India - Tigers & the Taj Mahal with Varanasi Extension
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Explore the teeming, colourful cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur on this superb-value Indian holiday. Step into a landscape said to have inspired Kipling as you spend two nights 'on safari' in Ranthambhore National Park, the home of the legendary Tigers of Ranthambhore, and see the Red Fort, the Palace of the Winds and the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal. It's the perfect introduction to one of the world's most fascinating and alluring destinations.Extend your holiday and visit sacred Varanasi is a 3,000 year old city on the the sacred Ganges to which Hindu pilgrims make their way to bathe in the holy waters. View the ghats from a river boat at dawn and journey to Sarnath, one of Buddhism’s holiest sights.
Highlights
The sights and sounds of New Delhi
The historic Red Fort, the India Gate war memorial and the ruins of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
Complete your holiday with a stay in sacred Varanasi
Taking a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi
A guided tour of Agra, India's city of love
The magical Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Searching for Ranthambhore's tigers on two included safaris
Exploring the ramparts, gates and cobbled paths of Jaipur's Amber Fort
Jaipur's exquisite Palace of the Winds
Dinner with a local family in Jaipur
Staying in cottages at Vanaashrya Resort
Enjoy a camel cart ride and an Indian cookery demonstration
Visit the fascinating Heritage Transport Museum in Delhi
Inclusions
Eight nights' dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation in a series of four-star and five-star standard hotels, 2 nights Delhi (1 at arrival and 1 at departure), 1 night Agra, 2 nights Ranthambore, 2 nights Jaipur, 1 night Vanaashrya, plus one night on the aircraft
Three nights' half-board accommodation at hotels in Varanasi (2 nights) and Delhi (1)
Six lunches
Return flights from your chosen UK airport to Delhi
A return flight from Delhi to Varanasi
Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers
The services of a friendly, experienced tour manager
Day 1
Your Indian holiday begins with an overnight flight from the UK to Delhi.
Day 2
Arrive in Delhi to be greeted by your Tour Manager, then transfer to your hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, you'll have a chance to explore the ruins of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and the ornate Qutb Minar tower.
Day 3
This morning, a guided tour of the Old City will introduce you to Jama Masjid Mosque and Raj Ghat, Gandhi's famous cremation site close to the Yamuna River. You'll also see the legendary Red Fort, the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years (until 1857), and take a rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk. Before evening falls, you'll also see some of the city's Imperial highlights, including the India Gate war memorial, the vast boulevard of the Rajpath and Parliament House. Later, we'll travel to Agra, India's City of Love and site of the exquisite Taj Mahal. Built as a monument to undying love by grief-stricken Shah Jahan - after the death of his beloved wife - the Taj is seen in all its glory at sunset. Your guided tour of Agra will also take in the royal pavilions, palaces and courtyards of Agra Fort.
Day 4
Start your day with the unforgettable view of the Taj Mahal at dawn, seen from across the Yamuna River. After breakfast, you'll visit Abhaneri, a small town famed for its amazing baoris (stepwells). See the mighty Harshat Mata Temple, and discover the architectural beauty of the Chand Baori stepwell and its intricate carved panels. Descending 13 stories and approximately 30 m (100 ft) into the ground, this is one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India.Leaving Abhaneri, you'll travel to Ranthambhore National Park, stopping en route for lunch at the Umaid Lake Palace, a lovely heritage hotel set amid landscaped gardens. Ranthambhore is not only one of the largest national park in northern India, it's also one of the best examples of conservation in the whole country. Once the hunting ground of Indian princes, the park stands atop a 600-metre-high hill range and is home to a number of India's famous, elusive (and still endangered) tigers. Relax for the afternoon, then enjoy an evening tiger talk with a local naturalist: the perfect preparation for tomorrow's adventure.
Day 5
This morning, search for some of the park's most revered inhabitants: striped hyenas, sambar deer, sloth bears and, of course, tigers (and perhaps even a leopard) as you enjoy the first of two tours led by an expert naturalist guide. After lunch, your second guided safari will offer another opportunity to look out for tigers and many other extraordinary wild animals at close quarters in their natural environment.
Day 6
This morning, after the chance to climb up the 273 steps to Ranthambhore Fort on an optional excursion, we'll travel through Rajasthan to Jaipur, nicknamed India's pink city, where you'll stay for the next two nights. Settle into your heritage hotel in downtown Jaipur, and enjoy the on-site facilities, including a relaxing and cooling outdoor pool.
