Kesari Tours Complaints & Reviews

We took the second trip with Kesari first was in October to Singapore and Malaysia and second was in December to Thialand. For the second trip we did not get the bags which were provided to the others. The pre departure coordination by Kesari team was very poor, we got only one call just one day before the trip but there were no clear instructions. We were informed that we will be provided with the group photo but till today we have not received the photo even for the first trip. The first day of the trip is always very exhaustive. We have to change in the airport and continue the journey without any break from the airport during both the trips. Sometimes it is a compulsion to visit the various palces rather than enjoyment due to tiredness. We also suggest the Kesari group to strictly inform their tour leadres not to accept any gifts or token during the trip as we have observed people collecting money to give to the guide as a token. The tour leader took special lunch and dinner during the trip on all the days. Both the tour leaders (Indian and count ry specific during our second trip ) were served special meal by the hotels which looks very awkward.

I travelled to Singapore with cruise to Phuket and Langkawi by Costa with Kesari from 20th-29th December 2014. On 28th Dec. We had to give our main baggage at 1 am only as we had to vacate cabins by 10 am. We were asked to deposit hand baggage after 10 am at rock music room but no clear instructions were given that we have to collect our baggage before leaving. I was under the impression that even hand baggage will be given with big baggage. As soon as I came down I realised that the baggage had to be collected before only. I was in second group while disembark, we had to disembark according to floor. Still there were many passengers to disembark . As we were getting late for flight it was handed over to local agent of Kesari. Now you Kesari people say it is not possible to get back that bag .With Kesari operating so many tours does it have such weak network that when informed immediately also cannot get my bag back ! I had handed over token to tour manager so he should have taken out photo by smart phone. If tour manager is not helpful in such events why do we need them or why we should go by conducted tour ? We can go by ourselves. I am really surprised to hear that local agent is not replying. When you book tours through them how do you communicate ? It is local agent's responsibility also to help in getting my bag backback. ^ Latika Tarkar

On 9th May, 2014 I had booked 2 seats for the above tour by paying an advance of Rs.60, 000/= I was asked to pay the balance payment One month before the tour date. I paid the balance payment on 24th Nov, 14. I got SMS from the company for taking Insurance for the travel. When I contacted the desk staff Ms Purna Kushte, she informed me that the Insurance is already done by the company and the policy will be delivered to me the next day in person. Even though only 3 days are left for the tour, I have not got the Insurance Policy. But I am getting SMS reminders from the company that I must have the Ins.Policy.. I have been trying to contact the desk staff for the .Policy but my phone calls to the Mobile/Office numbers are either not attended and in one or two occasion attended saying that I will be connected to the right person, but not done. It is simply a mental torture and I am surprised to find such bad communication system that we are not able to reach out to the proper person. Secondly, I approached my banker for FX requirement. I was told by the Bank that I should give them co;py of the Passport and Flight Ticket Nos. Today With great difficulty I could contact the desk officer and she promised me to sent the copy of the Air ticket within 10 minutes by E Mail. I have waited for the whole day but I have not received the ticket numbers. Pass port is also withheld by the company. I am not in a position to purchase the FX due to the bad service. We are bothe senior citizens and we can not bear such mental agony.

I book a tour for my family for Dubai Abudhabi Ferrari park ( D1281014 ) from Kesari tours pvt. Ltd. By depositing 249503/-Rs. . Deposit passport for VISA and deposited 50222/- Rs. For 2850 Dirhams Which will i get on airport before departure. When I reach the airport I get the passport and air tickets but not get the Dirhams. The passport of my wife and had a VISA but my VISA was not their. When I ask them they told me to wait for few time but upto departure they not gives my visa . Our flight was left. They request us to wait in Mumbai for VISA but it was not provided for two days. They told us to go back. After staying two days in Mumbai we come back to Nagpur by flight. The Kesari Group Not returning our tour feesDr. Rajesh Dahare

my parents champak sheth 79 and jyotsana sheth 72 have taken a japan and china tour starting 20th june to july 3rd. This complaint is against the tour leader milind shette and his racist behaviour. The welcome that he gave to my parents was as if we have come for our yearly pension in government office. there was no welcom and no answers to our questions were made but the same to a marathi traveller was well conversed with a nice smile. Also he left my parents outside the airport with luggage of 6 passengers to be taken inside. and told that if you dont wont just leave it on the road. We had requested for a wheelchair for my mother but they had not informed the same to the airline also. now god only help my parents who are on the tour. But one thing is sure that i am not travelling kesari again and request all non marathi people not to travel through kesari.

