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Countryside, a travel company in Bombay, offer a tour package for Ladakh up to September 8.

The 14 day tour is priced at Rs 20,700 per person for stay in a five star hotel and travel by the Rajdhani Express. The same package is priced at Rs 16,500 per person for stay at a guest house and travel by the Paschim Express.

Ladakh lies in the east of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is popularly known as 'Little Tibet'. It is nestled between the Great Himalaya ranges and is picturesque for its peaks and ridges. Ladakh is popular for its monasteries which fit into the scenic landscape it has to offer.

The itinerary is as follows:

• Day 1: Travel to New Delhi by the Rajdhani Express or Paschim Express.
• Day 2: Stopover at the railway Yatri Niwas and leave for Manali in the evening.
• Day 3: Do a bit of sightseeing.
• Day 4: A safari trip over the Rohtang Pass and into Lahaul. At the end of the Kullu Valley, 32 km from Manali is the Rohtang Pass ( 3978 mts.), which offers some of the most spectacular views of the awesome Himalayas. For centuries, the Rohtang Pass has been the gateway for trading routes to Lahaul, Ladakh & Central Asia.
• Day 5: Travel over the Greater Himalayan Range and parts of Ladhak and set up camp at Sarchu.
• Day 6: The tour climbs up to the vast Pang Plateau and then travels into the valley of the River Indus.
• Day 7: Experience the opening festival of the Ladakh Festival at Leh. The Ladakh Festival has a series of interesting events such as archery contests, polo matches and traditional Ladakh dances.
• Day 8: The day is free to spend as you like.
• Day 9: Spend the day sightseeing Leh.
• Day 10: Visit the different monasteries around Leh. Some of the popular monasteries are the Namgyal Tsemo gompa, the Sankar gompa, the Stok gompa and the Samstem Ling gompa.
• Day 11: The day will be spent rafting on the Indus river.
• Day 12: Fly to New Delhi and spend a day here.
• Day 13: Fly back to Bombay.

  The package includes travel by the Rajdhani or Paschim Express, the flight from Leh to New Delhi, sightseeing by jeeps, accommodation.

  For bookings and more information contact:
  Countryside, Rukmini Niwas, Senapati Bapat Marg, Mahim, Bombay,
  phone: 022-4377717/ 4376725.

International Travel House in Bombay, offers a tour package for Mauritius and Singapore up to October 17.

The six night seven day package is priced at US $ 465 per person plus airfares. It includes airport transfers, sightseeing in Mauritius and Singapore, four star accommodation, breakfast and the service of a tour escort.

The itinerary is as follows:

• Day 1: Fly from Delhi to Mauritius. Relax at the Hotel Le Grand Bleu.
• Day 2: Take a look at the giant water lilies, tortoises and countless varieties of palm trees at Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens. Visit Port Louis, Mauritius' capital and main port. Experience the country's fine architecture by touring the magnificent French colonial buildings. Visit The Caudan, an expansive shopping complex with a modern cinema, restaurants, coffee shops, etc.
• Day 3: Visit the Ile Aux Cerfs Island. Spend the day on the beach, stay over at Ile Aux Cerfs Island Resort.
• Day 4: Enjoy the sunny beaches. Indulge in water sports. Or just shop. Another option is a visit to the Trou Aux Cerfs, an extinct volcano. Or one can visit Chamarel from the Case Noyale village. Chamarel is a mound of undulating land in contrasting layers of colour .
• Day 5: Catch the afternoon flight to Singapore.
• Day 6: Tourists have the day to themselves to explore the city. Pay an evening visit to Sentosa Island and the Underwater World . Sentosa Island houses many attractions such as the Coralarium, which exhibits more than 2000 exotic shells from around the world. The Underwater World is Asia's largest tropical oceanarium housing over 2300 marine species. The tour closes with an aerial cruise on a cable car to the Singapore World Trade Centre.
• Day 7: The day is free to spend as you like. Take an evening flight to New Delhi.

