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Incredible India

Off-Beat Trails: Visit the lesser known India

India has always been portrayed as land of religion and culture, but there is much more to India than these religious centers. Wildlife, forests, deserts, islands all sprawl over the place that would truly exhaust, exasperate and inspire you.

Trekking and Rock Climbing at Mukteshwar

Mukteshwar is a quite paradise located in Kumaon hills of Uttaranchal. Here you can take a walk amidst the conifer forests and apple, peach, plum and apricot orchards and watch the Himalayan snow peaks playing hide and seek with the clouds. Mukteshwar is an ideal hill station if you want to do nothing but only admire the panoramic beauty of the Himalayas and leisurely walks through the winding paths of the hills. An ideal location for adventure lovers who are interested in rock climbing and trekking.

Enjoying the weather at Cherrapunji

Cherrapunji is a town in Meghalaya, India which is credited as being one of the world's wettest places. Unlike the jungles of concrete, Cherrapunji is a place to cherish the everlasting beauty of nature. This is the sole place in the entire world where one can enjoy the monsoon season round the year. Now as traveler if that worries you would be surprised to learn the fact that incessant rain do not disrupt the day to day activity as it rains mostly at night.

Scuba Diving and Snorkelling at Andaman Islands

The Andaman Islands are a group of archipelagic islands in the Bay of Bengal. The area is symbolized by clean environment, greenery as well as unpolluted fresh air that attracts all nature lovers. The area is home to a vast collection of plans, animals and marine life. The vast stretches of crescent shaped beaches and mountains make it a popular spot for adventure tourism like trekking, Island camping, snorkeling, scuba diving etc.

Tiger Spotting at Satpura

The area is best known for Satpura National Park. Tucked away in the Satpura mountain ranges, Satpura National Park rests in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh. The panorama of the place, coupled with its surroundings, makes it an ideal abode of many wildlife species of the country. When it comes to fauna, the Satpura National Park is a rare and exciting jungle treat. The area is blessed with rocky sandstone peaks complemented by deep and dramatic ravines.

Visiting the romantic city of Udaipur

Nestled among the lush hills of the Aravali, Udaipur has inevitably been dubbed the 'Venice of the East'. The fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, highlights the heroic past of the city epitomizing valor and chivalry. The city is a harmonious Indian blend of whitewashed buildings, marble palaces, lakeside gardens, temples and havelis.

These off beat trails are sure to take you on a path breaking trip to experience the true India.

Spiritual India: Exploring the Religious Centers of India

The new age technology has given us many things to make our life easier but with that it has also increased the stress levels. Spirituality is a perfect way to get away from the stress and reconnect with your true self. Spiritualism has been synonymous with India. Since ages the land has been known for these religious centers.

Haridwar:
Known as the Gateway to the Gods, Haridwar is considered one of the seven holiest places according to Hindus, as the Gods are said to have left their footprints there. Haridwar has very rich ancient religious and cultural heritage. This city is well known for the holy river Ganges. In case you are visiting this place a definite must see is Chandi Devi Temple on top of the mountain which offers wonderful view to the city.

Rishikesh:
Located in the laps of lower Himalayas, Rishikesh is surrounded by scenic beauty of the hills on three sides with Holy Ganga flowing through it. The whole place is considered to be sacred as it is believed that meditation at this place leads to attainment of salvation. There are many temples-some ancient, some new along the river Ganges. Rishikesh is also famous for ashrams teaching Yoga. Even the Beatles were mesmerized by the beauty of the place when they came to visit their guru in 60’s.

Varanasi:
Varanasi or popularly known as Benares is a historical city in northern India. The city is sacred to Hindus and also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. You are sure to be enthralled by the scene of pilgrims doing their devotions in the River Ganges at sunrise. The city set against the back drop of the centuries old temples is probably one of the most impressive sights in the world and a definite must see in case of trip to India.

Amritsar:
The city which derives its name from the name of the pool around the Golden Temple means ‘Holy Pool of nectar” is the spiritual and cultural center of the Sikh religion. A must visit while on trip to this city is the Golden Temple. The city is now a major pilgrimage and tourism center.

Bodh Gaya:
Bodh Gaya is the most revered of all Buddhist sacred sites. A small village in Bihar it’s the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment. Bodh Gaya is essentially a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists and all of its main attractions are related to this. Whether you're a Buddhist or not, the main thing to do in Bodh Gaya is just to absorb the vibe of the place where the Buddha attained awakening.

It’s definitely worth visiting these religious centers providing the masses with soothing and therapeutic balm to de-stress.

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India Week- Exploring the Golden Triangle by Palace on Wheels

India is a land of dazzling colors, wide-open spaces and exotic cultural treasures. There is no better way to explore this beautiful land, then to get onboard the Palace on Wheels and take a joyride while exploring the history, culture and beauty of the Golden Triangle.

What is Palace on Wheels?

Palace on Wheels is a luxury train. It was launched by the Indian Railways to promote tourism in Rajasthan and has been highly popular since its launch. It has also been adjudged one of the top ten luxury trains in the world.

