Marari, India

On the fringes of Kerala in close quarters to Alleppey, for those of you who would like the stillness of backwaters, Marari, India is the place to be. It is still being developed and isn’t as crowded as other beaches are, hence a reason why tourists flock to this sleepy beach, which is actually a fisherman’s society.

Not much as a tourist beach as of now, but because of its tranquility and peace, many come over here to unwind and chill out. It is a very laid back beach, slow and serene, with large sandy beaches for you to laze and roll around in. You could have daytrips or jeep safaris organized to visit the famous “Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary”. Don’t miss out on learning the art of coir making by visiting the coir making units at Marari. And to indulge in breathtaking flora and fauna around the backwaters of Marari, one doesn’t need an invitation. Finally, we must also mention the famous “Snake Boat Races”.

The Silent Yet Well Known Marari

Location: Kerala, and to reach this place from Cochin it would take 37 miles driving.

How to get there: By train you can get to Alleppey and by flight you would have to touchdown at Cochin.

What about the weather: Humid and warm throughout the year, with rains lashing in with great intensity, thanks to the southwest and even the northeast monsoons. Monsoons hit in June, July, October, November and December.

Best time to visit: mid December to late March would be the best times to visit. The weather is perfect, sunny and dry. Heat and humidity kicks in when April and May comes, and the temperature can go above thirty six degrees Celsius.

Nightlife: It isn’t a spot where parties happen on a commercial basis, since it is still a spot untouched.

Come join the fun and enjoy what the beaches of India have in store for you, if you need more help get in touch with Thrillophilia – Adventure Travel India!

Filed Under: featured, India, Marari

Baga, India

If you are in North Goa, don’t miss the opportunity to be at Baga, India. The beach always has activity and action happening on its sandy coasts. Right from fine dining options to thrilling water sports such as snorkeling, and a nightlife that beats till early next morning, Baga is surely a paradise to be at.

Location: North Goa, from Mausam it is around 6 miles, and from Panaji it is around 10 miles. Baga sits on the border of Anjuna and Calangute.

How to get there: Thivim would be your best option by railways, since it is the closest to Baga. If you touch down at Dabolim, which is the airport in Goa, you would have to drive down 31 miles.

What about the weather: throughout the year it is warm and humid, but it never too hot. Maximum temperature at Baga would be thirty three degrees Celsius. The nights in winters from mid December to early February can be chilly, so carry warm clothes if you are there at that time. Rainfalls are worst during June to August and the beaches close at this time, but nightspots till remain open for business.

Best time to visit: from mid October to early March

Attractions: water sports, plenty of it at Baga beach to quench your adventurous soul.

Para sailing
Wake boarding
Windsurfing
Kite surfing
Jet skiing
Dolphin spotting
Island trips
The Wednesday flea market for shopping

Nightlife: get to Tito’s Lane for all the fun at the well known “Club Tito and Café Mambo”. You could also be a part of the DJ wars, cocktail wars, shooter wars, juggling bartenders performances, live music, dances, rock n roll fiestas etc.

Come join the fun and enjoy what the beaches of India have in store for you, if you need more help get in touch with Thrillophilia – Adventure Travel India!

Filed Under: Baga, Goa, India

Palolem, India

If you want to have fun, adventure and relax at the end of the day, Palolem, India is the place to be. Dolphin watching and spotting activities are conducted at the beaches, fishing as well. You can also go on boat trips and enjoy the breathtaking backwaters that come alive when the tide is high. Kayaking is also possible in these still waters. Another spot to check out at Palolem would be the famous Butterfly Beach, you can hike here, and camp at nights as the sun goes down. Flea markets happen once a week and you can shop for curios, antiques and clothes as well.

The Beauty of Palolem

With thickets enclosing every part of the Palolem beach, the coconut palms make this beach one of the best in India. The beach is long, semi-circle in shape and very shady, thanks to the row of palm trees.

Location: South Goa, from Margao it is 27 miles and from Panaji it is 47miles

How to get there: Railway stations closest to Palolem would be Canacona and Margao, the former being just a ten minute drive. You could also land at Dabolim airport in Goa and drive an hour and a half down to reach Palolem.

What about the weather: throughout the year the weather in Palolem is warm and very rarely would go above thirty-three degrees Celsius. Winters can be cold, especially from early December to late February. The Southwest monsoons hit between June and August, this is when the beaches across Palolem close for business.

Best time to visit: From mid October to end March

Nightlife: Eclectic to say the least and that’s the main reason why this beach is so popular in India. There are dances, live musical shows, rock bands, reggae, jazz etc being played on all nights in Palolem, till the wee hours of the morning. Liquor is served since all the shacks and outlets have permits and licenses.

Come join the fun and enjoy what the beaches of India have in store for you, if you need more help get in touch with Thrillophilia – Adventure Travel India!

Filed Under: featured, India, Palolem

Gokarna, India

Gokarna, India is a holy town, small and remote and has four pristine and very secluded beaches. In equal measure one would find the party animal and the holy tourist flocking around this place.

