Classical India

 

Delhi	The Oberoi	1 night
On board	The Maharajas' Express	6 nights
Kolkata	The Oberoi Grand	1 night

Click on the name of the hotel for details

10 days from £3760

excluding international flights

 

DAY 1 - Depart UK.

Recommended flight from London: Air India from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 - Arrive Delhi.

On arrival in Delhi you will be met by a representativeof World Discovery outside immigration and customs. You will then betaken by private car direct to your hotel.  The remainder of the day is at leisure.

DAY 3 - Board the Maharajas' Express.  Agra and the Taj Mahal.

Welcome aboard the Maharajas' Express!  In the morning your World Discovery driver will collect you from your hotel and take you to Delhi's Safardjung Railway Station.  On arrival you will proceed to the Maharajas' Express and complete the pre-boarding formalities over a welcome drink. Travel to Agra this morning.  Here you will visit the imposing Agra Fort, built by the Emperor Akbar in 1565, before heading for the 'Taj Khema', a tableland overlooking the Taj Mahal where colourful 'khemas' (decorated tents) are set up for a romantic champagne lunch. You will be warmly welcomed by colourfully attired dancers and musicians who escort you to the gardens.  In the afternoon visit the immortal Taj Mahal, an incomparable marvel constructed entirely out of white marble, and then enjoy some time shopping before returning to the train.  Dinner and overnight on board.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 4 – Gwalior.

This morning explore the magnificent wonders of Gwalior including the hilltop fort, the city's most famous landmark.  Lunch is at the Usha Kiran Palace, which has played host to the King of England and is now a heritage hotel.  After lunch visit the Jai Vilas Palace and the Scindia Museum, with its displays of royal memorabilia and a remarkable collection of artefacts from around the world.  Revisit the Usha Kiran for cocktails before returning to the train.  Dinner and overnight on board.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 5 – The temples of Khajuraho.

The morning is spent exploring the fabulous temples of Khajuraho, built between 950 and 1050 AD and recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.  Visit both the Western and Eastern groups of temples, famed for the highly sensual engravings which depict a whole range of human emotions and relationships.  In the afternoon take a guided village walk to gain insight into the local culture and rural lifestyle.  Dinner and overnight on board.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 6 - Bandhavgarh National Park.

Very early this morning you will reach Umaria, from where you will drive to Bandhavgarh National Park, the former hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Rewa, which enjoys the highest density of tigers in India.  Also in the park are deer, langurs, sloth bears and a huge variety of birds.  Following an early lunch, return to Umaria and reboard the train for the onward journey to the sacred Hindu city of Varanasi.  Dinner and overnight on board.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 7 - Varanasi.

Rise early to witness the spectacular sunrise over the sacred Ganges.  One of the oldest living cities in the world, Varanasi (Benares) has a spiritual legacy of more than 3,000 years and epitomises the chaos and colour of India.  Start off with a cruise on the river to witness the spectacle of pilgrims ritually bathing, and holy men practising yoga and invoking the dawn.  Continue on foot through the twisting ancient alleys, absorbing the hustle and bustle of the Old City, before taking breakfast at a hotel in the city.  Later visit the Varanasi Silk Weaving Centre.  After lunch visit the ancient ruins of nearby Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon expounding the principles of Buddhism.  Return to the train for your onward journey.  Dinner and overnight on board.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 8 – Nalanda. Bodh Gaya.

You stray off the beaten tourist track today with a morning visit to Nalanda, an important seat of learning whose extensive ruins indicate the presence of more than 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students from all over the world.  After lunch in Rajgir, capital of the early Magadh Empire before it moved to Patna in the 5th century, proceed to Bodh Gaya to visit the Maha Bodhi Temple.  Bodh Gaya is the world's most important Buddhist pilgrimage site and the temple, dating back to the 7th century AD, is home to the world's most sacred tree, under which Buddha attained enlightenment.  Return to the train at Gaya for your final night on board.  Dinner and overnight on board.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 9– Arrive Kolkata.

After breakfast disembark in Kolkata (Calcutta), the 'City of Joy'.  Bid farewell to the Maharajas' Express and proceed to explore this vibrant city with its distinctive imperial flavour.  Enjoy a lavish lunch during the city tour as your 'Classical India' journey comes to an end.  A World Discovery driver will collect you and take you to your Kolkata hotel.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 10 – Depart for home.

Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

International Flights.

We recommend the services of Air India from London Heathrow. Flights are non-stop and have a choice of classes. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Delhi. Depart at 21.30; arrive Delhi at 11.15 (next day)
Kolkata/Heathrow. Depart at 10.20; arrive Heathrow at 20.00

Classical India (Tour Reference: WDIN022)
2010 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Departures on Fridays	Deluxe Suite*	Junior Suite*	Suite*	Presidential Suite*
12 Mar, 17 Sep, 29 Oct, 10 Dec	£3760	£4180	£6360	£10500
Celestial India - see bottom of page Departures on Thursdays
18 Mar, 23 Sep, 4 Nov, 16 Dec	£4230	£4710	£7180	£11900

Single Room Supplements on request.

*Categories in the price grid above refer to the accommodation on the Maharajas' Express, but not at the hotels in Delhi and Kolkata.

The price includes:

• Hotel and train accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms/cabins with private facilities.
• 8 full breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners as shown in the itinerary.
• Private transfers in Delhi and Kolkata.
• All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as ‘optional’), including entrance fees
• The services of English-speaking guides for the included sightseeing.

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance
• Optional sightseeing
• International airport taxes
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter
• An Indian Visa. This should be obtained before departure from the United Kingdom. We recommend that you obtain your visa through CIBT in London - www.uk.cibt.com.

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your travel arrangements must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.

Celestial India

This is the 'Classical India' itinerary on the Maharajas' Express, only operated in the reverse direction, from Kolkata to Delhi.  Destinations visited are the same but due to the rail timetables an additional night is spent on board the train.  The prices are shown in the grid above.