Kolkata

Formerly known as Calcutta, 1st Capital of India of the British Rule before it was shifted to New Delhi. Also known as City of Joy. Bastions & remains of the ancient British & French settlements, boasts of a mini China Town within itself, continuing the Bengali Babu culture and witnessing Bengal Renaissance. A truly Heritage City with many diversity where culture & arts gets its true recognition. Where again Food & Football shares the same frenzy as Jazz & Jatras. Where world Politics are equally debated with Global warming. Where you can savor a Mc. Donald’s & Coke together with a Kati roll & Chai in a clay cup. What Thames is to London – Hooghly is to Kolkata and more…

Kolkata – known as Calcutta till 1991 - is the Capital City of Bengal State in India. is located in the world’s largest River Delta – the ‘Ganges Delta’, which stretches between River Hooghly on the West and River Meghna on the East and a host of other smaller rivers zigzag through the Ganges Delta which merge and flow into the Bay of Bengal Sea. And the world’s thirteenth most populous urban area with 14.2 million people residing in its urban core and suburbs.

Before the establishment of the city of Calcutta – the Anglicized name of ‘Kolkata’, three villages existed in the same area – Kalikata, Govindapur and Sutanuti. Kolkata derives its name from the Kalikata village – which literally means ‘the land of Goddess Kali’. Post the British Imperial Period in 1947, India embarked upon the process of renaming its cities which had to be approved by the Central Government. And thus Calcutta was renamed Kolkata in 2001.

Kolkata, having been gripped by the British politics and culture for centuries and having also been a seat and hub of Indian culture and art and religion, is a mammoth sized entity of a city that influenced the rest of the country towards political, educational, religious, artistic and general lifestyle reforms which is evident in its history and visible in its vibrant culture and myriad traditions.

Kolkata is a City of Palaces - owing to the numerous palatial mansions dotting the Kolkata cityscape – most constructed during the British colonial era in Bengal when Kolkata was made the Capital of British India. Their architecture is influenced by and emanates a mix of Neo-classical, neo-Gothic, Baroque, Islamic, Oriental and predominantly European (British, French and Portuguese) schools of design. Apart from the colossal and opulent constructions, Kolkata is home to some structural and technological marvels such as the world’s busiest and the 6th longest suspension type balanced Cantilever Bridge – the Howrah Bridge India’s longest Cable-stayed bridge – the Vidyasagar Setu; a multispan steel bridge – Vivekananda Setu and the Nivedita Setu – another cable-stayed bridge – all on one single river – Hooghly which spines through the city of Kolkata. Nothing short of being glorified, the Howrah Bridge was made the symbol of Kolkata.

Kolkata is also home to or has been a stepping stone for Nobel Prize winning Exponents such as Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore (Literature, 1913); Sir Ronald Ross (Medicine, 1902); C. V. Raman (Physics, 1930); Mother Teresa ( Peace, 1979); Amartya Sen (Economics, 1998); the ‘Oscar for Lifetime achievement’ awardee – Satyajit Ray and multi-time Grammy Winner – Pandit Ravi Shankar. Apart from these, there are scrolls of world- renowned and generations of statesmen, freedom fighters, social reformers, poets, scientists, historians, writers, orators, philosophers, linguists, sportsmen, fine artists, theatre artistes, film artistes, musicians, dancers, photographers, magicians, film makers and businessmen.

Call it a passion or obsession or maybe they are just wired that way but the gregarious Bengalis are all about boisterous and deep conversations, soul-stirring music, writing at the drop of a hat and food – both experimenting and eating. Visit the Coffee House at College Street in Kolkata and you can see what I mean. You will be amazed by the ‘Adda’ culture (having long-drawn and hearty conversations over hot cuppa tea) that’s in your face when you enter the Coffee House. Food is central to the Bengalis because of which the popular Bengali saying – ‘machhey bhate bangali’ (meaning fish and rice make a Bengali) has come into existence. One may not know a Bengali or not know where their sweets come from but the sweets made by the Bengalis are relished by domestic and foreign sweet-toothies all over.

