Vande Bharat train routes in India
In February 2019, Indian Railways introduced India’s first indigenous state-of-the-art semi-high-speed superfast express train named ‘Vande Bharat’ between Delhi and Varanasi. The Vande Bharat Express Trains in India aims at connecting cities that are at medium distances, i.e., less than eight hundred kilometers away. In other words, these trains operate between cities
In February 2019, Indian Railways introduced India’s first indigenous state-of-the-art semi-high-speed superfast express train named ‘Vande Bharat’ between Delhi and Varanasi.
The Vande Bharat Express Trains in India aims at connecting cities that are at medium distances, i.e., less than eight hundred kilometers away. In other words, these trains operate between cities that take only less than ten hours to travel with current train services.
Did you know? The Ministry of Railways plans to launch nearly four hundred such trains in the coming years. Read more!
The History Behind Vande Bharat Train
The Railway Board of India intended and geared for high-speed trains in the year 1960. The study attempted to increase the speed from 96 km/h back then to 160 km/h. With the help of RDSO (Research Design and Standards Organization) and ICF (Integral Coach Factory), Chennai, the board was able to launch the 120 km/h Rajdhani Express in 1969.
After decades, the board introduced the 160 km/h train in 2016. Again, after the “Make in India” movement, the board introduced indigenously designed self-propelled EMU trainsets with a maximum speed of 183 km/h during the trials in 2018. Later, in 2019, these trainsets were named “Vande Bharat Express Trains” and launched between the capital of India and Varanasi.
Vande Bharat: All You Need to Know About The Train Routes
Here is a brief overview of the first ten routes launched for this express train in India.
1. Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)—New Delhi
- It was the first pride of Indian railways.
- The Honorable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi flagged it off.
- The train number is 22435.
- It was launched in February 2019.
- It runs five days a week, except Thursdays and Mondays.
- The return train runs between New Delhi and Varanasi with train no. 22436.
2. New Delhi—SMVD KATRA (Jammu and Kashmir)
- It was the second train to be launched.
- The Honorable Minister of Home Affairs flagged it off.
- The train number is 22439.
- It was launched in October 2019.
- It operates all days except Tuesdays.
- The return train runs between SMVD KATRA and New Delhi with train no. 22440.
Get your confirmed (CNF) ticket with the leading Train ticket booking agency!
3. Mumbai Central (Maharashtra)—Gandhinagar CAP (Gujarat)
- The train number is 20901.
- It was launched in September 2022.
- Except for Sundays, it runs all the other days.
- The return train runs between Gandhinagar CAP and Mumbai Central with train no. 20902.
4. New Delhi—Amb Andaura (Himachal Pradesh)
- The train number is 22447.
- It was launched in October 2022.
- Except for Tuesdays, it operates all other six days a week.
- The return train runs between Amb Andaura and New Delhi with train no. 22448.
5. MGR Chennai Central (Tamil Nadu)—Mysuru Vande Bharat Express (Karnataka)
- The train number is 20608.
- It was launched in November 2022.
- It runs six days a week.
- The return train runs between Mysuru and MGR Chennai Central with train no. 20609.
- It won’t run on Wednesdays.
6. Bilaspur (Bilaspur)—Nagpur (Maharashtra)
- The train number is 20825.
- It was launched in December 2022.
- Except for Saturdays, it runs the remaining six days a week.
- The return train runs between Nagpur and Bilaspur with train no. 20826.
Need help with Vande Bharat train ticket booking? Contact us!
7. Howrah (West Bengal)—New Jalpaiguri (West Bengal)
- The train number is 22301.
- It was launched in December 2022.
- It operates all days except Wednesdays in a week.
- The return train runs between New Jalpaiguri and Howrah with train no. 22302.
8. Secunderabad (Telangana)—Visakhapatnam (Andra Pradesh)
- The train number is 20834.
- It was launched in December 2022.
