Rules & Regulations for carrying an infant in flights.

Parenthood- the most beautiful stage in any couple’s life.

Carrying a child for the first time is always an experience to share. Excitement is without boundaries if Indian parents are travelling from USA to India for the first time with their newborn.

Parents travelling with babies should be aware of the rules and regulations for a hassle free and memorable journey.

Many couples are excited to travel with their newborn baby to India. It is a time to rejoice and a time to share your happiness with friends and family. The excitement is doubled if the baby is born in the U.S. However, many couples are inexperienced to travel with an infant.

Infant travel:

An infant is one who has not yet reached his/her second birthday. Infant tickets for normal fares will be charged at 10% of the basic normal adult fare however, the same may vary for special fares. For Domestic travel currently the infant base fare is INR 1000 (subject to change without notice). Applicable taxes, Airline Fuel Charges, and fees will be charged in addition to this fare. Infant discounts are sometimes not applicable for special discounted fares. If the infant has crossed his second birthday when the journey commences, then the ticket would have to be issued with a part infant and part child fare. No seat will be allotted for an infant traveling on an infant ticket. If a seat is required the infant should pay the child fare.

Please note: Infants below 7 days old are not permitted travel (both domestic and international). However, in an exigency, wherein life saving treatment is mandatory for the infant, the mother may be permitted to fly with the new born, provided the newborn is certified fit to fly, by the concerned pediatrician and is accompanied by at least a MBBS doctor.

Child travel:

A child is one who has reached his/her second birthday but not yet reached his/her twelfth birthday on the date of commencement of journey. Child tickets for domestic travel for normal fares are 50% of the basic normal adult fare and for international travel it is 75% of the basic normal adult fare. Child discounts are sometimes not applicable for special discounted fares.

 Young guests between 2 and 12 years of age (at the time of travel) will be considered as children. Guests up to 2 years will be considered as infants and need to be accompanied with an adult at all times throughout their journey. You may request a special meal for children at the time of booking or at least 12 hours prior to departure.

 A diaper-changing table in lavatories on all flights except those operated by ATR aircraft.

Bassinets:

Bassinet seats are available for infants weighing 11 Kgs (24.25 pounds) or less on our international flights operated by Airbus 330, Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 737 aircraft. For more details, please refer to our seat maps. The bassinets are usually located behind galleys, lavatories, closets and partitions in Economy. There are 2 bassinets available on B-737 in front of seats 10BE. Requests for Bassinets can now be made at the time of booking.

Bassinets are available on select routes and are subject to availability. In case of non-availability of bassinets due to aircraft change, refund / reissue penalties will be waived for the guest holding confirmed bassinets prior to aircraft change.

Child Restraint Systems (CRS)

You are permitted to use a Child Restraint System (CRS) for infants inside the aircraft, provided an additional seat has been booked for the infant. If a seat has not been purchased, the infant will be secured to the adult's lap using an infant seat belt.

A Child Restraint System (Seat) is

Mandatory for an infant (under the age of two years) occupying a seat.

Optional for a child between 2 and 4 years of age, depending on the manufacturer's guidelines for the device's maximum weight capacity.

Jet Airways does not provide for child restraint system(s) and the same must be carried by the adult guest accompanying the infant.

Due to safety reasons, child restraint systems cannot be used for travel

On ATR aircraft

In Première, on aircraft with herringbone seat configuration

Child Restraint System (CRS) for use in the aircraft must have specifications or labels indicating that the device is approved by FAA and suitable for aircraft use.

Note: If an approved CRS with a worn out or illegible label is presented for use on an aircraft, then the accompanying adult must produce a letter from the manufacturer specifying that the presented CRS (indicated through model number, specific make or detailed description) is approved for use on an aircraft. The Owner's Manual which contains information that the CRS meets safety standards is also acceptable proof.

It is mandatory to purchase an additional seat for the infant or child using a Child Restraint System.

An adult must accompany the infant or child occupying the CRS.

The CRS cannot be placed on an exit row seat or on seats ahead of and behind the exit row.

The CRS should be secured to a regular passenger seat at all times or, if not in use, stowed as carry-on baggage.

When travelling with two children, both using CRS, the CRS will require to be installed on the window and middle seats and the accompanying adult will occupy the aisle seat.

The child or infant must be properly secured in the CRS with the harness fastened during taxi, take off, landing and whenever the 'Fasten Seatbelt' sign is switched on.

