| Destination | India |
| From | Dublin |
| Date | August 2010 – December 2011 |
| Duration | 9 Nights |
| Price | Multiple Prices |
| Flight Details | To Be Confirmed |
| To Be Confirmed |
Details are for guidance only and are subject to change
Introduction to The Golden Triangle
Most people when travelling to a country for the first time want to take in all the major sights and yet also journey off the beaten track to experience something more authentic. For this reason, our unique miniadventure to India enriches a classic first-time itinerary with experiences that transport its participants closer to the heart of India. The railway stations for example present a tableau as rich as a bazaar. All classes and castes that can afford the cost of a ticket are present on its thronging platforms, whilst many that can’t are also present, plying their trade to the assembled. “Passage to India” readily springs to mind as one waits to travel (Chair Class) to Ajmer.
A further sought-after experience that we’ve included is a stay at an historic hotel at Kuchaman. Previously a fort and the ancestral home of an aristocratic family, it has been lovingly restored and converted into a hotel by local artisans. Its murals are outstanding, depicting historical scenes featuring the ruling family and detailing everyday life at their court. Most striking perhaps is the feeling of immediacy of contact, both with the building’s history and its former occupiers, which at better-visited sites is somehow lost in a confusion of visitors.
Firmly back on the tourist trail is the palace at Amber. What a wonderfully romantic monument! Entering the socalled Golden Triangle formed by Jaipur, Agra and Delhi, we include a visit to Fatephur Sikri, Akbar’s deserted city, in addition is the icon of the entire sub-continent, the magical and romantic Taj Mahal.
Itinerary
In brief:
Flight – 1 night. Delhi – 1 night. Agra – 2 nights. Jaipur – 2 nights. Kuchaman Fort or Pushkar – 2 nights (2011). Delhi – 1 night.
Day 1 Fly from Dublin, Cork or Shannon to London Heathrow and on to Delhi.
Day 2 Morning arrival and transfer to the Ashok Country Resort. Afternoon orientation tour of Delhi including India Gate, Raj Ghat, Jama Mosque with a drive past the Red Fort.
Day 3 Transfer to Agra by road for a two-night stay at the Clarks Shiraz Hotel. Afternoon optional tour of Agra Fort, built by Emperor Akbar in 1565.
Day 4 An early morning visit to the Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 5 Drive to Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, visiting en route a stepwell and the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, for a two-night stay at Clarks Amer (Kanota Palace in 2010).
Day 6 Full-day sightseeing tour of Jaipur includes the Amber Fort, the City Palace with its fine Rajasthani and Mughal architecture, the Observatory and a view of the Palace of the Winds (optional in 2010).
Day 7 Continue to Pushkar for a short sightseeing tour before continuing to Kuchaman for a two-night stay at the dramatically-sited Kuchaman Fort, considered impregnable on top of a steep hill. Alternatively, stay in a lake view room at the Pushkar Palace for a supplement (available from Jan 2011).
Day 8 A full day at leisure to explore the Fort and to visit local bazaars in the town below or to relax in Pushkar.
Day 9 Drive from Kuchaman or Pushkar direct to Ajmer to board the Shatabdi Express train (air-conditioned chair class) to Delhi. Upon arrival transfer to Ashok Country Resort for one night.
Day 10 Early morning flight to London with an onward flight to Dublin, Cork or Shannon.
Optional Excursions (bookable locally)
Half-Day Agra Fort (€12 pp)
Afternoon optional tour to the Red Fort (also known as Agra Fort). This magnificent structure lies on the west bank and dominates the city skyline. The foundations were laid by Emperor Akbar in 1565 and added to in later years by his grandson, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb.
Full-Day Jaipur (€22 pp, included in 2011)
Jaipur (City of Victory) was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727. The architect who formalised the city’s plans on the Shilpa Shastra, the epic Hindu treatise on architecture, mixed it with the sublimity of the Mughal and Jain influences of those times. The city was painted pink in 1853 in honour of the visit by Prince Albert. Except for the busy traffic of bicycles, cars and buses, little seems to have changed.
Sound & Light at Amber Fort (€12 pp)
Extend your stay: After a hectic programme of travelling in Northern India, what better way to relax than a few days by the Arabian Sea, at the Hill Station of Shimla or in Nepal?