Port Blair

Port Blair is the capital of the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It is located on the east coast of the South Andaman Island. Port Blair is the gateway to the pristine islands.

Port Blair is also an Island town offering water based activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, sea-cruises, and glimpses of the history and culture of the region. The Aberdeen Bazaar forms the centre of the town. Most of the restaurants and hotels are around this area. The main bus station is just west of the bazaar and the Airport 4 Kms. to the south west. The main passenger dock for ferries-the Phoenix Bay Jetty is 1 Km. to the North West.

Havelock Island

Havelock is a picturesque natural paradise with beautiful white sandy beaches, rich coral reefs and lush green forest. It is one of the populated islands in the andaman group with an area of 113 sq. km. and is located 39 km of north-east of Port Blair.

This island, with beautiful sandy beaches fringed with green canopy of the rain-fed forests beckons everyone to enjoy the frolic and fun at the azure sea.

• HOTELS ...

  • At most hotels in India the  check-in time is 1400 hours and the  check-out time is 1200 hours.  Early  Check  In  or  Late  Check  Out  is  subject  to  availability  at  the  sole  discretion  of  the hotels.
  • In the case you are arriving at a hotel before 14:00 you should consider booking an extra night, because immediate occupancy of rooms at hotel is subject to availability at the goodwill of hotels.
  • Triple: Triple rooms are inexistent in India; normally it is a double room in which a folding extra bed is placed. This reduces the space and comfortable movement in the room. There is no standard extra bed and its size varies from hotel to hotel and may be more or less comfortable. Extra bed is not recommended for children over 10 years of age.
  • Smoking in public areas of a hotel is prohibited in India. Public areas include  reception, restaurants,  hotels,  pubs,  discotheques,  banquet  halls,  and  even  open  lawns  etc.  Though demarcated  spaces  exist  for  smokers,  no  service  is  allowed  in  these  enclosures;  the  only exception being smoking rooms at hotels.

• MEALS ...

  • If any meal is included in the cost, it normally refers to a fixed menu or a free buffet laid in the Coffee Shop or a place designed for it. We advise you to consult the hotel reception for more details.
  • The cost does not include meals at any specialty or gourmet restaurants the hotel might have. The hotel may allow you to have meals at these restaurants at a supplement at their sole discretion.
  • Meals cannot be taken away from the restaurants to the rooms or in other public places such as pool, garden etc.

• TRAVEL BY ROAD ...

  • Road condition in India and the subcontinent can run full range from six lane pay ways, normal highways to very poor un-surfaced roads.
  • Driving here also follows different practices as all types of vehicles, animals and people use the roads.
  • Road conditions may also change due to climatic conditions such as rains, landslides and the commuting times can vary due to this. And this is obviously beyond our control.
  • Road journeys in the Indian Subcontinent can seem quite startling at first sight; however, our  drivers  are  well  trained  and  have  a  special  permission  given  to  transport  foreign  tourists. They  might  have  some  knowledge  of  English  but  normally  they  do  not  speak  other  foreign languages.
  • The driver is not allowed to carry the services of a guide in India.  It is advisable not to speak to the  driver  while  he  is  driving. We  suggest that  you  relax  and  enjoy the  extraordinary sights en route.
  • During the visit to Taj Mahal, from the parking, you would have to take a battery operated non-polluting,  non-air-conditioned  microbuses.  These  cannot  be  booked  in  advance  and  you would have to wait in queue for your turn.

• AIRFARES AND TRAVELLING BY AIR ...

