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1. We are planning to visit Kerala in first half of October and would like to cover the backwaters and Munnar in the span of three days. We plan to fly from Hyderabad to Kochi. Is this possible and how much would it cost?

Orit Stephan Ekka, Hyderabad

The minimum recommended time for this itinerary is 05 nights / 06 days starting from Trivandrum, covering a houseboat cruise in the Alleppy region, Munnar Hills and finishing the tour at Kochi. The cost for the tour will work out to be approx. INR 20,000 per couple without airfare.

2. I would like to travel to Mauritius in Feb next year along with my spouse and would like to know logistics like: travel expense from Bangalore; cost for three day stay at a mid-level hotel?

G. Raghavendra Rao, Bangalore

Currently, Air Mauritius operates ex Delhi, Chennai or Mumbai to Mauritius. There are different fare levels but the lowest fare from Chennai is approx INR 19100 plus taxes. A 04 nights/05 days package based on minimum three star category hotel will cost approx. USD 300 per person inclusive of accommodation with daily breakfast and dinner, return airport transfers on seat in coach basis and 03 day sight-seeing on seat in coach basis.

3. Can one reach Andaman Islands by ship and what would be the travel time and cost? Are there any budget accommodations in Andamans and what would be the tariff per night in December? Would it be cheaper to make arrangements on your own for a seven-day trip or would it be better to book through a tour operator?

Sunita Menon, Mumbai

Regular passenger ship services are available to Port Blair only from Chennai, Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam. The voyage takes about 50 to 60 hours and the ship berths at Port Blair. The cost ranges from INR 550 per berth per night - INR 3300 per night per berth approx. depending upon the berth category. Budget category hotels cost approx. INR 750 per double occupancy per night on room only basis (these tariffs' are applicable till further notice). There are no specific pre-designed tour packages for Andaman, however, there are private tour operators who can organise sightseeing and boat services for you. For specialist tour operators, please refer to website www.and.nic.in

4. Are there any package tours for Kutch region and how much would a 6n/7d package cost?

Umesh Naidu, Chennai

Kutch is a dry belt with Great Rann to the north and Little Rann to the east. The main attractions in this region are Anjal-Wild Ass Sanctuary, Gandhidham, Bhadreshwar (Jain pilgrimage centre), Kera (10th century Shiv temple), Purneshwar, Mandavi Palace offers a 02 nights / 03 days package for approx. INR 10000 per couple inclusive of luxury tented accommodation with breakfast and dinners, visit to Mandavi Palace and access to beach.(extra night will cost approx. 3500 per double per night inclusive of breakfast).

5. I am scheduled to go to Paris on a week long business trip early next year and would like to explore the French Rivera. Since I would be travelling at my own cost can you suggest the must visit destinations in the region and how they can be visited on a shoe-string budget?

Harpreet Singh, Delhi

The must visit destinations in the French Riviera are Nice (famous for beaches), Monte Carlo (Casino), Cannes (best known for the International film festival held) and Grasse' (where the French perfume factories are located ). France is an expensive destination and the best way to cover the area is by rail. Incase you know the exact dates of travel and the sector of travel then it is recommended that you purchase point to point sector tickets or else rail passes.