Intriguing
Intriguing India
Fully Escorted Tour to India from
Humberside Airport
Leave Home: Tues 5th November
Arrive Home: Sat 23rd November
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An 18-night, fully escorted tour of ‘incredible India’ the land where
different cultures meet, for a travel experience unrivalled.
Have your senses firstly tingled by Mumbai, visit Udaipur, standing on
the banks of Lake Pichola with views across the water to the 17th
Century palaces of Jagmandir and Jagniwas, visit Jodhpur, Jaisalmer,
Bikaner and Mandawa.
The fierce magnificence of Jaipur, contrasting with Agra’s softly
romantic Taj Mahal and the teeming bazaars and elegant 1930’s
avenues of Delhi complete the renowned Golden Triangle which also
features an excursion to the stunning Golden Temple of Amritsar.
This enlightening tour of India will provide an unforgettable journey of
a lifetime sampling at first hand the potpourri of sights, sounds and
flavours that blend into making this amazing country truly unique.
‘ Now, India is a place beyond all others where one must not take
things too seriously – the midday sun always excepted ’
- Rudyard Kipling
05 November (B&B)
Flight from Humberside via Amsterdam to Mumbai
Humberside to Amsterdam by flight KL1486: 0620 Hrs – 0830 Hrs
Amsterdam to Mumbai by flight KL6054: 1005 Hrs – 2340 Hrs
Upon arrival we will be transferred to the Hotel Fariyas for a 2 night stay
06 November (B&B)
Mumbai
This morning we take an excursion by boat to Elephanta Caves – a UNESCO world
Heritage site. It lies 10 km north east of Apollo Bunder and is the glorious abode of
Lord Shiva (the destroyer God as per Hindu mythology). The island is famous for its
great cave shrine, excavated in the sixth century, dating back to the period, when the
island was known as Gharapuri, the Fortress City. With the arrival of the Portuguese,
the island was renamed Elephanta, after the huge carved elephant, found at the place
where they landed
In the afternoon enjoy city tour of Mumbai
Gateway of India – built to commemorate the visit of King George-V and Queen Mary to Mumbai. The foundation stone was
laid in 1911 and was completed in 1920
Mani Bhawan - Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi used to stay here during his visit to Mumbai,
Hanging Gardens - terraced gardens perched at the top of Malabar Hill, on its western side. They provide lovely sunset
views over the Arabian Sea and feature numerous hedges carved into the shapes of
animals. The park was laid out in 1881 over Mumbai's main reservoir, some say to
cover the water from the potentially contaminating activity of the nearby Towers of
Silence,
Dhobi Ghat – A unique feature of Mumbai, the dhobi is a traditional laundryman, who
will collect your dirty linen, wash it, and return it neatly pressed to your doorstep, all
for a pittance. The "laundries" are called "ghats" and Marine Drive - also known as
the Queen's Necklace is a 3 Kms long boulevard in South Mumbai. It is also the
world’s largest viewing gallery and hence has been a host to a number of events that
take place along the promenade
07 November (B&B)
Fly from Mumbai to Udaipur by flight AI472: 1105 – 1220
Udaipur lies in a valley, amidst green hills on the banks of Lake Pichola. Along the
shores of the lake is the palace of the Maharana. Within the palace, view peacocks in
mosaic on the walls, floors inlaid with tiles of rare beauty and roof gardens.
Upon arrival welcome, meet & assist at the airport by our representative and transfer
to Hotel Chunda Palace for 02 Nights stay
08 November (B&B)
Udaipur
After breakfast enjoy half day tour of Udaipur city, to include
City Palace - The city palace was built in 1725 with various palaces inside it such as Dilkush Mahal, the palace of Krishan
Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal all ornately decorated. The museum in City Palace contains incomparable historic and artistic
heritage which dates back to 14 century,
Jagdish Temple – Dedicated to Vishnu, the preserver, this temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1651,
Saheliyon Ki Bari – The Garden of the Maids of Honour, a most serene place in Udaipur, designed by Maharana Fateh
Singh. It consists of beautiful lawns, gardens and founta ins, a retreat for the ladies of the household,
Rana Pratap Smarak, Nagar & Sajan Niwas Gardens - Overlooking the Fateh Sagar is the Moti Magri (Pearl Hill) on which is
a statue of Maharana Pratap on his famous horse Chetak. Local guide claim that he jumped an abyss of extraordinary
width in the heat of the battle even after losing one leg! The path to the top winds through some attractive gardens.