The CRS must be properly installed in the forward-facing aircraft seats according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Note:

•             Bassinet seats are available in Economy only.

•             Bassinet seats are limited and subject to availability.

•             In case of a change in aircraft, where the new aircraft has fewer bassinets, the seat previously blocked may not be available.

•             In case of a change in aircraft, where the new aircraft has more bassinets, guests will be appropriately re-accommodated.

•             Every infant must be accompanied by an adult.

Homemade baby food is best for travelling:

It is always advisable to carry homemade baby food for your baby. Make sure that you keep the food in an airtight container and is handy so that you will not have any problem feeding your baby.

Avoid carrying anything in a plastic bag, rather use zip lock bags to avoid spilling.

Make sure that you carry your child’s Birth Certificate along while travelling.

Inform the travel agent or the Airline personnel that you are carry a baby with you. If your child completes 24 months during travelling where you may have booked the tickets earlier, you are subject to pay the amount for your child’s travel (which again differs from domestic to international airlines).

Moreover there are rules and regulations laid down by respective airlines on their website, make sure you read them thoroughly while booking tickets for a hassle free flight.

Avoid taking the emergency seat while travelling with your child, though it will be taken care of by the flight attendants on board.

Make sure that your child is comfortable on board or else managing the child may not be an easy task.

International flights are always time consuming, so try to keep your baby engage in some activities so that they do not bother other passengers.

Carrying winters clothes (as flights temperatures may vary for your kid) is advisable.

Finally as parents it's your call to keep yourself well informed regarding the do's and don'ts while travelling to make it hassle free.

Samhita

Expecting mothers - stay safe while flying

Motherhood- the most beautiful stage any woman experiences where care needs to be taken not only for the mother but for the child as well.

During pregnancy, your and your baby's health is of utmost importance. So there's no doubt in saying that expecting mothers will want 100 percent clarity on how to fly safely when carrying their precious load.

As long as you haven't experienced any complications, the safest time to fly when pregnant is during the second trimester. By this time, first trimester morning sickness is likely to have subsided, energy levels are higher and the risk of going into labour is low.

Commercial planes are fine but flying in smaller, non-pressurized planes is not recommended at any stage of your pregnancy as the lower oxygen levels may impact your baby.

Airlines have some restrictions regarding flying for pregnant women. Majority of airlines won't allow pregnant women to fly on a flight over four hours after 36 weeks. For flights under four hours, travel is often not permitted after 38 weeks. If you are 28 weeks or more, airlines will often ask you to present a letter from your doctor

An expectant mother in good health may be accepted for transportation up to and including the 32nd week of pregnancy.

At the time of making the bookings, if the pregnancy is advanced beyond 32 weeks and with the anticipation of normal delivery, the expectant mother be accepted for travel up to and including the 35th week of pregnancy, i.e., up to, at least 5 weeks prior to the expected date of confinement. A medical certificate from the attending obstetrician must be obtained stating that she is fit to travel.

If more than one month elapses between the date the booking is affected and the departure, a further certificate should be obtained, dated not more than 3 days, prior to departure.

Cases of multiple and complicated pregnancy should not be accepted after the 32nd week in the case of :

·         Multiple pregnancy which refers to twins, triplets etc.

·         Complicated pregnancy which refers to cases where on previous occasions a mother has experienced difficult and complicated delivery

In case of the pregnancy beyond 35 weeks, passenger may be accepted for transportation only on urgent or compassionate grounds, with the authority of the Executive Director - Medical Services, after filling the MEDIF form.

Wear maternity clothing:

 Maternity pants are most advisable as it gives you and your baby some room to move. But remember to wear your seat belt low and around the pelvis to reduce pressure on the baby.

When you're pregnant your veins and arteries are already under strain and the low cabin pressure won't help this. It's important to wear in-flight deep vein thrombosis socks and flexible shoes. Try to regularly stretch your limbs, exercises in your chair and remain well-hydrated.

Request for a special seat

Pregnant women are infamous bathroom-goers. To make getting up to go to the toilet easier, book an aisle seat.

If possible, request a seat with more leg room — or better still, pay extra and book a premium economy or business class ticket.

Lastly but most importantly, before flying during any stage of your pregnancy, consult your doctor to discuss any potential risks or concerns you may have. 

Please Note:

Post a normal delivery and in the absence of any complications, the mother would be permitted to fly 48 hours after delivery provided she has a 'Fitness-to-Fly' certificate from her treating obstetrician.

