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Why Gaura

ANOTHER BENCHMARK OF 75 CHARTER FLIGHTS

Its true when they say, we must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey. Our journey of repatriation has been nothing but the most challenging yet rewarding of all. When the pandemic caused distance between you and your family, it pained us. We knew we had to burn this fuel and set out on our mission to reunite you with your loved ones.

When our first charter flight took off in July 2020, with it also soared our goal to get you all closer to your home. With every flight, we got stronger and the distance weaker. Let’s just say, with every obstacle we grew more persistent on our goal. With your love and support, we have reunited more than 12,000 families till date, and today marks as another benchmark.

Our 75th Charter Flight from India to Australia

It’s a privilege to share that we are now 75charter flights old! Yes, we have reached the platinum on 30th August with the world renowned Srilankan Airlines and IndiGo Airlines.

Then flight departed from the major cities in India – New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad to Chennai where they all met to catch the flight to Australia and celebrate the success of our charter journey!

The flight will reach Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane on  2nd September and many will be back with their families.  

We Cannot believe we stand at 75 unstoppable flights today. This journey has made us the leaders in repatriation flights between India and Australia. We outpaced all restrictions, border closures and hurdles to be your best way home, and we couldn’t be happier.C

Celebrating With Gaura Family

To  celebrate this glorious occasion, we shared the joy with the our passengers in Chennai, India who were flying with us to Australia! Celebrations took over and there was music, flowers, cake and delicious lunch served. We couldn’t have achieved this milestone without the love and support of our Gaura family.

This has been nothing but a beautiful odyssey for all of us. When one door closed, another opened…and we couldn’t be more grateful to you guys for supporting us at every step.

Seeing the joy on your faces when you unite with your families is what motivates us to work hard everyday. We are not stopping now…our goal is clear. Now that we are on 75, the century isn’t far! With your support we will keep rising and flying with you, and well…century isn’t so far!

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

As there are no quarantine or travel restrictions required in place, plan your journey to reunite with your family & friends with Gaura Travel in this year 2022. Find all available flights options with us.

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

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Events

CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE WITH TRIVIA’S!

At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. 75 years ago, in that moment when Jawaharlal Nehru recited these famous words, India became one. India became free.

A country full of distinct cultures, religions and festivals – one thing that binds us all together is the undying love for our country. Despite the differences, India is united in its diversity. This is where heritage meets pride and beauty meets legacy.

This year marks as the 75th Independence Day for us! 75 years of reflection of the sacrifice of our leaders, martyrs, and heroes. Oh, we have really come a long way!

To celebrate the love of these 75 years, we are bringing your patriotism and love for India at test! Woah, what does that mean? Well, that means every week we will challenge you with weekly quizzes that will that test your general knowledge, love for sports, academics, history, entertainment and what not!

Brace yourself for trivia’s that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Are you ready? Pull up your socks because this will be a nail biter!

Every week, we will select 2 lucky winners who will get a $50 gift voucher and exciting prizes! Woah!

Get ready guys, prep yourselves because this is going to be fun!

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

As there are no quarantine or travel restrictions required in place, plan your journey to reunite with your family & friends with Gaura Travel in this year 2022. Find all available flights options with us.

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

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Flight Deals

Melbourne Welcomes International Travellers through Sydney

If you find yourself stranded in India, unable to make your way back home to Victoria, then the information provided below is invaluable.

Read it carefully and reach out directly to us with any questions you have.

Are you hoping to find a way back home from India (anywhere in the country) to Victoria in the month of August? Or know someone who finds themselves in this situation?

It is critical to look at the various options out there – hint: there are two options of which only one option is viable for the month of August.

Flight Options in August

Option 1: You can try and book through the Australian Government’s initiative through Qantas, but they are fully sold out for the month.

Option 2: The only viable option is to book through Gaura Travel’s flights in August (full dates provided below). We still have seats available, but you need to book them as soon as possible.