Goa
Four nights at the first class Majorda Beach Resort, standing amidst 22 acres of lush green landscape with shady palm trees and green lawns that slope down to a white sand beach. The hotel has 4 restaurants, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, tennis court and health club (extra charge). All 120 rooms have air-conditioning, private balcony, tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer and safe. Located 45 minutes’ drive from Goa airport and only 30 minutes from the Railway Station.
Price includes: Overnight at 4-star Ashok Country Resort, Delhi and 4 nights at 3-star hotel in resort, breakfast daily, flights from Delhi to Goa and Goa to Mumbai to connect with international flight to London, Half-day tour of Mumbai, airport transfers with assistance on arrival and departure.
Price per person:
- August 2010 – September 2010: €730
- October 2010 – December 2010: €870
- 2011 (all dates): €750
- Single Supplement (all dates): €400
Nepal
Day 1 Fly to Kathmandu (1,400m) for a three-night stay at the centrally located 4-star Grand Hotel.
Day 2 Optional morning flight over Mount Everest (weather permitting) approx. cost US$170. Visit Patan with its Newari architecture.
Day 3 Visit timeless Bhadgaon and Dhulikhel with views of the Himalayas.
Day 4 Tour of Kathmandu includes Durbar Square, the ancient Royal residential quarter and local bazaars. Afternoon flight to Delhi and overnight at Ashok Country Resort.
Day 5 Fly to London arriving later the same day.
Price from €970 pp
Shimla
Day 1 Take the Shatabdi Express to Chandigarh and by road to Shimla (Aug-Oct 2010 take the Shatabdi Express to Kalka and the Himalayan Queen ‘Toy Train’ to Shimla). Three nights at the 4-star Clarkes Hotel.
Day 2 Visit the Vice Regal Lodge and Shimla Mall. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 3 Optional excursions in the area.
Day 4 Take ‘Toy Train’ to Solan. Continue by road to Kalka and Shatabdi Express to Delhi (Aug-Oct 2010 Shimla to Kalka by road and by Shatabdi Express to Delhi). Overnight at Ashok Country Resort.
Day 5 Fly to London arriving later the same day.
Price from €710 pp
Ananda Himalayas
Three nights at the 5-star Ananda Spa in the foothills of the Himalayas overlooking the Ganges valley and Rishikesh. Restaurant with a tree top terrace, the food incorporating key principles from Ayurveda, tea room in the heritage palace, outdoor pool, programme of included activities including yoga and a world famous spa (extra cost). Accommodation is in garden view rooms with balcony on full board. Travel from Delhi by train to Haridwar in airconditioned Chair Class continuing to the hotel by road.
Ananda Spa
A world class destination spa grounded in ayurveda, yoga and vedanta, located in the tranquil Himalayan foothills, close to the mythological cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh and overlooking the Ganga. Spa, pool, restaurant, billiard room and a six-hole golf course. 78 rooms with private facilities, balcony and panoramic views.
Price from €1,180 pp
Kanha Tiger Reserve
Kanha, home to India’s largest tiger population, has stringent conservation programmes making it one of the best preserved national parks in Asia with a huge diversity of wildlife.
Day 1 Fly to Nagpur and transfer to Kanha for three nights on full board at the 3-star Tuli Tiger Resort. Evening jungle safari.
Days 2&3 Morning jeep safaris, afternoons at leisure. Optional jeep safaris bookable locally – approx. £85 per jeep (max 4 pax).
Day 4 Return to Nagpur for the flight to London via Mumbai.
Tuli Tiger Resort
Situated on the banks of Ganghar River, Tuli Tiger resort Kanha depicts the rich colourful heritage of rural India. Restaurant, pool, spa and 26 air-conditioned cottages.
Price from €1,180 pp
Cochin & Keralan Backwaters
Day 1 Fly from Delhi to Cochin, the Venice of the East for an overnight stay at the 4-star Trident Hotel. Half-day sightseeing of Cochin.
Day 2 Transfer to Alleppey to join a houseboat for a one night on full board commencing with lunch and ending with dinner.
Day 3&4 Disembark in Kumarakom for two nights at the 3-star Cocobay Resort located on Lake Vembanad.