Post a Caesarean delivery, the mother would be permitted to fly one week after the delivery provided she has a 'Fitness-to-Fly' certificate from her treating obstetrician.

Infants less than 7 days old will not be permitted to undertake both domestic and international travel. However, in an exigency, wherein life saving treatment is mandatory for the infant, the mother may be permitted to fly with the infant, provided the new born is certified 'fit to fly', by the concerned pediatrician / treating neonatologist and is accompanied by at least an MBBS doctor.

'Fitness-to-Fly' certificate is valid for a period of 10 days from the date of issue. However, in case of any associated complications, the guest may be requested to produce a more recent certificate (within 48 hours).

Samhita Das

SpiceJet's new venture

Spice jet to add three more flights to northeast starting October, 2016.  Sources indicate the new aircraft will be based in Kolkata and used on existing and new routes in the northeast. The airline is planning a new Kolkata-Dhaka and Kolkata-Silchar service. At present, it only flies to Guwahati and Agartala in northeast.The number of daily flights is likely to increase by a fifth after induction of the new aircraft.

Samhita Das

FareHawker Ultimate Travel Jokey

Independence Day

India – a vibrant country of joy, celebration, traditions & cultures is celebrating its 70^th year of Independence.

As per the media report, there is a plan by the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, to launch a programme named as “70 Saal Azadi-Zara Yaad Karo Kurbani”, also called “AZADI70” (means, 70 years of independence-Do recall the sacrifices). The aim of this campaign is to make Indian people aware that country is first and individual is secondary as well as remember those supreme sacrifices made by the great freedom fighters of India during the freedom struggle.

We as normal civilians should be a part of this celebration & let our younger generation rather the youth know what Independence is all about, why is their recognition as Indians important.

Though we are celebrating our 70^th year of Independence, why is India still called “INTOLERANT Indians”?

Where are we standing after 70 years of Independence with no access to basic health facilities, no access to safe drinking water, where the gulf between the rich and the poor is widening as an alarming rate ?Why are we still unsafe as normal citizens? Why is law & order confined to the mighty? Why is sword here mightier than the pen? These are the questions which will haunt for years to come. We still as normal citizens are not able to provide a better future for the next generation.

We do say of being Sovereign, United, etc but where do these words stand in our everyday life? Why are people divided in the name of religion & united by terrorism? Should not this have been the opposite? THINK?

Are we still to be a part of the so-called foundation policy of “divide and rule” that was laid years back?

Why the “candle march” after every unlawful situation? Why is Justice delayed for years and then denied? Why cannot the society raise its voice before any incident happens, why do we need to wait for any similar 16^th Dec, 2012 (Nirbhaya Case)

We have reached the moon, we being the 2^nd largest in population with the maximum in working youth, we are the best in producing the world’s finest IT professionals, have digitized ourselves, we have proved to be the best in most then why are we to be slaughtered?

It’s time to raise our voices and join hands, to be Independent in true form, where we should stand out as resource rather than slaves, where we are safe in all aspects irrespective of sex, caste, color, religion or financial status (nepotism to be precise).

Let’s be knowledgeable rather being informative and literate, let’s “Be Human” first “Being Human” will follow.Happy, Prosperous and Safe Independence Day to All from team FareHawker Ultimate Travel Jokey.

Samhita Das

One More Flying Bird is About to Fly in Indian Sky ….. Yes its Zooooooom Air

ZOOM AIR - the word says it all…meet the brand new Airlines’ of India

It’s the newest in the aviation industry for India which is about to start its operations with main base at Terminal 3 Indira Gandhi International Airline in New Delhi in August 2016.   

( subject to DGCA approval ).

As Mr. KOUSTAV M. DHAR the CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (with over 24 years as experience)  and an experienced and experts hands managing the top hierarchy, ZOOM AIR lays a platform for the younger generation for career opportunities as well.

Connecting to almost all major cities of India including New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad , Aizawl, Aurangabad, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Kullu, Jorhat, Lucknow, Ranchi, Srinagar, it extends its services for the first time in Durgapur (West Bengal) and Shillong (Capital of Meghalaya).

The Airline connects for first time the Steel city of Durgapur (West Bengal ) with daily multiple direct frequencies to Kolkata, New Delhi and Mumbai with premium service on board. Also first time state Capital of Meghalaya gets direct Air connectivity Daily to Kolkata and then further to Mumbai, New Delhi and major cities

Team of Ultimate Travel Jockeys @FareHawker.Com wish them luck for their endeavor.