My father's friend asked me for Singapore tour for somebody who was his acquaintance. I have a soft corner for Kesari Tours hence I did inquary in your Vidyavihar sales office.(Glass cabin at entrance). I don't want to take a name of a lady who took my tour details(as everybody's career matters a lot for every individual.). Since I would like to mention that such carelessness should not happen. Nobody turned up with follow up call on the numbers I had given to that lady. Ultimately you lost that business and they did go with some other travel agency just because of this carelessness. Please look into the matter why such things are happening. Only thing what I can help you out now is My father's friend number I can give it to you. Mr Jadhav [protected]. He is the person who asked me to inquire for his acquaintance.

I have been in touch with Ms Zelam Chaubal/Mr Kedar Barve/ ISO:9001:2008 Team of Kesari since past more than 6 Months. A Joint Meeting with them was arranged on 23/01/2014 with help of BVQI, India (AS KESARI TOURS was NOT Responding to our request for a Joint Meeting on Several Issues/Adverse Feedbacks from our Fellow Kesari Group Tours Members) who had awarded them ISO Certificate which was valid till 28th March 2014. My observations given below have been discussed with Kesari Team & well ACCEPTED/APPRECIATED by them during Joint Meeting. However, Kesari Tours donot want to give their Timelines for Closure of Each Issue.
a) Their Service Quality is NOT World Class as REPEATEDLY Advertised by them for their Indian Domestic Tours & ACCEPTED by their Director Ms Zelam Chaubal recently in SMS dtd 18/04/2014 to me.
b) They Charge EXCESSIVELY for Airfares..some times 200% Minimum Excess to their Most Loyal Customers ( Mostly Senior Citizens with Limited Finances) for their Airport to Airports Schemes for Popular Destinations.
c) KESARI Team doesnot believe in replying to Customer Querries/Complaints/Feedback
BEFORE/AFTER physically joining their Tours. Mostly their ATTITUDE is Snobbish to say the LEAST

IF, anyone from KESARI Tours Existing Customer Base Wishes to have FULL Details in above matter then PLEASE DO CONTACT me. We can then Jointly approach Daily News Papers & Consumer Forum since KESARI Tours are Totally UNCONCERNED Best Wishes.. MOHAN STHALEKAR
Cell:No [protected] & Email: [protected]@gmail.com

i had booked myself for the KESARI TOUR OF ASHTAVINAYAK FOR THE 28 SEP2013, AT THEIR OFFICE IN NASIK - MAHALAXMI TOURS &TRAVELS NASIK[protected], AND PAID FULL ADVANCE OF RS 6159 VIDE RECEIPTS NO 10903 &10915 DATED 5&16 SEP2013 OF MAHALAXMI TOURS N TRAVELS. THE SAID TOUR WAS CANCELLED BY KEASRI AT THE LAST MOMENT WITH NO PRIOR INITMATION TO ME, CAUSING INCONVINENCE AND PROBLEMS AS I HAD TAKEN LEAVE FROM MY JOB FOR THE SAID...

Dear sir, 13/08/13
I wish to bring to your notice as to how Kesari tours Pvt Ltd is cheating the customers and earn profit from booking for their tours. I am sending this e mail so that you so that you can warn the other customers not to fall in trap like us.
1) we 4 senior citizens visited Kesai tours Mahim H.O. on 27th may 2013 and booked 4 seats for their S2 tour to Kerala kanyakumari on 22 sept 2013. We paid total 60000 advance . For this tour is for travel arrangements from Mumbai to Kanyakumari by train to was be done by customers.
2) As the train tickets are required to be booked 60 days in advance we requested Kesari tours to confirm the tour so that we can go ahead with our train ticket booking vide our e mail dated 9th July 2013
3) Again on 14th July e mail was sent to kesari asking for confirmation of the tour as there was no reply reminder was sent on 22 July 2013 to which kesari replied quote

Dear Mr.Dande,
Greetings from Kasar....

