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Calling all nature lovers

India Outdoors Nature Club is organising a day trip to the Peth Fort on September 17, 2000:

The tour cost is Rs 350 per head for non members and Rs 295 per head for members.
The cost includes transfers, breakfast and lunch.

India Outdoors, 169C, Dr Ambedkar road, Dadar T. T. Bombay.
Phones: 022- 4125897, 4164785, 4186360. Fax: 022- 4166944.
Email: India Outdoors. Web site: India Outdoors

India Outdoors offers the following tours to Ladakh:

India Outdoors, 169C, Dr Ambedkar road, Dadar T. T. Bombay.
Phones: 022- 4125897, 4164785, 4186360. Fax: 022- 4166944.
Email: India Outdoors. Web site: India Outdoors

Dal Lake beckons!

Jammu and Kashmir Tourism is offering special packages and discounts on houseboat accommodation, restaurants and travel in Srinagar this summer.

The three nights four days package offered by houseboat owners in Srinagar are priced at:

The all inclusive three nights four days packages are priced at:
  • Rs 6,207 per couple for an A class houseboat.
  • Rs 6,657 per couple for a deluxe houseboat.

The all inclusive package includes transfers from/to Jammu railway station, meals and sightseeing tours to Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Mughal Gardens.

Jammu and Kashmir tourism also offers the following discounts in Srinagar:

  • All Jammu and Kashmir Taxi Shikara Owners Association offers a 30 per cent discount on fixed rates.
  • The Tourist Taxi Stand, Drivers Union and Tourist Reception Centre offers a 20 per cent discount on fixed rates for tourist taxis.
  • The Pahalgam Pony Owners Association and Tangmarg Gulmarg Mazdoor Union offer a 20 per cent discount on pony rides.
  • The Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association offers a 30 per cent discount on hotel accommodation and a 5 per cent discount at all restaurants.

    The approximate per night tariffs for hotel rooms in Srinagar are:

    • Rs 2,450 and above for three star hotels.
    • Rs 1,400 to Rs 2,450 for two star hotels.
    • Rs 700 to Rs 1,400 for A class hotels.
    • Rs 350 to Rs 700 for B class hotels.
    • Rs 350 and less for C class hotels.

For further information contact the Jammu and Kashmir Tourist offices at: New Delhi: Phones: 011-3345373, 3344511.
Bombay: Phones: 022-2189040, 2189716.
Calcutta: Phone: 033-2285791.
Madras: Phone: 044-8530672.
Ahmedabad: Phone: 079-553551.
Hyderabad: Phone: 040-4734806.
Jammu: Phone: 0191-548172.
Srinagar: Phones: 0194-452690, 452691, 450248.

Travel advisory: For the last 10 years, Jammu and Kashmir has been affected by insurgency. The tourism industry that had come to a virtual standstill is now slowly picking up.

Also check out A tourist paradise in the shadow of the gun.

Explore the Himalayas

India Outdoors, Bombay offers the following tours to the Garhwal Himalayas and to Ladakh this season.

India Outdoors, 169C, Dr Ambedkar road, Dadar T. T. Bombay.
Phones: 022- 4125897, 4164785, 4186360. Fax: 022- 4166944.
Email: India Outdoors. Web site: India Outdoors

Fairs, festivals and more...

UP Tourism offers the following tours:

The itinerary for the Lucknow City Walk tour is as follows:

  • Day one.

    • 0730 hours: Breakfast at Hotel Gomti.
    • 0830 hours: Transfer from hotel to Shahi Bagh. Walk to Bara Imambara, Roomi Gate, Chota Imambara, Picture Gallery, Clock Tower and and a visit to the chicken kari and Zardozi work karkhana.
    • 1400 hours: Return to the hotel for lunch.
    • 1530 hours: Transfer to the Nawab's Residence. Overnight at the hotel.

  • Day Two:

    • 0730 hours: Breakfast at hotel
    • 0830 hours: Walk to the Shahnajaf Imambara. Transfer to the Boat Club.
    • 1100 hours: Arrive at Shaheed Smarak by boat. Walk to the Residency. Transfer to the Saadat Ali and Murshid Zadi Tomb and walk to Kaisarbagh Palace Complex.
    • 1400 hours: Return to the hotel for lunch.
    • 1500 hours: Transfer to La Martiniere, Dilkusha Kothi and Garden.
    • 1700 hours: Return to the hotel.
    • 1800 hours: Walk to Hazratganj Market. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

  • Day Three:

    • 0630 hours: Walk to the National Botanical Garden.
    • 0745 hours: Back to the hotel for breakfast.
    • 0900 hours: Zoological Garden and Museum.
    • 1230 hours: Back to the hotel. Tour concludes.

