The Very Best of India

AN EXCLUSIVE 14 DAY FULLY ESCORTED TOUR - PRICES START FROM £3,695

India will enchant, bewilder and fascinate you … until you end up falling in love with it. It would take a lifetime to see all that is worth seeing, but this 14-day Very Best of India tour introduces you to some of the great highlights.

You stay in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur As you discover the sights, the architecture, the history and the people, the magic of India starts to unfold. The contrast between ancient and modern offer a vivid panorama you will find nowhere else on earth. You will realise why India always amazes and astounds but never fails to enrich the traveller who comes with an open mind.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Multiple night stays at every point

• Stays at the deluxe Oberoi Hotel Group in New Delhi, Agra and Udaipur

• City sightseeing tours of Old & New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur & Udaipur

• Rickshaw ride through Old Delhi

• The Red Fort, Amber Fort & Mehrangarh Fort

• Sunset & sunrise over the magnificent Taj Mahal

• Deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri

• Dinner at the Raj Palace

• Cruise on Lake Pichola

PRE-BOOKABLE HOLIDAY EXCURSIONS FROM £24 PER PERSON

Jodhpur Camel Safari

Take a camel safari through the sand dunes to Khetasar, a "Bishnoi" village oasis where the women come to collect water. The Bishnoi are serious nature lovers: women suckle motherless deer, go hungry to provide food for animals, and live a strict sattvic (simple) life. Around 3pm start your short safari to nearby villages, then if you are up for it ride to Khetasar (2½ hours). You see Blue bulls, Gazelles, Foxes, Hare and visit the local potters, weavers, and Bishnois huts. In the evening, enjoy folk entertainment and a candlelit BBQ dinner.

Prices from £124 per person

Zardozi Experience, Agra

A fascinating glimpse into the art of Zardozi and Zari embroidery, the ancient Persian style of embroidery which uses metal threads to adorn and embellish fabrics. Intricate patterns in gold and silver, studded with pearls and precious stones, enhance the beauty of rich silks, velvets and brocades. On this half-day experience, you will meet the family of the late Mr Shamshudhin who continue his award winning and highly acclaimed work.

Prices from £24 per person

Tonga Tour, Udaipur

On this two hour experience, you can enjoy a boat ride around the very scenic Fatehpur Sagar Lake and take in the views. After this, you will visit the colourful bazaars of Udaipur, a school of miniature painting on silk for which Udaipur is famous and a spice market.

Prices from £35 per person

Homecooking Indian Style, Delhi

Immerse yourself in Indian culture as you dine with a local family and learn more about Indian lifestyle, home life, the importance of family and of course, food. Meet your gracious hosts as they welcome you into their home, prepare dinner and give you an insight into Indian family life. On this three to four hour experience, you'll dine on a traditional Indian home-cooked meal, which is predominantly vegetarian, and will also learn about the food, traditional spices and techniques used.

Prices from £89 per person

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY 3 NIGHTS FROM £795 PER PERSON

Goa

3 nights - Leela Palace

• Return flights and transfers

• 3 nights Conservatory Room at the Leela Palace with daily breakfast.

Before going home, why not relax in the grand style after your extraordinary Indian experience? And where better than the 75 acres of lush gardens and sparkling lagoons that make up The Leela Kempinski in Goa – sheer, sybaritic, pampered luxury.

Prices from £795

Kovalam

3 nights - Leela Kempinski

1 night - Mumbai

• Return flights and transfers

• 3 nights Beach View Superior Room at the Leela Kempinski, Kovalam with daily breakfast.

• 1 night Premier City View Room at the Leela Kempinski, Mumbai.

Three glorious crescent-shaped beaches fanned by gentle breezes have made Kovalam a holiday paradise since the 1930’s – and your room at The Leela Kempinski overlooks one of them. Sheer perfection after your astonishing Indian adventure.

Prices from £915

Nepal

3 nights - Nepal

1 night - Delhi

• Return flights and transfers

• 3 nights Heritage Room at Hotel Dwarikas, Kathmandu, with daily breakfast.

• 1 night Premier Room at the Oberoi Delhi.

• Welcome dinner and farewell dinner.

• Daily touring and sightseeing.

Kathmandu: one of those faraway names you dream about. It’s the home of the Ghurkha, rich with sacred Buddhist and Hindu temples. Close to earth’s greatest mountain range – and Everest. There are jungles with a wealth of wildlife, thundering rivers, frozen valleys - the perfect tonic after the wonders of India.

Prices from £1375

Ranthanbore

3 nights - Ranthanbore

1 night - Delhi

• Return flights and transfers

• 3 nights Luxury Tent at Oberoi Vanyavilas with daily breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• 3 jeep safaris with entrance fees at National park.

• 1 night Premier Room at the Oberoi Delhi.

• Farewell dinner.

The king of Indian wild life is the tiger… and there is no better to go on safari for these majestic beasts than Rajasthan's most renowned wildlife sanctuary. A hilltop fort overlooks 400 sq kms of forest, where you stay in tents - close to nature, but in grand style.

Prices from £1825

Day 1 Departure from London Heathrow

Before your scheduled Jet Airways flight to Delhi from London Heathrow, meet your Tour Manager and companions in the Executive Lounge to enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks.

Meals: Inflight

Day 2 Delhi

Arrive into Delhi this morning and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, unwind and acclimatise. This evening over dinner you get to know your travel companions.

