Thomas Cook - Simply Himachal 6N 7D Tour
Ref: G180016686& G180016689
It’s disgraceful that Thomas Cook conducts this Simply Himachal tour without a Tour Manager! They make tourists( including Elderly& infants) travel for 13-14 hours in a third class tempo traveller from Delhi up to Manali and back to Delhi which travels at the pace of a snail! they give the wrong short travel time frames in the itinerary. We had to keep most of our luggage on our laps, seats were very uncomfortable and congested with no leg room, very poor reclining seats. Example for snails pace driving:
Driver was so superstitious that he stopped the van even when a cat went across the road!
Stopped to greet every friend of his on the way.
Used to take us for Lunch to the Dhabas/hotels that were of his choice!( Where he would get commission) or whenever he felt was necessary - on the 5th day he stopped for Lunch at 4pm in the evening!
On the final day we nearly missed the return flight. 6hr journey as per the itinerary practically took 8hrs and we could not see much of the rock gardens at Chandigarh.
I tried to complain the very first day of the tour after seeing the tempo traveller, unfortunately tour start day falls on a Sunday and their office’s were closed. I tried to phone Abhishek Mishra the travel agent on Monday, he did not pick the phone.
The Pristine hotel at Manali was located on a very narrow street, filthy water logged area on the way. Room was steaming with hot air with no AC or even a table fan to reduce the heat- only one of the family with infant was moved to room no.204 which had a small table fan after they spent one sleepless night. Room was filled with house flies and some beetles& other insects. After complaining to reception staff, they provided us a mosquito bat to help us spend sleepless night playing "who kills the most house flies". Some of us suffered from food poisoning.
Because of such disorganised management and itinerary planning, travels at snails pace& due to the lack of a tour manager for the group tour - all places mentioned in the itinerary were not covered. The cost for the excursions were not included in the itinerary and were very expensive. The driver introduced us to a local cab agent who cheated us by making us hire winter costumes as he scared us that it is mandatory as there will be plenty of snow at Rohtang Pass, even though we had our own winter gear. The temperature at snow point was 8 - 16 degree celsius and it was very dry. What is the point in organising such sham tours to a far off remote places by a big company like "Thomas Cook"? We feel we are being cheated! They spoilt our holiday time and money.
Just an example, check your itinerary - How can we do the sight seeing at Chandigarh of visiting the Rock Garden’s which would need at-least a good 2-3 hours( Rock Garden’s opens at 9am) and then travel in this tempo traveller from Chandigarh to Delhi and catch the evening flight? or as per the itinerary the tour finishes before 4 pm? Incredible!
The Tour is not at all relaxing- these are very long distance journey in the van with very little sight seeing. It is a very tiring and frustrating tour conducted by thomas cook. If you are keen to waste your time and money pick this company.
Very Unhappy Group of 15 including 2 elderly an 2 infant Thomas Cook Customers.