Northern Highlights Tour, India...
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Tour summary
Itinerary
Prices
How to book

Tour Summary...
Group Tour (16 days) - also available as a Private Tour
Departs October to April

London - Delhi - Varanasi - Khajuraho - (Orchha) - Agra - (Bharatpur) - Jaipur - Rohetgarh - (Jodhpur) - (Ranakpur) - Udaipur - Delhi - London

Holiday Highlights...
Historic Delhi, India's capital city
Sail down the Ganges in the holy city of Varanasi
Celebrated Chandela temples at Khajuraho
Taj Mahal, Agra - the eternal monument to love
Magnificent forts and palaces of Jodhpur and Jaipur, the pink city
Romantic Udaipur and its tranquil lakes
Traditional meal with a local family

Designed for first time visitors, this tour is covers all the better- known sights of Northern India As usual we bring you closer to the local people by including a train journey and rickshaw rides, visiting a village and arranging a traditional meal with a local family.

The hotels are a mix of deluxe and first class with heritage properties in Jaipur & Rohetgarh The internal travel is by a combination of road, rail and air using air-conditioning where required.

International flights are on direct scheduled non-stop service of British Airways from Heathrow, flying time to Delhi is around 9 hours.

You travel with a small group, accompanied by one of our excellent hand-picked tour escorts.

Itinerary...

Day 1 London-Delhi
Leave Heathrow in the morning for Delhi, arriving around midnight. Transfer to the exclusive Oberoi or Taj Mahal Hotel for 3 nights.

Day 2 Delhi
After a relaxed morning we visit the sights of New Delhi including the "Raj" buildings of Lutyens and Baker, the Qutub Minar, built by the slave king Qutub-uddin Aibak in the 12th century, and Humayun's Tomb, a precursor to the Taj Mahal. In the evening a welcome dinner in ethnic setting has been arranged.

Day 3 Delhi
This morning we visit the busy bazaars of Old Delhi, Jamia Masjid, the largest mosque in India and Rajghat - the "samadhi" of Mahatma Gandhi. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 4 Varanasi
Morning flight to Varanasi for a night at the Taj Ganges. Afternoon excursion to Sarnath, the site of Budhha's first sermon. In the evening we enjoy a rickshaw ride to the ceremonial "aarti" on the riverbanks.

Day 5 Khajuraho
Enjoy an early morning boat-ride on the Ganges to see devotees at prayer along the "ghats" or riverbanks. Later we fly to Khajuraho and stay 2 nights at the Taj Chandela/Jass Hotel.

Day 6 Khajuraho
We visit the famous Chandela temples in the morning. Built between 950 and 1050 AD these are known for erotic sculpture. Afternoon free to explore the village.

Day 7 Agra
Morning drive to Orchha, dotted with temples and palaces of Bundela kings Lunch has been arranged at Orchha Resorts, overlooking the Betwa River. We take a short train ride to Agra and transfer to the Mughal Sheraton for 2 nights. (or upgrade to the Amar Vilas - suppl.)

Day 8 Agra
The morning city sightseeing includes the poetry in marble - the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 9 Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur for 2 nights at the charming Samode Haveli, a royal mansion. We visit Fatehpur Sikri en route with lunch at the Laxmi Vilas Palace or Chandra Mahal Haveli.

Day 10 Jaipur
A morning excursion to the hilltop Amber Fort, climbed on caparisoned elephants, is arranged. We visit a small factory for hand printed fabrics on our return. The afternoon sightseeing includes the Palace of Winds, Jantar Mantar, the City Palace, the museum and the colourful bazaars of Jaipur, considered a shopper's paradise. We are invited this evening to a traditional meal with a local family at their residence.

Day 11 Rohetgarh
A long drive to Rohetgarh, on the outskirts of Jodhpur. We enjoy lunch en route in beautiful surroundings in Nimaj. We stay two nights at the royal residence of Rohetgarh, with options for horse riding and camel safaris.

Day 12 Rohetgarh (Jodhpur)
We enjoy a village safari by jeep this morning. In the afternoon visit Jodhpur to see the Meherangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada.

Day 13 Udaipur
Morning drive to Udaipur via Ranakpur, where we visit the beautiful Jain Temple complex, built in 1439. After lunch in the pleasant surroundings of Maharani Bagh orchards we drive on to the romantic city of Udaipur for two nights at the Trident Hilton Hotel or you could upgrade to the Lake Palace, Shiv Niwas Palace or the Udai Vilas (supplement).

