Comments
If there is a mistake by SOTC one time doesnot mean they are not good at all. We travelled to Russia and scandinavia with SOTC and I think they did a wonderful job. I was very very satisfied with the tour arrangement They gave us the best hotels and best breakfast and the tour guide was really nice. I enjoyed my experience with SOTC.
patkar
patkar
Our(Self and wife) American Experience Tour (9th June to 18th June' 08) was a disaster.Having good experience of European tour with S.O.T.C, myself and my wife selected you this time also for the American Tour but totally dissapointed.The tour operator was having a limited capacity to manage the batch of 39 persons and moreover there was no support from S.O.T.C Mumbai office.The tour operator has made a total mess of it.
At Grand Canyon the thrilling Helicopter tour was not arranged even though we were ready to pay extra.
Our early morning flight from Chicago to Buffalo, Niagara was cancelled and we had to spent whole day at the air-port without any break fast or lunch from S.O.T.C side.The tour operator should have sent us to a hotel and arranged for an alternate flight or should have arranged for a bus to go to Niagra.Ther was no contingency plan as a result the Niagara trip was cancelled and next day evening we reached Washington thus wasting two complete valuable days without any tour.We had not come all the way by paying air fare just to sit at air port or hotel.Due to this our Washington tour was also reduced by one day and entire tour became very hectic.
It is obvious that we would not come frequently to USA by spending so much money.This type of tour is normally once in a life time.So to overcome the situation myself and my wife decided to visit Niagara ourselves.Now we request you to reimburse the cost incurred by us as a compensation towards Niagara tour( which was part of your tour itinerary) as per the following details.
1.Reschedule charges of British Air one way ticket
from 18th June to 20th June' 08.(NY-AUH) USD 300/.
2.One way air fare from Niagara to New York
for 2 persons. USD 304/
3.Two night (19 and 20 June' 08) Hotel charge
at Niagara for 2 person. USD 308/
4.To and fro taxi fare from Buffalo air port. USD 125/
5.Tickets for Boat/Bus ride at Niagara falls. USD 60/
6.Food and other Misc expenses for two persons. USD 150/
Total; USD 1247/
All the original receipts are available with us and can be produced on demand.
Hope you will consider the above and confirm your acceptance by return as expected from a professional tour operator.
Finally SOTC never paid the above amount or any type of Compensation
Regards,
S.Ghosh.AbuDhabi
At Grand Canyon the thrilling Helicopter tour was not arranged even though we were ready to pay extra.
Our early morning flight from Chicago to Buffalo, Niagara was cancelled and we had to spent whole day at the air-port without any break fast or lunch from S.O.T.C side.The tour operator should have sent us to a hotel and arranged for an alternate flight or should have arranged for a bus to go to Niagra.Ther was no contingency plan as a result the Niagara trip was cancelled and next day evening we reached Washington thus wasting two complete valuable days without any tour.We had not come all the way by paying air fare just to sit at air port or hotel.Due to this our Washington tour was also reduced by one day and entire tour became very hectic.
It is obvious that we would not come frequently to USA by spending so much money.This type of tour is normally once in a life time.So to overcome the situation myself and my wife decided to visit Niagara ourselves.Now we request you to reimburse the cost incurred by us as a compensation towards Niagara tour( which was part of your tour itinerary) as per the following details.
1.Reschedule charges of British Air one way ticket
from 18th June to 20th June' 08.(NY-AUH) USD 300/.
2.One way air fare from Niagara to New York
for 2 persons. USD 304/
3.Two night (19 and 20 June' 08) Hotel charge
at Niagara for 2 person. USD 308/
4.To and fro taxi fare from Buffalo air port. USD 125/
5.Tickets for Boat/Bus ride at Niagara falls. USD 60/
6.Food and other Misc expenses for two persons. USD 150/
Total; USD 1247/
All the original receipts are available with us and can be produced on demand.
Hope you will consider the above and confirm your acceptance by return as expected from a professional tour operator.
Finally SOTC never paid the above amount or any type of Compensation
Regards,
S.Ghosh.AbuDhabi
Agree - we have travelled with SOTC tour twice to europe and states and were thinking of doing a tour to india too very soon in november - yes, they try and cut edges - in one place in italy they put us up in a hotel where there were repairs going on!! and god forbid we were fine - also the hotels are far away - obviously cheap hotels!!! with no good service - they are doing themselves down - also we were promised a gift for our silver wedding anniversary - not that we care for such things - but not a peep from them - fortunately the guides were good - one parsi lad was very good and kept us entertained with his jokes and humour and very proactive.
