Angkor Wat
Hi,
We just got back from Thailand and Cambodia and I wanted to let you know that our trip to Angkor Wat was excellent. The hotel was very nice and the guide & driver were terrific. Everyone in our group had a wonderful time. I will be in touch again if I am ever planning another trip to that part of the world.
Sincerely,
Gaynor Legge
A memorable
"Trip to India" with Himalayan Treasures &
Travel
We had to leave Delhi in a hurry on 2 March because, as an airline employee, we travel "space available". Our guide (Raj) was very helpful in helping us gain the information we needed but I had failed to confirm departure time of the flight. Originally we had planned to leave on Saturday 3 March on Cathay to Hong Kong. However, Cathay said their flight was fully booked so we would have to leave earlier. I thought AI 308 on the 2nd departed Delhi at the same time AI 306 departed on the 3rd which was 2135. At 4pm on Friday we found out that the flight left at 1830. My wife and I called Ramesh Seth and remarkably we we on our way to the airport at 4:13pm! We made our flight but regrettably we were not able to say personal and face-to-face thank yous to Ramesh who is quite a fine, dedicated, enthusiastic, professional. On our third return to Delhi (by train) I told Ramesh that it was great to be met by a friend which he truly became.
The last minute needs and arrangements made by my wife and myself for this journey were handled so very professionally by Govind Shahi in California and then your organization in India. I wish to extend honors, thanks, and respect to the following people we were so fortunate to have guide us throughout our journey:
Agra: Mueen Ahmed Khan
Varanasi: Kameshwar Singh
Udaipur: Rameshwar (Ramu) Jethi
Jaipur: Vikram Singh
Delhi: Gaurav Sharma
Orissa: Shankar (I have forgotten his surname)
And of course, in Delhi: Ramesh Seth.
These men, each of them, were so excellent. I have copied in Govind so he is aware of the excellence of his colleagues in India, and the service Sunshine provides. I will fill out and fax the evaluation forms if this letter is notenough. You will be sure, I will recommend Sunshine in highest terms to all my friends in the travel industry.
With best regards,
Your travel colleague,
John Casperson
Appeared on ITN (International Travel News) March 2003 Issue We spent 21 days in Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal during October-November 2002. The trip was arranged by Govind Shahi of Himalayan Treasures & Travels.
Two things happened that demonstrated we two had selected an outstanding tour operator for our journey.
Firstly, my wife and I had a misunderstanding regarding how much money to take on the trip, inadvertently, we did not take an ATM card and took only a Master Card credit card. In Bhutan they only honored Visa.
We knew Govind was going to be somewhere in Bhutan or Nepal while we were on our trip. We called the Kathmandu agency and asked them to have Govind contact us. He called immediately and my wife told him of our uneasiness regarding not having enough cash and no Visa card. She asked if he could arrange for us to cash a check for $300. He insisted that that was not enough and sent over $500 with our guide!
Secondly, both my wife and I were stricken with acute mountain sickness (altitude sickness) in Tibet and had our guide move us quickly to a lower altitude. I also asked our guide to have her office notify the Kathmandu agency so that we would be met at the Nepalese border. This occurred seamlessly.
Because we had been evacuated one day early, we wished to terminate our trip one day early. To our surprise and delight, Govind had anticipated that we might want to move up the date of our leaving the country and had laid the groundwork for our departure, if the was our wish. When we arrived at the Thai Air desk, we were escorted to the office manager, who already know our names and our predicament and was working to change our air tickets back to the U.S.
As we sat and talked with her, Govind appeared. This was first time we had met him, and at this point he had rearranged our hotel stays at the Yak & Yeti in Kathmandu and the Amari in Bangkok. He was seated two rows ahead of us on the flight to Bangkok and he made sure we identified Everest as if it had a neon sign on it.
All I can say is that Govind sure goes the extra mile.
Marvin Primack
Stockton, CA
Nepal : Who needs groups? The following letter appeared in Travel Holiday magazine, November 1999 issue, (www.travelholiday.com): "Last November I traveled to Nepal and India for three weeks with Himalayan Treasures and Travels, a tour company based in Pinole, California. The helpful people at the company designed a private tour for me and my daughter that was well-paced and covered the areas in which we were most interested. Best of all, they arranged for our flights, hotels, drivers, and guides at a price that was competative with group-tour rates. I worked with Govind Shahi, who was extremely knowledgeable and whose advice and suggestions were excellent. As a result, it was a wonderful trip."
