India Railways System

admin February 13, 2012
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India railway system is called the Indian Railways. Indian Railways is responsible for operating the majority of the railway systems in India. The Ministry of Railways oversees the India railways system. The India railways system expands for 114,500 km. The total travel of the train route in the Indian railway is 65,000 km. There are 7,500 stations In India. The Indian railway system is ranked in the fourth place in terms of the size of the train network. Every day, the train in India carries about 30 million passengers. It carries about 2.8 millions of freight daily.

The India railways system is ranked as the 2nd largest commercial train in the world. The railway system in India was first introduced in the year of 1853. There are 42 railway systems in India. The railways in India are formed into one unit called the Indian Railways in 1951. Indian Railways offers long distance services as well as suburban train service for customers. The train operates on a railway network with multiple gauges including broad gauge, meter gauge and narrow gauge. Indian Railways operates a coach production facility.

Indian Railways is divided into 16 zones. Every zone has several divisions. Each of the division has a headquarter. There are 68 railway divisions in India. There is a general manager in each of the 16 zones. The general manager will report to the Railway Board.  There are train tours that tourists can participate to explore the tourist attractions in India. Tourists who want to participate in the train tours can book their train tickets through the online booking systems. Tourists can obtain quotes of the train tour services from various tourism agencies so that they can compare the prices efficiently. By comparing the prices of the train tour services, customers will be able to find the best deal.

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Growth of Tourism Market in India

admin February 5, 2012
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The thriving growth of tourism market in India caused many tourists from different parts of the world to come. According to the statistics, 17.9 millions tourists visited India in the year of 2010. Most of the tourists that visit India are from the United States and United Kingdom. There are many places you can visit when touring in India.  The top states where tourists frequently visit include Kerala, Delhi, Rajasthan and etc. Other states that tourists can visit include Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The World Travel and Tourism Council claims that India will be a tourism hotspot from the year of 2009 – 2018.

The tourism revenue of India is expected to increase by 42% from 2007 – 2017. India culture span for thousands of years. The tourism sector is growing at a fast rate in India. Various efforts have been taken to promote the tourism industry in India including rural, cruise, and eco tourism. India is ranked in the 6th place in terms of price competitiveness according to the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report.

The weather of India can be hot so you should wear thin clothes. If you are visiting the Himalayan Mountains, you should wear winter clothes as the weather is cold. If you want to have an unforgettable holiday experience, you should bring your camera. You can use your camera to take photo of the surrounding scenery.

Many mobile phones have built in camera. If you don’t have a camera, you can use your mobile phone to take photo. Before you leave for the holiday, you should make arrangement to keep your house in order. You should send your pet to the pet care center. You can give your neighbor access to your home so that they can look after it. You should provide your telephone number to your neighbor. In case anything happens, they can contact you about it.

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Top Luxury Islands of World You Must Visit

admin January 31, 2012
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If you want to relieve from your stress, you should visit the luxury islands. Some of the top luxury islands of world you must visit are Cousine Island, Necker Island, Mnemba Island, Cocoa Island, Barbados, Bermuda and Palm Island. Cousine Island is in Seychelles. Seychelles consists 115 islands. While in Cousine Island in Seychelles, you can stay at the Cousine Island Resort and spa. There is a variety of vegetations in the Cousine Island. Many types of birds and turtles can be seen at the Cousine Island.

Necker Island is located in the British Virgin Islands. It has 74 acres of tropical forests. Many famous celebrities have stayed at the Necker Islands including Mariah Carey and Oprah Winfrey. Mnemba Island has many beaches. There is a variety of animals you can view at Mnemba Islands including turtles, tropical fish and reefs. Tourists can carry out various kinds of recreational activities at Mnemba Islands including windsurfing, kayaking and etc. Cocoa Island has 33 villas. The villas provide various kinds of facilities for the guests including swimming pools, Thai cuisine restaurant, and spa.

Barbados is a Caribbean island visited by many people. Many people will visit Barbados in January. Barbados measures about 166 square miles. While in Barbados, you can visit the Sandy Lane – Luxury Golf & Spa Resort. Bermuda is ranked as the 2nd world’s oldest British settlement. There are many high class restaurants and hotels in Bermuda. Palm Island is located in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Saint Vincent and Grenadines consists of 32 islands. Palm Island has a size of 135 acres. The beaches in Palm Island have crystal clear water.

If you want to visit a country, make sure you do research with the web search engine. You can use the web search engine to do research on different holiday destinations. You can find affordable air ticket by using the travel search engine.