Can anyone suggest a good tour company to travel to rajasthan, agra, shimla, kulu manali etc
thanks
mrs. d
email: [protected]@yahoo.co.uk
Can anyone suggest a good tour company to travel to rajasthan, agra, shimla, kulu manali etc
thanks
mrs. d
email: [protected]@yahoo.co.uk
Hi,
I had planned my Swiss-Paris Honeymoon with SOTC and even paid them money.
They initially told me they will confirm the bookings in 48hrs.
They did not do hotel bookings even after I contacted them repeatedly and after 1 month they told me I have to pay 30% more as the prices have increased. When I wanted to cancel it with them they told me they cannot refund my money as that will go into cancelling the hotel reservation.
They will initially lure you with cheap offer and once you pay money they will never stick to their commitment and do things their own way. Only a suggestion, DO NOT GO TO SOTC.
You can contact me for details.
Thanks,
Souvik
[protected]@gmail.com
I had planned my Swiss-Paris Honeymoon with SOTC and even paid them money.
They initially told me they will confirm the bookings in 48hrs.
They did not do hotel bookings even after I contacted them repeatedly and after 1 month they told me I have to pay 30% more as the prices have increased. When I wanted to cancel it with them they told me they cannot refund my money as that will go into cancelling the hotel reservation.
They will initially lure you with cheap offer and once you pay money they will never stick to their commitment and do things their own way. Only a suggestion, DO NOT GO TO SOTC.
You can contact me for details.
Thanks,
Souvik
[protected]@gmail.com
I am planning a trip to Europe in May 2010. Any suggestions for a good operator?
I had a trip in 2006 summer starting from London England and ending in Paris France 11 days. I had no problem during the trip and Guide was great. We have lot of good memories of the trip.
I think it depends on specific guide how he arranges the tour. Everything went as promised. In fact we tried to stay in London 2 night extra and 1 night after end in Paris and found things you can do in tour are lot more than if you try to do on your own.
I think it depends on specific guide how he arranges the tour. Everything went as promised. In fact we tried to stay in London 2 night extra and 1 night after end in Paris and found things you can do in tour are lot more than if you try to do on your own.
I dont agree at all. Our experience with SOTC when we travelled Europe with them in 2006 was extremely good. Hotel stay was comfortable, indian food served was excellent. Tour manager was well informed, helping and guided the tour effeciently. We are planning vaction with SOTC this year too= Vijay Bichu
same horrified experience i faced when i booked the trip to thailand throuh sotc.
I am executive in a OIl PSU, recently (Feb11)had a Mal-SIN-Cruise-SIN package along with my wife.
As promised by SOTC-Kolkata, the Hotel was not provided at Mal.
At Bangkok, wastage of full night to get another flight for Mal; though there was/is direct flight for Mal. from Kolk. Poorly designed tour not consdering customer's
interest.
Even in the 'sight seeing points at Mal lot of places of interest(e.r Bird Park etc not included) wherase boring places like 'watch factory(thogh it was a showroom only) was included.
Be carful of all these
As promised by SOTC-Kolkata, the Hotel was not provided at Mal.
At Bangkok, wastage of full night to get another flight for Mal; though there was/is direct flight for Mal. from Kolk. Poorly designed tour not consdering customer's
interest.
Even in the 'sight seeing points at Mal lot of places of interest(e.r Bird Park etc not included) wherase boring places like 'watch factory(thogh it was a showroom only) was included.
Be carful of all these
Don't just nod your heads to what people say ... Particular cases can not be taken as the references for the next tours. I know it sounds weired but I loved the kind of arrangements they made for us while we were on the SOTC ALL O[censored]SA TOUR LAST YEAR May 2010. I just was searching the sotc word and got on this web page. Sincerely SOTC is not bad its the kind of mindset of the travellers that matters a lot while on the tour. Simply for some silly and small things also we customers get upset, I know there is a lot of hard earned money which is involved in the tour. But be cooperative and patient and things definitely work in your way. Some times I know the sales office overcommits about the facilities and arrangements of the tour but it is the competition and our attitude that makes them commit to what otherwise is not feasible in the given money. Think about the best of the places and hotels on the main strip you guys have stayed in and the kind of arrangements were made to make you people happy on the tour by the well behaved staff and the Tour Managers of the SOTC. I know it sounds weired to hear good about the SOTC here, since everybody is complaining about SOTC, but believe me I have event travelled with many such operators abroad like KESARI, THOMAS COOK etc. Certain incidences are unavoidable and hence should be left out. I think every one here is making one point clear that they are on the tour for shear Joy and Value for your money...then let's not make that fun go away from the tour and then cry for the things what we have not got instead of what we have got ! Be positive and do not panic and really expect the best from SOTC since it is the really the best tour operator for EUROPE and USA and rest of the places not because I say but the peoples mandate and the Award list says it. Please find some more information about the company and you will realize you have travelled and will be travelling with the World class company which is above 100 years old and really doing great. My name is Milind Kale and I can say proudly that I am one of the most satisfied and Happy customers on the SOTC list. Thanks for reading.