Janet Cooper, Nevada City, California
Himalayan Treasures and Travels (800 223 1813) offers three week tours to Nepal and India, with prices ranging from $1,815 to $3,655 (per person, double occupancy, depending on season), that includes airfare, accommodations, and activities.
Himalayan Treasures and Travel packages work like clock work Appeared on ITN ( International Travel News ) February 2000 "In Oct. 98 my wife and I completed day, around the world vacation arranged by Himalayan Treasures and Travels (3596 Ponderosa Trail Pinole, CA 94564; Phone (800 223 1813). Everything went very smoothly and we had a fantastic time. The route was Washington D.C. - London- Delhi- Kathmandu - Lhasa- Kathmandu - Bangkok-Chiang Mai - Bangkok- Yangon - Phnom Phen- Siem Riep- Taipai-Washington D.C..
Mr. Govind Shahi of HT&T went out of his was to ensure we got what we wanted, that everything fit together, that we went at the right time of year and so on. Our hats are off to him. In particular, he used his expertise to arrange, through UNITED and THAI airlines, an airline package at a around the world fare that included many of our side trips. Because some of the legs were so long, we went business class. Service and amenities were exemplary, and the use of the business class lounges along the way was an added bonus.
Mr. Shahi arranged packages for us in all our destinations, but we chose HT&T primarely for their expertise in three of our destinations of Tibet, Burma, and Cambodia, where he supplied his own packages. They were exemplary.
The "Tibet Overland Package" at $995 per person included a transfer from the Chinese embassy to the airport (on our own we had taken a taxi from the Hotel to the Embassy); a China SouthWest flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa; transfer from the airport to the Lhasa Hotel; best available hotels for seven nights, with breakfast; overland transportation via Land Cruiser ( plus $87 extra since planned bus travel was not possible due to road conditions) to Friendship Bridge with scenic stops with a guide and two part day sightseeing attractions; overland transportation via bus from Friendship Bridge to our hotel in Kathmandu; porterage service over the bridge, eight days guide services; two days guided sightseeing in Lhasa, and all entrance fees. The views of the Himalayas including Mt. Everest, were stunning.
Tibet was fascinating, and the highest passes ( over 17,000 ft.) were doable. Dinners along the way were unbelievably good and cheap ( dinners at $3 !). Hotels were acceptable. The Burma(Myanmar) package at $545 per person included three nights at Hotel Sedona, Rangoon, with breakfast; transfer to/from the airport to the hotel; a full days guided sightseeing in Rangoon with all fees. A full days trip to Pegu with guided sightseeing with all fees, a full day trip to Thanlyin with guided sightseeing and all fees, a half-day guided market expedition, and 4 lunches and 3 dinners in local restaurants ( mostly Chinese). The hotel was top quality and the food quite good at the local restaurants. The Shwedagon Pagoda is stunning.
The Cambodia package at $1,245 per person included one night at Hotel Cambodiana with breakfast; three nights at Hotel Nol Thok in Siem Reap with breakfast; transfer to/from hotel and airport in Phnom Phen and Siam Reap; half day guided sightseeing in Phnom Phen with all entrance fees and dinner. A Royal Cambode flight from Phnom Phen to Siam Reap; three full days of guided sightseeing with all entrance fees; lunches and dinners(during two days in the Angkor complex, a half day at Banteay Srei and a half day on Tonle Sol Lake); a Bangkok Air filght from Siam Reap to Bangkok, and Cambodian departure tax. Our guide in Siam Reap, Mr. Thy, was especially knowledgeable of the Angkor ruins, which were indescribably spectacular. The area seemed safe for travel at the time of our visit, and the infastructure is there. I urge everyone whoâs been thinking of going to change thoughts into deeds. Again it was a fantastic trip which went like clockwork."
JOHN C. BAKER, Oakton, VA
Mr. Shahi
I have just returned from a dream come true; my first visit to Nepal and Tibet. All the arrangements went perfectly. The information packet I recieved prior to leaving was especially helpful. Each of the four of us on the trip had complete confidence in our guide in Tibet who is named Lha Lha. I will never forget him. When I left Tibet, I left behind a true friend for life. Lha Lha representing CITS was so understanding, so professional, and so at ease with us. You must insure CITS keeps your business. Further, I found the people of Nepal and Tibet most gracious. This wasn't a trip it was a journey. I've been to 43 countries now so I'm giving an informed opinion. I won't hesitate to give you and your clients in travel 5 Stars. What a fabulous trip. Thank you ever so much again,
Best regards,
John Casperson
Hi Govind
I want to report on the India trip. We had a wonderful time. Sunshine Tours did a great job! We each took along a big box of school supplies for a school near Chennai. The Sunshine Tours rep took us to a 24 hours, open everyday post office. What was new was having to get the boxes sewed up, sealed with wax at the corners, the wax stamped, and then mailed. The boxes got there within 48 hours as promised.
