Srinagar reliable tour operator

oneheart

Hi, i'm heading to srinagar in dec for 7 days. I was wondering if anyone could recommend to me a reliable tour operator? I received a quotation from Savion Travel Services Pvt. Ltd. Has anyone heard of this operator?

They quote us USD $480 for this itinerary.. Is it too expensive?

Srinagar Tour

Day 1: Srinagar
On arrival at Srinagar, you will be met by our representative and transfer you to Houseboat. Afternoon free for personal activities. In the evening Shikara ride on Dal Lake to enjoy the sunset.Overnight at Houseboat.

Day 2: Srinagar – Local sightseeing 50 Kms.
Half day tour of world famous Mughal Gardens visiting the Nishat Bagh (The garden of pleasure) and Shalimar Bagh (Abode of love). Return to houseboat for hot lunch. In the afternoon Shikara ride on The Dal Lake to enjoy the beauty that God has graced this city with which is often compared to Venice. You will get a view of some very interesting places around the Lake. Overnight at Houseboat.

Day 3: Srinagar – Gulmarg 56 Kms.
After breakfast leave for Gulmarg which is one of the most beautiful summer resort in the valley. It is also popular for its golf course (in summer), the highest in the world and skiing during the winter season. Enjoy the splendor of nature and the snowy mountains. One can have Gondola ride (cable car) from Gulmarg to Khalinmarg . Overnight at Hotel.

Day 4: Gulmarg – Pahalgam 149 Kms
After breakfast, leave from Gulmarg and drive to Pahalgam 2440 Mtrs (Vale of Kashmir) on the way visit Saffron fields and Avantipur ruins which is eleven hundred years old temple. Finally by the lunch time you will reach Pahalgam which is the most famous place for Indian Film Industry. After lunch enjoy the nature charm of the valley. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 5: Pahalgam – Srinagar 93 Kms
After breakfast leave Pahalgam and drive to Srinagar at lunch time you will reach into the hotel Hotel. Afternoon free for personal activities. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 6: Srinagar – Sonmarg – Srinagar 196 Kms.
Full day excursion to Sonmarg which is the most beautiful drive from Srinagar. On the way you stop at many beautiful spots. Continue drive to Sonmarg 2690 Mtrs (Meadow of Gold). One can ride on horse to visit Thajiwas Glacier where snow remains round the year and Sonmarg is known as Gateway of Ladakh. In the evening return to Houseboat. Overnight at Houseboat.

Day 7: Srinagar-Onward destination
Transfer in time to the airport to connect onwards destination flight.


( Checkinn/Out time at hotels is 12h00 Noon)
( Cost as under for minimum 02 person travelling and sharing one room) :
Per person cost based on sharing one dbl room:Usd $ 480

Hotel Envisaged:
Srinagar- Deluxe Houseboat or similar
Gulmarg Platinum Pine Palace or similar
Pahalgam Hotel Heevan or similar

Package Cost Includes:
Accommodation in double sharing one double/twin room (as case maybe) in above mentioned or similar hotels as per the tour package.
American/Indian Breakfast & Dinner basis
Shikara ride at Dal Lake
Airport / hotel transfers + city tour + Drives by private Non Ac Qualis/Sumo (as per availibility)
Arrival and departure assistance

Package Cost Excludes:
Any thing not specified above, personal expenses like telephone /laundry bills etc.
Entrance fees to monuments /Camera fees (still camera or video camera) at different monuments and museums
Tips and gratuities to drivers, guides, and bellboys at hotels
Departure taxes or Visa handling fees (A Visa is required to visit India)
Any Air fare, Airports tax and travel insurance etc. services not specified above
Anything not mentioned in inclusions
Government of India Service Tax @ 3.09%.

ahilden

Have You Received Any Input On This ? I Have Been Quoted By Savion As Well. The Tour Sounds Very Good But I Want To Check On The Tour Operator. Also Wondering If It Is Safe To Pay Them In Advance By Credit Card

oneheart

Nope, no input from anyone but i did google and found some bad reviews and comments.. In the end, i read some threads about Chicago group of houseboat and did a thorough research, every comment i read talks about how excellent it is. So i contacted the owner of the houseboat. His name is Ajaz, really a nice guy. He spends time chatting with his customers on msn to find out their needs.. And he offered to help us book our airtickets and accomodation in gulmarg though the package tour i got from him is only 5 days in srinagar and the price is really reasonable, most importantly, it's reliable.

This is his website, done by his customer - http://www.easychair.nl/new/khar/houseboat.html

Some reviews i read:
1) many reviews abt him in this page -
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...Kas hmir.html http://www.easychair.nl/new/khar/houseboat.html
2) Recent thread (8 Nov 2007) - http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/f5c0c/109251/3/?o=2
3) scroll down - Houseboat owners association link

or you can just google "chicago houseboat kashmir"

oneheart