Dr Naveen,
I am agreed as well
the same thing happened with us for the trip to Hongkong and macau, actually it was a disaster
it was our honeymoon trip on 18th may 2010 last year
No compensation, same story
whole day wasted at d airport etc etc
Shally Trivedi
Newdelhi
G-K
I am agreed as well
the same thing happened with us for the trip to Hongkong and macau, actually it was a disaster
it was our honeymoon trip on 18th may 2010 last year
No compensation, same story
whole day wasted at d airport etc etc
Shally Trivedi
Newdelhi
G-K
DO NOT GO FOR SOTC...BIG NO
SOTC TRAVEL AGENCY — WRONG TICKETING
SOTC TRAVEL AGENCY HAS BOOKED WRONG DATES NON REFUNDABLE AND NON EXCHANGEBLE EURO STAR TRAIN TICKETS FOR MY FAMILY MEMBERS. THEY ARE UNWILLING NOW TO EXCCHANGE OR REFUND THESE TICKETS EVEN AFTER SPEAKING TO THEIR SENIOR STAFF. I FIND THIS VERY STRANGE WHICH HAS FORCED ME TO MAKE A COMPLAINT ON THIS WEBSITE. I agree. Do not go with SOTC. Thomas Cook is same price or slightly higher and peace of mind is much more. I just come back from SOTC tour and was going on with Thomas Cook side by side. The food and hospitality - hotels are alot better with Thomas Cook. Even lunches were cold and tasteless as well as dinners. Total waste of my money. We had to carry packages with us from morning. How could something taste well in afternoon? I made mistake with SOTC and please do not make same. Do not book SOTC.
The buses are very bad. torn seats, smelling, and ac not working properly. if anyone going US do not go SOTC
I, being a Life Member of AMASI (Reg No 1828) got registered for AMASICON 2011 for myself and my wife Ms Sabiha Perwez by payment to AMASI via DD for an amount of Rs.1, 16, 300/- (One Lac sixteen thousands three hundred only) DD No. 012453 dated 15th December 2010 drawn on Bank of India Dhatkidih, Jamshedpur for attending the AMASICON 2011 conference at Singapore from 21st May 2011 to 25th May 2011. I received the acknowledgement receipt (Receipt No 160) from AMASI Office dated 26th Jan 2011( Registration No -1143).
I received mails from Mr Madhab Pramanik, Visa Co coordinator STOC Kolkata in April 2001 to send the required papers and photographs for Visa processing. I promptly sent all the papers with required specifications. This was received by STOC Kolkata by BLUE DART Courier on 2nd May 2011. I contacted Mr Mahadeb Pramanik on Phone on 3rd May and he said the papers have been received and they are in proper order and will be forwarded to STOC Mumbai.
Subsequently I requested for a two day extension at Singapore from 25th to 27th May for which I contacted Shraddha Thakur in Mumbai Office and as per the requirement I paid the money through Cheque and Bank Transfer approximately Rs 35000/-
From 3rd may to 20th May the day of departure I did not receive a single call/SMS/mail regarding any problem in my papers. On 17thMay night I received a call from AMASICON SECRETARIAT that the e tickets are not coming because of some unspecified problem and asked me to contact SOTC office at Mumbai on 18th morning. When I tried to contact them they were totally clueless and confused. I did a series of talks with Mr Sony Chetan ([protected]) and he asked me to send by mail my photographs which I promptly did and he acknowledged this on phone and promised that the things will be sorted out.
There was no further communication in this regard from anyone in SOTC.Even on the day of Journey that is 20th May there was no information from designated Tour Manager Saliesh Korde nor STOC Office nor Madhab Pramanik ([protected]).
I reached airport at 6 pm on 20th May and met Mr Sailesh Korde ([protected]) and to my shock and embarassment he said that my passport is lying in Delhi and visa has not come and I cannot travel.
I suffered tremendous physical, financial and mental harassment all through this.
