PADMASHREE DR. D. Y. PATIL UNIVERSITYDEPARTMENT OF HOSPITALITY & TOURISM STUDIES.

SUBMITTED BY :

MR .VIKAS.C.MEENA

STUDY TOUR REPORT OF

“AGRA, SHIMLA & MANALI”.

T. Y. DEGREEYEAR 2010-11.

Index

TOUR PROFILE

OBJECTIVE

ITENARY

DAY TO DAY REPORTING

DETAILS ABOUT VARIOUS DESTINATION

SPECIALITY CUISINE

BUDGETTING

MY EXPERIENCE

TOUR PROFILE

NATURE OF TOUR: Study tour

DESTINATION: Agra, Shimla, Manali

DATE: 3rd Dec 2010 to 13 Dec 2010

DURATION: 11 Days

NO. OF STUDENTS: M- 67 F- 09

NO. OF STAFF: M- 04 F- 00

TRAVELLING: Train, Bus & Qualis

ACCOMMODATION: 3* Hotel

FOOD: Mughlai Food & North Indian Food

LANGUAGE: Gadwali, Bihari & Hindi

CULTURE: Brij & Rich culture of Agra & HP

CLIMATE: Cold Climate

BEST SEASON TO VISIT: Winter (Mid-Dec to Mid-Feb)

COST: 7500

RESULT: Good

OBJECTIVE

OF

THE STUDY TOUR

The Main Objective of tour as follow

To study about tour operation system To know about culture. To know about climate. Beauty of the place. To do time management properly.

DAY TO DAY REPORTING

3RD DEC 2010 :

Reporting to CST (CHATRAPATI SHIVAAJI TERMINUS) at 6.40 pm .

Moving to platform no.15 to Board Train to AGRA “PUNJAB MAIL

XPRESS” at 7.40 pm .

4TH DEC 2010 :

Train Journey Had Breakfast @ 9.00 am Lunch at 2.00 pm Arrived AGRA @ 7.30 PM. From there Departed to the Hotel CHANAKYA by BUS. Reached Hotel by 8.00 pm. Done the check-in in the hotel in our respected room. Got fresh & took a rest for 2 hrs. 10.00 pm Went for dinner A Buffet was set for us which

included both veg & non-veg food. 11.00 pm the day ended with a good sleep.

5TH DEC 2010 :

Wake up in the morning @ 8.00 am got fresh went for breakfast @ 9.00 am.

After havin breakfast departed from the Hotel for Visiting” FATEHPUR SIKHRI” the famous fort of AKBAR in AGRA.

Atfer visiting the fort got back to hotel @ 1.30 pm packed our luggage & put it in the bus & got departed from Hotel. Had lunch there @ 2.00 pm.

At 3.00 pm we departed to see one of the seven wonders of INDIA i.e.,” TAJ MAHAL’ a famous monument built by Emperor “SHAHAJAHAN” in the memory of his wife “MUMTAZ MAHAL” in AGRA.

After visiting the monument we started our journey for SHIMLA @ 7.30 pm by Bus.

At 10.00 pm we took a Hault on the way for dinner. 11.30 pm we finished the dinner & started the journey to

SHIMLA again. Over night journey.

6th DEC 2010 :

Morning 8.00 am we reached Chandigarh & took a hault there for breakfast.

Again continued the journey for SHIMLA from 10.00 am. Reached SHIMLA @ 3.00 pm got checked-in our respective

Room by 3.30 pm. Got fresh in room & then @ 4.30 pm Brunch was organized

along with Tea Coffee. Had it . Evening was left free for shopping & rest. I along with my group went for shopping @ 6.00 pm @ “THE

MALL ROAD”. Came back from shopping @ 8.00 pm. Rested in the room till

9.30 pm. Went for dinner @ 9.30 pm in Hotel Banquet Hall a beautiful

Buffet was organized along with dessert.. Completed the dinner by 10.30 pm & went back to our

rooms for a beautiful sleep of that night.7th DEC 2010 :

Received a wake up call a@ 7.00 am. Got fresh & went for breakfast @ 8.00 a.