- It operates six days a week, leaving on Wednesdays.
- The return train runs between Visakhapatnam and Secunderabad with train no. 20835.
Want to book the train ticket yourself? The official website for Online train ticket booking in India is IRCTC!
9. Mumbai Central (Maharashtra)—Sainagar Shirdi (Maharashtra)
- The train number is 22223.
- It was launched in February 2023.
- It runs six days a week, except Tuesdays.
- The return train runs between Sainagar Shirdi and Mumbai Central with train no. 22224.
- However, this train got canceled in 2023 due to poor signal systems and megablocks.
10. Mumbai Central (Maharashtra)—Solapur (Maharashtra)
- The train number is 22225.
- It was launched in February 2023.
- Except for Wednesdays, it runs all the other days.
- The return train runs between Solapur and Mumbai Central with train no. 22226.
The Successive Vande Bharat Train Routes Launched in India
11. Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)—New Delhi (Train number: 20171)
12. Secunderabad (Telangana)—Tirupati (Andra Pradesh) (Train number: 20701)
13. MGR Chennai Central (Tamil Nadu)—Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) (Train number: 20643)
14. Delhi Cantt (New Delhi)—Ajmer (Rajasthan) (Train number: 20977)
15. Thiruvananthapuram Central (Kerala)—Kasaragod (Kerala) (Train number: 20634)
16. Puri (Odisha)-Howrah (West Bengal) (Train number: 22896)
Are you looking for help with your Train Ticket reservation? Click the link to proceed!
17. Anand Vihar Terminal (New Delhi)—Dehradun (Uttarakhand) (Train number: 22457)
18. New Jalpaiguri (West Bengal)—Guwahati (Assam) (Train number: 22227)
19. Bengaluru (Karnataka)—Dharwad (Karnataka) (Train number: 20661)
20. Patna (Bihar)—Ranchi (Jharkhand) (Train number: 22349)
21. Indore (Madhya Pradesh)—Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) (Train number: 20991)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many Vande Bharat trains are there in India?
As per the latest NDTV article dated February 2024, a total of eighty-two trains are operational across the Indian cities.
2. What facilities are on these trains?
The train has two classes—the AC Executive Class and the AC Chair Car Class. The executive class is furnished with 2×2 rotating seats and the chair car class is furnished with 2×3 retractable seats. These fully air-conditioned trains are equipped with CCTV cameras, wider windows, electric outlets, bio-vacuum toilets, reading lights, automatic doors, onboard catering, water taps with sensors, etc.
3. What are the new routes for Vande Bharat Express?
In March 2024, the ministry introduced around ten new routes. A few of them include Lucknow to Dehradun, Ranchi to Varanasi, Ahmedabad to Mumbai Central, and Bhubaneswar to Visakhapatnam.
4. What routes are expected in the future?
Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu) to MGR Chennai Central (Tamil Nadu), Jaipur (Rajasthan) to Chandigarh (Punjab and Haryana), Jamnagar (Gujarat) to Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Udaipur (Rajasthan) to Jaipur (Rajasthan), etc.
5. Which is the longest-distance Vande Bharat train in India?
It is the first route between Varanasi and New Delhi, accounting for about 757–759 kilometers. The duration is about eight hours.
How do Travel Agency Tour packages make a Stress free Vacation?
Before dealing with the Benefits of Travel Agency Tour Packages and how they make Vacation stress-free, you must first understand who these travel agencies are and what their Travel Services are in detail.
Before dealing with the Benefits of Travel Agency Tour Packages and how they make us stress free Vacation, you must first understand who these travel agencies are and what their Travel Services are in detail.
Who is a Travel Agency?
A Travel Agency is a company that retails travel packages, offers, and deals to customers looking to travel or plan their trip. Most unorganized travel agents, in general, help with generic tours and packages, i.e., a holiday trip or vacation travel. However, an established and professional travel agent will cater to all types and specialties of tourism, including holiday tourism, eco-tourism, medical tourism, education tourism, wildlife tourism, heritage tourism, etc.
