Indian Experience (Standard)

5 Days / 4 Nights

from £695

The former Portuguese colony of Goa, India’s smallest state, is a perfect place to relax, with beaches lined with palm trees, world heritage architecture and rich flora and fauna.

Extend your tour with a stay at the Vivanta by Taj - Holiday Village, situated on the beautiful Sinquerim beach and built to resemble a Goan-Portuguese village.

Day 8 – To Goa: Leave the group this morning and fly to Goa. Transfer to the Vivanta by Taj – Holiday Village for 4 nights. (B)

Days 9-11 – Goa: At leisure or take optional excursions. (B)

Day 12 – To London: Fly to Mumbai (Bombay) and connect with the international flight to London with Jet Airways. (B)

5 Days / 4 Nights

from £675

The Kathmandu valley has a rich cultural heritage and offers magnificent views of the Himalayan ranges.

Day 9 – To Kathmandu: Fly from Delhi to Kathmandu and transfer to the Soaltee Crowne Plaza / Dwarika’s Hotel* for 2 nights. Afternoon tour of Kathmandu, including Durbar Square and Swayambunath. (B)

Day 10 – Kathmandu: Morning at leisure. Optionally, take a mountain flight to see Mount Everest (weather permitting). Afternoon visit to Bodhnath. Continue to the eastern bank of the Bagmati river for a view of Pashupatinath Temple. (B)

Day 11 – To Dhulikhel: Transfer to Bhaktapur, Nepal’s most traditional medieval city. Continue to Dhulikhel and stay overnight at the Dwarikas’ Himalayan Shangri-La Village Resort. The afternoon is spent at your leisure. (B)

Day 12 – To Kathmandu: Early morning view of sunrise over the Himalaya (weather permitting). Transfer to Kathmandu and stay overnight at Soaltee Crowne Plaza / Dwarika’s Hotel*. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 13 – To London: Fly to London, via Delhi, with Jet Airways. (B)

* Upgrade: The characterful Dwarika’s Hotel may be booked, subject to availability, for a supplement from £105 pppn (twin) or from £175 pppn (single).

4 Days / 3 Nights

from £695

One of the most vibrant cities in the world and with the largest population in the country, Mumbai (Bombay) is the gateway to India, once referred to by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘mother of cities’.

This extension discovers the eclectic mix of ancient and modern, contemporary and cosmopolitan, that makes up India’s richest city, with time to relax, explore, dine in renowned restaurants and shop for exquisite Indian jewellery and textiles.

Day 8 – To Mumbai: Leave the group and fly to Mumbai. On arrival, transfer to the Trident Nariman Point*, a contemporary hotel overlooking Marine Drive in south Mumbai, for a 3-night stay. (B)

Day 9 – Mumbai: Morning boat ride to visit Elephanta Island, a Unesco world heritage site that is famous for its seventh-century rock-cut cave temples. In the afternoon, tour Mumbai, including making visits to the Mani Bhavan, the memorial museum that once served as Gandhi’s residence, the Crawford market and the Dhobi Ghat. (B)

Day 10 – Mumbai: At leisure. (B)

Day 11 – To London: Transfer to the airport and fly to London with Jet Airways. (B)

*Upgrade: Take in spectacular views of the ocean by upgrading to the Premier Ocean View rooms. Subject to availability and a supplement from £50 pppn (twin) or from £95 pppn (single).

4 Days / 3 Nights

from £595

Ranthambore is a beautiful wildlife reserve, home to tigers, sambhars, panthers, marsh crocodiles, sloth bears and leopards.

Day 8 – To Ranthambore: Take a half-day drive from Jaipur to Ranthambore and transfer to the Dev Vilas Ranthambore for 2 nights. (B, D)

Day 9 – Ranthambore: Early morning and late afternoon drives to search for tigers. (B, L, D)

Day 10 – To Delhi: Morning wildlife viewing. In the afternoon, return by train to Delhi. Transfer to the Eros Managed by Hilton for 1 night. (B)

Day 11 – To London: Fly to London with Jet Airways / Virgin Atlantic. (B)

* Availability: 1 Jan – 31 May & 1 Oct – 31 Dec. The re-opening of the park on 1 October is subject to weather conditions.

5 Days / 4 Nights

from £895

Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh north of Delhi, was the British summer capital during the Raj era. Set in the Himalayan foothills against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, the town remains a cool retreat from the heat of the northern plains and there are still beautiful promenades and graceful colonial buildings, including the famous Cecil Hotel. The surrounding countryside includes evergreen forests, which provide the setting for Oberoi’s luxurious Wildflower Hall hotel, former home of Lord Kitchener.

Day 9 – To Shimla: Fly to Chandigarh and drive to Shimla. Stay at the Oberoi Cecil / Wildflower Hall* for 3 nights. (B)

Days 10-11 – Shimla: At leisure. (B)

Day 12 – To Delhi: Take the narrow gauge mountain railway to Solan and drive to Kalka. Connect with the express train to Delhi. Stay overnight at the Eros Managed by Hilton. (B)

Day 13 – To London: Fly to London with Jet Airways / Virgin Atlantic. (B)

* Upgrade: Oberoi’s luxury Wildflower Hall may be booked, subject to availability, at a supplement from £90 pppn (twin) or from £170 pppn (single).

3 Days / 2 Nights

from £525

Set on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills, Udaipur is arguably the most picturesque city in Rajasthan.

Day 8 – To Udaipur: Morning drive to Udaipur for a 2-night stay at the LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace*. (B)

Day 9 – Udaipur: Morning tour of the City Palace and Jagdish Temple. The afternoon is at leisure. (B)

Day 10 – To London: Transfer to the airport and fly to Mumbai (Bombay) to connect with the Jet Airways flight to London. (B)

* Upgrade: The Taj Lake Palace hotel may be booked, subject to availability, at a supplement from £185 pppn (twin) or from £325 pppn (single).