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Vijay Chadda
Chief Operating Officer, BTI-Sita, India answers your queries...

1. Does Indian Railways have any special ticket or package by which one can tour all over India. What is the duration over which the ticket will be valid? Which destinations does it cover? How much does it cost?

x Farzan Brahmi, Mumbai

To explore the splendour of multi-faceted India, Indrail Passes provide excellent value and enhances the charm of holidays from abroad. Indrail Passes offer visitors on a budget, the facility of travel, as they like, over the entire Indian Railways system, without any route restriction within the period of validity of the ticket. These passes can only be purchased by foreign nationals and NRIs in foreign currency.

However, the Indian Railways do not have passes for Indian nationals living in India.

2. Is it true that the airfare to Bangkok from Kolkata is cheaper than airfares between certain routes within India? What is the difference between a Mumbai-Bangkok and a Kolkata-Bangkok airfare?

x Madhu Naik, Mumbai

The geographic location of Kolkata is closer to Bangkok, hence due to lesser flying time the fares from Kolkata to Bangkok are usually cheaper as compared to Mumbai or Delhi. At present the return fare from Kolkata to Bangkok (economy class) is Rs13,655 + taxes while the same from Mumbai is Rs18,965 + taxes.

3. I wish to trek my way into Tibet. How do I get the formalities cleared and is there an easy route from India? Are guides allowed to accompany me? What would be the cost of such an expedition?

x Bharat Kumar, Allahabad

The best route to travel to Tibet is through Nepal. There are various expeditions from Kathmandu that cover Tibet and are always accompanied by guides who are experts on these routes. As regards the costing, this would depend on how long do you plan to trek. Ideally three to four days should suffice an average trekking enthusiast. The cost generally covers camping cost, food cost, trekking gear cost and the guide charges.

4. I wish to go to Madgascar to study a certain species of crocodiles. How do I go about getting a multiple entry visa, assuming that I want to go to the neighbouring countries as well?

x Bharat Singh, Mumbai

The Madagascar tourist or business visa is usually valid for six months from date issued, for a stay not to exceed 30 days. The requirements for the tourist visa are your valid passport, application form, one passport size photograph and a copy of the round trip airline tickets and/or a letter of confirmation from your Travel Agent.

For more information on multiple entry visa to Madagascar, you may contact Madagascar Consulate at Ismail Building, Mumbai - 400 001. Their telephone numbers are (022) 22046735/22852512

5. Where do I get my yellow fever vaccine done from? Is there a private company which does this or do I compulsorily have to go to the airport to do it?

x Mona Chaturvedi, Delhi

Listed below are the Yellow Fever vaccination centers in Delhi-

• Health Organization at Palam Airport
• Public Health Laboratory at Municipal Corporation Town Hall, Alipur Road
• RML Hospital Room Number 11 & 12, Near GPO
• International Inoculation Centre at Mandir Marg

The fees for this vaccination is Rs 150.