World Journeys Plus. Treasures of Northern India and a 3 Night Stay in Goa

Transcription

1 World Journeys Plus Treasures of Northern India and a 3 Night Stay in Goa Tour Rajasthan before enjoying beautiful Goa to experience India at its colourful, exotic best. Departure Date Choose your own Departure Date Prices from - Call for Prices Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing a room. Deposit - Single room supplement - You d be hard pressed to find a more exciting travel destination in the world than India. Northern India is the jewel in India s crown and offers you a scenic and cultural wealth you would not find in a single region anywhere else in the world. From lush forests and valleys to majestic mountains, deserts to royal cities, palaces, parks, ancient monuments and temples, northern India is a traveller s dream destination. The journey begins in the capital city of Delhi and continues to the south-east, the setting for the renowned Taj Mahal. Westwards stretches the vast deserts of Rajasthan and its vibrant princely heritage in Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur. Join us on this magical adventure as we escort you through India s vibrant cities, exquisite temples and dramatic scenery a tiger or leopard sighting is also sure to add to your memorable experiences in this most rewarding of travel destinations. End your stay with a few relaxing days on Goa's beautiful beach to complete your 'Magical India' holiday.

2 DURATION 16 days and 15 nights SNAP SHOT ITINERARY Day 1 Depart for your overnight flight to India Day 2 Arrive Day 3 Tour Old & New Delhi Day 4 Delhi Jaipur Day 5 Jaipur Visit the Amber Fort Day 6 Jaipur Sawai Madhopur, Ranthambore Day 7 Ranthambore National Park Day 8 Ranthambore National Park Day 9 Sawai Madhopur, Ranthambore to Bharatpur Day 10 Bharatpur - Agra Day 11 Agra - Delhi Day 12 Flight from Delhi to Goa Day 13 Goa Day 14 Goa Day 15 Departure from Goa Day 16 Arrive at your Destination Airport Day 1 - Depart for your overnight flight to India. Day 2 - WELCOME TO INDIA We will meet you from your flight into Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and transfer you to your hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, a traditional Indian welcome of aarti- tikkagarland will be offered. The check-in time at the hotel is 14:00 hrs. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner to meet up with all your fellow tour members and tour guide. Included Meals: Dinner Accommodation: The Park. Delhi (or similar) Activities: Arrive into Delhi. Welcome dinner. Day 3 DELHI This morning we begin our city tour, Firstly in Old Delhi, where We ll enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk, the spine of Old Delhi. We ll also visit Rajghat where father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Next we ll visit New Delhi and drive through its majestic boulevards. Rashtrapati Bhawan (Presidential Palace) is where the Viceroy once lived and now is the official residence of the President of India. Lunch (Own Expense). This afternoon visit Humayun s Tomb, the first great example of Mughal architecture in India, it developed to become the hallmark of the Mughal Dynasty. Next on the itinerary is Qutab Minar, a soaring tower of victory, 72.5meters high with five distinct stories. Return to your hotel. Dinner is served at the hotel. Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Accommodation: The Park. Delhi. (or similar) Activities: Full day sightseeing in Old Delhi and New Delhi

3 Day 4 - DELHI TO JAIPUR This morning drive to Jaipur covering a distance of 250kms in approximately 5 hours. Arrive in Jaipur and check in at your hotel. Buffet lunch is at the hotel. In the afternoon we ll visit City Palace and museum; it has a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes, and armoury of Mughals and Rajput s including swords, antiques and artefacts. Proceed to Jantar Mantar - a stone astrological and astronomical Observatory. It was built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th century. We ll enjoy a cycle-rickshaw ride in the colourful bazaar of the old city. We ll also visit Hawa Mahal or the "Palace of the Winds." This beautiful façade is probably the most photographed in Jaipur. With its ornately carved windows designed so that the ladies of the palace could look out onto the streets unobserved. There is also time to shop for Jaipur blue pottery and block-printed cotton linens. Return to your hotel. Evening is free to explore the town. Buffet dinner is at the hotel. Accommodation: Hilton Hotel. Jaipur. (or similar) Activities: Full day sightseeing in Jaipur, including a cycle-rickshaw ride. Day 5 JAIPUR This morning enjoy an excursion to the magnificent Amber Fort. We ll tour the chambers and hallways of the palace, famous for the excellence of its design and decoration. Within the complex is Ganesh Pol, an imposing gateway painted with the images of the elephant-headed god, Ganesh. The merging of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles is captured in the Sukh Niwas and Jas Mandir apartments, and the Charbagh garden with its perfectly proportioned landscaping. Pierced screen windows offer views from different vantage points, and shimmering mirrors encrust the walls of Sheesh Mahal. Return to hotel for lunch. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure for relaxation and independent activities. A shopping tour of Jaipur can be arranged on prior request. Buffet dinner is at the hotel. Accommodation: Hilton Hotel. Jaipur. (or similar) Activities: Jaipur Sightseeing - the Amber Fort