The tour is priced as follows:

  • One to three persons: Rs 6,600 for single occupancy and Rs 5,000 per person on a twin sharing basis.
  • Four to eight persons: Rs 5,200 for single occupancy and Rs 3,600 per person on a twin sharing basis.
  • Nine to 20 persons: Rs 5,100 for single occupancy and Rs 3,500 per person on a twin sharing basis.

    The package includes accommodation at Gomti Hotel in air conditioned deluxe rooms, breakfast and lunch.

The Ganga Darshan tour is priced at Rs 125 per person and includes lunch at Chotiwala, Rishikesh.

The tour includes a visit to the following places:

Haridwar: Anand Mai Maa Ashram, Daksh Prajapati temple, Dudha Dhari temple, Pawan Dham, Bhoomaniketan, Vaishno Mata temple, Bharat Mata temple, Shantikunj, Saptrishi Ashram and Parmarth Ashram.

Rishikesh and Lakshman Jhula: Lakshman Jhula bridge, 14 storey temple, Swarg Ashram, Ram Jhula bridge, Parmarth Niketan and Geeta Bhawan.

UP Tourism, 3 Naval Kishore road, Lucknow. Phone: 0522-228349, 225165. Fax: 221776.
Bombay: 022-2155082. Fax: 2185458.
New Delhi: 011-3322251. Fax: 3711296.
Madras: 044-8283276.
E-mail: upstdc@lw1.vsnl.net.in Web Site: www.up-tourism.com

Touring Bombay with the stars

Maharastra Tourism Development Corporation conducts one hour evening tours of Bombay by open double decker bus daily.

The tour is priced at Rs 50 per person for a comfortable seat on the upper deck and Rs 10 per person for a seat in the lower deck.

The bus does a tour of Nariman Point, Marine Drive, Churchgate station, Oval Maidan, Rajabai Clock Tower, Hutatma Chowk, Homi Modi street, Horniman Circle, Asiatic Library, Shahid Bhagat Singh road, Gateway of India and the Vidhan Bhavan.

The tour starts from MTDC booth opposite The Oberoi Towers at 1900 hours and 2030 hours.

For bookings and more information contact:
MTDC, CDO Hutments, opposite LIC building, Madame Cama Road, Bombay, phone: 022-2026713/ 2024667.
The information counter at Dadar, near Pritam School, phone: 022-4143200.
The information counter at Gateway of India, Bombay, phone: 022-2841877.

On Buddha's trail

UP Tourism offers a special five nights and six days package tour covering the Buddhist circuit valid till further notice. The tour originates every Tuesday in Varanasi and takes the participants to Kushinagar, Lumbini, Kapilavastu, Shravasti, Kaushambi and Sarnath.

The tour is priced at Rs 9,000 per person on a twin sharing basis. Children below five not requiring an extra bed will not be charged. Children between five and 12 not requiring an extra bed will be charged 33 percent of the adult fare. Children requiring an extra bed will be charged Rs 9,000 for the tour.

The package includes accommodation in air conditioned rooms (subject to availability), transportation by an air conditioned coach, guide services, entrance fee at the monuments, meals and taxes.

The itinerary is as follows:

UP Tourism, Chandralok Building, 36 Janpath, New Delhi. Phone: 011-3322251. Fax: 3711296.
38, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Bombay. Phone: 022-2185458. Fax: 2155082.
3, Naval Kishore road, Lucknow. Phone: 0522-228349, 225165. Fax: 221776.
2nd Floor, 12 A, Netaji Subhas road, Calcutta. Phone: 033-2207855. Fax: 2206798.
28, Commander-in-Chief road, Madras. Phone: 044-8283276. Fax: 8283276.

Temptations

Madhya Pradesh Tourism offers 14 types of packages for exploring the state for a minimum of four persons.

  • Magical Fortnight

    A 15-day tour -- that covers key tourist spots of Madhya Pradesh -- Khajuraho, Orchha, Gwalior, Shivpuri, Ujjain, Mandu, Indore, Bhopal, Sanchi, Bhimbetka, Pachmarhi and Marble Rocks. Available on select days.

  • Satpura To Malwa

    An eight-day tour -- going to Pachmarhi, Bhimbetka, Bhojpur, Bhopal, Sanchi, Ujjain, Mandu, Maheshwar and Omkareshwar. Available on select days.

