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Vijay Chadda Chief Operating Officer, BTI-Sita, India

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1. What are the kinds of accommodation provided in overnight desert safaris? What are the options for such a safari in the Thar desert?

• Prakash Surve, Pune

There are various types of accommodation available for overnight desert safari ranging from hotels, Desert Camps and tents to suit your individual requirement. Desert Camps are recommended for the Thar Desert to experience the unique atmosphere, beauty and total silence of the desert.

2. Are there tours specifically catering towards adventure tourism? What are the kind of attractions that such a tour would offer in India? What would be the minimum budget needed for such a tour?

• Ameeta Ghosh, Kolkata

There are scores of tours available in India specifically catering to adventure tourism in India. They offer a variety of attractions in India like trekking, wildlife, river rafting, mountain jeep safaris, camel & elephant safaris in deserts. The budget depends upon the type of adventure sport you are interested in and the number of days of the tour. You may like to get in touch with your nearest office of Wanderlust Tours or Eco Adventures.

3. Which are places offering skiing in India? In which months can one do this activity? Are there beginner’s courses for first-time tourists like me? Would travel agencies undertake such a 'ski-tour'?

• Roger Dias, Mumbai

The valley of Kashmir and the State of Himachal Pradesh offer many skiing opportunities in India. Gulmarg, Manali, Kufri, Narkanda and Auli are famous for such activities during the months from January to March. There are beginner courses in skiing available at all these destinations. While there are no specific tours for this, you may like to customize a trip to these places through any travel agency. You can get in touch with your nearest ‘SITA Holidays in India’ office for further details.

4. Is there any cruise liner which does a circuit of the Indian ocean islands. Which would be the countries it covers? What would be the approximate cost?

• Priya Punjabi, Mumbai

Cruise liners like the Indian Ocean Cruise Line operate a 21-day cruise starting from Athens to Mumbai covering exotic locations like Kusadasi, Ashdod, Port Said, Suez Canal, Sharm-el-Sheikh, Aquaba, Safaga, Djiboti, Salalah, Dubai and Muscat. The same company also has a dedicated luxury cruise liner, 'Ocean Majesty' starting from Mumbai to Chennai covering Goa, Kochi and Lakshadweep islands. Internationally, it will cruise to Colombo, Maldives, Penang and Phuket.

The prices range from Rs 40,000 for a couple for four nights to Rs 85,000 for seven nights.

Another cruise liner, 'The M S Royal Star' also does a circuit of the Indian Ocean islands. You may like to visit their website www.msroyalstar.com for more information

5. I wish to go to the Maldives. However, one only hears about ultra plush exorbitantly priced resorts when it comes to accommodation there. Is there any alternative budget accommodation option in Maldives? Approximately, how much would a one-week trip entail?

• Francis Patrose, Delhi

There are plenty of options available in Maldives for a budget accommodation. You have tariffs ranging from US$ 46 per day to US$ 90 per day. You may like to visit your nearest travel agent or tour operator who would be able to offer you much cheaper options as well.