Taj Traveller 8 Days | Starts/Ends: Delhi

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TRIP NOTES

Taj Traveller 8 days | Starts/Ends: Delhi

Discover the spectacular sights rickshaw and explore this biodiverse Tipping your guide is an entirely personal of India's famous Golden Triangle wetland reserve gesture • including both old and new Delhi, Fatehpur Sikri – Discover the ghostly former Mughal city which has laid the Pink City of Jaipur and Agra - DETAILED ITINERARY abandoned for more than 400 years home to the magnificent Taj Mahal. • Agra - Enjoy a guided tour of the Day 1 : Delhi Also explore the Chand Baori step impressive UNESCO-listed Agra Fort Saturday. Welcome to India! On arrival in Delhi well and sample traditional rural life What's Included you are be transferred from the airport to in the quaint village of Bharatpur on our hotel. Enjoy the rest of your first day this classic 8 day tour of India. • Breakfast daily and 2 dinners exploring independently in the city. Perhaps • 7 nights 3-4 star and heritage hotels visit Akshardham - the world’s largest Hindu • Guided sightseeing - Delhi, Jaipur, temple. This evening we have a welcome HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Bharatpur and Agra meeting at 18:00 at the hotel to meet our • Travel by jeep to beautiful Amber Fort in guide the rest of the group. Trip Highlights Jaipur • The Taj Mahal – Explore the most famous • Escorted by an English-speaking Indian Please note that the welcome meeting will be site in India on a guided tour and marvel tour guide (for groups of 6 or more) hosted this evening at 18:00. Entrance fees for at this enduring symbol of love • Services of English-speaking Indian your tour and a tip kitty will also be collected • Delhi – Ride on a rickshaw around specialist guides at some sites at the welcome dinner on day 2. The tip kitty Chandni Chowk bazaar and tour • Airport arrival and departure transfer on will cover any tipping required throughout the highlights of the city including Jama days 1 and 8 tour, apart from a tip for your tour guide. Masjid and the India Gate • All relevant transfers and transportation in Overnight - Delhi • Jaipur – See the City Palace and the private air-conditioned vehicles UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar space observatory in the Pink City What's Not Included • Amber Fort – Visit the fantastically • Tipping Kitty: USD$25-35pp, paid in local preserved lakeside fortress which is laid currency out over four striking levels • Entrance Fees: USD$75-85pp, paid in • Abhaneri – Admire the famous Chand local currency Baori step well and marvel at the 3,500 • International flights and visa steps which descend to the waters edge • Tip for your tour guide. We recommend • Keoladeo Ghana National Park – Look you allow USD$4-7 per day, per traveller. out for rare bird species from your cycle

Taj Traveller - 8 days updated on 28-09-2021 08:09:11 www.onthegotours.com This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to UK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] this itinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa AUS 1300 855 684 [email protected] requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours. NZ 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 - 1 - USA 1 866 606 2960 SA 0800 990 311 TRIP NOTES

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Day 2 : Old and New Delhi - India Gate - The 42 metre high stone “Arch best preserved. At first glance, Jantar Mantar sightseeing of Triumph”, erected in memory of Indian resembles a sculpture park, though in fact, soldiers who died in the First World War each construction has a specific scientific purpose. Some measure the positions of Tonight, we enjoy a Namaste Dinner at our stars, whilst others calculate eclipses, the hotel. lunar calendar and simply the time of day. Overnight - Delhi (B, D) Even today, most of the constructions remain Day 3 : Jaipur - the Pink City! accurate! Overnight - Jaipur (B) Day 4 : Amber Fort

