Plan that dream getaway while it rains

Mumbai-based financial services professional Dhananjay Singh is planning a week-long trip to Goa this rainy season and he is not worried about being unable to enjoy the beaches or indulging in water sports. “My idea is to relax and I find that coastal destinations are peaceful and less crowded during monsoon. I have booked a room at a resort which would normally cost Rs 6,000-6,5000 per night for just Rs 4,000. So I have upgraded my stay,’’ he said.

According to Rajeev Kale, president and country head, holidays, MICE, visa and passport services, Thomas Cook (India), “Monsoons are typically considered to be a lean travel period for families as schools reopen for the new academic year. However, we have seen Indian consumers wanting to avail packages at great rates where they save approximately 15-20% as compared to peak season rates. And this is in addition to the potential of significant discounts courtesy offers on airfares that most carriers announce during this season.”

Monsoon travellers typically include backpackers, adventure enthusiasts, Dinks (Double income no kids) and closed group of friends, said Karan Anand— head, relationships, Cox & Kings. “Long 10-15 days trips are more in demand in monsoon, as travellers increasingly seek immersive experiences - be it a road trip, hiking or wellness retreat. The demand for long excursions has gone up 20% as compared to the same season last year. Short, closer home trips are also seeing 16% increase in demand,’’ he said.

Popular activities and destinations:

Monsoon is a good time for activities like trekking or long drives and there are packages tailored to meet these demands. "Self-drive holidaying, as a travel product and a trend, is becoming progressively more popular,”said Daniel D’Souza - head of sales, India, NRI markets and e-commerce, SOTC Travel.

To tap into this segment, SOTC has launched self-drive holiday packages within India. SOTC provides self-drive car rental on a set itinerary, combining with choicest hotels on stay and breakfast basis. The itinerary has suggestions for tourists, which they can follow if they wish to. These packages offer great value for money and convenience for customers. With a fixed package, all hotel and car arrangements are taken care of. Leh, Goa, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Kerala are the most preferred destinations for road journeys due to the lush green forests and pleasant climate.

While serious trekkers look forward to challenging and strenuous expeditions in the Himalayas, amateur explorers and kids opt for small, closer home weekend treks, said Anand. For example, weekend travellers from Mumbai, Pune and Nasik explore destinations within the state like Kaas Plateau, Kothaligadh, Sudhagarh, Kohoj fort, Irshalgadh, Shilonda, Naneghat, Tak Mak fort, Visapur fort, among many others.

“Many trekkers also participate in different sustainable activities like clean-up drives, seed-ball plantation, contributing to the local economy and much more. The response to the activities like rafting is Kolad, monsoon cycle rides, heritage walks, tree walks and mangrove plantation drive is also encouraging. This year we expect at least 20 % growth in adventure travel as compared to the last year,’’ Anand added.

The monsoon season allows tourists to kick back and relax and rejuvenate themselves, hence the rise in queries for wellness tourism packages, said Kale. “Destinations like Kerala and Karnataka offer yoga, healthy meal plans and other meditation activities for tourists to get away from their daily routines and use their vacations to de-stress and undergo a complete detox. From farm-to-table, vegetarian, organic, holistic, or clean cuisines these exotic wellness retreats have a variety of available plans for their customers. Sometimes a trip's itinerary also includes activities like healthy cooking classes or demonstrations and wellness activities to keep them active and healthy,’’ he said.

Luxury resorts and getaways are also in demand mainly for the off-season discount offered in this season, said Anand. “Families and individual travellers see this as an opportunity to enjoy luxury within their budget. Travellers opt for a two- to three-day-long staycation. Palace stay in Rajasthan and spa and yoga retreats in Himalayan regions and treehouse hideaways in Kerala are largely explored,’’ he said.

For wellness and rejuvenation holidays, Kerala continues to be a favourite, with a strong preference for the beaches of Kovalam and Varkala, hill retreats of Munnar and Vagamon. Auroville in Puducherry, Bhutan and Ladakh are also popular amongst travellers.

Travellers in and around Delhi are keen on short and driveable places with scenic routes to Manali, Dharamshala, Mc Leod Ganj, Mussoorie. Destinations in Uttarakhand are popular for river rafting. For travellers based in Mumbai, Harishchandragadh, Rajmachi, Lohagad, Igatpuri, Lonavala, Matheran and Mahabaleshwar feature prominently for activities including trekking and camping.

PACKAGES FOR SELF-DRIVE TOURS

Tour operators provide self-drive vehicles, accommodation, meals and sightseeing. The cost does not include your travel to the destination from where the road trip begins. You have to also pay for fuel, car insurance, for any damage to the vehicle, etc. The rates vary depending on the vehicle chosen and type of hotel room

COX & KINGS

• Chandigarh - Manali - Sarchu - Leh - Pangong - Leh - Nubra Valley - Leh - Dras - Srinagar - Patnitop - Amritsar – Chandigarh, Duration: 22 days/ 21 nights, Cost: Rs 91,260 per person
   
• New Chandigarh - Shimla - Barot - DharamShala - Manali – Chandigarh, Duration: 13 days/12 nights, Cost: Rs 53,260 per person and Bengaluru - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry – Bengaluru. Duration-8 days/ 7 nights, Cost: Rs 33,260 per person
   
• Self-drive around western Rajasthan covers Jaipur - Ajmer - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Mount Abu – Udaipur, Duration: 13 days/ 12 nights, Cost: Rs 48, 260 per person

SOTC

• Mumbai – Shirdi - Shani Shingnapur – Sula – Mumbai, Duration: 1 night / 2 days, Cost: Rs 6290 per person
   
• Jaipur – Ajmer – Jaipur, Duration: 2 nights / 3 days, Cost: Rs 8090 per person
   
• Mumbai – Malvan – Parule – Mumbai, Duration: 3 nights / 4 days, Cost: Rs 16,300 per person

THE PACKAGE INCLUDES

Accommodation as per hotels, meals and sight seeing mentioned in the itinerary. Car as per package selected.

SAFETY TIPS

• Carry medicines and repellents
   
• Use zip-lock bags to prevent cameras, mobiles and spectacles from rain
   
• Avoid  road side food. Keep homemade snacks and  biscuits for kids and elderly people.
   
• Purchase travel insurance for flight cancellation and on tour injuries
   
• Some  attractions, shops, restaurants and even resorts may be closed or close  early during this period. It’s best to check weather report and news  before you venture out to get the best out of your monsoon trip.
   
• Trekking  and other outdoor activities should be done under the guidance of an  expert. Equip yourself with all the essential  safety gear