For reservations and more information contact:
International Travel House, Bandra, Bombay, phone: 022-6443464.
Or in New Delhi at Community Centre, Sheikh Sarai Phase-1, phone: 011-6230808/ 6230381.
Or in Calcutta at ITC Centre, 4, Russel Street, phone: 033-2263381.
Or in Madras at 108, Embassy Centre, Tarapore Towers, A-26, Annasalai, phone: 044-8520003.

Vikings Holidays Private Limited in Calcutta offers a tour package for Dubai up to August 31.

The package is priced at Rs 7,000 per person for six nights and seven days. This includes breakfast and dinner, airport transfers, one day of free sightseeing and a visit to Al Ain Fun City.

One of the seven emirates which constitute the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is a city of fascinating contrasts. The city blends the comfort and luxury of a modern city with timeless traditions of the desert. It's a combination of east and west, old and new. Known as the "city of merchants", Dubai has, for generations, welcomed seafarers and traders to its shores. It is regarded as a shoppers' paradise and has been attracting 'shopaholics' from around the world for the Dubai Shopping Festival which is held every year.

The centre of Dubai city borders Dubai Creek and this is the hub of the metropolis. The most picturesque way to cross the creek is by abra -- the traditional water taxi, which has survived the advent of motor cars and buses. The short journey across the waterway from the glass-and-steel office blocks of Deira to the old-world souks of Bur Dubai provides a fascinating glimpse of Dubai's trading heritage.

Another fascinating sight is the ancient palace of Sheikh Saeed -- former ruler of Dubai and grandfather the present ruler, Sheikh Maktoum -- which stands proud along the banks of the creek. With its wind towers and various levels built around a central courtyard, it is a fine example of the region's traditional architecture.

Dubai Museum Al Fahidi Fort, which houses the Dubai Museum, is another imposing building. It once guarded the land-ward approaches to the town. Built in the last century, it has been extensively restored and refurbished. The city also also has many fine mosques, among which the most outstanding is the Jumeirah Mosque, which is a picturesque example of modern Islamic architecture.

For bookings and more information contact:
Vikings Holidays Private Limited, 201 Jodhpur Park, Calcutta, phone: 033- 4727969.

Raj World Tours in Bombay, offers a tour package for Seychelles priced at Rs 15,999 plus US $ 999 per person.

The six night, seven day tour leaves from Bombay every Saturday. The first three days will be spent in Mahe, the capital of Seychelles. The rest of the trip will be spent in Praslin. The package includes accommodation at four and five star hotels, dinner and transportation.

Seychelles is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Africa. The principal island of Mahe has a population of about 50,000. The Praslin is important island of this country. The islands have beautiful white sandy beaches and there are several interesting water sports one can have a go at. Equally entertaining are the sega dancers, that one may have occasion to see since they perform at various hotels.

For reservations and more information contact:
Raj World Tours, Chowpatty View, S V P Road, Chowpatty, Bombay, phone: 022-3645006/ 3645005.
Or in New Delhi 409, 4th floor, 30/31 Raja House, Nehru Place, New Delhi, phone: 011-6468008/ 64680030.

Akash Travels in Bombay offers a tour package for Kerala.

The package is priced at Rs 5,500 for non-air-conditioned second class travel by train, Rs 6,700 for travel by air-conditioned second class travel by train and Rs 19,500 for first class air-conditioned travel by train. The prices include three star hotel accommodation, breakfast, transport and guide charges.

The itinerary is as follows:

• Day 1: Arrive at Calicut, a town famous for its spices. And travel to Wynad, a wildlife sanctuary.
• Day 2: Spend the day at the sanctuary and visiting the coffee and tea plantations around Wynad.
• Day 3: Travel to Alleppey, on the backwaters and stay overnight there.
• Day 4: Travel to Kollam through the backwaters, by boat and spend the day here. The town is situated on the coast, as well as on banks of the Ashtamudi lake.
• Day 5: Travel to Trivandrum by coach and day of sightseeing. Trivandrum is built on seven low hills and its narrow streets, red Mangalore roofed houses and acres of palm trees make it an appealing city.
• Day 6: Travel to Thekkady by coach. Thekkady is a forest area where the Periyar wildlife sanctuary is situated. At Periyar one can glimpse anything from elephant herds to deer.
• Day 7: Travel to Cochin by coach and stay overnight there. Cochin is spread across islands and promontories. Its extraordinary mix of architectural styles reflects the city's history of foreign invasion.
• Day 8: A day free for shopping.
• Day 9: Return to Bombay by train.

