TRAVEL+LEISURE WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONSJOHN WARBURTON-LEE PHOTOGRAPHY/ALAMY
MUNNAR Essentially a tea town,
Munnar is a tranquil getaway from the
humdrum of city life. The lush green
foliage surrounding the Nyayamakad
Waterfall post monsoon make it an
ideal time to visit the region. Fifteen
kilometres down is the Eravikulam
National Park, home to the endangered
Nilgiri Tahr. Go between now and
November 2018 when Munnar’s rolling
green hills will be doused in blue with
the Neelakurinji fl ower in full bloom—
it’s a phenomenon that occurs once in
12 years and is exclusive to the shola
grasslands in south India.KOVALAM Walk hand-in-hand on the
Lighthouse Beach or wander away to
the Hawa Beach; the azure sea, the cold
breeze, and the calm surroundings ofthis coastal resort town will perfectly
complement your mood. The town
promises lots of adventure by the sea—
parasailing, snorkelling, wind surfi ng,
and backwater cruising—and it is the
best place for Ayurvedic treatments
and yoga courses.KHAJURAHO Known as the land of
Kamasutra, Khajuraho, is so much
more than temples featuring erotic
sculptures. This popular destination
for newlyweds also has the magnifi cent
Raneh Falls on Ken River. At the Ken
Crocodile Sanctuary, you will spot
Gharials, wild boars, chinkaras, blue
bulls, and peacocks.KUTCH The white salt desert in the Rann
of Kutch comes to life during the RannFestival held between December and
February every year. This pristine
white desert is a salty marsh where
Flamingos fl ock during the breeding
season. Only kilometres away from the
banks of the Arabian Sea, the Rann is
submerged in water during monsoons.
Plan a trip to the Flamingo Sanctuary,
Wild Ass Sanctuary, and Dhordo for
bird watching.SATPURA NATIONAL PARK The rugged
landscape of the Satpura National Park
in Madhya Pradesh comprises beautiful
sandstone peaks and ravines, and
provides an opportunity to spot tigers,
leopards, sambars, crocodiles and over
1,300 species of wild fl ora. Climb up to
the highest peak of the Satpura range in
Dhoopgarh to see the sunsets.ORCHHA A laid-back monument village
in Madhya Pradesh, Orchha is a must-
visit destination for history-buff s. This
pastoral land has an old-world charm in
its Mughal architecture. The palaces and
intricately-carved temples—Chaturbhuj
Temple, Dauji ki Haveli, Chhatris, Raj
Mandir, and Lakshmi temple—are a
sight to behold. Book yourselves a warm
homestay and arrange for cycling tours
and rafting on the Betwa River.GULMARG A honeymoon tour to Gulmarg
is incomplete if you don’t ride on
Kongdori, the second highest cable car in
the world. It takes you up to 10,000 feet
above sea level and ferries you away to
the breathtaking Seven Springs. Prepare
yourselves to take in majestic views of
the valley from here. If you plan on going
skiing and snowboarding, then you’ll
have to take a trip to the Apharwat Peak,
at an altitude of 4,200 metres.GANGTOK Watch the sunrise over
Mount Kanchenjunga, also referred
to as the ‘Golden Mountain,’ from
Tiger Hill. Laden with rare mountain
orchids and rhododendrons, the region
is home to the impeccable Tsomgo
Lake at an altitude of 12,400 feet. Visit
the monasteries in the morning, walk
hand-in-hand on the Mall Road in the
evening, and reserve the nights for
gambling in a casino. ▪A couple embarks on
a wilderness safari in
Madhya Pradesh.