(From top): Hong Kong’s busy Aberdeen harbour; the Grand Palace in Bangkok; Pattaya’s beaches are a big draw for tourists

You hate Christmas and New Year’s parties are such a bore. So, the smartest move is to flee from town at the year end. But, then, there’s that great decision: where do you head to for the Great Escape?

The answer — once again — is South East Asia. This year the prices are cheaper than ever and the rupee stretches further if you head to this part of the world. The travel companies and travel websites say their best packages attract plenty of travellers at this time of year so it’s best to book early.

For a start, there’s SOTC’s highly popular do-it-all-at-one-shot 16-day Grand Tour to the Far East. The tour will take you on a whirlwind tour from Thailand to Hong Kong and back to Kuala Lumpur, the Genting Highlands and finally Singapore.

From Calcutta the package costs Rs 16,999 plus $1,599. This includes economy class air tickets, visa charges, accommodation and Overseas Mediclaim. Also, it includes the coach tours, airport transfers, entrance fees, sightseeing and surface transportation. For this money you’ll get to spend time in Bangkok — where the shopping is great — and also see places like Siam Ocean World, Safari World and Marine Park. Also, you get to go to Pattaya and the nearby Coral Island.

Thailand is such a lovely country that some smart tourists figure they might as well start and end their holiday there. For people who’d like to do that, SOTC has a 5-day Super Saver Thailand Surprise package which allows three days in Bangkok with one full day free just for shopping in this shopper’s paradise. On the second day you’ll be taken on a day tour of the city. After that you’ll be whisked off to Coral Island on coast near Phuket. If you want to stay on for an extra three days in Phuket it will cost about $260 and an extra three days in Chiang Mai will cost about $300.

If you want to visit only Malaysia and Singapore, then SOTC’s 7-day Super Saver Malaysia with Singapore package is worth considering. The tour includes Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands, Singapore and Bintan at Rs 12,499 plus $709 ex-Calcutta. Says Frederick Divecha, Senior Vice-President, Marketing, SOTC, “The bookings are in full swing as these are choice destinations for Christmas this year. There has been a definite increase in the flow of tourists to Thailand and Malaysia with Singapore being the major draw.”

The online travel agency, travelguru.com offers a two-day package to Hong Kong this New Year where you can do a half-day city tour including places like the Victoria Park, Repulse Bay and Aberdeen Fishing Village. The cost of the standard package is Rs 5,822 and you can travel any time between December 22 and January 3, 2007). The deluxe package during the same period costs Rs 10,034 on twin-sharing basis. The price only includes a two-day stay, airport transfers and a half-day city tour.

Then there’s the 8-night and 9-day Singapore and Malaysia package from makemytrip.com which costs Rs 43,999 on twin-sharing basis. The places covered are Genting Highlands, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and the cost includes return airfare (ex-Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai), airport taxes, daily breakfast plus dinner, half-day city tour in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and excludes visa fee. Says Gauri Mahna, deputy manager, Outbound Tours, makemytrip, “There is a huge rush to these places this year and travellers interested have to make the bookings fast.”

If you want a bit of adventure, then opt for the cruise experience. For instance, there’s the 5-night Costa Cruises offered by Travel Corporation of India (TCI). From Hong Kong, sail to Sanya (China) and then cruise to Halong Bay in Vietnam to soak in the natural beauty of rock formations, mangrove forests, offshore coral reefs and pristinely beautiful sandy beaches. The cost of the cruise is Rs. 23,520 and two children under 18 can cruise free.

The package includes meals but airfares and optional tours are not included. Says Meher Bhandara of TCI, “During this time, most of the five-star hotels in India enjoy full occupancy. So it’s better to spend the same amount on an international holiday. As far as bookings are concerned, we are already getting enquiries.”

Cox & Kings too has a 9-night, 10-day tour of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore starting at Rs 44,000 per person on twin-sharing basis. The package includes round trip economy class airfare, accommodation, airport taxes, government sales taxes, single entry Thailand and Malaysia visa and multiple entry Singapore visa, breakfasts, lunches and dinners, coach tours, transfers, entrance fees, sightseeing and surface transportation.

Clearly then, the options are plenty. But if you’re thinking of going east remember it’s best to book early.

Route map

• To say that Lakshadweep is unspoilt beauty would be like working a cliche, to the ground, but there’s simply no other way to describe the string of sun-kissed islands just off the Malabar coast.

While planning a tour to Lakshadweep, remember that it’s a Union Territory, with places that are off-limits for tourists. So, you need to plan in advance and chalk out a route map that would suit your pocket as well as satisfy your lust for adventure.
One of the most economical ways to enjoy Lakshadweep would be to go for the five-day Coral Reef cruise operated by the Kochi-based Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports (SPORTS). At Rs 9,400 per person, this is one of the cheapest ways to visit the islands.

The package is inclusive of transportation costs and Tourist Class accommodation onboard the ship. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are covered in the package cost as well as travelling to and from the different islands. And once you reach the islands, get ready to try out an exciting bouquet of water sports like snorkeling and kayaking. Apart from that, you can indulge into some big game fishing — Barracudas, Yellow Fin Tuna and Sail Fish are some of the species that are found in plenty around these islands. For more details about tour plans and tariff, you may consult SPORTS’ website: www.lakshadweeptourism.com.