India Beat Travel Blog
Samode Safari Lodge in Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh
Samode Safari Lodge will be opening in October 2010 so India Beat went to have a look at the hottest new place to stay in Bandhavgarh National Park. The setting is perfect, not only is it stunning but the hotel is right next to the park’s new gate which is virtually unused by other hotels. This means the park is significantly quieter and the chances of seeing a tiger without the crowds is infinitely better. Created by the Samode brothers whose hotels in Rajasthan India Beat are big fans of, there are 12 luxurious cottages and a lovely swimming pool. They are also getting involved with the local community and working out environmentally sustainable practices to reduce the hotels impact on this remote area of Madhya Pradesh. For further enquiries and bookings contact India Beat.
India Beat in Khajuraho
Khajuraho is home to some of the finest temples anywhere in the world, India Beat went to check out their incredible sculptural beauty. Famous for their erotic carvings, several of the temples date back to the 8th Century and actually depict an extraordinary variety of scenes from everyday life and the life of the Hindu gods they were built to glorify. To learn more about the temples click here. To organise a trip to Khajuraho contact India Beat.
Banjaar Tola at Kanha: Tiger Paradise
Now this is how to camp! Taj’s collaboration with &Beyond known as Banjaar Tola, which literally translates as river settlement, is spectacular. Two camps of nine tents each overlook Kanha National Park and are set in over 100 acres of rugged landscape. Kanha is probably the best place in the world to see tigers and really appreciate their natural habitat. The area of the park that is adjacent to Banjaar Tola is also India Beat’s favorite part of the park as it’s really quiet so you are more likely to have a one on one experience with the tigers. The tents are wonderfully luxurious and both camps have pools, an essential element if visiting in the warmer months of March, April and May when tiger sightings are best. To enquire about Banjaar Tola and wildlife holidays in Madhya Pradesh contact India Beat.
India Beat in Madhya Pradesh
India Beat have just spent a wonderful week in Madhya Pradesh because April is the best time to see tigers. We spent a fabulous few nights at Kanha National Park and then headed north to Mahua Kothi in Bandhavgarh before ending the trip at Khajuraho’s erotic temples. We had been many times before but really wanted to see how much difference the weather made to tiger sightings. The theory goes that as it gets hotter and there is less water in the park the undergrowth thins and the tigers become more predictable. The reality was even more spectacular, we saw 4 tigers on one drive alone! They included this magnificent male tiger who we watched for half an hour as he hunted spotted deer. To find out more about Madhya Pradesh contact India Beat.
Umaid Bhawan Palace: New Rooftop Restaurant
India Beat was in Jodhpur last week to check out Raas, while we were in town we stopped by one of our favourite hotels, the Umaid Bhawan Palace. They have opened a delicious new tandoori restaurant on the roof and we went at sunset to try it out. Taking the lift to the top leads to a small staircase that twists its way on to the roof, it feels like you are going on a behind-the-scenes before you emerge on to what has to be one of the most stunning settings anywhere. Views over the Blue City of Jodhpur are incredible, small romantic candlelit tables face out towards the setting sun. Cocktails were perfect, followed by tandoori lamb, malai chicken and paneer tikka, all cooked to perfection. To book contact India Beat.
India Beat loves Holi!
Happy Holi! This year India Beat played Holi at Diggi Palace, delicious food, plenty of cold beer and crazy colours were the order of the day. To learn more about Holi click here or to book a holiday to join in the fun next year email India Beat.
Mihirgarh, Heaven in the Desert.
Emerging out of the Thar Desert in western Rajasthan Mihirgarh is the first mud fort to be built anywhere for hundreds of years. 9 huge and incredibly luxurious suites, several with private infinity pools are quite simply the best place to stay and experience the beauty of rural Rajasthan. The surrounding Bishnoi tribal villages are absolutely fascinating and India Beat loved the camel ride across the dunes before a picnic under a huge banyan tree. Whilst there is plenty to do and see in the area, few places can match up to the wonderful views from Mihir Garh’s pool. To book contact India Beat.
Raas in Jodhpur
Wow! What a view! As we stepped through the gates of Raas, Jodhpur’s hottest new hotel our breath was taken away by the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort towering above us. Raas has an incredible location right in the heart of the old city, the stunning heritage palace has been transformed in to a slick chic boutique hotel. India Beat spent the night and loved the seriously comfortable beds and luxurious bathrooms, dinner on the terrace was a delicious treat, don’t miss out on the apple jalebis! To book contact India Beat.
Kumbh Mela 2010
India Beat travelled along with 70 million other pilgrims to Haridwar to witness the Kumbh Mela which roughly translates as the Great Fair. Hindus from across the subcontinent gather once every 12 years on the banks of the river Ganges to perform absolutions and wash away the sins of a life time. Sadhus (Hindu holymen) gather in huge camps around the holy town of Haridwar led by their talismanic naga babas, the famous naked priests who forsake all possesions to follow the teachings of the Vedas. The sheer scale of the event is spectacular with literally millions of people everyday bathing on the ghats that lead from this temple rich town down to the Ganges. To learn more about the Kumbh Mela click here or contact India Beat to visit the fair which goes on until April.
Ananda in the Himalayas
Yoga at Ananda Spa in the Himalayas
The Ananda Spa near Rishikesh in the foothills of the Himalayas is India Beat’s favorite spa for so many reasons. India Beat spent 4 nights at the Ananda last week and tried out the wonderful treatments, attended yoga, meditation and vedanta classes, to fully experience India’s rich holistic heritage. We loved the incredible views, fantastic service and delicious food. The Ananda is healthy living at it’s most enjoyable. To book a trip to Ananda including a spa package contact India Beat.
