Travel agencies are already estimating that each of them will send about 20 luxury buses to hill stations in the North and an equal number to the South between mid October and the last week of November. More than a lakh tourists from the city alone will spend their Diwali vacations at hill stations, operators feel. The favourite destinations are Kerala, Kullu, Nepal and Goa. We are telling people to book tickets now or they might be left out afterwards. Travel agencies have been charging around Rs.10,000 for a 20-day trip to hill stations in the North and South along with Goa, which is also a favourite destination with tourists.
Shorter trips cost less.
Knowing well that people here are fond of Gujarati food, almost all major tour operators have decided to carry along a Gujarati cook who will take care of the gastronomic needs of tourists while on the trip. Call it cashing in on opportunities by the tour operators, but there is no denying the fact that Gujaratis harbour a special love for hill stations and will go any distance to enjoy their holidays. The fact that there are not very many hill stations in the State has also made them habitual seekers of cooler climes.