The package tours leave Bombay every Saturday. Bookings must be made one month in advance.

Fore bookings and more information contact:
Akash Travels and Resorts, 20/A, Louis Mansion, S V Road, Prabhadevi, Bombay, phone: 022-4309311/ 4302336.

Do you need any further information about tour packages available for travelling in India? Or further details about outbound tours from India to Europe, Australia, North America or anywhere else? Write to us at travel@www.rediff.co.in.

Anchor Holidays in Bombay offers holiday packages for a variety of places at Rs 6,999 down payment per person.

For a payment once of Rs 6,999, it is possible to have a two night, three day holiday once a year in three star hotels for the next 30 years, at any of the places described below:

• Goa: Goa is known for its white sand beaches, lush green fields and the delightful joi de vivre of its people. Some of the must see beaches are Colva, Baga, Calangute and Vagator.
• Kovalam: Kovalam is Kerala's most developed beach resort and an ideal destination for plenty of sun, sea and sand and amazingly beautiful sunsets.
• Kanyakumari: Kanyakumari is considered to be one of India's holiest towns. The Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea flow together at this point. Since the sand that is washed up on the Kanyakumari beaches is being deposited from three different directions it varies in colour and the effect is extremely picturesque.
• Daman and Diu: Daman and Diu once upon a time were Portuguese territories till the Government of India acquired them in 1961. Daman is situated at the mouth of the estuary of the Daman Ganga River and remains green through out the year. Diu was once protected by a fort in the east and there are many faded Portuguese mansions worth seeing.
• Andaman and Nicobar: These islands have wonderful tropical foliage and are thickly wooded with evergreen rain forests. The Andamans has some of the most beautiful pristine white sand beaches in Asia.
• Shimla: Shimla, once a rather popular British hill station, is strung out on a crescent shaped ridge and which connects a number of hilltops.
• Kullu Manali: The Beas river winds through Kullu valley. Kullu is apple country and the area is dotted with orchards and wooden temples. The town is famous too for its folk dance and music. Manali has a host of Raj-style buildings. The town still retains its traditional old houses with wooden balconies.
• Ooty: Ooty is known as the Queen of the Blue Mountains and is famous for its rolling hills covered with pine and eucalyptus forests. Ooty has a cool climate and peaceful green hills and forest.
• Mussoorie: Like Shimla, Mussoorie too is spread along a horseshoe shaped ridge. The Kempty Falls and the Happy Valley are worth a visit.
• Mahabaleshwar: Mahabaleshwar is a popular hill station not very far from Bombay and is pleasantly cool and relaxed. The main attraction of the town is the network of well-marked hiking trails that meander through woods, past waterfalls and to look out points from where one can peer down into the valleys.
• Udaipur: One of India's most atmospheric and picturesque places. The winding roads, the white washed houses and shimmering lakes make Udaipur one of the most romantic towns of India.
• Jaipur: Known as the Pink City, Jaipur is a showcase for Rajasthani architecture. The town boasts a glorious assortment of palaces and temples. The City Palace and Nahagarh Fort is worth a visit seeing.
• Agra: Agra was once referred to as 'the cross-roads of the world'. It lies on the west bank of the river Yamuna. Its monuments give one a deep insight into the Moghul era and the Taj Mahal is a testimony of the splendour of that age.
• Hyderabad: Hyderabad is a melting pot of Muslim and Hindu cultures. One of the city's most important sights is the Charminar. On the outskirts of Hyderabad is the Golconda Fort where the Kohinoor diamond was found.
• Mysore: Mysore is a centre for sandalwood carvings and incense production. It is an old fashioned town, one of South India's most charming, with wide streets dominated by the spectacular Maharaja's Fort.
• Ranthambor: Rathambore is a verdant stretch of bush land in Rajasthan. Several perennial rivers run through the national park and therefore the park remains very green. The lakes are alive with crocodiles and attract a large variety of water birds.
• Bharatpur: Bharatpur is a stone's throw away from the border of Uttar Pradesh. The town is rather fascinating and it is best to explore its traditional markets , mosques and mandirs by bike or on foot. Bharatpur has a sprawling fort encircled by a moat.
• Periyar: Periyar is one of India's largest and most visited wildlife reserves. One can see plenty of elephants, deer, wild pig, eagles and over 250 species of birds at Periyar. The reserve also has forest tree houses that one can stay in.
• Jim Corbett National Park: The park is situated just north-east of Delhi and is a vast expanse of wilderness spread over the foothills of Kumaun. It is sheltered by a buffer zone of mixed deciduous and giant sal forests which provide cover for the wildlife.