About the Train:

The 14 coaches in the luxury train are named after former Rajput states which highlight the aesthetics and interiors of the royal past.

• Each saloon has a mini pantry and a lounge to ensure availability of hot and cold beverage and refreshments.

• The train has two lavish restaurants "The Maharaja" and "The Maharani" serving Continental, Chinese, Indian and Rajasthani cuisines.

• The train also boasts of a well stocked bar offering the choicest spirits of Indian and international brands.

• Each coach also offers a good collection of books to choose from.

The Stops:

The three major cities covered by Place on Wheels and which also happen to form the Golden Triangle are Delhi, Jaipur and Agra.

Delhi: New Delhi, the capital and the third largest city of India is a fusion of the ancient and the modern. Comprising of two contrasting yet harmonious parts, the Old Delhi and New Delhi, the city is a travel hub of Northern India. The city streets take you on a journey through formidable mosques, monuments and forts.

Jaipur: The “Pink City” has always been a favorite of tourists. Named so because of the walls surrounding the city. Jaipur was the stronghold of a clan of warriors whose forts and palaces in the city are most important attractions.

Agra: Agra is a city of architectural wonders and spellbinding Taj Mahal. This beautiful marble monument, located on a bank of the Yamuna River in Agra India, has inspired poets and lovers throughout the world. No trip to India can be complete without visiting this architectural wonder.

Besides the three major cities the Palace on Wheels covers several other cities which are equally appealing and historic. The glimpses of some of them are:

Jaisalmer: The city is enchanting world of fable, color, and history. Jaisalmer Fort is the prime attraction. The ramparts, bastions and the long stretching walls offer stunning views.

Jodhpur: Also known as the "Sun City" because of its bright and sunny weather throughout the year. Jodhpur city has many beautiful palaces and forts such as Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhavan Palace and Rai ka Bag Palace.

Sawai Madhopur: Lying on the main Delhi Mumbai railway line Sawai Madhopur is the gateway to the world renowned Ranthambhore National Park-the famous tiger reserve.

Bharatpur: Located in Mewat region of Rajasthan, it was a well-fortified city when it was the capital of a kingdom ruled by Jat maharajas. At present has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

So get on board the train and enjoy the mystic beauty of the place.

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CheapOair.com, founded in 2005, is one of the Top 10 online travel websites in the U.S. CheapOair offers Airfares, Hotels, Car Rentals and Vacation Package deals. Our portfolio includes 18 million exclusive flight deals, low airfare guarantees, 84,000 negotiated hotel rates and the technological foundation to deliver affordable tickets to every region in the world. Our vision is to develop and enhance the latest technologies into scalable travel solutions for today’s savvy traveler. We receives about 18 million web visits per month, 300,000 flight searches per day and is ranked #160 website by Quantcast.

CheapOair is comprised of dedicated travel professionals and industry experts who are proactive, passionate about their role and think outside the box. Together, they shape the vision of CheapOair, to provide a wide selection of travel products and excellent services for today’s web savvy traveler.

We are always looking for talent in various departments. If you love travel and are bursting with ideas, we want to hear from you. If you’re a go-getter who can take ownership of your tasks and responsibilities, send us a resume. Wow us! In 100 words or less, tell us why you’re perfect for CheapOair.com.

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TRAVEL AGENTS
We are seeking experienced Travel Agents to join our expanding Call Center team. As our Travel Agent, you will be responsible for:
Providing our clients the best travel package deals.

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Our Fraud Protection Agents are passionate about protecting the company and the public from credit card and other fraudulent activities. As part of our Fraud Protection team, you will be:

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• Must have at least one (1) year experience working in a customer service department

• Experience with credit card processing/verifications a plus

• Must have working knowledge of Destination Geography and City codes

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications

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GROUP DESK TRAVEL AGENT

We are also growing our Group Reservations Desk. Our Group Travel Agents help our customers plan, book and manage all their group travel needs (10 or more people). In addition, they are responsible for:

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• Must have GDS experience: knowledge of SABRE and/or Amadeus

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ASP.NET WEB APPLICATION/SQL DEVELOPER

We are looking for a Mid level ASP.NET Web Application / SQL Developer who has at least 3+ years experience in web application development. The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated, fast learner person with a passion for technology and a desire to become the best at what they do.

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If you are interested in joining our winning team, please e-mail your cover letter and resume in confidence to corissa@CheapOair.com

Bangkok

Have you ever considered a trip to Bangkok? Check out this amateur video and the great fares to Bangkok from CheapOair!

Did You Know? Travel Facts!

Adventure Travel - One-half of U.S. adults, or 98 million people, have taken an adventure trip in the past five years. This includes 31 million adults who engaged in hard adventure activities like whitewater rafting, scuba diving and mountain biking. Adventure travelers are more likely to be young, single and employed compared to all other U.S. adults.