Day 7
Visit Amber, the ancient capital of the Rajput Empire. Discover its magnificent palaces and temples dominated by the stronghold of the Amber Fort, and take the time to see the royal halls and the unrivalled views from the ramparts. After an included lunch, you'll tour Jaipur to see the City Palace Complex, with its museums, and Jantar Mantar, the ancient astronomical observatory. In the evening, you'll enjoy dinner with a local Rajasthani family in the city.
Day 8
This morning you'll head north to Vanaashrya. En route you'll stop for tea or coffee at Bhangarh, a ruined fort dating from the 17th Century. After a relaxing afternoon, you can take a camel cart to visit the local village and enjoy a pre-dinner cookery demonstration. You'll spend the night in your private cottage, a place designed to give you a sense of the India of the past with the little luxuries of the present day (like air conditioning).
Day 9
As we make our way back to Delhi, we'll stop at the fascinating Heritage Transport Museum, which showcases the development of road, rail and air transport in India.
Day 10
Fly to historic Varanasi, and transfer to your hotel. Take some time to relax before venturing out into the heart of the old city. Rub shoulders with holy men and walk with devotees towards this evening's Aarti ceremony on the banks of the sacred Ganges. Later, take dinner in your hotel.
Day 11
After breakfast this morning, take a boat ride along the great Ganges, known locally as Mother Ganga - India's most sacred river. Later, take in over 2000 years of history as you are taken on a guided tour of this most important of Indian conurbations. Afterwards, enjoy lunch and take an excursion to Sarnath to visit is museum and ruins.
Day 12
Spend this morning relaxing in your hotel, or choose to venture out into Varanasi's beguiling streets one last time. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and fly to Delhi. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel, dine and rest.
Day 13
This morning take breakfast in your hotel, before transferring to the airport and boarding your flight home.
India - Tigers, The Taj Mahal & Varanasi Extension Hotels
You will be staying in a series of well-located hotels, all of which will be of a four- and five-star standard. In all cases, rooms have private bathrooms and air conditioning.
Further Information
Taj Mahal restoration work
The white marble of the Taj Mahal is being gradually cleaned in a process that will take up to four years. Parts of the monument's surface may be covered during this process though your visit and access to the main dome is not likely to be restricted.
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
Passports and visas
British citizens require machine-readable passports when travelling overseas. Your passport must contain two blank pages and be valid for 180 days after your return date from India. A visa is also required for entry to India. Full details of how and when to apply will be sent out about eight weeks before departure. Currently, a single entry tourist visa for BRITISH CITIZENS is £143 plus any additional fees should you choose to use the services of a visa handling agent.
British CITIZENS are not currently eligible to enter India using the e-Tourist Visa system.
Some other European nationals satisfying certain conditions may use the online e-Tourist Visa application process at a cost of $10 (US) per person for entry to India for arrivals in the months of April, May and June or $25 (US) per person for arrivals in other months. Other passport holders must apply for a full visa.
Note that all travellers of Pakistani descent, regardless of citizenship, will generally be subject to more detailed processing by the Indian authorities, which can take up to four months from application.
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
On your flight
All outbound flights leave in the evening and land at your destination the next day. All return flights leave in the morning and land in the UK on the same day. On-board meals will usually include dinner and breakfast on outbound flights, and lunch and a snack on the flight home. Drinks are complimentary.
Luggage allowance
You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home. Should you have walking difficulties, getting around monuments and attractions may be harder and, in some cases, impossible. Should you have any concerns whatsoever please do contact us prior to travel.
Travel vaccinations
Requirements and advice can vary over time, and from person to person, so please contact your GP about eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or any other preventive measures.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Changes to your hotels
Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.
Road Conditions
In developing countries road networks are continually being improved and expanded, which can mean that, from time to time, roadworks and rough road surfaces can extend journey times. Many roads do not have separate pavements or safety barriers, and great care should be taken when crossing or walking alongside roads.
Terms and conditions
Save up to 10% discount applies to specific 2022-2024 holidays and tours only. All tours are marked with the discounted percentage. The ‘See it.’ offer applies to new bookings only for 2022 -2024 departures booked between 1 September and 30 September 2022 inclusive. The Offer does not apply to holidays with late availability pricing and excludes Ocean Cruise, River Cruise, Lapland, Andre Rieu, and Wimbledon. This offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other discount, promotion or concession. When booking a holiday as described above, prices shown will automatically have percentage discount applied on our website. The discount applies to the tour price (excluding extras and holiday insurance) at the time of booking. The Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.
