India - Tigers & The Taj Mahal

Itinerary

Day 1

Your Indian holiday begins with an overnight flight from the UK to Delhi (The itinerary for departures from Manchester varies - please see the note below).

Day 2

Arrive in Delhi, this morning, to be greeted by your Tour Manager, and transferred to your hotel. Later, after an included lunch and time to freshen up, join your tour manager on a guided tour, and explore the ruins of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque and the ornate Qutb Minar tower that rises above them.

Day 3

Today's guided tour will introduce Delhi's vibrant Old City. Drive by the historic Red Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque and Raj Ghat – Gandhi’s cremation site close to the Yamuna River – and enjoy an exhilarating rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk. You’ll also experience the grandeur of New Delhi, built by the British Raj to reflect the glories of the Empire. Highlights will include the historic India Gate war memorial and the vast boulevard of the Rajpath. Later, we'll travel to Agra, India's City of Love and site of the exquisite Taj Mahal. After a visit to the royal pavilions, palaces and courtyards of majestic Agra Fort, you’ll make your first visit to the Taj, a monument to undying love, to see it in all its glory at sunset and enjoy a guided tour.

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 journey to Abhaneri, a small town famed for its amazing baoris (stepwells). Discover the intricate beauty of Chand Baori, one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India, and its carved panels. Leaving Abhaneri, you'll travel to Ranthambhore National Park, stopping en route for lunch at the sumptuous Umaid Lake Palace, a lovely heritage hotel and organic retreat that grows produce for its fine restaurant. Once the hunting ground of Indian princes, Ranthambhore is landscape of thorn trees, scrub and grasslands dotted with beautiful ponds, streams and lakes is a perfect habitat for the famous, elusive (and still endangered) Tigers of Ranthambhore, and other species. Relax for the afternoon, then enjoy an evening tiger talk with a local naturalist: the perfect preparation for tomorrow's adventures.

Day 5

Today’s two canter (open-air vehicle) safaris in Ranthambhore Park are sure to be among the highlights of your entire holiday. In the company of a knowledgeable naturalist guide, you'll go in search of the park's most animal inhabitants: striped hyenas, sambar deer, sloth bears and, of course, tigers (and perhaps even a leopard).

Day 6

Rest and relax this morning, or join our optional excursion to climb the gradual, 273 steps to ancient Ranthambhore Fort, which sits atop a 600-metre-high hill range, and offers stupendous views of the park below. This afternoon, after lunch at the hotel, you’ll bid farewell to Ranthambhore and journey to the Pink City of Jaipur, where you'll stay for the next two nights.

Day 7

After breakfast, visit Amber, the ancient capital of the Rajput Empire. Climb by jeep to the city's vast sixth-century hill-top fort to wander its Royal Halls and take in the magnificent views from the ramparts. After an included lunch, you'll tour Jaipur to see the City Palace complex, with its museums and ancient astronomical observatory, and drive past the innumerable windows and screened balconies of the 18th-century Palace of the Winds. This evening, enjoy a special dinner at the Nokha House, hosted in traditional Rajasthani style by the Rathore family.

Day 8

Bid farewell to Jaipur and journey across the desert plain into the Aravali Hills to the jungle-resort of Vanaashyra. En route you'll stop for a tea or coffee at Bhangarh, a ruined fort dating from the 17th Century. This afternoon, take a camel cart to visit the local village and enjoy a pre-dinner cookery demonstration. You'll spend the night in a private cottage designed to give you a sense of the India of the past with the little luxuries of the present (like air conditioning).

Day 9

2023 departures: Travel back towards Delhi for a last night's stay - en route, visit the Heritage Transport Museum, with its impressive collections covering the development of India’s road, rail and air-travel industries. 2024 and 2025 departures: Enjoy today at leisure in Vanaashrya - swim in the pool or reflect on your journey through India.

Day 10

2023 departures: transfer back to the airport and board your morning  flight home which arrives later today. (The itinerary for departures from Manchester varies - please see the note below). 2024 and 2025 departures: after an included lunch at Vanaashrya, depart for Delhi and the return overnight flight home.

Day 11

Departures in 2024 and 2025 land back into the UK in the morning today. Back to top

Further Information

2024 and 2025 departures

On 2024 departures for this tour, the return flight to the UK will now be in the early hours of day 11, arriving later the same morning. This allows more leisure time in the itinerary in both Jaipur and at the relaxing Vanaashrya resort in Sariska. As more time is available during day 10 to reach Delhi, the last night's accommodation in Gurgaon will be replaced with an extra night in Vanaashrya, where you'll now spend two nights. You'll no longer include a visit to the Heritage Transport Museum on this tour.

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. British CITIZENS and most 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. Fees are subject to change. 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.

Manchester departures

If you’re travelling on this tour departing 16 September or 4 November 2023, from Manchester, via the Middle East, the itinerary will be slightly different. All of the included visits and nights in each city remain the same, although in a slightly different order. You will spend the first two nights in Delhi, then follow the itinerary as shown through Agra, Ranthambhore, Jaipur and Vanaashrya. As the return flight to the UK is overnight, the last night in Gurgaon is not required or provided – and has been replaced by the extra night in Delhi at the start of the tour. Tour departures from London Heathrow are not affected by this note and follow the detailed itinerary shown.    

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.

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

Meals appropriate to the time of day are served on all flights and usually comprise a main meal and a snack prior to arrival. 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 15% on a selection of 2023 departures is valid on bookings made between 9 May and 26 May 2023 at 23:59. This Offer is valid on 2023 departure dates only. 15% off 2023 departures must be redeemed through the use of the promo code 2023. 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 Back to top