Breakfast was served at the hotel. After the breakfast departed the hotel @ 9.00 am to visit a

place “KUFRI” . Lunch at the site. Returning back hotel @ 4.00 pm. Taking rest for 2 hrs & then moving out for shopping @ 6.00

pm @ “The Mall”. Returning back from shopping @ 9.00 pm. Having dinner in hotel @ 9.00 pm. Going back to room from dinner @ 10.00 pm doing timepass

by watching T.V or chitchatting with frnds till 10.30 pm. At 10.30 pm the day ends with a sweet sleep.

8th DEC 2010 :

Early morning at 7am had the breakfast & checked out the room & departed for “MANALI” by Bus.

Enroute lunch at Mandi @ 1.00 pm. Reached “MANALI” @ 5.00 pm. Got check-in in the hotel &

went to our respective rooms.

Took rest for the evening. 9.00 pm Dinner in the Hotel. 10.00 pm day ended with a beautiful sleep.

9th DEC 2010 :

Wake up @ 7.00 am got fresh had breakfast in the Hotel @ 9.00 am.

Departed for” ROHTANG PASS” @ 10.00 am by 4 wheeler “QUALIS”.

Lunch at the site. Returning back hotel @ 4.00 pm. Evening @ 6.00 pm went for shopping. Returned back @

9.00 pm. Had dinner at hotel @ 9.00 pm. Ended the day with a sweet night.

10th DEC 2010 :

Wake up @ 10.00 am got fresh & had breakfast by 10.30 am.

Went out @11.00 am for roaming the local market near the hotel. Returned back to the hotel by 2.00 pm. Took 1 hr rest.

Went for lunch by 3.00 pm. Returned back to room from lunch by 4.00 pm.

Rested in room did timepass watching T.V. & by playing cards till 6.00 pm.

Again went out @ 6.00 pm for shopping in the local market returned from there by 8.00 pm. Got fresh.

8.30 pm went for a DJ party organized by the Tour Operator in the banquet hall of the hotel. The DJ party ended by 10.30 pm.

Then the dinner started by 10.30 pm in the restaurant a beautiful buffest was arranged having both veg & non-veg menu along with dessert.

11.00 pm the day ended with a good sleep.

11th DEC 2010 :

Got a wake up call @ 8.00 am. Got fresh & packed our bags till 11.00 am.

At 11.00 am brunch was organized in the hotel itself. After having our breakfast we moved to our rooms to take our luggage by 12.00 pm since we were checked-out of the hotel.

Kept our luggage in bus by 12.00 pm & departed for “NEW DELHI” since we hav to board a train from there to return back to “MUMBAI”.

7.30 pm haulted for dinner @ Hotel Sagar View at the baundry of HP.

9.00 pm started the journey again for “DELHI” overnight.

12th DEC 2010 :

Reached chandigrah by 8.00 am & haulted there for breakfast.

Again started from there by 9.00 am & reached delhi by 12.00 pm.

Took our luggage & moved to waiting room in station since the train was late it was @ 1.30 pm.

Then me along with one of my friend paddy planned to see “RED FORT” which is in “CHANDNI CHOWK”. And we asked one local resident how to go there & started our journey.

We went there by “DELHI METRO” “CHANDNI CHOWK” was the 3rd station from “DELHI” by “METRO RAIL”.

Reached “CHANDNI CHOWK” by 12.40pm went running to “RED FORT” visited “RED FORT” & departed from there to “DELHI” by 1.00 pm.

Reached “DELHI” @ 1.30 pm. Took our luggage & moved to platform no.4 from were we

have to take train “KOCHUVELI EXP.” For “MUMBAI”. By 1.40 pm the train departed from “DELHI” station. At 2.30 pm we got lunch a pack of veg biryani was there. The full day in train went doing timepass by playing cards,

antakshari & for some alsi people by sleeping etc.

9.00 pm we got our dinner which was very bad & we didn’t had it. I returned it back to Sir.

The day ended @ 10.00 pm by sleeping.

13th DEC 2010 :

Wake up @ 7.00 am. Got fresh in train itself. Had our breakfast @ 9.00 am. Reached “PANVEL” by 1.30pm with sweet memories.

