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Experience the best of India's colourful desert state
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*
Following the scenic road out of the beautiful lakeside town of Udaipur we head towards Jodhpur. On the way we stop and visit the stunning 15th Century Jain Temple at Ranakpur. The main temple, beautifully carved from marble, is dedicated to Adinath. It has 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, each delicately carved with a different design. Jodhpur was founded by the Rajput chief Roa Jodha and was formerly the capital of the State of Marwar. The city is surrounded by an immense wall almost ten kilometres in circumference and is dominated by the massive fort that stands on a rocky hill commanding the surrounding desert. (Approx. 7 hrs drive) *Standard Hotel*
First thing in the morning we will visit the magnificent Meherangarh Fort from where you will have a great view of the blue houses, painted to distinguish them as those of Brahmins. The fort itself looks massive from the outside but inside there is an impressive collection of finely carved sandstone screens and lattice windows, and the palaces themselves are very finely decorated. We then 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. (Approx. 6 hrs drive) *Comfortable Hotel*
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. Your tour leader will arrange a group dinner this evening if you would like to attend. *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. **
* 12 nights hotels in en suite rooms
* Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs
* Travel by air-conditioned private bus and train
* Holi, Diwali and Pushkar festival departures
All breakfasts included.
You should allow at least £13-15 (approx. US$20-25) 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. Where meals are not supplied, our group leaders always
encourage people to try local restaurants and street food vendors. They can
make recommendations which will help boost small businesses and celebrate
local specialties. In Jaipur, Udaipur and Delhi, clients can even see how the
food is made e.g. masala chai (tea), samosa (mashed potato snacks), jalebe
(Indian doghnuts), lassi (yoghurt drink). 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 approximately £3 (approx. US$5). Mineral water is available in the bus in
20ltr containers. Please bring a water bottle with you to refill. Please note
that service in restaurants can be quite slow.
* 12 nights hotels in en suite rooms
* Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs
* Travel by air-conditioned private bus and train
* Holi, Diwali and Pushkar festival departures
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. 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.
*Festivals - Holi and Diwali *
Some departures may coincide with the festivals of Holi and Diwali. These can
be quite local celebrations within communities and families and are not
necessarily marked to the same extent throughout the country. We will
endeavour to seek out possible opportunities to see the festivities
however we cannot guarantee what may or may not be going on in the local
area visited during the trip. Holi celebrations typically involve people
throwing coloured powders and water at each other and smearing powder on each
other's faces. This tends to be done in local communities and families so it
is not always possible to be involved though you may see the colourful
results of this boisterous festival left on the streets. During Diwali, the
festival of lights to mark the start of the Hindu New Year, people may light
up their houses and shops and sometimes celebrate on the streets with
fireworks. Lasting up to 5 days again it is difficult for us to predict what
may or may not be going on in the areas visited on our trips at the time of
Diwali. Where something is happening we will once again endeavour to see how
our groups can witness the festivities.
*Pushkar Camel Fair*
Some departures will be in Pushkar during the festival. These are marked on
the website.
Hotels
You will spend 12 nights in hotels, all en suite. These hotels are mostly
standard city tourist hotels. Service and amenities are generally adequate.
Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are really only a couple
of months in the year when the weather can get rather cold. You can however
request more blankets or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater
for your room. Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this
matter.
Please be aware that the hotels in Delhi are increasingly busy and difficult
to book. They are also incredibly expensive and do not compare well to other
areas of India. Because of overbooking hotels can cancel bookings and it is
not unusual for our hotel to change or for any extra accommodation before or
after the trip to be in an alternative hotel. We hope that you understand
this situation is beyond our control.
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 included.
You should allow at least £13-15 (approx. US$20-25) 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. Where meals are not supplied, our group leaders always
encourage people to try local restaurants and street food vendors. They can
make recommendations which will help boost small businesses and celebrate
local specialties. In Jaipur, Udaipur and Delhi, clients can even see how the
food is made e.g. masala chai (tea), samosa (mashed potato snacks), jalebe
(Indian doghnuts), lassi (yoghurt drink). 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 approximately £3 (approx. US$5). Mineral water is available in the bus in
20ltr containers. 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. The canters are
licenced and usually allocated by the National Park authorities and while our
local contacts do their best to secure the most appropriate vehicles, we are
unable to guarantee vehicle standards and maintenance.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London: 14 Days*
The group flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before
Day 1 of the itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We normally use the scheduled services of British Airways (depending on
availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend
you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm
up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and
cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.
**
*Travelling land only: 13 days starting and ending in Delhi*
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Delhi in the morning of
Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided
in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before
departure.
Accommodation check‐in times are normally from around 12 noon.
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 and sunglasses
Sun cream
Light casual clothing
Warm sweater/fleece
Torch
Water bottle
Trainers/Walking shoes
Sandals/Flip-flops
Anti-bacterial hand gel
Insect repellent
Small personal first aid kit
Additional warm base layer (for winter departures)
Scarf (for winter departures)
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.
For Holi Festival departures, it might be a good idea to take some old
clothes, underwear and footwear which you don't mind throwing away
afterwards.
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.
At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the
recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend packing
only one piece of checked baggage.
As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject
to change, we suggest
you check the airline's website for the latest information prior to your
departure.
*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.
Light Waterproof
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 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.
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