Ashu's 4 days trip to Himachal
a day ago*Trip Review*
Our recent 4-day trip was a mixed bag, but overall, we'd give it 4 stars. Here's a breakdown:
*Travel Agent*
Roshni from Advance Easy Trip planned our trip and was extremely helpful and polite throughout. We'd highly recommend her services.
*Stay/Hotel*
The 3-star hotel was upgraded due to room unavailability, and we were pleasantly surprised with the better view and facilities. Although breakfast and dinner options were limited (2 main course dishes without butter roti), the good deal and location made up for it.
*Budget Friendly*
The prices offered by Roshni were competitive, and we verified them against market rates.
*Hotel*
The hotel had an electricity issue, but it wasn't a major concern since we didn't require AC or fans. The food options were limited compared to other hotels in the market (given our experience in the hotel industry). However, the views and peaceful environment were exceptional, and we'd give it 5/5 for those aspects.
*Transport/Cab/Driver*
Unfortunately, our experience with the driver, Sahjd Ali, was disappointing. He:
- Lacked etiquette and was rude
- Slept excessively during drives and denied requests
- Didn't follow the itinerary and made false claims about attractions and charges
- Tried to deceive us with false claims about entry fees for Atal Tunnel (claimed 1500 government charge, demanded 3000 extra)
- Drove slowly to charge extra 2000 for night charges
- Had a good network in Manali and prioritized meeting friends and relatives over our needs
- Didn't pick up calls (14 attempts)
*Driver Details*
- Name: Sahjd Ali
- Contact number ends with: 314168
- Swift cab number ends with: 6799
*Recommendation*
While the trip was good overall, we'd advise against using the driver Sahjd Ali. Despite this, we'd still recommend Advance Easy Trip for their good deals, better hotels, and excellent customer service.
*Rating*
4/5 stars
*Final Verdict*
Happy journey to all!
Best Memories
1. *Exceptional Views*: The upgraded hotel had breathtaking views that we'll always treasure.
2. *Roshni's Excellent Service*: Our travel agent, Roshni, was extremely helpful and polite throughout the trip.
3. *Peaceful Environment*: The hotel's serene atmosphere provided a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle.
4. *Atal Tunnel Visit*: Despite the driver's issues, visiting Atal Tunnel was an exhilarating experience.
5. *Manali's Natural Beauty*: The scenic landscapes and picturesque valleys of Manali left us spellbound.
Lessons Learned
1. *Choose Drivers Wisely*: Be cautious when selecting drivers, and research their reputation beforehand.
2. *Verify Claims*: Double-check claims made by drivers about attractions and charges.
Future Recommendations
1. *Advance Easy Trip*: Despite the driver issues, we'd recommend Advance Easy Trip for their good deals and excellent customer service.
2. *Better Driver Selection*: Future travelers should be aware of the potential issues with certain drivers and take necessary precautions.