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Welcome to Korel Tours & Travels

Monday, April 28, 2014

The Valley of Flowers

The Valley of Flowers National Park is an Indian National Park located in West Himalayan range of Uttarakhand and is known for its meadows of native alpine flowers and the variety of flora. This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox, and blue sheep. Birds found in the park include Himalayan Monal Pheasant and other high altitude birds.  The gentle landscape of the Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged mountain wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park to the east. Together, they encompass a unique transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Himalaya. The valley was declared a national park in 1982 and now it is a World Heritage Site.






The place was little known to outside world earlier. In 1931, Frank S. Smythe, Eric Shipton and R.L. Holdsworth, all British mountaineers, lost their way while returning from a successful expedition to Mt.Kamet and happened upon the valley, which was full of flowers. They were attracted to the beauty of the area and named it the "Valley of Flowers." Frank Smythe later authored a book of the same name.
The Valley of Flowers has gained importance as a region containing a diversity of alpine flora, representative of the Western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows eco-region. A number of plant species are considered threatened. Several have not been recorded outside of Uttarakhand. Two have not been recorded in Nanda Devi National Park. The diversity of threatened species of medicinal plants is higher than has been recorded in other Indian Himalayan protected areas. The entire Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve lies within the Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA). The Valley of Flowers National Park is the second core zone of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. 
Alpine shrub-lands, dominated by rhododendrons, predominate at lower elevations close to the tree line. Above the shrub-lands are alpine meadows, known as bugyals or bughiyals, which support a variety of herbaceous plants. In the spring and summer, the alpine meadows are covered with brightly colored flowers.
Getting to the Valley of Flowers requires a trek of about 17 km (10.5 mi). The nearest major town is Joshimath in Garhwal, which has convenient road connections from Haridwar and Dehradun, both about 270 km (168 mi) from Joshimath. From Delhi, one can take the train to Haridwar and then travel by bus to Govindghat via Rishikesh. Govindghat is approximately 16 km before another important destination of Badrinath. It is also possible to drive from Delhi to Govindghat, a distance of about 500 km.
Govindghat is a small place close to Joshimath (around one hour distance), where the trek begins. From Gobindghat, a trek of 14 km (8.6 mi) brings trekkers to the Ghangaria, a small settlement located about 3 km (about 2 mi) from the valley. The trek from Gobindghat to Ghangaria is common to the Sikh Temple at Hemkund and a trekker is likely to find many Sikh pilgrims on the route. As one nears Ghangaria one is greeted by fields of perfumed wild flowers, wild rose bushes and wild strawberries by the sides of the path. The visitors to Valley of Flowers need to get a permit from Forest Department, at Ghangaria and the permit is valid for three days and visiting and trekking is allowed only during day time. As visitors are not allowed to stay inside the National park, accommodation can be obtained at Gangaria. Best time to visit is August and September, when the valley is full of flowers, just after the outbreak of monsoon.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Chikmanglur – The place of Real Coffee



Chikmanglur, a small hill station near Mangalore airport, Karnataka. Also known as “Coffee Land”, nearly 3,400 feet elevated from the sea level. A treat for those who loves the difference.  An unique travel destination with wonderful climatic condition around the year. 


Chikmanglur is a driving enthusiast's dream. The hill roads, greenery, waterfalls, rivers make this a real pleasure. You can enjoy the scenic view of different coffee plantation (Arabicaah / Robasta) on the hill sides during your drive.  One can also share the experience of picking ripe coffee berries with the local people.  Do not forget to taste different types of freshly grounded coffees in the local shops. The aroma of espresso will definitely amaze your senses.

Kemmangudi View Poin



Notable places around Chikmagalur are Kemmangundi hill,

Mutthodi National Park, Kudremukh (iron ore mining company), 

Mahatma Gandhi Park (Ratnagiri Bore). There are many Hotels 

and resorts around Chikmanglur which fits everyone's pocket.

Hebbe Falls



Ripe Coffee Berries

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Different customized packages are available for CHIKMANGLUR hill station
 
 
Call : +91-9163330767 for more info or mail us at travels@korel.co.in


 

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Kashmir, the heaven on earth!!

Kashmir, the HEAVEN on earth as described by the Mughals is truly the wonderland Himalayan valley with snow capped mountain peaks,sunny mughal gardens, romantic houseboats, flowers and rivers. We are organising various trips to kashmir covering main attractions here.
Start your journey from jammu, Explore the ancient city of Jammu where the voices from the past speak to the future. Discover the beautiful old temples and shrines and enjoy the scenic sites you will treasure the memories for a long time.
Tours to Jammu must include a trip to the important tourist destinations which include travel to the Vaishno Devi temple, the Raghunath Mandir, the Dogra Art gallery and the Amar Mahal Palace.


Visist Patnitop and head towards Srinagar. It has several tourist attractions; some of these are the Dal Lake, the Nagin Lake, Shankaracharya Hill, the Hari Parbat Hill that is situated on top of the Sharika Hill and the Charar-e-Shareif shrine, which is situated on the way to Yusmarg.

Gulmarg, Means the meadow of flowers is the 3rd most popular tourist spot of kashmir. Gondola the cable car is a very famous ride here to get a view of impacabe mountains

Tour 1 includes: JAMMU, 
SRINAGAR, 
GULMARG, SONMARG, PAHELGAON, PATNITOP (12 DAYS)
price starts from: (adult-10600, child-9540)


Tour 2: JAMMU, SRINAGAR, GULMARG, SONMARG, PAHELGAON, VAISNODEVI (13 DAYS)
PRICE STARTS FROM: (adult- 11400, child-10260)


Thursday, March 6, 2014

Mountains of Leh - Ladakh !!!


LADAKH!     The steep curves, snow-topped peaks,colorful monasteries, double humped camels, burning sun, freezing winds and a destination that is very near to the heaven.
Once you are in Leh, relax and let your body acclimatize to this sudden change of altitude.
Be to the Khardungla pass, and feel proud to be at the highest drivable road of the world. The standing military guards have some inspiring stories to share and then head to the Nubhra valley. The major attractions here are White sand dunes and double humped camels for ride.

The color changing Pangong Tso lake located next to China border through Changla pass is a place that you have never seen before.
Major attractions for the tourist worldwide have been the cycling , rafting and trekking expeditions at this region.
Life at Ladakh is characterized by intense spirituality. When you are here, visit the monasteries of Alchi, Hemis, Lamayuru, Shanti Stupa, Spituk, Thiksey etc. Another thing to look here is the priceless antiques and art. You might even bump into students from different parts of the world, studying Buddhism here.

We are arranging different trips to LEH - LADAKH, So experience the unseen beauties of the mother nature with us !
 LEH - LADAKH (15 Days):
Places : Leh, Kardungla Pass, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Magnetic Hill, Hemiss Gumpha and many more ... 
 
  PRICE(starts from**) : (Adult-17900)  (Child-16110)

Call : +91-9163330767 for more info or mail us at travels@korel.co.in