Highlights Of Northern India

Guide

Our Indian team of leaders have proved very popular with their incredible knowledge, passion and hospitality adding greatly to the experience. There is no better way to experience Indian culture than letting an Indian guide show you around their country. During the game drives each vehicle will be accompanied by a local Forest Guard (mandatory by the local authorities). The Forest Guards are part of a initiative by the national park authorities to generate employment opportunities for the local villages surrounding the area. They have excellent awareness of the local wildlife and skilled in tracking however, many have very limited English skills so will often communicate through hand signals rather than conversation.

Meals

All breakfasts and one lunch are included in this trip. India is famous for its food and there is ample opportunity to try various curries such as the familiar tandoori, biriyani and rogan josh. If you are a vegetarian, India is a great destination. There are wonderful desserts and excellent beers, soft drinks and Indian specialities such as lassi, a refreshing yoghurt drink. You should allow at least 1,400-2,400 Indian rupees (US$20-US$35) per day for lunch and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants most of the time, you will spend more than the suggested amount. In most towns we visit, there is a good selection of restaurants and a choice between Indian and Western food. Please note, service in restaurants can be quite slow. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large!) bottle of beer is approximately 285 rupees (approximately US$4). Mineral water is widely available, but drinking water is provided in a large container in the bus to reduce our use of plastic, so please bring your own refillable water bottle.

Transport

We use a combination of private minibus and trains for our journey. Road journeys: Air-conditioned private minibus. Train journeys: The overnight train from Agra to Varanasi will be booked in two-tier (or three-tier depending on availability) air-conditioned sleeper (see accommodation section for further information). Game drives: In Ranthambore National Park, due to local restrictions enforced to limit the number of visitors to the park, tiger spotting is from a 22-seater open truck called a canter. These are licensed and usually allocated by the national park authorities; while our local contacts do their best to secure the most appropriate vehicles, we are unable to guarantee vehicle standards and maintenance and there may not be seat belts available. Domestic Flights: Please note the domestic flight from Varanasi to Delhi has the following baggage allowance (this may be lower than your international flight allowance). Hand baggage: One bag up to 7kg and 115 cm (L+W+H : dimension: 55cm x 35cm x 25cm) per person Check-in baggage: 15kg allowance per person (one piece only) Please note, electronic devices, power packs and batteries should be packed in hand luggage as these are not permitted in your hold/main luggage. Excess baggage charge: Approximately 500 - 1000 rupees (US$6 - 12) per 1 kilogram over 15kg

Accommodation

Seven nights in hotels, one night in an air-conditioned sleeper train. The hotels used are standard city tourist hotels (two- or three-star, local rating). All rooms have en suite facilities. Service and amenities are generally adequate. Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are only a couple of months when the weather can get cold. You can, however, request more blankets if needed or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room. Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this matter. Single accommodation excludes sleeper trains. Overnight trains These are booked in a two-tier (or three-tier if two-tier is unavailable) sleeper with air conditioning. There are many excellent trains in India, but the standard of seating and sleeping is not in line with Western standards. All seats are allocated at the time the tickets are issued, meaning we cannot guarantee the whole group is together on the train. Your leader will manage this as best as possible and will always check on you during the journey. Indian trains are safe, but we recommend that you always keep valuables with you. Snacks are often offered on board (at an additional cost). While some trains have Western-style facilities, most services are equipped with squat toilets.

Others

— Travel insurance — Visas and vaccinations — Single supplement

Flights

International flights are not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included