travelandleisureindia.inHONEYOUR
SPIDEYSENSE
IN THEWOODS
——WITNESS NESTING TURTLES ON A BLACK-SAND BEACH
——
Between November and March, the Kalipur and Ramnagar beaches of North
Andaman turn into wildlife treasure troves. The volcanic black sand found on
these beaches does not make them as picturesque as their more famous cousins
down south, like Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island, but it does invite four
kinds of turtles to lay their eggs—olive ridley, leatherback, hawksbill, and green
turtles. The unique biodiversity is worth a trip to the far-flung region. And the
lack of tourists is always a plus. Arrive in Diglipur, the largest town in North
Andaman, and head to the Kalipur and Ramnagar beaches, 15 km away from
each other. While you’re here, do make the 15-minute boat journey to the twin
islands of Ross and Smith that are connected by an 800-metre-long sandbank.GO ON A KING-SIZED SOUTHERN SOJOURN
——
Any journey through the southern states of India is endowed with a blissful series of
landscapes. But a long-haul train trip means giving up on creature comforts. Or, does
it? The Southern Sojourn is a unique journey offered by Maharajas’ Express, one
of the most luxurious trains in the world. Embark on a week-long trip starting from
Mumbai, and making your way through Ratnagiri and Goa, to explore the beautiful ruins
of Hampi, the cultural riches of Mysuru, the beautiful port city of Kochi, the exhilarating
snake boat race in Alleppey, and finally, disembark for good in Thiruvananthapuram.
There are deluxe cabins and suites to pick from, guests are expected to dress up for
five-course dinners, butlers cater to the most whimsical demands, and bars and club
games ensure that the journey never gets boring. The tariff starts at `5,19,480 for
single occupancy in Deluxe Cabin; maharajas-express-india.comIf you can overcome the fear of being surrounded by giant creepy-
crawlies in thick woods, you might want to give spider-spotting a try.
With the onset of monsoon, arachnids thrive in forests, especially the
ones that grow along River Kabini. Go on a night trail while staying at
Evolve Back, Kabini, and a whole new world of nocturnal life will open
its doors to you. This offbeat walking night safari is tailor-made for those
who are done chasing the big cats. Trained naturalists help you discover
the giant wood spider, crab spider, scorpion spider, two-tailed spider, and
other eight-legged wonders. Besides the spiders, there are countless
types of beetles, moths, lizards, and owls lurking in these woods. When
you’re done brushing cobwebs off your elbows, take a coracle ride in the
river for a dreamy finish to an unusual expedition. evolveback.comDO YOUR PART
IN RAINFOREST
CONSERVATION
Give the usual jungle safari and
birdwalk a miss, and volunteer
at the Agumbe Rainforest
Research Station (ARRS)
in Karnataka for a real tryst
with the wild while also aiding
conservation efforts. Volunteers
are assigned different roles in
conservation projects depending
on their interests, qualifications,
and fitness levels. Projects
focus on areas like protection
of reptiles and amphibians,
prevention of roadkill, etc., and
training sessions include setting
up of camera traps, observing
nests, and identifying animal
trails. If you’re not a field person,
you can also choose to conduct
workshops on sustainability and
conservation in nearby schools
and colleges. Live in the woods
for a fortnight or a month on a
nominal fee. Wild encounters
with the likes of boars, leopards,
and wild dogs are free of cost.
agumberainforest.org#CONSCIOUSTRAVEL
CLOCKWISE: MAHARAJAS’ EXPRESS; AGUMBE RAINFOREST RESEARCH STATION; 123RF