incredible indian tours › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › ... · 2020-03-08 · last but not...

INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS

Rajasthan Heritage - Monsoon Tour

This is a wonderfully classic trip, taking in the splendour of the Mughal cities of Delhi and Agra and the majesty of Rajasthan, where we experience the spectacular history and heritage of this ‘Land of Kings’. From jeep rides through tribal villages to boat rides on the romantic Lake Pichola in Udaipur, you will be introduced to some wonderful secrets; Indian cooking, miniature Mughal art, gemstones, tie-dye, folk dancing and turban tying to name a few. The massive forts of Rajasthan, the opulence and splendour of Maharajah’s palaces, and colourful markets and bazaars all make for a trip full of highlights and contrasts.

• be part of the craziness and excitement of India’s capital city Delhi • be left breathless by the unsurpassed Taj Mahal • explore the palaces and bazaars of Jaipur • be awed by the medieval splendour of Roopangarh Fort • spend the night in a heritage castle • enjoy the beautiful lake city of Udaipur • art deco beauty of Sardar Samand Heritage Hotel • be amazed at Jodhpur’s majestic Meherangarh Fort • wander the untouched town of Khandela n Rajasthan’s Shekhawati district

2/16

www.incredibleindiatours.com

E-mail: [email protected]

Ph: +91 95490 02876

Dossier validity: 2021

Highlights

INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Rajasthan Heritage - Monsoon Tour

(15 nights/16 days)

Days 1-2 Delhi

We meet up at 6pm for a short tour briefing before heading out for dinner at one of Delhi’s wonderful restaurants. Delhi is an exciting, busy and often chaotic city and one of the most interesting. With a past that stretches far back into the mists of time, it is rich with the splendour and vitality of an eternal city. Divided into an ancient and a modern part, 1000 years of history greet the visitor at every step. Mosques, monuments and forts from many different eras, museums and galleries, shops and endless bazaars lie scattered across its sprawling expanse. There is more to see and do than we can possibly fit in during our short time here. If you arrive earlier than day 1, there is an opportunity to make more discoveries - the ruins of Qutb Minar and Purana Qila, Indira Gandhi Museum and Rajghat are all recommended. We start day 2 with a visit to Old Delhi, the walled city once known as Shahjahanabad which was the creation of the Moghal Emperor Shah Jahan. We visit one of it’s most impressive buildings and Delhi’s oldest mosque, the Jama Masjid. We join the crowds to walk in the bazaars of the old city, immersing ourselves in the noise and smells of the crowded narrow streets and alleys, where different areas specialize in festival paraphernalia, silk, copper, brass, jewellery and spices. We take a drive down Janpath, the ceremonial avenue lined with impressive and imposing government buildings to view the President’s residence, and we visit Humayans Tomb, the spectacular mausoleum of the 2nd Moghul Emperor. Hotel: Visaya or similar

Itinerary


3/16



Ph: +91 95490 02876

Day 3 Agra

Travel time: 2 hours

A short train ride this morning on the super-fast Shatabdi Express takes us to Agra allowing us plenty of time to explore the incredible Mughal sights of Agra. The icon of India, probably the most famous and beautiful building in the world, the majestic Taj Mahal surpasses all expectations and it truly is a wonder of the world, if not the greatest ever testimony to love. There are opportunities to visit it at different times of the day to see how its colour changes with the light.

We also visit Agra’s Red Fort, built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century and the Itimud-u-Dualah, also known as the ‘Baby Taj’, the first Moghul building in Agra made from Marble. Whilst we are in Agra, we can also take an opportunity to see how handmade carpets and marble inlay work are produced. Hotel: The Retreat or similar


Itinerary

4/16



Ph: +91 95490 02876

Days 4-5 Jaipur

Travel time: 5 hours Crowning the crest of a hill, the fort palace at Amber was the former capital of the Jaipur state, before Maharajah Jai Singh II built the new capital of Jaipur, and it is well worth spending a couple of hours exploring. Whilst in Jaipur, we walk the streets and markets of this colourful and busy capital of Rajasthan, with its palaces and temples, and its bazaars full of jewellery, textiles and folk-based arts.

