Tour Family India Golden Triangle Adventure (Summer Itinerary)

Guide

Tour Leaders are quite simply the glue that holds our tours together. They are chosen for their travel experience and people skills and are thoroughly trained by Explore, widely acknowledged as some of the best training in the industry. A Tour Leader’s ultimate aim is to ensure everyone is well looked after and have a fantastic trip. They are there to ensure that the tour logistics run smoothly, that health and safety is adhered to and provide comprehensive briefings at the beginning and throughout the tour. Explore leader Tipping isn’t compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. However, you might want to recognise a leader that’s done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We’re often asked about the recommended amount. It’s a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we’d recommend between £15 to £20 per person per week as a guideline Local crew Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, your leader may organise a group’s tips kitty for included activities and meals and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour. Accordingly, you should allow GBP35, approx. 3’000 Indian Rupees for group tipping per family member. For all non-included services and meals on your trip please tip independently at your discretion.

Accommodation

8 nights standard hotel Triple rooms: This trip allows the option for triple rooms to be included within the booking on all night stops within the holiday. If you would like this option, a discount may be applicable on the cost of the trip - please ask our Sales team for further information. Accommodation in India is as varied as the country itself. On our tours we stay in a mix of hotels, heritage properties, camp sites and homestays. Standards do not equate to standards in the UK and it’s best to approach each type of accommodation with an open mind. Service can be slow in places especially when travelling with a group. Hot water is not always available 24 hours a day in some of the smaller properties, and with a group staying you might find if you are showering last you may miss out on the hottest water.

Others

All accommodation, activities and meals that are shown in the itinerary are included in the total cost of your trip You will also receive a complimentary transfer to and from the airport if you arrive on day 1 of the trip and depart on the last day and have provided your international flight information.

Meals

A key facet of our responsible approach to tourism is that we encourage our groups to eat in local restaurants that prepare locally grown food. We give customers choice as to their meals and do not use rather bland and impersonal hotel restaurants or all- inclusive options 9 Breakfasts 2 Lunches 3 Dinners

Transport

Bus, 4WD, Rickshaw, Train Booking a land only package with Explore Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer. Joining Tour Abroad Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station. Free transfers are not available for Self-Guided, Polar, Tailormade or Tours for Churches customers. If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.

Optional

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for direct with the supplier and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract. A selection of optional activities are listed below to help you budget for your Family adventure. Whilst the basic tour price you pay before you travel includes a great selection of highlights, we have also built in free time to allow you the flexibility to choose from a carefully selected range of additional excursions and activities or take time to relax, the choice is yours. At certain destinations along the way there may be several options to choose from and it may not be possible to fit all the activities in; your Explore Leader will be able to give advice on which are the most suitable for your family. Day 1: Delhi Craft museum - Entrance fee is INR 200 per person plus transport to and from the museum (transport at additional cost) National rail museum - Weekday entrance fee is INR 50 per person, a reduce rate of INR 10 applies for children aged under 13. Entrance fees are double over weekends and government holidays. Transport to and from the museum will be at additional cost. Akshardham Temple - free entry. The temple is closed on Mondays and on national holidays. Transport costs to and from the temple will cost extra. Day 7 or 8: Jaipur Discover the old city with Pink City Rickshaw Tour: Embark on a journey to discover the city of Jaipur like never before. Today, vroom around the city on a pop pink coloured e-scooter with a woman driver at the helm. The Pink City Rickshaw Company identifies women from underprivileged backgrounds and trains them how to ride e-rickshaws and conduct tours of the Old City. Aged between 18 and 45, these women hail from diverse socio-economic scenarios and are fighting stereotypes to hit the road. Explore the city’s iconic structures like Hawa Mahal and navigate your way through the famous bazaars - Johari Bazaar, Maniharon ka rasta as you browse through the block-printed accessories and handcrafted souvenirs. Approximate cost INR 1000 per person, transport to and from the old city will be at additional cost. During the winter months a puppet show is provided by the Mandawa Haveli hotel in Jaipur lasting approx 45 minutes. There is no charge however a tip at your discretion is appreciated. Bollywood movie between INR 350 and INR 450 per person plus transport costs.

