Dreamland Tour operators in Leh suck!

daviddking

I asked these guys to get me the travel permit needed for Numbra Valley and Pangong Lake and instead of getting me a 7 day permit like everyone else, they only had it made out for 2 days at the price of 200 rupees. So the permit was only good for the Pangong Lake trip and then they wanted me to pay them more for another permit to go to Numbra. When I asked them about this they pleaded that they made a mistake, but they were obviously just trying to scam me.

Also, when I and 3 other travellers were arranging the Pangong Lake trip through them, we found a cheaper price (by 400 rupees)across the road and asked them to match it. Not only would they not match it, but they wouldn't give me the permit that I had paid them for (so we could go with the agency across the road), saying that they didn't go through all the work of getting me the permit only for me to use it at another agency. The guy was quite mean about it and very confrontative.

I haven't had experiences at other agencies in Leh, but these guys really seem like slime balls and I do not recommend them at all.

dillichaat

Sorry my friend, but calling people slimeballs for what very well might have been an honest mistake...

How about looking up prices of trips before going to an agency and asking them to arrange a permit (which does take them some time), then noticing the competition who offers the same trip for the HUGE price difference of 400 Rs (about 8 USD I guess) and going back on the first deal

Then you're actually amazed that the first agency wouldn't cave in and that they got angry??? I'd have given you the boot too, sans permit.

Dimitrz

dillichaat agreed on the checking prices first and competition part and all - But its totally unethical of the travel agent not to give daviddking their permit Because they had paid for itthe permit was not a free gift .

daviddkingyou should have approached the authorities on that matter.

Coming to the fact about error on dates - it is agreed that might have been an honest mistake - however these permits are made free of cost or at negligible charge and these travel agent should not have asked for the same amount if it had been an honest mistake.

I dont know about others but in my book they have gone under blacklisted agents. thanks for sharing the info daviddking and dont let these things spoil your vacation - these kinds of things happen everywhere.

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Dimitrz

daviddking advise you to leave a review of this agency with details in Hotel reviews section so that other are aware

Dear MOD maybe we should have a section to review Travel agancies as well.

Guess that will help us to some extend from falling in hands of touts

captain bruce

Too right Dillchaat.
Dont know the agency but we are talking $8 here - that's 2 USA beers maybe? Give the guys a break.....Economic travelling is one thing, penny pinching another.
probably a foul-up filling the forms in, either them or the DC's office - it happens.

Haylo

With a little research, you could have got your own permits in ten minutes, for a lot less money.

Trying to haggle an agreed price down after a deal has been done, just because a competitor is cheaper, and calling an agent a slimeball just because they got the duration wrong is a bit much. If that is the worst thing that happens to you in India, you're doing pretty well...

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Dimitrz

I dont wish to start an argument about this but it seems you guys are stating the travel agent was right in refusing to provide David the permit he had paid for---- If it had been an issue with trip booking and the agent refusing to refund or deducting expense on account of David's cancellation is quite fair and understandable

But refusing to give a document for which the customer has already paid - is downright unethical.

dillichaat

Impossible to decide on this without knowing exactly what was said- if getting the permits were part of a 'package' but separately charged I can understand the agent. We'll never know for sure.

Dimitrz

Dillichaat - You do have a a valid point or two up your sleeve as well so we will leave it at that

I don't know whether to smile or frown on Haylo's remark lol in a sense he is absolutely right but it somehow makes me feel a bit embrassed to admit lot more can go wrong to spoil your trip - this is not limited to foreign but happens to even and sometimes more to Indian travelers)