Tourist travel to Gokarna, India undoubtedly for the beaches, a place to come and soak in the sun, roll in the sands and chill out with a beer in your hands for as long as you like, some tourists stay for months at a stretch. There are many temples around in Gokarna, since it is predominantly a Hindu town. However, non-Hindus aren’t allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum, but you can visit the place on the outside. The famous temple would be the “Mahabaleshwar Temple”; it has a mighty huge “lingam” of Lord Shiva. Another temple of fame would be the “Ganpati temple” which has huge chariots and carries the idol of Lord Shiva. While Shivratri is on during February and March, people throw bananas at the chariots carrying the deity to harness good luck.

The Pleasures of Being at Mystical Gokarna

Location: an hour from Goa, and a part of Karnataka. From Bangalore it takes you a 280km drive.

How to get there: from Goa you would have to touchdown at the Dabolim airport and drive four hours to reach Gokarna. By train one would have to alight at the Gokarna Road station. You can even drive down sixteen miles from Ankola and Kumata to reach Gokarna

What about the weather: From June to Late August, the southwest monsoons hit Gokarna and after that it is sunny and dry.

Best time to visit: The best time to check Gokarna out would be from early October until March end. The weather is pleasant and warm with an average temperature of thirty two degrees. The hottest months would be April and May.

Famous beaches:

Kudle Beach,
Om Beach,
Halfmoon Beach,
Paradise Beach.

Nightlife: Right from singing soirees to musical extravaganzas, bonfire nights to guitars on the beach and the sounding of the mystical drums, Gokarna has it all for the party animal. Plenty of beach parties happen. Remember, being a holy town, alcohol isn’t allowed, however a chilled beer is easy to find at the beach shacks. Surfing and swimming is only allowed with lifeguards around!!

Come join the fun and enjoy what the beaches of India have in store for you, if you need more help get in touch with Thrillophilia – Adventure Travel India!

Filed Under: Asia, featured, Gokarna, India

Varkala, India

Traveling to India and looking for the perfect beach? Varkala, India is the perfect place to beat the heat, unwind and relax or even enjoy swimming. One of the best dramatic sunsets is seen here. Plenty of beach shacks where you can unwind with a drink in your hand, watching the sun go down into oblivion. There is also a mineral spring at the end of the beach which has medicinal values. Varkala is a haunt for those who prefer naturopathy and Yoga, including massage therapies and Ayurveda. Some kerala wildlife can also be spotted around. Once in a year during March, the famous flea market is held at the festival of Janardhana Swamy Temple, so shop till you drop.

The quiet yet happening Varkala, India

Location: Between Kollam and Alleppey (Kerala)

How to get there: it is a ten minute drive from Varkala railway station and the town. You can take an auto from the Varkala railway station to reach the spot. And if you are flying into Kerala, you would have to touchdown at the airports in Kochi or Trivandrum and from there it would be a four hour drive down south to reach the spot.

What about the weather: humid and tropical, the southwest monsoon and the northeast monsoons keep the location wet and heavily drenched, especially from early June to late August and from early October to late December as well.

Best time to visit: End of December to early March, the weather is sunny and dry with a temperature of thirty degree Celsius. Summers are hot and humid, so avoid April and May.

Nightlife: Quite on the low, but there are parties around on beach shacks and musical soirees running into the wee hours of the morning. Since the area is a holy town you would not have beach shacks licensed to sell or serve liquor, but they manage to get you a drink or two. And if you are interested in the cultural aspect of Varkala, don’t miss out on the famous Kathakali performances which happen every evening.

Come join the fun and enjoy what the beaches of India have in store for you, if you need more help get in touch with Thrillophilia – Adventure Travel India!

Filed Under: Asia, featured, India, Varkala

Goa, India

Goa in western India is an area that has something for every tourist, whether they want to beach comb, visit historic churches or look at archaeological ruins.

Goa was a Portuguese colony for 450 years, and remnants of this heritage can be found throughout the area. Portuguese rule ended in 1961 when the colony was annexed to India, but its history goes back thousands of years, perhaps as early as 8,000 BC. Paleolithic rock carvings can be found along the Kushavati River at Usgalimal. Stone-axes and petrographs going back 10,000 years have been found throughout Goa.

Fast forward a few millennia to the 16th century when Portuguese merchants and traders set up shop in Goa. Portugal eventually claimed Goa as a colony, bringing the country’s culture, religion and architecture to the state. Goa’s largest city, Vasco da Gama, is named after the famed explorer. The Bom Jesus Basilica is a Unesco World Heritage site, one of two in Goa — the other are the many cathedrals and churches found here. St. Francis Xavier, who many consider to be the patron saint of Goa, is buried here.

Goa today is a popular destination for sun-seekers. With 81 miles (131 kilometers) of coastline on the Arabian Sea, India's smallest state is known as the “Pearl of the Orient.” Golden-sand beaches, waving palm trees, Gothic cathedrals and white-washed buildings all combine to make Goa holidays a paradise for travelers who seek only to relax. The winter months are the most popular times for European travelers looking for respite from the harsh cold to visit.

Should visitors tire of lazing on the beach, they can take in the area’s amazing flora and fauna that make it one of the world’s hot spots of biodiversity. Shoppers will love the colorful Friday market at Mapusa that has been taking place there for hundreds of years. While Portuguese influence can still be found throughout the area, it is most visible in Margao, the second largest city in Goa.

Panaji is the capital, but the state’s airport, used by both civilians and the military, and the central rail terminal are in Vasco da Gama.

Filed Under: Asia, featured, Goa, India