The best places for skiing in India

With the increasing popularity of winter sports, there are plenty of destinations offering skiing in India, along with snow boarding and trekking. Come winter and the picturesque Himalayas turn into a white wonderland. Carpeted in layers of fresh snow, they have some of the highest ski slopes in the world. Equipped with good accommodation, training centres and instructors, these ski towns in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand Kashmir are ideal for an adventurous getaway. From the magnificent high-altitude snowy landscapes of Gulmarg to the more gentle slopes around Narkanda and Solang Valley, there are a range of options to choose from.

Kufri

If you're visiting Kufri during the winter, it's the best time for a spot of skiing. For beginners, there are several gentle slopes to ease into things, while the pros can flaunt their skills down the slope from Mahasu. The government offers a number of ski courses ranging from a day to several days—ski equipment is available for hire as well—where experienced instructors teach you the ropes. A relatively new winter sport, tobogganing has recently gained popularity in Kufri, and is a favourite with tourists who want to enjoy sliding down the slopes without too much skill.

Solang Valley

Around 13 kilometres away from Manali, this pretty valley is a popular spot for adventure sports, especially skiing. Situated between Solang village and Beas Kund, it offers panoramic views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains and glaciers. In summer, it has facilities for paragliding, zorbing, mountain biking and horse riding. In winter, especially between January and March, it is used for skiing, snowboarding and sledging. It also hosts a winter skiing festival. The Directorate of Mountaineering & Allied Sports in Manali also organises basic, advance and intermediate level courses in skiing. For the less-adventurous, there are also plenty of walking trails all around.

Gulmarg

If you're looking for a destination which is as breathtakingly beautiful as it is adventurous, then look no further than Kashmir. The Kashmir valley is considered heaven on earth, and when it's blanketed in snow, it exudes a charm few other places do. The tiny and isolated hill village of Gulmarg is situated at the western extremity of the Himalayas in a subsidiary range called the Pir Panjals. Lying about 50 kilometres from Srinagar, it can be easily accessed by tourist buses, taxis and even by air. Owing to its location, Gulmarg gets some of the heaviest snowfalls in the Himalayas and has earned the distinction of being the best ski resort in the country. So once you've feasted your eyes on all the beauty, immerse yourself in some activity by hitting the slopes. Catering to both beginners and pros, skiing here can be one of the most powerful experiences. For the more mild adventure enthusiasts, there's the option of sledging, cable-car rides and snowboarding. Ski season starts mid December and lasts till the beginning of April. As for accommodation, there are various options. From state-owned huts and cottages, and beautifully appointed mid-range hotels for luxury accommodation there's something to suit every budget. Crossworld Holiadys also help you in Hotel Booking for Gulmarg.

In addition, Gulmarg offers several other sites of interest for tourists. It has the highest golf course in the world, the frozen Alpine lake of Alpather, the Baba Reshi shrine and the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserves.

Auli

A twelve-hour-long drive from Delhi, Auli is the closer and more affordable alternative to skiing in Gulmarg. Plan your trip between December and March, to catch the snow, and get in some ski time. For beginners looking to get a crash course, the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) offers several programmes, and also rents out all the necessary gear and equipment. There’s a 500-metre-mong ski-lift between the upper and lower slopes, and a superb, 20-km-long slope which is a treat for veterans. The days are usually nice and sunny, but the evenings get chilly, so pack heavy, and don’t forget to slather on a strong sunblock.

Narkanda

Perched at a height of 2708 m on NH-22, Narkanda is famous for its apple orchards as well as its skiing. The best season for skiing is between January and mid-March, when Narkanda is carpeted with thick snowfall. Situated only 65 km from Shimla, it is a quick and convenient winter getaway from Delhi and a popular skiing hotspot. The slopes around the hill station offer beautiful views of snow-covered forests and mountains. The main skiing area is in Dhumri, whose gentle slopes are ideal for beginners. Most hotels run by HPTDC along with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports offers courses in skiing with qualified instructors, along with rental equipment.

10 Reasons Travelers Still Need a Travel Agent

In the age of technology, booking trips online is an easy choice for travelers. And yet ​Travel Agents in Mumbai offer various International and Domestic Package deals. ​

Here are 10 reasons that why people prefer travel agents for traveling abroad or domestic.

Accountability
A travel agent’s job is on the line with every trip. Travel agents have a boss to answer to—or they are the boss—and they are a real person clients can speak with to work things out.

Knowledge
Travel agents have been doing the job for years and know all the ins and outs. Traveling to Europe for the first time? Instead of deciding where to go based on anonymous comments on a website, speak to someone who does this for a living and knows what they’re talking about.