We take a boat ride on Lake Pichola. Lake Pichola - This beautiful lake derives its name from a nearby village Picholi. Udai
Singh built a dam and from then the lake has become a meeting place for more than two hundred species of migratory and
resident birds.
09 November (B&B)
Udaipur to Jodhpur
(Approx. 295 kms / 6 – 7 Hrs)
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur - Founded in 1459, Jodhpur is referred as Sun City for
its bright & sunny weather. It is also termed as Blue city for its’ blue whitewashed
houses around Mehrangarh Fort. En-route, we will visit Ranakpur - one of the largest
and most important Jain temples in India. 60 kms north of Udaipur. It lies in a remote
valley of the Aravali range and is an important destination for Jains and tourists alike.
Upon arrival at Jodhpur, check in at Hotel Ajit Bhawan for a 2 night stay
10 November (B&B)
Jodhpur
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Jodhpur, to include
Mehrangarh Fort - located atop a 125 m high hill, is the most majestic and one of the largest forts in India.
The construction of the fort started in 1459. The walls of the fort are up to 36 m high and 21 m wide; they enclose some
exquisite structures. The fort museum houses an exquisite collection of palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, miniatures,
musical instruments, costumes and furniture. The rampart of the fort not only has excellently preserved cannons but also
gives a breathtaking view of the city. Kipling once remarked, the fort seems to have been built by giants and not by
ordinary people.
We will also visit Jaswant Thada – an architectural landmark. It is a white marble memorial built in 1899 in memory of
Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The monument, in its entirety, is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These stones
are extremely thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when the sun's rays dance across their surface. Within this
cenotaph, there are also two more tombs.
11 November (B&B)
Jodhpur to Jaisalmer
(Approx. 315 kms / 6 – 7 Hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Jaisalmer – named after its founder Rawal Jaisal. "Jaisalmer" means "the Hill Fort of Jaisal". The
town stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone, crowned by a fort, which contains the palace and several ornate Jain
temples. Many of the houses and temples are finely sculptured.
Upon arrival at Jaisalmer, check in at Hotel Fort Rajwada for a 2 Night stay
Rest of the day at leisure for independent activities
12 November (B&B)
Jaisalmer
Morning visit the Jaisalmer Fort - Built in 1156 by the Bhati
Rajput ruler Jaisal, it is situated on Trikuta Hill and had been
the scene of many battles. Its massive sandstone walls are a
tawny lion color during the day, turning to a magical honeygold as the sun sets,
Patwon Ki Haveli - Built by Guman Chand Patwa (and later by
his five sons), a wealthy merchant and banker who had over
three hundred trading centres from Afghanistan to China.
This ornate five-storey complex took fifty years to complete.
This is the largest, the most magnificent, and the most
elaborate of Jaisalmer Havelis,
Salim Singh Ki Haveli – was
built by the scheming Prime
Minister Salim Singh in 1815. It has a beautifully arched roof capped with blue cupolas
and carved brackets in the form of peacocks. Also visit 12th-15th century Jain temples
dedicated to Rikhabdevji and Sambhavanthji.
In the late afternoon we will head to the sand dunes to view the sunset and ride a camel
on shifting sand dunes.
13 November (B&B)
Jaisalmer to Bikaner
(Approx. 333 kms / 7 – 8 Hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Bikaner - funded in 1488 AD by Rao Bika Ji, it' s located in
the North West part of Rajasthan state. The imposing palaces, beautiful and richly
sculptured temples of red and yellow sand stones display some of the finest
creations of Rajput civilization.
