Posts for Offbeat Category

Water Sports in Santa Catalina Island

Adventure Activities, Blog, Offbeat - GoroadTrip - January 18, 2018

Southwest of Los Angeles is Santa Catalina, one of the Channel Islands. This rocky island is about 22 miles long and 8 miles wide. With its beautiful beaches, the island is full of adventure, sports and holiday attractions. At the top of this list of activities are water sports. There is a lot for lovers of swimming at sea, snorkeling or water skiing. The island of Santa Catalina, which divides into two areas called Avalon and two ports, is a dream destination for sea lovers.

Some water sports to make your trip here unforgettable are:

snorkeling:

One place to dive freely is the Lovers Cove in Avalon. The underwater journey between the colorful sea life has caught you prisoner. If you also want a guided tour, head to Two Harbors on the isthmus of the island where you will have easy access to one of the best dive sites in the world. For clean, clear water with a visibility of 40 to 100 feet, the site was described as “the healthiest marine environment in the world.” With rental equipment as well as guides and instructors, snorkelling becomes unforgettable.

jetski:

This activity involves speed, fun and excitement that will get you into adrenaline. To take a jet ski, you must start from the green pier at Avalon Harbor and be transported to the Jet Ski Barge. From the houseboat you can jet ski with lifejackets and instructions to the sea.

Paragliding:

A highlight of the island of Santa Catalina for tourists is parasailing. Parasailing boats on the water of the ocean are a common sight here with thousands of people doing this adventure. Parasailing takes them about 800 meters above the sea, where they can float from the colorful parasailing while watching the sea and the island below. If you are lucky enough to see the dolphins as well.

Paddle boarding:

Tourists will find stand-up paddle boards, a great way to experience the wonders of Catalina’s beautiful locations such as Avalon Harbor, Casino Point and Lover’s Cove. Paddle boarding is a relatively easy way to enjoy the sun by the sea and also enjoy underwater views.

Surfing:

Santa Catalina has exotic places to surf like Shark Harbor and Ben Weston. Surfers enjoy riding on the calm waves of the sea, where many of them settle.
Santa Catalina also offers a variety of water adventures in organized tours. Ocean Runner Dolphin Tour, Flying Fish Boat Tours and Glass Bottom Boat Trips are the ones you should definitely look for.

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Things to do at Death Valley National Park

Blog, Destinations, Offbeat, Things To Do - GoroadTrip - June 10, 2017

Death Valley National Park is in eastern California. The first thing that stands out in Death Valley National Park is its rough terrain. Covering three million acres, the park gives you an idea of ​​the wilderness, country roads, historic sites, and the seemingly endless terrain of cliffs, deep gullies and desert peaks, and saline. Get ready for a variety of outdoor activities in the National Park. Hiking, biking on the roads and mountains, camping and hiking are just a few of them. By following the rules below, you can make a pleasant and safe journey and return with beautiful memories of this beautiful national park:

– Stay on the established routes. Do not leave the streets. Tailor “off-road” tires to your car instead of normal road or road tires.

– Only use the bikes allowed on the roads and dirt roads. Do not cycle on paths, closed roads or in wilderness areas of the park.

– It is advisable to travel in a group of large numbers. Carry maps because there are no signs and you can not rely on the GPS.

– Complete all permits for use in the park.

– drink and carry a lot of water; more than usual. The dry climate can dehydrate and water sources are rare in the park.

– Be responsible and do your responsibility to the environment by cleaning after you. Protect the desert environment.

If you are here merely for sightseeing you still have lots to do as the place is rife with interesting sights. A few of the many places you can visit in Death Valley National Park are:

Furnace Creek Visitor Center:

A good way to start your park tour is to be equipped with park knowledge. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center offers museum exhibits, seasonal day care programs, and a 20-minute film that will help.

Badwater Basin:

Get ready to be amazed by this 282 feet below sea level watershed, which is the lowest point in North America. The landscape is long stretches of saline. A walk on this ever-evaporating bed of salt and mineral water will give a surreal experience.

Devil Golf:

So called because of the huge rugged area of ​​rock salt due to wind and rain erosion, on which a round of golf can only be played by the devil! You will hear sounds like tiny if you listen carefully, and the sound will be louder if you place your ear on the floor. This sound is caused by billions of tiny salt crystals that burst when they expand and contract in the heat.

The view of Dante:

With its 5,475 feet, Dante’s View offers the most beautiful view of the park. You can admire the breathtaking views of the sunrise, the Panamint Mountains, the Badwater Basin and even the smallest view of the Sierra Nevada, which has the highest point in the United States, Mount Whitney.

Mesquite flat sand dunes:

With three types of sand dunes, the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is the largest dune field in the National Park. The sandbeds are formed from an old seabed and are rugged by polygons. The presence of Mesquites creates a habitat for wildlife.

China Farm Ranch Date:

This is a biological dates farm near Furnace Creek Road. The farm offers a break in the desert with its delicious dates and other dates.

Amargosa Opera House:

This old colonial-style courtyard, which was given by Marta Becket, a New York dancer, is now an opera house. The extravagant hand-painted opera is definitely worth a visit.

