Lucknow Excursions

Dudhwa National Park

Dudhwa National Park is stretched in an area across 810 square kilometers. The core area of the park itself is spanned around 650 square Kilometers. Although Dudhwa National Park has a range of animal as well as avian population, the park is famous as a perfect habitat for Swamp deer and Tigers. Dudhwa National Park was declared a national park in the year 1958. In the due course, keeping in mind its importance, it was first converted to a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1977 and was later declared a Project Tiger reserve in the year 1988. 

Dewa Sharif

Dewa Sharif is a pilgrimage town that is situated just 40 odd Kilometers from Lucknow and 12 kilometers from the district headquarter of Barabanki. This pilgrimage site has a special place in the history of Awadh because of its efforts towards secularism in an otherwise communally volatile province. The place is renowned as the birthplace of Hajji Waris Ali Shah who was to influence the lives of many generations of people with his message of universal love for humanity. 

Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary

Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary is not only the best available Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh but also one of the most prominent in whole of India. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary is a great excursion destination around Lucknow. Although Nawabganj Sanctuary is a small bird Sanctuary that is spread across 4 square kilometers, it attracts lots of migratory birds during winters. The sanctuary is precisely confined to an area that encloses the lake. This is a natural lake and has a very beautiful environ around it thus it attracts a lot of avian population 

Naimisaranya

It is said that Naimisaranya was the place where Bhagavatam was spoken. It is also said that a pilgrimage to Badrinath and Kedarnath is incomplete without a visit to Naimisaranya. In the Mahabharata it is said, "Anyone who fasts, prays, and attains perfection at Naimisaranya finds happiness in all the worlds."...........
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Naimisharanya

Naimisharanya was the place where Bhagavatam was spoken. It is also said that a pilgrimage to Badrinath and Kedarnath is incomplete without a visit to Naimisharanya. In the Mahabharata it is said, "Anyone who fasts, prays, and attains perfection at Naimisharanya finds happiness in all the worlds." 

Lord Balarama, Dadhici Muni, the Pandavas, Prabhu Nityananda, and Ramanujacharya all came here. The Pandavas are said to have come here when they were in exile. This is the place where the demigods came to ask Dadhici for his body, to be able to create a weapon that would be able to kill the demon Vritrasura. Lord Rama is said to have performed a sacrifice here for killing Ravana.

It is said that if you bathe in Chakra-tirtha Kund and make an offering to the presiding deity, Lalita, on a full moon day that falls on a Monday, you will wash away all the sins committed in a lifetime............
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Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary

Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary is not only the best available Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh but also one of the most prominent in whole of India. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary is a great excursion destination around Lucknow. Although Nawabganj Sanctuary is a small bird Sanctuary that is spread across 4 square kilometers, it attracts lots of migratory birds during winters. The sanctuary is precisely confined to an area that encloses the lake. This is a natural lake and has a very beautiful environ around it thus it attracts a lot of avian population. Keeping in view its importance, the government of Uttar Pradesh declared this as a Bird Sanctuary and a protected area in the year 1984. 

The picturesque sanctuary is an ideal for photographers and picnic lovers. To enhance the knowledge of visitors, an information center has been established in the sanctuary itself. The place is not that great and is ill kept nevertheless it has the provision of screening film shows related to wildlife. Apart from that, the sanctuary boasts off a motel, a restaurant and small eateries that make it an interesting weekend trip. 

The avian population here comprises a mix of residents as well as migratory birds. The birds migrate across Himalayas from Tibet, Europe and Siberia during winters. Some of these birds fly over 5000 kilometers. Some of the major migratory birds during the season are Graylag Goose, Pintail, Red-Crested Pochard, Shoveller, Coot and Mallard. Some major local migratory and residential birds are Saras crane, Painted Stork, Peacock, White Ibis, Dabchick, Whistling teal, Open billed stork, Pheasant tailed jacana, Bronze winged Jacana, Purple moorhen, Lapwing, Tern vulture, Pigeon, King crow, Indian roller and Bee eater. The major reptiles found in the sanctuary are Cobra, Viper, Krait, Rat snake and Water snakes............
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Dewa Sharif

Dewa Sharif is a pilgrimage town that is situated just 40 odd Kilometers from Lucknow and 12 kilometers from the district headquarter of Barabanki. This pilgrimage site has a special place in the history of Awadh because of its efforts towards secularism in an otherwise communally volatile province. The place is renowned as the birthplace of Hajji Waris Ali Shah who was to influence the lives of many generations of people with his message of universal love for humanity. 

Hajji Waris Ali Shah came of a family of Hussein Syed and was born in the first quarter of the 19th century. His father Syed Qurban Ali Shah died in his early childhood. It is heart-warming to know that both Hindus as well as Muslims held him in high esteem and regard him as a perfect Sufi and a follower of Vedanta. Khwaza Waris Shah left for his heavenly abode on 7th April 1905. He was buried at the spot where he died. Later a splendid monument erected in his memory by some of his devoted followers, both Hindus and Muslims, to mark the place. Every year Urs is held at the sacred tomb in the month of October-November.

