Chardham 2011 tour operator suggestion

Hi all,

I know there are many threads on Chardham here.I would like to know if anyone has used Kesari Travels for Chardham yatra, I am thinking of using them this year. I am tossing between Kesari tours and travel and southern travels. If anyone has used any of these operators i would truly appreciate your reviews.

thanks

If you like South Indian style food/hospitality, Panicker's Travels are good. From Delhi.

Thanks for your reply, I am not too concerned about food more so about the standard of accommodation provided. Hence I was thinking Kesari tours as i was told accommodation provided is of good standard.

mm... most of the operators have their own standard accommodation. By paying more (a bit or lot depends on the season, agency, etc.) you can get better rooms. This being a pilgrimage type, cost is kept low to attract volume and accordingly, accommodation is just OK.

Since it is possible to get better accommodation at each place after you see what is provided (don't over pay before), you could opt for better rooms. However, it would be difficult to change the food that they provide. Hence, I worry about the food than accommodation. In a nutshell, accommodation is negotiable at a cost, not so much with food!

Hope this helps.

That's a point. I am thinking about that as well. Kesari is providing us with a quote of 31000 with deluxe accommodation and all meals, We do not like going by cars and would prefer to be in a coach. Hence my confusion.

Hi, if you have concern on quality of accommodation, i may suggest you to opt for Make My Trip. Has worked on all inclusive approach, had sent my parents last season.

I've always taken tours operated by GMVN starting from Rishikesh. GMVN TRH are safe and very nicely located. Their guides and drivers are well trained specially those driving mini tourist coaches.

for better rates you can try shubh yatra travels from rishikesh.
shubhyatratravels.com

Thanks I prefer to commence my tour from Delhi as we are coming from Australia, Getting to Rishikesh is another mode of transport arrangement and i am quiet happy not to add on another one to my itinerary.

southern travels or panicker travels accomodation are very basic, gmvnl is a bit better.

Does GMVNL provide pure vegetarian food including Jain food (without onion and garlic) ?

Also the cost of GMVNL tours is much less compared to Kesari etc. So how are the accomodation standards ?

Thanks.

Veg Food - Yes ! Jain Food - No !

But you may specify that you want no Onion no Garlic food.

Hi there
Can some one tell me if we need book accommodation before hand for Sept 2011 for chardham yatra or is it fairly easy to get one around that time. I would be looking for more of deluxe or luxury style but we want do it when we get there as we are concerned about the monsoon rains and all that.

If anyone has done that can you please let me know. Appreciate your assistance

There is not much luxury accommodation available in that part of country. So prebookking is better...

Hi
You can also try RAO TRAVELS, VASANT ENCLAVE, VASANT VIHAR, NEW DELHI. They conduct Chardham Yatra by BUS and They also have Innova, Qualis etc, vehicles are well maintained and they have expert drivers. I had booked a Qualis in 2002, when I went to Badrinath , started from New Delhi on 10.10.2002 at 10.35 PM, reached Badrinath at 9.15 A.M on 12th OCT 2002, stayed at Rajsthan Bhavan or hotel, went to Temple and Mana Village same day,started for Delhi on 13th OCT 2002 at 6.35 A.M , reached Delhi at 12.40 P.M on 14th, Rao travels provided us well maintained Qualis and driver was an expert in mountain driving, actually he was from Uttranchal, his name was NEGI.
I have lost their phone nos, you can easily search Rao Travels on net.
Thanks
Alok