African-American travel volume is up 4 percent from 2000 to 2002 (increasing from 72.2 million to 75.2 million person-trips), higher than the two percent increase for travelers overall during the same time period. Compared to travelers overall, nearly three times as many African-American person-trips involve group tours (10% vs. 3%). African-American households spend $428 per trip, on average, excluding spending on transportation to their destination.

Beaches are still one of the most popular travel activities. One in ten person-trips (10%) includes going to a beach, equating to 109.5 million domestic person-trips taken in the U.S. in 2003.

Children Travel Too! One in four household trips in the U.S. (26%) include children under 18, or 170.1 million trips in total in 2003. Most (91%) trips with children are for leisure, nearly half of which are taken to visit friends or relatives. Four in ten (44%) overnight trips with children include a stay in a hotel, motel or bed and breakfast establishment.

Crimes against travelers occur 40 percent less often than crimes against non-travelers.

Educational Travel: The learning aspect of travel is important to U.S. travelers, with about one-fifth —30.2 million adults— having taken an educational trip to learn or improve a skill, sport or hobby in the past three years.

One in five (22%) U.S. adults say they took a trip to attend a family reunion in just the past year. Keeping with the family theme, more than half of reunions are held in someone's home (52%).

Gambling is a common activity on many American trips and is growing in popularity. Trips including gambling currently account for eight percent of all U.S. travel, generating 78.6 million person-trips in 2002.

Hispanic travel volume is up 20 percent from 2000 to 2002 (increasing from 64.1 million to 77.1 million person-trips), much higher than the two percent growth of travelers overall. A majority of Hispanic person-trips are for leisure (77%), of which visiting friends or relatives is the ultimate goal for many (43%). Entertainment trips (16%) and outdoor recreation (8%) make up smaller shares of Hispanic person-trips.

Honeymooners outspend the average traveler by more than three times. On average, they spent $1,402, while the average trip expenditure in 1994 for all travelers was considerably less at $421.

National/State Park Travel American travelers love the great outdoors as evidenced by the 40 percent of all U.S. adults in 2003 who have visited a national park at least once while on a trip of 50 miles or more, one-way, away from home in the past five years. In 2002 alone, U.S. traveling households generated 87 million leisure person-trips including national or state parks.

Outdoor recreation and/or visiting national or state parks is one of the top activities for U.S. travelers taking leisure trips within the U.S. One in four (23%) leisure person-trips includes some form of outdoor recreation and/or a visit to a national or state park. Outdoor trips are also likely to be taken by car (76%) and one in six (17%) outdoor trips includes camping in an RV or tent.

Pet Travel: Fluffy and Fido are popular travel companions, with 14 percent of all U.S. adults (29.1 million) saying they have traveled with a pet on a trip of 50 miles or more, one-way, away from home in the past three years. Dogs are the most common type of pet to take along (78%).

Religious Services are often an important part of any travel experience. One-fourth (28%) of adult travelers in the U.S. went to a church, temple, mosque or other place of worship to attend a regularly scheduled religious service while on a trip of 100 miles or more, one-way, in the past year.

Romantic Travel: More than 42 million Americans say they have taken at least one trip in the past year to attend a wedding, go on a honeymoon, or celebrate an anniversary. This equates to 20 percent of all U.S. adults traveling for romance-related purposes in the past year.

Solo Vacationing...Exploring a destination on your own at your own pace appeals to many Americans. Nearly one-quarter of U.S. travelers, or 34.8 million U.S. adults, have taken a vacation by themselves in the past three years. These travelers are less likely than total U.S. travelers to be married and to have children in their household. The solo vacationer is 42 years of age with an average annual household income of $54,000. More than one-quarter (26%) have a professional or managerial occupation, 53% are male, 47% female and 38% have completed college.

Two out of five U.S. adults (38%) attended an organized sports event, competition or tournament as either a spectator or as a participant while traveling in the past five years. This equates to 75.3 million U.S. adults.

Staying wired while traveling is important to business and pleasure travelers. In 2002, seven in ten (69%) of the 36.9 million business travelers say they brought along a cellular phone on a past-year business trip. One in four (25%) brought a laptop computer.

Theme/Amusement Park Travel: One in ten (9%) person-trips includes a visit to a theme or amusement park, equating to over 92 million person-trips taken in the U.S. in 2002.

Vacation leave is often used for travel. Over one-fourth of employed travelers (28%) use all of their vacation time traveling to points at least 100 miles from their home, and two-thirds of employed travelers (65%) spend at least one-half of their vacation time traveling. On average, employed travelers spent 56% of their 1997 vacations traveling. If weekends are excluded, this translates to travelers spending about 8 days out of 14 vacation days on the road.

Weekend travel is more popular than ever, with half of all U.S. adults--nearly 103 million--taking at least one weekend trip per year. Almost 30 percent of Americans have taken five or more weekend trips in the past year and 35 percent of all weekend travelers say they've taken their children with them on at least one weekend trip.

These and other interesting travel facts can be found on the US Travel Association website.

Udaipur, India

Following up on our post from last week on the Cheap Travel Deals Blog on Top Tips to Doing India on the Cheap, we bring you a short video on beautiful Udaipur, India!