Borax Museum:

This museum at Furnace Creek Ranch features samples of locally available borate minerals and a large collection of pioneer stage and wagon cars.

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3 Hillstation getaways from Mumbai

Blog, Destinations, Offbeat, Weekend Getaways - GoroadTrip - July 16, 2016

‘The winter air feels so crisp and nippy’, said Sneha as she entered the office. ‘Yes, I had to wear a sweater, imagine in Mumbai!’ said Rohan and laughed. ‘We should be outdoors in this weather and not sitting cooped up at our desks,’ Meena sighed. ‘Yes, madam, let us leave all our work and head out, who will finish these reports?’ teased Prakash. ‘And we have a meeting with the clients next week,’ added Aruna. The five friends had a start-up which was doing quite well in the one year of commencement.

Meena persisted, ‘We have not taken a break in a year. Let us go on a short trip. The reports are nearly done and we are ready for the meeting.’ Rohan was also in favour of the suggestion and soon all five decided to take a four-day break. The next decision was the place to visit. Prakash said, ‘Let us go on a road trip. I read about it all the time on goroadtrip.com. It’s so much fun.’

‘Sounds great,’ ‘but where?’ they wondered. Rohan who was new to Mumbai said, ‘Let’s explore the hill stations close to Mumbai.’ ‘Hill stations in winter? That should be cool!’ laughed the others.

As all their decisions were instant, the five friends set off the very next day.

Their first stop was Matheran, a petite hill station two hours from Mumbai. This eco sensitive hill station was a treat to all their senses with the pure, invigorating air, scenic views, waterfalls, lakes, parks and a surprisingly large variety of medicinal herbs and plants.

After spending a day at Matheran, they friends left on the 96- minute drive to Lonavala. Slightly more commercialized than Matheran, Lonavala offered plenty of activities like waterfall rappelling, trekking and farm tours which the friends enjoyed immensely. They also visited the Korigad Fort and Bhaja caves. While returning back they bought many boxes of the famous Lonavala chikkis to take back home.

They reached Mumbai after two days in Lonavala but were in no mood to return to their routine. ‘Let’s extend the trip,’ said Meena still restless. ‘We can go south of Mumbai this time’. Deciding to indulge her and wanting the extension themselves, they all continued on the National Highway up north.

Three hours from Mumbai they reached Kalsubai which is the highest peak of the Sahyadris in Maharastra. But since it required a three-hour trek to reach the summit, the friends decided to reserve it as an exclusive trip for another time. They proceeded to Bhandardara. A hill station set in the Sahyadri ranges, the place felt blessed abundantly with nature’s best. The high mountains with the lush greenery and soft waterfalls gave the friends plenty of options like trekking and boating. The friends felt completely relaxed and sat quietly together watching the lovely sunset over the hills that evening.

The next day they returned to Mumbai recharged but with the idea of another road trip already formed.

Also read 3 Unbeatable Hill stations of Tamilnadu

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10 Unexplored Waterfalls in Karnataka

Blog, Destinations, Offbeat - GoroadTrip - March 29, 2016

The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site & one of the eight “hottest hot-spots” of biological diversity in the world is itself a major attraction in India along with its high hills, deep valleys, mountain grasslands, dense & rain forest. The mountain range form one of the four watersheds of India, feeding the perennial rivers of India. During the monsoon season these rivers offers some of the spectacular waterfalls that are still hidden in the dense Forest. Listed are below the 10 unexplored waterfalls in Karnataka though not ranked in order.

1. Sirimane Falls

Sirimane Falls, is among the many waterfalls that the state is endowed with. Though it is not a very high fall, Sirimane Falls is beautiful. Sirimane Falls, originates as a tributary of Tunga River which descends from the Western Ghats, descending as a waterfall. The waterfall lies near Sringeri in Chikmagalur District of Karnataka.

2. BenneHole Falls

Benne Hole Falls can easily be called one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Uttara Kannada, Karnataka. In Kannada, ‘benne’ means butter and ‘hole’ (pronounced holay) means ‘big stream’ and that is a perfect description of the churning, creamy waterfalls that are so beautiful to behold.

3. Bandaje Arbi Waterfalls

Bandaje Arbi Waterfalls, one of the most breathtaking falls in the Western Ghats, is located near Mundaaje, in Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka.

Read more about BenneHole Falls or Plan a Trip to Bandaje Arbi Waterfalls

4. Burude Falls

Burude Falls, also known as Dodmane Falls, is near Kyadgi in Uttara Kannada. The way to reach this five-step waterfall is to descend through a small creek, which is dry in summer, to the river. However, this creek is full of water in the rainy and winter months and makes it impossible to enter the area surrounding the waterfall and the valley.

5. Arasina Makki Falls

Arasina Makki Falls (also called Arisina Gundi Falls) is a spectacular waterfall located deep inside the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka. To reach this amazing place you will need to trek 1-2 km deep inside the forest of Kodachadri Hills.Sauparnika River takes a leap from a height of about 50 mts into a naturally created pond to form this beautiful waterfall.