As per your request we checked that the tour as of today is still in not confirmed stage so we advise you to book your rail tickets or air tickets which are refundable at your own risk.
Thank You.
Anushree Budhkar
21012106 / [protected]
Travel Consultant
Kesari Tours Pvt. Ltd

4) As the reply was not satisfactory, on 12 th Aug e mail was sent to Kesari again informing them that we shall approach Ministry of consumer affairs and TV media against Kesari tours for their lapse of not confirming the tour due to which we cannot book the tickets

5) Immediately e mail was received on that tour is now confirmed and we can go ahead with railway booking quote below e mail

Dear Mr.Dande,
Greetings From Kesari Tours!!!
Please note you can proceed further, and remove the railway tickets as per the Itinerary, if in case the tour gets cancel from our end then we would bare the cancellation charges for the railway tickets of your tour.
Regards
Vikrant.M.Kasar
Executive - Branch Sales
Kesari Tours Pvt.Ltd
314, L.J. Road,Mahim, Mumbai - 400016, India
M + 91 [protected] I P +[protected]
F +[protected]
E [protected]@kesari.in I W www.kesari.in
6) when we checked with the railways today we find that no tickets are available for 20 th sept 2013. So now we cannot take up this tour

We are totally frustrated with Kesari tours and their attitude towards the customers . There will be many more guinea pigs like us. Therefore I request you make the public aware of this sort of cheating by Kesari tours. Request your help in creating awareness of this malpractice by Kesari tours .

Regards

Arun Dande
Mrs Lolita Dande
Mr. yateen Nadkarni
Mrs. Aparna Nadkarni

We had booked a honeymoon package for Shimla-Manali on 12/10/2010. Our tour code is : CC 030111/5.
We had booked train tickets for Hazarath Nizamuddin, to and fro both via Kesari. But while going, train got delayed by 24 hours. On contacting Kesari, the reply we got is that, its not their responsibility & we are supposed to anyhow reach Shimla on our own so that we can continue our trip. Also, there will be no refund made if we decide to cancel our plan. But, they assured us saying that railway cancellation will be made by Kesari and that money will be refunded within 2 months.
Hence, we hurriedly booked air tickets and reached Hazarath Nizamuddin the next morning and joined our group.

Till date, we are still taking follow ups from Kesari-Thane team, and getting only 1 answer- We cannot do anything, IRCTC is not paying us, so how will we pay u. Its past 2 years now, but still they have not refunded me my money back. The amount is around Rps.5000.

This shows, the quality of so-called `customer care` given by Kesari to its customers. I have not experienced such a bad treatment from any reputed company till date.

Worst is a small word for describing Kesari Tours in terms of customer care.

Hi,

We have done a detail enquiry for trip to Singapore (F2) on Saturday @ Kesari office on FC road, Pune.
Post enquiry, Kesari's representative has given us the total budget of 2,56.266.

With this budget, we have planned everything, applied for leave and went to office to book the tour.
While doing booking, the same person told us the cost as 3,26,000. The cost is increased by 60K.

When further questioned, answers were given as some error might have happened?

This is simply cheating.
In the marketing the cost said is different than when you go for actual booking!

Parag p jethwa
parag.[protected]@rocketmail.com
Kamdhenu medical
Shop no : 3, kamdhenu complex
Out side varshamedi naka,
Anjar kutch 370110
Mob: +[protected]
Passport applied date: 23/2/2012
Deal finalized with agent: 29/2/2012 for 2+ 1 persons
Payment date: 1) Rs 40000/- dt 1/3/2012
2) Rs 43000/- dt 7/3/2012
Tour date: 28/4/2012
Tour code : F 8 (singapore malesiya)
Tour operator: kesari tours pvt ltd
Authorized Booking agent: himaliyan tourism and packages gandhidham kutch 370201
Agent name: Hitesh gadhavi mob :+91 [protected] / +91 [protected]
Cancelation date: 27/3/2012

1. Tour booking was done with option of passport & visa completation to be done by agent.In case of any problem no charges were cleared to us.

2. As passport process was not completed on time ,and tour was cancelled, agent offered us
Rs 12000/- cancelation charges and remaining rs 71000/- to be retained by them against
Forced future tour booking & and to refund now directly.

3. After several harshing discussion seccesons now they are offering rs 8500/- deduction,
Rs 20000/- retaintion for forced future tour, remaining Rs 54500/- to be refunded as per
Companies rule.

4. After several calls to gandhidham agent now he is not willing to reply me on the matter and
Is diverting us talk to operator head office directly and he is talking like do whatever u can.

5. Intialy agent had offered us a domestic tour instead of of foreign tour booked, as passport process was not completed. We were not suppose to travel for a domestic forced package.