DETAILS ABOUT VARIOUS DESTINATION

AGRA

1. TAJ MAHAL

2. FATEHPUR SIKHRI, BULAND DARWAZA

SHIMLA

1. KUFRI / NALDEHRA

MANALI

1. ROHTANG PASS / SOLANG VALLEY

2. HIDIMBA TEMPLE

3. BOTANICAL GARDEN.

TAJ MAHAL

The Taj Mahal attracts between 2 million and 4 million visitors annually, including more than 200,000 from overseas. A dual- pricing system is in place, with a significantly lower entrance fee for Indian citizens than for foreigners. Most tourists visit in the

cooler months of October, November and February. Polluting traffic is not allowed near the complex and tourists must either walk from parking lots or catch an electric bus. The Khawasspuras (northern courtyards) are currently being restored for use as a new visitor center.

The small town to the south of the Taj, known as Taj Ganji or Mumtazabad, was originally constructed with caravanserais, bazaars and markets to serve the needs of visitors and workmen. Lists of recommended travel destinations often feature the Taj Mahal, which also appears in several listings of seven wonders of the modern world, including the recently announced New Seven Wonders of the World, a recent poll with 100 million votes.

The grounds are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, except for Friday when the complex is open for prayers at the mosque between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. The complex is open for night viewing on the day of the full moon and two days before and after, excluding Fridays and the month of Ramadan. For security reasons only five items—water in transparent bottles, small video cameras, still cameras, mobile phones and small ladies' purses—are allowed inside the Taj Mahal.

FATEHPUR SIKHRI

According to contemporary historians, Akbar took a great interest in the building of Fatehpur Sikri and probably also dictated its architectural style. Seeking to revive the splendours of Persian court ceremonial made famous by his ancestor Timur, Akbar planned the complex on Persian principles. But the influences of his adopted land came through in the typically Indian embellishments. The Easy availability of sandstone in the neighbouring areas of Fatehpur Sikri, also meant that all the buildings here were made of the red stone. The imperial Palace complex consists of a number of independent pavilions arranged in formal geometry on a piece of level ground, a pattern derived from Arab and central Asian tent encampments. In its entirety, the monuments at Fatehpur Sikri thus reflect the genius of Akbar in assimilating diverse regional architectural influences within a holistic style that was uniquely his own.

The Imperial complex was abandoned in 1585, shortly after its completion, due to paucity of water and its proximity with

the Rajputana areas in the North-West, which were increasingly in turmoil. Thus the capital was shifted to Lahore so that Akbar could have a base in the less stable part of the empire, before moving back Agra in 1598, where he had begun his reign as he shifted his focus to Deccan. In fact, he never returned to the city except for a brief period in 1601. In later Mughal history it was occupied for a short while by Mughal emperor,Muhammad Shah , and his regent, Sayyid Hussain Ali Khan Barha, one of the Syed Brothers, was murdered here in 1720. Today much of the imperial complex which spread over nearly two mile long and one mile wide area is largely intact and resembles a ghost town. It is still surrounded by a five mile long wall built during its original construction, on three sides. However apart from the imperial buildings complex few other buildings stand in the area, which is mostly barren, except of ruins of the bazaars of the old city near the Naubat Khana, the 'drum-house' entrance at Agra Road. The modern town lies at the western end of the complex, which was a municipality from 1865 to 1904, and later made a "notified area", and in 1901 had a population of 7,147. For a long time it was still known for its masons and stone carvers, though in Akbar time it was known and 'fabrics of hair' and 'silk-spinning'. The village of Sikri still exists nearby.

KUFRI / NALDEHRA

The region around Shimla including Kufri was once a part of the Kingdom of Nepal until the area was ceded to the British Raj as part of the Sugauli Treaty. This region remained obscure from the rest of the world until the British 'discovered' it in 1819.

Kufri is located at  31.10°N 77.25°E. It has an average elevation of 2,743 metres (9,000 feet).

ROHTANG PASS

The pass is open from May to November. It is not particularly high or difficult to cross on foot by Himalayan standards, but it has a well-deserved reputation for being dangerous because of unpredictable snowstorms and blizzards.