  • The proposal indicates the best existing price. Bookings are made once you accept the proposal  and  send  your  names  and  other  details  required.  Your  booking  form  should  include the Name and Surname as they appear in the passport along with the age of the passengers. This is very important as change of names due to   error is not allowed and the booking must be cancelled to issue new tickets and new rates might be applicable. Holding tickets without the day of travel and correct names is now allowed by the airlines.
  • Airlines may also modify airfares at any time till the time of issuance of the tickets. If such a case does happen, we shall inform you of the new rates applicable and these shall apply.
  • Airlines  may  decide  to  change  or  cancel  flights,  without  prior  notice  and  Indior  Tours cannot be held liable for this. We shall, however do our best to maintain the original program and would inform you of any discounts or supplement rising from a situation beyond our control.
  • Baggage  trolleys  are  available  at  the  airports.  Should  you  require  extra  services  of  a porter to move your luggage from the carousel to the vehicle or from the vehicle to the check-in counter please let us know in anticipation so that we can check with the airport authority or the airlines if such service is availability and arrange it.
  • Our representative will meet and assist you on your arrival and departure within the area permissible to them under security regulations of the Airport Authority.

• BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE ...

  • Checked Baggage: Baggage exceeding in size, the sum of the 3 dimensions (length + breadth + height) in excess of 45 inches or 115 centimeters, cannot be treated as hand baggage and will have to be checked in. The following are the permitted allowance:

   

           First Class                                                                         40 Kgs.

           Executive Class                                                                 35 Kgs.

           Economy Class (Y,B,M & H)                                              20 Kgs.

           Economy Class (K,Q,V,W,G,L,U,S,T,X, N & E)               15 Kgs.

           Infants not entitled to a seat (All economy classes)          Nil

   

  • Infants will be entitled to 1 collapsible stroller/carrycot/infant car seat.
  • The maximum  weight  permissible for  a  single  piece  of  baggage  is  32  kgs.  This  rule  is applicable on the entire Air India network
  • Cabin Baggage:  The  Government  of  India  regulations  permit  only  one  piece  of  cabin baggage  on  board.  The  dimensions  of  which  should  not  exceed  115  linear  cms  and weight  should not exceed 7 kgs. The  dimensions  of  the  hand  baggage  should  not exceed 55 cm X 35 cm X 25 cm totaling not more than 115 linear cms for Boeing as well as  Airbus.  The  hand  baggage  dimensions for  ATR  should  not  exceed  50  cm  X  45  cm X  20  cm  totaling  not  more  than  115  linear  cms.  Trolley  bags  with  the  above  specified dimensions will be allowed.
  • An infant carrying basket is allowed per infant traveling within India.
  • Guests travelling on flights originating from Jammu, Srinagar and Leh stations will not be
  • Contours  are  available  at  all  airports  to  check  the  dimensions.  If  it  exceeds  these
  • Gels,  alcohol,  liquids,  creams,  lotions,  and  sharp  articles,  etc.  are  not  permitted  in  the
  • If you are arriving at Delhi and Mumbai from an international flight and then in transit to
  • Please note that you can carry electronic items like camera etc. but without the batteries. allowed to carry any hand baggage. specifications,  you  will  be  requested  to  check  your  bag  into  the  baggage  hold.  Hand baggage is accepted in the  cabin  subject to availability of  space in the Over Head Bin. Restricted stowage space is also available under the front seat. In the event of no space being available in the aircraft to stow hand baggage, it will be necessary to remove and load the same in the baggage hold as per safety regulations. hand baggage. another flight (international or within India) you may not be permitted to carry liquids more than 100 ml in their cabin baggage when going through security at these airports. Batteries  should  be  taken  out  and  placed  in  the  check-  in  baggage.  Otherwise  the security personnel at the airport shall remove the batteries and throw them away.
    • Indior Tours suggests the following:
      • Take small toiletries in your cabin luggage so that you are not left without supplies in case your checked luggage is lost by the airline.
      • In  case  of  special  medical  prescription  -  pacemaker  :  please  carry  the English translation for the prescription with you in the cabin baggage.
      • Remember to take more medication than necessary for your stay in case you get stuck in place.
      • Also take all your medicines in the cabin luggage.
      • Take your chargers, phones, cameras etc. in the cabin luggage.

• INSURANCE ...

