Cashing In Indians have been making the most of low airfares and tour offers

The past year hasn’t exactly been a golden period for the worldwide tourism industry. But wanderlust is reasserting itself vigorously against the uncertain security situation worldwide, and is helping revive tourism at least in South and Southeast Asia. Providing it vigorous fodder is the looming summer season: an apt time for the annual holiday ritual of visiting family and friends back home in India. Quite the perfect time for tanking up on generous doses of desiness and family warmth, not to mention succulent mangoes and roadside paani-puri.

But the summer of 2002 has a lot more to offer. The international as well as Indian travel industry’s determination to rev up their engines has brought with it a surfeit of special packages and offers, discounts and add-on privileges for travel in the Southeast Asian region and within India. Which means that for Indians travelling back home, this is a good time to experience more of their own country as well as of Southeast Asia.

“This summer, there will be offers and packages like never before,” promises Sanjiv Agarwal, chairman & managing director, Fairfest Media Ltd., organisers of the Travel and Tourism Fair and Outbound Travel Mart travel shows in India. His company’s call for 2002 being declared the “Year of Tourism in India” has been well received by travel industry players here.

This travel resurgence is also being recognised by the Convention of Worldwide Travel Partners, which includes leading international carriers and tourism boards worldwide. It too has declared 2002 the “Year of the International Traveller”. Travel industry sources claim this call is really in honour of the Indian international traveller for his contribution to international tourism.

The WTO (World Trade Organisation) has joined in to declare 2002 the “International Year of Tourism”. As a result, various organisations have come out with special offers for Indians. Quite a feast really, but most enjoyed if cashed in on early as some schemes may not last the year.

Offers range from a Southeast Asian country granting Indians bonus advantages on holiday packages, to some countries offering special discounts only for Indians in major restaurants and malls. For instance, Malaysia Airlines is offering ‘Showcase Malaysia’ to Indians, including up to three nights complimentary accommodation with breakfast for a minimum of two passengers travelling together.

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing is offering 20 per cent at major restaurants and 40 per cent at shopping malls in Dubai just for Indians (log on to www.dubaitourism.co.ae). The Indian customer gets the fourth night free at Taj Hotels in Dubai, Maldives and Nepal. Sri Lanka Tourism too has an Indian specific scheme—‘Buy One Get One Free’ to Sri Lanka including four nights/five days and airfare (log on to www.srilankan.lk). Sita Holidays offers one holiday in India for two nights/three days free for those who book an international holiday with them. Emirates Airlines offers a free night’s stay at the five-star hotel Le Meridian, Dubai, for those who book a flight ticket to any Emirates destination, except the Gulf.

But remember, travel operators, airlines and tourism bodies modify their schemes often, and that travel is a dynamic industry. So when you have a firm idea of your travel dates, track the schemes on offer and their validity periods by logging on to the websites of the members of the Convention of Worldwide Travel Partners.

As for within India, travel bodies such as the Travel Corporation of India and several state tourism boards have geared up to give the travelling Indian a treat.

Centre Holds

Burning Bright Tigers and other wildlife roam free in the safe confines of the Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

For those coming straight to the heart of the country—Delhi—the Golden Triangle Tour is a forever popular week-long trip. Indianvisit takes you on a triangular journey to sample the beauties of Delhi, Mukundgarh, Jaipur, Agra and back. The majesty of the Taj and the Fort Palaces of Rajasthan blend with the political historicity of Delhi. The cost in deluxe hotels is $453 per person, and in first class hotels it is $300 per person including daily breakfast, transfers and tours, arrival and departure and applicable taxes. Visit www.indianvisit.com.
There's more that comes from the heart—the famous Khajuraho temples of Madhya Pradesh. The state's monuments not only celebrate love, they also showcase that they are home to the cultural heritages of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam. Exquisitely carved temples, stupas, forts and palaces dot the landscape.

Carnal Carvings Sculpted figurines depicting love and passion adorn the world famous temples of Khajuraho

Naturewise too, Madhya Pradesh is well endowed—from plateaus to mountains, meandering rivers and miles of dense forests that shelter a range of wildlife. Almost a third of the state is covered by forests where tigers, spotted deer, nilgai and the gaur roam. The endangered barasingha graze and multiply in the safe environs of the Kanha National Park. The sal and bamboo forests of Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Pench, Satpura and other national parks and sanctuaries are home to over 100 species of birds and many other animals. For information on tour packages to the state, log on to www.mptourism.com.

Himalayan Peaks

Spiritual Trek The Mansarovar Lake borders on Tibet

The best tourist destinations in summer are surely the mountains. In the north are prominent hill stations such as Shimla in Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Nainital in Uttaranchal, but these are avoidable for the summer hordes. However, a host of others make for a great holiday by the sheer variety of experiences they offer: white water rafting, para-gliding, mountain climbing, jeep safaris apart from natural beauty, crisp mountain air and solitude. Seek peace and pristine beauty in the Dhauladhar range of HP or explore the accessible hills of Uttaranchal. July and August is the time to make it to the Valley of Flowers in Uttar Pradesh. For the ultimate trekking challenge, there’re Manali, Spiti and Kangra valleys in HP and the Pindari Glacier in Uttaranchal. For a unique cultural experience consider Kinnaur and Lahaul, also in HP. Kinnaur is home to some of India’s oldest legends, a remarkable mix of Hinduism and Buddhism. Lahaul offers the closest thing to a Tibetan experience.

