Rishikesh Rafting

Please check the guidelines to be followed with your booking. Look for packages that work best for you. The Government of Uttarakhand has opened its borders with some mandatory guidelines to follow; please follow the travel booking guidelines shared below:

E-pass Travel in Uttarakhand

You can apply for a travel e-pass to Uttarakhand from the website: https://dsclservices.org.in/apply.php.

Mandatory Covid test for passengers coming from Delhi to Dehradun
According to a recent update dated November 27, 2020, Dehradun Health Ministry has decided to conduct a mandatory Covid test on people coming from Delhi. The test will be conducted at the Asharodi check post in Dehradun, railway station, and airport. Around 1,000 random samples were taken at the Doon border last week; 29 tested positive. Among those, 25 of them were from Delhi-NCR.

Travel guides for travelers to be followed while planning to visit Uttarakhand:

• Renewed orders have been issued for Unlock 4 in Uttarakhand, which will come into effect from September 21. Under this, many concessions are given to those who visit the state.
• For all inbound passengers coming from any mode of transportation, you will have to register on the smart city portal before traveling: https://dsclservices.org.in/apply.php.
• Everyone who is inbound must download the Arogya Setu app. At the time of registration, the required relevant documents will be uploaded to the registration portal.
• No need to book a hotel or homestay for two nights.
• Also, if any tourists are found positive, the hotel management should inform the district administration immediately.
• The tourist doesn’t need to bring the Covid-Negative Test Report before checking in at the hotel/homestay. However, thermal scanning, hygiene, and other specific health protocols should be followed for hotels and restaurants. If necessary, the hotel management can design their policies for the tourists coming to their hotel.
• If any of the tourists find out that is Covid positive, the hotel management will immediately inform the district administration. The same arranges for regular inspections to ensure that hotel management/homestay owners comply with MHA, MoHFW, and GOI guidelines.

Uttarakhand Tourism Unlock 4.0 Travel Guides (Frequently Asked Questions)-

Why are the necessary precautions mandatory?

Uttarakhand is still in the green zone, and government officials have been able to curb the rise in cases even after returning migrants and restricting tourism to travelers from other states. Local villagers are in a very precarious position as they have to rely on the tourism industry’s financial stability. That is the main reason why they still take time to make the right decision. Therefore, passengers and operators must work together when traveling through the village/base of a particular trek or destination.

Jim Corbett is open for tourists and safari

Online booking for day visits to Bijrani, Dhela, Jhirna, Dhikala, Durgadvei Zone, and Pakro zones will start from October 10, 2020. Overnight stays at various resorts in the Corbett Tiger Reserve will begin on October 15, 2020.

1. All visitors, drivers, and guides are checked at the entry point using contact-less thermometers. If a person has a temperature above normal, he/she will not be allowed on the safari.

2. All visitors, including drivers and guides, are required to wear masks and face shields, and each vehicle should be equipped with a sanitizer that can be used during boarding /deboarding /when needed.

3. Eco-tourists are not allowed to leave within the tiger reserve.

4. Visitors should be aware of the latest guidelines issued by the Government of Uttarakhand and the Northern Government before embarking on a Jungle Safari to avoid inconvenience.

Valley of Flowers opens to tourists from August 15

There have been reports that the Valley of Flowers is open for tourists, but the decision was put on hold as hotels were not open in Ghangaria at the time. Local travelers from Bhyundar village visited Valley Flowers and departed the same day. The good news is that some hotels have opened in Ghangaria, which will become an approachable trek for the last two months of this year.

The best time to visit the Valley’s National Park of Flowers is August 15 to September 15 this year, when the valley is in full bloom with these rare colorful flowers with minimal human footprints.

Many tour operators are now open for customized tours and treks.

After a long wait of 6 months and following government guidelines at this stage, many operators will open customized tours and treks with limited bookings.

After following the Covid pandemic updates during this time, they have tailored their packages which comply with guidelines issued by Govt. of India. While going on a Himalayan trek is a challenge, we must recognize another challenge and follow all the guidelines for your and everyone’s safety while traveling.

