DoiBedouin

5 Places Not to Miss in The North Andaman: Going Beyond Havelock and Neil Island

There is no denying the fact that Andaman and Nicobar islands are one dream destination on the Indian subcontinent. Stunning vistas and majestic topography set it apart. Unrivaled Nature unfolds herself and flourishes here, more than anywhere else. It is no wonder 200,000 visitors visit the Andaman Islands every year. But Alas! 95% of them never leave the "Port Blair - Havelock - Neil" triangle. We have spent 5 weeks here and for me, the true attractions of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago lie in the North Andaman Island.

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So drop out of your modernized lifestyle. Answer to the call of your primitive DNA. And delve into the wilderness the northern islets has to offer.

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The literal layers of blue merging into the white! at andaman @doibedouin

The literal layers of blue merging into the white! Picture Courtesy: Argha Nag

North Andaman Highlights

North Andaman has the highest peak, amazing jungles, the turtle nesting beaches, uninhabited islands, a mud volcano, and the famous Ross Island, connected by a sand bridge to the Smith island.

True, North Andaman lies 13 hours bus or ship journey north from Port Blair. However, the adversities are not forever. Neither is it the only catch here. You will be able to enjoy the serenity in the beauty of this Island without the touristing bunch.

If unhurried and quiet holidaying, away from the buzz of the city is your forte, then the North Andaman is your new best friend. Whether to call it a boon or bane, your phone will not ring for the duration of stay. Beyond the outskirts of Diglipur town, there is no network coverage.

Diglipur

Diglipur is the first and only town you will see in the North Andaman and most travelers just pass-thru on the way to Kalipur. Diglipur is the last place where you will get everything you need; catch any mobile signal, visit an internet cafe or stock up on supplies.

Diglipur area North Andaman Map. Courtesy: EagleFlyFree

Saddle Peak

It is the highest peak of Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago. While the peak's elevation is only 732 meters above sea level, the hike to Saddle peak requires quite an effort. Plan for a full-day and take plenty of water with you.

You do not have to peak the summit. The journey itself is extraordinary. Evidently, the visible path takes you right through the shades of the fantastic rain forest. And the ocean will always be right there if you feel like having a splash. This trek is delightful. And it is a very easy and comfortable, compared to the jungle walks in Africa or the Amazon basin. Temperatures are ambient here. Expect some 29-32 degrees Celsius during the winter season.

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At the entrance to the Saddle Peak national park stands a tiny Forest Department building where your permit will be issued on the spot for a small fee.

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Craggy Island

I fell in love with this tiny, uninhabited island. And deservedly so. It is one of those places where you be the Robinson Crusoe. The most photographed site, maybe, with its colorful underwater world. The reefs would leave your jaw on the floor (read ocean floor); just the perfect spot for Snorkeling!

Granted, one should not come all this way without some precaution to keep you from the scorching heat of the sun. The jungle is too dense to take shelter into. And there is no natural shade on the beach. It is always advisable to carry a larger umbrella. A hammock or two may save your day here. Even beach blankets could serve as canopy sheds here.

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When you design your North Andaman trip, you will see a few sources saying that “Craggy Island is just a swim away from Kalipur beach”. Trust me, it is not “just a swim away”. Take a boat instead.

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Anchoring by Craggy Island

Turtle Nesting and Hatching in The Kalipur Beach

Come the hatching season and the Kalipur beach becomes the nesting grounds of the turtles. You will find four turtle species here- Olive Ridley, Leather Back, Green Turtle, and Hawks Bill. Nesting season runs from mid-December to March and little turtle hatch within 45-50 days. The beach offers three accommodations nearby wherefrom you can observe the turtles in the night.

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Pro Tip: It is good to be rational here. Turtles will not come every night. Sometimes you wait till 1 a.m. and then go to sleep, just to hear that 3 turtles came to nest just after you left. Locals advise coming one hour before high tide and stay for 2 hours. If there is no turtle nesting, go back to rest and come back again the next night. If you want to increase your chances, remain silent and definitely use NO light! Loud sounds and blazing your mobile light on the beach will scare the turtle away. If you need to use light, use low red light.