6. Iruppu Falls

Iruppu Falls towers above many waterfalls the state of Karnataka is blessed with. This fresh water cascade originates from the Brahmagiri Range in the Kodagu district of Karnataka, bordering the Wayanad district of Kerala. Since the fall has its origin from the Lakshmana Tirtha River, a tributary of River Kaveri, it is popularly known as Lakshmana Tirtha Falls.

7. Alekhan Waterfalls

Alekhan Waterfalls is around 18 kms from Charmadi Ghats in Chikamagalur Hegadekatta, Karnataka. This waterfall can be easily found as it is just next to a small bus stop by the name of Alekhan Horatti. To see the falls, you have to follow a narrow path going down just next to the board which mentions a bridge. While Alekhan Waterfalls are completely visible, one can also descend a few meters to reach the base of the falls.

8. Unchalli Falls

Unchalli Waterfalls in Uttara Kannada, Karnataka is also known as Lushington Falls created by Aghanashini River as it tumbles down from a height of 116 meters. Situated amidst the hilly ranges, Unchalli Falls is 5 kms away from a hamlet, Heggarne. The main station, Siddapur is 35 km away. From here you can take local transport to reach this exquisite place. Buses stop at Heggarne from where you can reach the falls 5 km away, trekking through a thick forest.

9. Achakanya Falls

Achakanya Falls is one of the hidden waterfalls formed near Thirthahalli. The fall is located at a distance of 10 kms from Thirthahalli on the way to Hosanagara in Shimoga District in Karnataka.

10. Vibhooti Falls

Vibhooti Waterfalls is in Uttara Kannada district along the banks of the Gangavali River. This picturesque falls lies between Sirsi, Yellapura and Ankola. Also spelt as Vibhooti Falls, it is 50 kms from Sirsi in North Kanara district and is around 8 kms away from Yana.

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Five Great Treks Around Chennai

Adventure Activities, Blog, Offbeat - GoroadTrip - February 16, 2016

Within 100 km of Chennai, hikers can choose many wonderful places to enjoy their favorite weekend.

Five Great Treks Around Chennai

1. Tada Falls

About 80 km from the hottest city. Chennai, Ubbalamadagu or Tada Falls in the Chittoor District (or Chittur), Andhra Pradesh, is a path along a stream that offers a refreshing break. The best time is from June to November for the monsoon, which adds a splash to the water and the surrounding jungle.
It is an easy route for cycling. The paths are easy and easy to reach. Get out of the base camp at the source of a bubbling stream.
The 10 km hike begins on a dry and muddy path. After about 2 km, the path becomes a rocky and rocky trail with rocks that require careful navigation. They pass small, beautiful and clean pools. You meet a Shiva temple, which is a landmark on the way. The area is green with beautiful birds that look the same and require a good deco.

2. Fort Gingee

Fort Gingee or Senji is one of the last strong survivors of Tamil Nadu. It is located in the district of Villupuram, about 160 km from Chennai. The Fort complex spans three main hills, Krishnagiri, Rajagiri and Chandrayandurg, with each hill having its own citadel.

The mighty and impregnable fort, called the Troy of the East by the British, was originally built in the 9th century AD by the Chola Dynasty. It was then rebuilt by the Kurumbar community, the shepherds of this region. Chatrapathi Shivaji, the emperor of the Maratha dynasty, conquered the fort as he moved south and then passed to the British.

The trekking path is roughly cut and the fixed steps go up to the fort. The climb is quite steep, but the breathtaking view of the landscape is worth it. Visit the cereal depot, the watchtower and the ancient temple. The best time for this hike is from November to February, the least sensual months of this state.

3. Pulicat Lake

Think of Rosa, think of flamingos and drive to Pulicat Lake and its 16 islands that attract many species of migratory birds from around the world. Irrukam is the most beautiful island of this region and the village can only be reached by boat. A passenger ferry is also located 8 km from Bimunivaripalem.

Flamingos arrive every year at Pulicat Lake for breeding in October and migrate in April of each year. The Flamingo Festival takes place in January. You can camp on Sandy Islands and go fishing!

4. Pichavaram

Pichavaram is the second largest mangrove forest in the world. Located near the city temple of Chidambaram, this unique ecotourism site in southern India has backwaters linked by the Vellar and Coleroon river system. Trekking offers plenty of opportunities for water sports, rowing, kayaking and canoeing.

Pichavaram is a 2800-acre archipelago with streams that meander through the root structures of mangrove forests. 177 species of 15 orders and 41 families were registered with residents, local migrants and real migratory birds. The best season lasts from September to April and increases from November to January.

5. Waterfalls of Perumedu, Yelagiri

The cool Hill Station of Yelagiri is a nice retreat from Chennai. About 220 km from Chennai, it is a trekker at an altitude of about 1050 m. The climb is through 14 hairpin bends bearing the name of a famous Tamil personage. Trekking in the lush green valleys, deep ravines, waterfalls and nature reserves makes Yelagiri great.

The breathtaking hike to the Perumadu Falls starts in Puthur, from where you cross a 3 km path through lush jungle areas and Perumadu Falls. From the summit, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the 40-foot waterfall that flows down the rocky side of the mountains. You can cool off in a magical spring water basin. Visit directly after the monsoon from November to February.

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