Why travel from train, when you can fly!

Air India will offer ticket prices equivalent to AC II tier fares on Rajdhani train on several additional routes including from the national capital to Ahemdabad, Goa and Hyderabad.

These ticket prices as low as 2,240, would be available within four hours of the scheduled departure of the flights. The carrier is already offering it on four routes and with the new addition, the total number of such sector would be increase to 11.

According to Air India’s official website it has decided to add seven more routes for the reduced rates “on account of popular response and with an aim to enhance growth”.

The routes are Delhi-Ranchi-Delhi, Delhi-Ahemdabad-Delhi, Delhi-Goa-Delhi, Delhi-Patna-Delhi, Delhi-Hyderabad-Delhi, Delhi-Bhubaneshwar-Delhi and Delhi-Raipur-Delhi.

The ‘Spot Fares’ scheme where ticket price equivalent to Rajdhani Express AC I are also available – is from June 27 to September 30. It is available for more than 100 flights across the country.

Air India might pose challenges for private carriers, which are alleged to charging excessive fares for last minute bookings.

-Vishal Tiwari

EgyptAir Flight 804 Missing

An EgyptAir flight from Paris to Cairo with 66 passengers and crew on board which disappeared from radar early Thursday morning, has crashed, Egyptian aviation officials were quoted as saying by AP.

The officials say the search is now underway for the debris. They say the “possibility that the plane crashed has been confirmed,” as the plane hasn’t landed in any of the nearby airports.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.

EgyptAir Flight 804 was lost from radar at 2:45 a.m. local time when it was flying at 37,000 feet, the airline said. It said the Airbus A320 had vanished 10 miles (16 kilometers) after it entered Egyptian airspace.

Rescue services from the Egyptian armed forces reported receiving a distress signal at 04:26 am local time (0226 GMT) from the EgyptAir plane that went missing overnight.

Egyptian military aircraft were searching for the plane, which was carrying 56 passengers, including one child and two babies, and 10 crew members. The pilot had 6,000 flight hours. Earlier, the airline said 69 people were on board.

EgyptAir later said those on board included 15 French passengers, 30 Egyptians, one Briton, two Iraqis, one Kuwaiti, one Saudi, one Sudanese, one Chadian, one Portuguese, one Belgian, one Algerian and one Canadian.

France remains under a state of emergency after Islamic extremist attacks killed 130 people in a spree of attacks in November claimed by the extremist Islamic State group.

Greece joined the search and rescue operation for the EgyptAir flight with two aircraft: one C-130 and one early warning aircraft, officials at the Hellenic National Defense General Staff said. They said one frigate was also heading to the area, and helicopters are on standby on the southern island of Karpathos for potential rescue or recovery operations.

SpiceJet's 11th Anniversary Sale !!!

SpiceJet, India’s favourite low-cost carrier celebrates 11 years of living its grand vision of fulfilling every Indian’s dream of flying. Commemorating its journey so far, the airline has announced “The Anniversary Sale” with one way base fares starting as low as Rs. 511/- for domestic sectors and Rs. 2111/- for international sectors (excluding statutory taxes and fees.)

The three day sale launched today will be open till midnight, 19 May 2016 for domestic travel period 15 June 2016 to 30 September 2016 and international travel period 1st June 2016 to 20th July 2016. The sale is valid only for direct flights within SpiceJet’s network.

The special offer is also available on some of the very popular routes like Dehradun, Bagdogra, Udaipur, Jaipur, Goa, Port Blair, Kochi etc in the domestic network and Bangkok, Colombo, Dubai & Muscat in the international network.

Tickets for this sale can be booked with us at farehawker.com, SpiceJet’s official mobile apps of iOS and Android, on online travel portals and through travel agents.

Terms & Conditions:
The discount will be applicable on one way fares only.
The offer is applicable on bookings made across all channels.
This offer can’t combine with any other offer and not applicable on group bookings.
These fares are REFUNDABLE FARES (Only Statutory Taxes will be refunded).
Changeable with change fee and fare difference.
Limited inventory available on first come serve basis.
Flight schedules and timings are subject to regulatory approvals and change
This promo is applicable on Direct Flights

Stop thinking, start booking.

Happy Travelling.