  • Call Of The Wild

    Spend a week seeing some of the best wildlife India has to offer at Bandhavagarh and Kanha. Additional bonus -- boating at Marble Rocks, near Jabalpur. Available on select days.

  • Temples 'n' Tigers

    A seven-day experience to the temples at Chitrakoot and Amarkantak and to encounter wildlife at Bandhavgarh. Go boating at Marble Rocks. Available on select days.

  • Kipling Country

    A seven-night tour of Kanha, Pachmarhi, and Jabalpur. Available on select days.

  • Mystical Mandu

    A three-night and four-day whirlwind excursion of Mandu, Ujjain, Indore, Maheshwar and Omkareshwar. Available on select days.

  • Divine Moments

    A seven-days tour of Chitrakoot, Khajuraho and Bandhavgarh. Available on select days.

  • Sylvan Retreat

    A seven-night tour which includes Bhopal, Bhojpur, Bhimbetka, Pachmarhi, Jabalpur and Kanha. Available on select days.

  • Down Memory Lane

    A six-day tour to Gwalior, Shivpuri, Orchha and Khajuraho. Available on select days.

  • Enchanting Fortnight

    A 14-day tour -- that covers key tourist spots of Madhya Pradesh -- Khajuraho, Bandhavgarh, Jabalpur, Marble Rocks, Pachmarhi, Bhimbetka, Bhojpur, Bhopal, Sanchi, Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandu and Indore. Available on select days.

  • Medieval Splendour

    A three day tour covering Orchha and Khajuraho. Available on select days.

  • Historical Saga

    A three day tour to Gwalior, Shivpuri, Orchha and Jhansi. Available on select days.

  • Satpura Queen

    A five day tour to Pachmarhi. Available on select days.

Temptation tariffs

These tour prices are per person and include transportation by non-air conditioned coach and sightseeing within the state. It also covers accommodation in non-AC double rooms on a twin sharing basis. MPTDC can organise special tours for those wishing to travel by car or AC coach or stay in AC accommodation.

Madhya Pradesh Tourism, 74, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Bombay. Phone: 022-2187603.
Calcutta: Chitrakoot, 6th floor, 230 A, AJC. Bose road. Phone: 033-2478543. Fax: 033-2475855.
Delhi: Kanishka shopping plaza, Hotel Kanishka, 19 Ashok road. Phone: 011-3321187.
Ahmedabad: G-3, Hemkoot Complex, Ashram road. Phone: 079-6580395.

Best city tours for Bombay

BEST offers two transparent roof bus services for the excursion of Bombay city, the Best Ramani and the Best Anandyatri.

BEST Undertaking, Traffic Administrative building, 3rd floor, Wadala Depot, Wadala. Phone: 022-4146262, 4101791, 4137937, 4146311.

Going north

Raj Travels offers a 12 night and 13 day tour package.

The package is priced at Rs 21,678 per couple, plus Rs 18,000 for a car, on on twin sharing basis. This tour will take participants to Shimla, Parwanoo, Dalhousie, Manali, Dharamshala and Chandigarh.

The tour price includes transport by non-AC car, accommodation in moderate hotels and sightseeing.

Raj World Tours, Chowpatty View, S V P road, Chowpatty Phones: 022-3645006, 3645005.
New Delhi 409, 4th floor, 30/31 Raja House, Nehru Place. Phones: 011-6468008, 64680030.

Ten per cent off

Sita World Travel has been appointed the general sales agents for Royal Orient Express, run by the Indian Railways and Gujarat Tourism.

Bookings made through Sita are worthy of a 10 per cent discount.

Sita World Travel Ltd, 18 Atlanta, Nariman Point. Phones: 022-2840666, 2840667, 2840676, 6052534, 6052536
New Delhi: Phone: 011-3311122.
Bangalore: Phone: 080-5588482.
Agra: Phones: 0562-363013, 363978.
Jaipur: Phone: 0141-203626.
Lucknow: Phones: 0522-201249, 281396.
Kanpur: Phones: 0512-352948, 352980.
Pune: Phones: 0212-621707, 627683, 632498.
Madras: Phone: 044-8278861.

Need a Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim or Northeast tour planned?

Countryside, 35 Vawda building, opposite Shiv Sena Bhavan, L J Road, Dadar, Bombay. Phone: 022-4441513. Fax: 022-4469093.

Travel Planner, Travel and Tours Ltd, P O Box 10966, 21/49 Bagbazar,Kathmandu. Phones: 00977-1-253345, 225674. Fax: 00977-1-245978. e-mail: trapla@tp.wlink.com.np

Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department offers various tour packages to places of religious interest.