This pass is an ancient trade route between the people on either side of Pir Panjal. The local name for this pass is a generic name of pass. There are many other passes in Lahaul and Spiti which have specific names (Kunzam La, Baralacha La, etc.). This is suggestive of the fact that this must have been the oldest and most frequented pass in the region, or the fact that it is the main pass leading from one cultural region (Indian) to another, quite different one, to the north.

The road through the Kullu Valley, past Manali and over the Rohtang Pass to Keylong, and Lahul and on to Ladakh, has become very busy during the summer months as an alternate military route, following the Kargil Conflict in 1999 in addition to tensions in Kashmir. Traffic jams are common as military vehicles, trucks, and goods carriers try to navigate the tight roads and rough terrain, compounded by snow and ice at certain points and the large number of tourists vehicles. Partially due to the military significance of the pass, the Indian government began building the $320 million Rohtang Tunnel project in 2010 which promises to create a year-around link which is much safer and faster.

HIDIMBA TEMPLE

The Hadimba Devi Temple is dedicated to the wife of Bhim, one of the Pandava brothers.Bhim married Hadimba and stayed togather for a year. Hadimba gave birth to his son and took care of him till he was old enough to look after the kingdom. After this, she went into isolation and meditated. The place chosen by Hadimba for her meditation was Dhungri. Later, in 1553, a four storeyed wooden temple was erected in her respect.

The temple is constructed in pagoda style and has no idol within. A footprint on stone is at the centre of worship. A fair remembering Raja Bahadur Singh (who constructed the temple) is also held on the first of Savan every year. This fair is known as the Bahadur Singh Re Jatar.

TIBETAN MONASTERY

With a huge population of Tibetan people settled in the region of Kullu, several Tibetan Monasteries have been set up in Manali. The monasteries are rich in preserving the culture of the Tibetan people. The literature and the handicrafts of the people of Tibet are preserved in the Tibetan monasteries in Manali. 

The Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa is situated near the Mall in Manali. The monastery is run by the local people who gather funds through donations. The unique feature of the monastery is the handicrafts of Tibetan artistry and the carpets that are woven and sold in the monastery. The Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa in

Manali was constructed in the year 1969. The architecture of the monastery represents the Tibetan style of architecture designed with hued frescoes. The statue of the Lord Buddha presides in the monastery. 

The Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa is situated near the market place in Manali. The architecture of this monastery replicates a more modern style than the earlier one. Placed in the midst of sunflowers, the monastery glows at night with light bulbs lit to lighten it up. The huge gold faced statue of Lord Buddha presides over the monastery. 

The aromatic fragrance of the Tibetan incense sticks that are lit in the Tibetan Monasteries of Manali lays an enchanting charm on the tourists and lures them to visit the monastery again. The Tibetan monasteries at Manali are one of the chief Manali tourist attraction and features chiefly as an important pilgrim itinerary on a tour of Manali.

SPECIALITY CUISINE

AGRA :

APPETIZERS (STARTERS)

Samosa

(Flaky pastry stuffed with lightly spiced peas and potatoes)

Vegetable Pakoras

(A combination of vegetables fried in a chick-pea flour)

Chicken Pakoras

(Chicken marinated with spices and batter fried)

Chicken Cocktail Kabob

(Chunky pieces of chicken reshmi kabob cooked in light gravy with diced onion, tomatoes & green peppers)

AGRA SPECIAL MIXED PLATTERS

Veggie

(Samosa, onion bhajia, veggie pakoras and spring roll)

Non-Veggie

(Samosa, chicken pakoras, Reshmi Kabob and veggie pakoras)

AGRA PALACE DINNER

Non vegetarian combo (Thali)

A superb combination of tandoori chicken, reshmi kabob, jumbo prawn,lamb Kodai Gosht, vegetables of the day,pulao rice and naan bread. You will call this a real feast.

Vegetarian Combo (Thali)

This is a real feast for veggie lovers! Delicious combination of three different vegetables with salad and aloo paratha. Served with pulao rice, raita and chef’s special dessert.

AGRA TANDOORI SPECIALTIES

Tandoori, unique to Indian cuisine is a clay oven to cook bread and cook meats. All tandoori dishes servedwith naan bread, salad and raita.