The Rules – International Transit through Sydney to Victoria

The Government has provided clear instructions on how passengers will be safely allowed to transit through Sydney on to Victoria.

International travellers from India are required to undergo mandatory quarantine in Sydney, following which, they are required to immediately  travel by car (or a cab) to the airport and take a flight to Melbourne. 

They are not allowed a detour or a stopover anywhere in Sydney.

The key difference to note here is that ‘Hotel Quarantine in Sydney’ is considered a GREEN ZONE, as opposed to anywhere else in Sydney which continues to be a red zone.

We can also confirm from passenger reports,  that the quarantine experience is the same in Sydney as you would expect in Melbourne.

Passengers will enter and exit GREEN ZONES as designated by the government without having to access any RED ZONE areas. Which means, travellers do not have to contend with the current situation in Sydney, if Melbourne is their final destination.

No Extra Cost to Travellers

As a show of our undying commitment to the community and our ambition to keep families together during these times, we will cover your costs to travel from Sydney to Melbourne. At this stage, we can confirm this initiative for the month of August, so please avail this while you can.

Direct Flights Options to Melbourne are Sold Out

After having spent months, and many over a year, stranded in India, we encourage travellers to think outside the box and avail solutions that are perfectly within the rules.

For the month of August, all flights directly to Melbourne are fully sold out. So please book your flights to Sydney and make your way to Melbourne, as explained above.  

Gaura Travel Flights Scheduled in August

These flights depart from Chennai and arrive in Sydney the very next day:

  • August 2nd   (Sold Out)
  • August 9th
  • August 16th
  • August 23rd
  • August 30th

India gained freedom in the month of August – would it be nice for you to unite with your families once again and experience that newfound sense of ‘freedom’ too?

Don’t wait. Book now: India to Australia Flights

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

As there are no quarantine or travel restrictions required in place, plan your journey to reunite with your family & friends with Gaura Travel in this year 2022. Find all available flights options with us.

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

Categories
Events

This Yoga Day, lets work IN and not OUT!

We often find people diving onto their Yoga matts and transporting into a different paradigm. Into a different world. A world overflowing with positivity and peace. So, the question is, how do they do this? And what exactly is yoga? Is it just a form of exercise? Is it a religion, a philosophy, an ideology? or is it something completely different? Gosh! The list doesn’t end.

The word “yoga” literally means “union”. Derived from the Sanskrit word “yuji,” meaning yoke or union, yoga is an ancient practice that brings together the mind, body and soul. Have you ever imagined experiencing the entire universe inside of you? Well, that is EXACTLY what yoga does. It unites you with your inner soul, your inner world.

This International Yoga Day, lets make Yoga all about working in and not out. We all deserve it after coming out of a deadly pandemic right? Now is the time to open our hearts and focus our awareness into our inner selves.

Here, we give you 10 reasons to love yoga!

  1. Can you run five miles but not touch your toes? You are not alone. Try incorporating Yoga in your life and in no time, you can twist like a Rubric cube (bad jokes are allowed). Yoga is all about balance. It increases your body’s flexibility while building internal and external strength. Through deep breathing It connects your body to your mind.
  2. Tired of working long hours and slouching your way through life? Sounds painful. How about standing up straight and honouring your spine’s natural curves? Yoga not only teaches us to stand and sit straight, with shoulders relaxed and chin up but also improves our bodily alignment, eliminating the risk of injuries.
  3. In need for some some blood rush and thinking of hanging your legs up the wall? How about we tell you that some yoga asanas have the power to instantly speed up your blood circulation?  Yes! The Yoga asanas help increase circulation throughout the spine, glands and organs, giving our body the much wanted blood and oxygen. 
  4. Health is wealth, isn’t it? Today all we are so busy in our past faced lives that often we forget to take care of ourselves. Our bodies deserve to be treated. A few minutes of yoga is the right way to push that recharge button and say bye-bye to stress.
  5. Dreaming about a flat stomach, toned arms and sculpted legs?  Count us in too. Not only Yoga makes one more flexible, but also makes us stronger!
  6. *Take a deep breath and relax*. Breathing in and out is the smallest reminder we can give ourselves to beat anxiety. With physical Yoga poses, controlled breathing, and meditation we can together learn to overcome this monster called stress.
  7. “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” ― Rumi. Yoga holds the power to heal the mind, body and spirit. Yes, it does. Let’s open our hearts and fasten the healing of body. Be it injuries, mental stress or any illness, a few moments with Yoga everyday can leave you healed, rejuvenated, and refreshed.
  8. The best gift your body can give you is a good night’s sleep, right? In fact, practicing yoga before bedtime is the best way to release everything you’re holding onto mentally or physically before sinking in the peaceful sleep mode.
  9. What’s a nicer way to connect with people than a fun yoga class? Yoga can transform your body, your attitude and your awareness. By connecting with people through Yoga, you have the power to exchange energies and refresh your soul.
  10. Yoga is a transformational practice that strengthens the life force within. It teaches us to overcome internal and external obstacles that come with everyday life. It builds that emotional connection with oneself and teaches us to value life.