6. We booked with good faith and goodwill name of tour operator and agent, but now they are not treating well as per there promises, by saying that passport is not agent’s responsibility.At the time of booking for catching us they told that its our day today job,and they look after faster or timly passport issue. No deduction ,cancelation charges our retaintion of amount was cleared
To us


Kindly do the needful in the matter .

Thanking you in advance.

I have booked two seats on Kesari's tour no K/309101/5 (Shrinagar-vaishnodevi). On geting details about the tour and air ticket charges I found that there is unexplained charge of Rs.1400/-On enquery I was told that the amount is for Taxes but no specific tax was named on further persual it is explained as tax @ 2.58% but this doesnot match to Rs.1400/- Unable to get satisfactory clerification I called marketing chief Ms Sonali who told me that it is service charge @ Rs.350/- for four Air Tickets over and above actuakl Air Fare. My experience is Travel Agents do not charge anything extra moreover I had booked Kesari Tour for which they have provided tickets. So far I sent 9 emails to marketing dept. and one regd ad letter to CEO Veena Patil Regd. letter acknowledge card received but reply not received.

I suppose this is UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICE Kesari should refund Rs.1400/- .

satish manohar
manohar.[protected]@yahoo.com
M- [protected]

I had booked a tour in June 2011 to Thailand. As my budget was low, I had booked it in Feb 2011. Now in April, I got a call and Kesari is asking for about 25% more because some taxes are increased.

I visited Kesari office and they are saying I have signed an agreement and I will need to pay extra as taxes are increased. But they are not ready to reveal which taxes are increased and how much.

As I can't pay extra, they said they will cancel my tour and will charge me with canelation charges.

He bhagwan!!!

This means I need to pay extra or bear cancelation charge. They are not giving me any option.

My opinion is that, Kesari tours doesn't need customers any more. Their source of income is either increase the fare after booking or the cancelation charges.

They are clearly saying that, they have not yet actually booked anything for me. Then also they are asking for cancelation charges. Kesari representative says, "Choice is yours. Either pay the extra amount or cancel the ticket with cancelation charge", with smilling face.

I request you not to believe these cheaters and never book a tour with Kesari.

Please let me know if anybody can help me.

--
Tushar

Dear Editor:

I am writing this email to you hoping that you will publish this article in the Times Of India,Mumbai.

We had booked a F8 tour of Singapore Malaysia which departed for singapore and malaysia on the 23rd of Dec.

The entire tour was extremely badly handled.I am giving below the issues which we have faced.

1)We missed the' Night of the creatures' show on the 23rd thanks to to the poor planning of the tour manager-mr ajay desai,who was more interested in dinner than the show.

2)On the 25th, we were not taken for the city orientation tour at all.we were shown the fountain of wealth from the bus!there was no suntec city tour,merlion walk,orchard road tour at all!even at sentosa we missed the 4D magix show as well as we were not taken for the monorail ride!This was all mentioned in the brochure!

3)On the 26th enroute to kuala lumpur from singapore,during the tour of malacca we were not taken to the cheng hoon teng temple citing reasons that the bus cannot go there!This was again mentioned in the brochure!!

4)On the 27th when we were supposed to go to sunway lagoon we reached there at 9.45.however due to the miscoomunication between the tour manager and the local guide we were able to get in only at 11 am.we lost a good 1 hour over there.

5)Same day we were supposed to go for the famous 'saloma' cultural show in KL.from morning we were told that there are special tables booked for us and it is a great show.our expectations were built up and come evening we were told that the saloma show is packed to capacity and we are upgrading you to a '5 star' show.we were then taken to some different hotel which was also hosting some cultural and this was being passed of as similar to 'saloma'.this was the limit and all o[censored]s just walked out and demanded an explanation.mr ajay desai then spoke to someone in india and then it was decided to take us to the 'original' saloma show today.there was also a tough time arranging for dinner for all o[censored]s.

6)Again the next day morning we were ready at 9 as per the time for the KL city tour but unfortunately the local guide did not turn up till 9.30,when it was decided that we will go shopping first.as usual we had to rush thru the entire sightseeing.

I took up the matter with Kesari & sent a mail to Ms Veena Patil-MD & their Guest Services Manager Ashwini.Only after considerable followups did they reply after 19 days they sent a mail stating that they will reimburse Rs 3400 & are also giving guest vouchers of Rs 4000.They had also told me that they would give me a point by point explanation.However this was never mentioned in the mail.I have been asking for an explanation for the past 2 weeks, & have sent 9 reminders asking them to revert on how they arrived at the calculation.They did not even bother to apologise for the same till date.I have been asking for an appointment with Veena Patil for 2 weeks .However they have not giving me any appointment till date.