  • All arrangements made by Indior Tours are in the capacity of an agent only. Indior Tours will not be liable for  claims or expenses arising from  circumstances beyond its  control  such as accidents, injuries, delayed or cancellation of flights & acts by forces of nature.
  • Force  Majeure:  Indior  Tours  shall  not  be  liable  to  pay  any  compensation  where  the performance  or  prompt  performance  of  our  contractual  obligations  is  prevented  or  affected  by or  you  otherwise  suffer  any  damage  or  loss  as  a  result  of  “force  majeure”.  In  these  Booking Conditions, “force majeure” means any event which Indior Tours or the supplier of the service(s) in  question  could  not,  even  with  all  due  care,  foresee  or  avoid.  Such  events  may  include  war or threat of war,  riot,  civil  strife, actual or threatened terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or  nuclear  disaster,  adverse  weather  conditions, fire  and  all  similar  events  outside  our  control. Indior  Tours  and  its  associates  are  not  liable  for  any  compensation  for  damage  caused  by  a force  majeure  or  other  unforeseen  events  that  Indior  Tours  or  its  associates  could  not  have prevented even through utmost care. Indior Tours would notify our clients/agents timely of such force  majeure  events  as  and  when  feasible  and  will  aim  to  limit  the  damage  and  supplement cost  befalling the  clients/agents for making  alternate  arrangements  deviating from the  planned program.
  • We  suggests that apart from  regular travel insurance,  you  should also take extra  cover for cancellation, natural and man-made disasters, technical hazard that can cause any significant or non-significant physical damage and destruction or loss of time, life and property.

• FESTIVALS ...

  Local  festivals  may  fall  on  the  date  of  travel  and  it  is  possible  that  the  visits  to  places of  interest  are  modified  by  the  local  government  or  authorities  for  which  we  cannot  be  held responsible. The program would be amended accordingly so that none of the visits included are missed on an alternative provided.

• ACTIVITIES ...

  (Wildlife Safari/ Boat ride/ Desert & Rural Safari/ Bicycle & Rickshaw Ride/ Animal Rides)

  • Please  be  aware that  local  laws  governing transportation  safety  in Indian Subcontinent may differ from those in your country. As per your itinerary, you may indulge in an activity that includes  alternate  mode  of  transport  including  canters  and  jeeps,  bicycle  and  auto-rickshaws, camels,  elephants  and  horses  and  a  variety  of  All  passengers  participating  in  village/desert safaris  should  be  ready  for  a  rustic  experience  as  local  jeeps  may  have  side  facing  seats (seats placed along the length of the vehicle). Also, please be informed that most of the Wildlife Safari  vehicles are open and as  such  vehicles like jeeps/canters used for  safaris and for other sightseeing tours / excursions may or may not have seat belts. All guests must acknowledge that they are aware of the risks involved depending on the type of tour taken.

   

  Boats: To take part in any boat ride, you need to be of average mobility to be able to climb on and  off  all  these  boats  unaided;  able  to  disembark  onto  makeshift  docks  without  handrails,  or onto muddy and slippery riverbanks.

  Canters: These are large, open trucks with wooden bench seats in the back and used for safaris on sharing basis in the national parks.

  Elephant ride at Amber Fort (Jaipur): Elephant rides can either be taken to the fort or from the fort based on the directives  received from the Rajasthan State Tourism Board and are booked on first come-first serve basis. As such for Elephant ride at Amber Fort, an early departure from the hotel is recommended. Also note Elephant ride to or from the Fort is subject to same being operational and may be stopped due to various reasons by Rajasthan State Tourism Board

  Important: At all times, our Tour Managers, Local Guides, and Representatives will assist and brief  guests  about these  activities  but  cannot  guarantee the  uninterrupted  services  during their stay in Indian Subcontinent. All guests must bear full responsibilities for such activities releasing Indior Tours, its associates, its directors, its agents of any claim. It would be in your interest to buy a suitable insurance to cover all risks associated with such travel.