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Turtle hatchling on the shorelines Courtesy: Andaman Emerald

The Twin Islands of Ross and Smith

Imagine a milieu of perfect cerulean seawater divided by a beige stretch of shoal; sounds overwhelming? Then this is your Spot! You can walk the white sand from one island to the other. The Indian Ocean will always flow with you. You can’t possibly pull yourself away from this slice of Paradise!

You would come across the duo when you surf through the net for the Andaman Islands. You will see iconic pictures of the twin islets pretty often. As often as not, visitors flock here for the stunning geographical formations. And that makes the tedious journey to the North Andaman all the more alluring and enduring.

Boats depart from Aerial Bay Jetty and charge around 4000 rupees per boat (not person) for a return trip with 3 hours waiting time in the islands. This price will work for up to five people and the trip gets more expensive if there are more people.

How to Reach North Andaman? By Ships

Ships sail between Port Blair and Diglipur 3 to 6 times a week. Fares are from INR 630 for the deck to INR 1470 for a deluxe cabin. The ship sails all day or all night. Best is to take a cabin, sleep well and wake up in the morning in Diglipur. Ships anchor at the Aerial Bay.

Read more about Traveling Andaman islands by Ships in the Andaman TravelGuide.

How to Reach North Andaman? By Bus

There are 4 buses daily from Port Blair to Diglipur. These depart Port Blair at 4:15am IST, 7:00am IST, 10:00am IST and last at 12:45am IST. Lately (in November 2019) an overnight bus started from Port Blair to Diglipur. Buses return from Diglipur at 7:00am IST, 10:00am IST and then there is an overnight bus back to Port Blair.

Read more about Travelling around Andaman islands by Bus in Andaman TravelGuide.

Backpacking by Bus

Getting from Diglipur to Aerial bay and Kalipur

A public bus is a cheapest and reasonably convenient way to reach both Aerial Bay and Kalipur from Diglipur. Buses leave every hour from Diglipur central market area and the last bus leaves at 7 pm. Do not miss it!

Auto rickshaws and taxis between Diglipur and Kalipur will cost 300-600 INR one way. Bargaining in a friendly manner can benefit you here.

If you arrive by ocean vessel, you will disembark at Aerial Bay jetty. No need to go to Diglipur, just jump on the Diglipur - Kalipur bus as it passes by Aerial Bay and disembark at your accommodation near Kalipur beach.

Where to Stay? North Andaman Hotels, Resorts, and Accommodation

Within walking distance to Kalipur beach, there are 3 accommodation options: Turtle Resort, Pristine Resort, and Saddle Peak View Resort.

Tourism department operated Turtle Resort is the best value for money choice here. Double room with hot water and AC will cost from INR 1200 at the Turtle Resort or similarly priced Saddle Peak. Pristine is the most expensive of the three.

North Andaman offers so many things to do. I would recommend spending at least 4 days here. 5 days and you will love it even more. So, set sails! Ahoy Matey!

Click here to check Andaman IslandsTravel Guide.

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December 04, 2019

6 Comments

anecdotes

You Only Live Once #YOLO. Better an “Oops!” than a “What If?”

Better an “Oops!” than a “What If?”

Such a wonderful sentence to bring out the dilemmas of our lifetime. Isn’t it?

He loves me, he loves me not…… What if he says a no?
Hey, it is the weekend. Let’s experiment with a new dish. What if it’s a disaster?

I am sitting idle. I am without a job. What if I don’t get a job?

I am struck with this job. I want it out. What if I resign?

What if I am alone? What if I have no friends?

… And amidst all these ‘what if’s, we get lost. And we curse the circumstances, our loved ones, sometimes even ourselves. Maybe it is human nature to fear the uncertainties of our Future, of the so-called moments of “Oops” of our lives. Trust me, this feeling is one of the Dementors of Harry Potter. These many, of all the wrong reasons, what if’s result in cocooning ourselves to our own circles. And we get so accustomed to it, eventually, that coming out of the closet becomes so difficult.