Upon arrival at Bikaner, check in at Hotel Laxmi Niwas Palace for a 1 night stay
Visit the 16th Century Junagarh Fort, Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum & Camel
Breeding Farm.
14 November (B&B)
Bikaner to Mandawa
(Approx. 200 kms / 4 Hrs)
Upon arrival at Mandawa, check in at the Castle Madawa Hotel for a 1 night stay. Enjoy a visit of Mandawa Havelis. Where,
of interest are the Chokhani and Ladia Havelis, as well as the street with the Saraf Havelis. A Shiva temple with a rock
crystal lingam can also be visited. The medieval fort of Mandawa gradually rises on the horizon like a mirage. A
breathtaking view of the town can be seen from the terrace of the hotel.
.
15 November (B&B)
Mandawa to Jaipur (Approx. 200 kms / 4 Hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur - Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai
Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, Jaipur was the first planned cities in India, this
city is also known as the Pink City because of the colour of the buildings in its
wonderful old town.
Upon arrival at Jaipur, check in at Hotel ITC Rajputana for a 2 night stay
16 November (B&B)
Jaipur
After an early breakfast, it’s off to the Amber City Fort situated 130m high with the Aravalli hills around, 11 km north of
Jaipur. It was the ancient capital of the Kachhawaha Rajputs till 1037. Ride the colourfully painted elephants up the hill,
admire the massive gateways, courts, stairways, pillared pavilions and palaces that recall the glory and wealth of Amber’s
association with the Mughals.
Afternoon: visit the City Palace (still houses the erstwhile Royal family); Jantar Mantar – the Royal Observatory and Hawa
Mahal (Palace of Winds, with 1043 windows) - built for the royal ladies to watch the activities on the market street below
without being observed themselves
17 November (B&B)
Jaipur to Agra (Approx 265 kms / 6 ½ Hrs)
After breakfast we begin our drive to Agra - a medieval city on the banks of the Yamuna
River. Agra achieved fame as the capital of the Mughal emperors from 1526 to 1658 and
remains a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era buildings.
Most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
En route we will visit Fatehpur Sikri - which is a beautiful and deserted medieval city,
built by Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great in the 16th Century to serve as the capital of
his vast empire; It was mysteriously abandoned 13 years later. Today, it is perfectly
preserved as a ghost city built at the height of the empire’s splendor
Upon arrival at Agra, check in at Hotel Radisson for a 2 night stay
In the late evening we will visit the world famous Taj Mahal by full moon
18 November (B&B)
Agra
Visit The world famous monument Taj Mahal – Overlooking the River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal is a classic example of
Mughal architecture, with the Taj itself built as a mausoleum at the northern end of an extensive formal walled garden
designed in the charbagh style and structured on the Islamic theme of
‘paradise’. The whole site was built by Shah Jahan between ad 1632
and 1653 as the final resting place of his favourite wife Arjumand Bann
Begum (also known as Mumtaz Mahal) who died in 1631, shortly after
giving birth to their fourteenth child. Upon his death in 1666, Shah
Jahan was buried alongside his wife in the Taj.
Agra Fort – Agra Fort was originally a brick fort and the Chauhan
Rajputs held it. It was mentioned for the first time in 1080 AD when a
Ghaznavide force captured it. Sikandar Lodi (1487-1517) was the first
Sultan of Delhi who shifted to Agra and lived in the fort. He governed
the country from here and Agra assumed the importance of the
second capital. He died in the fort in 1517 and his son, Ibrahim Lodi,
held it for nine years until he was defeated and killed at Panipat in
1526. He built several palaces, wells and a mosque in the fort during
his period.