A big fair known by the name 'Dewa Mela ' is held to commemorate the Saints. Pilgrims from all over Uttar Pradesh and India come to pay their homage to the great Sufi Saints, Hajji Waris Ali Shah and his father Qurban Ali Shah............
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Dudhwa National Park

Dudhwa National Park is stretched in an area across 810 square kilometers. The core area of the park itself is spanned around 650 square Kilometers. Although Dudhwa National Park has a range of animal as well as avian population, the park is famous as a perfect habitat for Swamp deer and Tigers. Dudhwa National Park was declared a national park in the year 1958. In the due course, keeping in mind its importance, it was first converted to a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1977 and was later declared a Project Tiger reserve in the year 1988. 

The park shares its northern stretch with Nepal whereas its southern border stretches alongside River Suheli. The park is a brainchild of 'Billy' Arjan Singh, one of India's leading wildlife conservationists, who was instrumental in the creation of Dudhwa as a sanctuary of the Swamp Deer. Later he successfully hand-reared and introduced zoo-born Tigers and Leopards into the wilds of Dudhwa. 

As said above, the Major attractions of Dudhwa National Park are the Swamp Deer and Tigers. There are as many as 1500 deer and 100 tigers in the park when the last census was done. The park also boasts off a considerable number of the One-horned Rhino. Other major wildlife attractions are Elephants, Sloth bear, Jackal, Wild pig, Fishing cat, Leopard, Jungle cat and Civet apart from 40 odd species of mammals. Dudhwa also boasts off quite a good range of migratory birds that settle here during winters. It includes among others, painted storks, black and white necked storks, Saras-Cranes, woodpeckers, barbets, kingfishers, minivans, bee-eaters, bulbuls and varied night birds of prey, ranging from the great Indian horned owl to the jungle owlet

The park has a facility of Jeep safari that is primarily arranged on a 4X4 Customized Jeeps. A guide as well as a forest officer carrying tranquilizing gun will accompany you. Alternatively visitors can also opt for an Elephant safari............
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Dehradun Excursions

Mussoorie

There are several places around Dehradun too that are flocked by the tourists. The other hill resort close to Dehradun is Mussoorie. It has almost become a tradition for all those visiting Dehradun to also make a trip to Mussoorie. 

Then there is Dakpathar 45 km away from Dehradun. The natural beauty of the place attracts several tourists. Further ahead is Kalsi, known for the Ashokan pillar of 450 B.C. The Archaeological Survey of India preserves it. 

Sahastradhara, another beautiful tourist spot just a few Kms from Dehradun.

Adventure seekers may check out Chakrata that lies close to Dehradun............
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How to Reach Dehradun

Air

Indian Airlines/Private Carriers from the Delhi has five flights in a week to Jolly Grant Airport, also known as Dehradun Airport. This airport is located 25 km form the valley of Dehradun.

Rail
All the major railway stations of the country like  Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Varanasi and other major cities are connected.

Road
Dehradun is linked to all parts of the country by road. Deluxe buses are easily available from Delhi to Dehradun and is also a lot convenient............
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How to Reach Haridwar

Road

National Highway 58, between Delhi and Mana Pass passes through Haridwar connecting it with Ghaziabad, Meerut, Muzzafarnagar, Roorkee and Badrinath and National Highway 74 originating from Haridwar connects it with Kashipur, Kichha, Nagina, Pilibhit and Bareilly.

Rail

The Haridwar Railway Station located in Haridwar is under the control of the Northern Railway zone of the Indian Railways. It has direct links the major cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Indore, Jaipur, Ahmedabad but it lacks direct connectivity to major cities of Central India namely Jabalpur, Bhopal, Gwalior and Nagpur.

Air

The nearest domestic airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun which is a located 35 km from Haridwar. Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi is the nearest International Airport............
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How to Reach Rishikesh

Road

By Car Delhi airport to Rishikesh by car is a good option for a hassle free traveling specially for foreign tourists who are traveling to India for the first time. It's a 6 to 7 hours journey.

Air

Nearest Airport By plane Rishikesh is in close proximity of Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport (about 15 km) - a small, quiet and recently renovated airport handling just two flights from Delhi. The runway is being extended and will possibly then handle flights from other metros as of now there are flights only from Delhi. 

Train
Rishikesh railway station By train A quiet branch line connects Rishikesh to Haridwar, but there are only about three slow trains daily. It's best to take the train to Haridwar and continue by bus (45 min), by taxi (30 mins or by shared auto-rickshaw (40 min). Travelling by train comes recommended because they often run empty and the fares are low & run right-time especially in peak seasons or "Melas" (Fares) when bus routes are diverted in Haridwar............
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How to Reach Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh, being surrounded by land, has both Land and Air transport facilities.

Rail

Extensive rail network criss cross the state, with Jabalpur serving as headquarter for West Central Railway Zone of Indian Railways.The state has a total of 20 major railway junctions.

Road

Buses and trains cover most of Madhya Pradesh. Extensive road network is also being developed. Madhya Pradesh leads in nation in implementing Gramin Sadak Nirman Pariyojna, a central government aided programme to provide road networks to villages. Jabalpur, Indore and Bhopal have inter-state bus terminus. More than 2000 bus are conducted in a day from these three cities.

Air

The state has five domestic airports located at Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior and Khajuraho. Air strips are located at Ujjain, Khandwa and Satna............
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