They also sent the cash & vouchers to my house and surprsingly also sent a indemnity form for my signature.This mentioned that i was settling the issue with what refund they were giving.I refused to take the same.

At the end of this I feel completely cheated and let down.our hard earned money has not been able to get the returns what we expected.whatever is mentioned in the brochure and what is communicated is completely different from what actually happens on tour.

Who is responsible for me and my family not getting what we paid for?

They have admitted their mistake otherwise the would not have sent the mail for refund.However the amount is too less for the inconvenience & hardship & mental agony we have faced.

I have now decided to pursue the matter legally.

Kesari tours is cheating the customers & i urge people not to travel with these crooks!

Regards,

Nikhil Junnarkar

I had booked a tour with Kesari for Singapore Malaysia from the 23rd Dec-30th Dec, which was a F8 tour as per their code.
From the 1st day that we landed in singapore there have been only issues and hiccups.I am giving below the issues which we have faced.
1)We missed the’ Night of the creatures’ show on the 23rd thanks to to the poor planning of your tour manager-mr ajay desai,who was more interested in dinner than the show.
2)On the 25th, we were not taken for the city orientation tour at all.we were shown the fountain of wealth from the bus!there was no suntec city tour,merlion walk,orchard road tour at all!even at sentosa we missed the 4D magix show as well as we were not taken for the monorail ride!
3)On the 26th enroute to kuala lumpur from singapore,during the tour of malacca we were not taken to the cheng hoon teng temple citing reasons that the bus cannot go there!
4)On the 27th when we were supposed to go to sunway lagoon we reached there at 9.45.however due to the miscoomunication between your tour manager and the local guide we were able to get in only at 11 am.we lost a good 1 hour over there.
5)Same day we were supposed to go for the famous ‘saloma’ cultural show in KL.from morning we were told that there are special tables booked for us and it is a great show.our expectations were built up and come evening we were told that the saloma show is packed to capacity and we are upgrading you to a ’5 star’ show.we were then taken to some different hotel which was also hosting some cultural and this was being passed of as similar to ‘saloma’.this was the limit and all o[censored]s just walked out and demanded an explanation.mr ajay desai then spoke to someone in india and then it was decided to take us to the ‘original’ saloma show today.there was also a tough time arranging for dinner for all o[censored]s.
6)Again on 28th we were ready at 9 as per the time for the KL city tour but unfortunately the local guide did not turn up till 9.30,when it was decided that we will go shopping first.as usual we had to rush thru the entire sightseeing.
This is my fourth tour with kesari.have been to kerala,kulu manali and kashmir before.Even my kashmir experience was very bad.
At the end of this I feel completely cheated and let down.our hard earned money has not been able to get the returns what we expected.whatever is mentioned in the brochure and what is communicated is completely different from what actually happens on tour.
Who is responsible for me and my family not getting what we paid for?

In December 2010 i had a book a tour with Kesati tours which is in 26May2011. Till date I have not submitted passport copies and also not filed for the VISA. (This means that they have not started in process as of date)
But due to some reason I need the money which leads in cancellation of tour.

But KESARI TOURS executive said company can't refund the money. That will remain with them and I would need to use it in years time.

I requested him that "I am cancelling the tour as I need the money. And also its very difficult for me to spend the money in coming year!, You can deduct some amount and give back my money"
But he said this is against the company policy!

Is it right? Can I apply against this?

I had done booking for Sept 2010 tour on 16th April 2010 as per tour costing prevailing at that time. I had given booking amount of 50,000 Rs. And was even ready to pay full amount to get full discount. Scanned copy of original billing is attached here for your reference. That time I was told that I will be charged same rates even if rates are increased in future as I had paid my booking amount.

As per my arrangement with kesari office ( I had spoken to some senior lady officer that time, but I do not remember name now) kesari had initially shown my booking in June to just get my UK visa done , as I was going out of country for three months ( May-June-July). I had decided for Aug /Sept tour only and June tour was never in picture.

Now kesari have given me new bill, which is as per new rates. I was totally surprised & shocked to see it. I tried to speak with local agents, but now they are saying that I will be charged as per new rates. ( which is totally contradicting with their initial stance )


I had done booking with Kesari taking into account all reputation, service and goodwill in the market. And believing that, there is no hidden cost involved in kesari package , I had somehow fitted this tour in my budget. These new rates are totally out of my budget.