Cool Destination for Hotty Summer In India

Kerala

Kerala is popularly known as God's Own Country. It stretches for 550km along India's southwest coast, divided between the densely forested mountains of the Western Ghats inland and a lush, humid coastal plain. The state of Kerala is swamped with tourists throughout the year. Kerala is one of the hottest tourist destinations on the international map and also has been declared as one of the ten Paradise on Earth. The lustrous state is blessed with long stretches of golden beaches, unnerving backwater for houseboat cruising, romantic honeymoon destinations, fragrant spice and tea gardens and plethora of flora and fauna in the various wildlife parks. Kerala is one of the coolest places to visit in South India!

Goa

The golden sandy beaches of Goa are an ideal summer destination. A diverse tourist locale, Goa is celebrated the world over for its laidback culture, sun kissed beaches, gothic churches and rocking nightlife. From north to south, the Goa coastline is marked by a number of beach towns, with relaxed ambience, seafood and water sports such as wind surfing, water skiing, sailing, water-scooters, and dolphin spotting cruises. The beaches of Calangute and Baga are the most visited while other famous beaches include Arambol, Anjuna, Candolim, Colva and Palolem. Cheap air travel to Goas airport, Dabolim, from the rest of India has spawned a dramatic rise in the number of domestic visitors holidaying here in recent years. Goa is the best place to visit for party in summers in India.

Ooty

Ooty short for Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam is located in Tamil Nadu at a height of 2240m above sea level. It is one of South India's most popular hill stations and is also known as the  Queen of Hill Stations . Ooty draws a large number of tourists every year. It is nestled in the beautiful Blue Mountains or Nilgiris. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the passengers on most routes. The annual Tea and Tourism Festival attracts crowds in huge numbers. The sprawling tea and coffee plantations is a must watch in Ooty. In your stay in Ooty, you must visit the Botanical Gardens, the Government Museum, Rose Garden, Tiger Hill, Kalhatty Falls, Ooty Lake, Pykara and try some adventure sports as Trekking and Hang-Gliding.

Kashmir

Kashmir valley is a popular tourist destination for domestic (Indian) as well as foreign tourists. Among the popular tourist places in the valley are Gulmarg that has a ski resort, Dal Lake that has popular house boats, Pahalgam and Amarnath Temple. Let the white snow capped mountains, quaint shikaras, apple orchards, colorful flowers and simple people give you an amazing time. Also do not miss the chance of visiting the Ranbireshwar Temple, Lakshmi Narayan temple and Peer Baba Shrine at Satwari. Kashmir is rightfully said as the paradise on earth. With is amazing natural beauty and serene environment, this is one of the Most Popular Summer Destinations in India.

Manali

Manali is one of the main summer destination for backpackers, trekkers and honeymooners escaping the summer heat. Due to its scenic beauty, it is also known as the Switzerland of India. Lapped in the Kullu valley, it is surrounded by towering peaks offering a fine chance for the trekkers. The various Tibetan Monasteries, Naggar Castle, Roerich Museum, Arjun Gufa (Arjun Cave), Jagatsukh, Solang Valley etc. are the other places of interest in and around Manali. The place is also famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, para gliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking. It is one of the best hill stations to visit in North India.

Darjeeling

Located in the Eastern side of India, Darjeeling is a signature hill station with cloud covered valleys, wild streams, mesmerizing mountain views and something very unique-the world renowned Toy Trains. Don't skip the opportunity to jump in one of them as it moves in slow pace in the pristine forests on the hills to give you an experience that is hard to replace. Get up at dawn if you want to witness the sun rise from the Tiger Hills and shout out in excitement when the sun comes out from behind the hills and the first rays reflect upon the Kanchenjunga. Other major tourist sites are Batasia Loop, Botanical Gardens, Rock Garden, several monasteries, Chowrasta etc. One of the coolest hill stations in East India.

Gulmarg

Gulmarg is one of the most popular ski resort destinations in India located in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, also home to the world's highest green golf course. Gulmarg is also known as the "Meadow of Flowers" because of its scenic beauty. With the lush green slopes, flowers in different shades and the valleys, the backdrop is very much like a "dream fantasy" set of a movie. Owing to its pictorial charm, this is a famous honeymoon destination for couples.

Coorg

Nestled among the lush greeneries of the Western Ghats and exotic scenic environment, Coorg is one of the destinations that you should visit to beat the summer heat.Coorg offers you a fascinating past, captivating natural beauty, great cuisine and aromas of the coffee plantations, oranges and honey. Set amidst verdant valleys, imposing mountains and teak wood forests, this is one of the most beautiful hill stations you can visit. Madikeri Fort, Abbi Falls, Iruppu Falls, Talakaveri, Bhagamandala, Padi Iggutappa Temple, Somwarpet, Little Tibet (Tibetan refugee's colony), etc. are the major tourist spots here. The major outdoor activities that one can indulge in this place are trekking, Angling, White Water Rafting and Golfing.