4 Day 6 - JAIPUR TO SAWAI MADHOPUR, RANTHAMBORE This morning leave for Ranthambore covering a distance of 160 Kms in approx. 4 hours. Ranthambore, dominated by a vast 11th-century fortress of the same name, is a 400sq-km park situated in an area of rocky hill country, clothed in dry, deciduous forest, grassland, and scrub, and dotted with several small lakes that can be alive with birds. Some seven years ago, the Tigers of Ranthambore were decimated by an outbreak of poaching; fortunately the situation is improving and we once again have a good chance of encountering the largest and most powerful of the world's big cats. Seeing tiger will be a priority, and it requires covering much ground every morning and afternoon. Besides tigers, large mammals are particularly well represented at Ranthambore, and among the species we might see are Sambar, Spotted Deer, Nilgai, Dorcas Gazelle (Chinkara), the ubiquitous Northern Palm Squirrel, Hanuman Langur, Small Indian and Ruddy mongooses, Wild Boar, and Indian Flying Fox. Leopard and Sloth Bear are also present in the park, though both are seen infrequently. Ranthambore also boasts an exciting array of birds and a naturalist is always on hand to discuss the wildlife with you. Upon arrival, check in to Khem Villas. Post lunch, enjoy our first game viewing by an open 4x4 jeeps or canter (large safari vehicle). Go in search of the magnificent Royal Bengal Tiger and other wildlife. Dinner will be at the hotel. Accommodation: Khem Villas. Ranthambore National Park Activities: Travel to Ranthambore. Game viewing. Day 7 - SAWAI MADHOPUR, RANTHAMBORE Enjoy morning & afternoon game viewing by open 4x4 jeeps or by canter (large safari vehicle).. Accommodation: Khem Villas. Ranthambore National Park. (or similar) Activities: Morning and afternoon Game viewing in the national park Day 8 - SAWAI MADHOPUR, RANTHAMBORE An early morning game viewing by open 4x4 jeeps or by canter (large safari vehicle). Return to the hotel for breakfast. Remainder of the day will be at leisure for relaxation and independent activities. Accommodation: Khem Villas. Ranthambore National Park. (or similar) Activities: Morning game viewing. Afternoon at leisure.

5 Day 9 - SAWAI MADHOPUR, RANTHAMBORE TO BHARATPUR This morning leave for Bharatpur covering a distance of 200kms in approx. 5 hours. Bharatpur is an impregnable fortified city which is known for the Keoldeo Ghana National Park (a UNESCO world heritage site. The town of Bharatpur is the eastern gateway to the State of Rajasthan. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it was an important stronghold of the Jats, who inhabited this area before the arrival of the Rajput s. Arrive in Bharatpur and check in at your hotel - Laxmi Vilas Palace. We ll have lunch at the hotel before we head for a visit to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary by Cycle-Rickshaw. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoldeo Ghana National Park) is one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world, with over 360 species. Wildlife is especially good from October to February when it is frequented by Northern Hemisphere migratory birds. The prize attraction of the park is the arrival of the rare Siberian Crane, which visits no other waters in India except the marshes of Keoldeo. For those interested in bird photography, Bharatpur is a dream location. Among many other birds to be seen are egrets, ducks, coots, storks, kingfishers, spoon bills, sarus crane and several birds of prey including laggard falcon, greater spotted eagle and palla s eagle. There are also chital deer, sambar, Nilgai, hyenas and wild boar whilst near Python Point, there are usually some very large rock pythons. We ll head back to the hotel for dinner. Accommodation: Laxmi Vilas Palace. (or similar) Activities: Travel to Bharatpur. Cycle rickshaw through Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Day 10 - BHARATPUR AND AGRA This morning begins with a leisurely morning drive to Agra covering a distance of 50 Kms in approx. 1 hour 30 minutes. Agra - Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today, a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices of red sandstone and white marble, narrow gullies and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favourite city of the Mughals still retains. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine. Arrive in Agra, have lunch and check in to your hotel. Late afternoon, and we ll enjoy a sunset visit to Taj Mahal. You won t forget your first visit to the Taj Mahal it is an unforgettable site. Buffet dinner is at the hotel. Accommodation: ITC Mughal. (or similar) Activities: The Taj Mahal.