Enough said right? Now its time to take your yoga off the mat and into your life!!

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

As there are no quarantine or travel restrictions required in place, plan your journey to reunite with your family & friends with Gaura Travel in this year 2022. Find all available flights options with us.

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

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Travel Guide

Essential Travel Permitted

After months of dormancy due to the raging pandemic, Australia is gearing up for a return to small normalcy with borders reopening to India and permitting essential travel.  

Australia opened its borders to India on 15th May, and gave a green signal for the travel operations between India and Australia to resume. This comes as good news to more than 11,000 Australians who are stuck in India and wish to travel back to Australia.

Australian citizens have been grieving the loss of loved ones in India because of border restrictions preventing travel on compassionate grounds under any circumstances. However, with the decline in the COVID-19 cases in India, Australia has now allowed citizens to travel to India for compassionate and care giving reasons.

So if you are in limbo and not sure whether you can travel to India to provide care to your family, the answer is YES!

Who can travel to India from Australia?

Based on current health advice, individuals seeking an exemption to travel from Australia to India will only be approved for the following limited circumstances:

  1. Critical workers providing assistance to India’s COVID-19 response.
  2. People travelling in Australia’s national interest.
  3. People seeking urgent medical treatment for a critical illness that cannot be treated in Australia.
  4. People travelling due to the death or funeral of a close family member.
  5. People visiting a close family member who is critically ill.
  6. People seeking to travel to India to escort an Australian citizen or permanent resident minor back to Australia.

Gaura Travel resumes flights from India to Australia

Even in the devastating phase of COVID-19, our team was 24×7 there for our customers. We know a lot of you have been wanting to travel to Australia and have waited for the borders to reopen. We have amazing news for you, our flights from India to Australia and Australia to India are now open and operating. Flights for the month of July are available to Book Now. Whether you want to fly back to Australia or travel to India from Australia, we are here to bring you one step closer to your home.

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

As there are no quarantine or travel restrictions required in place, plan your journey to reunite with your family & friends with Gaura Travel in this year 2022. Find all available flights options with us.

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

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Travel Guide

Pilot Plan to Welcome International Students in NSW, Will Start in the Second Half of 2021

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet affirmed today that NSW Health and NSW Police had been approved a Pilot Plan to allow International Students to come back to Australia. The plan will start on the second half of 2021, and it will intend to receive 250 International Students fortnightly.

The first students would arrive in August 2021 in Charter Flights, and they would not take seats off from the commercial flights for Australians returning to the country. The students would have the same quarantine requirements as any other returning traveller, but they will stay in a special accommodation with 600 beds and Universities will cover all the costs.

The NSW authorities will aim to increase at the end of the year, the number of students arriving every 2 weeks from 250 to 500 students. The idea is to rescue the $14 billion that the students bring to the state every year.

