|
COPYRIGHT 2005 Natural History Magazine, Inc.
India
INDIA--STRETCHING 2,300 MILES FROM north to south--is so vast it has almost every kind of landscape imaginable. It has the stunning Himalayas, the world's highest and youngest mountains. In the far north, you'll find arid mountains, lakes, and forests; moving south, the country flattens out into fertile plains, foothills, and river valley. West India has some of the country's finest beaches and lush rainforests. With such varied terrain, from jungles to deserts, opportunities abound for nature enthusiasts.
Wildlife in India--from elephants to tigers to endangered species such as the leopard, lion, and Siberian crane--is found in more than 70 national parks and about 400 wildlife sanctuaries. Visit the Kaziranga Game Sanctuary to see the one-horned rhino (India has about 80 percent of the world's population) and head to Keoladeo Ghana National Park (popularly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) in Rajasthan, near Delhi, to spot indigenous water birds and migratory species. The national animal, the tiger, is protected in two dozen reserves, including Bandhavgarh, where you'll also see leopards, gaurs, and sambhars.
Ecotourism resorts are new to India, but have sprouted everywhere and range from camps inside the jungles of Karnataka to houseboats in Kerala and tree houses in Vythiri. Devotees of the great outdoors can enjoy just about any activity--from whitewater rafting to trekking, cycling, mountain climbing, and rappelling. Wildlife safaris can be relatively tame--perhaps via Jeep or on horseback--or adventuresome: a camel safari in the Rajasthan desert to see the peacock's dance. One ecotourism camp, run by Snow Leopard Adventures (www.snowleopardadventures.com), is situated near Rishikesh, where the Beatles and other followers visited the ashram of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the 1960s. From this camp, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, you can embark on several adventures including river rafting, kayaking, trekking, and mountain biking--then relax with some yoga. One expedition takes you to river running on the Ganges, India's holy river, which has rapids ranging from Grade II to IV.
Add magnificent historical sites, bustling cities, a rich heritage and culture, and luxurious accommodations--including forts and palaces that are now heritage hotels--and there is something for everyone in India.
Peru
DOMINATED BY THE ANDES--ONE OF THE world's highest mountain chains--and the legendary Amazon, Peru is a mecca for lovers of nature and the great outdoors.
Peru's astounding variety of climates and...
Read the full article for free courtesy of your local library.
|
Bookmark this article
Print this article
Link to this article
Email this article
Digg It!
Add to del.icio.us
RSS