Not included:

Flights

International flights not included in the tour cost You are able to book this tour on a ’land only’ basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme. Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport. On our website we display a UK flight inclusive package guide price which is generally based on a London departure. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Others

Any visa costs, spending money and tips are not included in the trip price. You can also book extra nights’ accommodation at the beginning and end of the trip and the cost of this accommodation along with any transfers would be quoted separately. Visa and Passport Information India: Visas are required for citizens of the UK, Australia, New Zealand, US and Canada, all other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office. E-visas are available for USA, Australian and New Zealand citizens, please contact your nearest embassy for details of how to apply. Whilst E-visas were previously available for UK and Canadian citizens, this service is temporarily on hold and applications must be made through your nearest application centre. For UK citizens please refer to VFS Global for information -https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/how_to_apply.html Please be aware that you will need to book an appointment and waiting times can be long, we recommend you begin the application process eight weeks before departure. Whilst the online form offers a relatively quick way to apply for a visa, some applicants have reported difficulty in completing the form. If you do require assistance, then you may consider applying through Explore’s recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. They can complete the online visa on your behalf for a fee of £125 + the visa cost. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. Please note that for this trip we require a photocopy of your passport a minimum of 120 days before departure. These are required to apply for the safari permits, which are needed to take part in the tiger safaris in your itinerary. It is essential we have your passport copy before this time, as without this we may not be able to secure the permits before you depart. If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore’s recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination. Vaccinations Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against Tetanus, Infectious Hepatitis, Typhoid and Polio. Please consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on Malaria, Dengue and Zika Virus. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.

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Day 1 Day 1: Join Trip In Delhi - City Tour Of New Delhi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Join Trip In Delhi - City Tour Of New Delhi

Today we arrive in New Delhi, India’s bustling capital. The city is the perfect blend of new and old, with monuments and temples hidden amongst its glittering skyscrapers. For those arriving in time, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 1.30pm for a welcome meeting followed by a city tour. On our introduction to Delhi, we’ll visit the imposing India Gate (war memorial arch), the Parliament buildings and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s residence as well as Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. Our tour leader will be on hand in the evening to suggest dining options. Please note, if you’d like to join today’s tour, you’ll need to arrive at the hotel by 1.30pm. If you’re organising your own travel, we recommend giving yourself at least one hour to clear the airport, plus at least 40 minutes to get to the hotel. To make it in time, the latest your flight can arrive would be around 11am. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will catch you up as soon as possible. If you’d like an airport transfer, you’ll need to arrive into New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), a 40-minute drive from our hotel.
Day 2 Day 2: Old Delhi Rickshaw Tour And Visit To Agra Fort
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Old Delhi Rickshaw Tour And Visit To Agra Fort

Compared to New Delhi the Old City is much closer to the image conjured up by Rudyard Kipling. This morning, we’ll hop in rickshaws to explore the old city’s hub - the Chandni Chowk Bazaar, a jamboree of deafening barter and a wonderful introduction to the ’real’ India. We’ll also stop by two major sights nearby, the Jami Masjid Mosque and the Red Fort. Mid-morning, we’ll head south from New Delhi to Agra, around a three-hour drive away. Here we’ll visit Agra Fort, built by Akbar the Great, which contains the incomparable Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque). Before returning to the hotel, we’ll get our first sight of the Taj Mahal in the evening light.
Day 3 Day 3: Early Morning Visit To Taj Mahal, Rickshaw Rise Around Keoladeo Ghana National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Early Morning Visit To Taj Mahal, Rickshaw Rise Around Keoladeo Ghana National Park

This morning’s early start rewards us with the spectacular sight of the sun rising over the Taj Mahal. Built more than 300 years ago, it’s arguably the world’s most poetic building and its beauty seems untouched by age. The Taj Mahal was created by Shah Jahan as a funerary monument to his favourite wife, Mumtaz, and the great Moghul was laid to rest next to her beneath the building’s marble dome. Later in the day, we’ll drive to the entrance of Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Once a royal duck-shooting reserve, the park is now an ornithologist’s paradise, the 12 square miles of lakes and marshlands offer a safe habitat for large numbers of breeding waterbirds and migrants. More than 300 species have been sighted, among them herons, storks, geese, and the rare Siberian crane. We’ll take a birdwatching tour by rickshaw to see some of these magnificent birds. After lunch, we’ll continue our journey, driving to Karauli, via Mahuwa and Hindaun for a taste of rural India. Our drive will take approximately four hours but will be broken up with plenty of stops in local villages en route. While in Karauli, we’ll step into the time of the Raj at a family-run heritage hotel.
Day 4 Day 4: Explore Karauli With Camel Cart Ride To Karauli Fort
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Explore Karauli With Camel Cart Ride To Karauli Fort