Reshmi Kabab

(Minced chicken marinated in fresh ginger, onion and spices, threaded on to skewers and grilled in our tandoori oven)

Lamb Tikka

(Boneless spring lamb, marinated with fresh ginger, garlic, spices and yogurt)

CHICKEN SPECIALTIES

Balti Chicken Jalfrezi

(Boneless white meat cooked with tomatoes, onionand green pepper)

Chicken Korma

(Popular in the courts of Nawbabs, Chicken cooked in a mild, creamy sauce with cashew nuts and saffron)

Saag Chicken

(Boneless chicken cooked in fresh spinach)

Chicken Dhansak

(Boneless chicken, white meat cooked in Indian lentils using a special blend of spices with sweet & sour taste)

Mango Chicken

(Boneless chicken marinated, fried and cooked withfresh mango, red pepper and special spices)

Ginger Chicken Pepper Fry

(Hot and spicy boneless chicken, white meat cooked with fresh ginger, sundried chillies and special spices)

SEAFOODS

Jumbo Prawn Masala

(An exotic dish of large juicy praw sautéed with ginger, garlic, golden fried onions and thick curry sauce)

Sweet ‘n’ Sour Fish Curry

(Fish cooked in sweet ‘n’ sour golden sauce with spices)

Shrimp & Fish Vindaloo

(Shrimp and fish cooked in a red-hot, spicy curry sauce)

Talapia Fish Fillets

(Boneless fillet of Talapia fish cooked with green onions, ginger,garlic and special spices, served with polau rice)

BREADS

Garlic Kulcha

(Naan stuffed with fresh garlic, coriander and mango powder)

Onion Kulcha

(Delicious Tandoori bread baked and stuffed with onion and roasted cumin)

Special Naan

(Stuffed with chopped chicken and baked intandoori oven)

Aloo Paratha

(Puffy pastry filled with smashed, spiced potatoes)

SALADS

Cucumber Salad

(Diced onions, tomatoes, cucumber with lemon and dressing with Indian spices)

Mango Chutney

(Sweet mango relish)

Raita

(Homemade yogurt with grated cucumber)

DRINKS

Mango Lassi

(Yogurt shake with pure mango pulp)

Masala Chai

(Spiced, aromatic tea)

SHIMLA & MANALI :

Best Dishes : Indra – A dish Prepared By Urad dal and Bada in Shimla District.  Siddu – Made from Soybean or Walnut.

Non Veg Dishes : Kullu Trout, Grilled Fishes, Chicken Anaardana

Veg Dishes : Guchhi Mattar, Sepu Vadi and Kaddu ka Khatta.

Festive Delicacies : Dham - Made of Rice, Moong Dal and a dish of Rajma Cooked in Yoghurt ( A Night Long Preparation). Ankalos – Made of Rice Flour Aktori – A kind of Cake, is Prepared by Mixing Leaves of Buckwheat with Wheat Flour. Patande – A Type of Pancake Dish.

Most Famous Drink : Tea – Made in Various Varieties, Buttermilk.

Not To Be Missed : Enjoying Makki or Fresh Corn Flour That is Grounded in Water Propelled-mill and is Eaten with Milk at breakfast.

Crunchy Delights : Bhatoora and Chana Madra.

Sweet Dishes : Mittha of Sweet Rice Prepared During Festivals,

Nasasta a Sweetmeat of Kangra Region.

Must Try : Lamb Intestines Made Specially During the Winters, Legumes Cooked over Low Heat for Extended Period.

Shimla – Goofa and Ashiana for Indian. Devicoes for Indian, Continental, Chinese. Baljees for Multi Cuisine. Tibeto for Indian mix of Chinese. Manali – The Red Roof Restaurant for Indian, Chinese and Continental Cuisine, The Royal Delicious for Multi Cuisine.

