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Holidays

Tigers, Temples and the Taj Mahal

India, Rajasthan
3 reviews
Available Departures: Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov

14 days from

US$3,265

without flights
Culture
Guided Group
LEISURELY LEISURELY

A wildlife orientated holiday featuring the very best of India's wildlife reserves

Trip Code: TTT
Holiday Grades

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Tigers, Temples and the Taj Mahal

Highlights
  • Give yourself the best chance of a tiger sighting in three of India's premier tiger reserves
  • Observe an astonishing variety of wildlife including hyena, leopard and antelope
  • See the India as described in Kipling's Jungle Book
  • Spend a full day exploring Agra, including the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

At a Glance
  • Group Size 4 to 16
  • 13 days touring and sightseeing including 8 game drives
  • Join In Delhi

Accommodation & Meals
  • All meals included
  • 11 nights Hotel
  • 2 nights Sleeper Train
Overview

For those with an interest in India and in particular its wildlife, this is an unmissable Indian adventure holiday. After an overnight train ride from Delhi, we take our first game drives at Bandhavgarh, which has the highest density of tigers of any Indian reserve - there is every chance of spotting a tiger here! After 3 days, we move on to nearby Kanha, a well-run park comprising almost 2000 square kilometres of grassland, forest and rocky ridge-lines, whose rich wildlife includes monkeys, deer, wild boar, leopard and tiger. Then, we travel to Agra and spend a full day exploring the magnificent sandstone and white marbel Agra Fort, the colourful bazaars and the sublimely beautiful Taj Mahal. Finally, we visit world-famous Ranthambhore, once a hunting reserve of the Jaipur Maharajas and now home to an abundance of wildlife. With its atmospheric forts and temples, hidden deep within the forest, this place was an inspiration for Kipling. It can inspire you, too!

This is a tour of three of the best national parks in India plus a visit to its most famous building and national icon, the Taj Mahal. Consequently the trip involves a fair amount of travelling. However, by using comfortable air-conditioned sleeper trains and spending a minimum of 3 nights in each hotel base while exploring the parks, the effect of the travelling is kept to a minimum. For the most part our exploration of these reserve areas is by 'canters' which are large, open trucks fitted with rows of seats and offering a good field of view. We may also travel at times by boat or even cycle rickshaw! We will also do some walking on good trails for better vantage of the wildlife, but walks will be short and this is not intended to be a a trekking trip. This wildlife tour of North India should appeal to all who love wildlife and wish to encounter the essence of Kipling's India.

Why KE?

This trip features three of India's premier tiger reserves and offers the very best chance to see a tiger in the wild! Don't forget there is an incredible variety of wildlife in these reserves and there is every chance of spotting antelope, hyenas or every leopards. This amazing wildlife trip is complemented by time to explore the pulsating streets of Delhi and a trip to the incomparible Taj Mahal.

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Itinerary

Meet at the hotel in Delhi. A single timed transfer from Delhi Airport is provided. We have the use of shared ‘day rooms’ at the hotel and after lunch there is the opportunity to some exploration in the local bazaar streets, where we can witness the teeming life of the Indian capital city at first hand. In the early evening we transfer to the railway station to catch the overnight sleeper train to Katni. It is said that the journey is half the experience and certainly this is true here. Any journey on Indian Railways is a fascinating affair from the crowds and chaos of Delhi station platforms to life aboard. Once in our compartment the guard will issue fresh linen and we can settle down to eat our packed evening meal. Having made our beds and eaten our dinners it will be time to turn in and be rocked to sleep by the motion of the train.

Accommodation

Sleeper Train

Meals

L D

Arriving in Katni in the early morning, we meet our vehicles and begin a 2-hour drive up into the Vindhya Hills of Madhya Pradesh to Bandhavgarh National Park where we check in at our hotel. This afternoon we will have our first exposure to Indian wildlife with a 3-hour game drive into the park in a 4WD vehicle.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Bandhavgarh is one of the finest national parks in India and is most well known for its population of Bengal tigers. In fact Bandhavgarh has the highest density of Bengal tigers of any park in the world and we have a really good opportunity to spot one of these magnificent animals. Our programme here includes an early morning game drive by 4WD, with an expert guide. Returning to the hotel for lunch, we will have some free time before going out again on a guided birdwatching tour.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

