India Recommendations

ROYAL RAJASTHAN
Take a royal journey back in time.
Rajasthan, land of the Maharajas, is famous for its colourful history and stunning architecture. Staying in some of India’s finest palaces and havelis, you will explore this former princely state with its opulent palaces, delicate temples, gardens, huge fortresses which dominate the rugged hilltops, its fine cities and stunning desert scenery. This tour combines the Mughal splendours of Agra and the romance of Royal Rajasthan including the historic buildings of old and new Delhi, Jaipur - the Pink City, Mandawa, Bikaner, Khimsar, Luni, Narlai, Udaipur, Deogarh and the tranquil town of Pushkar. Also includes a visit to Fatehpur Sikri, and last but not least “the most beautiful building in the world”, the Taj Mahal at Agra. For more information, please download the following PDF brochure excerpt : Royal Rajasthan (347 kb).

PALACE ON WHEELS
Explore Incredible India by luxury train.
The Palace on Wheels takes you on a splendid and enchanting royal journey through the bygone era of the Maharajas. Visit ornate temples, marbled palaces, massive forts and the spectacular coastline of western India – all from the comfort of your travelling hotel room. The Palace on Wheels is made up of 14 period air-conditioned carriages, and also features lounges, two restaurant cars and twin-bedded cabins with ensuite facilities furnished in classic Rajput style. The Palace on Wheels travels through the night and touring is done by day in air-conditioned vehicles accompanied by English speaking local guides. It has been rated amongst the top ten luxury trains of the world. For more information, please download the following PDF brochure excerpt : Luxury Train Journeys (334 kb).

TEMPLES & TIGERS
Combine India's cultural highlights with Bengal tiger viewing.
Search for the magnificent Bengal tiger on elephant back. Nothing can prepare you for the excitement of seeing this magnificent creature in its natural habitat, a privilege that few people will ever experience. Whilst this tour concentrates on wildlife, it also includes many places of historical, cultural and architectural interest including the magnificent Taj Mahal. This tour is for seasoned travellers as travel days are long, but the cherished memory of tiger viewing is well worth it! We also offer tiger safaris in Ranthambore National Park, Corbett, and additional wildlife programs in Gir Sanctuary searching for the rare Asiatic Lion, and Kazaringa in Assam, a haven for the endangered one-horned Indian rhinoceros. For more information, please download the following PDF brochure excerpt : Wildlife (354 kb).

BACKWATER CRUISE
Discover South India's tranquil waterways.
Beautiful and tranquil, the south Indian state of Kerala is characterised by meandering rivers, spice plantations, verdant hills and palm-fringed beaches. This gently paced tour takes in the most enchanting areas including the charming port city of Kochi, Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, and the backwaters - a maze of canals which can be explored by boat to provide a wonderful glimpse into rural village life. Your backwater cruise can be done either by a beautifully appointed one suite houseboat or in grandeur and style on the intimate and luxurious Oberoi MV Vrinda. For more information, please download the following PDF brochure excerpt : South India (406 kb).

HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS
Experience the spectacular landscapes of Northern India.
The Himalayan Foothills of North India offer spectacular scenery as well as religious shrines and ancient monuments. The Himalayan range forms a dramatic backdrop to gentle green hills and valleys, meadows full of flowers, rushing streams, waterfalls and forests. This spectacular tour combines the holy Sikh city of Amritsar with the green valleys of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. We stay at McLeodganj, the present home of the Dalai Lama, and visit his palace, where you can savour the atmosphere of Tibetan Buddhism. Our journey ends in Shimla, once the summer capital of the British and now a splendid colonial relic, before we take the Viceroy’s Toy Train to Kalka and return to Delhi. For more information, please download the following PDF brochure excerpt : North India (326 kb).

SIKKIM
The Hidden Kingdom.
The tiny Indian state of Sikkim is bordered by Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet and is still relatively unspoiled by tourism. Although the majority of the people are now Hindu, Buddhist prayer flags and white-washed chortens are everywhere. Sikkim is famous for its Buddhist monasteries, such as Rumtek and Pemyangtse, and for the world’s third highest mountain, the Himalayan peak of Kanchenjunga which dominates the skyline. This tour also takes in the the terraced tea gardens of east Darjeeling. For more information, please download the following PDF brochure excerpt : Sikkim (253 kb).