Abode of Gods A 6,714-metre high rock pyramid, the majestic Mount Kailash, dominates the landscape and draws pilgrims

Sanjeev Nayyar, an avid HP traveller and chief content provider, esamskriti.com, a portal on Indian culture, advises: “ It’s a good idea for mountain travellers to keep a map of the region they are visiting, to mark the height at which they travel and the passes they cross.”

Religious draws are yoga courses at Hrishikesh, or a pilgrimage to the four dhams—Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamnotri. Scores of tour operators offer ‘dham’ tours in summer. Mumbai’s Apna Bharat Pravas (apnabharatpravas.com), for instance, has an 18-day package including the four dhams and places like Haridwar and Hrishikesh, at Rs. 16,500 per head. For folks who seek adventure and religion in extra measure, the ultimate experience is the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, which draws Hindus, Jains as well as Buddhists. This year, the yatra will draw devotees from around the world as Tibetans believe this to be the year of the horse, an occurrence that happens after 60 years. So book early and fix dates. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatri Mandal, a voluntary government organisation helps and guides pilgrims travelling to Mt. Kailash using the Indian government route.

Floral Offerings July-August is the time when the Valley of Flowers in Uttar Pradesh comes into full bloom

Private organisations also offer the tours. Indo-Nepal Holidays offers the tour (exit from Kathmandu) at Rs. 69,000 per person for Indians and $1800 for other nationalities. Bookings are open till April 15 for tours beginning every week from May 6 to the end of August (indonepalholidays@vsnl.com;indonepalholidays@vsnl.com, website: http://www.-kailashmansarovar.com).

Jyoti Travels offers the package for Rs. 54,999 for Indian nationals and $1,499 for foreign nationals. Says Arvind Khanna, director of the company, “The advantage of our package is there is comparatively less walking involved—only four days.” Whichever Mansarovar package you opt for eventually, it is recommended that you be in good physical condition before undertaking this arduous tour.

Naga Charms Against the backdrop of a typical Nagaland town, two young girls in traditional attire adjust their adornments

White water rafting at Rishikesh is a thrilling summer option with puja by the Ganges riverside in the evening. Snow Leopard Adventures offers a two-day trip at about Rs1,600 per head per day. Phone 011-689 1473 or log in at www.snowleopardadventures.com. The Great Indian Outdoor offers a two-day/one-night package at Rs 2,000 per head. Phone: 011-689 1626. Garhwal Vikas Nigam offers a budget trip for rafting at Rs 350 per head and dormitory accommodation at Rs 100 per head (food extra). White water rafting ends when the monsoon arrives.

Enigmatic East

Endangered The one-horned rhino is found only in Assam

The mountainous North is comparatively familiar territory but Northeast India is sadly ignored. But this year’s budget included special sops for the region, such as cheaper airfare. It’s a good idea to explore the states of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, West Bengal and Sikkim. Log on to websites like jungletravelsindia.com and networktravelsindia.com for Northeast India specific packages. There’s a lot to do there before the Monsoons arrive in July.

The virgin land Arunachal Pradesh is worth exploring. With more than 60 per cent forest cover and numerous turbulent streams, roaring rivers, deep gorges, lofty mountains, snow peaks, it boasts thousands of species of flora and fauna. It is where the sun rises on India and where over 500 rare species of orchids bloom. Its rivers are ideal for angling, boating, rafting and its rugged terrain for trekking, hiking and holidaying in a serene atmosphere. The once "Hidden Land" has now opened its doors.

Among its places of interest is the Tawang Monastry built in the 17th century AD at 10,000 ft. above sea level and controlling 17 gompas in the region. At Itanagar, the state capital, is Itafort—an historical fort of irregular shape built of bricks. Near Daporijo township is the famous Menga Cave (Temple) which beckons believers of Lord Shiva, drawing a large number of pilgrims especially during Makar Sankranti and Shivratri.

The state is also home to the Namdhapa National Park—the only park where the tiger, the leopard, the snow leopard and the clouded leopard are found together. Bisons, sambers and barking deers, a variety of snakes, dancing butterflies etc. are the other attractions at the park.

Look out for the following events: The Tawang Spring Festival, Tawang, 25, 26 May; Buddha Mahotsava, Tawang, 13,14 Oct; Brahmaputra Darshan, Teju, 29, 30 Jan, 2003; Festival of Arunachal, Itanagar, 15 to 24 Feb 2003. Contact the Directorate of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar; phone: 91-360-214745/ 214752/ 214450; Fax: 91-360-214745; E-mail: info@arunachaltourism.com; director@arunachaltourism.com ; Website: ww.arunachaltourism.com.