Golden Triangle Plus

Independent Tour (16 days)

London - Delhi - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Deogarh - Jaipur - Agra - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi - London

Building on the essential elements of any visit to India (outlined in 'Golden Triangle' opposite page), this tour is among the most popular with first time visitors. It covers virtually all the classic sights of the north. Jodhpur, Deogarh and romantic Udaipur - often called 'Lake City' - offer a more in-depth look at Rajasthan, staying in princely mansions or palace-hotels. Khajuraho's ancient temples are famed for their exuberant sculpture while Varanasi affords a fascinating glimpse of life beside the sacred River Ganges.

We use first class and character hotels.
International flights are on indirect services but you can opt to fly direct. This tour has been specially designed to offer excellent value for money.
You travel by yourself on a departure date of your choice.


Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast

Season:
Throughout the year with mid-September to mid-April being the best months. There are chances of fog in mid-winter in Delhi and its vicinity

Clothes:
Cottons with light to heavy woollens in winter

Itinerary

Day 1 London Fly from Heathrow, or another UK port, to Delhi by an indirect flight such as Royal Jordanian or Kuwait Air.

Day 2
Delhi Arrive Delhi in the morning and transfer to the colonial style Oberoi Maidens for one night. In the afternoon visit the sights of Old
Delhi including Rajghat, Jama Masjid and the bazaars of Chandni Chowk.

Day 3
To Jodhpur Day at leisure with optional sightseeing of New Delhi. In the evening board an overnight train for Jodhpur, travelling in Air-conditioned First Class Sleeper.

Day 4
Jodhpur Arrive in the morning and transfer to the Ajit Bhawan Palace for one night. The afternoon sightseeing covers the imposing Meherangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada.

Day 5
Udaipur Drive to the famed Jain temple at Ranakpur, known for the intricacy of its sculpture, before proceeding to Udaipur, considered to be one of the most romantic cities in India. You will stay 2 nights at the former royal hunting lodge of Shikarbadi, now a superb character hotel. The Lake Palace Hotel is available at a supplement.

Day 6
Udaipur In the morning you tour the city and see the impressive City Palace, the biggest palace complex in Rajasthan, the beautiful gardens of Sahelion-ki-bari, and Jagdish Temple. The afternoon is free.

Day 7
Pushkar Drive to Pushkar for overnight stay at the Pushkar Palace (There is a supplement during Pushkar Festival). The afternoon is free to explore the area.

Day 8
Jaipur Drive on to Jaipur visiting the Dargah of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti in Ajmer. Stay at the Alsisar Haveli, another royal residence or the Holiday Inn for 2 nights.

Day 9
Jaipur Morning enjoy an excursion to Amber where the hilltop fort is ascended on elephant back. In the afternoon a sightseeing of the city is arranged.

Day 10
Agra Drive to Agra visiting the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri en route. Stay at the Trident Hilton for 2 nights.

Day 11
Agra Morning visit the sights including the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. The afternoon is free.

Day 12
Khajuraho Enjoy a short train ride in the morning to Jhansi, in Air-conditioned chair car. Transfer by car to Khajuraho, visiting Orchha en route. Khajuraho is famous for its 10th century Chandela dynasty temples with erotic sculpture. Stay the night at the Clarks Bundela/Jass Hotel.

Day 13
Varanasi (Benares) Visit the famous temples in the morning. A short flight in the afternoon brings you to the holy city of Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world. Transfer to the modern Radisson Hotel for one night. Remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 14
To Delhi Enjoy an early morning boat-ride on the Holy Ganges to see devotees at prayer along the "ghats" or riverbanks. Day at leisure for a possible excursion to Sarnath. In the evening board a train to Delhi. Overnight in AC first class sleeper.

Day 15
Delhi Arrive Delhi in the morning and transfer to the Park Hotel or similar for one night. The day is at leisure.

Day 16
London Early morning transfer to the airport to board your return flight, arriving the same afternoon.


What Is Included

The following elements are included in your holiday for group as well as independent travel. For tailor-made holidays/extensions/amendments there can be individual variations.

International flights
in economy class from London Heathrow (apart from the following tours, which do NOT include international flights: Cambodia Tour, Laos Tour, Singapore Stopover).

For upgrades to higher classes and departure from ports other than Heathrow please ask us for a quote. The airport taxes are additional to the holiday price and are subject to change.


Airport taxes
are included in your holiday price except for places where they are payable locally directly on departure.

Assisted transfers
for all arrivals and departures by air or rail, using a private coach or chauffeur-driven car. In some resorts the hotel may provide a courtesy transfer. For courtesy transfers and arrivals/departures by road assistance may not be available in some places.

Accommodation
in the hotels listed, or similar. Unless otherwise specified standard grade rooms are booked. For booking superior rooms or suites please ask us for a quote.

Meals as indicated in the "Meal Plan" with each tour. Most tours have a bed & breakfast arrangement, except in game parks and remote places where full board is provided. Given the wide variety and choice of restaurants in most hotels it is preferable not to be tied down to a fixed meal. It is also more cost effective to have a la carte dining in most hotels.

