Accommodation
Hotels/guesthouses (12 nights), camping (1 night) and overnight train (1 night).
Transport
Overnight train, jeep, cantor (open jeep), local bus, auto-rickshaw, camel.
Meals
3 breakfasts and 2 dinners.
Staff
Group leader.
Age Restriction
Minimum 18 years unless accompanied by a legal guardian.
Optional Activities
All optional activities are entirely your choice and are not included in price of this trip. The following is not an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only.
We suggest you bring along USD40 for additional sightseeing.
Red Fort (Delhi) - INR100
Qutab Minar (Delhi) - INR250
Akbar's Mausoleum (Agra) - INR235
City Palace (Jaipur) - INR150
Raj Mandir Cinema (Jaipur) - INR90
Ranthambore Fort Excursion (Ranthambore) - INR100
Bijaipur Horse Riding (Bijaipur) - INR300
Note - Excursion prices are based on min 4 persons travelling and subject to change.
What To Bring
Suitcases are not recommended. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags with wheels are acceptable, although we recommend your bag has carry straps as well, as you may be required to negotiate bus and railway station steps. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day walks and day trips.
You will be on the move a good deal, so pack as lightly as possible (try to stay under 10kg / 22lb). It is in your own interest as you are expected to carry your own luggage, though distances are never great. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice. In India it is also important that your bags can be locked, as on the trains and buses it may be necessary to store your luggage separately from the group. The smaller your bag in India the better, for when it comes to travelling on trains or buses only smaller bags will fit into the storage areas. If your bag does not fit in these areas then often the only place to put it is on your seat or on the roof. So to get maximum comfort, pack small and light!
India is very conservative and you should dress accordingly. As a general guideline shoulders and knees should be covered at all times. The wearing of shorts is not allowed as it will restrict your entry into buildings of a religious nature and family homes. A light water and windproof jacket is useful and a hat essential. Blankets are provided on the camel safari and for the overnight train journey. Safety helmets are not provided for the camel safari, you may like to bring your own if this is an issue for you.
We stress that it can be very cold in the months from December to February.
The following checklist is to be used as a guide only and is not intended to be a complete packing list. Any other items that you wish to pack are at your own discretion however you should attempt to comply with the suggested luggage weight limit.
Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance (evidence and emergency insurance contact details), air tickets, voucher
Photocopy of above documents
Health requirements arranged
Money: ATM card (widely available and easy to access); credit cards (widley accepted in big cities); cash and travellers cheques (for emergenicies)
Money pouch
First aid kit
Day pack to carry your personal needs during the day
Alarm clock and torch/flashlight
Mosquito repellent
Warm clothes for the cooler nights (especially recommended during December - February)
Raincoat/umbrella - especailly during June - September
Ear plugs can be useful if you are a light sleeper
Lock for your back pack or bag
Group Size
Minimum 1, Maximum 12
Other Information
While travelling with us you will experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Generally, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip.
Allow USD $250 for meals not included.
With the exception of our Comfort trips, our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers share with people of the same sex for the duration of the trip, in accommodation ranging from twin to multi-share. Please note some of our itineraries have accommodation booked on a mixed gender share basis - where applicable this will be specified in our Trip Notes. On our Comfort trips you have the choice of sharing or paying a single supplement. Please note that this only applies to accommodation during the tour. Pre- and post-trip accommodation will be booked on a single room basis.
India is a country which may be very different to anything you may have experienced before. Although this means it is not the easiest place to travel, this is also what makes it so special. Pollution, poverty and the crowds can result in initial culture shock but should be seen as an exciting new challenge. During our time here we have come to love this large and wonderfully different country but we know that we should always expect to encounter some difficulties along the way.
In India there are very different attitudes to time keeping, public cleanliness, privacy and service. Trains will sometimes be late, plumbing can sometimes be temperamental and power will often just vanish. Optimistic menus turn out to have only one dish available and everyone, just everyone, will want to know your name. If you are able to travel with a lot of patience and a huge sense of humour, then we know that you - like all of us - will be captivated by what India has to offer.
It is essential that you provide full details of Date of Birth, Passport Number, Nationality and Sex when you make your booking.
Please bring a photocopy of your passport main page and airline ticket if you will require airline reconfirmation at the end of your trip.
Ranthambhore National Park is closed between 1 July and 30 September each year. On those trips affected, we will spend an extra night in Bundi.
Between late December and early February northern India can be affected by heavy fog in the mornings and evenings. This can result in travel delays.
Between June and September the monsoon rains hit India. Prior to the arrival of the monsoon, temperatures can be very hot with high humidity. During the monsoon period there may be certain delays or changes to the itinerary on account of the rains, however this is quite unlikely. Remember to take an umbrella.
Due to unreliable arrival times into Delhi please do not arrange a flight on departure day before mid afternoon.
From mid-May until mid-August the Keoladeo Bird Park will be closed. During this period our trip will visit the town of Deeg - a small rural town rarely visited by tourists.
For departures which are in Pushkar during the annual Camel fair 5th to the 13th of November 2008: The Pushkar camel Fair is undoubtedly one of the most vibrant festivals one can attend in India and operator will do its utmost to bring the fair to you in all its glory! However the dates of the Camel fair can often vary within a day or two of the dates provided by the organisers. We have selected these dates based on research collected from the following websites.
http://www.destinationtravelindia.com/Pushkar-fair/Pushkar-fair.html
www.Pushkar-camel-fair.com
Due to the uncertain and flexible nature of festivals in India we cannot take responsibility for the Fair ending earlier than the advertised rates. Also Pushkar hotels take this opportunity to raise their prices triple fold. Unfortunately they often do this more than a few days before and after the advertised dates of the fair. We will ask for a supplement from each client to cover the additional cost of accommodation during Fair time.(payable at the time of booking) Please note this does NOT ensure that you will witness the Fair and the accommodation will be at our normal Hotel. Although we make booking months in advance, unfortunately at this time Pushkar accommodation also tend to over book themselves so we also ask for a flexible approach from our travellers who choose to visit this spectacular event with us.
On this trip you will be staying in some Heritage hotels – these hotels are one of the charms of this trip, but occasionally their stair cases, passages etc do not always comply with western safety standards. Please do not expect elevators in these properties as they are preserved to their original state.
All group trips in India are accompanied by one of our Indian group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.