the lovely climate of Binsar and enjoy the greenery with the beautiful view of the Himalayas. You can book your travel arrangements through your ClubMahindra membership.

Munnar—Kashmir of South India

Munnar as the title aptly sums it is also known as the Kashmir of South India. It is a small stretch of land that is covered by the Arabian sea on one side and the Western Ghats on the other side. This beautiful hill station is located in God’s own country Kerala. Tourists from all over the world visit this beautiful town because of its beautiful scenery. The beautiful sight of the Arabian sea and the lush greenery of the Western Ghats, make this place mesmerizing. The British made this beautiful town their popular summer holiday destination during the British times.

This lovely town has palm-fringed backwaters and gushing streams. The lovely scenic beaches make your experience complete, along with the lush green mountain range. To add to the beauty of this lovely Greenland there are waterfalls in evergreen rainforests. The cloud covered misty mountains are a beautiful sight from your hotel room. The National Geographic society has chosen Kerala among the fifty must see destinations.

Climate wise Munnar is pleasant throughout the year. The winters are cold with temperatures falling below ten degree Celsius. Summers are pleasant with temperatures ranging from twenty-five degree Celsius to fifteen degree Celsius. Monsoon is lovely with pouring waterfalls all around.

You can visit Munnar all through the year, but the best time is from August to May. There are beautiful tea gardens in Munnar which can be visited during summers. Driving up to Munnar is a beautiful experience as you can see all shades of green, from the lush green of the rainforests and tea gardens to the silver green shade of the oak trees.

 By car it takes about four hours to reach Munnar from Kochi, which is about 136 kilometers away. If you wish to travel by bus then you can travel by the private or state government run buses.