Messages: 188,725 - Threads: 31,955
posted
23-Jul-2008 17:49
by:
Irene_Adler »
last reply
08-Jan-2009 11:30
by:
Irene_Adler »
0
replies
,
7,234
views
Welcome to the Thorn Tree's branch for the Indian Subcontinent.
This branch covers: India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh and Bhutan.
We hope you find plenty of useful information here. It is highly recommended that new users check out the Indian Subcontinent FAQ thread before posting a new thread as you may find many of the answers you seek there. It also contains helpful information about how to search the forum, advice for how to post your questions, and obsolete information was deleted as recently as July 2008! If you are a returning user or a subcontinent guru, please help us keep the FAQ thread up-to-date by adding important information which is absent, or pointing out information which is no longer being represented accurately.
Choosing a country to post to:
When you make a po...
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posted
10-Feb-2004 04:39
by:
Apollo »
last reply
06-Sep-2009 03:01
by:
chitralguy »
136
replies
,
190,547
views
location: India
Welcome to the Indian Subcontinent branch, please read this thread first!
If you have any links or tips about travelling in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh or Bhutan, feel free to post them in here
Note: Commercial advertising is prohibited on the Thorn Tree as per our Terms of Use. If you come across any tour operators advertising or spamming their business on Thorn Tree (or by private message) then above each post on Thorn Tree you will see a row of icons. If you click on the yellow triangle with the ! you can report a post to the moderators. Please include a brief note advising why you think the post needs looking at and the moderation team will review it. You can also use the report button to request the deletion of accidental multiple postings.
Guidebook Updates
To get the lat...
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posted
21-Nov-2009 14:27
by:
lakeyacht »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 16:01
by:
SoulCurry »
2
replies
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22
views
location: India
ALLEPPEY NEW YEAR ISLAND PARTY event –
step up to new dreams and funkey istay:
Bamboostix island resort www.istay.in + 91 (0) 999 58210 15
Punnamada boat jetty, Alleppey. + 91 (0) 999 58210 14
8 BED DOM. INR 1444 PER PERSON PER NIGHT
4 BED DOM. INR 1555 PER PERSON PER NIGHT
DOUBLE BED INR 4444 TWO PERSON PER NIGHT
Including Facilities and Services on 31st December
. Welcome drink on arrival
. Bed in required dom/double room
. Lunch @ 1.30 pm
. Snack @ 5.00 pm
. Dinner @ 8.30 pm
. Camp fire@ 9.00 pm
. Breakfast @ 9.00 am
. One Boat Pick up & drop
. Village walks with local guide@ 4 pm
. Indoor Games and Books
. Free spices introduction
. All taxes included
Note; check in time between 10 am to 7pm.
Fish,...
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posted
21-Nov-2009 14:15
by:
tiowawa »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 14:15
by:
tiowawa »
0
replies
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13
views
Hey folks!
My niece (20) and me (51) are dreaming to explore South India Dec 22nd/Jan 4th.
We will land in Bangalore Dec 22nd. If possible, we want to hire car + driver for 5-6 days to visit, mainly but not exclusively, Tiruvannamalal/Tanjore/Trichy/Madurai/Mysore, once in this last city we'll stay for 7-8 days or so. We'd love to practice some Yoga (though the end-f-the-year stuff may be a deterrent for this part of our plan) and make a side tour to Kannur and the Theyyam. On Jan 4th we'll fly back to Delhi.
This will be the very first time for her in India. As for me, this will be my third trip in the Indian subcontinent but the first one in the south.
We'd appreciate receiving your imputs on these inquiries:
a) Is it possible to hire car+driver for this route? Would it be the fastest/safest way to cover these destinations OR is the railway network/service reliab...