More for your money
When booking an expensive trip, travelers want to see everything and experience the best a city has to offer. A travel agent can ensure travelers dollars go a long way—and make sure they don’t miss that amazing restaurant down the street, or the special event going on the day their in town. A travel agent knows where to go and when.

Setting an Itinerary
While some people enjoy “just winging it,” a travel agent can give a clear-cut schedule of what will be happening on a day-to-day basis, and keep clear records of everything that is included in the trip.

Budgeting
A travel agent can help map out exactly how much a trip will cost, so there are no surprises. Does that excursion on Monday include lunch, for example, or do you have to buy your own? Does it pay to take the drinks package on the cruise ship, or pay for the excursions in advance? A travel agent can guide you and save you money.

Insurance
Things happen. A travel agent can offer insurance in a number of ways, from guaranteeing that the hotel is safe and the company running the excursion won’t rob a traveler, to actually advising on which insurance policies are needed, from trip cancellation to medical emergencies. They also insure that travelers will have the correct travel documents, so they don’t end up missing their plane or cruise. And when things do go wrong, travel agents have the resources and the contacts to get travelers to the head of the line.

Resources
At the touch of travel agents’ fingertips they have resources a traveler simply does not. Yes, we have the internet, but there is so much still left unknown, especially in places that are undiscovered.

Exclusivity
Let’s face it, we all want to be a little bit different. A travel agent knows the new destinations and the new places in them —and often they can get their client in. Through their partners, they also often get freebies for their customers that range from a free drink to an exclusive admission to a hot event.

Time savings
Spending hours and weeks researching the perfect trip can take up a ton of time during a busy work week. A travel agent will spend a little time getting to know their client and what their are looking for, and then put together an entire vacation customized for them.

Leverage
Can’t book a room at a place you really want? Had a last minute addition to a trip but all the rooms are booked? No problem. Travel agents spend years developing long-term relationships, and travel companies understand how important their repeat business is. Travel agents have leverage with most hotel companies and resorts, and they are more likely to get what they want than a single consumer.

In short, if you have never visited a travel agent, you are missing out on a chance to save time and hassles and aggravation - and often, money as well.

Source- travelmarketreport.com 

Your Indian Passport Will Be Declared Invalid On November 24th 2015, If It Is Handwritten

If you are old school and love your hand written that little blue book, this news may come as a shocker for you. Handwritten Indian Passports will Be Declared Invalid on November 24th.

So your handwritten passport won’t take you on a foreign holiday. Neither can you fly out if it has a 20-year validity.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) which India is part of has decided to do away with non-machine readable (handwritten) passports globally.

Visa will not be issued by countries under the ICAO to persons holding passports that are handwritten or valid for 20 years. The rule will be implemented from November 25, 2015 globally.

In Indian those handwritten passports were issued before 2001, and are still in practice.

Indian citizens residing in India and abroad and holding such passports with validity beyond November 24, 2015 should apply for the reissue of their passports well before deadline.

Bengaluru passport office became one of the top offices to receive many quarries regarding this, media reports say.

Please be informed about this rule and make the changes in your passport getting a new one to avoid last minute glitches in your travel plan and spread the word across.

Source- thelogicalindian.com

Assam’s largest wetland to be promoted as tourist destination

Durba Ghosh  Anandapur (Assam), Nov 5 (PTI) The largest wetland in the Northeast – Sonbeel in Assam's Barak Valley – is all set to become a popular tourist destination with the state government taking several promotional initiatives in this direction.

The shimmering water of the fresh water lake coupled with the natural beauty of the hills surrounding it, a vibrant fishing community with rich folk culture and wide avian and piscean population makes the area in Karimganj district an ideal tourist spot.

"There is immense potential in developing the area in an eco-friendly manner for tourism. Tourists do visit the area but due to lack of proper accommodation, most are forced to return to the nearest town of Karimganj or Silchar," Karimganj deputy commissioner Sanjiv Gohain Boruah told PTI.

The government has decided to address this problem by setting up a tourist lodge in Mokam Kalibari village along the wetland and the funds have been already sanctioned for the purpose.

"The emphasis is to promote eco-friendly tourism without affecting the environment of the area. Photographers from far and near come to the area to capture its varied natural features and as such photography tourism, which has assumed special significance, with progress in digital photography, will also be a major focus area," he said.

People residing in the villages in the adjacent area belong to the fishing community and have a rich heritage of folk culture, particularly music, which the tourists can enjoy in the evenings, he said.