Is it better to rely on a Travel Agent? Or do it yourself?
When all of us are mechanized with our jobs and household chores, we don’t find time and energy to plan our vacations. Moreover, personally scouting for vacation destinations, shortlisting various travel agency packages, and then finalizing one among them is a laborious process and makes us stressed amid other deeds. Thus, it is always better to rely on a travel agent. Indeed, they take more effort than us to get the best itinerary for our vacation. Ultimately, you get stress free family vacation and can save time for the family or other priority tasks on the list.
What are the competitive Advantages when choosing Travel Agency Tour Packages?
In the last section, we briefly saw why choosing a travel agent for planning your vacation is better than doing it yourself. In this section, let’s see in detail the Benefits of a Travel Agency and its Travel Agency Packages and services.
- End-to-end Travel support
Gone are the days when the role of Travel Agents ended when they were done with their bookings and reservations. Today, their services have evolved by leaps and bounds.
- Before Travel: Preparing personalized itinerary, giving advice on best tourist destinations, suggesting economical packages, booking tickets for commutation, making reservations at hotels or resorts, etc
- During Travel: Assisting with airport transfers or car rentals, arranging guides or travel experts, advising on the best places to visit based on current affairs, etc.
With all these burdens off your head, you can even plan for hundreds of similar Stress free Vacations with the help of a Travel Agent.
- Help in emergencies
You can 100% trust your Travel Agent when you go through an emergency during your vacation. They will assist you 24/7 and rescue you and your travel partners by reaching out to the respective tourism associations.
- Effortless travel processes
- Foreign currency exchange: Money exchange could be daunting if you’re a full-time employee and want to do it personally. First, you have to calculate how much money you need for the trip. Second, find a trusted vendor. Third, exchange for a better price while waiting in the queue. Instead, count on travel agencies; they can save a lot of money for you despite saving your time.
- Visa requirements: When you apply for a tourist visa on your own, you may not know the nuances of getting your application through and also end up spending more on unwanted services. On the other hand, a travel agent knows how to get your visa approved and can offer this service as a compliment when choosing their tour packages.
- Travel insurance: Travel or tour operators are experts in understanding your travel needs and recommending the right travel insurance. Get maximum insurance coverage at discounted prices with the help of travel agents!
Customized packages
Experienced Travel Agencies are well-versed in Domestic and International tourist places, the cost of travel, the things to do, etc. In addition, a full-service Travel Agency assigns a personal travel expert who is well-organized, well-aware of various travel packages, and able to suggest the right tour package for your customized needs.
So, be it a Business Trip, Honeymoon Trip, Biodiversity Trip, or, in the worst case, if you’re looking for a cruise-specific package, they can make it happen on your behalf. Every part of your package is personalized and worthwhile when you choose the right travel agent with years of experience and a legacy in this field.
Benefits of choosing Emperor Traveline, the Leading Tour Operator in India!
Since its inception in 1980 by the aspiring duo brothers, Mr. K. Chandran and Mr. K. Rajendran, Emperor Traveline has been flying high as one of the leading tour operators in India. It is a unique, self-styling travel organization with a huge set of advantages to benefit from:
An active member of almost all travel associations. Strong relationships with the finest star hotels and luxury vehicles for commutation.
An authorized agent for Southern Railways and all domestic and international airlines. Provide competitive ticket fares when compared to other tour operators or travel companies.
Help with skilled guides at Important Tourist Destinations. Moreover, the employees at Emperor Traveline are qualified, trained, and competent enough to provide travel guidelines and prepare the best itineraries for you.
Importance of Educational Tours
A Chinese philosopher and the paragon of Chinese sages once said,
What I hear, I forget;
what I see, I remember;
and what I do, I understand.
Of these, the last two show much relevance to knowing the importance of
educational tours.