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 sear 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/ 2024627.
The information counter at Dadar, near Pritam School, phone: 022-4143200.
The information counter at Gateway of India, Bombay, phone: 022-2841877.

Cougar Resorts and Travels, Bombay offers a six day tour package for Bangalore-Mysore-Ooty.

The package is priced at Rs 6,999 per person for a pair, Rs 5,444 per person for a group of three, Rs 4,999 per person for a group of four and Rs 4,444 for a group of five

The package includes airport transfers, accommodation, meals, taxes and sightseeing by an air-conditioned car.

• Day 1: Arrive in Bangalore. A day spent sightseeing by car and will include visits to Tipu Sultan's Palace, Bull Temple, Lalbagh, Ulsoor Lake, Cubban Park, Vidhan Soudha and the Government Museum. Overnight stay at Nahar's Heritage Hotel.
• Day 2: Depart for Mysore in the morning. Several interesting side trips will be done on the way and will include stopovers at Channapatnam toy centre, Tipu Sultan's historic capital city Srirangapatnam, Fort Gumbaz and riverside Ranganathitu bird sanctuary on the way. Arrive in Mysore by late afternoon A visit to the illuminated Brindavan Gardens and Krishnaraj Dam. Overnight stay at Siddartha Hotel.
• Day 3: The morning will be spent looking around Mysore and will include visits to St Philomina's Church, Chamundi Hills, the Mysore zoo, the Maharaja's palace and the art gallery. Depart in the evening for Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary and overnight stay at Forest Hills guest house there.
• Day 4: The morning will begin with elephant ride in the forest. Depart later in the day for Ooty via Pykara Dam. The evening is free. Overnight stay at Nahar Nilgiris.
• Day 5: The day spent sightseeing and will include a visit to the lake, the botanical gardens, Coonoor tea gardens, Sim's Park and Dolphin's Nose lookout point. The evening is free.
• Day 6: Depart for Bangalore via Mysore.

For bookings and more information contact:
Cougar Resorts and Travels, 5 Menty House, near General Post Office, 43, Walchand Hirachand Marg, Bombay, phone: 022-2654804/ 2653494.

Raj World Tours offers a tour package for Thailand priced at Rs 15,900 plus US $ 320 per person.

The six night, seven day tour leaves from Bombay every Saturday. The first four days will be spent in Bangkok and the next two days in Pattaya. The package includes accommodation at four and five star hotels, meals and transportation.

For reservations and more information contact:
Raj World Tours, Chowpatty View, S V P Road, Chowpatty, Bombay, phone: 022-3645006/ 3645005.
Or in New Delhi 409, 4th floor, 30/31 Raja House, Nehru Place, New Delhi, phone: 011-6468008/ 64680030.

Himalayan Holidays offers two types of tour packages to Nepal upto September 30.

The eight day package is priced at Rs 28,150 for an adult and Rs 13,400 for a child over two under 12.

The itinerary:

• Day 1: Fly from Bombay to Kathmandu. An overnight stay at Hotel Taj Del' Annapurna.
• Day 2: A sightseeing trip to Pashupatinath Temple in the morning and a sightseeing trip to the city of Kathmandu and Swayambhunath Stupa.
• Day 3: A river rafting trip. An overnight stay in tents on the banks of the Trisuli river; meals included.
• Day 4 and 5: A trip to the Chitwan National Park with an overnight stay at Gaida Wildlife Lodge; meals included.
• Day 6: The return journey will be by flight. Transfer to Bharatpur Airport to fly to Kathmandu. A drive to Nagarkot. An overnight stay at Hotel Club Himalaya.
• Day 7: Return to Kathmandu. A day free for shopping. An overnight stay at Hotel Taj Del' Annapurna.
• Fly from Kathmandu to Bombay.

