Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ) 

What sets Red Planet Tours & Travels (P) Ltd apart from other travel companies?

We are a small company committed to serving and supporting the agents who represent our tours. We offer uncompromised services. We specialize in hidden, off beat destinations and our guides are local to the area of their specialization we operate. Last but not the least is that we offer value for money.

 

What is SS / EPAI / EP / CP / CPAI / MAP / MAPAI / APAI plan?

  • SS is sightseeing
  • EP is European plan i.e. only stay
  • MAP Modified American plan i.e. Stay with breakfast and one Major meal (Lunch or Dinner)
  • AP is American plan i.e. stay with all food i.e.
  • CPAI / MAPAI / APAI – Food plan with taxes included written as All Inclusive

Would you be able to provide us with fooding choice? Is food compulsory? And what are EP / CP / MAP / AP plan? 

We book hotel as per the request of our guest and as per their food habit or choice. EP / CP / MAP / AP plan are the food plan for the stay in hotel as per the following 

  • European plan                    - Room Only
  • Continental plan                 - Room + Breakfast
  • American plan                    - Room + Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
  • Modified American plan        - Room + Breakfast + Lunch or Dinner 

AI is known as All Inclusive i.e. includes taxes and charges in packages 

Is food compulsory? 

Packages are planned as per the guest’s choice. Remote places of Interest like Chitwan in Nepal, Lachen and Lachung in North Sikkim, Wangde Phodrang in Bhutan, etc have extreme conditions and one cannot find restaurants / eateries hence such types of packages are designed with food. We generally plan our packages on Continental Plan (C P) and leave the rest to our guest. But most of our guest leaves the fooding choice to us and we plan accordingly. Even on Modified American plan (M A P) or American plan (A P) plan hotels have choices for guest hence the packages are quite flexible and accommodating. 

What are the facilities in the hotels? What are the types of hotel?

Standards of hotels may not what you expect in the metros. But they are decent and have the basic services. Hotel facilities may vary as per the locations but we try to select hotels as per their service with basic facilities like the following in major tourist centers 

  • 24 hours room service
  • Complementary dailies
  • Multichannel Satellite color TV
  • Phone / EPABX
  • Water warm and cold 24 hours
  • Optional Conference hall
  • Optional Doctor on call
  • Optional Dry cleaning / Laundry
  • Optional In house travel agents for domestic & International tour
  • 24 hours power back up
  • Kitchen for group booking
  • Clean and Hygienic restaurant and food
  • Decent ambience and view rooms 
  • Facilities differ with destinations; hence please call us for specific information 

How are we different from others?

We value our guest hence our service is decent. With over twenty five years of experience, and knowledge of the remotest regions of Nepal, North east India and Bhutan.  In Bhutan, Sikkim and North Bengal we have at least a dozen decent hotel choices. All our vehicles are in nice condition and our professionals are well versed with the region. We can make your holiday nice and comfortable. We value the opinion of the guest and offer various standards and luxury packages as per their choice and also have option to choose from the various categories of hotels. We try to balance the cost and provide quality service. In the end we expect customer satisfaction.

How to book a trip?

There are ready packages which can be booked online or mail us. Even a phone call can be converted into a package. There are booking form to be filled in our website. The other option is to write us the in details and the places you want to visit. Please leave your telephone number and your email ID.  

How do we know about you?

We are registered tour operator of Government of Nepal & West Bengal, India. We are member of Nepal Travel Agents Association (NATTA) and Eastern Himalaya Travel & Tour Operatore Association (EHTTOA). We have our own office at Kathmandu and Kakarvitta in Nepal, Siliguri in W B, India.  The postal address is given below and has been operating in this region for the last Sixteen years.  

Can only component like hotel or vehicles be booked?

To facilitate tourism, tourist, guest, businessman, family and others we book hotels, vehicles and flight tickets. Guest can book any component through that includes Hotel, Vehicles, Guides even ring us and have the detail idea of the region. Yes we are not only travel facilitator we also acts as consultants to others regarding Himalayan region.  Component like only hotels, only vehicles are generally more expensive than packages booked with the same component. 

