Plans are being made to go Shimla from Delhi with family and friends. During the last couple of days, I have seen advertisements from travel agents stating 'Shimla Tour Packages.' I have never taken a tour package before so I have no idea to what all is involved. What exactly is a tour package? What would the Shimla tour package involve? Would this tour package include transport as well? Are there different types of Shimla tour packages? Should we take a Shimla tour package or make our own plans?
Hello there, welcome to the forum! A tour package is organised by a tour agency. It is usually comprised of both transportation and accommodation sold together by the agency. Sometimes, it's referred to as a package vacation or package holiday. Some tour packages also include the activities and the tour guide for the journey. Other agencies even have a dynamic package or a customisable tour package, in which customers can personalise the tour according to their interests. It depends really on the agency or the package itself. There are different types of packages that you can choose and they usually have different inclusions. But on a typical package, here are the inclusions: Accommodation on a standard hotel. The more expensive the package, the more higher end the hotel is. Breakfast is usually included in the package. Some packages include other meals of the day but usually, it's just breakfast that is included. Transportation for the sightseeing is included, either an air-conditioned or a non air-conditioned vehicle. Pick-up or drop-off from the railway station or the airport. All taxes, driver's fee, fuel charges, toll fees and parking fees are usually included. Sightseeing guide is also usually included. Some packages also have complimentary welcome drinks. For honeymoon packages, it usually includes a candlelight dinner as well. Yes, tour packages usually include the transportation. Some agencies have different options for transportation, like an air-conditioned one or a non air-conditioned one. Sometimes, you can even choose which type of car you would like to tour in. But sometimes, the car or vehicle for the tour is already fixed with the package. Yes, there are many types of Shimla tour packages. There are numerous tour agencies that have tour packages that can suit your needs. Here are some that I was able to find: ARV Holidays - This tour agency has an office in Delhi, here is their address: A3/253, 3rd Floor, Shahpur Jat,Near Khel Gaon Bus stand, New Delhi, Delhi 110049. Their contact number is: +91 85270 06665. They have different types of tour packages for Shimla. Here are some: 1. Shimla Tour Package No. 1 Route - Delhi > Shimla > Kufri > Shimla > Delhi. Activity - Sightseeing. Accommodation - Two-star hotel. Duration - 2 nights and 3 days. Meals - Breakfast and dinner only. Transportation - Private vehicle. Inclusions - Welcome drink, fresh fruit basket, candlelight dinner, evening tea and all taxes. Rate - Rs. 7,799 per person. 2. Shimla Tour Package No. 2 Route - Delhi > Shimla > Kufri > Shimla > Delhi. Activity - Sightseeing. Accommodation - Three-star hotel. Duration - 2 nights and 3 days. Meals - Breakfast and dinner only. Transportation - AC luxury Volvo bus. Inclusions - Welcome drink, fresh fruit basket, candlelight dinner, evening tea and all taxes. Rate - Rs. 8,499 per person. Southern Travels India - This is their branch office in Delhi's address: 18/2, Arya Samaj Road, Karol Bagh, New Delhi-110005. Their contact number is: +91-11-43532800. 1. Shimla Tour Package Route - Delhi > Shimla > Kufri > Shimla > Delhi. Activity - Sightseeing. Accommodation - Hotel Asia the Dawn. Duration - 2 nights and 3 days. Meals - Breakfast only. Transportation - AC vehicle. Inclusions - Road taxes, toll taxes, parking fee and driver's fee. Rate - Rs. 7,370 per person. Tourism Himachal - They have their office only in Shimla, the address is: Gupta Niwas, Khalini, Shimla. Here is their contact number: +91 17732 00404. 1. Shimla Manali Tour By Car Ex Delhi Route - Delhi > Shimla > Manali > Delhi. Activity - Sightseeing. Accommodation - Standard hotel, Hotel Eve in Shimla and Hotel Century in Manali. Duration - 6 nights and 5 days. Meals - Breakfast and dinner only. Transportation - AC vehicle. Inclusions - Road taxes, toll taxes, parking fee and driver's fee. Rate - Rs. 7,800 per person. It really depends upon you. If you're crunched for time, it's a good idea to get a tour package as they have the transportation and the experience that can help you in sightseeing. You won't waste time trying to ride buses or taxis to get to one place to another. Tour packages are also suitable for larger groups as tour agencies offer some kind of discounts for them. However, if you'd like some flexibility in sightseeing or being able to tour places at your own pace, it might not be a good idea to get a tour package. The itinerary is usually fixed for such packages. You cannot explore other areas aside from those provided by the agency. Also, if you'd like to spend more time in one attraction, it's usually not allowed. If you also like exploring restaurants and eateries, then the meals provided for in the package might go to waste. I hope this helps.