We have another day in the Bandhavgarh National Park. Besides the tigers, the area abounds with many other species. The park has a large breeding population of leopards, as well as caracal and hyena. These predators are supported by populations of deer and antelope, such as the sambar, cheetal and nilgai, which are a common sight during our safaris. We will have another early morning game drive and then, in the afternoon, we will pay a visit to a nearby village, to check out how the local people live. We spend a third night at our Bandhavgarh hotel.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

We have a drive of around 6 hours to reach Kanha, another national park well known for its tiger population and another place where we have a very good chance of seeing these amazing creatures in the wild. Arriving at Kanha we check in at our hotel and the rest of the afternoon is free for relaxing.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Kanha National Park is one of the largest and oldest national parks in India, and is engaged in much conservation work. In terms of concentration of wildlife Kanha has been compared to the Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania. However, the landscape here is very different and the lush sal and bamboo forests, hanging vines, slow flowing rivers, and grassy meadow plateaux are straight out of Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’. It is a very beautiful landscape, particularly at dawn. We make an early start for a game drive by 4WD vehicle (walking is not allowed in the park) and again we have a reasonably good chance to see tigers. The park also has significant populations of leopard, sloth bear, hyena, and Indian wild dog, as well as a huge population of spotted deer or chital which are the main prey of the big cats here. Other species we may encounter include sambar, gaur, rhesus macaque, golden jackal, Bengal fox, otter, badger, mongoose, and the once near extinct barasingha or swamp deer. We will return to our hotel for lunch and have a second, shorter safari by jeep in the afternoon.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

A second day in the Kanha National Park. As well as the varied mammal populations Kanha, with its great sal forests stretching across the Maikal hills of the Satpura range, is a perfect habitat for some 350 species of birds including mynas, bush chats, kingfishers, treepies, orioles, lapwings, falcons, kites, owls and vultures. The whole area is a paradise for the keen bird watcher and there is the chance to spot completely new species. We will have a game drive in the morning and a birdwatching tour in the afternoon. We spend a third night at our Kanha hotel.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

After a final morning at leisure in Kanha, we make the scenic 3-hour drive following a rough road beside the Narmada River to Jabalpur, the largest city in Eastern Madhya Pradesh. Here, we board the overnight sleeper train to Agra.

Accommodation

Sleeper Train

Meals

B L D

Arriving in Agra, we check in at our hotel, take breakfast and have the remainder of the morning to rest. In the afternoon, we head out on a guided tour of some of India's most iconic monuments including the majestic and sprawling Agra Fort and, of course, the incomparable Taj Mahal. Unquestionably the finest examples of Mughal architecture in the subcontinent, the Taj was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz. It took thousands of artisans and craftsmen 16 years to build the white marble Taj Mahal and another five years to complete the surrounding buildings and gardens. The monument was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. One of the most identifiable buildings in the world, you will still be amazed by the scale of the Taj and the skill and craftsmanship that went into the exquisite carvings and inlaying of semi precious stones in the marble. We overnight at a hotel in Agra.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Leaving Agra, we drive for 2 hours via Fatehpur Sikri to the railway station at Bharatpur. Here we catch the late afternoon train to Sawai Madhopur. Arriving in the early evening, it is a short transfer to Ranthambore National Park. Ranthambore takes its name from the majestic fort which commands a strategic location on a cliff in the park, 200 metres above its surrounds. We check in at our hotel, just outside the park boundary.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Set in an arid Rajasthani landscape of dry grassland, Ranthambore is an oasis of green due to its permanent lakes fed by several perennial rivers. The lakes, which are inhabited by crocodiles, provide a haven for a wide variety of wildlife. It is usual in this park to use 'canters', which are converted trucks, for the game drives and we will have both an early morning excursion and an afternoon excursion, to make the most of the wildlife viewing opportunities. Like the previous two parks on this tour, Ranthambore participates in India's 'Project Tiger' conservation scheme and we should have another excellent chance to see these magnificent beasts. Other animals to be found in the park include leopard, nilgai, dhole, wild boar, sambar, hyena, sloth bear and chital. The lakes also attract a huge amount of birdlife.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Today we will visit the Ranthambore Fort which is superbly located on a rock outcrop overlooking the park. After a short drive, we will make the 20 to 30-minute climb up to the high point of the monument. The fort complex is quite large, covering an area approximately 12 square kilometres and inside there are three Hindu temples dedicated to Ganesh, Shiva and Ramlalaji which were constructed in 12th and 13th centuries from red Karauli stone. There is also a Jain temple. The fort itself is one of the oldest in the country, being built around 944AD by the Chauhan Rajputs. The fort and temples are themselves fascinating and worthy of considerable exploration but possibly the best thing about the fort is its superb vantage for views across the entire park. Be sure to bring your binoculars up here.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