Srinagar

Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated in the Kashmir Valley and lies on the banks of the Jhelum River. The city is famous for its gardens, lakes and houseboats. Srinagar is set around the beautiful Dal Lake, where picturesque houseboats or shikharas carry tourists on boat rides around the lake. It is an ideal summer getaway. Srinagar basically has an alpine weather, as the summers are mild and winters are cold. The major tourist places are Shalimar Garden, Dachigam wildlife sanctuary, Nishat Garden, Shankaracharya Temple, Cheshma Shahi and Pari Mahal. One can even shop for indigenous crafts like hand-woven silks and embroidered shawls.

Shimla

Often referred as the 'Queen of Hills', Shimla is the present capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is perhaps one of the most popular tourist destinations. Loaded with natural beauty and scenic landscape, Shimla is an integral part of Indian history and heritage. The city of Shimla is blessed by the presence of seven different hills that houses some of the major tourist spots. Your stay in Shimla will be marked by visits to destinations like Christ Church, St Michael's Cathedral, Churdhar Sanctuary, Kufri, Gurkha Castles, Jakhu Hill etc. It is here where a traveller sees a happy co-existence of the modern facilities with the old world charm.

Leh-Ladakh

The sheer majesty and beauty of this ethereal place is evident from its location, that is graced by the commanding presence of the mighty Himalayas and the Karakoram range. Spread along the valleys where the altitude rises from 9000 feet to 25170 feet, Ladakh is a destination where time stands still and you won't want to come back again to the regular routine. Enjoy life to the fullest among the monasteries, valleys, lakes, glaciers, festivals and the simple locals. The main attractions of Leh-Ladakh are Zanskar, Sankar Gompa, Alchi, Baltoro Glacier, Lamayuru Gompa, Siachen Glacier, Hemis Festival and so on. The exquisite lakes of Pangong tso and Tso Morari are worth a visit as well as the almost surreal Nubra Valley with its sand dunes and wandering camels.

Mussoorie

Its proximity to the national capital New Delhi has made Mussoorie a famous and much more accessible holiday hub. Located in the amazing Himalayan range, at an astounding 2500 meter height from the sea level, Mussoorie offers a happy weekend outing with attractions that keeps the traveller engaged and pre-occupied. The major of them are as follow: Gun Hill trekking, Kempty falls and trekking and a bit of shopping as the markets are full of traditional stuff like the wooden decorative and gift items, brass statues, ceramic vases, Garhwali Dresses and the ethnic Ladakhi Shawls.

Nainital

Nainital is a hill station located in the foothills of Kumaon range of mountains in Uttarakhand. Dotted with lakes , Nainital has earned the epithet of 'Lake District' of India . Nainital is set in a valley containing a pear-shaped lake and is surrounded by mountains. The high mountains and the vast stretches of green across the horizon add to the pictorial beauty. The name of this famous hill station is believed to have been taken from the Goddess Naina and a temple dedicated to Goddess Naina is also there. The major tourist places are Tiffin Top, Naini Lake, Naina Peak, Land's End etc.

Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal is a hilly retreat established by American missionaries in around 1845 in order to escape from the high temperatures of the plains. Kodaikanal, or Kodai owes its popularity to its hilltop position which is at an altitude of 2,195 m in Tamil Nadu. It offers breathtaking views over the blue-green reaches of the Vaigai plain. Raj-era bungalows and flower-filled gardens add atmosphere, while short walks out of the centre lead to rocky outcrops, waterfalls and dense shola forest. Kodai Lake, Bryant Park, Coaker's Walk, Green Valley View, Shenbaganur Museum of Natural History, Pillar Rocks, Guna caves, Silver Cascade, Dolphin's Nose and Kurinji Andavar Murugan temple are the major tourist attractions in and around Kodaikanal.

Munnar

Munnar is located in the Idduki district of Kerala state. Along with unique species of flora and fauna, the place also has an extensive stretch of tea plantations amidst the high mountains and unspoiled valleys, giving a pleasant feeling. The scented cool air is filled with the aroma of spices. The rising and falling terrain of Munnar is covered with forests and grasslands. Munnar is also paradise for bird watchers as rare species of birds are found in abundance. Anamudi Peak, Tata Tea Museum, Indo Swiss Dairy Farm, Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Lock Heart Gap etc. are the major tourist places in Munnar.