Traveling or visiting a foreign place, too, is often such a deal. A predicament. Yet, a chance to relax. It is more of uprooting yourself from a defined environment and accepting the uncertainties. So if we are to judge, traveling out is more of an oxymoron. To venture out into the unknown. Somewhat a foggy Limbo. So many what if’s to face off. You go through Lonely Planet; you find so many tales of travel fails. But does that stop people from traveling? No. It is not always good experiences. Life is not always a bed of roses; neither is it a bed of thorns. At times, you could face sore situations. But that doesn't stop you from venturing out. You learn from your mistakes, other’s stories of mistakes. And, you evolve.

Why wait for all the opportunities when every day, every moment is one? Embracing them as they come, makes it a lot easier. We are afraid of the consequences. Well, yes, I am too. And this is exactly where traveling makes us strong. Learning your own way, through and through. Fighting your fears makes you a winner against all odds. You travel to places, you notice things, of little importance, minutely. And, you get to look at life closely. You get to learn from the people you meet. Sometimes, benevolence even in the midst of hardships. And you appreciate things that you were complaining about, a few days back. Sometimes, bitterness, mostly and surprisingly in the riches. Whatever be the case, it is a win-win scenario.

If you ask me, the biggest what-if of my life is ended up being alone. How I tackled it? I took to traveling. I went out and made friends on the roads. I met two wonderful women on the way to Sikkim. I came to know familiar faces, more closely. I saw a couple fighting over trifles and falling in love in the snow all over again. In a fewer span of days, my otherwise monotonous life became lively in the bits of experiences. At the end of every trip, I return back rich with experience.

So, next time, let your fears mold you into a better you but not overthrow you. Cast out of the couch of self-doubts and step out into the greens and blues of the planet. If you want to be the traveler, be so. If you want to adopt your passion as your profession, do it. Do not back out for the fear of failure. To err is human. Summon up #YOLO trend, it is in rounds now. And take the leap. The World is waiting out there for you.

You Only Live Once #YOLO. Better an “Oops!” than a “What If?” doibedouin

Photo by VisionPic .net from Pexels

Search out on the internet and you will find a million examples who took the path less picked. They all took their chances. It is not always a calculated risk. Some left their corporate life, some took gap-years, some chose to travel along with their work. But they all set examples. Because they chose their what-ifs and were not worried about regretting it. But, saying they were not anxious, would be a lie. But they risked seeing the other side of their what-if’s. And, in doing so, they fostered and came out successful.

[If you want to know about them, keep checking DoiBedouin for updates.]

They did. Will You?

Well, I will. If it goes a little off-center, then……?

Better an oops than a what if!

November 28, 2019

5 Comments

anecdotes

How To Plan A Trip To Europe: The First Step To Backpacking Europe

Traveling abroad can be a task. We are about to visit a completely different country with its own rules and regulations. The fear of the unknown, combined with our laziness, often lures us to visit the office of a tour operator, pay them a considerable amount of money and hope for a hassle-free trip.

How to plan a trip to Europe from India doibedouin

Roman forum and somewhere from here Marc Antony delivered his famous speech

Why Planning is Necessary?

Many of my friends are quite enthusiastic about discovering new places with an operator, but I prefer to plan my own journey from scratch. This gives me a sense of freedom and also gives me an opportunity to make my trip comfortable. while planning a trip of your own, you have the luxury of choosing your own accommodation, indulge in local cuisines and visit tourist spots with an ample amount of time in hand. I had traveled only once with a tour operator and my experience had been anything but pleasant.

Recently, there is also news of a famous international tour operator closing its business in India. This has led to the cancellation of several pre-booked tours and the tourists are waiting for the refund of the money. This incident has made me more determined in planning and managing your own itinerary. Trust me, it is always better!

Before the internet became cheap in India, courtesy Jio, planning a tip involved buying a travel guide, dusting off the railway time table, standing in the queue to book train tickets and contacting hotels recommended by our friends and relatives. However, now that internet is so easily accessible to all and sundry, there is an ocean of information to help in planning a trip.

However, when I was planning a trip to Europe, I found that swimming through the ocean of information can be pretty challenging. This blog is to help my fellow travelers to plan an itinerary to Europe on their own. If you have a valid passport, you are at liberty to attempt a trip to Europe.