We visit Jaipurs famous landmark building, the Hawa Mahal or ‘Palace of the Winds’ and the exquisite Jal Mahal - water palace. During our stay in Jaipur, we can also discover the extravagance of a Bollywood blockbuster, with all its action, romance, drama, singing and dancing at the Raj Mandir Cinema. Hotel: Diggi Palace or similar

Jal Mahal


Itinerary

5/16



Ph: +91 95490 02876

Day 6 Roopangarh

Travel time: 3 hours Roopangarh Fort was once a vast war fort with nine tower fortifications. This architectural marvel used to house foundries, armouries, granaries, underground passages, jails and palaces. Built in the 17th century, Roopangarh Fort has been painstakingly restored and renovated as a heritage hotel. We spend the afternoon exploring the fort and the small friendly village of Roopangarh.

Hotel: Roopangarh Fort


Itinerary

6/16



Ph: +91 95490 02876

Days 7-8 Bijaipur

Travel time: 6 hours Our destination today is the wonderful Castle Bijaipur, a fortified mansion still run by the Rao (or local ruler). We take jeeps to explore nearby villages and also have the opportunity for a massage, yoga lesson or a swim in the pool. Perhaps go on a horse ride or wander the town. In the evening expect to be treated like royalty with a Rajasthani buffet accompanied by music and dancers.

Hotel: Castle Bijaipur


Itinerary

7/16



Ph: +91 95490 02876

Days 9-10 Udaipur

Travel time: 3 hours Without question Udaipur lives up to its reputation as India’s most romantic city. Rolling hills, white marble palaces and lakes all combine to give Udaipur a very special appeal. It’s a centre for artists, dancers and musicians and the shopping is superb. It’s other claim to fame is as the setting for James Bond’s Octopussy, and more recently was featured in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Whilst here in Udaipur, we visit the City Palace, one of the largest royal palaces in India, full of unbelievable treasures. We also get to see a traditional Rajasthani dance show. You might like to visit an artist’s school and try your hand at painting a miniature painting. Last but not least, Udaipur is where we have the opportunity to take an Indian cooking class.

Hotel: Kankarwa Haveli or similar

Lake Palace Hotel - Udaipur


Itinerary

8/16



Ph: +91 95490 02876

Day 11 Sardar Samand

Travel time: 4-5 hours Travelling north a few hours we spend time visiting the exquisite marble Jain Temples at Ranakpur, built in the 15th century. After lunch we drive to the art-deco Sardar Samand Palace Hotel. Situated on the banks of the Sardar Samand lake, a haven for birdlife, the palace was a former hunting lodge of the Maharajah. Spend the afternoon relaxing as you wander the large grounds and landscaped gardens overlooking the tranquil lake filled with vibrant birdlife. Hotel Sardar Samand Palace


Ranakpur Temple

Itinerary

9/16



Ph: +91 95490 02876

Days 12 Jodhpur

Travel time: 2 hours Situated at the edge of the Thar Desert, and dominated by the imposing Meherangarh Fort, which sits atop a sheer rocky ridge in the middle of town, Jodhpur is the 2nd largest city in Rajasthan. We spend the afternoon exploring the magnificent fort and the bustling Sadar Market in the ‘blue’ city below. It’s a great place to stroll around at leisure, with alleyways leading off to various bazaars selling all sorts of fruits, vegetables, spices, textiles and handicrafts. Jodphur is also famous for the creamy makhani (butter)

lassi’s which are found nowhere else in India. And yes, this is where the pants come from! Hotel: Haveli Inn Pal or similar


Itinerary

10/16



Ph: +91 95490 02876

Days 13-14 Khandela

Travel time: 6 hours We head east to Khandela, a rural town untouched by tourists. The local Maharajah only opened his castle to guests a few years ago and there is so much to see and do in this charming town. The castle itself is full of an incredible collection of objects and antiquities that belonged to the Maharajas ancestors and part of the castle is also a local private hospital. We wander the markets, take a trip out to the Raja’s farm, explore the old fort in town and the unique Khandela Dham (temple).

Hotel: Khandela Castle


Itinerary

11/16



Ph: +91 95490 02876

Day 15 Delhi

Travel time: 5 hours We depart at our leisure today for the drive back to Delhi. This afternoon is free for you to see more of the sights of Delhi or get in some last minute shopping. Hotel: Visaya or similar Day 16 Departure Day

There are no organized activities today. You may depart at any time.


