SPECIFIC INTEREST DESTINATIONS - SOME EXAMPLES
-
Trekking : Ladhak, Himachal, Sikkim, Zanskar
-
Wild Life : National Parks - Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh, Bandipur,
Sunderbans
-
Cultural (South India, Temples, Silk) : Kanchipuram, Thanjavur
Q) What I certainly need to
know while planning a trip to India?
SAFETY
FACTOR:
India is as safe as any other foreign location you visit for the first
time. If you adhere to the following suggestions you will have a safer and
more enjoyable visit to India :
- On your point of entry to the country - have somebody meet you and escort
you to your hotel/home.
- Ensure, atleast for the first leg that you have your accommodation booked
in advance.
- Since Indians have greater immunity than most Westerners - drink only
Mineral water, avoid raw salads, eat cooked food and avoid road-side exposed
food.
- Be sensitive to Indian culture and dress appropriately while travelling
within the country.
- Avoid taking cabs off the road during late nights.
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
North : Delhi, Agra, Khajurao, Varanasi, Lumbini, Rajasthan etc. --
Early October to mid April.
Hilly areas (Kangra, Dharamshala, Kathmandu -
Nepal) -- March to mid December
Ladhak, Zanskar, Lahul & Spiti Valley -
Mid June to October.
South : Kerala - Mid November
to March. Rejunivation Season -- Mid May to August
Karnataka
- Early October to mid April
West : Goa / Bombay - November
to March
East : Sikkim & Darjeeling
-End February to early May; mid September - end November
Q) What is a "a customized
itinerary" ?
In very brief, if you opt for a Customised Tour, then we plan effectively
every aspect of your tour, including your desire for impromptu exploration,
tempered by your need to relax. After all, you would have explained this to
us as part of the process of customization. Your specific interest,
preferences and needs are weighted with our knowledge of logistics and
highlights of the area.
Q) What services do we offer on
"a customised tour" ?
Once the itinerary is finalized, the mix of services, offered on our
customised Tours consists of :
- Internal air and rail reservations and connected ticketing to Nepal and
Sri Lanka.
- Transfers at Airports and Railway Stations, with or without
representative assistance.
- Arrangements for traveling by road, coaches and chauffeur driven Cars,
Jeeps and Mini-Coaches for long drives, local sightseeing excursions or
simply at disposal.
- Accommodation, as selected per your preference.
- English speaking Escorts, Guides, Expedition Leaders, and Facilitators -
often essential to the quality of the tour.
- Translators for languages such as French, Spanish, Italian and Russian on
request.
- Meals per consensus - in the larger towns and cities, guests are
encouraged to exercise their choice and table d'hote meals, where this is
likely to be a special experience, or, where obtaining a meal otherwise is a
problem.
- Entrance charges to monuments, camera fees, porterage and such, per
consensus.
- Special programmes for entertainment, research or education. Booking for
an Indian classical dance or musical concert or for a Bollywood movie - all
part of an Indian experience.
- Reservations and Confirmation - it is advisable, to obtain reservations
and re-confirmations to critical locations for both airlines and hotel
space.
- Local contact point for message, mail and emergencies.
Q) Are we contactable on a 24
hour basis?
Yes,
we will be, during your entire trip to India. Upon your arrival you are
met by our representative at the airport. A mobile number and name of an
executive will be provided for after office hours. Unless otherwise
indicated, there is a briefing session on the first day of your stay.
Q) Booking and Cancellations
Hotels:
During peak season (refer 'BEST TIME TO VISIT') - most hotels need to be
booked at least two months in advance and expect to receive deposits 45
days prior to check-in. Cancellation 30 days out usually allows full
refund - though in certain cases 10 - 15% may be charged - less than 07
days notice will often result in a day's retention charge.
Domestic Air Travel: Popular sectors go full during peak season or when
limited flights operate between two cities (example: Jaipur- Jodhpur or
Jodhpur-Udaipur etc.) If travelling in a group, it is best to book three
months in advance, or 45 days in advance if traveling upto 2-3 persons.
Our cancellation charges are based on the actual levied plus our
administrative and communication costs incurred in making arrangements.
Consequently, in the event of a cancellation, the charge is usually
nominal.
Domestic Rail Travel:
- Tickets have to be purchased while making a reservation. Reservations
are possible only 30 days prior to the travel date.
- For superior trains such as 'Rajdhani' / 'Shatabdi' (super fast trains)
the bookings open 60 days prior to the travel date.
- Three days prior to travel you can cancel and you forgo a small
reservation fee. You pay 50% if you cancel 24hrs in advance and the full
amount after that.
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