The package includes economy class airfares, breakfast (but not lunch and dinner) at the Hotel Taj Del' Annapurna, meals at the other hotels except at the Hotel Club Himalaya, rafting equipment, guides, elephant safaris, jungle landrover excursions, entrance fees, taxes, transportation.

The package does not include airport taxes of Rs 150 at Bombay and Rs 375 at Kathmandu, a river rafting permit of Rs 150 per person, lunch and dinner at Kathmandu and meals at Nagarkot. Bookings have to be made at least three weeks in advance. There will be a 100 per cent cancellation charges applicable on bookings cancelled 15 days or less prior to departure. Kindly check with the tour operator for exact details of penalty charges in the event of cancellation.

Himalayan Holidays also offers an 11 day tour package to Nepal upto September 30.

The package is priced at Rs 44,550 for an adult and Rs 20,700 for a child over two and under 12.

The itinerary:

• Day 1: Fly from Bombay to Kathmandu. An overnight stay at Hotel Soaltee Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza.
• Day 2: A sightseeing trip to Pashupatinath Temple in the morning and a sightseeing trip to the city of Kathmandu and Swayambhunath Stupa. An overnight stay at the Hotel Soaltee Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza.
• Day 3: A river rafting trip. An overnight stay in tents on the banks of the Trisuli river; meals are included.
• Day 4: A trip to the Chitwan National Park with an overnight stay at the Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge; meals included.
• Day 5: An overnight stay at the Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge.
• Day 6: An overnight stay at the Gaida Lodge; meals included.
• Day 7: Drive from Bharatpur to Pokhara. Overnight at Hotel Fishtail Lodge; meals not included.
• Day 8: An overnight stay at the Hotel Fishtail Lodge.
• Day 9: Fly to Kathmandu and drive to Nagarkot. An overnight stay at Hotel Club Himalaya; meals not included.
• Day 10: Return to Kathmandu. Day free for shopping etc. An overnight stay at Hotel Soaltee Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza.
• Day 11: Fly from Kathmandu to Bombay.

The package includes economy class airfares, breakfast (but not lunch and dinner) at the Hotel Soaltee Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, meals at the other hotels except at the Hotel Club Himalaya and The Fishtail Lodge, rafting equipment, guides, elephant safaris, jungle landrover excursions, entrance fees, taxes, all transportation.

Tourists will have to bear the airport taxes of Rs 150 at Bombay and Rs 375 at Kathmandu, the river rafting permit of Rs 150 per person, Lunch and dinner at Kathmandu and meals at Nagarkot. Bookings have to be made at least three weeks in advance, there will be a 100 per cent cancellation charges applicable on bookings cancelled 15 days or less prior to departure. Kindly check with the tour operator for exact details of penalty charges in the event of cancellation.

For reservations and more information contact:
In Bombay, Himalayan Holidays, 2nd floor, F-8 Oberoi Shopping Arcade, Nariman Point, phone: 022-2836301/ 2024343/ extension: 6716.

For more information on these resorts in Nepal click here.

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 2,650 for an adult and Rs 2350 for a child. The tour visits Rudraprayag, Syalsaur, Gaurikund, Kedarnath, Sonprayag, Pipalloti, Badrinath, and Joshimath.

• The New Delhi-Kedarnath-Badrinath tour is a seven day tour by coach departing from New Delhi railway station daily except on Monday at 0700 hours. It is priced at Rs 3,250 for an adult and Rs 2,750 for a child. The tour visits Rishikesh, Sonprayag, Gaurikund, Kedarnath, Gaurikund, Rudraprayag, Badrinath, Joshimath and Chilla.

• 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 4,350 for an adult and Rs 3,850 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 4,350 for an adult and Rs 3,850 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 13 day tour by coach departing every Monday from New Delhi railway station at 0700 hours. It is priced at Rs 5,050 for an adult and Rs 4,350 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 6,350 for an adult and Rs 5,650 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 1,750 for an adult and Rs 1,550 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 2,850 for an adult and Rs 2,450 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 4,750 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 5,650 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 7,550 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 9,450 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 2950 for an adult and Rs 2,650 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 4,550 for an adult and Rs 3,950 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.