• SUGGESTED CLOTHING ...

  • To  respect local traditions, we  suggest that  you  should avoid to wearing dresses which are short, tight fitting, sleeveless or with deep necklines. This is particularly recommended during visit to places worship and meetings with families etc.).  Visitors going to a religious place on the tour should be modestly dressed. Admission may be denied (depending on the code of conduct followed  at  the  religious  place  being  visited)  to  anyone  wearing  shorts  pants/skirts,  sleeveless t-shirts/blouses.  Bare  shoulders  and  mid-riffs  are  not  permitted  and  should  be  covered  with shawls. Visitors are required to take their shoes off and cover their heads (with scarves/ stoles) before entering a  religious  complex. Please try and avoid  very  revealing  swimsuits even at the hotel swimming pool.

• POPULATION ...

  In  order  not  to  encourage  begging,  we  suggest  that  you  should  not  distribute  anything  during your visits  (candy, money, toys, pens etc.).Should you wish to made donations in cash or kind, please consult your guide who would provide you with the best advice.

  We suggest that you spend your money to buy locally produced things made my local craftsmen and take them to the  country of  your origin and  contribute to the local economy thus providing work to those in need.

• PRICE AND OTHER CONDITION OF SALE ...

  • Prices are subject to change in case any supplier decides to increase the rates at short notice or any change in tax structure is proposed by the Government of India and Reserve Bank of India regulations pertaining to taxes. Similarly in case of any hike in the hotel rates, transport and fuel charges, entrances to the monuments, fluctuation in the rate of exchange, or a change caused  by  an  unforeseen  political  activity  or  force  majeure  situation,  we  reserves  the  right  to adjust the tour price accordingly.

  • The  rates provided in this quotation are  confidential exclusively for the person or agent to  which they  are  being  sent.  These  cannot  be  disclosed to  any third  party  without the  written consent of Indior Tours.

  • The  costs indicated are based on  rates  contracted for leisure business. No  conference/business/corporate activity is envisaged in this tour cost. Including any such activity may result in the above group being treated as a business delegation and the hotels may like to charge rates applicable for Business delegations.

  • For  package  deals,  Indior  Tours  may  not  be  in  a  position  to  provide  supporting  bills. Supporting bills may be provided only where available and only if it was agreed in writing before confirmation of any tour, conference or event.

  • In case of any refunds / adjustments, if applicable, the same will be processed between Indior Tours and the Foreign Tour Operator. No refund will be given directly to the clients in India.

  • Any dispute will be settled within the guidelines framed by Indior Tours and at courts and forums at Delhi shall have exclusive jurisdiction in this regard.

• RECOMMENDED TIPS ...

  (Indicative only because it is at the discretion of each / not to spare but only tickets ) :

  • 10% of the total amount of the invoice/meals in restaurants, hotels
  • ` 20 (Indian Rupees) / porterage at hotels
  • PP 03 € per day for guide escort (to be submitted in an envelope at the end of the stay)
  • PP 02 € per day for the driver (to be submitted in an envelope at the end of the stay)
  • PP 01 € 01 per day for the assistant driver  (to be submitted in an envelope at the end of the stay

• CANCELLATION FEES ...

  • Cancellation fee per person:
  • 31 days prior to arrival: no cancellation fee.
  • 30 - 15 days prior to arrival date: 50 % of the total billing amount.
  • 14 - 07 prior to arrival date - 75% of the total billing amount.
  • 07 - No show: 100 % of the total billed amount.
  • In  case  of  reservation  of  luxury  hotels  like the Villas, Palace Hotels,  Luxury Trains  and Cruises etc. the  cancellation fees  can be  severe. Same is also applicable for the high demand periods of Christmas and New Year's or during periods when International or local Fairs or major Sports events are being organized. Please contact us for details.
  • In case of cancellation or change of flights once the tickets have been issued, a standard deduction of 25 per person per sector would be levied. In case of no show, the deduction will be that of 100 %.