HotDeals

NZ On Drive

Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand along with various travel partners across eight cities in the country have launched a variety of self-drive holiday packages for just Rs. 95,000 per person. The 10 day self-drive package, an exclusive offering for Indian tourists, includes international airfares, accommodation, sightseeing and daily breakfast. Indian driving license is recognised in New Zealand and one does not need an International Driving Permit. Spectacular mountains, active volcanoes, deep fjords and rugged coastlines, picturesque lakes, streams and beaches, bubbling mud pools and geysers, unique Maori culture and warm hospitality; makes New Zealand a perfect destination for self-drive vacations. For more details log on to www.newzealand.com/travel/travel deals in India.

Jai Gange!

Take a joy ride to heaven and back on the Ganga with the adrenaline pumping rafting packages from Mercury Himalayan Explorations (MHE). The five days/four nights package priced at Rs. 4,250 per person includes accommodation in Swiss deluxe tents on twin sharing basis, all meals, equipment/rafting gear, instructors and guides etc. Daily departures till April with four days of rafting over grade III and IV rapids. The price excludes transportation to camp at Shivpuri near Rishikesh and expenses of personal nature. For details tel: (011) 23340033, 23346209; website: www.himalayanadventure.com

Vietnam Vibes

Visit this small fascinating country on a seven day (fixed date) package tour from The Wanderers. The package priced at US$ 660 per person on twin share and valid till October 31, 2005 covers the major tourist attractions of Vietnam including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), the spectacular world heritage region of Halong Bay, Hue, Danang and Hoi An. Accommodation with meals, transfers and sightseeing with English speaking local guide, domestic air tickets Hanoi to Danang and from Hue to Ho Chi Minh, domestic airport taxes in Vietnam, entrance fees and boat fees, water puppet show, service charges, room tax and baggage handling etc. are included in the package.

For more details tel: (022) 55023377/1870/1871/1872; fax: (022) 55021873; email: thewanderers@vsnl.com;
website: www.indianwanderers.com

Ultimate Jeep Safari

Discover the wonders of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh with the 13 days Jeep Safari package from The Wanderers. The package priced at Rs. 2,500 per person (group of four) includes accommodation on twin sharing basis, all meals, transportation by Tata Sumo/Bolero, sightseeing with English speaking guide, inner line permits and all applicable taxes. The trip covers Guwahati, Tezpur, visit to tribal village in Ziro, Daporizo, Along, Pasighat, Dibrugarh, Kaziranga with elephant safari, Bomdila, Tawant via the beautiful Dirang Valley and Sela Pass, Tawang and Bhalukpong.

For details tel: (022) 55023377/ 55021870-72/ 26513070/3084, fax: (022) 55021873; website: www.indianwanderers.com

Ranthambore Rendezvous

Get on the tiger trail at Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan with the two nights/three days and three nights/four days Wild Getaway packages from Indian Adventures Wildlife Resorts. Priced at Rs. 4,425 (two nights/three days) and Rs. 6,250 (three nights/four days) per person on twin sharing basis, the package valid till April 30, 2005 includes all meals, accommodation at Tiger Moon Resort, two park safaris, barbeque dinner, nature walks, visit to Ranthambore fort and historical sites.

For details, tel: (022) 26408742, 26428244, 26433622; fax: (022) 26458401; email: iawr@vsnl.com; website: www.indianadventures.com.

Kenya Safari

Saahas.com, a Pune based adventure outfit is offering a value for money deal for an unforgettable wildlife experience in Kenya. The deluxe package priced at Rs. 77,000 for ten days includes night viewing of wildlife in The Ark and a stay at Mt Kenya Safari Club and covers Masai Mara, Samburu and Nakuru National Parks. The economy package for eight days priced at Rs. 63,000 covers Amboseli, Nakuru and Masai Mara National Park. The packages also include accommodation in luxurious three and four star game lodges, all meals etc. The group size for the trip is eight person or multiples of eight with departures on any Monday, Tuesday or Thursday in May 2005 as per the choice of the group. For details tel: (020) 25673636; telefax: (020) 25673773; email: info@saahas.com; website: www.saahas.com