With the summer vacations round the corner and the mercury rising, airlines have come out with many offers. Book your tickets for the upcoming summer vacations with us at FareHawker. Travelling with lots of friends or a relatives ?  Fret not !!! FareHawker also deals in group bookings. We provide you the best fares and the convenience of having your tickets booked while sitting at home. Just give us a call and leave the rest to us.

New Face of Growing Airlines in Indian Sky

Vistara, a JV of Tata and Singapore Airlines and India’s fastest growing full service carrier, took its inaugural flight to Srinagar from New Delhi’s IGI Airport on the 8^th of April at 14.45 hours. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, is one of India’s top tourist destinations which make this an apt addition to Vistara’s route network. 

Travellers to Srinagar will now be able to enjoy Vistara’s seamless services with direct connectivity to the capital. Vistara recently announced that as a part of its summer schedule, the airline will also commence services to Jammu, Kochi and Chandigarh. 

The introduction of these new routes coincides with the airline’s next phase of expansion, where the focus is on scaling up operations and elevating the value proposition to suit the demands of the existing and potential customers in new regions.

Taking its customer centricity a notch higher, Vistara has also re-launched its menu blending traditional choices with unconventional options, with effect from March 1, 2016. Vistara has thoughtfully curated the new menu which features mouth-watering dishes which aptly reflect contemporary India dining at its best – traditional yet modern, local yet global, familiar yet different. 

The airline has come up with seasonal and festive delicacies such as Arabic Mezze, Norwegian Salmon, Corn & Soya Pulao, Amti, Fish & Prawn curry etc. using the choicest of ingredients providing a wide range of options to the passengers. The airline with the aim of transforming the flying experience and setting new service and customer experience standards, recently launched its signature lounge at the boarding gate level at Delhi international airport for its Business class and Club Vistara Gold members.  

Stop waiting and book your holiday tickets with Vistara. Contact FareHawker for all your travel needs. We also deal in group bookings. We will make sure that you travel hassle free.

Vistara, a JV of Tata and Singapore Airlines and India’s fastest growing full service carrier, took its inaugural flight to Srinagar from New Delhi’s IGI Airport on the 8^th of April at 14.45 hours. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, is one of India’s top tourist destinations which make this an apt addition to Vistara’s route network.

Travellers to Srinagar will now be able to enjoy Vistara’s seamless services with direct connectivity to the capital.

Vistara’s daily flight schedule on the Delhi-Srinagar-Delhi route is:

Speaking on the latest network expansion, PheeTeik Yeoh, CEO, Vistara said, “With growing market presence and phenomenal customer uptake, we are broadening our window of operations in order to operate more flights to cater to the increasing demand.”

He said Vistara has been keen to enhance regional connectivity and is committed to connect India better.

“Srinagar offers huge potential in terms of tourism and we are delighted to announce the expansion of our network with daily return flights to Srinagar from Delhi. We are confident that travelers on this route will appreciate the unique value proposition we offer at a competitive price.” Rising Kashmir

Unbelievable Trujet Summer Offer

Trujet offers amazing deals for its travellers this summer. Trujet is a regional airline based in Hyderabad. It operates flights to Nagpur, Aurangabad, Rajahmundry,Vijaywada, Goa, Kadapa, Tirupati, Chennai, Bengaluru. TruJet is offering one way direct flights tickets on all its sectors at an unbelievable fare of Rs 999/- (excluding taxes). Booking period 11th April-14th April, and travel dates between 16th April and 30th June. Book for your summer break well in advance, and enjoy the benefits.

TruJet Airlines is one of India’s most affordable airlines, dedicated to offering low-cost flights to travellers across the country. It commenced operation on 12th July 2015, and currently operates across 8 destinations with a fleet of 2 ATR 72-500 aircraft. To add to the great customer experience, the airline offers other facilities and services including web check-in, meals, and seat reservation.TruJet is the newest on the block and has started flight operations in July 2015. It is committed to offer low-fare flights to customers in different parts of the country. To add to the great customer experience, the airline offers facilities and services that are beneficial for its passengers.There are numerous other offers provided by the airline such as arranging a wheelchair if required and special assistance for unaccompanied minors. TruJet will also help you with information about flight status, schedule, booking and much more.

