A handful of skyscrapers reach for the sky in the CBD of Gurgaon, a northwestern metropolis in the province of Huryana, near Delhi. Historically known as Guru Gram, the dormant town gathered economic momentum when Indian automobile manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, set up a manufacturing plant here in the 1970s. Just a few decades later, half the Fortune 500 companies had opened offices in Gurgaon. Despite the congested urban areas, birding enthusiasts can find respite at Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, a famous bird-watching spot only 15 km from the city.
Nestled among isolated mountain peaks, the bustling town of Leh has long been an important stopover for trade between Kashmir, Tibet, India and China. From a high viewpoint, grey flat-topped houses dominate the old city and sprawl through the valley easing off into a verdant patchwork of irrigated barley fields and tall trees, which light up the landscape. Major attractions offering superb views include the Buddhist Shanti Stupa and the former royal palace, Leh Palace, which is currently being restored. A worthwhile trek once you’ve settled into town is a hike to Victory Fort.
Situated deep in the Ladakh mountain range, almost 4000 metres above sea level, the small high-altitude village of Ulley is one of the most remote in India. Here, where the tiny population lives in a quaint collection of homesteads, visitors travel from far and wide in the hope of seeing the ever-elusive, always-enthralling snow leopard in its natural habitat. This is one of the best locations to spot these majestic creatures, where they live peacefully along with Himalayan wolves, ibex, urial, and Himalayan fox. Nicknamed the ‘grey ghost’, this cat species is one of the rarest on earth. Travellers will be able to enjoy an otherworldly experience which makes for breathtaking photography and incredible memories.
As previously described