Europe Trip- The Basic Considerations

The basic considerations for a Europe trip are-

(a) The duration of the trip

(b) The budget

These three considerations are again dependent on each other. Let us briefly look at each of them.

The Duration of the Trip

The duration of the trip would be strictly according to the absence you can afford from your job or business, but anything less than 2 weeks will not do justice to your trip.

However, we must keep in mind that the more you travel, your budget shall shoot up. Again, if you want to experience local cuisines and ambiance of the city, a mere visit to attractions won’t suffice. In other words, to know a place better, you need to spend more time there.

My suggestion is to keep at least two weeks in hand and then fit in your destinations in Europe. Ensure that you get proper rest and don’t try to fit in everything, no matter how lucrative the idea might seem.

The Budget

This is where I have to break it to you, the bitter truth, my fellow travelers. Europe is expensive if you are traveling from India.

Therefore, if you are planning a trip to Europe, ensure to have a handsome budget, the more the better. I shall share with you a few important tricks to reduce your expenditure but those tricks are strictly for people who plan to go for a backpacking trip. If you are traveling with your family, it is obvious that you shall be looking for comfort and needless to mention, this comfort comes at a price.

The budget also depends on the destinations you have chosen, which brings us to the following section.

The Destinations

A rough sketch of the European countries of major interests is as under.

So there's your flowchart to plan a Euro-trip out effectively. In the map above, red is the most expensive, green is relatively cheaper, and orange being somewhere in between.

One trend that I observed while researching the cost of living of the European countries is that the more you go south, the cheaper it becomes. Similarly, western European countries are more expensive than their eastern counterparts.

My suggestion is to go for a healthy mix of cheaper and expensive destinations to control your budget. Secondly, you need to ask yourself as to what and where you really want to visit during the trip?

When I was contemplating my destinations, I asked myself as to what really made me interested in Europe? I traced my curiosity back to the history lessons in my school when o was reading about the Renaissance in Europe. Similarly, during my college days when I was watching movies like "Angels and Demons" or "Inception", "Da Vinci Code", etc. I often wished to visit those wonderful movie locations in the future. Thus I chose Rome and Vatican City as a primary destination.

How effectively the Nautilus shell structure merged in the architecture!

This was followed by choosing Paris as I really wanted to see “The Monalisa” and the “Bir-Hakeim Bridge”. My friend lives in Berlin and thus it became another destination. I had then planned my itinerary. I observed that I can fit in another location as few days were left in my plan of two weeks. I chose the final destination to be Venice because of my love for “Assassins’ Creed” and felt it would add the necessary variety in the trip.

The view from the Paris Bridge

Best Season to Visit Europe

Choosing the right season to visit Europe is essential. Summer is the best season but it is also the season when the cost of travel and accommodation is very high. Winters in Europe are not ideal for travel, but they have a charm of their own.

Keeping these three basic considerations in mind let us further plan our trip.

How To Plan A Trip To Europe: The First Step To Backpacking Europe@doibedouin

November 23, 2019

9 Comments

Jharkhand

A Quick Guide to Manoharpur- Getway to a Unique World of Nature

Oftentimes, our wanderlust searches for places where we can get detached from the world, for a day or so. And the most reckoned way-outs are, no doubt, Nature getaways. Jharkhand is one such realm, where nature is raw and abundant. In the uplands and woods, Nature seems to have bracketed her ancestry here in an exotic way. Besides the famous mines, Jharkhand also boasts of Saranda Forest. It is Asia's largest Sal Forest, and home to the endangered flying lizard. And Manoharpur is the gateway to Saranda (another entrance being Barbil). Even so, Manoharpur is more easy on the eyes, as it witnesses the confluence of rivers Koel, Karo, and Koyena. Away from the usual routes, Manoharpur of West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, is a hidden gem surely a catch for the Nature lovers.

The falls are not that flowy but never fail to add to the charm of the place.

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To escape our daily blues, we headed out to experience the Jharkhand blues at our own pace.