Source - news.niticentral.com

7 Holiday Destinations for Your Kids on This Diwali

Diwali is the festival of lights thus it is the best time to enlighten the wandering lust of your children and guide them to some of the exotic places in the country. Travelling with family not only brings the family together but also makes some of the memorable moments to cherish.

As Diwali holidays are coming closer get ready to book a family vacation from Mumbai with Crossworld Holidays to embrace a new experience by excusing the traditional way of celebration. Let us take a look at seven of the most interesting places in India to visit with your kids on this festival season.

Mount Abu, Rajasthan

Hills stations are always a favorite destination of any tourist. If you are in or near Rajasthan on this Diwali season, then what will be more interesting than exploring the only hills station in Rajasthan, Mount Abu? The place is referred to as 'an oasis in the desert' as its heights are home to rivers, lakes, waterfalls and evergreen forests. The hill station offers trekking, boating and rock climbing which will be refreshing activities for your kids.

Shimla, Himchal Pradesh

The capital of Himachal Pradesh is known among the tourism hubs in the country. The city is known for mountains and ancient buildings. As the winter season is on the way this might be the perfect holiday destination for your kids since they would get to play with the snow. Apart from culture reflecting historic temples and churches the city also offers great fun with activities like trekking, river rafting and camping which might interest your little ones.

Goa

The place where the sun and sand meets and known for its party culture. But don’t be worried about having a family time at India’s favorite tourist destination. The place offers more than what you expect apart from its numerous beaches and night clubs it also poses some historical churches and forts which are worth to visit with your family. Goa also offers various water sports and adventurous activities that will make this holiday most memorable for your kids.

Munnar, Kerala

Another hill station to visit this season is Munnar. The God’s own country is welcoming you in to the intoxicating natural beauty. If you are a nature lover and want to pass on the genes to your kids this might be a perfect holiday destination for your family. The tea estates, thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary, Kurinjimala Wildlife Sanctuary, Pampadam Shola National Park and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the major sightseeing options.

Amritsar, Punjab

The home of Golden temple, Amritsar will be an interesting option for holidaying with the family on this Diwali. The state of Punjab is known for its rich culture and food, thus making your kids to know about different cultures will be a great way to bring them close to mother India. Watching the lit up golden temple and fire show will bring joy to your kids. So let this Diwali a whole new experience for your family.

Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India and was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. The park is a hot hub of ecotourism in the country. It contains 488 different species of plants and a diverse variety of fauna. If you are a wildlife lover and your children love watching wildlife shows then this will be the best gift to them on this Diwali. The jeep safari and elephant safari at the national park will make your kids go wow. 

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan  

On this Diwali take your kids to Jaisalmer and give them the knowledge about history and culture of the town. The town stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone, crowned by a fort, which contains the palace and several ornate Jain temples. The beautiful town in Rajasthan is a World Heritage Site with many of the houses and temples finely sculptured and lie in the heart of Thar Desert. Thus watching the fire works with the fort as a backdrop and understanding the Rajput culture might excite your children

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Source:- siliconindia.com

Maharajas’ Express flagged off for new tourist season

Signalling the beginning of its first journey of the new tourist season, the world’s leading luxury train, Maharajas’ Express, started its journey from Delhi station on a royal odyssey to take its patrons across the famed ‘Golden Triangle’.

A signature enterprise of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the train, known for hospitality and off-train excursion, runs on five circuits across north-west and central India, covering around a dozen destinations, mainly in Rajasthan, between the tourist months of October and March.

IRCTC Chairman and Managing Director Dr AK Manocha, who was present at Safdarjung station from where the train steamed out, said plans are afoot to run Maharajas’ Express during the off-season too (April-September) with some concession.

“During the lean season, we may offer one free ticket for every single booking. Thus, a couple can board the train by buying one only one ticket,” he informed.

The three-night / four-day trip, known as ‘Treasures of India’ will offer the guests an opportunity to explore and experience the rich cultural heritage of Incredible India, including the Taj Mahal, mighty fortresses and exquisite palaces (in Jaipur) and the Ranthambore National Park.

During 2014-15, 1,144 passengers boarded the train in 33 trips with a total income of Rs 47.89 crore as against 865 passengers in 28 trips and an income of Rs 36.27 crore in 2013-14.

With exquisite interiors, state of the art amenities and impeccable hospitality, Maharajas’ Express has four cabin configurations—Deluxe, Junior Suite, Suite and President Suite.

“There are many distinct features that set Maharajas’ Express leagues apart of its contemporaries. It commands huge brand equity in the world,” said Dr Manocha.