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Medical Tourism in India: General Touring Tips

admin January 16, 2012
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Medical Tourism in India has been on the rise in recent times. This has been mainly due to India’s reputation as a place to go for hundreds of different healing methods. In addition to this, there have also been advances in modern medicine, thus making it a one-stop shop for all kinds of medical solutions. There are various things that one should keep in mind when medical touring.

One of the first things before embarking on your destination is to do proper research on the places to visit. As much as being told that India is a great place for medical tourism may b sufficient, it is advisable to do extensive research on the best places to go. This will also be useful when coming up with your budget and making any other plans such as accommodation so as to avoid any unwanted surprises.

Shopping around is very important when visiting a country as vast as India. It always wise to consider your options in terms of the quality of the services offered and the related charges. It is always good to remember that just like any other economy, there are people who offer better services than others, and thus settling on the first service providers may not be the best choice for you.

Your local doctor is an important part of every medical decision that you will ever take. Always ensure that he is informed of any medical decision that you intend to take. He or she may give you valuable advice on which options to take and which to avoid. He is the person best suited to give you this advice because of the fact that he or she is better versed with your condition for a longer period of time.

It is also important to carry all the relevant documents with you. This includes the documents showing your medical history and all the relevant identification documents.

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Role of Travel Agents in Online Booking

admin January 7, 2012
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Traveling is something we all need to do, either for work or for recreation. For past several years and currently online booking has become a very important part of the travel industry. Travel agents who perform such online transactions are the main people responsible for the positive and negative experiences your journey involves.

When you plan a voyage, you would always want to give the responsibility of your ticket bookings, reservation of hotel rooms, etc, on safe dependable hands. Here the travel agents assist you by performing the required tasks through online booking. If you are planning to travel by air, they book the tickets online with your preferred airline. Again if you wish to travel by train, the agents book your ticket(s) online with the train you are intending to travel with. All you need to do is, give them the date you want to travel and the details of your seat preferences (if any). They can also help you to book rooms in hotels you would prefer to stay with. If you are going for a cruise booking, the travel agents, using their online access, can help you with choosing the appropriate cruise line with impressive discounts as well. The agents attend classes and discussions in various ship tours and so they can educate and suggest you regarding the selection of cruise lines.

If you are planning for a holiday, the agents can help you to buy packages, which are designed according to the places, facilities, hotels, etc, of your choice. If required the agents will do the required research to provide you with the right deal. Moreover, as these travel agents work online they don’t pay much overhead charges, for, they don’t need to maintain too many staffs, equipments or pay much rent. So, you can get much cheaper fares and package rates with them.

The online booking though sounds easy, but it really needs good knowledge about places (holiday destinations), fares, hotels and tariffs, other kinds of accommodations (lodges and resorts), peak times of tour, etc. The agents keep themselves updated with these details. They also make sure that there are aware of the online discounts, cheap package rates and various holiday offers that can help you to plan a posh holiday within your budget. As a whole these agents free you from the responsibility of making various arrangements for your travel or holiday. In case of online booking the travel agent doesn’t have to be physically present to make the bookings. There are the virtual agencies and agents, which even take care of bookings related to theater tickets, taxi, parks, etc.

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The Most Favorable Time to Visit India

admin December 26, 2011
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India is the land of Hindus is rich in its cultural heritage. The physical features of India have managed to win millions of tourists’ heart throughout the year. If we ask what attracts the tourists more in India? The answer would be unity that the Indians feel in the diversity of India. The various religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity and Islam made India a secular country. India being a subcontinent has succeeded in keeping all religion in complete harmony.

India is a rich land and the country constitutes a great number of unique physical features. India is guarded by Himalayan walls in the northern side, Arabian Sea in southwestern side, Bay of Bengal in southeastern side and in the extreme south is the Indian Ocean. Other features are Indo- Gangetic Plain of India, Plateau, Thar Desert, and the longest river, Ganga. In spite of all these features India is enriched with the best shopping destination in the world, best beach, rare wildlife forum and distinctive meditation spot.

Tourists can visit India any time, every time is favorable to visit this place and people can enjoy the colorful lifestyle, cuisine and festival in the country all throughout the year. But the prime time to visit in India is during October, February and March. During October tourists can experience the most celebrated festival in India, Diwali which is known as the festival of light. During February and March the climate in India remains favorable as in this time India experience spring season. Moreover, March is a season of colors, this time people of India smears the color of Holi among one another. And also this time is perfect to enjoy the festivals in Rajasthan. Other months in India are not that favorable for tourists because from April to September Indians suffer from scorching heat and excessive humidity and during winters that is during November to January people in northern part of India faces excessive cold weather. In southern part of India the weather remains mild and sunny.