Mandatory precautions for passengers

• You should bring your own sanitizers, face masks, and a personalized medical kit on your trip.
• Trekkers are expected to pack their sleeping bags.
• Carrying your own sleeping bag is acceptable but not required.
• It is advisable to bring your own vehicle on your journey or take a local taxi from Uttarakhand.
• Do not rely on rental gear. Try to buy your own equipment in advance.
• Trekkers are expected to bring their own sets of cutlery and water bottles during the trek.
• Take extra care of yourself before going for the Covid test.
• The temperature should be normal, and the oxygen level should be high before starting the base camp’s trek.
• Keep a safe distance of at least 1-2 meters from others who are trekking.
• Do not share anything with locals or children during the trip.
• Remind them if someone comes near you by accident or by trekking or keep a social distance.

It is safe to plan a trek from September if you follow the guidelines and prepare well. Further changes may be implemented to comply with government-implemented COVID-19 safety policies and updated travel industry regulations.

Guidelines and facilities for COVID-19 testing in Uttarakhand
Coronavirus tests in Uttarakhand are approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) which include: Rapid antigen tests, RT PCR tests, TrueNat tests and CBNAAT tests.

The government has set up several private labs and medical centers to cater to Uttarakhand’s Covid-19 test requirements in line with ICMR guidelines. For a List of Public and Private Laboratories in Uttarakhand, you can find them on Aarogya setu app or locate the nearest Aarogya Bhavan. COVID-19 is tested in 42 government hospitals/laboratories and five private hospitals in Uttarakhand using various diagnostic methods.

What do you need to know and prepare for before being tested?

You should check for COVID-19 if you have one or more of the following clinical symptoms: fever, sore throat, difficulty breathing, runny nose, cough, body aches, loss of taste, or smell. The test results can take anywhere from 3 hours to 2 days to come. Until then, you need to isolate yourself to prevent infection. You will be charged Rs.800 for a rapid antigen test and Rs.2,400 for an RT PCR test.

It is advisable to call the toll-free number 1075 or the Central Helpline number + 91-11-23978046 for information before going for testing. In Uttarakhand, call the state helpline number 104 for COVID-19. District wise helpline contact numbers can be found at https://www.rishikeshrafting.co/

Please bring your government ID card (Aadhaar card/passport/voter ID) and proof of your address while undergoing tests at any laboratory or hospital.

Uttarakhand Prohibition Laws

Domestic and international passengers arriving at any airport in Uttarakhand will be screened. If found symptomatic, they will need to be tested for COVID-19 at their own expense.

Domestic travelers

There are no restrictions on inter-state and inter-state movement of persons, private vehicles, and goods, including those crossing the border in Uttarakhand; Anyone from an Indian state can enter Uttarakhand without the need for e-permits, approval, or any other permission.

All travelers going to Uttarakhand must register on the States Smart City web portal before uploading and upload the relevant documents.

Quarantine is not mandatory when domestic travelers from other Indian states travel to Uttarakhand.

International travelers

According to the Bureau of Migration, all international travelers traveling to Uttarakhand must fill up an online self-declaration form and register themselves and their family members on the Uttarakhand Smart City web portal at least 72 hours before departure for India. Upon arrival, all passengers will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine period, which includes a seven-day paid institutional isolation at their own expense, followed by seven days isolation with adequate accommodation at home or any manageable area.

Home quarantine can be granted for up to 14 days for compelling reasons or cases such as pregnancy, serious illness, family death, and parent(s) with children of 10 yrs. of age or younger.

Passengers can get an exemption from institutional quarantine by submitting a negative RT-PCR Covid testing report upon arrival. This test must take place within 96 hours of the start of the trip. The inspection report should be uploaded on the portal for review.

Some hotels in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, offer institutional quarantine facilities for travelers from abroad. However, these facilities are to be born at their own expense; readers are advised to check with the Hotel Authority about the current facilities being offered to travelers for quarantining.