I feel there was total lack of co ordination between AMASI, the organisers and this STOC group. Nobody owned the process in STOC and therefore it went unattended by all. There was absolute total failure of communication by mail or telephone. I had strictly followed the specification mentioned while sending the visa papers including photographs and bank statements. Even if there was any minor problem it could have been always rectified through proper attention and communication.
There was total lack of interest, owning the problem by one person, laziness and apathy for any communication with the party.
I do not think you deal with your customer in this way. You submit the papers for visa and call the customer to airport directly where you will declare whether he can make the journey or not.
I suffered extreme physical and mental sufferings apart from the financial loss. From the month of December to 20th May a simple tour could not be handled by STOC. Is this your customer focus?
The people whom I did communicate and hold responsible are Mr Madhya Pramanik, Ms Shraddha Thakur, Mr Chetan Soni, Mr Sailesh Korde apart from various people in STOC Mumbai
a
I received mails from Mr Madhab Pramanik, Visa Co coordinator STOC Kolkata in April 2001 to send the required papers and photographs for Visa processing. I promptly sent all the papers with required specifications. This was received by STOC Kolkata by BLUE DART Courier on 2nd May 2011. I contacted Mr Mahadeb Pramanik on Phone on 3rd May and he said the papers have been received and they are in proper order and will be forwarded to STOC Mumbai.
Subsequently I requested for a two day extension at Singapore from 25th to 27th May for which I contacted Shraddha Thakur in Mumbai Office and as per the requirement I paid the money through Cheque and Bank Transfer approximately Rs 35000/-
From 3rd may to 20th May the day of departure I did not receive a single call/SMS/mail regarding any problem in my papers. On 17thMay night I received a call from AMASICON SECRETARIAT that the e tickets are not coming because of some unspecified problem and asked me to contact SOTC office at Mumbai on 18th morning. When I tried to contact them they were totally clueless and confused. I did a series of talks with Mr Sony Chetan ([protected]) and he asked me to send by mail my photographs which I promptly did and he acknowledged this on phone and promised that the things will be sorted out.
There was no further communication in this regard from anyone in SOTC.Even on the day of Journey that is 20th May there was no information from designated Tour Manager Saliesh Korde nor STOC Office nor Madhab Pramanik ([protected]).
I reached airport at 6 pm on 20th May and met Mr Sailesh Korde ([protected]) and to my shock and embarassment he said that my passport is lying in Delhi and visa has not come and I cannot travel.
I suffered tremendous physical, financial and mental harassment all through this.
I feel there was total lack of co ordination between AMASI, the organisers and this STOC group. Nobody owned the process in STOC and therefore it went unattended by all. There was absolute total failure of communication by mail or telephone. I had strictly followed the specification mentioned while sending the visa papers including photographs and bank statements. Even if there was any minor problem it could have been always rectified through proper attention and communication.
There was total lack of interest, owning the problem by one person, laziness and apathy for any communication with the party.
I do not think you deal with your customer in this way. You submit the papers for visa and call the customer to airport directly where you will declare whether he can make the journey or not.
I suffered extreme physical and mental sufferings apart from the financial loss. From the month of December to 20th May a simple tour could not be handled by STOC. Is this your customer focus?
The people whom I did communicate and hold responsible are Mr Madhya Pramanik, Ms Shraddha Thakur, Mr Chetan Soni, Mr Sailesh Korde apart from various people in STOC Mumbai
a
Totally agree to all of the above.
I have booked a tour for Europe for June 2011 in Delhi and these guys are far from professionals.
They will behave like cheap sales person, hide facts, do not keep committments and will make you run after them once you have paid.
Not just that they will hike the cost/ price of the tour after taking advance from you.
Beware of SOTC
I have booked a tour for Europe for June 2011 in Delhi and these guys are far from professionals.
They will behave like cheap sales person, hide facts, do not keep committments and will make you run after them once you have paid.
Not just that they will hike the cost/ price of the tour after taking advance from you.
Beware of SOTC
I would also like to share my experience with SOTC European Grande tour
I have taken SOTC European Grande Tour this june.
I would like to bring to notice of people like me who are taking this type of tour for the first time, a few facts & my experience with this SOTC
1. When they do the booking they take the money before you get the visa. If you don't get the visa for some reason you loose too much money.
aLSO THEY DONOT INFORM YOU ABOUT THE NAMES OF ALL THE HOTELS BOOKED AT DIFFERENT PLACES BEFORE.
WE were promised atleast 4 sta hotels but that was also not always the case.