All scheduled sightseeing
including English-speaking guides and entrance fee to monuments and other sites listed in the tour details. 

All scheduled game viewing
in game reserves. This is usually in shared jeeps, seating up to five, or a larger open vehicle, seating up to eighteen, accompanied by a naturalist. For booking exclusive jeeps a higher charge may apply. These are subject to availability as only a limited number of vehicles is allowed inside a game park in a day.

All trekking expenses
including guide & cook, porters, camping equipment, environment fee and insurance for porters. Sleeping bags are provided but you are welcome to bring your own. When travelling independently the entire retinue is organised just for you.

All internal travel
including flights in economy, trains in the class specified, boat cruises - normally using exclusive boats for your private use, and road travel by a private coach or your own chauffeur-driven car. For road journeys spread over many days a daily allowance for the driver to cover for his accommodation and meals is included in your price. Again for such long journeys the vehicle and driver are normally available for local use, within reasonable limits, at each place of halt at no extra cost. When adding extra days to a tour using a car circuit, the cost of retaining the car is also included in your supplementary accommodation costs.

The assistance of our local agents
- we have a wide network of tried and tested agents who are on hand to assist you during your travel.

The services of an experienced local tour escort
for published group tours with minimum 5 persons. If the number falls below 5 we may still, at our discretion, provide an escort. The escort joins you on arrival and remains with you for the main body of the tour. For some portions of the tour, normally at the end, the accompanying escort may leave you. In such instances local assistance is provided. For example in North India & Nepal the escort remains with you from Delhi through till Varanasi and the Nepal portion is assisted locally.


Main Tour

The basic tariff is per person, based on twin share
SRS: single room supplement, to be added to basic tariff for those requiring single accommodation
LTS: lone traveller supplement, to be added to basic tariff for those travelling alone



Details Tariff SRS LTS
1 Jan 06 - 30 Apr 06 £1729 £419 £759
1 May 06 - 30 Sep 06 £1645 £419 £759
1 Oct 06 - 30 Nov 06 £1829 £419 £759
1 Dec 06 - 31 Dec 06 £2145 £419 £759
Direct flight supplement (includes extra night on arrival) £145

Suggested Tour Extensions

Goa (5 days)
Return to Delhi and stay overnight at the Park Royal/Grand. Next morning fly to Goa for 4 nights at the Taj Exotica/Leela Hotel (other options on request). Fly back via Mumbai. Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast

Khajuraho-Varanasi (4 days)
Stay on in Agra for an extra night. Next morning travel by train to Jhansi and transfer to Khajuraho via Orchha. Stay at the Jass Hotel/Taj Chandela for 2 nights and visit the Chandela temples. Fly to Varanasi for a night at the Taj Ganges. Visit Sarnath and enjoy a boatride on the Ganges before flying back to Delhi to connect with your flight to Heathrow, just past midnight. Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast

Shimla (4 days)
Return to Delhi and board the Kalka Mail for an overnight journey (AC First Class) to Kalka. Change to the hill train for Shimla. Stay 3 nights at the Cecil Hotel before driving down to Chandigarh for a short flight to Delhi. A room will be arranged for you to relax before boarding your flight home, just past midnight. Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast, Delhi on room only

Amritsar (3 days)
Return to Delhi and board the Golden Temple Mail for an overnight journey (AC First Class) to Amritsar. Stay 2 nights at the Ritz Hotel (Standard grade). Visit the Golden Temple, in the middle of a man-made lake, and the border outpost at Wagah. Return to Delhi on the morning Shatabdi. A room will be arranged till your departure for the return flight, just past midnight. Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast. Meals on trains are excluded, but Shatabi to Delhi has inclusive breakfast. Delhi on room only.

Kathmandu (3 days)
Return to Delhi and board the evening flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to the Yak & Yeti (or Dwarika's - suppl.) for 3 nights. Visit the city, Patan and Bhadgaon. Fly back to Delhi to connect with your flight to London, just past midnight. Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast Corbett (3 days)Return to Delhi and stay overnight at the Park Royal/Grand. Next morning drive to Corbett for 2 nights at the Infinity Resorts, with all jungle activities included. Drive back to Delhi to connect with your return flight, just past midnight.

Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast,

Costs
: See below
We are also happy to arrange extensions tailor-made to suit your requirements.

Goa
Details Tariff SRS LTS
Tour price £929 £548

Khajuraho-Varanas
Details Tariff SRS LTS
Tour price £639 £159

Shimla
Details Tariff SRS LTS
Tour price £595 £325

Amritsar
Details Tariff SRS LTS
Tour price £299 £125

Kathmandu
Details Tariff SRS LTS
Tour price £519 £99
Supplement for 3 nights at Dwarika's £127 £89


Corbett
Details Tariff SRS LTS
Tour price £398 £169

For further enquiries or to book please call or mail 020 8566 2109 or 07947 628 268 rab@bonvoyageonline.co.uk