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For those who are on the flight inclusive package we land in Delhi and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Land only please make your way to our start hotel. Your leader will leave details of your welcome meeting time in the hotel reception. (Delhi sightseeing is on day 12) *Standard Hotel*
Today we will transfer to Agra (approx. 5 hrs drive) and in the afternoon visit the imposing Red Fort of Akbar, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. *Standard Hotel*
A very early start to see the incredible spectacle of the sunrise over the Taj Mahal. The Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631, built the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal. The Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first time visitor; the white marble exterior changes colour according to the position of the sun during the day and is matched by the rich interior detail. After our visit it's time to leave Agra and drive to Ranthambore National Park. On the way we visit Fatehpur Sikri which is the Emperor Akbar's deserted royal city. This impressive and well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the blessing of a local Moslem holy man correctly predicted the birth of a longed-for son, his successor the Emperor Jehangir. The mosque, designed to hold ten thousand worshippers, the palaces, residences and halls of audience are all made of decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years, as in 1584 Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri to secure his outlying territories, leaving this city much as we see it today - in perfect condition. This is another very full but rewarding day (approx. 7/8 hrs drive). *Standard Hotel*
Today is more relaxed as we take two game drives into Ranthambore National Park. The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974 became part of Project Tiger. Sadly, after initial success, poaching has drastically reduced the tiger population. However, Ranthambore is still considered one of the best places to spot tigers in the wild and many Exodus groups over the last few years have seen the elusive predator. Tiger aside, Ranthambore is also home to a great variety of wildlife such as several species of monkey, deer, crocodile, birdlife, and together with the scenery, make the visit well worth it. *Standard Hotel*
Today we leave Ranthambore and drive to Bundi. Bundi is a delightful town, with a rustic setting, that stands on the foothills of the Azavali Mountains. Bundi is especially famous for its palaces and the beautifully decorated stepwells that back in the 15th and 18th century were used to collect water during the monsoon season. In the afternoon we visit the Bundi Fort, arguably one of the most beautiful palaces in India, home to outstanding miniature paintings portraying the history of the palace and its royal family. The fort is set high on a hill overlooking Bundi and its Krishna blue stonewashed houses. (Approx. 4 hrs drive) *Standard Hotel*
Today we set off on our 145 mile journey to Udaipur. Known as 'The Pearl of Rajasthan', the 'City of Sunrise' and 'Venice of the East', Udaipur is a beautiful place regarded by both Indians and travellers as the most romantic city in India. (Approx. 5 hrs drive) *Comfortable Hotel*
Situated on the east side of Lake Pichola, the main palace commands an unsurpassed view across the shimmering lake to the dusty Aravalli Hills with the luxurious Lake Palace hotel adding to the scene. Lake Pichola has two islands, each with a palace to rival that on the mainland; Jag Mandir and Jag Nivas (the latter is now the Lake Palace Hotel) rise out of their own reflections in the waters of the lake. Udaipur is surrounded by a massive bastion with five gates and dominating the town is the City Palace of the Maharana. The sumptuous apartments are decorated with multi-coloured mosaics, elaborate mirror work and inlaid tiles; half of these can be visited as the current Maharaja still occupies the rest of the palace. We spend the morning visiting the City Palace and Jagdish Temple, with a huge black stone image of Jagannath, an aspect of Lord Vishnu. If time allows it may be possible to visit the gardens of Gulab Bag or take a boat trip on the lake. The afternoon is free to enjoy this evocative city. *Comfortable Hotel*
Today we have an early start and head to Pushkar, pilgrimage town and home to the annual Pushkar Camel Fair. Steeped in mysticism and surrounded by the desert this little town is a holy site on the fringes of a lake. This is a great place to relax and soak up the atmosphere. The drive will be approx. 6-7 hrs in total. *Full-service camping *
Full day to enjoy the colourful spectacle of one of Asia's most vibrant festivals. The normally peaceful oasis is transformed into a bustling meeting place when the tranquil desert becomes a colourful blanket of camels, fires and tents with stall holders, musicians and comedians plying their wears amid the high-spirited festivities. *Full-service camping*
In the morning we do some sightseeing; in the centre of town is holy Pushkar lake surrounded by a number of temples including the famous Bramha temple said to be the only temple in the world dedicated to this deity. A dip in the waters of Pushkar Lake and worship at Bramha temple ensure salvation. In the afternoon we drive to Jaipur. (Approx. 3 hrs drive) *Standard Hotel*