Itinerary

12/16



Ph: +91 95490 02876

group size 4 minimum 10 maximum days 16 days 15 nights starts and finishes in Delhi

price includes

Arrival and departure transfers All accommodation as specified All transportation between overnight stops and to and from included sightseeing Entrance fees for all sites listed as part of the itinerary Meals as specified Gratuities for hotel staff, drivers and guides price does not include

Visa costs Meals other than those listed Drinks, meal tips, laundry and other items of a personal nature International flights accommodation

Hotels (15 nights), This tour uses a variety of accommodation. From heritage hotels to staying in forts, palaces and castles, we experience a wide range of accommodation styles. Hotel rooms are twin share with private bathrooms with western style toilets. Although most rooms will be air-conditioned, a few may be fan-cooled. optional single supplement

If you are a single traveller, you are not required to pay a single supplement as we will match you up with other travelers. However if you do not wish to share accommodation, but would like to guarantee your own room throughout the tour a single supplement of USD 650 will be payable.

transport

Airconditioned Minibus, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws for some sightseeing activities included

The following is a list of included activities on this trip. Other activities are optional and will be at your own expense. Jama Masjid, Old Delhi, Humayans Tomb (Delhi) Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Baby Taj (Agra) Amber Palace, Jantar Mantar, city walk, Bollywood movie (Jaipur) Village Walk (Roopangarh) Village Safari (Bijaipur) City Palace, Cooking class, Traditional dance show, Lake Cruise (Udaipur) Ranakpur Jain Temples (Ranakpur) Mehrangarh Fort, Market walk (Jodhpur) Town walk, Farm visit (Khandela) meal inclusions

15 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 6 Dinners meals

Traveling with Incredible Indian Tours we ensure that you will experience a vast array of the gustatory treats available in India. Some meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options. This allows you to choose where, and what to eat. More often than not however we eat together as a group. Your leader will offer suggestions for favourite restaurants throughout the trip.

general tour information


13/16



Ph: +91 95490 02876

culture shock rating

Conditions in India are not always as comfortable as in other countries. You may need to occasionally deal with a squat toilet, cold showers or power failure. travel insurance

Travel Insurance is highly recommended whilst traveling to India and is compulsory for any group tour with Incredible Indian Tours. visas

All foreign nationals require a visa to enter India. Most nationalities can apply for an e-Visa. Validities available are 30 days, 1 year and 5 years. You can apply up to 30 days before the date of travel for the 30 day e-Visa and 120 days before the date of travel for the 1 and 5 year e-Visas. The visa is issued online (you do not need to send your passport away) and takes up to 3 days. The 30 day e-Visas are double entry with validity commencing from the date of arrival. The 1 and 5 year e-Visas are multiple entry with validity running from the date of issue with stays of maximum 90 days at a time allowed with the exception of US, UK, Japanese and Canadian passport holders who can stay for up to 180 days at a time. When applying for your e-Visa, be aware of a number of commercial websites offering e-Visas that do not belong to the Government of India and will charge you additional service fees to issue your visa. The official Government of India e-Visa website is https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

health

We recommend that you consult your doctor for current medical travel information about before departure. Your leader will be carrying a basic first aid kit, but we suggest you bring along your own as well as any personal medical requirements .

The following websites have up-to-date information about health requirements.

Australia https://www.travelvax.com.au/ New Zealand http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-living/travelling

money exchange As at May 2019 AUD1 = 48 INR CAD1 = 52 INR EUR1 = 78 INR GBP1 = 89 INR NZD1 = 45 INR USD1 = 70 INR There are many ATM machines (which accept both Cirrus/Maestro debit cards and Visa and MasterCard) throughout India. This is a safe and convenient way to access money in India, however we suggest that you bring a small amount of money in cash (suggested $300) in case there are times that ATMs are not available. The major currencies, including AUD and CAD are no problem in general to exchange. Travellers cheques are no longer commonly accepted. Visa & MasterCard credit cards are accepted in major shops and restaurants in the bigger cities. spending money