“Typically, we have more than 250,000 international students studying in NSW each year and they directly supported over 95,000 local jobs prior to the pandemic. If we don’t act fast, students will turn to other overseas destinations, and it could take the sector decades to recover.” said Mr. Perrottet.

“This program has carefully considered the personal, social and academic aspects of our students to ensure they successfully resume their studies and rejoin NSW’s vibrant multicultural community as soon as possible.” said Professor Barney Glover, NSW Vice-Chancellors’ Committee.

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

As there are no quarantine or travel restrictions required in place, plan your journey to reunite with your family & friends with Gaura Travel in this year 2022. Find all available flights options with us.

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

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Travel Guide

India ready to bounce back | Drastic decline in COVID-19 Cases

The world has seen unprecedented changes due to Covid -19. When India, the second most populous country in the world was hit by a devastating second wave of COVID-19, it was hard to imagine how the nation would combat it. But how can we forget that India is no ordinary country? Over its rich history, it has showed countless examples of its unparalleled ability to pick itself up and fight back.

A nation of 1.3 billion people battened down their hatches and came together to show enduring resilience in the fight against the pandemic. With the endless efforts of the frontline workers, government, and the courageous citizens of the country, India prepares itself to bounce back!

The covid cases across the country have witnessed a drop in daily caseload count and several Indian states have started to relax lockdown curbs as coronavirus infections subside.

Initially, the second wave saw India’s daily reported cases spike to more than 300,000 infections daily. However now, with a little over 100,000 new infections across India, daily cases in the country dropped to the lowest level seen in over two months.  The seven-day average of new infections in the country has dropped by over 68% from the peak.

The country has so far administered 20,57,20,660 anti-Covid jabs and the recovery rate of patients has increased to 90.34%.

These numbers provide a great deal of relief and hope.

India Unites as One

In the midst of a brutal second wave and a shortage of crucial life saving supplies, India’s COVID-19 patients, and their families turned to social media to save lives. Thousands of people and volunteers amplified the requests of people searching for hospital beds, ventilators and oxygen cylinders on social platforms. Twitter hashtags like #CovidSOS and #CovidEmergency became popular among users. Volunteers set up websites and apps to track vaccine availability. Many people also volunteered to make home-cooked meals for patients quarantining at home while others offered assistance with tasks like grocery shopping. It is amazing to see how the country came together to help one another weather the unprecedented crisis.

Gaura Travel Resumes Flights from India to Australia

Even during the most devastating phase of COVID-19, our team was there 24×7 for our customers. We know a lot of you have been wanting to travel to Australia and have waited for the borders to reopen. We have amazing news for you – our flights from India to Australia are now open and operating. Flights for the month of July are available to Book Now.

Fly back home to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane! What are you waiting for? Book your tickets today!

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

As there are no quarantine or travel restrictions required in place, plan your journey to reunite with your family & friends with Gaura Travel in this year 2022. Find all available flights options with us.

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

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Travel Guide

Victoria Covid cases: restrictions reintroduced as cluster in Melbourne’s north grows to five

Victoria has recorded its fifth case today, which brings in new restrictions in the state. A man in his 60s was identified as the fifth case in the Melbourne northern suburbs outbreak, with Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton concerned the man may have been infectious since at least May 17.

Acting premier James Merlino announced today morning that from 6pm private gatherings in the home will be limited to five people, public gatherings will be limited to 30, and face masks will need to be worn indoors for everyone aged 12 years and older. That requirement includes workplaces within Metropolitan Melbourne. Schools and workplaces will stay open and there are no changes to current density rules.

The acting premier confirmed genomic sequencing showed the Whittlesea outbreak was “closely related” to a man in nearby Wollert who tested positive earlier this month after returning from hotel quarantine in South Australia.

Health authorities have now identified 10 exposure sites as they race to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. Testing sites serving the city’s north were straining to cope with demand as people heeded public health advice.