Jungle Experience

Jungle Lodges and Resorts offers a lush slice of paradise at their Kabini River Lodge, Karapur. Located on the southern fringes of Nagarhole National Park, the resort, hunting lodge of the erstwhile Maharajah of Mysore, is a perfect getaway with the convergence of spectacular wildlife and bird life on the banks of River Kabini. Tariff at the resort is Rs. 2,500 per person per night on twin sharing basis and includes stay, all meals, jeep safari into Nagarhole National Park, forest entry fees, camera fees, coracle ride, elephant rides etc. For details tel: (080) 25597021, 25597024, 25597025; fax: (080) 25586163; email: reservation@junglelodges.com, info@junglelodges.com; website: www.junglelodges.com.

Scenic South Africa

The 8n/9d Scenic South Africa Package of Christopher Columbus Holidays from SOTC priced at US$ 1,069 (twin sharing-First Class), US$ 1,359 (twin sharing-Superior), US$ 1,679 (twin sharing-Deluxe) covers Cape Town, Outdshoorn with visit to Ostrich farm, Cheetah Camp and Congo Caves, Knysa with John Benn cruise, Johannesburg with Gold Reef tour and Sun City etc. The package includes accommodation at hotels of your choice with American Breakfast and all transportation on seat in coach basis. For more details contact on Tel no: 022 22840666, 22840667, 22833155; Fax: 022 22831553; email: fitccgrs@kuoniindia.com, Website: www.christophercolumbusholidays.com

Europe Special

The 18n/19d grand package tour of Europe covering UK, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Switzerland and Italy of Christopher Columbus Holidays from SOTC offers a comprehensive European experience. Priced at Rs.. 29,990 plus US$ 2,499 the package includes economy class airfare, accommodation at standard central hotels with Continental breakfast, inter-city travel by train in first class, hop on hop off city tour of London, Amsterdam and Rome, Eurostar High Speed train from London to Brussels, Schilthorn from Interlaken, Mt. Titilis from Lucerne etc. For more details contact on Tel no: 022 22840666, 22840667, 22833155; Fax: 022 22831553; email: fitccgrs@kuoniindia.com, Website: www.christophercolumbusholidays.com

Mesmerising Mauritius

Overlooking the turquoise waters of Tamarin Bay, Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, offers a four nights package to experience the enchanting beauty of Mauritius. Priced at 2,600 Euros (double room) the package valid April 30, 2005 includes accommodation in luxury villa with private pool, airport transfers, breakfast and current taxes. For more details contact on Tel no: 022 55011825; Fax: 022 55021825; email: trn@tajhotels.com; Website: www.tajhotels.com

Tiger Trail

Get a glimpse of wildlife with Tiger Trails at their estate in Tadoba Tiger Reserve.

For the basic rate of Rs. 2,500 per person per day, you get A/c transport from Nagpur airport/railway station, to camp and back, unlimited drives inside the park, accommodation and full meals (bed tea, breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner), night barbecue, camp fire, night machan sit-outs, etc. Don't be surprised if you hear a tiger call or the frantic alarms of the Cheetal deer on sensing a leopard at the pond. Minimum guest charge is for four persons, and they accommodate a maximum of 12 persons. The recommended duration is for three nights. For details tel: 0712 3125335; mobile: 9823012707, 9822693233; email: amrutd_ngp@sancharnet.in or log on to www.tigertrailsindia.com.

Rejuvenation Offer

Taj Garden Retreat Kumarokam offers a luxuriously back to nature holiday in God's Own Country. The two nights package priced at Rs.. 20,000 (double room) for Cottage Lagoon View and three nights package priced at Rs. 35,000 (double room) for Cottage Lagoon View valid till April 30, 2005 includes pick up and drop from Kottayam station, all meals, half day sightseeing to Kottayam or half hour speed boat ride on the lake or one and half hour backwater cruise in motor launch, one hour sunset cruise on Lake Vemband, one dinner cruise along the backwaters, two Dincharya treatments per person per stay, daily yoga sessions etc. For more details contact on Tel no: 022 55011825; Fax: 022 55021825; email: trn@tajhotels.com; Website: www.tajhotels.com