PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK: The dappled snow leopard is the USP of Hemis National Park

Go north. Go to Hemis National Park in Ladakh for a truly rugged Himalayan experience. Its USP: the chance to spot the elusive but special snow leopard. Naturalist and wildlife cinematographer Sunjoy Monga, who has written about Hemis in detail in his book Wildlife Reserves of India, mentions that there may be 30-50 of these dappled grey and white cats around here. What visitors might spot more easily are 50 high-altitude species of birds, and animals. There are also two endangered sheep here-the Ladakh Urial and the Tibetan Argali. You might have to check the latest security position before proceeding to Hemis, though. Visit lakes and wildlife spots nearby such as Tso Kar, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. The best time to visit is June to August. You could stay inside the reserve at camping sites or outside the reserve at basic guest houses at Hemis village and Karu, which are open only in the summer, or at guest-houses at Thiksey and Shey. The best approach would be to fly to Srinagar, the nearest airport, and then drive down in a hired vehicle or by public transport.

TOURISM NEWS

Goa's Tourism Board is enthusiastic about its plans that seek to extend Goa's image beyond beaches and trance parties. The new measures focus on the development of the hinterlands, hill stations, water sports, health centres, heritage sites and eco-tourism in the area. Inland waterways will be given special attention with the idea of facilitating better reach to what the authorities term "the true culture of the Goan region". Construction of floating docks is on the anvil. As for eco-tourism, tourists and locals alike would be educated about the need for conservation of flora and fauna. These measures seek to add a new gloss to this old tourist hotspot.

HOT DEALS
Holy Yatra

Go on a Gangotri and Yamunotri Yatra starting from Hardwar, trek from Synachatti to Yamunotri and back, visit Uttarkashi, do the Ganga arti and darshan at Gangotri. The cost varies (Rs 6,900 to Rs 8,500 depending on the mode of travel and the number of people. Call Indianvisit.com Pvt Ltd (011) 3714646/4747, 3312784 or e-mail at indianvisit@vsnl.com.

Something Fishy

Stay in tents at the Cauvery Fishing Camps on the banks of the river Cauvery near Bangalore. Options include Bheemeshwari, Galibore and Doddamakali. Cost per day: Rs 1,250 for a non-fishing person and Rs 1,900 for a fishing person. Contact Niva Link Consultancy Services (022) 4038306/ 07, 4038308; or log on to www.nivalink.com.

PANORAMIC BEAUTY: Namdapha

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh: Curious to see an ape in the wild but can't travel all the way to South Africa? Visit Namdapha instead, home to the Hoolock, the only ape found in India. The evergreen jungles here spanning a large altitudinal range of 200-4,598 m are among the last wild frontiers left in the country, with natural lakes and pools adding to the beauty. Home to over 400 species of birds, it hosts large cats and some of India's most enigmatic wildlife. Stay at forest rest-houses and lodges at Miao, 110 km away, and Namchik, or inside the reserve in a dormitory at Deban or in forest rest-houses at Hornbill Camp, Bulbulia or Haldibari. Tinsukia is connected by road and rail to major Assamese cities. The nearest airport is Dibrugarh. The best time to visit is between November and May.

-compiled by Natasha Israni