BUDGETTING

EXPENSES INDIVIDUAL GROUPTRAVELLING 1800 136800ACCOMODATION 2800 212800FOOD 1900 144400MISCELLANEOUS 250 19000TOTAL COST 6750 513000

Tour cost per individual = Rs. 6750/-

Tour cost for group = Rs. 5,13,000/-

So Profit of Tour Operator = Rs. 750/- pp

Tour Operator’s Profit = Rs. 57,000/- (for group)

DAY TO DAY TOUR COSTING

Date Activity Amt

3rd DEC’ 09

Boarded ‘Punjab Mail-2137’from Mumbai CST

Rs 300/-

4th DEC’ 09

Train Journey

Breakfast

Lunch

Reached ‘Agra’ boarded to Bus moved to ‘Hotel Chanakya’

Room Charge ‘Hotel Chanakya’

Dinner

–

Rs 30/-

Rs 50/-

Rs 50 /-

Rs 400/-

Rs 100/-

5th DEC’ 09

Room Charge Hotel Chanakya

Breakfast at Hotel

Lunch at Hotel

Visited ‘Taj Mahal’

Rs 400 /-

Rs 50/-

Rs 100 /-

Rs 50 /-

Rs 300 /-

Depart from hotel by Bus to Shimla

Dinner on the way Hotel

Overnight Journey

Rs 100 /-

6th DEC’ 10

Breakfast on the way Dhaba

Reached ‘Shimla’ Got checked-in in ‘Hotel Satyam Paradise’ got Rooms

Had lunch in hotel

Had Dinner in Hotel

Rs 25/-

Rs 400/-

Rs 75 /-

Rs 100 /-

7th DEC’ 10

Room Charge ‘Hotel Satyam Paradise’

Breakfast at Hotel

Went for sight seeing

On the way Lunch @ the site

Rs 400/-

Rs 50 /-

Rs 100/-

Rs 60 /-

Dinner at hotel Rs 100/-

8th DEC’ 10

Breakfast At Hotel

Departed from Hotel for Manali by Bus

Rs 50/-

Rs 200 /-

On the way lunch at Mandi

Reached ‘Manali’ got assigned in ‘Hotel Ishaan Resort’

Dinnner at Hotel

Rs 100/-

Rs 400/-

Rs 100 /-

9th DEC’ 10

Room charges of ‘Hotel Ishaan Resort’

Breakfast in Hotel

Went for site seeing by Qualis

Lunch on the site itself

Evening went for Shopping @ the Mall

Dinner at the Hotel

Rs 400/-

Rs 50/-

Rs 100/-

Rs 75/-

Rs 50/-

Rs 100/-

10th DEC’ 10

Room charges of ‘Hotel Ishaan Resort’

Breakfast in Hotel

Lunch at the Hotel

Dj Nite in the evening in Hotel

Dinner at the Hotel

Rs 400/-

Rs 50/-

Rs 75/-

Rs 200/-

Rs 100/-

11th

DEC’10

Brunch in the hotel

Deaparted from Hotel for ‘New Delhi’ by Bus from where we have to Board train for Mumbai

Dinner on the way Dhaba

Rs 50/-

Rs 400/-

Rs 100/-

12th DEC’10

Breakfast

Boarded Train From ‘Delhi’ ‘Kocchivali Express-2484’ to ‘Mumbai Panvel’

Lunch in Train

Dinner in train

Rs 30/-

Rs 300/-

Rs 75/-

Rs 75/-

13th At Train

DEC’10 Breakfast

On Arrival at Mumbai CST Station Tour END

Rs 30/-

MY EXPERIENCE

I experienced a great world there, as we visited to the most

interesting and famous tourist destinations, namely; AGRA,

SHIMLA and MANALI and as a result got a break from our hectic

schedule.

In DELHI Travelling first time in the Metro Train was a totally

exciting thing, also the beauty of HADIMBA Temple and the

tradition of TIBETAN MONASTERY was outstanding. When it comes

to SHIMLA, the first and foremost thing that comes is its mind

blowing beauty i.e. from the sunrise, mountains, & Valleys

Talking about MANALI is it awesome climatic condition the best

part of it was the skiing and snow fall near the ROHTANG PASS. As

we say every journey as its merits with its demerits, we also has

some flaws like while travelling the seating arrangements were

inconvenient resulting our whole team to shuffle all over. The tour

operators were not that much of interactive & supportive.

I would conclude my experience saying that it was a great refreshing & memorable Trip I ever had been to………!