19 November (B&B)
Agra to Delhi by surface (Approx. 210 kms / 4 -5 Hrs)
Flight from Delhi to Amritsar by flight 9W-2643: 1845 – 2005 Hrs
Arrive at Amritsar – Meaning “pool of the nectar of immortality”. This is the spiritual and cultural centre of the Sikh religion
Upon arrival we will transfer to Hotel Country Inn and Suites for a 2 night stay
20 November (B&B)
Amritsar
Enjoy a city tour of Amritsar visiting the Golden Temple – the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion. The Golden Temple sits on
a rectangular platform, surrounded by a pool of water called the Amrit Sarovar after which the city is named.
Jalianwala Bagh – Here on 13 April 1919 British Indian Army soldiers under the command of Brigadier-General Reginald
Dyer opened fire on an unarmed gathering of men, women and children and killed 379 people.
Durgayana Mandir – The Durgiana Temple complex was built in the 16th century, dedicated to Goddess Durga. The Temple
is situated outside the Lohgarh Gate; one can walk away from the Golden Temple complex through the narrow passage to
visit Durgiana Temple. Durgiana Temple closely resembles the Golden Temple and also Known as Lakshmi Narayan
Temple
As sunset approaches, we will have an excursion to Wagah border to witness the changing of guard ceremony between
India and Pakistan armies
21 November (B&B)
Amritsar to Delhi by Express Train Shatabdi
An early start this morning as we catch the 0500 am train service from Amritsar arriving
back into Delhi at 1115 Hrs transferring upon arrival to the Royal Plaza Hotel for a final 2
night stay
The rest of the day will be at leisure
22 November (B&B)
Delhi
After breakfast enjoy full day city tour of Old & New Delhi
Old Delhi visiting Raj Ghat which is located on the banks of the river Yamuna, This is
Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial, where he was cremated following his assassination in
January 1948. The memorial lies in the midst of landscaped gardens and made of a
simple square platform of black marble inscribed with his last words “Hey Ram”.
Drive Pass Red Fort – the 17th century imposing fortress built in red sandstone is
surrounded by a huge boundary wall 33m high. Inside are exquisite palaces and beautiful
gardens.
Opposite the Red Fort lies Jama Masjid made of red sandstone and white marble, completed in 1656. It is India’s largest
mosque where more than 20,000 people can kneel in prayer at one time.
Later sightseeing of New Delhi visiting Humayun’s Tomb, built by his wife Haji Begum in the 16th Century. An early
example of Mughal architecture considered the predecessor of the Taj Mahal.
The Qutab Minar - the landmark of Delhi, a huge tower of victory started in 1199 and completed
in 1368. The Minar is 72.5m high with a diameter at the base 14.4m and 2.7m at the top.
Proceding on to the Rashtrapati Bhawan (Drive Pass) once the Viceroy’s residence and now the
official residence of the President of India. Designed by Lutyens, it combines western and
eastern styles - the dome reflects the Buddhist stupa, the chhattris “Hindu” and the graceful
colonnades very “British”. It has 340 rooms.
The India Gate commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. 13516
names of British and Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan War of 1919 are engraved on the arch
and foundations. Under the arch, glows the Amar Jawan Jyoti flame commemorating Indian
armed forces’ losses in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.
In the evening, we will transfer from hotel to Delhi airport in time to board the flight for
Amsterdam and home
23 November (B&B)
Delhi to Amsterdam by flight KL872: 0230 – 0630 Hrs
Amsterdam to Humberside by flight KL1480: 1020 Hrs – 1025 Hrs
Tour price per person (based upon twin share):
£3559
Single supplement rate:
£ 940
Business Class upgrade:
Price on Request
If you would like further information or would like to reserve places on this escorted tour or would
like further information, please kindly contact Mike Moran at the Louth office or telephone
01507 600676
To make a reservation please complete the booking form from our associate company, Travel
Pack (ATOL no. 2866), with whom the contract will lie, and supply a deposit of 20% per person
with the final balance being due by 22nd August 2013.
Moran Travel Worldchoice, ABTA Licence no. 99942, is officially acting as an agent
for ATOL holder Travel Pack, Licence no. 2866.