Question 1

How do I book a tour with Shiv Shankar Holidays?

Accepted Answer

You can call or WhatsApp us on +91 9919913130, send an enquiry from the contact page, or use the enquiry form on any package page. We confirm your dates, share a written itinerary with the full cost, and hold the booking once the advance is received.

Question 2

How much advance do I need to pay?

Accepted Answer

A part payment is enough to block your dates, with the balance due before the journey begins. The exact split depends on the package, the season and the hotels involved, so we confirm it in writing at the time of booking.

Question 3

Which payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept UPI, bank transfer and cash at our Gorakhpur offices. Every payment is receipted, and we never ask for money to be sent to a personal account that has not been confirmed by our office.

Question 4

Can I change my travel dates after booking?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in most cases. Tell us as early as you can and we will move the booking to your new dates. Hotel and transport availability during peak season and festival dates can affect what is possible, and any difference in cost is shared with you before we confirm.

Question 5

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Cancellation terms depend on how close to the departure date you cancel and on the hotel and transport bookings already made in your name. The applicable terms are given to you in writing before you pay, so there are no surprises later.

Question 6

Will I get a written itinerary and a bill?

Accepted Answer

Always. You receive a day-wise itinerary with inclusions, exclusions and the total cost before you pay, and a proper bill for the amount paid. There are no hidden charges added later.

Question 7

Can I customise a package instead of taking a fixed one?

Accepted Answer

Yes — most of our trips are customised. Tell us your dates, the number of travellers, the places you want to cover and your budget, and we will build the itinerary around you rather than fitting you into a fixed plan.

Question 8

Do you arrange tours for large family or temple groups?

Accepted Answer

Regularly. We handle groups of every size with AC buses, tempo travellers and multiple cabs, along with group hotel bookings and coordinated darshan timings. Group rates are quoted separately.

Question 9

What is usually included in a tour package?

Accepted Answer

Most packages include transport for the full trip, hotel stays on the stated sharing basis, driver charges, tolls, parking and state taxes. Meals, entry fees, VIP darshan tickets and personal expenses vary by package and are listed clearly on every package page.

Question 10

Are your tours suitable for elderly travellers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We plan slower days, keep vehicle drop points as close to the temples as possible, choose hotels with easier access and build in rest time. Please tell us about any mobility or health concerns when booking so we can plan properly.

Question 11

Can you combine two or three destinations in one trip?

Accepted Answer

That is one of the most common requests. Ayodhya with Kashi, Kashi with Prayagraj, or Nepal with a Gorakhpur start all work well together, and we will suggest a route that avoids unnecessary backtracking.

Question 12

How far in advance should I book?

Accepted Answer

For ordinary dates, two to three weeks is comfortable. For festival periods such as Ram Navami, Dev Deepawali, Mahashivratri, Kumbh or Magh Mela, book several months ahead — hotels near the temples fill up first.

Question 13

What vehicles do you have?

Accepted Answer

Our fleet covers hatchbacks and sedans for small families, Innova, Crysta and Ertiga for medium groups, and tempo travellers and AC buses for larger yatras. You can see the fleet on the packages page.

Question 14

How is the cab fare calculated?

Accepted Answer

Outstation trips are charged per kilometre with a driver allowance, and local sightseeing is charged on an hourly or full-day package. Tolls, parking and state permits are billed as applicable and shown to you upfront.

Question 15

Do you provide one-way drops and airport or station pickups?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We run one-way drops, airport and railway station pickups and late-night transfers from Gorakhpur and the surrounding districts. Please share your flight or train number so the driver can track any delay.

Question 16

Are your drivers familiar with the temple routes?

Accepted Answer

Our drivers work these routes regularly and know the parking points, the drop gates closest to each temple and the timings that avoid the worst crowds. They speak Hindi, and several also speak basic English.

Question 17

Is the driver allowance and night charge extra?

Accepted Answer

Driver allowance is part of the quoted fare for our packages. For multi-day outstation trips, night charges follow the standard rate and are always stated in your quote before you confirm.

Question 18

What kind of hotels do you book?

Accepted Answer

Everything from clean budget lodges and dharamshalas to three and four star hotels and heritage stays. We match the hotel to your budget and, wherever possible, keep you close to the temple or the ghat you are visiting.

Question 19

Can I choose my own hotel?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Tell us where you would like to stay and we will book it if rooms are available, adjusting the package cost accordingly.

Question 20

Are meals included in the stay?

Accepted Answer

Many hotels include breakfast, and full-board can be arranged on request. Pure vegetarian and satvik meals are available at almost every destination we cover — just let us know when booking.

Question 21

Do you book hotels without a tour package?

Accepted Answer

We do. If you only need rooms in Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Haridwar or Nepal, contact us and we will book them at our negotiated rates.

Question 22

Do Indian citizens need a visa or passport for Nepal?

Accepted Answer

No visa is required for Indian citizens, but every traveller — including children — must carry an original government photo ID such as a passport or voter ID. Aadhaar alone is not always accepted at the border, so please confirm the current requirement with us before you travel.

Question 23

What documents should I carry on a domestic yatra?

Accepted Answer

Carry an original photo ID for every traveller, a few photocopies, and any booking confirmations we send you. Some temples and hotels ask for ID at check-in or at the darshan gate.

Question 24

What is the best time of year for these pilgrimages?

Accepted Answer

October to March is comfortable for Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Chitrakoot. March to May and September to November suit Nepal and the Uttarakhand hills. Each destination page lists its own best season.

Question 25

Can you arrange VIP or special darshan?

Accepted Answer

Where a temple offers an official special darshan facility we help you apply for it, subject to the temple trust’s rules and availability. We never promise access that the temple does not officially provide.

Question 26

What should I pack for a temple visit?

Accepted Answer

Modest clothing, comfortable footwear you can slip off easily, socks in winter, a small bag you can leave in a cloakroom, and cash in small denominations for offerings. Mobiles, bags and leather items are restricted at several major temples.

Question 27

Will someone be available if there is a problem during the trip?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our office is reachable on +91 9919913130 from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and our travellers have a contact number available for urgent help outside those hours while they are on the road with us.

Question 28

Do you provide a tour guide?

Accepted Answer

We do. You can hire a licensed guide for a day or for a full trip from our Hire a Guide page, where each profile lists languages, experience and the daily rate.

Question 29

Is travel insurance included?

Accepted Answer

Travel insurance is not included by default. We strongly recommend arranging your own cover, particularly for high-altitude journeys such as Muktinath, and we are happy to point you in the right direction.

Question 30

How do you handle safety on the road?

Accepted Answer

Our vehicles are serviced regularly, our drivers do not drive through the night on long stretches without a rest break, and we plan realistic daily distances rather than cramming in too much. Your itinerary always leaves room for delays.

Question 31

Where are your offices?

Accepted Answer

We have two locations in Gorakhpur — Golghar, Gandhi Gali, Shop No. 3, and our booking centre at Padari Bazar, Pappu Katra. Both are open Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

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