Today we’ll begin to explore the town. Founded in 1348, Karauli is a holy town that’s famous for the pale red sandstone wall fortification that surrounds it. Legend has it that the ruling family were descendants of Lord Krishna, one of the most loved gods in Hindu mythology. We’ll ride on camel-drawn carts from our hotel to the town’s imposing 600-year-old palace. Used as a residence by the royal family until 1950, the palace has since been abandoned and is now occupied by monkeys and geese - it’s said that the geese were once used as a warning system against any intruders.
Day 5 Day 5: Drive To Pachewar And Village Visit
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Drive To Pachewar And Village Visit

This morning, we’ll set out on the four-hour drive to Pachewar, a small village that’s famous for its cenotaphs, blue pottery kilns and metal toy makers. It’s a lively place that was once ruled by the Khangarot Rajputs. The caretaker of Khandar, Thakur Anoop Singh Khangarot, captured the fort of Ranthambore from the captivity of the Marathas and annexed it to the state of Jaipur. While in Pachewar, we’ll stay at another family-run heritage property, Pachewar Garh Fort. Built 300 years ago, the fort is a testament to its heritage with huge ramparts, turrets, and gates. The afternoon is free to explore the village, get closer to village life or maybe even watch locals in a game of cricket. In the evening, there’ll be a puppet show held at the hotel.
Day 6 Day 6: Full Day In Pachewar With Village Walk, Cooking Lesson And Farm Visit
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Full Day In Pachewar With Village Walk, Cooking Lesson And Farm Visit

This morning, we’ll head out on foot to visit the local temple and a village home, where we’ll have a cooking demonstration to learn about Rajasthani cuisine. Later in the afternoon, we’ll head to a farm, giving us more opportunity to connect with the local way of life and rural India. Afterwards, the afternoon is free to unwind at our heritage fort and get dressed up in traditional Indian costume before dinner.
Day 7 Day 7: Drive To Jaipur For Afternoon Tour Of The Pink City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Drive To Jaipur For Afternoon Tour Of The Pink City

After breakfast, we’ll drive for three hours to Jaipur. Known as the ’Pink City’, Jaipur was first painted terracotta pink by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh to celebrate the visit of Prince Albert in 1853. On arrival, we’ll visit City Palace, where we’ll find a fine collection of textiles and costumes and the Palace of the Winds, a five-story façade that you might have already spotted on souvenir postcards. This is also home to Jantar Mantar, a stargazing observatory built by Jai Singh, the great Maharaja-astronomer. In the evening, there’s an optional puppet show at the hotel, or you might like to take in a famous Bollywood movie at the Raj Mandir, an art-deco style cinema where the locals cheer on their favourite movie stars.
Day 8 Day 8: Full Day In Jaipur With Visit To The Amber Palace And Fortress
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Full Day In Jaipur With Visit To The Amber Palace And Fortress

Today, we’ll take a short drive to the foot of the Amber Palace, an impressive hilltop fortress that’s home to the Chamber of Mirrors and affords astounding views of the surrounding plains. After our visit to the palace, we’ll return to Jaipur for a free afternoon exploring the Pink City at your own pace.
Day 9 Day 9: Return To Delhi Via Samode Palace
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Return To Delhi Via Samode Palace

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll bid farewell to Jaipur and drive back to Delhi. It’s a long drive of around six to seven hours but we’ll break it up with a stop at Samode Palace in the Aravalli Hills. Blending elements of Mughal traditional architecture, this 475-year-old former royal residence is a treasure trove awaiting to be explored with twisting narrow stone staircases, lavish mosaics, fountains, and hidden courtyards. We’ll tour the grounds by camel cart and have lunch at the palace before continuing our journey and arriving into New Delhi in the early evening.
Day 10 Day 10: Tour Ends In New Delhi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Tour Ends In New Delhi

Our tour of India’s Golden Triangle ends at our hotel in Delhi. There are no activities planned today, so you’re free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you’d like a hotel transfer, you’ll need to depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).

10 days tour

Family India Golden Triangle Adventure (Summer Itinerary)

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Family India Golden Triangle Adventure (Summer Itinerary)

Day 1: Join Trip In Delhi - City Tour Of New Delhi

Day 2: Old Delhi Rickshaw Tour And Visit To Agra Fort

Day 3: Early Morning Visit To Taj Mahal, Rickshaw Rise Around Keoladeo Ghana National Park

Day 4: Explore Karauli With Camel Cart Ride To Karauli Fort

Day 5: Drive To Pachewar And Village Visit

Day 6: Full Day In Pachewar With Village Walk, Cooking Lesson And Farm Visit

Day 7: Drive To Jaipur For Afternoon Tour Of The Pink City

Day 8: Full Day In Jaipur With Visit To The Amber Palace And Fortress

Day 9: Return To Delhi Via Samode Palace

Day 10: Tour Ends In New Delhi

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