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How to Reach Manoharpur

Manoharpur in the state of Jharkhand, is well connected by trains on the Howrah- Rourkela route of the Indian Railways. And it is a six hours journey from Howrah Junction. So here is another offbeat weekend destination from West Bengal! The most convenient timing is that of the “Ispat” express- from Howrah in the morning. That ensures reaching Manoharpur before noon.

Where to Stay at Manoharpur: Santoor Guest House

The Jharkhand Tourism is entertained by a sole resort at Manoharpur welcoming the guests. Santoor Guest House offers a comfy home-like environment amidst very well maintained and well-manicured lawns. The stay in itself is a wonderful experience. The homely warmth of the hosts will definitely make an impression on anyone staying at the guest house. The pleasing countryside in and around approves the therapeutic break you were so looking for.

It has a number of cottages that can be very easily booked, either over the phone or website. The guest house is at a stone's throw distance from the station; hence reaching the same is without any hassles whatsoever.

If you are entering through Barbil, one may stay at the Saranda Safari Resort.

No matter how good they are though, I would vote for Santoor Guest House.

Conveyance

The guest house arranges a pick-up facility from the station. And there's the advantage! Also, it will provide SUVs for traveling and safari. Small cars are not quite the best option for a safari ride. They cannot move at some places and SUV is a must. For the trip a group of six is ideal. That being the optimized number for a safari (in SUV) would cut down your expenses.

What to See?

Saranda Forest

Saranda, Asia's best Sal forests and Jharkhand's pride, is the home to the endangered Flying Lizard. The forest is rich in flora and fauna. It is known for its majestic Sal trees. It is also a golden catch for wild-life lovers.

The Confluence of the Rivers

Manoharpur is located at the confluence of Koyel and Koyena River. One can visit the confluence during sunset and enjoy the beauty of nature at the banks of the rivers.

How often do you get to see such a terra firma in a candid way?

Sameej Ashram

This Ashram of Sankaracharya is located at the confluence of Koel and Karo. The quietude of this place is sure to be a magnet for the nature enthusiast.

The Bolani Iron Mines

One of the largest and oldest iron mines of Jharkhand and the only means of living to scores of locals is about 30 km from the guest house. It is huge and excavates tones of iron ore every day. A word of caution here, people with breathing issues might want to avoid visiting this place. We had a red tint on our clothes and shoes, as we left.

One of the oldest mines of Jharkhand.

Jhingri Falls

The water falls over a rocky plateau from creeks and flows downstream. The waterfall is completely out of sight from the foothills and one has to climb up to a raised area to get a view. So if you are up for a hike, this is your take to rough it up. Trek to the falls, a nature walk through the jungle and its sounds. And if you are lucky enough, you can also jolt at the spectrum of rainbow colors here, as the light often gets diffracted by the mist at the falls.

We were lucky enough to get a glimpse of the rainbow. Can you spot it? Enough is as good as a feast here. Feel the adventure in hiking through the mists of the jungle to reach the falls.

Pacheri falls

A kilometer walks from the spot the car can most take us. Through the flat hills, the road takes you to the falls. This place is the dwelling of kinds of butterflies. This is where butterflies and gaiety join hands and jingles. This fall is higher and approachable. The rocks bear the footprints of the ecological accord in their own candid way. The natural step-like structure of the rocks makes climbing easy; many tourists prefer taking a bath here.

The abode of the butterflies.

Kiriburu and Meghahatuburu Mountain Sunset Point

As the name indicates the locals call it the land of 700 hills. The sunset point is at the SAIL township area and is a popular place for couples. The township has its own bus service which runs weekly from Kolkata.

Karo River Bed

Karo runs through the valley and appears to be garlanding the surrounding hills and hillocks. Sometimes elephant herds run around during the season of harvest, from the adjacent jungles.

This is where the raw beauty of Nature is personified!

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An interesting experience I would like to share here. The locals collect gold particles here by filtering sand from the river bed and sell them at a very low price in the local markets. Sometimes they earn 250-300 bucks per day. These people are mainly local tribes. There are some days that they get nothing at all and this is their only source of income.

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Local Church

A protestant church stands on a hillock, not very far from the guest house. Locals gather around here every Sunday morning for prayers. Interestingly, it is also the assembling place for the local Panchayat for the weekly announcements. The view of the railway lines from the elevation of the hillock is a must-see in the early morning.

