Tiger Trails & Taj Mahal Family Holiday(Trip #60508)

Tour Overview

Agra & Taj Mahal
Prepare to be amazed by the sights, sounds, hustle and bustle of Old Delhi's narrow streets and hectic bazaars. Travelling by train to Agra you set out to discover what has been described as the world's most beautiful building - the Taj Mahal. Sunrise here really is unforgettable - as the early morning mists clear, the delicately carved marble walls change from rose pink to dazzling white.

Wildlife Safari & Pink City
The pace slows as you journey to the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri and Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary. Then you'll spend two exciting nights in Ranthambore National Park. On game drives you'll go in search of crocodile, deer, leopard - and tiger! In Jaipur, originally painted pink by a maharaja to welcome Prince Albert, you'll see the beautiful Palace of the Winds and visit the magnificent hilltop Amber Fort. Lastly you journey to rural Shekhawati where you'll meet welcoming local people and learn about their traditional ways of life.

Indian Summer Family Holiday Departures
In the summer months we operate an amended itinerary visiting Swai Mansingh Park, near Ranthambore. Please see our Trip Dossier or call one of our Travel Consultants for full details.

Responsible Travel
We use a local agent, restaurants and family hotels - meaning our money stays in the country. Our visit to Shekhawati reinforces in the local community the need to preserve their cultural heritage (havelis).We have also developed a programme of school visits with our local agent in India. These schools are government funded but would benefit greatly from additional support; we have just started to fund pupils at one of our partner schools in Betalghat. You will have the opportunity to visit a school during your stay in Ranthambore. If you would like to offer your assistance by taking a gift they would be delighted to receive the following: clothes (remember Indian children are smaller than those in the UK), exercise books, schoolbags, pencils and crayons, erasers and similar stationary. Although you can take things out with you, goods are available cheaply locally and your Group Leader will be able to advise on where to buy things.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1
Join trip Delhi. Tour Old & New Delhi

Day 2
Agra; visit Taj Mahal & Fort

Day 3/4
Ranthambore National Park; game viewing

Day 5/6
Jaipur; visit City Palace & Amber Fort

Day 7/8
Nawalgarh; rural villages & painted houses; drive to Surajgarh

Day 9
Return to Delhi; free

Day 10
Trip ends Delhi

Departure Dates

10/02/2008
15/02/2008
21/03/2008
30/03/2008
04/04/2008
06/04/2008
27/07/2008
03/08/2008
19/10/2008
24/10/2008
21/12/2008
24/12/2008
28/12/2008
08/02/2009
15/02/2009
05/04/2009
07/04/2009
12/04/2009
26/07/2009
09/08/2009
18/10/2009
25/10/2009
20/12/2009
25/12/2009

Prices

Date: Base Price
10/02/2008: £599
15/02/2008: £599
21/03/2008: £599
30/03/2008: £599
04/04/2008: £649
06/04/2008: £649
27/07/2008: £649
03/08/2008: £649
19/10/2008: £649
24/10/2008: £649
21/12/2008: £649
24/12/2008: £699
28/12/2008: £649
08/02/2009: £699
15/02/2009: £699
05/04/2009: £699
07/04/2009: £699
12/04/2009: £699
26/07/2009: £699
09/08/2009: £699
18/10/2009: £699
25/10/2009: £699
20/12/2009: £799
25/12/2009: £799

Trip Information

Trip Essentials
Minimum age: 5 years A fantastic eye-opening trip taking in the major sights of the 'Golden Triangle'. Bring a sense of humour and be prepared for a very different culture and approach to life.

Transport & Accommodation
Charter bus, 4WD vehicle, train, auto-rickshaw, taxi,cycle-rickshaw
Hotels (9nts)
You'll stay in comfortable hotels with en suite facilities; they
will usually also have a restaurant or buffet service. Lodges
will be rustic, but you can still expect them to be en suite.
9 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 3 dinners

Frequently Asked Questions
Will I go down with Delhi belly?
Your Group Leader is on hand to advise on methods of prevention. There are lots of remedies for diarrhoea and ways to avoid it. You are never far away from hospitals or good doctors on this trip. Always drink a lot of bottled water to avoid dehydration, wear a hat to avoid sunstroke, and remember the old adage: "if you can't cook it, boil it, or peel it...don't eat it!!"

How many hours spent travelling each day?
There are no great distances travelled on this trip, however it takes a long time to get anywhere in India and that's part of its charm (at most seven hours approx. on travelling days). Journeys are often broken by sightseeing.

Do we need to take malaria tablets?
A course of anti-malaria tablets is recommended. As always, consult your doctor and avoid getting bitten where possible. Wear loose light-coloured clothing and use mosquito repellents containing the compound DEET on exposed areas of skin and on clothing.

What are the chances of seeing a tiger?
On recent trips about 70% of our groups spotted at least one tiger in Ranthambore National Park. The chances of seeing them are improved in the dry season (October-June) when there is less vegetation for them to hide in. Our guides are very knowledgeable and will take you to the places where tigers are most likely to be found. Tigers can be extremely elusive however so there are no guarantees! Even if you are not lucky enough to see a tiger, there is plenty of other wildlife to see in the park.