A day of sightseeing. The 'Pink City' of Jaipur is one of the most attractive and colourful cities in India. Rajah Jai Singh decided to abandon his nearby fortress and palace at Amber in 1727 and laid out a planned city of broad avenues, built of sandstone and painted pink at a later stage. In the centre of Jaipur is the City Palace, formerly the residence of the Maharaja, it is now a fine museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings, royal garments and weapons. Close to the palace is one of the most intriguing sights of India, the observatory of Jai Singh. This is an assembly of immense astronomical instruments made of marble and brass set in a pleasant garden. We will also see Jaipur's impressive landmark, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds. A few miles from the main city is the splendid Amber Palace, rising above a lake. The imposing hilltop fort contains large courtyards and interiors with fine decorations including inlaid alabaster panels and a Chamber of Mirrors. Jaipur is a centre of many handicrafts, such as durries (woven rugs), carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones, leatherwear etc.; it will be difficult to leave a workshop without buying anything! *Standard Hotel*
Today we take an early morning express train back to Delhi. (approx. 4 ½ hours) In the afternoon we visit the walled city of Old Delhi; crowded, full of activities and still influenced by the great Mughals who once ruled from the ramparts of the majestic Red Fort. We visit Jama Mosque - built in 17th century and the largest mosque in India and Rajghat - the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. We will also see India Gate and the vast colonial buildings as we navigate around the city. *Standard Hotel*
Those on the flight inclusive package will depart for London this morning for the daytime flight back to London; Land Only arrangements will finish after check-out from the hotel. **
* 10 nights hotels in en suite rooms, 2 nights in en suite Swiss cottage
tents
* Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs
* Travel by private air-conditioned bus and train
All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners included.
India is famous for its food and there is ample chance to try various curries
such as the familiar tandoori, Biriyani and Rogan Josh. But there are other
specialities and Western dishes available too. In addition there are
wonderful deserts and excellent beers, soft drinks and Indian specialities
such as lassi, a refreshing yoghurt drink. You should allow at least GBP13-15
(approx. USD20-25) per day for lunch and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply
in India, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants most of the time,
you will spend more than the suggested amount. In most of the towns there is
a good choice of restaurants and a choice between Indian and Western style
food. If you are a vegetarian, India is probably one of the best destinations
to travel to. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large!) bottle of beer
is approx. GBP3 (approx. USD5). Mineral water is available in 20ltr
containers in the bus, so please bring a water bottle with you to refill.
Please note that service in restaurants can be quite slow.
* 10 nights hotels in en suite rooms, 2 nights in en suite Swiss cottage
tents
* Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs
* Travel by private air-conditioned bus and train
Activity Level: 1 (Leisurely). The roads are generally pretty good, but local
traffic and/or road damage after the monsoon can sometimes slow us down. We
travel mainly on comparatively quiet roads for at least half of the journey.
The tour is not overly demanding, but some of the days can be busy, where
travelling is combined with sightseeing. Lots of sightseeing is combined with
the chance to explore on your own two feet. In Ranthambore National Park
tiger spotting is from a large open truck called a 'canter'. Longer distances
are covered by private bus. Although the travelling is not demanding, it is a
busy itinerary; this, together with the overwhelming effect of some of the
crowded cities, can make the trip a little tiring. At certain times of the
year it will be hot. There are some long drives, mainly on reasonable roads,
but there is plenty of time for sightseeing, exploring or simply watch the
world go by in this fascinating region of India. Longer travelling days
should take around six to seven hours but delays are possible and journey
times can increase. At times it can be quite hot and dusty (except December)
and the bustle of the Indian cities can be tiring. This trip does involve a
lot of time on the road; however, this gives you the perfect opportunity to
see the diversity of one of India's most colourful states.
Please note that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are responsible for
the conservation of many monuments in India, including the Taj Mahal, and
very occasionally this may mean that work is taking place at sites visited on
this trip. The ASI’s schedule is never published so it is not possible to
forewarn our clients of when work will be taking place.
Hotels & Swiss Cottage Tents
During this trip you will spend 10 nights in hotels, all with en suite
facilities. Accommodation for the 2 nights in Pushkar will be provided in en
suite Swiss Cottage Tents with attached bathrooms.
Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader and driver. Our Indian team of
leaders have proved very popular with their incredible knowledge, passion and
hospitality adding greatly to the experience. There is no better way to
experience Indian culture than letting an Indian guide show you around their
country.
All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners included.
India is famous for its food and there is ample chance to try various curries
such as the familiar tandoori, Biriyani and Rogan Josh. But there are other
specialities and Western dishes available too. In addition there are
wonderful deserts and excellent beers, soft drinks and Indian specialities
such as lassi, a refreshing yoghurt drink. You should allow at least GBP13-15
(approx. USD20-25) per day for lunch and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply
in India, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants most of the time,
you will spend more than the suggested amount. In most of the towns there is
a good choice of restaurants and a choice between Indian and Western style
food. If you are a vegetarian, India is probably one of the best destinations
to travel to. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large!) bottle of beer
is approx. GBP3 (approx. USD5). Mineral water is available in 20ltr
containers in the bus, so please bring a water bottle with you to refill.
Please note that service in restaurants can be quite slow.
We use a private air-conditioned bus for our journey. For the train trip
from Jaipur to Delhi we use air-conditioned chair class.
Game drives: in Ranthambore National Park, due to local restrictions enforced
to limit the amount of visitors to the Park, tiger spotting is from a large
open truck called a 'canter' that seats a maximum of 22.
During October/November and February/March/April the days are normally warm
to hot and nights cool or mild. Humidity is very low and little or no rain
can be expected. Evenings in Delhi can be surprisingly cool. It gets very
cold in the early mornings and evenings in December and January and warm
clothes are essential. Fog is also a real possibility during this period.
Please note that night time temperatures in Delhi can be very cold and only a
little above freezing in December and January.
Sunhat
Sun cream
Light casual clothing
Warm sweater/fleece
Torch
Water bottle
Trainers/Walking shoes and sandals/Flip-flops
Anti-bacterial hand gel
Insect repellent
Small personal first aid kit
Additional warm base layer, scarf and gloves (for winter departures)
Mens and womens clothing should cover shoulders and be on or below the knee.
Women especially should always dress conservatively to avoid unwanted
attention and not to cause offence; vests, tight fitting trousers, short
skirts and shorts are not recommended.
It doesn't matter what type of bag or case you use on this trip. You should
also bring a small day bag for your valuable items.
*Please note:*
As of November 2019 the Indian government has announced a ban on e-cigarettes
and related products. You will be unable to buy e-cigarettes in India or
bring them into the country. Please ensure you do not pack these in your
luggage.
Earplugs
Money belt
Travel pillow
It is illegal to import or export rupees. Do not accept torn or (very) dirty
Indian banknotes from banks or in change as they will almost certainly not be
accepted as legal tender in India. Please ask for low denomination notes
as higher Rupee notes will be more difficult to use. You can change money
back from Rupees into Pounds or Dollars at Delhi airport; this has to be done
before you go through security and please note that only 1 or 2 small outlets
accept Rupees in the departure lounge (the Duty Free shop does not accept
Rupees), you must produce an exchange receipt showing that you changed money
in India. Money change facilities are available on arrival at Delhi's
international airport although better exchange rates may be available in the
city. You can change US$ and £ in cash in Delhi and in the other main cities
on this itinerary.
Tipping is very much part of the culture in India and is usually expected.
Tipping can often be an awkward affair, especially when in an unfamiliar
country where you are not sure when or how much to tip. As such, your tour
leader will offer to arrange and look after a group tipping kitty which will
be used to tip hotel staff, local sightseeing guides, bus drivers as well as
any other support staff used throughout your trip. Your leader will suggest
how much to contribute, depending on group size, but it is usually in the
region of 2000-2500 INR (approx. GBP£23-28 or US$30-38) per person. At any
time during the trip your leader will be happy to show you an account of how
the kitty is being distributed. Please note that for smaller groups the
leader may have to collect more than the above amount.
Tipping of leaders is not included in the kitty and is at your own
discretion. If you wish to show your appreciation a tip of around £3-4 (CAD
$5-7, USD $4-5, AUD $6-7) per person per day would be appreciated. By
definition, gratuities are not something that can be included in the tour
price.
* Travel insurance
* Visas and vaccinations
* Single supplement
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.