Although entrance fees to specified sites are included in the tour price, there are additional sights that you may like to visit. Many sites levy camera fees. Spending money requirements will differ from one person to the next. You will need to take into consideration your spending habits when allowing for drinks, shopping, and optional activities. You will need to allow enough money for the following: Meals – USD200 (or equivalent) Optional Activities – AUD50 (or equivalent) Money for drinks, shopping and incidentals. Tipping is an integral part of Indian life and is essential to a smooth trip. To make things easier, we cover tips for hotel room boys, local guides and for drivers of private transport we use. We do NOT cover restaurant tips. You will need to allow approximately 10-15% on top of your restaurant bill. Tips—allow AUD30 (or equivalent) physical rating

There will be plenty of walking around towns or sites, which due to the warm to hot weather in India at this time of year will make general sightseeing a little more strenuous.



14/16



Ph: +91 95490 02876

mindful of the environment, and leaving a positive image behind. Remember we are ambassadors for our country. Bringing a few photos of your family and home with you is a great way to interact with the locals by giving them a glimpse of your world whilst you visit theirs. joining hotel The Visaya N-82 Panchshil Park New Delhi 110017 Ph: +91 11 4319 0000 transfer/joining instructions

Your airport transfer pickup will await you holding a sign with your name when you exit the baggage claim area of the arrivals hall. There may be large crowds here so please look carefully for your transfer.

early arrival information

If you are arriving earlier than day 1, extra accommodation in Delhi is available at USD 110 Single/Double (or equivalent) per night per room. Please notify us as early as possible if you require extra accommodation as our hotel in Delhi books up well in advance. For online flight bookings visit: http://www.cleartrip.com/flights staying on

If you are staying on in Delhi after the tour, extra accommodation is available at USD 110 Single/Double (or equivalent) per night per room. what to take

We will be on the move a lot, so try to pack as lightly as possible. The smaller your bag in India the better, as our transports have limited storage space. Do however ensure you have enough room for shopping, so a bag with extra

USA https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ UK http://www.travelhealth.co.uk/ Canada https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/vaccines

communications

Most of our hotels have Wifi, but do not rely on it always being available. You can also purchase a local prepaid sim card (for unlocked cell phones) and data sticks (for mobile internet on your laptop) easily and inexpensively in India. Recommended are Vodafone, Airtel and Reliance. You will need extra passport photos for this as well as photocopies of your photo and visa page from your passport. your tour manager

Your tour manager is there to organise and streamline your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Whilst they are not a guide per se, they will share their local knowledge, give you suggestions for your free time and manage the day to day running of the tour. They will introduce you to their local friends and recommend great local restaurants and experiences. They will have a broad general knowledge of India, so do feel free to tap into their wisdom. At some sites, local guides may be hired where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting. responsible travel

We believe strongly in responsible travel. This includes being respectful to the local culture (ie dressing appropriately, and learning a few basic cultural do’s and don’ts), being



15/16



Ph: +91 95490 02876

room, or perhaps a 2nd small bag that can be folded up or kept inside your large bag initially could work well. India is very conservative and we ask that you dress accordingly. As a guideline, shoulders and knees should always be covered. The wearing of shorts is looked upon by locals as akin to wearing your underwear and will limit your entry into mosques, temples and other places of worship. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool. Singlets, tank tops and short shorts are not suitable attire for India. laundry

Inexpensive laundry facilities are offered by most hotels we use and should be available whenever we have a two night stop. weather

The weather during our journey should be great. This is the monsoon season, but in the desert state of Rajasthan, the rains are infrequent, but enough to clear the air, freshen the hills and everything becomes lush and green. Expect the odd shower and occasional short downpour, but the temperatures should remain in the high 20’s low and 30s with very pleasant evenings. checklist

Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance (don’t forget your emergency insurance contact details), air tickets. Photocopy of above documents Day pack Health vaccinations/medication First aid kit Money: ATM card (widely available and easy to access); credit cards (widely accepted in big cities); cash (for emergencies) Money pouch


Alarm clock and torch/flashlight Mosquito repellent Ear plugs can be useful if you are a light sleeper Lock for your suitcase or bag We recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt to store your passport, air tickets, credit cards and cash. Avoid bringing valuable jewellery with you. Some hotels we use have safety deposit boxes. Updated on: 7th March 2020


16/16



Ph: +91 95490 02876

incredible indian tours › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › ... · 2020-03-08 · last but not...

Documents