  • The Rishikesh-Kedarnath-Badrinath tour is a six day tour by coach, departing daily from Muni-ke-Reti station at 0630 hours. It is priced at Rs 2,950 for an adult and Rs 2,575 for a child. The tour visits Rudraprayag, Syalsaur, Gaurikund, Kedarnath, Sonprayag, Pipalloti, Badrinath, and Joshimath.

  • There is an eight day tour as well for New Delhi-Kedarnath-Badrinath by coach departing from New Delhi railway station only on Monday at 0800 hours. It is priced at Rs 4,444 for an adult and Rs 3,765 for a child. The tour visits Rishikesh, Sonprayag, Gaurikund, Kedarnath, Gaurikund, Rudraprayag, Badrinath, Joshimath and Chilla.

  • The Rishikesh-Yamunotri-Gangotri-Kedarnath-Badrinath tour is an 11 day tour by coach departing from Rishikesh daily at 0630 hours. It is priced at Rs 5,050 for an adult and Rs 4,350 for a child. The tour visits Purola, Hanumanchatti, Yamunotri, Barkot, Uttarkashi, Gangotri, Guptkashi, Gaurikund, Kedarnath, Chandrapui, Joshimath, Badrinath and Muni-ki-Reti.

  • The New Delhi-Chardham-Gaumukh tour is a 12 day tour by coach departing every Monday from New Delhi railway station at 0700 hours. It is priced at Rs 6,150 for an adult and Rs 5,250 for a child. The tour visits Chamba, Hanumachatti, Jankichatti, Yamunotri, Syanachatti, Gangotri, Gaumukh, Bhojbasa, Uttarkashi, Chandrapuri, Gaurikund, Kedarnath, Rudraprayag, Joshimath, Auli and Badrinath.

  • The New Delhi-Yamunotri-Gangotri-Kedarnath-Badrinath tour is a 12 day tour by coach departing from New Delhi railway station every Friday at 0800 hours. It is priced at Rs 7,050 for an adult and Rs 6,150 for a child. The tour visits Rishikesh, Hanumanchatti, Yamunotri, Jankichatti, Uttarkashi, Gangotri, Harsil, Rudraprayag, Gaurikund, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Joshimath, and Chilla.

  • The Rishikesh-Badrinath tour is a four day tour by bus departing from Muni-ki-Reti railway station every Tuesday and Thursday at 1000 hours. It is priced at Rs 2,150 for an adult and Rs 1,850 for a child. The tour visits Nandprayag, Badrinath and Joshimath.

  • The Rishikesh-Yamunotri-Gangotri-Gaumukh tour is a seven day tour by bus departing from Muni-ki-Reti railway station every Friday at 0700 hours. It is priced at Rs 3,250 for an adult and Rs 2,850 for a child. The tour visits Syanachatti, Hanumanchatti, Yamunotri, Jankichatti, Uttarkashi, Gangotri, Gaumukh and Bhojbasa.

  • The Rishikesh-Kedarnath-Badrinath tour is a six day tour by cab departing daily from Rishikesh at 0630 hours. It is priced at Rs 4,950 per seat. The tour visits Rudraprayag, Kedarnath, Gaurikund, Chopta, Joshimath, Badrinath, Auli and Muni-ki-Reti.

  • The New Delhi-Kedarnath-Badrinath tour is a seven day tour by cab departing daily from New Delhi at 0700 hours. It is priced at Rs 6,150 per seat. The tour visits Rishikesh, Gaurikund, Rambara, Kedarnath, Badrinath and Auli.

  • The Rishikesh-Yamunotri-Gangotri-Badrinath tour is a ten day tour by cab departing daily from Rishikesh 0600 hours. It is priced at Rs 8,150 per seat. The tour visits Barkot, Hanumanchatti, Yamunotri, Jankichatti, Uttarkashi, Gangotri, Srikot, Gaurikund, Sonprayag, Joshimath, Badrinath, Auli and Kedarnath.

  • The Delhi-Yamunotri-Gangotri-Kedarnath-Badrinath tour is a twelve day tour by cab departing daily from Delhi at 0800 hours. It is priced at Rs 9,850 per seat. The tour visits Rishikesh, Hanumanchatti, Yamunotri, Jankichatti, Hanumanchatti, Harsil, Gangotri, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Gaurikund, Kedarnath, Sonprayag, Joshimath, Badrinath and Muni-ki-Reti.

  • The Rishikesh-Valley of Flowers-Hemkund Sahib-Badrinath tour is a seven day tour by coach departing every Monday and Thursday from Rishikesh at 0600 hours. It is priced at Rs 3,750 for an adult and Rs 3,350 for a child. The tour visits Joshimath, Govindghat, Ghangaria, Valley of Flowers, Hemkund Sahib, Pipalkoti, and Muni-ki-Reti.