We have an early breakfast and then catch the train back to Delhi. Arriving just after midday, we transfer to the group hotel, close to the city centre, and have the rest of the day free for bargain hunting, further independent sight-seeing or just relaxing. Dinner and overnight at the group hotel.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Your holiday ends after breakfast. A group transfer to Delhi Airport is provided.

Meals

B
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Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

  • A professional English-speaking local leader
  • Delhi Airport transfers on group arrival and departure days
  • All land transport involved in the itinerary including overnight sleeper train
  • Use of shared 'day-rooms' at the group hotel on Day 1
  • All accommodation as detailed in the trip dossier
  • All meals throughout the trip
  • Wildlife safari guides for the game viewing
  • Guided sightseeing tour of Delhi and Agra

  • Travel insurance

  • Delhi Airport transfers if arriving earlier or departing later than the group days

  • Indian Visa

  • Tips for local staff

  • Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.

The group will meet at the hotel in Delhi.

A group transfer from Delhi Airport is provided on the morning of Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary and a group transfer back to the same airport is provided on the final day of the itinerary.

Anyone may join the group transfers by prior arrangement. Travelling as a group or on public transport saves energy. If this is not practical, we can provide private transfers at an additional cost. Taxis are also available.

Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

All meals are included, from lunch on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary to breakfast on Day 14.

It is not recommended to drink untreated water from the taps. You should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles.

All meals are provided. Part of the experience of a visit to India is sampling the excellent local food. Indian cuisine offers a wide choice of dishes, much more variety than the 'curries' we are used to in Indian restaurants at home and the nan breads are like nothing you'll have experienced. Whether the food is presented as a dinner buffet or as a set menu, there will always be vegetarian options. In some place, there will also be familiar international dishes. Breakfasts include cereals, bread, possibly in the form of local 'rotis', eggs, hard-boiled or omelette, often one or two delicious, spicy Indian breakfast options, fruit, juice, hot water for tea or coffee. Lunches will usually be at a restaurant where you can choose what you want - the guide will help with this.

Whilst we can cater for vegetarians, albeit sometimes with a more limited choice, we cannot always provide special diets.  Due to the nature of some of the trips that we operate and the countries in which we operate them, it can be very hard (and sometimes impossible) to cater for a wide range of dietary choices and you may have to supplement your diet with food/snacks from home.  If you have specific dietary requirements please do speak to our sales team and they will be able to advise you whether or not we will be able to offer your specific choice.  Please note that we are unable to provide separate menus and cannot accept liability for any problems arising from special dietary requirements or intolerances.

The group will have the use of communal 'day-rooms' in the group hotel in Delhi at the beginning of the trip and an overnight stay at the end of the trip. We will have a total of 11 nights in good standard hotels in Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Agra and Ranthambore and 2 night's air-con birth on sleeper trains. All accommodation except the sleeper train is allocated on a twin-sharing basis. If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. Depending upon availability it may be possible to arrange single rooms for the hotel nights. For hotel prices and single supplement costs please refer to the dates and prices page of the trip on our website.

The group will be accompanied by an experienced professional leader throughout and there will also be various wildlife guides during the game viewing, as well as cultural guides when sightseeing in Delhi and Agra.

Approximately £150 (or the equivalent in US dollars or euros) should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses, including tips for your guides (allow approximately £50) and soft drinks, etc. (allow approximately £40). There are several opportunities to buy souvenirs on this trip. It is not necessary to purchase local currency (Indian Rupees) before you travel. Sterling, US dollars and euros are readily exchanged in Delhi. Since you will be changing the majority of your spending money into local currency on the day of arrival, we recommend taking this in cash. Credit cards can be used to purchase many goods in Delhi and Agra and are particularly useful for more expensive souvenirs. It is possible to withdraw cash (rupees only) from cash machines in certain banks in Delhi and Agra using credit and debit cards.

