Time to Create A Travel Bucket List While Being #ParkedForSafety

The current situation may have put your travel plans on hold, but that doesn’t mean you need to forget them altogether. Things will eventually get back on track, and you will soon be able to hit the road again. So, stop being disappointed about cancelled trips and get excited for the journey ahead. Use this time to research the trips that you plan to take and prepare a detailed itinerary.

Get your travel diaries out and start creating the ultimate travel bucket list! And to get you started, check out this list of a few interesting must-visit places.

Kumbhalgarh Fort, Rajasthan

Can’t make it to The Great Wall of China due to travel restrictions? Visit the second-longest wall in the world, which can be found at Kumbhalgarh Fort near Udaipur in Rajasthan. The wall measures 36 km around the fort’s periphery, and its width ranges between 15 and 25 feet in different places.

As impressive as the wall is, it is the Kumbhalgarh Fort – a UNESCO World Heritage site – that will leave you mesmerised. Built over 15 years, the fort is perched between 11 peaks of the Aravalli mountain range. The fort was built by Rana Kumbha of the Mewar dynasty and served as the bastion of Rajput power. Camouflaged by mountains, this impregnable fort was of strategic importance is said to have been captured only once, and that too, through deceit.

The Kumbhalgarh Fort is well connected by road and located about 600-KM from New Delhi, making it perfect for a long weekend drive in your Ford EcoSport with your family.

Best time to visit: October to February

Other things to do: Visit Badal Mahal, Neelkanth Mahadeo Temple, Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Vedi Temple.

Auroville, Puducherry

Looking for some peace, tranquillity and an out of the world experience? Head to Auroville near Puducherry, a universal township with people from all around the world. Its purpose is to realise human unity in diversity. The town is divided into a peace zone, industrial zone, cultural zone, green belt, residential zone and an international zone. The main attraction is Matrimandir, a centre for yoga and meditation, which is composed of a golden dome that took 37 years to build. During your visit to Auroville, you can engage in wellness treatments, art therapies, witness cultural activities or hike through the forests.

Get in your Ford Aspire and take the scenic East Coast Road from Chennai to reach Auroville via Puducherry for a perfect weekend getaway.

Best time to visit: November to March

Other things to do: Take a stroll on Paradise beach, enjoy the French culture of Puducherry, visit the seaside promenade and bohemian cafes, sign up for bicycle tours and boat rides.

Cherrapunji Root Bridges, Meghalaya

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the double-decker Living Root Bridge at Mawlynnong is a natural wonder. It measures over 100 feet in length and has grown over 15 years, making it strong enough to hold over 50 people. Eleven root bridges are functional in this area, making it an exciting haven for trekking enthusiasts. The story is that about two centuries ago, the Khasi clan of Meghalaya inserted rubber tree roots into hollow Areca nut palm canes that grew over the stream. These roots were nurtured until they were long enough to reach the opposite bank and firmly entwined to carry a heavy load.

Cherrapunji is just a short, four-hour drive from Guwahati in your Ford Freestyle. The sites enroute to the hill-town, which receives its fair share of rains, will leave you and your family craving for more.

Best time to visit: October to May

Other things to do: Enjoy the Dainthlen Falls, Kynrem Falls, Seven Sisters Falls, NohKaLikai Falls, and trek at the Mawsmai Nongthymmai Eco Park.

Hampi, Karnataka

Hampi has something to offer everyone; whether you are a trekker, history buff, photographer, or just looking for a place to chill. It is the ideal weekend retreat. Located in Karanataka, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised for its magnificent historical ruins and relics of the opulent Vijayanagar Empire. The town is divided by the Tungabhadra River into two opposite sections. One is the heritage site with temples and ruins, and the other has shacks & cafes.

You can get to Hampi in just five-hours from Bangalore. Plan this trip to introduce your kids to the opulent history of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Best time to Visit: October to March

Other things to do: Trek to Anjuna and Matunga hills, relax by the Sanapur Dam and enjoy a coracle boat ride.

Pamban Bridge, Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu

If you want to stand on the edge of India, travel on India’s longest and first sea bridge, Pamban Bridge to reach Dhanushkodi. The bridge is 2,065 meters long and connects the mainland India to the island of Rameswaram. The stretch can be covered by road.

Dhanushkodi is an abandoned town at the end of Rameswaram and is nestled between the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the least explored picturesque destinations in India with deserted beaches, mystical ruins and the stunning Rama Setu that connects India to Sri Lanka.

Best time to visit: October to February

Other things to do: Visit Ramanathaswamy Temple and Ramar Patham Temple, explore the Pamban Island, and take a hike into the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park.

Sundarbans, West Bengal

If it is nature that you have missed while you have been #ParkedForSafety at home, then plan a trip to the world’s largest mangrove forest – the Sundarbans – that is straddled between India and Bangladesh. Located in West Bengal, this dense forest is home to the magnificent Royal Bengal Tiger. The most adventurous part of your trip will undoubtedly be exploring the forests, which can only be done via a boat. Most boat tours include stopping at the different islands of the Sundarbans, and you may also get the chance to spot deer, crocodiles and other animals during the tour. You can even experience the local culture by visiting the temples and markets located within the forest.

Head out to the beautiful reserve forest in your Ford Endeavour and enjoy your drive without worrying about the surprises road may through at you.

Best time to visit: September to March

Other things to do: Visit the Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary, walk with turtles at Kanak and take a holy dip at Gangasagar.

Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Famous for their nagara-style architecture, the Khajuraho temples are a UNESCO World Heritage site in Madhya Pradesh. These Hindu and Jain temples are renowned for their detailed erotic sculptures, and you can also find carvings that celebrate love, worship, life and ancient beliefs. These sandstone temples date back to the 10th and 11th century and were discovered by a British surveyor in the 19th century. Though initially there were 85 temples, only 25 of them remain today.

Best time to visit: October to February

Other things to do: Enjoy the sound and light show near the western group of temples, visit Panna National Park, trek to the Raneh Falls Canyon and relax by the Pandav Waterfall.

These are a few places that you must visit if you want to experience incredible India. So, start your research and planning while you are #ParkedForSafety at home and wait for the right time. Dream now and travel later!