Taj Tours offers a European tour package up to October 17.

• The package is priced at US $1600 per person, for a tour of 16 days and takes you to London, Amsterdam, Germany, Florence, Venice, Rome, Pisa, Nice, Cannes, Geneva and Paris.
• A large part of the tour is by luxury coach. However a leg of the journey -- the Chunnel crossings -- will be by Le Shuttle.
• The highlights of the tour include:
  • A visit to a typical Madurodam village to experience a bit of Holland.
  • A trip to the old Gothic cathedral of Cologne and a cruise down the Rhine. For more information on Cologne and this cathedral and Rhine cruises click here.
  • An extended tour of one of Europe's postage-size states -- Vatican City.
  • A journey to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Square of Miracles.
  • A chakkar of the French Riviera, one of the most expensive beach belts in the world and the playground of the rich.
  • A ride up the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
  • A tour of the UN Buildings in Geneva and a visit to one of the world's most famous fountain, the Jet d'Fau of Lake Geneva.
• The package includes accommodation in first class hotels, vegetarian breakfasts and dinner, sightseeing, transportation during the tour, entrance tickets for sightseeing excursions, assistance of a bilingual guide.

For reservations and more information contact:
Taj Tours, 87 Ealing Road, Webley, Meddex, HAO 4PY, UK, phone: 0181-9001986.
Globalvision, G-7, Tideways, St John Baptist Road, Bandra, phone: 022-6429302/ 6442632/ 6457485/ 6457486.

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

• The Saurashtra Darshan tour is a five day tour covering Rajkot, Jamnagar, Dwarka, Porbandar, Somnath, Sasan Gir, Veraval, Junagadh, Virpur, Palitana and Shatrunjaya hills.
• The tour leaves every Friday at 0630 hours from Ahmedabad and returns the following Tuesday at 0930 hours.
• The tour is priced at Rs 1,200 per person for dormitory accommodation and Rs 1,500 per person for a double room.
• The tariff includes transportation, accommodation and the fees charged by the guide.
• The same tariff is charged for foreign passport holders.

• The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited also offers a five day package tour of North Gujarat and Rajasthan.
• The tour covers Shamlaji, Udaipur, Chithodgadh, Nathdwara, Charbhuja, Haldighati, Ranakpur, Mount Abu, Ambaji, Khumbharia, Modhera and Bachucharaji.
• The tour is priced at Rs 1,600 per person and includes accommodation, transportation, and the fees charged by the guide.
• The tour leaves every second and fourth Saturday of the month at 0600 hours from Ahmedabad and returns at 0900 hours the following Wednesday.
• The same tariff is charged for foreign passport holders.
• Accommodation for both packages is provided by the Gujarat Tourism at their Toran Group of Hotels, modest, basic hotels, where rooms will be shared by three or four members of the tour group at a time. However for those travelling alone arrangements can be made to accommodate them in a double room of their own.

Cox and Kings offers a package tour to Australia for 10 nights and 11 days.

The package tour is priced at US $1199 but does not include air fare. The itinerary includes trips to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Low Isles, and the Great Barrier Reef.

The price is inclusive of meals and accommodation.

Cox and Kings also offers payments in installments and these finance options will be made available by Standard Chartered Bank. For details click here.

For reservations contact Cox and Kings:

• In Bombay at ANZ Grindlays Bank building, 270/272, Dr D N Road, Fort, phone: 022-2074471/ 2074472/ 2074473/ 2074475.
  
• In Ahmedabad at 079-6577991/ 6577992.
  
• In New Delhi at 011-3736031/ 3320067.
  
• In Bangalore at 080-2242350 /2239192.
  
• In Madras at 044-8523361/ 8552447.
  
• In Calcutta at 033-2801920.

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.

Cox and Kings has launched its worldwide holidays. All Cox and Kings customers can avail of first class, centrally located hotels and high deck, air conditioned coaches.