Tipping is an accepted and expected part of Indian culture, although you should only tip for services which are well done. We recommend that tips to your guides and driver be made from the group as a whole and that the group decides together on an appropriate amount. Your guide will help with sundry tipping; bell boys, other hotel staff, toilet attendants, lunchtime restaurant staff, Ranthambore staff and railway porters. This means you don't need to concern yourself with who to tip and who not to tip. Your guide will set up a tip 'kitty' for this and you will probably be asked to contribute 4000 rupees (£40) each for this. Separately from this, you will need to tip the driver who is with you for the whole trip. And you will need to tip your guide. As a rough guide we suggest that £80 (depending on group size) will allow you to pay reasonable tips.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are responsible for the conservation of many monuments in India (including the Taj Mahal). This organisation will occasionally undertake work to restore the various monuments, but often without notice, so it is difficult to forewarn our customers of this work. It is possible that, at any time, monuments on this holiday could be having work done on them.

There is no restriction on the weight of your equipment, other than that imposed by the airline. However, you should restrict your luggage to one main item of baggage plus a small daypack in which you will carry your camera, binoculars, water etc.. We recognise that for some of our holidays and for some of our travellers, the KE Trek Bag (see below) may not provide the best solution when packing for your trip. A bag with fitted wheels or a holdall with more than one compartment and more than one access zip can, in some circumstances, be more appropriate. Although it can be useful for our tour leaders when all members of the group have similar, identifying baggage, we have no problem if you choose to use an alternative bag.

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

Visa India

Most nationalities, including travellers from the UK, the USA and many European countries can apply for their Indian Visa online through the E-Visa Application process. You must make your application at least four days prior to departure. Please download the detailed information document for details of how to apply for your visa: Visa India PDF

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Zika virus has been confirmed as active in this country. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. The mosquitoes that transmit ZIKV are unlikely to be found above 2,000m altitude. For more information, visit the website of the National Travel Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) at https://travelhealthpro.org.uk

 

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid.

Malarial prophylaxis is not usually required for trips in the mountains, however if you are visiting rural and remote low lying areas then they might be necessary.

On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro.

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

The currency of India is the Indian Rupee.

Although there is no strenuous walking on this trip it makes a lot of sense to get some additional exercise before coming on any active holiday. Walking, jogging and swimming are all good for developing fitness and stamina. On some days it can be quite hot and you should be prepared for this. Before departure, we suggest that you do some reading about the country, its people and the wildlife you are likely to see.

We run this holiday outside of the wet 'monsoon' period and do not expect to experience significant rainfall. The maximum daytime temperatures will range between 25 and 30 degrees centigrade during November and December, rising to 35 degrees centigrade during March and April. Evening temperatures in Delhi and Agra from late October to February can be quite chilly, dropping below 15 degrees centigrade at times, and you should be prepared for this.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates direct from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

  • India – Lonely Planet

  • Guide India – The Rough Guide

  • Indian Wildlife Insight Guide Field Guide to the Mammals of the Indian Subcontinent. K. K. Gurung and Raj Singh

  • Birds of India. Richard Grimmett, Carol and Tim Inskipp

  • The Jungle Book. Rudyard Kipling

India North West - Reise Know-How Verlag. 1:1,300,000

Detailed road map of North-Western India with relief shading, spot heights and names of hills, mountain ranges, valleys, etc. Nature reserves and bird sanctuaries are highlighted and symbols show locations of various UNESCO sites, forts and palaces, temples and other religious buildings. Latitude and longitude grid is at intervals of 1°. TTK State Road Maps are also available on the internet. These are locally produced maps showing road and rail network with intermediate driving distances. No information on topography is given but each map comes with a booklet providing further information on places of interest. 2 sheets required (Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan)

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum.