This morning, we set off for a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. This 17th century walled city of Shahjahanabad was the erstwhile capital of Mughal India, with city gates, narrow alleyways, bazaars, mosques and other historic monuments. Today Old Delhi is still a hive of activity, and the Chandhi Chowk Delhi - Jaipur. Today we travel by road, to the bazaar is a colourful place to people watch. UNESCO-listed Pink City of Jaipur, capital of Early-risers can opt for a morning hot air We will enjoy a rickshaw ride through this Rajasthan. The journey takes approximately 5 balloon ride over Jaipur, and sail over hilltop bustling bazaar. - 6 hours. Upon arrival we embark on some forts, regal palaces, sleepy villages, and stone sightseeing and take in the Old City and City Sightseeing highlights of Old Delhi include: carved temples. As the balloon’s course is Palace. Watch out for snake charmers along - Jama Masjid - The largest mosque in India entirely dependent upon the wind, we cannot the way. and the final architectural extravagance of confirm the exact flight path your balloon will Shah Jahan In 1876, Maharaja Ram Singh had the entire take nor the panoramas and monuments you - Raj Ghat - on the banks of the Yamuna old city swathed in pink paint! Not as mad as will see. No two flights are ever the same, River lies a marble memorial marking the spot it seems as pink associated with hospitality each will present unique and picture perfect where the great leader Mahatma Gandhi was in India. The new paint job was completed in photo opportunities. This is part of the beauty cremated after his assassination time for a regal visit by the Prince of Wales of it. (later King Edward VII), a tradition that has In contrast to Old Delhi, New Delhi is a city of Then we travel beyond Jaipur to the stunning been maintained, hence Jaipur’s name - the wide tree-lined streets, parks, fountains and 16th century Amber Fort - a sprawling Pink City. roundabouts – designed by Edward Lutyens Rajput construction perched on a hillside and built as the imperial capital of India En route to the City Palace, we’ll pass overlooking the dusty plains below. Arriving by the British. This part of the city also Hawa Mahal – the Palace of the Winds. at the top we tour the fort’s well-preserved houses many government buildings including This impressive façade it is one of the interior and grounds. Rashtrapati Bhavan – the official residence city’s landmarks. This 5-storey building which Before returning to Jaipur we make a short of the President of India which stands at the overlooks the main street of the bustling visit of about 1 hour to a cotton trading/ opposite end of the Rajpath from the India old city is a stunning example of Rajput tailor factory where we can watch a block Gate. architecture. printing and screen printing demonstration Sightseeing highlights of New Delhi include: We explore the beautiful City Palace, a blend with traditional Rajasthani designs. Travellers - Humayun's Tomb - the magnificent tomb of of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. If the looking for souvenirs can explore the small the Mughal Emperor Humayun flag is flying, the Maharaja is in residence. bazaar offering regional souvenirs and other - Rajpath – an immensely broad boulevard A part of palace has been converted into a handicrafts in addition to cotton products flanked on either side by ornamental ponds. museum, which has an impressive collection including saris. The Republic Day parade is held here every of arts, carpets, enamel ware and weaponry. Later this evening you can also opt to explore 26 January, drawing millions of people to this Johari Bazaar in the Old Pink City which is spectacle. It is at the eastern end of Rajpath Just over the road from the City Palace is also great for shopping. Popular souvenirs we’ll see the India Gate Jantar Mantar, an observatory of astronomy built by Jai Singh in 1728. Of the five include jootis (traditional Rajasthani curled observatories he built, this is the largest and shoes), Jaipur’s famous blue pottery, textiles

Taj Traveller and handicrafts around the City Palace or Day 6 : The Taj Mahal Day 7 : Return to Delhi Hawa Mahal. Our vehicle is available to drop you off at the market and its easy enough to grab a rickshaw on the way back. Overnight - Jaipur (B) Day 5 : Chand Baori & Keoladeo Ghana National Park

Bharatpur - Agra. En route to Agra we visit Agra - Delhi. After breakfast we return to Delhi, Fatehpur Sikri, which was once a magnificent where the rest of the day is free for you to fortified city and the capital of the Mughal explore. Perhaps visit the impressive Red Fort Empire (1571-1585) until it was abandoned due and enjoy its Sound and Light Show after dark. to a lack of water. Overnight - Delhi (B) Fatehpur Sikri is well preserved and divided into four main parts: the women’s quarters; Day 8 : Delhi the emperor’s quarters; a quarter for princes Saturday. Our tour comes to an end today with Jaipur - Abhaneri - Bharatpur. Departing and noblemen; and weapons housing. We see an included departure transfer to the airport. Jaipur we stop in the village of Abhaneri to various temples, pavilions and public areas, (B) see Chand Baori, which is the largest and gaining a fascinating insight into how life must deepest step well in the world. This incredible have been for the inhabitants of this old city. HOTELS well has a staggering 3500 steps and is 13 Continuing on to Agra, we embark on a short Highlighted below are some of the hotels storeys deep. Then we gain an insight into tour of the Agra Fort. Behind its colossal walls which we frequently use on this tour, though local village life, visiting Adarsh Vidya Mandir are some of the finest Mughal buildings in we reserve the right to substitute these local school (if open) where we operate our India. Construction of the fort started during hotels to ones of a similar standard. ‘Change for Children’ programme. If you have the reign of Emperor Akbar and additions Please refer to your Tour Voucher for your bought any educational items with you to were made until the rule of his grandson Shah confirmed arrival hotel and further arrival hand out to children this would be the time Jahan. During Akbar’s time, it was primarily a information. to do so. You can also make a donation to military fort though later the focus shifted and the school, if you choose via our Change For it partially became a palace. Vivanta by Taj Dwarka Children project. Your guide will hand out Vivanta by Taj Dwarka is a modern, luxury envelopes to those interested. From the Agra Fort we make the short journey hotel located in Dwarka, on the outskirts of to visit the legendary Taj Mahal. Described as After hotel check in at Bharatpur and time New Delhi, just a 15-minute drive from the the most extravagant monument ever built for to freshen up we visit the UNESCO World airport. Spread over 7 acres, this striking love, this fine example of Mughal architecture Heritage Site of Keoladeo Ghana National hotel has a unique angular design and was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan Park where we enjoy a leisurely rickshaw offers 250 luxurious rooms and suites. All in memory of his beloved second wife- ride through the park. Keoladeo’s 29 sq.km tastes are catered for at the hotel's multi- Mumtaz Mahal, who died tragically during of swamps and lakes constitute one of the cuisine restaurant, while the Indus Express childbirth. Built entirely of white marble, most important breeding and migratory areas restaurant serves mouth-watering Punjabi construction began in 1631, the year in which in the world, where from October - March the cuisine. Head to the popular Tipple bar Mumtaz died, and was not completed until some 200 plus local species are joined by a for a delicious array of heady cocktails 1653. A staggering total of 20,000 workers further 130 species from as far afield as the or relax by the poolside with a refreshing contributed their skills, in the construction of Russian Steppes and Central Asia. Overnight smoothie from the Celsuis Pool Bar. The this unique mausoleum. Overnight - Agra (B) - Bharatpur (B, D) nearby Sector 21 Metro station provides direct access to the heart of the city and after a day of sightseeing you can cool off with a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool or relax in the sauna and massage parlour.