What if I want to travel in a group?

Yes for group we have special packages and concessions. But one has to see that the group sizes are as per the vehicle required or their multiplier. We would like to recommend our visitors and guest that before finalizing the group size one should talk to us in advance. Anyhow there are no difficulties in having group of your own choice. Corporate group, office group or families in group are generally cheaper. Hence it is always advisable to tell us the group size in advance if there is a choice because it helps in cost cutting. 

What are the cancellation charges?

Though cancellation charges are applied by us on behalf of our service provider yet we try to erase it wherever possible. We try our level best to reduce the prices and even go out of the way to settle it. Hotels, vehicle is exclusively booked well in advance and a last minute cancellation is taxing for all.  

Cancellation Charges for family / individual – Cancellation will attract a sum of Rs 2500.00 minimum during normal period and 4500.00 during peak season April, May, June, September, October & December for Family in Tour (FIT). The cancellation charges are as follows for Family 

  • 30 Days prior to Arrival                        : Rs. 2500.00 / Rs. 4500.00
  • 07 Days prior to Arrival                        : 20 - 40% of total tour cost
  • 03 Days prior to Arrival                        : 40 - 60% of total tour cost
  • 02 Days prior to Arrival                        : 80% of total tour cost 

Cancellation Charges for Group – Cancellation will attract a sum of 25% of the Tour / Package Cost during normal period and 50 % during peak season April, May, June, September, October & December. The cancellation charges are as follows 

  • 30 Days prior to Arrival                      : 25 % of the total Tour / Package Cost
  • 15 Days prior to Arrival                      : 26 % - 40% of the total Tour / Package Cost
  • 07 Days prior to Arrival                      : 41 % - 60 % of total tour / Package Cost
  • 03 Days prior to Arrival                      : 61 % - 80 % of total tour / Package Cost
  • 02 Days prior to Arrival                      : 95 % of total tour / Package Cost 

Cancellation Charges for Foreigners – Cancellation will attract a sum of 25% of the Tour / Package Cost during normal period and 50 % during peak season April, May, June, September, October & December. The cancellation charges are as follows 

  • 30 Days prior to Arrival                      : 35 % of the total Tour / Package Cost
  • 15 Days prior to Arrival                      : 40 % - 40% of the total Tour / Package Cost
  • 07 Days prior to Arrival                      : 51 % - 60 % of total tour / Package Cost
  • 03 Days prior to Arrival                      : 71 % - 80 % of total tour / Package Cost
  • 02 Days prior to Arrival                      : 95 % of total tour / Package Cost 

In case of third party products, such as cruise holidays, bus and train tickets, 5 Star hotels, services during the trade fair period, festival periods, the rules relating to cancellation and the cancellation schedule prescribed by the concerned third party service provider would also be applicable in addition to our Terms and Conditions and Jet Airways has the right to claim service and communication charges of Rs 2000/- per person. 

What is child policy? 

Hotels, resorts and other service provider have strict child policy as this is a tourist hotspot. In short the child policy can be given as 

  • Children above Age group 8+ years will be treated as Adult 
  • Children of Age group 5+ to 7 years sharing parent’s room will be charged either child with bed or child without bed. 
  • Children below 5 years complimentary 
  • Some time we have special rates for children too. 
  • In packages and group we have some complimentary services towards children other than that offered by the hotel 

What is the standard of hotels in this Himalayan region?

As the area is economically backward it is quite obvious that there are not many bigger names in the hotel industries willing to invest in this region. Nepal has good Hotels non star to Five star, so is the case with Sikkim and Darjeeling, Bhutan has few compared to other region. Good hotels are in the city centers but of late to avoid the mass tourism concept some good properties have some properties in exclusive areas away from the crowd which are decent and nice along with few Home stay. One more concept we have given priorities and that is the service. We generally make our hotel selection on the basis of services provided. We do not have star category hotels in our area. So we have termed them on grade basis that is Grade A and Grade B. Home stay and tea tourism are the two of the option available in this region. 

