India with Taj Hotels

 

Delhi	Taj Palace Hotel	2 nights
Varanasi	The Gateway Hotel	2 nights
Khajuraho	Hotel Chandela	1 night
Gwalior	Usha Kiran Palace	1 night
Agra	The Gateway Hotel	2 nights
Jaipur	Jai Mahal Palace	3 nights
Udaipur	Lake Palace Hotel	2 nights
Delhi	Radisson Hotel	1 night

Click on the name of the hotel for details

15 days from £1698

excluding international flights

DAY 1 - Depart UK.

Recommended flight from London: Jet Airways 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 in the morning you will be met by a representative of World Discovery outside immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel.  The remainder of the day is at leisure.

DAY 3 – Delhi Sightseeing.

After breakfast, you will meet your World Discovery guide and spend the morning visiting the highlights of India’s capital city, beginning with the monuments in the south of the city [more]. The afternoon is spent exploring New Delhi [more].
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 4 – Fly to Varanasi.

Late morning flight to Varanasi (Benares), India's holiest city on the banks of the sacred Ganges. Transfer direct to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 5 - Boat ride on the Ganges.

An early rise to experience the unique spectacle on the Ganges [more]. The afternoon is at leisure, with the option of visiting the ruins of Sarnath, where Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon in 528 B.C.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 6 - Fly to Khajuraho.

Around midday take the short flight to Khajuraho and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon your guide will take you to visit the astonishing temples of Khajuraho [more].
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 7 – By road via Orchha to Gwalior.

Drive north from Khajuraho to the atmospheric abandoned city of Orchha [more]. After lunch, continue your journey by road to Gwalior.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 8 – Gwalior. By road to Agra.

Morning sightseeing in Gwalior [more]. In the afternoon drive to Agra, capital of the Mughal Empire.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 9 – Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort.

Morning visit to the glorious Taj Mahal and the impressive Agra Fort [more]. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening you may wish to return to the Taj Mahal for an optional sunset visit.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 10 – Drive to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri and Bharatpur.

An hour and half drive to the west of Agra lies the atmospheric ‘ghost town’ of Fatehpur Sikri [more]. After a guided tour of this wonderful city (pictured left), continue to Bharatpur to spend some time in the Keoladeo Ghana National Park [more]. We have included a lunch for you at the delightful Laxmi Vilas Palace, built in 1899 for the son of the Maharajah of Bharatpur. In the afternoon drive to the famous ‘pink city’ of Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 11 – Jaipur sightseeing

Before beginning your sightseeing you may wish to consider an early rise to experience the wonderful sensation of floating above Jaipur in a Hot Air Balloon [more]. If you prebook this with World Discovery the cost is £170 per person, a saving of approximately £10 on the normal price.This morning enjoy a guided tour of the highlights of Jaipur [more].The afternoon has been left free for relaxation, or shopping. The OldCity of Jaipur has a huge selection of shops specialising in printedcotton, handicrafts, carpets, pottery and jewellery.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 12 - Jaipur and Amber Fort.

Before Jaipur was founded, the capital of this region was Amber, built high on a ridge overlooking the surrounding countryside. The huge palace-fortress is just 11km north of Jaipur, and this morning you will set off to visit it after breakfast [more]. Return to Jaipur for an afternoon at leisure.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

 

JAIPUR: UPGRADE TO THE RAMBAGH PALACE

For a true taste of luxury there is the option of upgrading to the Rambagh Palace [more], former home to the Maharajah of Jaipur, for your 3 nights stay in the city.  We would be pleased to give a quote for the additional cost.

 

DAY 13 - Fly to Udaipur.

Morning flight to Udaipur. Built around a man-made lake in the heart of the Aravali Hills, Udaipur is regarded as one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in India, a place of white marble palaces reflected in the blue waters of the lake and luxuriant greenery amidst the unyielding aridity of the surrounding countryside. Transfer to your hotel for a relaxing stay in this wonderful spot.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 14 - Udaipur.

The day is at leisure. You may wish to take a short cruise on Lake Pichola, or visit the stunning City Palace overlooking the lake. This impressive complex, a part of which is still occupied by the royal family, has been converted into a fascinating museum.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 15 - Depart for home.

Transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Delhi to connect with your homeward flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

International Flights.

We recommend the services of Jet Airways 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 20.50; arrive Delhi at 10.40 (next day)
Delhi/Heathrow. Depart at 12.55; arrive Heathrow at 16.55

India with Taj Hotels (Tour Reference: WDIN002)
2010 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Daily departures	Price
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr	£2698
May, Jun, Jul, Aug	£1698
Sep	£2595
Oct, Nov, Dec	£2830

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Scheduled domestic flights within India - Delhi/Varanasi/Khajuraho and Jaipur/Udaipur/Delhi, including airport taxes.
• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities
• 13 full breakfasts and 2 lunches as shown in the itinerary
• Private transportation throughout
• All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as ‘optional’), including entrance fees
• The services of a private English-speaking driver throughout
• The services of a private guide 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.