How to reach Lakshadweep island?

Bangaram Island, Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep, also formerly known as Laccadive islands is a group of islands in the Laccadive sea region of the Arabian sea. Situated off the western coast of India, Lakshadweep forms the smallest Union Territory of India.

The island is popular for the captivating ocean views, coral reefs, and clear sea. Since, it is a secluded holiday destination, and not connected via road, reaching here is a bit difficult. The only modes of transportation to reach Lakshadweep island is via ship and air. Kochi, a coastal city of Kerala is a gateway to this island. You can get frequent ships and flights that will take you to Lakshadweep. Let’s elaborate.

Reaching Lakshadweep via air

There are regular flights to Agatti and Bangaram islands from Kochi. It should take around 1.5 hours from Kochi to Agatti. You can land at Agatti island and take helicopter services to reach Bangaram and Kavaratti islands. But the availability of this service is seasonal and they operate as follows-

  1. Agatti to Kavaratti helicopter service: Throughout the year
  2. Agatti to Bangaram Island resort: During monsoon

Rest of the time, you can access the islands via boat.

Reaching Lakshadweep via ship

Although Lakshadweep can be visited all round the year, during monsoon, reaching here via ship is difficult. You can board either government or privately operated ships or cruise to reach Lakshadweep. Via waterways, it should take about 15 to 20 hours to reach.

Please note, 10 islands in the Lakshadweep group of islands are inhabited and they are connected to each other via boat or steamer.

You can also enquire for cruise packages that cover most of the islands in a five days trip.

For more information about Lakshadweep tourism and points to consider before planning your trip, here is a link.

Useful links-

Nearby places that compliment Lakshadweep trip

Make the best out of your Lakshadweep trip

A sneak peek into the beauty of Lakshadweep island

Popular food of Bikaner

Bajre ka Khichda

The one dish from Rajasthani cuisine that you should definitely taste in Bikaner is Bajre Ka Khichda with Imli ka Paani. As Bikaner is an arid region on the sands of Thar desert, the local food habit is developed here in such a way that keeps people full for a long time. The liquid in the local diet (like the tamarind water) helps in controlling body temperature and prevents from heat stroke.

Well, there is more to the food in Bikaner. Here are some-

Gatte ki sabzi

gatte ki sabzi
Courtesy: www.ruchiskitchen.com

Gatta is prepared from gram flour. Gatte ki Sabzi is available in two forms i.e. in dry and curry form. People eat this dish with buttered chapatis or rice. You can find this savory curry in any restaurant that serves Rajasthani cuisine.

Ker-Sangri

Ker Sangri
Courtesy: www.sambritabasu.com

Ker Sangri is a vegetable prepared with desert beans and capers. These are locally grown and can be stored for years. The dish has a tangy taste because of Ker. Ker is so sour that it needs to be soaked in salt water for days to reduce its sourness.

Bajre ka Khichda

Bajre ka Khichda
Courtesy: bonhappetee.com

Bajra is black millet and Bajre ka Khichda is a mix preparation of rice, lentils, and millet. It is a healthy one pot meal that combines carbs, protein, and of course taste in a single platter.

Imli Pani

Imli Pani
Courtesy: oodomania.com

Imli Pani or tamarind water is a quick drink in Bikaner. The tamarind is soaked in water for at least 5 hours and the pulp is used to make the drink along with some spices and sugar. It is a tangy and filling drink.

Fini

fini
Courtesy: www.tasteofcity.com

Fini is a traditional dessert in the desert of Bikaner!

It is the local variant of the sweet dish which is known by names such as Sheera, Halwa, etc. The ingredients used in the preparing fini are flour, rice flour, caster sugar, cardamom, and butter.

The Papads (roasted flatbread) of Bikaner are popular all over India and you can even bring home some for your personal consumption. These are spicy and everyday preparation in most of the households in Bikaner. You can also hire a cab in Bikaner on day rental and enjoy sightseeing and local delicacies.

Useful Links-

Important festivals and things to do in Bikaner

Shopping in Bikaner

Plan one day trip to Bikaner

How to reach Bikaner

Popular places to visit near Bikaner

Serene places to visit near Shimla

manali

If you are looking for quick getaways from Shimla, here is a list.

Dharamshala

Dharamshala
Courtesy: www.picaplacetravels.com

Dharamshala is a beautiful city in the Himachal Pradesh state of India, surrounded by cedar forest. The city is also known for being a home to Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. Some serene sites in this location include Chintpurni– a Hindu temple, St. John Church, Dal Lake, to name a few.

Distance between Shimla and Dharamshala: 238 kilometers, 7 hours drive

Book a taxi from Shimla to Dharamshala

Manali

manali
Courtesy: www.tripsavvy.com

Manali is a resort town located in Himachal Pradesh. It is a destination for nature lovers as well as adventure seekers. The city hosts activities like skiing, trekking, paragliding, rafting, mountaineering, etc. Apart from every footstep, which is a beauty, some of the must visit sites are-

  • Hidimba Devi temple
  • Great Himalayan National Park
  • Pin Valley National Park
  • Tibetan monastery
  • Manu temple

Distance between Shimla and Manali: 250 kilometers, 7.5 hours drive

Book a taxi from Shimla to Manali

Chandigarh

Chandigarh Capitol Complex
Courtesy: commons.wikimedia.org

Chandigarh is a capital city of two states of India- Punjab and Haryana. The city is extremely well planned and peaceful. Some of the great sites of this city include-

  • Capitol complex and open hand monument
  • International Dolls Museum
  • Shantikunj Park
  • Sukhna Lake
  • Nada Sahib

Distance between Shimla and Chandigarh: 218 kilometers, 5 hours drive

Book a taxi from Shimla to Chandigarh

Gurgaon

Vintage Camera museum
Courtesy: www.wearegurgaon.com

Gurgaon is the capital city of Haryana and is officially called as Gurugram. You can visit Kingdom of dreams, Sultanpur National Park, Vintage Camera Museum, etc. for a fun-filled break from your routine.

Distance between Shimla and Gurgaon: 381 kilometers, 8.5 hours drive

Book a taxi from Shimla to Gurgaon

More information about Kingdom of Dreams.

Mussoorie

Mussoorie
Courtesy: www.bestplacetovisit.in

It is a hill station in Uttarakhand. Mussoorie presents a great escape from the hustle and bustle of life. You can visit Kempty Falls, Fish Aquarium, Wax Museum, Soham Heritage and arts in Mussoorie.

Distance between Shimla and Mussoorie: 257 kilometers, 7.5 hours drive

Book a taxi from Shimla to Mussoorie

Useful Links-

Shimla: One day trip

Distinct festivals of Shimla

Shimla: a food tour

The Legacy of Shimla