6 Day 11 - AGRA AND DELHI This morning we'll visit Agra fort after breakfast. An imposing structure with walls of red sandstone, it lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town, two miles long and contains palaces, audience halls and mosques. The fort presents a good sampling of Islamic and Hindu architectural styles. It was built by the third Mughal Emperor, Akbar. Subsequent additions were made to the fort by his son Jahangir and grandson Shahjahan. Buffet lunch is at the hotel. Later we ll leave for Delhi. Rest of the day will be at leisure. Accommodation: The Park. Delhi. (or similar) Activities: Agra fort Day 12 - FLIGHT FROM DELHI TO GOA We'll say goodbye to Northern India today and head south to Goa and some time to relax on the beach. We'll fly from Delhi to Goa and be transferred to our hotel on Sinquerim beach for some R&R. Accommodation: Vivanta by Taj Holiday Village. (or similar) Activities: Transfer Delhi to Goa Day 13 GOA Sinquerim is one of the best beaches in Goa with international class facilities for water-skiing, para-sailing, fishing, scuba-diving and wind-surfing so for those who don't want to relax on the beach there are many other options to choose from locally. You might want to enjoy a long walk on the firm sand which continues all the way north to Baga. Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Accommodation: Vivanta by Taj Holiday Village. (or similar) Activities: At leisure or activities available to book locally Day 14 - GOA At Leisure in Goa Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Accommodation: Vivanta by Taj Holiday Village. (or similar) Activities: At leisure or activities available to book locally

7 Day 14 - DEPARTURE FLIGHTS FROM GOA Peel yourself off of the deck chair and away from the coastal scenery and say goodbye to India. We'll transfer to the airport for your return flight. Included Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Vivanta by Taj Holiday Village. (or similar) Activities: Transfer to airport for departure flights. Day 15 Arrival Home End of tour. Arrival back at Airport Included Meals: None Accommodation: none

8 WHAT'S INCLUDED Price includes international flights from London Heathrow [LHR] (if this option is choosen) into Delhi airport [DEL] on Day 1 and returning from Goa Airport [GOI] on Day 14. Please Note: ONLY IF A FLIGHT OPTION IS TAKEN AT TIME OF BOOKING Economy one-way flight from Delhi to Goa Meet & Greet at the airport on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Transport in an air-conditioned deluxe vehicle. Transfers as detailed in the itinerary 4* Accommodation as detailed in the itinerary. Meals as detailed in the itinerary. English speaking tour guide. All activities, visits and excursions as detailed in the itinerary. WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED Drinks. Gratuities to drivers, guides or rangers etc. Visas, travel and medical insurance. Any personal items and anything not mentioned under included in price above. Any meals not mentioned in itinerary. Any optional activities offered.

9 IMPORTANT INFORMATION We will depart from London Heathrow [LHR] to New Delhi s Indira Gandhi International airport, India [DEL] on Day 1 and depart on Day 14 from Goa back to London Heathrow. (If the flight option is choosen) Please let World Journeys Plus know prior to travelling if you have any medical needs or take any medication that we need to be made aware of to ensure that you have a safe and pleasant tour. Check in is after 2-3pm and check out is before 10am unless otherwise specified in the itinerary. Cancellation 90 0 days prior to departure cancellation fee is 100%. It is your responsibility to ensure the correct travel insurance in place to protect you against the need to cancel your holiday. Deposits are non-refundable. Further terms and conditions apply and will be provided upon request or at the time of booking. World Journeys Plus reserves the right to withdraw any offer prior to accepting a reservation request. This does not affect your statutory rights. This offer is subject to availability and space is limited. Please consult your doctor for advice on vaccinations and inoculation s before travel. We can provide you with a list of recommended tipping scales if you wish, or suggest an all-inclusive tips package that we will distribute fairly to ensure the best possible service. This Holiday tour is operated on behalf of World Journeys Plus.