The local church

Tribal villages

Though Nature is in bounty here, the villagers try hard to get two square meals a day. The land being very barren, the tribal of this region has to plow the sands to earn the minimum wage. Humble huts, crop fields, small shops are common.

What to Eat?

Santoor guest house offers a full package of food, lodging, and site-seeing and so there is not much to plan about. From morning tea to dinner, everything is taken care of. And they leave you satisfied with every dish and delicacies. I would settle any day for their food than binging anywhere else.

Your Weekend Itinerary to Manoharpur: From My Experience

Day 1:

Our trip from Dankuni to Manoharpur was an amazing experience. We took a cab to Howrah Station and boarded Ispat Express to reach Manoharpur at noon. We were received at the platform itself by Santoor guest house. We had our lunch and headed towards Sameej Asram in the late afternoon and later to the confluence of Koel and Karo River. It was a beautiful sight where the river bed is encircled by Chotanagpur hills all along its path.

Day 2:

We went to the Bolani mines, as arranged by the guest house along with a guide. On our way, there was a temple that had drums (Chota and Bara Nagara) instead of an idol. Locals offer prayers to the Nagaras and some of them also claim it to be a Buddhist temple. We reached Bolani to find the largest iron mine of the region. Manoharpur also sees the union of industry and the untapped beauty of nature.

We reached the Jhingri falls to find a distinct rainbow waiting for us. The short hike was, by all means, exciting. We had our lunch in the forest, by the waterfalls. The Bengali word "Bon Bhojon" is the perfect term to explain the fun. And we made sure that we did not ruin the natural balance here by littering it. The drive back of 40km added to the thrill and excitement. The seat next to the driver is highly recommended! Do not forget to do the time-lapse on the go.

Day 3:

Day three started with a trip to Pacheri falls and SAIL township sunset point. To reach Pacheri falls, we strolled for around twenty minutes across the forest. The stream accompanied us all through our path. The flow leads to the falls and I must say it is worth visiting. The SAIL Township is well planned and kept very clean. The sunset point is a primary tourist attraction and is well decorated and maintained. Seasonal flowers are reared which adds to the beauty.

Day 4:

There are so many points where Koel, Koyena and Karo river beds can be explored. At one such place, volcanic rocks can be found. Located by an extinct volcano, the Koel River eventually cooled off the once erupted out lava. The lava turned rocks resemble fossil fishes in a peculiar formation. I was amazed by the calmness of the place. The only sound that resonated was of the flowing river, tracking its way down the rocks. Life in this part of the globe is serenity personified. It was truly an out of the world experience- a nook unstained by folk and time.

So, Why Visit Mahoharpur?

Early morning walks through the village is bliss here with titillating beauty of hills and rivers. Previously a Maoist area but no such disturbance has been noted for the last 10 years. Local schools colleges and government offices have developed since then. Manoharpur is a combination of wilderness and development. Here you come across histories in the form of inscribed rocks dating back to the era of Mughals. The tribe considers the rock to be lucky and is kept at the leader's abode. You get to tell the tale of an isolated place where tigers are treated and nursed. Known as "Bagh Guha", a small cave provides the natural condition where tigers can breed or rest when injured.

The hospitality of Mrs Manjusha Ganguly of Santoor guest house was a cherry on the cake. It’s not a place for shopping; one will hardly get anything to buy. So shopping is off the checklist. But one can obviously enjoy the delicious jalebis and Gulab Jamun of the area. The evening adda session at Santoor guest house along with hot pakodas (served by the guest house) is another enjoyable mention. It was a compact tour of 4 days with so much to take back, refreshed and energized until the next outing.

So, the next time you want to take a break and lose yourself in the mystical landscape of Nature, think of Manoharpur. The place will surely not make you disappointed. It would provide all the wholesome and fulsome refreshment for the body and the soul alike.

Pocket Pinch

Rs 1800/- per head per day which includes stay and food

SUV (6 seaters) - Rs 2500/- to 3000/- per day (2 days)

Train fare- Howrah to Manoharpur 300/- per head.

November 20, 2019

15 Comments