Route Map
Published on 14 February 2013
If being out in the wild on safaris and nature walks and spotting endangered beasts excite you, then you might like to try out Nepal's best wildlife destinations — Chitwan National Park and Bardia National Park. Go for Planet Wildlife's 10-day Nepal — Chitwan and Bardia Explorer tour, which starts at Rs 95,645 per person on double occupancy basis. You will visit each park for three days and partake in activities like elephant safaris, jungle walks, tiger tracking and bird watching. The remaining four days will be spent in Kathmandu. The package includes a day tour of the Nepalese capital.
While accommodation in forest lodges and a three-star hotel, meals as per itinerary, guided sightseeing tours and all transfers are included in the package, round-trip airfares (around Rs 16,000 ex-Calcutta), visa and insurance are not. If you book your tour before February 28, you can avail of a 5 per cent discount on the package price. Also, you can upgrade your hotel if you so wish at an additional cost. Go to www.planetwildlife.com for more.
By Yashodeep Sengupta
How would you like to spend a relaxing week in a luxurious setting at one of the world's coolest shopping destinations? The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is offering the Legends of the Orient package up to March 31, 2013.
Recently voted the Best Hotel in Thailand in the Conde Nast Traveler 'Readers' Choice Awards, this riverfront hotel by the Chao Phraya is known for its Old World charm and beautiful interiors. Starting at 17,477 baht (Rs 31,550 approximately) per room per night for a minimum seven-night stay, the package includes personal butler service, a complimentary dinner and lunch at two of the hotel's in-house restaurants, a spa treatment, a historical tour through the hotel and more. Also, as part of the package you pay for just six nights, while the seventh night is complimentary. Return airfare (Calcutta-Bangkok-Calcutta) starts from approximately Rs 11,300. Write to mobkk-reservations@mohg.com for reservations.
By Tania Bhattacharya
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Photo: Dana Allen
Itching to go on an African journey with a difference? Lushescapes, a luxury travel outfit, has a 9-night, 10-day tour to Namibia on offer. Formerly known as Damaraland, the country is a mosaic of natural wonders. Unwind in the capital city Windhoek, explore the iconic red dunes of Sossusvlei and go dune boarding or dolphin-watching around the historic town of Swakopmund. Stargazing gets a whole new dimension against the backdrop of the majestic Etendeka Mountains while game watching in Etosha Pan National Park is a treat that should not be missed.
Prices start from $7,500 (about Rs 3.99 lakh) per person and include accommodation, meals, transfers, park fees and activities as per itinerary. Return airfares from Delhi to Windhoek cost (approximately) Rs 77,000. For more information, go to www.lushescapes.com.
By Suktara Ghosh
What do you say to a charming rustic getaway - just a bit far from home? Head to Punjabiyat, a luxury lodge that will give you a taste of living in a traditional Punjabi village but with all modern amenities. About an hour's drive from Amritsar, Punjabiyat is set amidst lush farmlands and offers four cottages each with an en suite bathroom, a front deck and a private terrace. You could visit the local mandi and the gurdwara close by, explore the countryside on a bicycle or tractor and even try your hand at cooking a Punjabi meal. You can also make a trip to Amritsar or to Maharana Pratap Sagar Sanctuary that's just 50km away. Prices start from Rs 3,500 per person per night on twin sharing basis and include accommodation, breakfast and taxes. You can get a discount of 15 per cent if you book for four days or more. And if you book three cottages, you get the fourth gratis. The lodge can arrange for airport/railway station transfer (from Amritsar) for an additional cost. For more information, mail to info@itmenaanlodges.com.
By Suktara Ghosh