In general, educators use various teaching methods to educate their
students. For imparting knowledge to students, though classroom teaching is the conventional and best method, educational tours can be considered the next best technique. There are umpteen reasons why educational touring has a vital role to play in the educational journey of students. Briefed in the article are the top five benefits of taking students on field trips and educational trips.
Importance of Educational Tours and Their Unparalleled Benefits
- Practical and interactive learning
- Social bonding and fun
- New learning through new experiences
- Community and Culture
- Improved academic performance
Practical and interactive learning
Education tours for students in India are quite prominent, as the country is
diverse in every aspect of business, society, and human welfare. There are a
lot of things to learn from the distinct people and places in the country.
Students can interactively learn from these kinds of learning trips. Thanks to the previous generations, who have shown how students can gain practical knowledge when taken out to the fields.
Social bonding and fun
Among the numerous benefits of educational tours, social bonding is
something special. Because students can collaborate, interact, and create a
social bond with peers. And most importantly, with the educator and the
faculties. Apart from an educator teaching or training a student, what is
special and the need of the hour is the interpersonal relationship. This will
enable the student to receive lifelong guidance. From higher education to
career advice, students can always stay on top of things when guided by
educators.
New learning through new experiences
Traveling to new places helps students gain new experiences and learn new
practical lessons. Yes, ‘travel and learn’ is a great concept as it deals with
the reality and actual occurrences of events. From meeting new people to
seeing new small and big companies to watching new types of machinery to
eating new cuisines, everything is afresh. Now, tell us, isn’t it great learning
for the students?
Community and Culture
Besides the technical knowledge and lessons learned from an educational
tour, students can explore the non-curricular aspects of the real world. For
example, staying in a new place enables them to learn about the local
communities and their ways of living (food, culture, language, fashion, etc.)
This is why education experts appreciate ‘learning through travel.’ And
undoubtedly, students can consider it a fun-filled excursion while learning
the curriculum. For customized budget tour packages for students, click
here!
Improved academic performance
When an educational tour package can offer so many practical lessons and
life experiences, as aforementioned in this article, will the student show
improvement in his or her academic performance? Indeed, this question is
beyond doubt. Every student must have learned something new, both in
curricular and non-curricular aspects, and will definitely show some
improvement in their overall academic performance. If not in terms of exam scores, at least in the way they see, perceive education, or grasp the
concepts.
Conclusion
For every student to gain this experiential learning, educational tours have
to become part and parcel of the course or curriculum. And educators can
increase students’ curiosity to learn more in practical ways by involving them in every aspect of the educational tour (identifying the relevant field,
company, venue, etc.)
Emperor Traveline is a legacy tour operator in India with customer-centric and quality services. They provide customized itineraries for both domestic and international educational tours.
Best Summer Destinations In The World
As summer is around the corner, summer vacation spots are already getting ready to welcome you! Well, have you made your choices for summer holiday destinations yet?
This blog will walk you through the seven best summer destinations in the world. Explore them and plan your holiday!
Top Seven Places to Travel in The Summer This Year 2023
- Bali, Indonesia
- Salt Lake City, United States
- Tahiti Island, French Polynesia
- Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Whistler, British Columbia
- New Zealand
- Greenland
Bali, Indonesia
A great island to visit in summer! It has beautiful alpines, delightful shores, amazing reefs, etc. The island will impress you with its cultural heritage, vibrant ancient temples, and lovely sunsets. The nightlife here is totally energetic. Thus, becoming one of the top summer destinations in the world.
It also serves as the best honeymoon destination for newly married couples. Other honeymoon destinations in Asia >>>
Things to do: Sightseeing, Shopping, Experiencing the local culture/cuisine, Surfing, and Watersports
Salt Lake City, United States
For families looking for a perfect summer getaway, this is the best pick! Yes, being the capital city of Utah, United States, it has the most pleasing weather in summer. So, you can relax, stay outdoors, and enjoy your holidays to their best here in this destination. The landscapes are the most gorgeous ones that you can never forget in your lifetime.
Things to do: Hiking, Photography, Cave voyaging, Water parks, Zoo tours, and Sightseeing.
Tahiti Island, French Polynesia
Tahiti is a picturesque island of beauty and tranquility. Located amid the French Polynesian topography, it has unique beaches with black sand. This black sand, along with the greenish tropical forests offers a treat to your eyes. It has a couple of emerald waterfalls inside the forests. Undoubtedly, it stands on top of the best places for summer holidays in the world.
Things to do: Water sports, Trekking, Market visits, Waterfall, Beach, and Museum strolls.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
The most special thing about Colombo is the reasonable expenses. Yes! You can enjoy the best beaches and shopping centers at pretty low prices than the other summer destinations in this article. Amongst the best summer vacation spots, Colombo occupies an exceptional place as you can visit the place with your family, friends, life partner, or even as a solo traveler.
Things to do: Shopping, Sightseeing, and Visiting Lake, Memorial hall, Museum, and Temples.
Whistler, British Columbia
Are you a traveler bored of shopping and snorkeling at the beaches? Then we got you! Yes, Whistler is absolutely a great place to cherish nature with the gigantic mountains and landscapes everywhere. Over and above, if you love adventures, then there is no point in scouting for other summer destinations!
Things to do: Trekking, Hiking, Adventure sports, Bear tour, Sightseeing, Visiting the Olympic Park and some of the best museums in Canada.
New Zealand
When the rest of the world enjoys the scorching sun, New Zealand enjoys cool winter weather. And this is the major reason why tourists flock together and land in this wonderful city during summer. Getting overwhelmed seeing the majestic landscapes and variety of bird species is mandatory here! It has many airports and is easily accessible. Thus, people choose this over other best summer destinations in the world.
Things to do: Cave touring, Water/ Adventure sports, Kayaking, and Shopping.
Greenland
The summer destinations that we’ve seen so far are either mountains with landscapes or islands with beaches. But this one, last but not least, is a special and top summer destination. Yes, this place is located in the arctic circle and has fabulous icebergs. Indeed, a great place to explore sea animals like whales. It has longer days and shorter nights during summer and thus you can enjoy the most during the day.
Things to do: Ice fishing, Dog sledding, Glacier tour, Cruising, and Exploring art museums.
7 Places to Visit Near Munnar
Most people know Munnar from the Idukki district, Kerala as a famous honeymoon destination in South India. Located on the southern tip of the western ghats mountain range, sometimes people refer to this hill station as “The Kashmir of South India.” Because the temperature can go as low as -4 degree celsius (during winter) and as high as 25-degree celsius (during summer.)
Did you know? This is one of the 6 best places to visit in winter in India!
Idukki has numerous tourist places yet Munnar is the best of all! In this blog, let’s get to know the top seven places to visit near Munnar.
7 Popular Places to Visit Near Munnar
- Vagamon
- Thekkady
- Alleppey
- Nelliyampathy
- Kumily
- Kumarakom
- Devikulam
Apart from these seven places, Munnar has Cherai, Kochi, Coonoor, Athirapally, Ooty, etc. Undoubtedly, these are must-visit places near Munnar.
1. Vagamon
A tranquil destination that can give you a serene touring experience without much of a rush and crowd. It has an enchanting Pine forest, lush tea gardens, the Vagamon lake, and the Marmala waterfalls. It is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Munnar Kerala for shooting and photographs.
Best time to visit Vagamon: December to May
2. Thekkady
A famous place for tea and spices plantation and trades. Located amid the dense forests of the western ghats, it is an off-beat tourist place in Munnar. However, people have started flocking to the beautiful Thekkady lake lately.
Periyar National Park is close to this tourist spot. And you can spot many endangered wildlife species here. If you’re lucky you can see boars and wild squirrels.
Best time to visit Thekkady: September to March
3. Alleppey or Alappuzha
Among the best places to visit near Munnar, Alleppey comes on the top owing to the backwaters. Yes, Kerala backwaters are world-famous and this place is a perfect choice. Staying at the houseboats is most preferred by tourists. You can also enjoy kayaking and canoeing. Plus, ayurvedic spas and wellness centers are famous here.
Best time to visit Alleppey: June to February
4. Nelliyampathy
If you’re a greenery lover, then this is your ideal tourist destination. It has widespread orange, tea, coffee, cardamom, and other spices plantations. In addition, it mesmerizes you with:
- Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
- Nelliyampathy viewpoint
- Pothundy Dam
- Seetharkundu viewpoint
Thus, people call it the number one among the beautiful tourist places near Munnar.
Best time to visit Nelliyampathy: October to March
5. Kumily
Indeed, an alluring place that serves as a gateway to Thekkady. Since it has the most area covered with plantations, trekking and hiking are the major things to do here in this place. Unlike other tourist places in and around Munnar, it has the Kalari Centre where you can witness martial art performances (probably Kalaripayatt.)
Best time to visit Kumily: August to April
6. Kumarakom
One of the highly recommended places near Munnar to visit because of its paddy fields, startling fishing experience, delicious seafood, etc. Like Aleppey, this tourist place in Munnar also has backwaters. It has a 14-acre bird sanctuary in which you can spend your whole day.
Best time to visit Kumarakom: September to April
7. Devikulam
Absolutely an alluring tourist destination near Munnar Kerala! It has the heavenly Sita Devi lake, Thoovanam waterfall, Mattupetty dam, a few tea plantations, Kundala lake, and Palivasal waterfall. Thus, it comes in the top ten list of important places to visit in Munnar.
Best time to visit Devikulam: November to March
For a customized Munnar itinerary, Click here!
Frequently Asked Questions About Places to Visit Near Munnar
1. What are the top attractions to visit in Munnar?
TEA museum, Pothamedu Viewpoint, Kundala Lake, Blossom Park, Sita Devi Lake, Marmala waterfalls, etc.
2. What is Munnar famous for?
Munnar is famous for its enticing lush-green plantations, lakes, and waterfalls. Couples mostly prefer this place for their honeymoon.
3. What are the most popular things to do in Munnar with children?
Popular things to do in Munnar by families with children are trekking the dense forests/flora, spotting rare species of animals and birds in wildlife sanctuaries, and exploring the plantations & the tea museum.
Honeymoon Travel can wait!
The pandemic has unleashed waves of uncertainty into our everyday lives, and couples that had tied knots during the pandemic have to play the waiting game until the pandemic is all over before they plan for their wedding honeymoon again. Undoubtedly, the usual fervour of the ‘big fat’ Indian marriages is clearly missing replaced by downsized mini ceremonies this year. This said the love for traditional wedding is far from over. With the international borders shut indefinitely, the Australian Government had even passed strict orders to even jailing passengers flying from India.
As per the Wedding Tourism Report by MRSS India in 2019, the size of the wedding market in India was estimated to be INR 110,000 crore of which nearly INR 23,438 crore accounts for destination wedding. This number was slated to double at a staggering rate to INR 45,000 crore by the end of the year 2020, growing at 25-30% per year. However, things changed dramatically post pandemic; honeymoon vacation and tours hit an all-time low. With no clue when this uncertainty will end in the near future, travel and tour operations have come to a screeching halt ever since the outbreak.
Come 2021, so what are the trends that will dominate in this space post the second wave of the pandemic? Drivable destinations are turning out to be a hot favourite among honeymoon vacationers to avoid long distance travel. The trend is driving travel and tour operators to tailor two- to three-day getaways packages to scenic hill stations, historical and adventure destinations. For a lot of couples, luxury resorts, home villas and rental properties promise a great deal of security as health and safety protocols are strictly followed. Also, honeymoon vacations that are usually full of itineraries have shrunk down to simpler and limited activities and planning for the day.
All said and done, if you’ve tied the nuptial knot, don’t rush to your favourite holiday destination, honeymoon travel can still wait.
Viceregal Lodge in Shimla
This week’s blog will cover one of Shimla’s most impressive colonial-era buildings. Located on a hilltop, it offers delightfully stunning views of the vicinity. The sight of the finely manicured lawns of the Viceregal Lodge and spectacular architecture of this magnificent structure is a throwback to the days of the colonial days.
This week’s blog will cover one of Shimla’s most impressive colonial-era buildings. Located on a hilltop, it offers delightfully stunning views of the vicinity. The sight of the finely manicured lawns of the Viceregal Lodge and spectacular architecture of this magnificent structure is a throwback to the days of the colonial days. If the stunningly rich interior is a cynosure of attention, then the defining talks that unfolded here leading up to the independence of the country will be forever etched in history.
Take a stroll up nearby Prospect Hill to experience the tranquil beauty of the high lofty mountains, the second tallest in the region. Serving as a summer residence for Lord Dufferin, the Viceroy of India, the Viceregal Lodge was constructed between 1886 and 1888. It was the famous architect Henry Irwin who designed the lodge, adopting the Jacobethan style, which was constructed from local sandstone. It housed all the subsequent viceroys until independence in 1947, following which it was made into a summer palace for the country’s elite. Later in the 1960’s, it became the centre of Indian Institute of Advanced Study, and continue to remain so to this day.
The grand scale of the structure is an impressive sight. A group of high columned arches fronted by decorated balconies is a stark reminder of the finer lines of Scottish architecture. The interior of the grand old lodge is equally imposing featuring a teak-panelled main hall, a cosy guest room and an original fireplace, in addition to the unique colonial furniture. Take a look at some of the earliest photos of the British Raj, including that of Gandhiji and other historical leaders, in the library and all conference halls. The colourful gardens and the sprawling lawns surrounding the lodge are a welcome sight. You can enjoy the afternoon tea in the nearby cafeteria, as you witness the misty high-standing mountain. The lodge is open for public view every day, and is separated by 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) from the Shimla Mall.
How to plan a family trip during Covid-19?
Planning a family trip during COVID-19 is not without risks. Experts advise against making family trips during the pandemic. However, when planning such trips, great care has to be taken, especially with kids and senior citizens usually with low immunity levels around, to avoid direct exposure to infection. Here is how one can plan a family trip safely and enjoy the happy moments in nine essential steps.
- Check with the local laws first if you need to travel within the country or the law of the land regarding COVID-19 if you wish to travel abroad. Avoid travelling overseas as much as possible as several European and Asian countries are facing a second wave of pandemic, and consequently forced lockdowns to prevent public movement.
- Talk to your doctor regarding your family’s health and determine risk factors if any. Elderly people should talk to specialists if they’re suffering from diabetes, hypertension or blood pressure. It is important to get a clearance letter from the doctor before travel to avoid health complications.
- It’s important to understand the health risk profiles of individual members in a family before travel, and it is always a recommended practise to share the details with the family in the case of an emergency for preparedness.
- Avoid travelling to COVID-19 hotspots to avoid maximum exposure of infection. It is recommended to talk to your travel agency and get the ground details of COVID-19 of a particular touring destination including staying in quarantine, lockdown restrictions (if any), and the general rules and regulations of pandemic relief programs that apply in the region.
- Avoid over-crowed hotels and restaurants; check for a remote hotel to avoid mixing with other teams or hotel guests. Use touchless operation wherever required including contactless check-in.
- It is safe to travel in a car or cab to cover short distances than to travel by train or take a flight. As flight bookings are marked by uncertain timeliness, it is pertinent to check the booking and cancellation policies to avoid disappointments and save on unnecessary costs.
- Don’t forget to carry COVID-19 essentials such as hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, face masks, a thermometer, gloves, hand soap and health insurance cards.
- Plan only for outdoor activities. This is because visiting public places (not all follow safety protocols) can put you at greater risk of infection.
- And finally, it is important to keep your kids completely safe during the travel by educating them on pandemic guidelines during the tour.
How to plan a safe honeymoon trip during COVID-19?
The big fat Indian wedding season is underway, and with the COVID-19 having done the damage already this year, we’re going to see an extended summer wedding season later next year. Indian weddings are all about fun, food and frolic, and you just can’t take travel out of it. Planned honeymoon trips are very much part of the nuptial process. So how should the newlywed plan a safe and memorable honeymoon even with COVID-19 doing the rounds? Read on…
Do your homework:
Before travelling to the place, it is important for the honeymooners to know the scale of COVID-19 and existing number of cases. A reliable travel operator may know the ground situation and advice for or against travelling to a particular destination. Also, public places including historical monuments, parks, zoos, museums, palaces, forts, mausoleums, etc have been locked up from public access for the most part during the pandemic. Work with a travel agent who can help you prepare the right travel itinerary of accessible locations to stay safe throughout the trip.
Open communication:
A safe travel for honeymooners during the pandemic may require an open communication with their travel agency. It is pertinent to ask the right questions everything from travel itinerary, booking, accommodation, insurance (if required) among others. Most restaurants and hotels post lockdown relaxation have come up with offers of up to 50 percent discount as incentives for travellers. Some even offer waiver on normal fees for cancellation or postponement. The key is right communication to get as many answers you will want.
Stay local:
Travel as locally as possible to avoid exposure to virus. Embrace the familiar and don’t take chances by travelling outside of the country until the COVID is finally over. This is probably the best piece of advice for honeymooners travelling during the pandemic marked by an uncertain timeline. This said go and stay outdoors where nature is at its purest. This is to avoid mixing with the crowd and increasing your chances of getting COVID infected.
Use technology to the maximum:
Use payment apps that facilitate contactless payments. Check for hotels and restaurants that encourage the same. Furthermore hotels adopting innovative technologies including robotic cleaning, contact tracing, sanitization, and health screening are preferable compared to those that don’t.
COVID-19 and what it means for the frequent traveller
If you’re a frequent traveller or have been one pre-COVID outbreak, the feeling of tied down to home for a fairly long period should have been an excruciating experience, to say the least. For a travel freak, travel is an expression of one’s freedom, creativity and a longing to explore the unknown and cohabitate with the known. The COVID-19 has cast a dark spell upon the possibilities of travelling normally mainly due to the uncertainties surrounding the crisis, for the thrill-seeker is not withered by the storm gathering or blowing his wit away. He scales peaks, beats the rain at its game, runs towards sunlight and encourages others to follow him. He doesn’t stick to the rules of the games, and often breaks away from how it is traditionally played. He may carry the burden of travel as light as a feather, which he feels he is already part of. So how did COVID-19 affect the frequent traveller? From temperature to luggage, challenges, far too many, were flung at him at will.
The rules of travel kept changing, fuelling the feelings of despair, the last thing he’d want is a total lockdown, which will prevent him from moving out of his home, a phenomenon rife in almost every part of the world where life existed. Flights were happy to remain in the hangars until the travel ban was revoked. The anxiety levels of the frequent traveller remain unchecked as the lover may have in the longing for his beloved.
Expectations of relaxing lockdowns kept growing with every passing day though there wasn’t any respite whatsoever. The race for the first COVID-19 vaccination in the world didn’t enthuse the die-hard traveller as nothing significant emerged out of the findings. Here we go, an imminent second wave of the pandemic shattering the hopes of the traveller whether you’re a soul searcher or the frequent weekender will only extend the wait until the COVID is over.
