santanu
Well-Known Member
Sure and thank for your encouraging words.
We had a heated argument with car rental agency. It seems that they do not have their own fleet. They hire the same from private individuals and then in turn give it on rent to people like us. So they were not ready to take responsibility for any safety related issue. In my opinion, this is unacceptable. We demanded partial refund of the rent paid by us. But they refunded only the deposit amount. I guess, they also had to spend some amount from their pocket to get the car down from the hills.
They charged us Rs. 24500/- for 9 days. I guess, Innova forslef driving would be available @ Rs. 2500/- day. So they overcharged us Rs. 2000/-. I was aware about that from the beginning but had no other option. We booked the car at the last moment and only they were offering Innova. We had to take Innova because we were 8-member team.
I am not sure whether I can name the rental agency here and that's why not taking their name. When I searched in Google, I found three agencies in Guwahati (other than Zoom Car) which give car in rent for self-driving. As per customers' feedback, their ranking was lowest. But I had to go with them because of the reason stated above. They also provide bike in rent and it seems bike customers are happy.
Our total fuel bill was ~ Rs. 8,300.
So far, I can recall, we did not have to pay any toll anywhere.
For Tawang to Bumla and Sangetsar Lake, the local driver charged Rs. 5000/- all inclusive though we finally could not go to Sangetsar Lake. Had we booked for Sangetsar Lake only, it would have costed us Rs. 3,000/-. PT Taso Lake is on the way and therefore automatically gets included in the package.
Accommodation:
Bomdila : I did not take any noting. Since Bomdila has many hotels, you can go there without any pre-booking
Tawang : We stayed first 2 days at Hotel Menda-La Fooding & Lodging (82579 61910). We took 2 triple bed room and 1 double bed room. For the triple bedrooms, they charged Rs. 1,700/- per day and for double bed room they charged Rs. 1,500/- per day. Food there is bit expensive.
We stayed at Hotel White House (84020 41966) for next 2 days. We took 4 double bed rooms there for two days. For each double bed room , they charge Rs. 1,500/- day including breakfast. In breakfast, they offer limited items but it was useful and effective. Lunch/Dinner rate is quite reasonable, Rs.80/- per Thali.
Among both the hotels, I prefer White House because of the view it offers and quality of the room. In addition it is easily accessible from the Highway and bit outside the market
and therefore relatively peaceful.
Since Tawang has a number of hotels, you can go there without any pre-booking. There are multiple eating options in Tawang Market.
Dirang : In Dirang, we stayed at Hotel Snow Lion (84149 95556). We took, 2 triple rooms and 1 double room there. All the rooms were on the 1st floor and front facing. They charged an overall amount of Rs. 8,800 on a room only basis. There, room rate varies as per floor and facing. Food there is bit expensive. It seems that they encourage having food at hotel.
Since Dirang does not have many hotels, it is better to go there with pre-booking. There is Hotel Pemaling (82589 19962). I first tried this hotel over the phone but room was not available. It is just before entry of Dirang almost at a km away from the main market centre at the Bomdial side. Since it is not in the market and on the highway, in my opinion, it offers best view among all Dirang Hotels provided you get value facing room.
There is hotel Samdup Khang. This is just beside of Hotel Snow Lion. It does not offer any view it seems. Since, I did not try there, I do not have their phone number.
The most expensive hotel at Dirang is Hotel Norphel Retreat. At the time of our travel, they were charging Rs. 4000 per double bed room. It is on the opposite of the Dirang river on the elevated river bed. Since it is very near to the Dirang River and has a lot of open land surrounding it, it definitely offers pleasant staying experience. But it is quite of from Dirang market and it would be really difficult to access market from there in the dark.
While roaming in Dirang, I noticed Hotel Diarng Resort : [email protected]; [email protected].
While travelling in Sangti valley, I saw a board of a homestay 'Lanjom Homestay' ( 82588 27576/ 094362 25154)
I hope fellow BCMTians will find this information helpful. Please feel free to PM me if you need any other information.
Thanks!!!!
