An Ode to Love The Taj Mahal in Agra is a perennial draw

The past year hasn't exactly been a golden period for the worldwide tourism industry. But wanderlust is reasserting itself vigorously against the uncertain security situation, and is helping revive tourism at least in South and South-east Asia. Providing it vigorous fodder is the looming summer season: an apt time for the annual holiday to visit family and friends back home in India.

The summer of 2002 has much to offer the international as well as Indian traveller in the region. "This summer, there will be offers and packages like never before," promises Sanjiv Agarwal, chairman & managing director, Fairfest Media Ltd, organisers of the Travel and Tourism Fair and Outbound Travel Mart travel shows in India. His company's call for 2002 being declared the "Year of Tourism in India" has been well received by the industry. This travel resurgence is also being recognised by the Convention of Worldwide Travel Partners, which includes leading international carriers and tourism boards worldwide. It too has declared 2002 the "Year of the International Traveller". Industry sources claim this call is really in honour of the Indian international traveller for his contribution to international tourism.

Cashing In Indians have been making the most of low airfares and tour offers

The WTO (World Trade Organisation) has joined in to declare 2002 the "International Year of Tourism". As a result, various organisations have come out with special offers for Indians. Quite a feast really, but most enjoyed if cashed in on early as some schemes may not last the year.
Offers range from a South-east Asian country granting Indians bonus advantages on holiday packages, to some offering special discounts only for Indians in major restaurants and malls. For instance, Malaysia Airlines is offering 'Showcase Malaysia' to Indians, including up to three nights complimentary accommodation with breakfast for a minimum of two passengers travelling together.

Jungle Lore Don't miss the tiger

Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing is offering 20 to 40 per cent discounts at major restaurants and shopping malls in Dubai just for Indians (log on to www.dubaitourism.co.ae). The Indian customer gets the fourth night free at Taj Hotels in Dubai, Maldives and Nepal. Sri Lanka Tourism too has an Indian specific scheme-'Buy One Get One Free' to Sri Lanka including four nights/five days and airfare (log on to www.srilankan.lk). Sita Holidays offers one holiday in India for two nights/three days free for any international holiday booked with them. Emirates Airlines offers a free night's stay at the five-star hotel Le Meridian, Dubai, for those booked on a flight to any Emirates destination, except the Gulf. But remember, travel operators, airlines and tourism bodies change schemes often, so when sure of your travel dates, recheck the offers by logging on to the websites of members of the Convention of Worldwide Travel Partners.

Subtle Charm Naga girls in traditional attire

Travel Corporation of India and state tourism boards have geared up to give the travelling Indian a treat within the country. For those coming straight to Delhi, the Golden Triangle Tour is a forever popular week-long trip. Indianvisit takes you through Delhi, Mukundgarh, Jaipur, Agra and back. Take in the majesty of the Taj and the Fort Palaces of Rajasthan. The cost varies from $453 per person to $300 per person; check out www.indianvisit.com.

At the heart of India are the famous Khajuraho temples of Madhya Pradesh. The state's monuments celebrate love as well as showcase that they are home to the cultural heritages of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam. Exquisitely carved temples, stupas, forts and palaces dot the landscape. Well endowed naturewise too, Madhya Pradesh has dense forest cover where tigers, spotted deer, nilgai and the gaur roam. The endangered barasingha graze and multiply in the safe environs of the Kanha National Park. For information on tour packages to the state, log on to www.mptourism.com.

The plush interiors of the Palace on Wheels

The best tourist destinations in summer are surely the mountains. Skip the traditional hill stations of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Nainital in Uttaranchal. Go instead for white water rafting, para-gliding, mountain climbing, jeep safaris apart from natural beauty, crisp mountain air and solitude. Seek peace and pristine beauty in the Dhauladhar range of HP or explore the accessible hills of Uttaranchal. July and August is the time to make it to the Valley of Flowers in Uttar Pradesh. For the ultimate trekking challenge, there's Manali, Spiti and Kangra valleys in HP and the Pindari Glacier in Uttaranchal. For a unique cultural experience consider Kinnaur and Lahaul, also in HP. Kinnaur is home to some of India's oldest legends, a mix of Hinduism and Buddhism. Lahaul offers the closest thing to a Tibetan experience.

