Essential India

 

Delhi	The Claridges	2 nights
Varanasi	Nadesar Palace	2 nights
Khajuraho	LaLit Temple View	1 night
Gwalior	Usha Kiran Palace	1 night
Agra	ITC Mughal	2 nights
Jaipur	Samode Haveli	2 nights
Delhi Airport	Holiday Inn	1 night

Click on the name of the hotel for details

 

12 days from £1690

International flights NOT included - see below

 

Journey through northern India taking in the top attractions, including the ancient holy city of Varanasi, the intricately-carved temples of Khajuraho, the unforgettable Taj Mahal and Rajasthan's Pink City, Jaipur.  Accommodation includes 2 converted royal palaces run by the excellent Taj Hotels group

 

INDIA HOLIDAYS FACTFILE

Recommended flight from London: British 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.

 

OUTLINE ITINERARY

For a detailed day-by-day description, with a summary of what's included, please click on the PDF (above right)

DAY 1 - Arrive Delhi.

DAY 2 – Delhi Sightseeing.  (B)

DAY 3 – Fly to Varanasi.  (B)

DAY 4 - Early morning boat ride on the Ganges. Afternoon visit to Sarnath.  (B)

DAY 5 - Fly to Khajuraho.  Afternoon visit to the temples of Khajuraho.

DAY 6 - By road via Orchha to Gwalior.  (B,L)

DAY 7 - Gwalior sightseeing.  By road to Agra. (B)

DAY 8 – Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort.  (B)

DAY 9 – Drive to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri and the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, with lunch at the Laxmi Vilas Palace.  (B,L)

DAY 10 – Jaipur sightseeing.  (B)

DAY 11 – Drive back to Delhi via Amber Fort.  Overnight at an Airport Hotel.  (B)

DAY 12 – Depart.  (B)

PLEASE ASK FOR A QUOTATION

Prices from £1690 (May to August) to around £2500 per person, according to the time of year.  The price we quote you at the time of booking is guaranteed.

 

 

 

 

International Flights.

We recommend the daily services of British Airways from London Heathrow. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:

Heathrow/Delhi. Depart at 10.20; arrive Delhi at 23.15
Delhi/Heathrow. Depart at 08.30; arrive Heathrow at 13.00

You can book the flights yourself on the easy-to-use British Airways website.  Alternatively World Discovery can book the flights for you (we levy a service charge of £25 per person for this service).

Jet Airways, Air India and Virgin Atlantic also offer daily direct flights from London.

TAILOR MADE OPTIONS

The sample tour shown above is exactly that - a sample tour.  We can change it to suit your precise requirements in may ways - by amending or upgrading the accommodation, by taking out or putting in additional sightseeing, by changing the number of nights in each place, by booking special meals, activities or cultural visits.  We are happy to advise and help you create your ideal holiday.

EXTEND YOUR STAY

Popular extensions to the 'Essential India' tour include the following:

SIMLA

(Best from late March to May, and from September to mid November).  Head for the hills to the former British summer capital.  Stunning views of the Himalayan peaks and the opportunity to ride on the famous 'Viceroy's Toy Train'.

 

 

GOA

(Best from October to April).  India's premier beach destination has a wide variety of accommodation to suit all budgets.  Our favourite luxury hotel is the Leela (pictured).

 

 

 

UDAIPUR

(All year round, but rainy from late June to August).  Spend time in India's most romantic city, with classic Mughal architecture overlooking the waters of Lake Pichola.  We recommend a stay at the world-famous Lake Palace Hotel.