2. They donot assisst you at all before & after tour as concerns with your travel to reach the venue or departure to your home. (our hotel in paris was 2 hours away from paris actually, IN JUNGLE, was not even three star !! not even no ac, there was no provision of ventilation through the ducts. MORE-OVER THERE WAS NO LIFT IN THE HOTEL & MANY WERE ON 1ST FLOOR. Had to carry all our luggage up there. We were forced to check out of this hotel as oit was far away from city & further away from airport. We had to pay from our pocket for the travel to other hotel, fare for the other hotel near to airport for the night when we were supposed to stay IN hotel arranged by SOTC IN PARIS.
3. The bus driver does not continue to be same. So, don't tip him at the start of the tour. The second one we got did not assisst us in putting our luggage in the bus or while taking it out even. BUT YOU HAVE TO TIP THEM @ 2 EUROS / PERSON / DAY. So, 8 euros/day for a family of 4.
4. Every day you have to get up early do breakfast and travel so much everyday. This is informed to us beforehand but imagine what happens after 10 days of this.
5. In whole of my life I have not seen as many churches as I have seen them on this tour!!! I know it was written in the itenary but I don't know how many people realize this. IS THERE NOTHING ELSE TO SEE IN EUROPE ??? I'm sure learning how the people presenlty live, what they eat, how they dress etc will be as or rather more interesting.
6. Everyday, you will promptly get the indian food morning & evening on day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, , 9 ... so that you will die to eat anything else than that. Maybe one meal of local food & one of indian food would have been a good idea.
I have taken SOTC European Grande Tour this june.
I would like to bring to notice of people like me who are taking this type of tour for the first time, a few facts & my experience with this SOTC
1. When they do the booking they take the money before you get the visa. If you don't get the visa for some reason you loose too much money.
aLSO THEY DONOT INFORM YOU ABOUT THE NAMES OF ALL THE HOTELS BOOKED AT DIFFERENT PLACES BEFORE.
WE were promised atleast 4 sta hotels but that was also not always the case.
2. They donot assisst you at all before & after tour as concerns with your travel to reach the venue or departure to your home. (our hotel in paris was 2 hours away from paris actually, IN JUNGLE, was not even three star !! not even no ac, there was no provision of ventilation through the ducts. MORE-OVER THERE WAS NO LIFT IN THE HOTEL & MANY WERE ON 1ST FLOOR. Had to carry all our luggage up there. We were forced to check out of this hotel as oit was far away from city & further away from airport. We had to pay from our pocket for the travel to other hotel, fare for the other hotel near to airport for the night when we were supposed to stay IN hotel arranged by SOTC IN PARIS.
3. The bus driver does not continue to be same. So, don't tip him at the start of the tour. The second one we got did not assisst us in putting our luggage in the bus or while taking it out even. BUT YOU HAVE TO TIP THEM @ 2 EUROS / PERSON / DAY. So, 8 euros/day for a family of 4.
4. Every day you have to get up early do breakfast and travel so much everyday. This is informed to us beforehand but imagine what happens after 10 days of this.
5. In whole of my life I have not seen as many churches as I have seen them on this tour!!! I know it was written in the itenary but I don't know how many people realize this. IS THERE NOTHING ELSE TO SEE IN EUROPE ??? I'm sure learning how the people presenlty live, what they eat, how they dress etc will be as or rather more interesting.
6. Everyday, you will promptly get the indian food morning & evening on day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, , 9 ... so that you will die to eat anything else than that. Maybe one meal of local food & one of indian food would have been a good idea.
Again the story repeats in or other way...
I have booked a Europe tour with SOTC Ahmedabad for 22nd July. Having understood that I have some official work in london for a week time from 18th July till 22nd July & then i would join the tour. Now just before a week time they inform us that the tour has been rescheduled on 19th July, which in no case possible for me to attend, else they asking for high visa charges for which they haven't perform anything.
Seems SOTC is losing interest in serving people but created interest in making money in unethical ways.
I have booked a Europe tour with SOTC Ahmedabad for 22nd July. Having understood that I have some official work in london for a week time from 18th July till 22nd July & then i would join the tour. Now just before a week time they inform us that the tour has been rescheduled on 19th July, which in no case possible for me to attend, else they asking for high visa charges for which they haven't perform anything.
Seems SOTC is losing interest in serving people but created interest in making money in unethical ways.
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+91 77 1504 4444 [for Booked Customers]
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Trust me you can go on your own to Europe. Regarding Indian meals it is easily available at many tourist spots in Switzerland.