  • The Rishikesh-Yamunotri-Gangotri-Gaumukh-Kedarnath-Badrinath tour is a twelve day tour by coach departing every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from Muni-ki-Reti at 1600 hours. It is priced at Rs 5,250 for an adult and Rs 4,550 for a child. The tour visits Chamba, Hanumanchatti, Jankichatti, Yamunotri, Syanachatti, Uttarkashi, Gangotri, Gaumukh, Bhojbasa, Chandrapuri, Kedarnath, Gaurikund, Rudraprayag, Badrinath and Gauchar.

  • Tour prices cover transportation.
  • Accommodation is provided in modest, basic UP Tourism run tourist rest houses. Rooms could be shared by four or five members of a tour group at a time.
  • Bookings can be made in advance through a bank draft drawn in favour of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited.
  • Tour participants should report to the New Tourist Rest House, Rishikesh, Hardwar Bypass Road, phone: 433002.
  • Or for tours leaving Muni-ki-Reti, they should report to the Tourist Rest House Muni-ki-Reti, phone: 430373. Or for tours leaving from Delhi they should report at Chandralok Building, 36, Janpath, New Delhi, phone: 011-3326620.

For reservations and more information contact:

  • Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited, Rishikesh, phone: 0135-431793/ 432648/ 430799.
  • In Dehradun at Survey Chowk, Landsdown Marg, phone: 0135-656817/ 654408/ 651075.
  • In Ahmedabad at 5 Smrity Kunj, 303 Ashwamegh House, phone: 079-6564245.
  • In Bombay at CDO Hutments, Madame Cama Road, phone: 022-2024627/ 2027762.
  • In Calcutta at Netaji Subash Road, phone: 033-2207855.
  • In Chandigarh at 1046-47, Sector 22-B, Chandigarh, phone: 707649/ 531321.
  • In Haridwar at Lalta Rao Bridge, phone: 0133-424240.
  • In Jaipur at Hostel Campus, M I Road, phone: 0141-378892.
  • In Lucknow at Khushnuma Complex, Flat 4/5/6, 7 Bahadur Marg, near State Guest House, phone: 0522-201571/ 201572.
  • In New Delhi at Chandralok, 36, Janpath, phone: 011-3326620.

For more information on these pilgrimage spots -- Gangotri, Badrinath, Hanumanchatti, Yamunotri -- click here. For further information on Rishikesh click here.

The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited offers two package tours to Gujarat.

For reservations and more information contact:

  • Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited, Nigam Bhavan, Sector-16, Gandhinagar, phone: 02712-22523/ 22645.
  • Or in Ahmedabad, H K House, opposite Bata showroom, Ashram Road, phone: 079-6589172/ 6587217/ 6589683.
  • Or in Bombay at Dhanraj Mahal, Apollo Bunder, phone: 022-2024925.
  • Or in Saputara at Toran Hotel, Districts Dangs, phone: 37226/ 37227.
  • Or in Surat at 1/874, Athugar Street, Nanpura, phone: 0261-476586.
  • Or in Baroda at Narmada Bhavan, C-Block, Indira Avenue, phone: 0265-427489.
  • Or in Rajkot at Bhavnagar House, Jawahar Road, behind State Bank of Saurashtra, phone: 0281-234507.
  • Or in New Delhi at The Royal Orient, 12/4, first floor, Patel Nagar, phone: 011-5720379.
  • Or in Calcutta at 106/C, Salimour Road, P O Dhakuria, phone: 033-4655755.
  • Or in Madras at Mount Chambers, 758 Anna Salai, phone: 044-8522135.

Rajasthan Tourism offers a three day package tour around the Golden Triangle, aka New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra.

  • The package is priced at Rs 2,300 for an adult and Rs 1,800 for a child.

  • The tour covers the wildlife sanctuary at Silserh Lake, the Hawa Mahal, the Amer Palace, the City Palace at Jaipur, the bird sanctuary at Bharatpur, the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri at Agra.

  • The tour departs every Friday from Bikaner House, New Delhi.

  • For reservations contact the tourist reception centre at Rajasthan Tourism, Bikaner House, New Delhi, phone: 011- 3381884 / 3383837.
    At Rajasthan Tourism , Hotel Swagatam, Jaipur, phone: 0141- 202586/ 203531.
    In Bombay at 230, D N Road, Bombay, phone: 022-2044162.

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