“This is a stark reminder that waiting and thinking, ‘I will wait until the end of the year to get the Pfizer jab’… waiting is not an option,” he said. “If people want to avoid the situation we are in right now, there is something that everyone can do. If you are eligible, get vaccinated.”

The restrictions on Greater Melbourne are due to remain in place until 4 June. Four new locally acquired cases were reported on Monday, all from the same family across two households. A fifth case, a close contact, was notified by the Department of Health after midnight.

As a result of the outbreak, South Australian authorities have imposed fresh border restrictions in response to a cluster of four coronavirus cases detected in Melbourne yesterday. SA Police said people who have been to any one of several designated exposure sites at relevant times during the past week are now unable to enter the state.

The latest outbreak snapped Victoria’s 86-day streak without a locally acquired case. Victoria has 14 active cases, with the rest in hotel quarantine, and 14,892 tests in the 24 hours to Tuesday.

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

As there are no quarantine or travel restrictions required in place, plan your journey to reunite with your family & friends with Gaura Travel in this year 2022. Find all available flights options with us.

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

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Why Gaura

Celebrating 50 Charter Flights from Australia to India

On 19 March 2020, Australia shut its borders to the world as a measure to fight COVID-19. No one saw 2020 coming. Panic clenched people as they suddenly found themselves stranded in Australia.

The First Flight (22nd of July 2020)

When no commercial flights were operating, Gaura Travel worked day and night with the authorities bearing only one aim in their hearts –  “to reunite people with their loved ones”. With this firmness of purpose, the Melbourne based travel agency, operated its first charter flight to India, from Sydney Airport on 22 July 2020. The team of Gaura Travel provided incessant support to all the travellers at the airport and made sure everyone had a seamless journey.

10,000 Families Reunited (5th of February 2021)

On 5th February 2021 after 8 months of sheer hard work and courage, Gaura Travel accomplished the milestone of reuniting 10,000 families. Statistically, 18,000 passengers flew out of Melbourne: 15,000 by chartered flights and 3,000 under Vande Bharat Mission with Air India flying 17 sorties. From the 15,000, Gaura Travel accounted for 10,000.

The Wait is Over (27th of February 2021)

There was joy in the air, but the directors of Gaura Travel, Ashwini Sonthalia and Abhishek Sonthalia, knew that more had to be done. They resonated with the longing of those stuck in India, and now are back with a bang! On 27 February 2021, Gaura Travel announced the great news of special charter flights from India to Australia!

And now… 50 Charter Flights (19th Mar 2021)

Flight after flight, the mission of repatriating people back to India became stronger and on the 19th March, Gaura Travel crossed another benchmark of operating 50 unstoppable charter flights! Keeping their customers first, Gaura Travel is doing everything they can to be your best way home, no matter if it is from India or Australia. In collaboration with Singapore Airlines, the 50th charter flight has taken off from Melbourne Airport carrying 200 people to New Delhi.

Gaura Travel is continuing its mission to reunite people back to their homes. The next flight to India will be on 27th of March from Sydney. The tickets are available to book now from India to Australia on www.gauratravel.com.au


Book your tickets from Australia to India on www.gauratravel.com.au
Gaura Travel – YOUR BEST WAY HOME

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

As there are no quarantine or travel restrictions required in place, plan your journey to reunite with your family & friends with Gaura Travel in this year 2022. Find all available flights options with us.

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

Categories
Why Gaura

Gaura Travel reuniting 10,000 families during COVID-19

The start of the journey…

Gaura Travel a Melbourne-based travel company founded 14 years ago, decided in June last year to face the challenges that COVID-19 brought during 2020. When no commercial flights were operating to India and the whole world was in lockdown, Abhishek and Ashwini Sonthalia (CEOs & founders of Gaura Travel) repatriated Indian citizens from Australia with the help of their team. Since then, the agency has operated more than 40 charter flights reuniting 10,000 families.