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posted
21-Nov-2009 10:05
by:
jkkintoronto »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 15:54
by:
SoulCurry »
5
replies
,
80
views
location: India
The previous poster was right in many ways. I was in Kerala for about 10 days in early November, 09 and although there are some interesting places to visit, some nice food, and nice people, the hassles and hazards are so monumental that I think the effort required is far greater than the rewards. If the all-seeing Cassandra said to Henry Ford "Henry Ford, you would not believe how badly an entire nation will treat your motor vehicle inventions in the next century." Ford would have said that no nation could be so perfectly stupid to drive such a handy invention in such an irresponsible manner. But India does. While I was there, a news article said that India has by far the highest fatality rates in Asia and as I suspected, 73% of all deaths are not drivers nor cows, but pedestrians, cyclists and tuk-tuk drivers/passengers. It is just unbelievable that any modern population would ... more »
posted
21-Nov-2009 09:32
by:
Glayshergirl »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 10:21
by:
into-thin-air »
1
replies
,
48
views
location: Nepal
Hi All,
we are heading to Nepal next week for the EBC trek ( extremely excited!), quick query we need advise on - what currency do porters expect (prefer) to be paid it? The info I've found on the cost of a porter are always noted in US$, so do we pay them in US$ or NPR?
Any advise would be great.
Cheers
Polly
posted
21-Nov-2009 06:56
by:
rajsriv »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 06:56
by:
rajsriv »
0
replies
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17
views
Hi,
Currently I am working on the exciting adventure trekking trip in North East India. We would be trekking in Dec last week in Himalaya range very near to Mt. Kanchenjunga. We are 7 members team as of now, Do you want to join us?? Write back. Here are some details for you.
To touch another mile in trekking, we are making the trail of 3 best treking route in Singleela Ridge. We would see 360degree view of Mt. Kanchendzonga, unparalleled view of Mt. Makalu, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Everest, Dhaulagiri range. Trek Route starts from Maneybhanjan to Sandakfu (3636m) to Phalut (3600m) to Kalizar Sabnam valley (8,600-11,600fts.altitude) to Achelley Dara and finally we will reach to Uttarey valley.
Every year I go for trek in High Mountain. I am doing for almost 12-13 years now, away from civilization, it is kind of nirvana. As I know people there and I do it all on my own so it is always v...
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posted
21-Nov-2009 05:07
by:
Tate1 »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 05:07
by:
Tate1 »
0
replies
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30
views
location: Bangladesh
Hi everyone,
I am trying to get some research done for a trip to Bangladesh and I need some pretty specific information that has been difficult to find elsewhere, so hopefully someone can help me out a bit. To begin with, I have been trying to reach the people who run the Sundarbans Tiger Project; they are either too busy, or unwilling to respond to any questions, so my question about that is...does anyone know of other biologists in the field who are studying tiger populations in the Sundarbans? Possibly government organizations?
Second, I want to try to get into the forest with some of the guys who harvest honey. I have read that the season for honey gathering begins in Burigoalini with a pistol shot on april1. I really want to avoid going in with a tour agency to have a look at these activities because I will need time to see how they (Maualis) live. I do not kn...
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posted
21-Nov-2009 05:02
by:
greenic »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 11:19
by:
Rod_B »
6
replies
,
86
views
location: Sri Lanka
Hi, I just want to warn people about a retailer/'exporter' in Sri Lanka. Actually he is located in Hikkaduwa and his business is called 'Raja's Jewellery Exports' (not to be confused with Raja´s jewellery in Colombo). When we were there we bought about 10 rings which he said he was going to ship for us to Barcelona, Spain. Supposedly he did, however we never received anything. Through email correspondence he said he would re-imburse us the money, however of course this did not happen either. I would suggest people stay away from this retailer as he gives Sri Lankan businesses a bad reputation.
posted
21-Nov-2009 01:58
by:
roosaroo »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 06:10
by:
arjanv »
2
replies
,
69
views
location: Nepal
Hello.
I will be in Kathmandu 9th of december.
