Lakshadweep - Best way to book/dive

CliveG · Aug 27th, 2009, 17:14

Yes £300 euros is a heck of a lot for one person. Problem is they quote their tariffs for two people sharing a hut (they do not offer single huts!). So unless you use both beds, eat enough food for two then it does seem unfair not to have a singles tariff.

However it should be open for negotiation and in mid November the resort is rarely busy as far as I am aware. As I always say half of something is better than half of nothing so Casino should be receptive if the resort is not full.

Blackcat · Aug 31st, 2009, 03:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliveG

So unless you use both beds, eat enough food for two then it does seem unfair not to have a singles tariff.

I'm sure I could give it a good go - the food looks delicious!!

Negotiations are ongoing though in the hope of saving my waist line!

Scribetribe: I would definitely recommend giving the diving a try here, it's such a beautiful place it would be a shame to miss it. Diving is the most wonderful, magical thing in the world, there's nothing better. Good luck with it

scribetribe · Sep 1st, 2009, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackcat

Negotiations are ongoing though in the hope of saving my waist line!

I finally got Bangaram booked through makemytrip for about £322 or INR25,500(inclusive of food and the boat transfers for two from Agatti to Bangaram and back) for a three-night, four-day trip in October.

However, had to shell out about £290 or INR23,000(again, for two) on just the airfare from Cochin to Agatti and back.

BlackCat, I can imagine the heartburn you must be going through at this point for being offered such a hefty quote and that's precisely why I posted this information here -- to give you a sense of the differences in prices during October and November.

If you can push your vacation dates up by a month to October, you could save a lot of dough. Also, I suggest you book through makemytrip or keralagreenery.com instead of booking directly with the resort to get more competitive packages. All the best!... And in case you do manage to reschedule your trip to October, see you there!

CliveG · Sep 1st, 2009, 18:48

I have been checking the rates and yess it does appear that for November if you booked through keralagreenery you would get a reduction from 300 euros to 214 euros per night which is over 28% reduction!
I have also noticed that on CGHearths website they quote the rate in rupees as Rs17000 per nightfor high season. At current exchange rates this works out to be 242 euros per nightnot 300 euros! I suspect the 300 euros per night was fixed before the GBP/Rupee rate changed substantially in favour of the GBP. So they are yousing out of date exchange rates.
Even taking this into account it would appear cheaper to use an agency which seems crazy.

sanket2612 · Sep 2nd, 2009, 19:03

I guess another good option to look at would be:

http://www.pugmarksholidays.com/fit/...akshadweep.htm

I am booking a programme with these guys in the month of Jan.

Hope this helps

BR,

Sanket

anar · Sep 2nd, 2009, 21:05

as i sat reading this account, an italian friend dropped by and informed me she and two other italian women were leaving for a three day/two night trip to agatti island in lakshadweep. apparently, agatti (and some other islands) are now open to foreign visitors. she showed me the permit with their names on it when i expressed my disbelief. i will get a full account of her trip when she returns on 6 sept. the whole package (return air tickets from cochin, all meals, accommodation) has cost them 270 euros per person.

ashokm · Sep 14th, 2009, 17:29

anar, did you hear from them since? Sounds like a great price if that includes flights too?

anar · Sep 15th, 2009, 00:55

i've been sworn to silence!

CliveG · Sep 15th, 2009, 01:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by anar

i've been sworn to silence!

Oh tell us - we won't tell anyone!

Best price I have found is 176 euros for 2 people not including flights. For September Kingfisher flights came out at 252 euros per person (nearly the same price I am paying to get from U.K. to India this year!). That would make total cost 680 euros for 2 persons. 540 euros for 2 is a really good deal.

Blackcat · Sep 15th, 2009, 03:44

Quote:

Best price I have found is 176 euros for 2 people not including flights.

Who from? Where?

I lost internet for a while (still precarious, took nearly 20 mins to reply to this) so have not been able to search. Will continue the hunt but doubt I could beat that: it's a good price - even for one!!

CliveG · Sep 15th, 2009, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackcat

Who from? Where?