You must bring the following items:

  • Strong shoes or walking boots

  • Socks

  • Underwear

  • Lightweight trousers

  • Shirts (at least one long-sleeved with collar)

  • Casual shirts or T-shirts

  • Jacket

  • Sunhat

  • Sunglasses

  • Small padlock (to lock your KE trek bag)

  • Small daypack 20 to 25 litres

  • Torch 

  • Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)

  • Water bottles 1 litre (x2) (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)

  • Water purification tablets

The following items are optional:

  • Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage)

  • Repair kit – (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)

  • Camera and batteries

  • Travel clothes

  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Cotswold Outdoor Red PantonMany of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 12.5% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers.
>> Find out more

Extensions

Extension Details

Delhi Sightseeing Tour - Full day

1 Day

Old Delhi is centred on the Red Fort and is a labyrinth of narrow, bustling streets including Chandni Chowk bazaar. Must-sees here include the Red Fort, built by Emperor Shah Jahan; Hummayan's Tomb, constructed in similar style to the Taj Mahal and the towering Qutab Minar minaret.  New Delhi was the creation of the British Raj who wanted to show their ascendency over the former Mogul rulers with many grand buildings designed by the greatest ever British architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens. Exploring this area by vehicle will give a glimpse of this interesting aspect of India.

Extension Code: IDC1
Sharing Price from
US$170
Single Traveller Price from
US$265
Deposit Per Person from
US$200

Extension Itinerary

Delhi has seen the rise and fall of many empires and each dynasty has left behind monuments and memories to commemorate the grandeur of bygone days. Very few cities in the world offer such diversity in architectural styles, successfully combining the ancient with modernity. KE extension package services begin with a pick up by private car and driver from the hotel at 0930. The city tour includes a visit to the Red Fort; the majestic Jama Masjid, the Humayun Tomb and the Qutab Minar, with a drive past the Lutyens buildings. The tour ends with a drop-off back at the hotel at around 1800.

Whats Included
  • Professional local guide
  • Private driver and vehicle in Delhi
  • Monument entrance fees
What's Not Included
  • Entrance fees to monuments (must be paid directly in local currency) - allow a total of approximately 900 Indian rupees
  • Meals and drinks
  • Tips for your guide and driver
Extension Details

Dharamsala and the Dalai Lama

4 Days
Dharamsala is a former British Raj hill-station in the Dhaula Dhar mountain range and currently home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile. On this four day extension, you will be able to sample a flavour of life in Tibet and enjoy visits to the Dalai Lama’s temple complex; the Norbulingka Institute; the Tibetan children’s village and visit a local Gaddi Tribal village to experience the life of the people who traditionally inhabit the lower reaches of the Dhaula Dhar.
Extension Code: IDS4

Extension Itinerary

Fly to Dharamsala Airport and transfer (14 kms - 20 minutes) to Dharamsala, an early nineteenth century British Raj hill station, now famous for being the home of the Tibetan Government in exile and home to the Dalai Lama. We check in at our hotel in upper Dharamsala, the village known as McLeodganj which exhibits a strong Tibetan influence with monasteries, Tibetan restaurants and shops. Free time.

Meals

L D

Today we visit the Dalai Lama's temple to see some of the Tibetan monks performing a puja. After lunch we will visit the nearby Tibetan Children's Village which houses orphans and ensures they are provided with an education, clothes, food and healthcare. Later we will visit the Norbulingka Institute, a registered trust chaired by the Dalai Lama dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture.

Meals

B L D

Transfer to the Gaddi village of Naddi (1900m) offering views of the Dhauladhar mountain range. Visit a local house and walk to the Buddhist stupa and Tibetan monks meditation huts. Take lunch on low Tibetan tables with sensational mountain views. Short walk to Bagsu Nag village for chai in a local restaurant before returning to our hotel.

Meals

B L D

After breakfast, you will be taken back to Dharamsala Airport to catch your return flight to Delhi. Services end on arrival in Delhi.

Meals

B
Whats Included
  • Transfer to Delhi Airport on Day 1
  • Internal flights Delhi to Dharamsala return
  • Dharamsala Airport transfers
  • 3 nights accommodation in Dharamsala
  • Guided sightseeing on Days 2 and 3
  • Entrance fees at temples etc
  • All meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 4
What's Not Included
  • Miscellaneous personal expenses such as souvenirs and soft drinks
  • Tips for local staff
  • FAMILY / GROUP PRICES: Please contact KE for prices