Day 5 Transfer to Cochin for the flight via Mumbai to London.
Cocobay Resort
A 3-star hotel located in Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake with its canals, streams and intricate network of waterways only accessible by water. Pool, restaurant serving Indian, Chinese and continental food, fitness and Ayurvedic centres and 22 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, a veranda, tea/coffee making facilities and a fridge.
Price from €970 pp
Price inclusions
- Flight Dublin, Cork or Shannon to London
- Flight London to Dehli with British Airways
- Airport transfer to your hotel
- 8 nights accommodation (see Itinerary)
- Meals : Breakfast each day
- All tours outlined in the itinerary
- Return transfer from your hotel to airport
- Flight Delhi to London (Overnight)
- Onward flight to Dublin, Cork or Shannon
- Services of guide and local representatives
- Taxes and charges of €295
Booking remarks
- Inclusive of taxes and service charges as indicated
- Single room supplement €500 (NO Single Supplement on selected dates)
- Non refundable or transferrable booking deposit 10% per person
- Full payment due on confirmation
- 2% surcharge if balance is paid by credit or charge card
- Optional Insurance €48 (conditions apply)
- Irish nationals require a visa to enter India. Cost €50
- Taxes, charges or compulsory charges introduced after publication are not included in the above price
Accommodation details
- Delhi – Ashok Country Resort – 2 Nights
- Agra – Clarks Shiraz Hotel – 2 Nights
- Jaipur – Kanota Palace Heritage Hotel – 2 Nights
- Kuchaman – Kuchaman Fort – 2 Nights
Note: Heritage properties are historic buildings full of charm and interest however they rarely have lifts and guest rooms can vary in size and decor.
Dates and Prices
| Date | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| 07 Aug 2010 | €1699 |  |
| 21 Aug 2010 | €1699 | |
| 04 Sep 2010 | €1669 | |
| 18 Sep 2010 | €1669 | |
| 02 Oct 2010 | €1759 | |
| 09 Oct 2010 | €1759 | |
| 16 Oct 2010 | €1759 |  |
| 23 Oct 2010 | €1839 | |
| 30 Oct 2010 | €1839 | |
| 06 Nov 2010 | €1899 | |
| 13 Nov 2010 | €1899 | |
| 20 Nov 2010 | €1869 | |
| 27 Nov 2010 | €1869 | |
| 04 Dec 2010 | €2129 | |
| 11 Dec 2010 | €2129 | |
| 18 Dec 2010 | €2049 | |
| 08 Jan 2011 | €1979 | |
| 15 Jan 2011 | €1979 | |
| 22 Jan 2011 | €2029 | |
| 29 Jan 2011 | €2029 | |
| 05 Feb 2011 | €1999 | |
| 12 Feb 2011 | €1999 | |
| 19 Feb 2011 | €1999 | |
| 26 Feb 2011 | €1999 | |
| 05 Mar 2011 | €1999 | |
| 12 Mar 2011 | €1999 | |
| 19 Mar 2011 | €2029 | |
| 26 Mar 2011 | €2029 | |
| 02 Apr 2011 | €2029 | |
| 09 Apr 2011 | €2029 | |
| 16 Apr 2011 | €2089* | |
| 23 Apr 2011 | €2129* | |
| 30 Apr 2011 | €2089* | |
| 07 May 2011 | €1879* | |
| 04 Jun 2011 | €1879* | |
| 23 Jul 2011 | €1899 | |
| 30 Jul 2011 | €1899* | |
| 06 Aug 2011 | €1939* | |
| 03 Sep 2011 | €1939* | |
| 17 Sep 2011 | €1869* | |
| 08 Oct 2011 | €2049 | |
| 15 Oct 2011 | €2049 | |
| 22 Oct 2011 | €2089 | |
| 29 Oct 2011 | €2089 | |
| 05 Nov 2011 | €2069 | |
| 12 Nov 2011 | €2069 | |
| 19 Nov 2011 | €2089 | |
| 26 Nov 2011 | €2089 | |
| 03 Dec 2011 | €2089 | |
| 10 Dec 2011 | €2419 | |
| 17 Dec 2011 | €2519 | |
| 24 Dec 2011 | €2519 | |
| 31 Dec 2011 | €2229 | |
* denotes dates with no single supplement