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What’s an ecosystem of a place? It is not just about the flora, the fauna and the landscape of the place. It is also about the people living there and their whole culture and tradition. An eco-tour is essentially travelling to destinations without really messing around with the natural ecosystem of the place. For example, if you were taking a trip to Ajanta and Ellora Caves, you would explore the caves without causing any harm to the centuries old paintings, sculptures and history of the place.
In other words, a trip to any destination can be an eco-tour. However, there are some destinations in India which stand out for their ecotourism, all for different reasons. Here are some of the best eco tours in India.
Ajanta and Ellora Caves- a cultural experience
Located in a quiet corner of Maharashtra, close the small town of Aurangabad are the Ajanta and Ellora caves. These are not natural caves. Rather, they have been carved out by man from huge rocks. That’s what makes these caves so special. Imagine the amount of hard work it would have taken for man to carve out these caves with primitive tools more than 2000 years ago. Yes, that’s how old these caves are. Feast your eyes on some really intricate pieces of sculptures on the walls, which belong to Buddhism and Jainism religions.
Elephanta Caves- truly spectacular
In stark contrast to the Ajanta and Ellora Caves are Elephanta Caves. While the former are located in a quiet corner of Maharashtra, the latter are located in the middle of the sea, overlooking the Gateway of India. If you look closely, the caves resemble the form of an elephant. A boat ride takes you to the caves. You have to climb a series of steps to reach the entrance of the caves. If that seems like an arduous task, you can also take a small ride in a toy train. The caves have beautiful wall paintings of different forms of Shiva, all dating back to centuries ago.
Dandeli – for the adventure seekers
Dandeli is a small, unpretentious village in Karnataka. However, once you get there, you realize it is one of those destinations you just cannot miss. It has almost everything that an adventure traveler desires in a destination. There is wildlife, there is white water rafting, there is trekking, and so much more. The sheer beauty of the place is mesmerizing. The best part about the place is it hasn’t been destroyed by commercialization. In fact, every effort has been made to preserve the natural ecosystem of the place.
Keoladeo National Park- a bird watching paradise
If you are a bird watcher, a trip to Keoladeo National Park is a must. The national park was earlier known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. It is an absolute paradise for those who love discovering new and exotic species of birds. Come migratory season, which is usually the months from October to December, the place is full of several different species of birds. A casual tour of the place takes about 2 hours, and you get to see some antelopes and some monkeys as well in the park. However, if you are serious about bird watching, you could spend all day marveling at the species found here.
Gir National Park-the home of the king of the jungle
There are very few places around the globe where you can lion in the wild. In fact, there is only the continent of Africa and then India where the roar of the lion can be heard in wild forests. Gir National Park is a lion reserve in India where you can see the jungle’s king in action. Take a safari through the national park and try to trace the lions which makes for an adventurous experience. Apart from the whole lion experience, what is really amazing is the coexistence of these beasts with the Maldhari tribe, which has been living in the jungles of Gir since ages.
Kerala- God’s gift to man
Kerala is one of those destinations which God might have created with ample amount of time. The place has been blessed with so much beauty that you just can’t get enough of it, making it one of the best destinations for eco tours in India. When you take a trip to Kerala, there is so much you can do. You can have a romantic Kerala tour with a backwater cruise in a houseboat; you can live in an eco-friendly tree house; you can go on a wildlife safari or even a bird watching tour; you can explore the majestic hills of Munnar- the possibilities are endless. Despite being one of the most popular travel destinations in India, Kerala’s beauty has survived. Some even say the destination is getting more beautiful by the day.
Valley of Flowers- oh, stunning!
Those are probably the first words that will come out of your mouth once you reach the Valley of Flowers. Most are left dumb founded though. The Valley of Flowers National Park is located in the upper reaches of Uttaranchal. For most part of the year, the national park remains covered under a sheet of snow. However, during summer time, between the months of July and September, you can feast your eyes on some gorgeous natural beauty. The sheet of snow gives way to beautiful alpine flowers of all possible colors, making it look like nothing less than heaven. The natural beauty of this stunning region makes it one of the best spots for eco tours in India.
Andaman and Nicobar Island- stunning marine life
Gold Coast in Australia is probably the first name that comes to your mind when somebody mentions stunning marine life. But Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India are no less. The islands are blessed with crystal blue waters and some really rare species of marine life. Go snorkeling and scuba diving in the clear waters of the islands and explore the amazing coral reefs, some rare sightings of exotic fish, and some rare sea turtles as well. The lush greenery and the azure waters almost make you feel like Sinbad lost on a deserted island and having the time of his life.
Sariska Tiger Reserve- for an adventurous tiger safari
Seeing the alarming dip in the number of tigers in the country, the government of India has taken various measures to conserve the national animal of India. One of these steps is setting up tiger reserves in the country, one of which is the Sariska Tiger Reserve. Located in Alwar district of Rajasthan, the tiger reserve is a nice place to be in, if you want to see the beast in action. While tiger sightings are not guaranteed, the whole experience of tracing the trail is an adventure in itself. You almost feel like Sherlock Holmes yourself.
Corbett National Park- one of the best tiger reserves
Talking of tiger reserves in the country, one of the best is Jim Corbett National Park. It is also one of the oldest and its popularity as a tourist destination has only risen over the years. Despite the increasing tourism, strict measures have been undertaken to protect the tigers and other wildlife of the region. However, that in no way means you cannot have an adventurous tour of the jungle. There are designated areas where you can take a safari and spot a tiger. Don’t forget to look behind the bushes!
As you can see, India is full of stunning natural beauty and exciting opportunities. If you are looking to be more eco friendly when you travel, these Eco tours in India are a great start.
About author: Divij is an adventurer, a budding photographer and a writer. He has been to various trekking trails and to many offbeat destinations in India. His passion is to explore all the offbeat destinations in India. Currently, he writes blog articles on travel for Thrillophilia’s blog.