Meals: Inflight, Dinner

Hotel: Oberoi

Day 3 Delhi

Delhi epitomises India – an extraordinary mixture of the oldest and the latest. This morning we explore the ancient walled city, starting with a cycle rickshaw ride. You see the Red Fort, stronghold and palace of the Mughal Emperors. Built in nine years by Shah Jehan, this massive sandstone fort symbolised his power. You also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque; and the bustling, colourful old city market, Chandni Chowk. In the afternoon you tour New Delhi. Built by the British in the 1920's, it is a total contrast to the old city – all wide boulevards, grand government buildings, green parks and gardens. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy an evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Oberoi

Day 4 Delhi to Agra

After breakfast we travel to Agra, capital of the Mughal Empire before Delhi, where you stay for the next 2 nights at the luxurious Oberoi. In the 16th & 17th century Agra was the great centre of art, science, commerce and culture. But its golden age ended when Shah Jehan moved the capital to Delhi. But it was he who created that immortal monument to love, the Taj Mahal, in memory of his queen. In the afternoon you go there as the sun sets. This experience really does merit that overused word “breathtaking”. The Taj Mahal began construction in 1631, and it is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. Afterwards, you return to dine at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Oberoi

Day 5 Agra

Many people feel just one visit to the Taj Mahal is not enough. So early risers can enjoy a sunrise visit too. The Taj glows and changes colour in the light of the rising sun. Then, return to your hotel for breakfast before touring Agra – the high point being Akbar the Great’s Agra fort – a palatial walled city. Relax in your hotel or even take a last look around the Taj Mahal this afternoon or evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Oberoi

Day 6 Agra to Jaipur

Your first stop today is at Fatehpur Sikri. The Mughals’ capital for 14 years from 1571 to 1584 – it was suddenly abandoned, perhaps because of lack of water. Walking around its many palaces, halls, and mosques – all empty for over 400 years – is a poignant, rather eerie experience. After lunch, you arrive in Jaipur, your home for the next three nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Taj Jai Mahal Palace

Day 7 Jaipur

Jaipur, the “Pink City”, is Rajasthan’s vibrant capital. As you drive through the old town your senses are assaulted by a kaleidoscope of sound and colour. The Amber Fort which you visit is stunning in white marble and red sandstone. The intricate carvings and minute mirror work inside are astonishing. Its terraces and ramparts mirrored on the still waters of Maotha Lake seem a beautiful illusion. After this, take the afternoon to appreciate your palatial hotel at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Taj Jai Mahal Palace

Day 8 Jaipur

Today you tour Jaipur's great buildings and monuments. In the City Palace Museum see an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. The museum is resplendent with its royal princes’ collections – carpets, and old armoury, miniature paintings of court and battle scenes. After the tour your day is free – perhaps to see more of Jaipur. But prepare for the evening as you dine at the splendid Raj Palace, Jaipur’s first mansion built in 1728 by the Prime Minister of the time.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Taj Jai Mahal Palace

Day 9 Jaipur to Jodhpur

You set off for Jodhpur arriving at your hotel in late afternoon for your next two nights’ stay. With its forts, palaces and monuments Jodhpur, known as The Sun City, is the oldest of Rajputana's great cities, dating back to 1459. What’s more your hotel is yet another palatial resting place.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Taj Hari Mahal

Day 10 Jodhpur

The Rajputs were among India’s greatest warriors – and their cities show it. A ten kilometre long stone wall protects Jodhpur. Within, a great Fort is set on sandstone hills overlooking the surrounding plains. You also visit Mehrangarh Fort – built in the 15th century by Rao Jodha who named the city. The Fort is intricately adorned with long carved panels and exquisite latticed windows in red sandstone. Jaswant Thada – an imposing white marble cenotaph – commemorates the bravery and generosity of the 19th century rulers. This afternoon relax, or take an optional excursion.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Taj Hari Mahal

Day 11 Jodhpur to Udaipur

On your drive to Udaipur, view the changing landscape and perhaps wonder how people ever survived in such desert terrain. En route see the astonishing Ranakpur Jain temple. It has over 1,400 marble pillars, carved in exquisite detail – and no two pillars are alike. Later, arrive at your hotel for 3 nights at Udaipur.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Oberoi

Day 12 Udaipur

This morning you tour the "Lake City" and cruise serene Lake Pichola. You catch glimpses of another life – the bathing and laundry on its banks. The City Palace, towering over Lake Pichola is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. The Jagdish temple enshrines a black stone image of Lord Vishnu and his vehicle, Garuda – a mighty bird-like creature. Sahelion Ki Bari is a garden built for the royal ladies who once lived here. Its marble paths feature life size sculptures of elephants and lions spurting water into water pools. Afterwards, take a quiet afternoon to appreciate the beauty around you.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Oberoi

Day 13 Udaipur

Today you are free to relax on your final day in India, before joining your travelling companions for a farewell dinner at Sunset View Terrace of Fateh Prackash Palace.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Oberoi

Day 14 Arrival into London Heathrow

Your early flight connects at Mumbai with your direct flight with Jet Airways to Heathrow. Your scheduled arrival into Heathrow is early evening – the end of this splendid Indian adventure.

Meals: Breakfast, Inflight

Destination introduction

Six major religions, over 1600 different languages, and more than a billion inhabitants. The word diverse hardly suffices. How can you possibly begin to understand the mystery and magic that is India? Only by going there … and being shown round by people who understand it. This is your time!

Did you know? Snakes & Ladders and Chess were both invented in India.