Hence, to the all tourists out there, visit India where people will make you feel homely with their ever helping sentiments and parental care. It is really necessary to inform people that to see India fully they need to chalk out plans wisely in order to view and experience every nook and corner of the subcontinent. Viewers should avoid crowded place at their initial stage of journey and slow proceeding will help to see more, help to gather information more and this will ultimately lead to a perfect holiday for tourists residing outside India. The Cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai will enhance the viewer’s energy to the crescendo, so if any tourists are planning to get the proper view of India and Indians then they must visit these mentioned places.

 

 

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Kerala Trip – A Memorable Journey

admin December 8, 2011
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To the East of the gigantic Arabian Sea lies the peaceful and enchanting land of Kerala. Often described by tourists as paradise this land is undoubtedly a culmination of unbelievable natural beauty and richness of an ancient civilization. This unique land of the Western Ghats has enthralled visitors with spectacular destination, rich culture, mouthwatering delicacies, diverse wildlife and wonderful people. Kerala has the power to heal, to transport, to inspire, and to amaze. It is God’s way of expressing how paradise looks like. It is this extreme combination that attracts tourists across the globe to this ancient land.

First things first let’s first discuss as how to reach the land of backwaters. This land is well connected with all parts of India and thus communication is highly developed. There are a number of transport options that one can avail. Kerala has three international airports in Kochi, Thiruvanthapuram and Kozhikode. Due to its heavy air traffic a fourth airport in proposed at Kannur. Almost all major Indian airlines have daily flights fling from this part of Southern India connecting it to other parts of India. Also, there are a number of International flights flying in and out of Kerala.

One can also reach this land by train. The Indian Railways’ Southern Railway connects the state with other parts of India. For travelling around the state and its cities and towns, one can avail the highly developed transport system. Also, there are a number of National Highways that connect the state with others parts of India. Even today, in Kerala, there has been an ancient way of water transport that exists. In the backwaters of Kerala water transport still remains the main medium of transport.

The major attraction of Kerala is undoubtedly the 600 Km of gorgeous coastline, which is dotted with, the most exotic of beaches and exciting water sports. These serene beaches often transport one into a dreamy world showcasing the very best of nature. Also, these beaches are home to some of the most existing adventure sports like parasailing, diving, swimming, and water scooting among many more. Some of the beaches that offer this unique experience are Varkala, Fort Kochi, Beypore, Alappuzha and many more.

If the gorgeous coastline of the State is majestic, the backwater of the State is the dream world material. These winding waterways of almost 900Km have attracted tourists across the world. The canals, inlets, rivers and lakes are famous for the house boats that float over it and are one of the major attractions of any Kerala tour. These boats traditionally called “Kettuvalams” are a great way to explore the surrounding terrain of emerald fields of paddy, the swaying of the palm trees, the interesting human habitation of the banks and the historic monuments standing tall.

The biggest advantage of Kerala is its beautiful mixture of old with the new, human with nature. Along with the exotic natural features, the land is gifted with great fauna and flora. It has thick green forest which is home to many wild animals. With two National Parks and twelve Wildlife sanctuaries tourist here get to explore a wide range avifauna, flora, landscape and fauna. Again, the hill stations of the state act as the perfect antidote for the tired soul. Its hilly stations mesmerize the tourists with its sheer beauty.

Also, the land is what the people living here make of it. Kerala stills nurtures a very rich and enriching culture with its food, art works, clothes, jewellery and of course the festivals. It nickname God’s Own Country holds true to this land. Kerala is an experience that everyone should have at least once.

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Assam – The Heaven of East

admin November 22, 2011
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Assam serves as the gateway to the seven states of the North Eastern India. The city is mainly known for its natural resources and wildlife reserves.

Kaziranga National Park: This national park is home for the one horned Indian Rhinoceros. This park is situated in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam. This park is declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This park is also known for its tigers. This park accounts for more than half of the total world population of Rhinos all around the world. There are many picnic spots along the River Brahmaputra in this park.

Sankardev Kalakshetra is the sacred temple amongst the Hindus and Buddhists of the north eastern states. This temple is known for its artistic beauty and excellence.

Manas National Park: This wildlife sanctuary is associated with Project Tiger Initiative. It is also an important Elephant and Biosphere Reserve of India. This park is located on the foots of Himalayas and is also declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is known for its exotic species which are in the verge of extinction.

Majuli: This is an island that situated on the River Brahmaputra. It is the largest river island in the India.