Reviews

5 out of 5 from 3 reviews

Fantastic first experience of the Subcontinent ★★★★★

Our first time in India and what an experience it was! It’s the one place that we’ve been to that you can’t really do justice describing it in words… you have to visit and experience it yourself. Our guide - Ketan - awesome guide and top man. Everything worked well (for us anyway) - he was certainly working hard behind the scenes arranging transfers, train tickets, food, luggage handlers, park guides etc etc. He looked after us with a great sense of fun and patience and nothing was too m uch trouble. His knowledge of culture, history, flora and fauna was faultless and he fielded all of our questions with grace and humour. The itinerary was varied and never dull: three game parks where we sighted tigers, a sloth bear, jackals, dhols, many types of deer and more birds than you could wish for. We visited two shrines, two forts, one abandoned city and the Taj Mahal (absolutely stunning!). When you add four train journeys (including two overnight sleeper) and being driven through Delhi, Agra and a number of villages, the India experience was extensive! Overall the accommodation was good and the food excellent. Tips: Ear plugs for the sleeper trains. Eye masks also handy - we used our buffs. Everyone tries this but pack light! We tried and didn’t quite pack light enough. Carrying our bags through the train stations could have been easier. Definitely need layers - fleeces, hats and buffs are a must for early morning game drives in exposed vehicles. Entering Delhi airport you need to show ticket confirmation or boarding passes for each passenger in order to pass security and get into the airport. Finally, two last thoughts on this trip especially if you have never been to India before: 1) Take the plunge and go - absolutely amazing place and totally unforgettable experience that may change your outlook on life. 2) Go with a completely open mind and let the colours, sights, sounds, smells and magic of the Indian people and land draw you in.
By Sean CATTLE | 12 April 2023

Perfect Wildlife and Culture Trip for an India Virgin! ★★★★★

We spotted 7 tigers on our trip and were delighted! Wildlife spotting in the Indian jungles is an emotional roller-coaster! Due to the foliage you see much less than you would in the wide open plains of, say, Africa (and not everything is the perfect photo opportunity), but what you do see you value so much more. I enjoyed the bird watching excursions much more than I expected. Having seen a negative comment on an earlier review I had limited expectations for this aspect of the trip but, as a co mplete novice, I found them really interesting. Our guide Ajay looked after us all brilliantly and we wanted for nothing. He sorted out a tip kitty, explained all the food to us, the train journeys went seamlessly, and he knew all the best photo angles at the tourist sites so acted as our official photographer! Tips: 1/ Take more warm layers than you think you will need. The breeze in the game drive vehicles is chilly early morning and late afternoon. I used my gloves one morning! For reference I went in November. 2/ There were swimming pools at all but 1 of our hotels so take your cozzy if you fancy a dip. 3/ Upgrade to first class on the sleeper trains. Not that much more and you can request your own cabin. 4/ Binoculars essential I would say.
By Laura Kendal | 21 November 2022

Super Safari! ★★★★★

Great Tiger spotting trip.

By Michelle York | 30 May 2017

Traveller Reviews
5 out of 5 from 3 reviews

Fantastic first experience of the Subcontinent
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Our first time in India and what an experience it was! It’s the one place that we’ve been to that you can’t really do justice describing it in words… you have to visit and experience it yourself. Our guide - Ketan - awesome guide and top man. Everything worked well (for us anyway) - he was certainly working hard behind the scenes arranging transfers, train tickets, food, luggage handlers, park guides etc etc. He looked after us with a great sense of fun and patience and nothing was too m uch trouble. His knowledge of culture, history, flora and fauna was faultless and he fielded all of our questions with grace and humour. The itinerary was varied and never dull: three game parks where we sighted tigers, a sloth bear, jackals, dhols, many types of deer and more birds than you could wish for. We visited two shrines, two forts, one abandoned city and the Taj Mahal (absolutely stunning!). When you add four train journeys (including two overnight sleeper) and being driven through Delhi, Agra and a number of villages, the India experience was extensive! Overall the accommodation was good and the food excellent. Tips: Ear plugs for the sleeper trains. Eye masks also handy - we used our buffs. Everyone tries this but pack light! We tried and didn’t quite pack light enough. Carrying our bags through the train stations could have been easier. Definitely need layers - fleeces, hats and buffs are a must for early morning game drives in exposed vehicles. Entering Delhi airport you need to show ticket confirmation or boarding passes for each passenger in order to pass security and get into the airport. Finally, two last thoughts on this trip especially if you have never been to India before: 1) Take the plunge and go - absolutely amazing place and totally unforgettable experience that may change your outlook on life. 2) Go with a completely open mind and let the colours, sights, sounds, smells and magic of the Indian people and land draw you in.
By Sean CATTLE | 12 April 2023