What about change in Schedule / postponement / amendment of tour booked earlier? 

Though the postponement and amendment are equivalent to cancellation and confirmation hence there is an additional charges starting from INR 2500.00 onwards.  We try to accommodate minor amendment but only if possible without any adjustment in cost. During rush period this is again difficult to adjust. But we try our level best to accommodate minor changes. This is applicable with last minute extension also.  

Do you plan the itinerary as per our / guest choice?

Yes we have some packages of our own which are time tasted and it have a few advantages. Like the packages we designed involves minimum transfer and we leave some free time with our guest. But it is always preferable to design packages as per our guest choice. We would prefer our guest to name the destinations, number of days stay and we design the packages in two different ways leaving our guest with option and choices. 

What about prices through operators / you?

We get some commission from hotels and vehicles like others but it is our company policy to share the commission with our guest. In this way it is mutually beneficial. If any individual book hotels and vehicle directly they have to pay a higher price. We guarantee you that try once through that and try through us before booking and we are sure that guest will be benefited. It might be true for other also but our price will definitely please you. 

What do your packages generally include or exclude? 

Our packages generally includes - Hotel accommodations, Room on twin sharing basis (As per choice), Taxes of all hotels, Pick Up and Drop from respective railway station / Airport, Non A/C  or  A/C vehicle but not at disposal (As per contract), Sight Seeing at each destinations, Drivers expenses including their stay and food, Permit, inner Line Permit, Special Permit, etc. Taxes and entry free to site not mentioned are to be paid by guest. For fixed itinerary we inform the guest according to the situation. 

Package Cost does not include – Expenses of personal nature like tips etc. Expenses on Food, Alcohol, laundry service, telephone service or any personal expenses, guide charges & entrance fees. Luxury taxes unless mentioned service tax for food, etc. any other expense not mentioned above. 

Again we are flexible in our packages and generally have some offer and complements. Further if guest has any specific need please let us know in advance and we will design the package accordingly. 

How can you help us?

We try to inform you of all the formalities for entry, pass, boarding, etc. We can help you in many ways starting from briefing you about the region, the season, the time to visit, the probable period of snowfall, designing your package or itinerary, hotel booking, vehicle booking, sightseeing arrangements to even update you with the political situations etc. We or our representative will even be there during your arrival and if necessary during your departure also. We will be in touch with you throughout the tour briefing about your next day’s program and even help you out during any natural calamity etc. It is our fundamental duty to provide all necessary service a guest requires on tour and sometime we deliver more as per the offers extended by our service provider like casino coupons, etc. 

What are the vehicles available?

Vehicles of guest choices are our intention. We have our own fleet of vehicle which includes small cars, Tempo travelers and buses, Travera, Qualis, Buses and guest have the offer of booking any particular vehicle of choice provided booked in advance. Air conditioned vehicle are in demand during summer but again it can be booked well in advance. 

What is transfer?

Transfer is the process of the movement of guest from one destination to the other. Transfer involves the real fun of tourism provided one enjoys the drive. Most of the transfer is through picturesque site and we try to make it nice with an additional sightseeing during the process whenever possible. Hence our transfer time may be more but the journey will be relaxing due to stoppages for photography and sightseeing. We also appreciate and help our guest to have a break for food or tea so that the journey does not become tiring and monotonous. 

 

 

 

Get in touch

Get In Touch

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Members Associates
Contact Address
India:
Red Planet Tours & Travels
Elite Plaza (opp. Vishal Cinema)
2nd Mile, Sevoke Road
Siligur - 734001
Phone: +91 353 2540258(IND)

Nepal: Kathmandu
Red Planet Tours & Travels
Near Hotel Yak & Yeti Road,
Yak & Yeti Lane
Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: +977 1 4230683

Nepal: Kakarbhitta/Kakarvitta
Red Planet Tours & Travels
Main Road, Mechinagar Nagarpalika - 06
Post: Kakarvitta, Jhapa, Nepal
Phone: +977 23 562216 / 563526
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