Dharamsala is very popular with the tourist set in Himachal

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Himachal Pradesh? Snow-capped mountains, breathtaking gorges, hospitable people and of course, apples. It’s one place that never goes out of season.

There are two reasons why more tourists are heading to Himachal Pradesh this year. For a start, the recent terrorist attacks on tourists in Kashmir have made domestic travellers look elsewhere. And where better than a state with picturesque locales high in the mountains? Cashing in on this trend are travel houses, which are out to lure tourists with special packages. Says Sunil Gupta, COO of SOTC, “Himachal Pradesh has always been a hot favourite during summers. But now travellers want to experience it even in the monsoon and winter. Also, it offers different adventure activities for the younger lot too.”

A number of travel agencies like SOTC, TCI, Thomas Cook and Cox & Kings have attractive offers for tourists. Almost all are ex-Delhi, which means that you need to get there first and then the packages kick in.

Himachal Pradesh has an extraordinary range of destinations for everyone from impecunious backpackers to luxury travellers. You could spend time in Shimla, though it’s not as lovely as it once was. Or, you could head deeper into the state to places like Kullu (famous for its shawls) and Manali. Alternatively, if you’re game for some adventure, try skiing at Kufri and Narkanda.

To begin with, SOTC has an eight-day and seven-night package called Exotic Himachal. Costing Rs 16,900 per person, it includes accommodation with breakfast, transfers and sightseeing. The places covered are Parwanoo, Shimla, Manali and Chandigarh. However, it does not include rail or airfares.

Thomas Cook has an eight-night, nine-day Himalayan Heights package that includes places like Parwanoo, Shimla, Manali and Panchkula. The offer is valid till September 30. The cost includes accommodation in deluxe hotels, breakfast and dinner, non air-conditioned car for round trip, transport starting from Delhi, airport or station pick-up and drop, sightseeing, excursions and applicable taxes.

It excludes air/train fare, items of personal nature like porter charges, tips, laundry, and telephone calls, service tax as applicable on the package cost and guides and entrance fee during sightseeing. The cost of this package is Rs 18,895 per person on twin-sharing basis. There’s also another 10-night and 11-day package called Himachal Odyssey valid till September 30. Places include Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie and Panchkula. In Manali, tourists can enjoy paragliding at the Solang Valley, which is not included in the package. The total cost of this package is Rs 21,655 per person on twin-sharing basis.

TCI has a seven-night and eight-day Himalayan Wonders package for Rs 16,500 per person. Valid till September 30, this includes places like Parwanoo, Shimla, Manali and Chandigarh. TCI has tied up with several hotels like Timber Trail Heights at Parwanoo, East Bourne Resort, Shimla, Shingar Regency, Manali, K.C Cross Road, Chandigarh.

Dalhousie is very popular with the tourist set in Himachal

The cost includes accommodation (twin sharing), breakfast and dinner and transport in non air-conditioned vehicle. It excludes air/rail fare to and from destination, personal expenses and entrance fees. Says Jai Mohan, executive, Indian Holidays, TCI, “There are places in Himachal like the Solang Valley, Kullu Valley, Rohtang Pass, which always hold great significance to tourists. One can visit these places at any time and experience their natural beauty. As far as bookings are concerned, it’s on the rise and during the festive season, we are hoping that tourists will be attracted to it.”

If you are not just satisfied with the usual Shimla, Kulu and Manali packages, try the 10-day and nine-night Cox & Kings Scenic Himachal deal. It not only covers places like Shimla and Manali but also has Dalhousie and Dharamsala on the list. You can capture the majestic view of the Dhauladhar range from Dharamsala and the picturesque Kangra valley below. The package costs Rs 16,980 per head on twin sharing basis and is valid till September 20.

So, if you want a mountain holiday Himachal Pradesh might, for the time being, be the best bet.

Route map

Even as 5-star hotel chains go on a breathless expansion spree, travellers can expect lots of action in the mid-budget segment as well.
ITC Welcomgroup’s mid-price hotel chain, Fortune Park Hotels is forging ahead to woo those with modest budgets. The Fortune chain already boasts of 17 briskly busy hotels spread across the country. The chain has promised Calcutta a Fortune of its own very soon. Besides signing for an upcoming property in the city, Fortune is also moving into Siliguri and Cochin. The latest buzz from the group is its inclusion of Mumbai and Bangalore in its fast growing family. The Mumbai project will be a hotel-cum-hospital in Thane that will go online in less than a year. It will be a 200-bed hospital treating patients in fields of cardiology, oncology, organ transplant and joint replacement. The attached 55-room ‘wellness hotel’ will be managed by Fortune (you can expect it to be a no-smoking, no alcohol and pure vegetarian zone). The Bangalore hotel, located in the very corporate Whitefield area, should be ready by the middle of 2007 with 153 rooms and suites.