Perfect Wildlife and Culture Trip for an India Virgin!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We spotted 7 tigers on our trip and were delighted! Wildlife spotting in the Indian jungles is an emotional roller-coaster! Due to the foliage you see much less than you would in the wide open plains of, say, Africa (and not everything is the perfect photo opportunity), but what you do see you value so much more. I enjoyed the bird watching excursions much more than I expected. Having seen a negative comment on an earlier review I had limited expectations for this aspect of the trip but, as a co mplete novice, I found them really interesting. Our guide Ajay looked after us all brilliantly and we wanted for nothing. He sorted out a tip kitty, explained all the food to us, the train journeys went seamlessly, and he knew all the best photo angles at the tourist sites so acted as our official photographer! Tips: 1/ Take more warm layers than you think you will need. The breeze in the game drive vehicles is chilly early morning and late afternoon. I used my gloves one morning! For reference I went in November. 2/ There were swimming pools at all but 1 of our hotels so take your cozzy if you fancy a dip. 3/ Upgrade to first class on the sleeper trains. Not that much more and you can request your own cabin. 4/ Binoculars essential I would say.
By Laura Kendal | 21 November 2022

Super Safari!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Tiger spotting trip.

By Michelle York | 30 May 2017

DATES & PRICES

Private Departure?

Gather a few friends, family or club and take over your own departure.

2024

Dates

Adults from

Deposit

Status

More Information

  • Tigers, Temples and the Taj Mahal
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: TTT /04/24/
  • This trip begins on Mon 11 Nov and ends on Sun 24 Nov
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$475
  • Single Supplement Price: US$680 - Includes all group hotel nights (n/a on sleeper train) -

    The FLIGHT INCLUSIVE dates and prices are based on UK flights from London to Delhi. Outbound flights will usually depart the UK in the early evening, arriving in the morning of the following day (Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary). Return flights will depart Delhi Airport in the early hours of the final day of the holiday, arriving in the UK later the same day.

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2025

Dates

Adults from

Deposit

Status

More Information

  • Tigers, Temples and the Taj Mahal
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: TTT /01/25/
  • This trip begins on Mon 17 Feb and ends on Sun 2 Mar
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$475
  • Single Supplement Price: US$680 - Includes all group hotel nights (n/a on sleeper train) -

    The FLIGHT INCLUSIVE dates and prices are based on UK flights from London to Delhi. Outbound flights will usually depart the UK in the early evening, arriving in the morning of the following day (Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary). Return flights will depart Delhi Airport in the early hours of the final day of the holiday, arriving in the UK later the same day.

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More Information

  • Tigers, Temples and the Taj Mahal
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: TTT /02/25/
  • This trip begins on Mon 31 Mar and ends on Sun 13 Apr
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$475
  • Single Supplement Price: US$680 - Includes all group hotel nights (n/a on sleeper train) -

    The FLIGHT INCLUSIVE dates and prices are based on UK flights from London to Delhi. Outbound flights will usually depart the UK in the early evening, arriving in the morning of the following day (Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary). Return flights will depart Delhi Airport in the early hours of the final day of the holiday, arriving in the UK later the same day.

  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Tigers, Temples and the Taj Mahal
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: TTT /03/25/
  • This trip begins on Mon 10 Nov and ends on Sun 23 Nov
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$475
  • Single Supplement Price: US$680 - Includes all group hotel nights (n/a on sleeper train) -

    The FLIGHT INCLUSIVE dates and prices are based on UK flights from London to Delhi. Outbound flights will usually depart the UK in the early evening, arriving in the morning of the following day (Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary). Return flights will depart Delhi Airport in the early hours of the final day of the holiday, arriving in the UK later the same day.

  • Download Trip Notes

Land Only Information

The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary starting at the hotel in Delhi. A single group transfer is provided from Delhi Airport on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary and back to the airport on the final day of the Land Only itinerary.

ZEN_HOLIDAY_DATES_PRICES_LAND_ONLY_USD_NOTICE

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