Serene Spot Sri Lanka is a draw for Indian tourists(above); there's culture and fun on the Malabar Circuit, Kerala (below)

Religious draws are yoga courses at Hrishikesh, or a pilgrimage to the four dhams of-Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamnotri. Scores of tour operators offer "dham" tours in summer. Mumbai's Apna Bharat Pravas (apnabharatpravas.com), for instance, has an 18-day package including the four dhams and places like Haridwar and Hrishikesh, at Rs 16,500 per head. The ultimate experience is the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, which draws Hindus, Jains as well as Buddhists. This year, the yatra will draw devotees from around the world as Tibetans believe this to be the year of the horse, an occurrence that happens after 60 years. So book early and fix dates. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatri Mandal, a voluntary government organisation helps and guides pilgrims travelling to Mt. Kailash using the Indian government route.

Private organisations also offer the tours. Indo-Nepal Holidays offers the tour (exit from Kathmandu) at Rs 69,000 per person for Indians and $1800 for other nationalities. If you book now, you may just make the April 15 date for tours beginning every week from May 6 to the end of August (indonepalholidays@vsnl.com;indonepalholidays@vsnl.com;http://www.kailashmansarovar.com. Jyoti Travels offers the package for Rs 54,999 for Indian nationals and $1,499 for foreign nationals.

Seaside Sojourns A beach in Sai Kung, Hong Kong

The North-east is inviting this year as the budget offered cheaper airfare to promote travel to the region. Explore the states of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, West Bengal and Sikkim. Log on to websites like jungletravelsindia.com and networktravelsindia.com for Northeast India specific packages. There's a lot to do there before the Monsoons arrive in July. The virgin land Arunachal Pradesh is worth exploring, where the sun rises on India and where over 500 rare species of orchids bloom.

For a trip west, Shree Raj Tours and Travels offers its "Romantic Rajasthan" package tour on deluxe and budget terms. Explore the golden sands of the Thar and more with a 12 night/13 day trip that takes you from Delhi to Agra, Jaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur. Costs: deluxe Rs 80,834; budget Rs 59,794 (per couple), including airfare, hotel, sightseeing and meals. Check www.raj-travels.com or for enquiries, call 1600 11 9900. For shorter getaways choose from Palace on Wheels, Rajasthan luxury train tour: a seven night package (the departure dates for April 2002 are 3,10,17 and 24; the train does not run between May and August, discounts available in April and September). Relish the lifestyles of the kings of yore as you take in the majestic forts and palaces of Rajasthan. Cost: (April and Sep 2002) per person per night: Single occupancy, $395; twin sharing, $295; triple occupancy $240, including stay, travel, meals and conducted sightseeing tours. Sunny Goa beckons with Goahub.com tours valid till 15 June 2002. Romantic Rains, Goa 2002 (June 15 '02 to October 31 '02). June and July is comfortable down South. Try the Nilgiri hills lush with tea gardens. Go offbeat. Log on to www.trailsindia.com Karnataka and Kerala premium resorts and Malabar tour packages.

A South-Asian experience this summer is as good as travelling in India with special offers and airlines with attractive packages. So, make the most of it. For a range of packages and reliable service, there's travel agency Thomas Cook's India specific website, www.thomascook.co.in, with a separate section that caters to foreign nationals and non-resident Indians. Other websites: www.traveljini.com, www.indiaoutdoors.com, www.shubhyatra.com. Good for those enamoured with the wild is www.nivalink.com. Best deals in air-tickets can be found at: www.lowest-airfare.com/ www.cheapflights.com (valid for the UK and Ireland); Cheap Tickets works in the same way for the US. Cheap Tickets INC. 115E.57th at Park Avenue, Suite 1510 T: 800-377-1000:, 212-570-1179, (US only).

Time to stop reading and begin packing instead?

-Inputs by Shuchi Sinha

(*rates and offers by tourism bodies subject to change)