Thorn Tree travel forum

Welcome to the Indian Subcontinent branch!

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... more »

Wanted: Reputable Tour Operator

I have been trying to locate a reputable Sri Lankan tour operator to help plan a school field trip for May 20-23, 2010.

The focus of the trip is outdoor activities (white water rafting, safari, etc.). Accommodations do not have to be fancy (e.g., no pool) as long as they are safe and clean. We would also want to limit time spent in a vehicle to maximize the time outdoors. All meals also need to be included with a halal menu option.

The approximate budget (not including air fare) is a negotiable $125 USD per person. On our last field trip to Cambodia, 36 people joined. I anticipate similar numbers for this trip.

An excellent command of English is necessary. The operator must also have the patience to answer innumerable questions! I have the safety of dozens of students to think about, so the planning must be meticulous.

Any help anyone can provide would be gre... more »

found this online..regarding bd

Bangladesh visa info/ Bangladesh Visa Fee

2. From/to India <---Click Here

3. Present Currency Exchange rate : 1 USD = 68.60 BDT, 1 Euro = 91 BDT (Bangladeshi Taka)

4. Banking hours : Sunday – Thursday (From : 9 am-3 p.m)
5. ATM booths (Standard Chartered/HSBC Bank accepts Visa/Master/Amex card) :
1 Dilkusha (Near Biman office), Motijheel (Near Alco Building), Gulshan (Near Circle -1), Sonargaon Road (Near Hotel Sundarbans), Mirpur (Circle 11), Dhanmoni (Road no. 2), 53 Kawran Bazar.

Other hand, Duth Bangla Bank Ltd. has more than 200 ATM's in Dhaka (also in Chittagong, Barisal, Khulna, Sylhet, Coxsbazar) those accepet Master/Vis cards. So, definitely you will find a DBBL ATM ner to your hotel. Ask hotel manger. He will help to find.

Money Changers : You will find four banks inside airport (at lest 2 banks are open 24 hours) where can exchange money. But pl... more »

Nameri National Park

Hello,
We wish to visit Nameri National Park in January aand wish to seek following information.
We would like to know about accommodation close to park or within both by government and private (Hotels) and the charge per room and also if possible recommend one.
How one can reach in best manner from Guwahati, how long does it take to reach and also cost of hiring a vehicle.
Does one has to hire a vehicle to visit park or is it possible for to trek with the help fo guide?
We believe one can do boating in the river in Nameri. How much does the boat charge per person?
Kindly let us know with other related information soon as possible.
Thanks.

Homestays in Rajasthan

Hi

Can anyone recommend any good homestays in Rajasthan?

Merry Christmas

DARJEELING: TRAVEL DIARIES. Nov 2009.

DARJEELING: TRAVEL DIARIES. Nov 2009.
Weather: daytime mild, night temp. Cool.
Siliguri: I stayed at Mountain View Hotel at Siliguri junction. (next to the Minerva Hotel.) Dbl. Rs.500 quiet and clean. Good restaurant next door serves Indian and continental dishes. In this area are located the budget and mid-range hotels.
Getting There From Siliguri.
Share taxi: to Darjeeling Rs.90 journey time approx. 4hrs
Reserve taxi Maruti. Rs.1300 to Darjeeling. NJP to Siliguri 8km. by reserve auto Rs.150 – 180
TOY TRAIN.
Departs from NJP 09.00, stops at Kurseong 57km. at 13.25 and leaves 13.35. Next stop Ghum 15.26 and leaves at 15.31. Arrives Darjeeling at 16.15. Note, this train is usually fully booked taking locals back to Darjeeling. It’s driven by a modern Diesel Locomotive engine with the original carriages and therefore a Genuine Fake! Old wine in a new bottle. The 7... more »

Nepalese passport refused to leave India

Hi,

My brothers girlfriend is from Nepal and living in India. She was supposed to come to Ireland for Christmas but has been refused to leave India from Bangalore airport (by the airline) even though she had her visa and all the necessary documents.
Has anyone had this problem before and do they have the right to refuse her ? If she wants to come at a future date how can it be arranged?
Will the airline reimbourse the cost of the flight or is it just a case of bad luck?

Thanks for your help

P

skiing auli feb 2010

hi ..

if youd like to join in for a skiing trip up north in India - Auli during feb next year then please message me.

Solar eclipse on 15 Jan in southern India

Just read about a solar eclipse expected on 15 January. The article mentioned it crossing southern India in a narrow band but no more detail. Anyone advise where it will cross?

Thanks in advance for any replies

amtrakker