Day 14 Udaipur
The morning city sightseeing includes the City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, Jagdish Temple and Sahelion-ki- Bari, a garden built for the Maids of Honour. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 15 Delhi
Fly back to Delhi in the afternoon. A room will be provided till departure, just past midnight.

Day 16 Delhi-London
Fly back to London arriving the same morning.

Special Tours...
Diwali, the Festival of Lights tour departing Sat 7 October 2006. Celebration of Diwali in Udaipur on 21 October with gala dinner. Extra night in Rohetgarh. Group size 16, please contact us for more details

Suggested Tour Extensions

Mumbai Option (2 days)

Fly Udaipur to Mumbai and transfer to the celebrated Taj Mahal Palace & Towers for 2 days (room booked for 3 nights, till departure) in a Deluxe Tower Wing room with sea view (or stay in the Heritage Wing - supplement). We will arrange city sightseeing and a cruise to the Elephanta caves during your stay here. Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast. Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast

Ajanta-Ellora (3 days)

Dating back to the 2nd century BC, the Buddhist caves at Ajanta, with their beautiful tempera paintings, are part of India's rich cultural heritage. The later Ellora caves have Hindu, Jain and Buddhist sculpture including the Kailasa Temple, carved out of a single rock on the mountainside.

Stay one night at Taj Mahal Palace & Towers, Mumbai, before flying to Aurangabad the following evening. On arrival transfer to the Taj Residency for 2 nights. Visit the famous caves of Ajanta and Ellora before flying back to Heathrow via Mumbai. Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast

Goa (5 days)

Take the morning flight from Udaipur to Mumbai and connect to the Goa flight at midday. Stay 5 nights at the Taj Exotica or the Leela Palace (pavilion room) before flying back via Mumbai. Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast

Kerala Backwaters (6 days)

Fly via Mumbai to Cochin and transfer to the Brunton Boatyard for 2 nights. Enjoy city sightseeing, a cruise to see Chinese fishing nets and a Kathakali dance performance. Then transfer to Alleppey to board a riceboat for overnight stay, cruising along the Vembanad Lake and its narrow tributaries. Transfer to Kumarakom for 3 nights at the Coconut Lagoon, overlooking the backwaters (or you could stay at the Marari Beach Resort for this duration). At leisure for 3 days when you fly back to Mumbai and transfer to the international airport for the return flight, the following day. Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast, riceboat on full board

Shimla (4 days)

Return to Delhi and board the Kalka Mail for an overnight journey (AC First Class) to Kalka. Change to the hill train for Shimla. Stay 3 nights at the Cecil Hotel before driving down to Chandigarh for a short flight to Delhi. A room will be arranged for you to relax before boarding your flight home, just past midnight. Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast, Delhi on room only

Amritsar (3 days)

Return to Delhi and board the Golden Temple Mail for an overnight journey (AC First Class) to Amritsar. Stay 2 nights at the Ritz Hotel (Standard grade). Visit the Golden Temple, in the middle of a man-made lake, and the border outpost at Wagah. Return to Delhi on the morning Shatabdi. A room will be arranged till your departure for the return flight, just past midnight. Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast. Meals on trains are excluded, but Shatabi to Delhi has inclusive breakfast. Delhi on room only.

Kathmandu (3 days)

Return to Delhi and board the evening flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to the Yak & Yeti (or Dwarika's - suppl.) for 3 nights. Visit the city, Patan and Bhadgaon. Fly back to Delhi to connect with your flight to London, just past midnight. Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast

Corbett (3 days)

Return to Delhi and stay overnight at the Park Royal/Grand. Next morning drive to Corbett for 2 nights at the Infinity Resorts, with all jungle activities included. Drive back to Delhi to connect with your return flight, just past midnight. Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast, Corbett on full board.

Please see below for prices

Prices...

Main Tour

Extensions...

Ahmedabad and Textiles

Mumbai and the Elephanta Caves

Ajanta-Ellora

Ranthambore National Park

Goa

Kerala Backwaters

For information on what the tour price includes, please read what is included in your booking and what is not included in your booking

How to book...

To check availability and make a booking please call our India Tours & Holidays specialist Dave on 0845 003 2211 or 01543 258631.  

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