Indian holiday, experience
| country: | India |
| location: | Kerala, Golden Triangle in India |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2010: 22 Jan, 19 Feb, 26 Feb, 12 Mar, 10 Sep, 17 Sep, 24 Sep, 22 Oct, 5 Nov, 19 Nov, 3 Dec, 17 Dec, 31 Dec 2011: 14 Jan, 28 Jan, 11 Feb, 25 Feb, 11 Mar |
| price: | From £1420 (21 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Experience the real India on this comfortable introduction to the cultures of the north and the lush beauty of the south. The highlights and hidden jewels are revealed against a backdrop of the green shades of Kerala and the vibrant towns of Rajasthan. Encounter the flamboyance of major cities and the quiet repose of tiny fishing villages, along with tea gardens, tribal homes and colonial enclaves. Discover the culinary delights of each region and stay in colourful hotels and even a palace.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Delhi. Explore the labyrinthine streets of vibrant Old Delhi and savour the fragrant aromas of the spice market. Climb to the top of Jama Majid, India's largest mosque, for sprawling views of the city below. |
| Days 2-3: | Jaipur. Explore the hillside Amber Fort and gaze at the flamboyant Hawa Mahal. Be dazzled by a Bollywood blockbuster amid the Art Deco opulence of the spectacular Raj Mandir Cinema. |
| Day 4: | Agra. Nothing compares to the sheer size and beauty of the Taj Mahal, which serves as a timeless memorial to Emperor Shah Jahan's love for his wife. Discover the Mughals' secrets at the World Heritage-listed Red Fort. |
| Day 5: | Orchha. Travel deep into rural India, stopping by a unique papermaking plant that ensures sustainable employment for local women. Later, explore the temple-filled town of Orchha. |
| Day 6: | Khajuraho. Saved from desecration by their remote location, the erotic carvings of the Khajuraho temples offer an education in the Kama Sutra. In the evening, take in a classical dance performance. |
| Days 7-8: | Varanasi. Sail down the Ganges as pilgrims wash in its sacred waters on the ghats. Partake in a traditional sunset flower ceremony. |
| Day 9: | Delhi. Explore Varanasi's colourful bazaars and winding alleys before flying back to Delhi. |
| Day 10: | Kochi. View the glorious murals of Mattancherry Palace and enjoy a traditional Keralan dance performance. |
| Day 11: | Munnar. Learn to make the perfect brew and enjoy the heady aroma of tea plantations from hillside accommodation. |
| Days 12-13: | Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Tour a spice plantation and spot deer, tigers and elephants among exotic flora. |
| Day 14: | Kumarakom. Relax by lotus-lined Lake Vembanad for a feeling of peace and a touch of paradise. |
| Days 15-16: | Alleppey. Cruise Kerala's backwaters, have lunch with local friends and retire to waterside lodgings. |
| Days 17-18: | Varkala. Stop by a snake temple en route to Verkala. Take in the views from a cliff-top cafe, find inner peace at an ashram or simply cool off in the glistening Arabian Sea. |
| Days 19-21: | Kochi. Perhaps follow the aroma of spices to the port or stop by the 16th century synagogue. |
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!
highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
|
One of the major organisations we support in India is Deepalaya. Through Deepalaya, our Company are currently sponsoring a number of children in the slums of South Delhi to complete their schooling, an opportunity they would otherwise not be able to afford. Since 1990, the support of this organisation has enabled thousands of children to receive quality education and become professionally qualified in such jobs as teachers and technicians.
In a country where so many ethnic communities live together, it’s important to respect individual religious beliefs. Our Company wants to promote this understanding through insight into religious and cultural practices. Our leaders will take you into temples, mosques, shrines and gurudwaras where appropriate, and are able to teach the group about the etiquette and customs specific to the place visited, enabling a deeper understanding for the group of the communities and cultures encountered in India. It’s not only the humans in India that need support. Our Company is constantly monitoring the manner in which the elephants at Amber Palace in Jaipur are treated. With the help of a local organisation, Help in Suffering, and the information gathered from our leaders and passengers, we have decided to not include the elephant ride up to the palace due to the inhumane manner in which these animals are maintained. On the Agra-Jaipur highway, there are numerous sloth bears being used to entertain tourists and they are badly abused and beaten. Through our Foundation, we support the efforts of an organisation called Wildlife SOS in their setting up a sanctuary to care for these tortured bears. In voluntarily giving up the bears to the project, the owners are re-educated and re-skilled and are compensated with motorized rickshaws or welding tools. At the end of our journey travellers may donate any unwanted clothing, medicines and bandages, which are distributed to a group called Goonj. This organisation is a nationwide movement that provides help to remote villages in Assam, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Uttaranchal and wherever the demand arises or disaster forces people to look for support. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |