MUST READ BEFORE TRAVELLING :
Points common to all 7 Sisters States
- Mobile connectivity: Telecom operators like BSNL, Airtel, Vodafone-Idea & Jio have good connectivity in our area.
- Room Heater: The hotels especially in cold places provides room heater on request & on extra payment. This amount needs to be settled, directly by the guest, with the hotels, before check-out. The charge varies from INR 300.00 to INR 500.00 per heater, per room per night depending on the hotels. Even at times the room heater may not work in all places due to voltage fluctuations.
- Light snacks for en route journey: There are hardly any decent restaurant en route while travelling from one point to other in 7Sisters States. The guests are advised to carry packed food / fruits / water during the road trip.
- Road conditions & connectivity : The road conditions and connectivity between Guwahati and the rest of the North Eastern states varies from place to place. The developed parts of Assam have good roads, while others are just about fine. Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland is infamous for its bumpy roads. Travellers’ while travelling through these states will have to prepare themselves for unplanned delays. It is strongly recommended not to attempt to drive during unfavourable weather conditions or after sunset. While travelling away from towns, one has to make sure to carry packaged food and water bottles.
Points specific for guest travelling to ARUNACHAL PRADESH
- Special briefing for guest opting for Arunachal Pradesh: While travelling towards Arunachal Pradesh remote area like Dirang, Bomdila & Tawang, kindly be informed that these areas are very remote. The facilities & services provided by the hotels, in these areas, are very basic which can be compared to hotels of 1* or lower. Hence, please do not expect luxury facilities while travelling to these areas. These areas are only advice able for guest with adventurous mind, the places are not recommended for guests who expect deluxe / luxury services. In simple words the area is for “Well Travelled Experiential Tourist”. In case you are unable to cope up with the compromise on comfort, we will insist you to drop the idea to travel to these destinations.
- Special note on travelling with infant to Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh): We have noted that the guest is travelling with an infant to Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh). Kindly be informed, the altitude of Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh) is high and it is cold throughout the year. The medical facilities are also very poor. It is not a good idea & we do not recommend, travelling in such areas with an infant.
- Arunachal Pradesh health advisory: There are many place in Arunachal Pradesh, which are located on higher altitude and has low oxygen level, hence the guests with health problems i.e. back pain / Heart & Asthma / joints pain / motion sickness / blood pressure will be at high risk as medical facility is also very poor. It is not advice able for such guest to travel and they must consult their doctors before planning.
- No proper eateries/restaurants en route to Tawang: The road connecting from Bhalukpong to Dirang and then to Tawang and back to Bomdila doesn’t offer any quality eateries/restaurants. The guests will have to use the same place where the driver generally eats which is unhygienic with limited options. It is strongly advisable for the guests to carry packed lunches or carry packet food along with fruits, Juice box etc..
Points specific for guest travelling to ASSAM
Important Guideline & Notes for Kamakhya Darshan:
- Kamakhya Darshan is regulated and controlled by the Temple Board. Payment in advance does not confirm the Darshan. It will be subjected to the prevailing situation at the time of visit.
- The VIP Darshan tickets is issued on the day of visit. It is not issued in advance. Personal presence of guest is required. Tickets once issued are non-refundable.
- Other than Festival & Special dates, the VIP Darshan can take between 01 to 05 hrs depending on the rush at the temple.
- Kamakhya Darshan Timing – 0800 Hrs to 1300 Hrs & 1500 Hrs to 1715 Hrs. Pax booked will have to follow the time given by the Panda on the day. Option for choice of time is not applicable.
- In case the guest wants to buy the offering, they will have to do it from the shop, which are lined up between the parking and the Balli Ghar. There is no shop for buying the offering once the guests have entered the Temple Gate.
- For Kamakhya temple, like most of the temples in India, the dress code is strictly formal. As this is a Hindu temple there is no need to cover your head but, this is a place of religious worship, so covering your shoulders and legs is a must. It's appropriate for women to wear long pants. Wear something that is loose enough for you to comfortably sit cross-legged. Men should wear business-casual clothing, such as slacks and a button-down shirt.
- Cameras and Mobile phones are allowed in the temple premises. Photography is not allowed inside the main temple as well as in the inner sanctum.
- After the Darshan is done, the guest will have to reach the parking yard on their own for their onwards journey. For assistance FHE can be called for guidance.
Important Guideline & notes for Safari in National Park / Wild life Sanctuaries:
- Elephant ride and jeep safari tickets are all regulated and controlled by the Forest Department, Government of Assam.
- Elephant seats are limited and are subjected to availability. The tickets for the elephant ride are issued on the previous evening after 7:30 PM (in presence of the guest). Therefore, tickets cannot be guaranteed despite our best efforts. Confirmed Elephant ride seat tickets are non-refundable.
- As such, we do not have any control for booking of elephant ride, jeep safari & entry tickets.
- Sometimes, even during the season, the Parks may get closed for census. Such announcement is made by the Forest official only 2-3 days prior. In such cases, we will not hold our self responsible for cancellation of ride / safari.
- Refunds for ride/safari, if any, will be transferred back to the booking office and will not be handed over to guest.
- Kindly inform the guest not to re-book safari from the hotel / resort, if they have already booked safari in the package. No refunds will be entertained for such DUAL booking.
Points specific for guest travelling to MEGHALAYA
- Walk involved during sightseeing : Being a mountain & nature destination, majority of the Meghalaya sightseeing points involves walk. The visit to Waterfall, living route bridge & day excursion involves walking (Uphill & Downhill) & stairs climbing. It is specially meant for guests, who are physically fit to take up the challenge. All guests are requested to carry comfortable walking shoe.
PERTAINING TO OPERATIONAL CONDITION FOR THE QUERY
- Right to Change the Itinerary: Every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes, landslide etc., which are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes and any additional cost, will be borne by the guests directly. Based on the operational conditions, at the time of actual travelling, the itinerary could be altered, changed. All such right are reserved with the operating company.
PERTAINING TO THE FOOD PROVIDED BY THE QUOTED HOTELS
- Pure Vegetarian & Jain Meals: The people of the area are mostly Non Vegetarian. Most of the hotels, serves both Vegetarian & Non-Vegetarian food. The Jain food served by these hotels will be basic & cannot be compared, to the ones available, at the home town of the traveler. For your understanding the Jain food provided, will be similar to pure vegetarian meals, and does not include onion, potato, garlic and things which are grown, underground.
- Special note for Vegetarian & Jain Travelers: We take utmost care in informing the respective hotels, about the guest specific food requirement. However, to be double sure, we would request all travelers, booked with meals, to speak with the Restaurant Manager about the food menu for Lunch or Dinner, at the time of breakfast itself if not prior.
- On-tour Meal: All the hotels used for accommodating the guest, have specific lunch timing. The decision of bringing the group back to the hotel or get the packet lunches carried has to be decided a day before the operation of the itinerary. This will be handle by the accompanied Trip-leader.
- Delayed lunch on-tour: In case the group opt to travel on APAI (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner), please inform the guest, that they will be provided packet lunch / Hot Lunch in local restaurant during full day sightseeing. During long transfer from / to the hotel or due to situation demand, the lunch could get delayed. Kindly brief the guest, to carry some light snacks to cover up for the delay gap. In past, due to lack of briefing on this points, guest have raised serious complains.
PERTAINING TO THE TRANSPORTATION SERVICE FOR THE ITINERARY.
- Parking problem: Most of the places like Guwahati, Shillong, etc. have parking problems. Our vehicles will stop only at the designated places as there are strict traffic norms, therefore all guest are requested to co-operate with the drivers.
- Vehicle reporting: Sometime due to uncalculated situations (traffic jams / traffic halts/ diversions etc.) the vehicle reporting sometime may get delayed. As soon as your vehicle arrives, you will have to get in, before the policeman blow the whistle. Will request you to bear such inconvenience.
- Vehicle usage: The vehicle are exclusive for the group but not at disposal, normally the vehicle are available for guest from 0900 Hrs to 1800 Hrs. For extra usage, additional cost will be applicable, please refer the Supplement & Additional cost sub head.
- Service of a Trip Leader: The services of the Trip leader is not mandatory for Domestic Tourist, but seeing that the guest travelling, are a big group where more than 03 vehicles are being used, it is advisable that the guests opts for the services of Trip Leader, who will surely enhance the experience of the trip, plus this trip leader will be, one point contact for all vehicle reporting.
- Vehicle Release & Cancellation – Since the availability of the vehicles are limited in number, cancellation rules will be applicable on the complete tour package including the transport cost.