Like any other travel company in Australia, Gaura Travel had to close its offices during the first lockdown at the end of march in 2020, however the contact center continued operating 24/7 to solve the doubts of the customers when the confinements started. The future looked tough; the sales decreased to zero and many refunds had been issued due to the unfeasibility of running flights. The uncertainty of this moment in time made the owners and their employees’ resilience more prominent than ever. They had to find new alternatives to keep the travel agency running. Ashwini and Abhishek started to knock on the doors of airlines and government institutions (in Australia and India) seeking for a way to help those in need of travel. After a couple of months, they got support from the Indian Consulate in Melbourne, Singapore Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Malindo Air to operate the firsts repatriation charter flights to India.

The idea was to create a couple of flights to find the best way home for Indians who wanted to return to their country. It was a big surprise for the company when those first two flights got booked out immediately. That was the moment when Gaura Travel opened more monthly flights from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide to the main cities in India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and many more without knowing how long it would be possible to keep doing it for.

A milestone for Gaura Travel

Last Friday, February 5th 2021, Akash Rajput an International Student of Deakin University became the 10,000th passenger of the repatriation charter flights to India from Australia organized by Gaura Travel. This accomplishment made the agency the largest operator of this new charter flight industry. “We didn’t know when we started everything that it would get this far, so it’s all thanks to the support of our customers and our team… we are going to continue on this mission of reuniting as many families as we can…” said Ashwini at Melbourne Airport when he congratulated Akash for being the passenger 10,000 who also got an upgrade of his ticket to Business Class.

“Mr. Raj Kumar, the Consul General of India in Melbourne one day told me, you will get plenty of opportunities in your life to make money but take this as an opportunity to make blessings” expressed Abhishek later the same day during the celebration event of “Reuniting 10,000 families”. The event was organized by the agency which included the attendance of people from the Indian community, the travel industry, the presence of Raj Kumar (Consul General of India in Victoria) and the Gaura Travel team members.

10,000 families have been reunited in India during the last 7 months thanks to the effort of Gaura Travel and the support of the Indian Consulate in Melbourne, Singapore Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Malindo Air. The travel agency will organize charter flights for at least the next couple of months (February and March), trying to continue reuniting more than 10,000 families in India during the first quarter of 2021.

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

As there are no quarantine or travel restrictions required in place, plan your journey to reunite with your family & friends with Gaura Travel in this year 2022. Find all available flights options with us.

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

Book your tickets from Australia to India on www.gauratravel.com.au
Gaura Travel – YOUR BEST WAY HOME

Categories
Travel Guide

How To Recover Lost Items at Melbourne Airport

In this guide we will cover the necessary steps to take if you have lost items at Melbourne Airport and need them recovered.

If you have lost items within T2, T3, T4 or at security checkpoints..

1. Call the number (03) 9297 1805

This is Smartcarte’s lost property number, with this you can inquire about your lost items and find out if anything similar to their description has recently been collected (Operates 5 am – midnight, 7 days a week). You may also call outside these hours and leave a message, someone will get in touch with you during work hours.

Alternatively you can submit this form to provide a description of your lost items: https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/Passengers/Help

If you have lost an item in T1

Visit the lost property desk that is located next to carousel 2 on the ground level before security. 

Let us take a look at how Indians in Australia celebrate these festivals and the new ways that have been adopted, reflecting the world we live in.

2. Lost property retrieval

After speaking to a staff member, you will be provided with an item number. You will need to cite this number in order to claim your lost property.

Book an appointment with Smartcarte in order to collect your items, 48 hours notice must be provided for them to be ready upon your arrival.

If you have lost property during a flight

If this occurs, it is advised to contact the specific airline directly.

Be advised that items lost at Melbourne Airport will generally be held up to 3 months before they are donated to a local charity.

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

As there are no quarantine or travel restrictions required in place, plan your journey to reunite with your family & friends with Gaura Travel in this year 2022. Find all available flights options with us.

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

Book your tickets from Australia to India to Australia on www.gauratravel.com.au
Gaura Travel – YOUR BEST WAY HOME