Few questions:
Is it good to book a guest house in advange? Iwill probably go to tibetian peace guest house.
another question is, how long time ap. does it take to come from Nepal border(coming from direction Lhasa) to Kathmandu? Is it easy to get there? My boyfriend will be in the border at 8th of dec. and I will arrive to KTM airport at 9th of dec around 15.00. Is there a good chance that he can be there on time to meet me?
How long does it usually take to get the VISA and the luggages?
Does Visa Electron work in Nepal?
Other good tips for KTM are welcome.
thanks.
posted
21-Nov-2009 01:43
by:
Wonka23 »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 15:32
by:
Wonka23 »
3
replies
,
67
views
location: Nepal
Hi all,
I'll be heading out to Nepal hopefully next week for a month of trekking Annapurna or Everest Base Camp. I was in Thailand 6 years ago and I got all the vaccinations at that time. I believe I should still be good on that front (am I correct in that assumption?). My main question now is do I need anti-malaria medication? Thoughts?
posted
20-Nov-2009 23:31
by:
jimbobjgr »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 05:44
by:
edwardseco »
2
replies
,
29
views
Hi all,
I fly to Sri Lanka from India for a couple of weeks and during this time my Indian visa expires. I have a flight leaving from Tamil Nadu (Trichy) To Malaysia about a month after this. I am wondering if its possible to obtain a transit visa for India and how long the validity and cost will be? Kind Regards
posted
20-Nov-2009 22:36
by:
zberman »
last reply
20-Nov-2009 22:36
by:
zberman »
0
replies
,
21
views
I am interested in learning about and meeting some shamans in nepal.....i was curious to if anyone has had any experiences with shamans in nepal? any feedback would be much appreciated!
posted
20-Nov-2009 22:35
by:
nmayes »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 03:59
by:
vthalakola »
3
replies
,
51
views
location: India
I expect I'll get some varying replies on this one. I have a wife and two young kids (aged 15 months and 3.5 years old). We are considering doing some volunteering in India next year (perhaps between March and August 2010).
Primarily I would be the volunteer, with my wife looking after the kids. We've been to India before (although only in the North) and travelled a lot both with and without the kids (Southern Africa, China, Tibet, India, Australia, Jordan, Costa Rica.
I guess my questions are:
1. One of the charities we are looking into is based in Mysore. Any views on what Mysore is like as a city for a young family?
2. Temperature. Opinions on the temperature there and how manageable that might be with our kids?
3. Monsoons and rain. Clearly the monsoons start in that period. Will it be manageable? Is monsoon rain all day, every day, or extremely heavy rain in short dose...
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posted
20-Nov-2009 22:09
by:
jimbobjgr »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 04:41
by:
clown777 »
1
replies
,
30
views
Hey all,
Just wondering a couple of things... Firstly as a Australian tourist with a Bangladeshi Visa and Indian Visa will I be able to Catch the train from Dhaka to Calcutta?
Secondly how long does the journey take would it be more time efficient to fly as I have a flight from Chennai close to border crossing date?
Any info would be great
posted
20-Nov-2009 21:50
by:
baboushka »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 01:13
by:
into-thin-air »
1
replies
,
52
views
location: Nepal
Hi. Can anyone tell me what type of sockets are in the tea houses on the ABC trek route. I have noticed that guest houses and hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara have both 2 pin and 3 pin sockets. All our electrical appliances have 3 pin (UK). Will these work on the route or do we need to buy a converter before we start the trek? Thanks.
posted
20-Nov-2009 21:46
by:
baboushka »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 11:55
by:
snoshoovt »
3
replies
,
74
views
location: Nepal
Hi. We are about to start the Annapurna sanctuary trek in 2 days, and are due to meet our guide tomorrow. We want to do the side trip to Poon Hill also, and are wondering if its better to do this on the way to the sanctuary or on the way back, or is there any real difference. The guide suggested doing it on the way, but any posts I have read on the subject usually refer to it as a side trip on the way back. Pros and cons of either approach would be welcomed. We have 13 days to do the whole thing, and we are pretty fit in our 30's. Thanks for any advice
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