Besides ‘Treasures of India’, the four other circuits of the train are: the eight-days / seven-nights The Heritage of India (Mumbai, Ajanta, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Agra, Delhi); the eight-days / seven-nights The Indian Splendour (Delhi-Agra-Ranthambore-Jaipur-Bikaner-Jodhpur-Udaipur-Balasinor-Mumbai); the eight-days / seven-nights The Indian Panorama (Delhi-Jaipur-Ranthambore-Fathepur Sikri-Agra-Gwalior-Khajuraho-Varanasi-Lucknow-Delhi); and the three-nights / four-days Gems of India (Delhi-Agra-Ranthambore-Jaipur-Delhi).

Crossworld Holidays gives the best Domestic Tour Package from mumbai 

Source- travelnewsdigest.in

Singapore is the most preferred tour destination for Indians

Singapore has topped the list of the most preferred overseas destinations for Indian travellers in the first half of this year, defeating Dubai, according to Hotel.com’s Hotel Price Index (HPI) survey. The data is drawn from bookings made on thousands of hotels on the Hotels.com websites worldwide.

Hotels.com is an online accommodation booking website featuring properties ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favourites.

Dubai secured the second position this year, followed by Bangkok (Thailand). London and New York retained their fourth and fifth positions respectively. Other Southeast Asian countries witnessing maximum visitors comprised Hong Kong, Pattaya (Thailand) and Bali (Indonesia). Holding the eighth position last year, Paris inched up by one rank to the seventh place, followed by Hong Kong, Las Vegas at the eighth and ninth positions respectively. Kuala Lampur, Malaysia was replaced by the new entrant, Bali, securing the tenth position in the first half of the current year. Meanwhile, foreign tourists continued to reserve Delhi and Mumbai for the top two positions in the first half of the year, said the report.

Bengaluru replaced Goa to bag the third position, followed by Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Kolkata at the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth positions respectively. Pune, a new entrant, occupied the ninth position ahead Cochin at the tenth. Thiruvananthapuram made its debut at the tenth position.

Crossworld Holidays gives the best International Group Tour Package from mumbai 

Source- travelnewsdigest.in
 

Best Places to Visit in November

November is a great time to travel in India as it is the month when winters are beginning to creep in. It is the perfect time for taking a vacation to some places in India where the weather is at its best. With a present climate and holidays in November you can enjoy vacations in India. If you are Planning Vacation in November you should plan to visit this place. As its festival season in India you can explore rich festival culture and enjoy various food in this festival season.

Jaisalmar

The heat makes Rajasthan an unfavorable destination for summer but in November the weather here becomes awesome. This is the perfect time to take a trip to the golden city of Jaisalmer where you can check out the magnificent fort, the Gadsar lake and try out some great Rajasthani meals. You can also drive to Pushkar to attend the famous Pushkar fair or spend a night in the middle of the desert at Khuri which is at a distance of just 50km from Jaisalmer. You can also visit Camel Fair in Pushkar where around 50,000 camels take part.

Coorg

Coorg is an unforgettable holiday destination for many reasons. Its lush green hills and forests, huge stretches of tea and coffee plantations, orange groves and its breathtaking views are some of them. Adventure lovers can trek to Pushpagiri or visit white water rafting camps around Madikeri for rafting offers down the Cauvery. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Coorg include Talakaveri, Bhagamandala, Nisargadhama, Abbey Falls, Dubare, Nagarahole National Park, Iruppu Falls, and the Tibetan Buddhist Golden Temple.

Varanasi

Varanasi, on the banks of the river Ganga, is known for the festivals of Indian classical music and dance held here in November. There are performances by celebrated artists are enjoyed by pilgrims and tourists alike. November is also when the festival of Dev Deepawali is celebrated here with grand aartis and glittering diyas. The last day of Dev Deepawali marks the most attractive part when thousands of earthen lamps are floated down in River Ganga.

Amritsar

The Guru Nanak Jayanti falls in the month of November and Amritsar being home to The Golden Temple is where the biggest celebration takes place. The temple can be seen sparkling with lights and the whole festive atmosphere is an epitome of devotion and celebration.

Humpi

The resplendent reminiscence of the erstwhile Bijayanagara Kingdom, Hampi is a history buffs’ delight. Located near Hospet town in Karnataka state of South India, this magnificent travel destination has splendid architectural remains, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, treasury buildings and every petty thing associated with royal residence. Undoubtedly, one of the best Indian holiday destinations for backpackers, Hampi is reckoned to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The towering temples of Hampi are surrounded by undulating green fields, jade-green palm groves and wide stretch of banana plantations serving as the background

Crossorld Holidays is Leading Tour and Travel operator in Thane. We have various Domestic Packages from Thane, Mumbai for you. Contact us @     

022 4038 4747 for More November vacation Packages from Thane.