Sep 18, 2015 09:37 PM
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On a tour with 14 pax(12 of the aged above 65) from Delhi to Haridwar, Kedarnath & Badrinath that left Delhi on Monday, 7th Sep 2015 night we had a nightmarish experience on our climbing to Kedarnath on Thursday, 10th Sep.
Prior to departure we were informed by Delhi office of Panickers Travels that helicopter service is available for Kedarnath trip and that would be arranged by the Guide who accompanied us. The guide collected from us extra service charges of Rs. 300 from each one of us previous day(9/9/15) for arranging the helicopter service from Guptkashi as there is reported to be a heavy rush.
But on the same night at about 8 PM he came rushing to our rooms that the entire service is cancelled due to proposed visit of some VIP to Kedarnath on 10th Sep and he returned the extra service charges collected. Then we had to take our travel by Pony.
But to our surprise on 10th Sep we found the helicopter service was fully available on the date and also found that the guide belonging to Southern Travels also from Delhi could arrange the service for 16 of his pax just previous day evening(9th Sep). Equally we also came to know that another service from Panickers travels who are on their way to Chardham trip could do on line booking for heli service. Our travel by Pony was as much painful as we had a feeling that we had come to the end of our lives. Few of us fell down from horses and got injured badly also.
None of 14 pax in our trip has been guided by Delhi office of the operator about the availability of on line booking for heli service. The guide also took the trip lightly despite max of pax are 65 yrs old. We returned to Delhi on 13th night(by the Grace of Kedarnathji). Our complaint to Delhi office on 14th was received casually and it became a laughing subject to the staff present there. Guide did not bother about pax safety & he left us in the lurch under the mercy of pony & its trainer/driver.
Therefore, it is an appeal to all those who plan for Kedarnath trip please avoid Panickers Travels. - Krishnamurthy R