We were met and taken care of at every destination. Every domestic flight was delayed, but we got there. The drive to Bandhavgarh took 7 hours. (All the drives took longer.) We had our own private jeep and saw a tiger on our morning drive. The temples at Khajuraho were very impressive. Bharaput was disappointing, but only because of the small monsoons the previous years. A lot of the ponds were dry and so there were fewer birds. Ranthanbore was very nice, The lodge staff there was especially helpful.
We saw a tiger, again on the first day, very close, in a pool of water. The next day, instead of going into the park we were offered a drive to a lagoon to see birds and to visit the Ranthanbore Fort. We enjoyed those also. Pushkar was great - an experience. I think the timing was right - there are only so many camels you want to see. Jaipur was very interesting also. All in all, a great trip, though the flights were long. We did not have to pay a transit fee in Hong Kong.
Thanks again,
Dorothy Kakimoto
Govind - Our honeymoon in India has been truly amazing. Every detail was carefully planned and each stop on oru tour, was fantastic. We can't thank you enough fo helping us arrange this trip of a lifetime. We hope to return to India in the future and India in the future and we will certainly contact you to help us.
Thanks again,
Joanne (Pasternack) & Robert Bardin
Dear Govind:
I have thought many times to send this e-mail to you and for one reason or another was interrupted. I wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our tripto Nepal during New Year's!
Every hotel, every tour arrangement and every detail that you organized was just perfect. We fell in love with the culture, the people and the beautiful country that is Nepal. We made some new friends and experienced every moment completely, due in large part to the fact that all of the details had been arranged so professionally. You provided a tremendous service in making all of the arrangements so that we did not have to think of anything during our trip.
I am sorry for the delay in letting you know our appreciation, but I cannot thank you enough for your good and kind service. I will certainly contact you in the future for trips I am interested in to your areas of expertise and I will recommend you wholeheartedly to my friends and associates.
Thank you again for helping to make the Millenium New Year's celebration for us so special.
All the best,
Christine Perakis
Namaste Govind:
I just wanted to tell you how great the trip turned out. All the arrangements you made for us were excellent. The Tiger Tops people in Khatmandu (Anil especially) were wonderful. Also the Tiger Tops lodges in Pokahara and in Chitwan were great places to stay.
The Yak and Yeti upgraded our rooms each time we returned there. The trek went very well and the sherpas took great care of us. Tibet was very interesting as well and the travel agency that took care of us there also did a great job.
Again, thanks for all your help. I may decide to go back in a few years to try some other trekking and I will be sure to contact you.
Mike
mlevine@mednet.ucla.edu
Los Angeles, California.
Subject: Our trip to Nepal, Tibet, & Bhutan
Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2000 16:21:21 -0500
From: vayre@juno.com
To: Govind@wspan.com, govindsh@himtrek.com
Govind,
Rich and I made it home very early Thursday morning (1:00 am) but I had to write and tell you how much we appreciate your effort in making our visit great. All of the arrangements worked without any problems and everyone was where they should have been when they should have been. The lady in Kathmandu (Rechin) was invaluable in helping Rich with his Indian visa. She made two trips to talk to the Indian officals and was the real reason that it worked out. Rich walked into the Hotel with his visa 15 minutes before we were to be picked up to fly to Bhadrapur. In every case what we were received was more and better than we had expected.
Once again thank you for a great trip.
Vernon
Govind:
Clark and I returned from our trip to Nepal last Thursday. I wanted to thank you for all the care you took to ensure our trip went well. We were delighted with Thai Airlines--the customer service was terrific! Nepal was an experience of a lifetime and we bring back many fond memories of the land and its peoples.
Thanks again for everything. The next time we have plans to travel to Asia we'll be sure to let you know as well as to recommend you to our friends.
Cristina Echavarren,Clark Bouwman
Member of Sierra Club Trek to Nepal Fall, 2000
Govind:
"The Viet Nam trip was excellent and I want to thank you for setting me up correct on my travel methods.
I'd let anyone know to go through your travel agency and I hope to use you again for travel. I'd suggest Han's trip for the non-biker even. You have yourself one class act client there. Take his trip sometime and I'll assure you there is no reason to ask for an upgrade."
Thank you,
Steve Brunell,MKE
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