Rush now to book your tickets, contact FareHawker for your ticketing related needs. FareHawker also deals in group bookings on all regional, national and international airlines.

Amarnath Cave- Story and Significance

The Holy Trinity- Brahma-the creator of life, Vishnu-the perpetuator and Mahesh (Shiva)-the destroyer. Lord Shiva’s power were beyond imagination and were mightier than the other Gods.

Lord Shiva is the lord of all five elements, he wears a garland made of human heads, a snake around his neck, he holds the moon on His head and has the River Ganga flowing from his hair.

Behind the religious significance of Amarnath Yatra is an interesting story associated with Lord Shiva narrating the secret of his immortality to Ma Parvati.

Ma Parvati once asked Lord Shiva the reason why he wears a garland of human heads (Mund Mala), to which Lord Shiva replied that every time Ma Parvati dies and is born again he adds a new head to the garland.

On hearing this, Ma Parvati asked the reason behind Lord Shiva’s immortality, to which Lord Shiva said that to know the reason and become immortal, Ma PArvati will have to listen to the Amar Katha.

Ma Parvati consistently insisted on hearing the Amar Katha and after a long time Lord Shiva gave into Ma Parvati’s demand.

To narrate the story, Lord Shiva started searching for a place away from all living beings so that no living being could overhear the Amar Katha. He then chose the Amarnath cave. Lord Shiva started his ascent to the cave from Pahalgam, where he left his bull Nandi (the place came to be known as Bail Gaon), further down he released the moon from his hair at Chandanwari. At the banks of the Lake Sheshnag, he released his snake, then he left his son Lord Ganesha at Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh Hill). Lord Shiva left the five elements which form the human beings at Panjtarni.

Shivji performed the Tandav Nritya with Ma Parvati before entering the cave and taking his Samadhi on the Deer Skin.

After leaving all the worldly beings behind, in order to make sure that Lord Shiva was alone with Ma Parvati, he created Rudra named Kalagni and ordered him to eliminate every living thing in and around the cave with fire.

Lord Shiva took his Samadhi and started narrating the Amar Katha to Ma Parvati, he requested Ma Parvati to keep making some noise in order to ensure Lord Shiva that she was listening. But as Ma Parvati’s fate was, she fell asleep during the narration.

It is believed that one egg considered non-living was lying under the deer skin remained undestroyed. A pair of pigeons hatched from this egg and became immortal having overheard the Amar Katha. It is also believed that the pair of pigeons is still present in the Amarnath Cave.

Inside the 130 ft high Amarnath cave, an ice Shiv Linga is formed. It is a stalagmite that is formed due to freezing of water drops that fall from the roof of the cave on to the floor and grows up vertically from the cave floor. It is considered to be a Shiva Linga by Hindus.

The Yatra coincides with the Hindu Holy month of Shraavana. The Amarnath Yatra starts on the day of the Massik Shivratri and concludes on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan). The Yatra can be made for about two months in a year.

Yatra Dates for 2016: 2^nd July 2016 to 18^th August 2016.

There are two routes which lead to the Amarnath Cave, one via Pahalgam and the other via Baltal.

The route via Pahalgam is a 46 km trek.

Pahalgam to Chandanwari (16km)

Chandanwari to Pissu Top (3km)

Pissu Top to Sheshnag (9km)

Panjtarni to Holy Cave (6km)

Although the route is longer, most of the pilgrims prefer this route because via this route you visit all the places that Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati did. It is the route used by the Gods themselves.

The route via Baltal is much shorter, it is a 14 km trek.

According to Hindu Mythology this route was used by the Asurs (the devils) in order to make it to the cave to overhear the Amar Katha.

Helicopter tickets are available on both the routes, the helipad is located at Panjtarni which is 6 kms from the holy cave.

The helipad is located in Panjtarni, it is a 6 km trek to the holy cave and has to be done either on foot of pilgrims can also hire ponies for the same.

FareHawker is your one stop for all your Amarnath Yatra travel related woes. We provide personalized, safe, comfortable charter services to Amarnath. You can now book your travel with us. The passengers will be picked up using a world class helicopter from Srinagar and will be dropped off at Panjtarni.

Amarnath Yatra is one of the holiest yatras, and we provide you group bookings for the same. We rid you of all the travel related tensions. You can also book your helicopter tickets with us. The helicopter will pick the passengers up from Srinagar and the drop off will be made at Baltal.