Sibsagar: It is a historical city that is located in this state. This city is known for its several monuments and buildings. This place is known for its celebrations Shiv Ratri. There are several Vishnu and Shiva Temples located here also. Devotees from all around the city come here to participate in the festival of Shiv Ratri.

The town of Tezpur is known for Tea Gardens and Cultivations that were planted during the British Raj. They have a history of producing some of the finest and best tea in India since the British rule in India.

You can book cheap air tickets to Assam from any city of India. Assam is a great place to enjoy your holidays in a peaceful environment.

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Top Things to do While on a Tour of Munnar

admin November 7, 2011
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Munnar is a breathtakingly beautiful destination in south India. This exotic destination is situated at an altitude of more than 6000 meters above sea level. It is located in the Ldukki district in Kerala. This premium hill station is surrounded by three mountainous rivers namely Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. The place is also known for its tea plantation that was established during the British Raj. So it is necessary to visit one of the tea plantations that are situated all across the hill station. There is something for everyone who comes here.

Reaching Munnar:

We have a number of options to reach here. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport which is about 135 kilometres away. You have to take a car to reach here.

The nearest railway station is located at Aluva which is also 140 kilometres away from here. So the only option to reach Munnar is via roadways. There are a number of options from various cities like Cochin, Coimbatore, Thekkady, Kumarakom and Alleppey. The road to Munnar has a number of dangerous curves and bends so it is advisable that you should hire local driver if you are not familiar with such conditions.

Accommodation:

There are a plenty of options of accommodations when you come to here. There are a number of 5, 4, 3 star hotels and resorts that will make your trip a truly memorable experience. There are a number of other low cost alternatives to these hotels that will make you feel at home.
There are ten homestays that are situated all along the hill station that have been designed in the style of guest houses. Many of them are owned and managed by some famous tours and resorts companies. Some of the homestays in Munnar are:

a.    Ambady Estate situated nearby to Devikulam
b.    Casa Del Fauno Boutique which is situated in the village of Muttukadu
c.    Marigold Leisure Farm Stay situated in Pothanmedu
d.    Rander Woods Homestay which is situated in the heart of Munnar
e.    Munnar Retreat in Chithirapuram

All of the above homestays have been designed in an environmental manner that will you feel closer to nature. Many of the homestays have plush and traditional interiors and serve a variety of cuisines. Apart from traditional Keralan cuisine, the continental cuisine is a must try. Providing delectable accommodations along with multiple cuisines to try out, these homestays are an ideal getaway for you.

Climate:

The hill station enjoys a cool and soothing climate all throughout the year. The topography of the Munnar is highly varied and its height varies from 1600 meters to 1800 meters. As a traveller you must bring in a lot of winter clothes in your journey to Munnar. The temperature can drop to 0 degrees during winters. The best time to visit Munnar is during the months of August and May. Even the monsoons can be a lovely time to visit Munnar.

Some of the best Attractions of Munnar:

1. Eravikulam National Park: It is one of the best national parks of Kerala. The park is known for its fauna and flora. This park was -established in 1975 to preserve some of the endangered species like Atlas Moth, Leopards, Tigers, Langur, Nilgai and much more. The park is situated in the Tropical Evergreen forests of Kerala and has the finest collection of fauna and flora.

2. Pothanmedu: This is one of the major plantations of Munnar. The place will give you exotic views of many nearby tea, coffee and cardamom plantations. The place is also popular amongst the trekkers and hikers who come here to enjoy the trekking over the rugged mountain ranges.

3. Atukkad Waterfalls: This is another scenic place that is situated near the town of Munnar. The waterfalls are located amidst the jungles and hills.

4. Anaimudi Peaks: These peaks are situated inside the eravikulum national park. The highest peak is about 2695 meters above sea level and is amongst the highest peaks of south India. The peak is home to many rare species like Atlas Moth, Leopards, Tigers, etc.

5. Kolukkumalai Tea Estate: This tea plantation is claimed to be the highest in the world. The height of this plantation is about 2175 meters above sea level. It also provides some of the stunning views of the nearby Western Ghats and other areas.

6. Echo Point: This place lies on the way to Munnar and is a small lake that is set amidst the hills on its sides. The lake got its name due to its echo effects i.e. every loud call made from the spot will be returned manifold by the nearby mountains. Many tourists come here to listen to the echoes of their friendship calls.

7.  Kundala Lake: This is another place where you can spend some time exploring the jungles of Kerala. You can use the services of pedal boat that will take into the interiors of the jungle. You won’t find any human settlements around the lake because of high density and concentration of forest all around it.