I lost internet for a while (still precarious, took nearly 20 mins to reply to this) so have not been able to search. Will continue the hunt but doubt I could beat that: it's a good price - even for one!!

Hi,
This for a 2 night/3 day visit to Agatti which has a dive centre. I lost the source for this price but think it was through kerlagreenery.

CliveG · Sep 19th, 2009, 14:01

You will nned an entry permit to visit the Lakshadweep Islands at a cost of Rs200 per person.
http://lakshadweep.nic.in/entryrule.doc
The above site gives details about the rules but I could not see any time limit and i do know tourists who have visited for 3 months.
To visit the islands you will have to book through an agency or CGHearth (Casino Hotels group) and they will apply for a permit on your behalf.

Blackcat · Sep 23rd, 2009, 03:34

Thanks again for all the wonderful info you've provided on this subject Clive, it's really helpfull for those who've never been and don't know what to expect.

Nivalink are a company based in India who seem to be offering a good deal to Bangaram and can also help with holidaying in the rest of India - they've offered me the best deal so far!

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Aug 27th, 2009, 17:14	#16
CliveG Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: PORTSMOUTH U.K. Posts: 932	Yes £300 euros is a heck of a lot for one person. Problem is they quote their tariffs for two people sharing a hut (they do not offer single huts!). So unless you use both beds, eat enough food for two then it does seem unfair not to have a singles tariff. However it should be open for negotiation and in mid November the resort is rarely busy as far as I am aware. As I always say half of something is better than half of nothing so Casino should be receptive if the resort is not full.

Sep 1st, 2009, 18:48	#19
CliveG Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: PORTSMOUTH U.K. Posts: 932	I have been checking the rates and yess it does appear that for November if you booked through keralagreenery you would get a reduction from 300 euros to 214 euros per night which is over 28% reduction! I have also noticed that on CGHearths website they quote the rate in rupees as Rs17000 per nightfor high season. At current exchange rates this works out to be 242 euros per nightnot 300 euros! I suspect the 300 euros per night was fixed before the GBP/Rupee rate changed substantially in favour of the GBP. So they are yousing out of date exchange rates. Even taking this into account it would appear cheaper to use an agency which seems crazy.

Sep 2nd, 2009, 19:03	#20
sanket2612 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bomaby Posts: 20	I guess another good option to look at would be: http://www.pugmarksholidays.com/fit/...akshadweep.htm I am booking a programme with these guys in the month of Jan. Hope this helps BR, Sanket

Sep 2nd, 2009, 21:05	#21
anar Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: India Posts: 703	as i sat reading this account, an italian friend dropped by and informed me she and two other italian women were leaving for a three day/two night trip to agatti island in lakshadweep. apparently, agatti (and some other islands) are now open to foreign visitors. she showed me the permit with their names on it when i expressed my disbelief. i will get a full account of her trip when she returns on 6 sept. the whole package (return air tickets from cochin, all meals, accommodation) has cost them 270 euros per person.

Sep 14th, 2009, 17:29	#22
ashokm Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 54	anar, did you hear from them since? Sounds like a great price if that includes flights too?

Sep 15th, 2009, 00:55	#23
anar Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: India Posts: 703	i've been sworn to silence!

Sep 19th, 2009, 14:01	#27
CliveG Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: PORTSMOUTH U.K. Posts: 932	You will nned an entry permit to visit the Lakshadweep Islands at a cost of Rs200 per person. http://lakshadweep.nic.in/entryrule.doc The above site gives details about the rules but I could not see any time limit and i do know tourists who have visited for 3 months. To visit the islands you will have to book through an agency or CGHearth (Casino Hotels group) and they will apply for a permit on your behalf.

Sep 23rd, 2009, 03:34	#28
Blackcat Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 27	Thanks again for all the wonderful info you've provided on this subject Clive, it's really helpfull for those who've never been and don't know what to expect. Nivalink are a company based in India who seem to be offering a good deal to Bangaram and can also help with holidaying in the rest of India - they've offered me the best deal so far!