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Top Luxury Train Journeys in India

admin October 29, 2011
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Indian Railways is one of the largest rail networks in the world. The railways is one of the largest employer in the country and has done quite a lot in the field of customer support and satisfaction. Although traveling by air is very popular these days with the availability of cheap air tickets online but still there are people who can spend lots of money for luxurious train travel.

Apart from earning from regular passenger transportation and freight, the company also earns a handsome amount of money from its luxury trains that are operated on various routes of the country.

With growing income and improving standard of living, the luxury train travel is becoming much more affordable and popular these days. Train tickets can be booked online with the help of IRCTC. The tourists from all over the world come and explore India through these trains only.  It is seen as the best way to see India without any compromise on the comfort and luxury. The train journey includes the rail fare, food, guided tours and entrance fees to selected monuments and places.

Some of the best luxurious train journeys in India are:

1. Palace on Wheels: It is perhaps the oldest and widely known train service in India. It was started in 1982 and has been in the top ten train journeys in the world. You will be travelling all day and night exploring through various cities and places in the state of Rajasthan. The train has only 14 coaches that have been named after the cities of Rajasthan. The interiors have been designed with historic replicas of the former kings of Rajasthan. The train has a lounge and bars where you can sit back and enjoy the scenery. The cost to travel per person depends on your journey and route. The basic fare per person is $149 for single night travel on twin sharing basis. However during the peak season, this fares increases to $322. The total trip cost for the seven day tour will be around $3000 per person. The rates are subjected to change and there are service charges and VAT on the alcohol that will be served on board.

2. Deccan Odyssey: The Deccan Odyssey captures some of the best sights of Maharashtra and Goa. You will be able to treat yourself with some of the alluring views of the beaches of Goa, forts and other places of interest in Maharashtra. The train has been designed in the Maratha style and reflect the ways of Indian royalty and style. The train has 21 coaches out which there are 13 passenger coaches and rest are for the support staff and pantry. There are presidential suites, spas, gymnasiums, business facilities and much more. The seven day journey starts from Mumbai on every Wednesday of the week and the train covers the cities of Ratnagiri, Sindhugiri, Goa, Pune, Nashik and Aurangabad. The train returns to Mumbai on the next Wednesday. There are two options for the passengers to stay in the train i.e. Presidential Suite or a Deluxe Room. A cabin (Deluxe Room) can cost $390 per person per night based on double occupancy. The total cost for the entire seven day journey is about $2700.

3. Golden Chariot: This is an introduction from the Karnataka State Tourism board. The train derives its name from the stone chariot that is situated at the Hampi. It was started in 2008. The coaches of the train have been named after the various great dynasties that ruled the state of Karnataka. The train has various five star facilities such as gym, spas, business centre, bars and lounge. The main highlight of the train is the performance of the local artists. The route of the train has been divided into tracks. The Pride of the south takes you along the state of Karnataka and showing its various places. The Southern Splendor route expands the earlier router into the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The price of the train depends on your route. The pride of south costs about $425 for foreigners and Rs. 12350 for Indians. The seven day tour will cost $2975 and Rs. 86450 respectively.

Similarly the Southern Splendor costs about Rs. 15000 for Indians and $490 for foreigners. The seven day tour will cost about Rs. 105000 and $3430 respectively.

4. Maharaja’s Express: This is the latest luxury trains that has been introduced recently. The service was started in 2010 and is the first luxury train that will enable you to cover the entire India. The train has 23 coaches that have been designed in the five star fashion. There are 5 deluxe, 6 junior suite, 2 suite and 1 presidential suite carriages. The train has two restaurants, a bar and a lounge where you can enjoy the passing sceneries. The train route of Maharaja’s Express has been different depending on the state and part of India you want to travel to. The tours such as Princely India Tour, Royal India Tour, Classical India Tour and Celestial India Tour. The duration of each tour will be seven days. The price of train will depend on the tour opted by the passenger. Do check out the official website of the train to check out the availability and prices.

5. Fairy Queen: This train boasts of the oldest steam locomotives in the world. The Guinness has also recognized its feat and has crowned it as the oldest steam operational locomotive in the world. The train was started in 1855 under the rule of erstwhile British East India Company. This heritage train has its route from Delhi and Alwar where the tourists can get a glimpse of the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary. The train has only one AC coach that can accommodate up to 50 passengers. The coach has a beautiful lounge that provides you scenic sights of the countryside. The duration of the trip is about two days and one night. The full package of the train that includes the trip to Sariska and return ticket will cost you about Rs. 10500. The one way ticket along with sightseeing and a stay at Sariska will cost you about Rs. 7100. The simple trip without any extras will cost you about Rs. 1600.

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