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Situated a stone’s throw away from the legendary Taj Mahal, the Royal Residency Hotel is perfectly located for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in Agra’s famous monuments. Each comfortable air- conditioned room features a minibar with tea and coffee making facilities, satellite Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mandawa Haveli TV as well as excellent en-suite facilities. Rohini Made of pink and red sandstone, the Guests can enjoy an array of flavours around Located just footsteps from the nearest beautiful heritage-style Mandawa Haveli the world in the multi-cuisine restaurant, or metro station, the Crowne Plaza New Delhi is a fine example of typical Rajasthani perhaps sip on a cocktail next to the outdoor offers a beautiful blend of contemporary architecture. All rooms are well appointed pool. facilities and warm Indian hospitality. Each with intricately carved wooden beds and en-suite guestroom features traditional wood king-size royal portraits, with modern furnishings and a minibar, free WiFi and a amenities such as free WiFi and ensuite flat screen TV. Guests can unwind in the bathrooms. Spend an evening dining on Adya Spa which features a mix of Asian continental, Indian or Rajasthani cuisine on and European therapies or take a swim in the outdoor terrace or request a private, the outdoor pool to escape the heat. The candlelit dinner on the rooftop under a star- hotel prides itself on its range of dining studded sky. Well located in the heart of options including the Spice Art restaurant, Jaipur city on Sansar Chandra Road, this 25 March 2021 - Holi - which serves delicious North Indian cuisine, hotel is just a few minute’s drive from the Festival of Colour tour and Moasic, where you’ll find a range of Palace of the Winds. Celebrated all over India since ancient times, international dishes. Holi is an annual festival celebrated on the day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Phalguna. Originally Holi was an agricultural festival celebrating the arrival of spring. Today the central ritual of Holi incorporates the throwing of coloured water and powders on friends and family which gives the holiday its Udai Vilas Palace modern name ‘the Festival of Colour’. This ritual is also believed to be based on events Hotel Jivitesh Set amongst 2 acres of landscaped gardens, in Hindu mythology and is associated with the Udai Vilas Palace is a traditional hotel The Jivitesh Hotel is centrally located Krishna's playful splashing of the maids with located right in the heart of Bharatpur in the heart of Karol Bagh, a popular water, but most of all it celebrates the coming city. Guest rooms are spacious and well neighbourhood of Delhi renowned for its of spring and the vibrancy of colour that the equipped with comfortable beds and excellent shops and vibrant street markets. season brings. The Jivitesh offers comfortable and spacious large windows. The hotel is famous for its guest rooms, with modern amenities such as barbecue nights and Rajasthani folklore Holi - the festival of colour, will be celebrated free WiFi, and you can be assured of a warm evenings, where you will be enthralled by nationwide on Monday, 29 March 2021 and welcome and excellent customer service traditional music and dance performances. our arrangements are as follows: from the hotel staff. Enjoy authentic Indian Keoladeo National Park, one of the most Days 1 - 4: Arrangements as per normal Taj vegetarian cuisine at the hotel's restaurant well-known bird sanctuaries in India, is also Traveller itinerary. and take a refreshing dip in the outdoor just a five-minute drive away. swimming pool after a day of sightseeing Day 5: Monday 29 March 2021. Jaipur - in the capital. Please note: The swimming Bharatpur. It's an early start today as the pool at the Jivitesh hotel is currently under festivities of Holi bring thousands of people renovation and is expected to be finished by out onto the streets in a dazzling display September 2020. of colour and good cheer. Celebrated every year in February or March, the ancient Hindu festival of Holi originated as a celebration of Hotel Royale Residency the end of winter and beginning of spring in honour of Prahlada, who was protected

Taj Traveller from the flames by Vishnu when he was Rama, overwhelmed with joy, illuminated the tricked to his near death by his father King Day 6: Tuesday 30 March 2021. En route to kingdom with earthen oil lamps and set Hiranyakashipu. Agra we visit Fatehpur Sikri, which was once firecrackers ablaze to welcome the return of a magnificent fortified city and the capital of their king Today Holi is a time when Indians across the the Mughal Empire from 1571 until 1585, until it nation gather together with family, friends and was abandoned due to a lack of water. Nowadays Diwali involves the lighting of neighbours to throw powder bombs, fire water small clay lamps filled with oil, signifying the pistols and splash coloured water as they run Fatehpur Sikri is well preserved and divided triumph of good over evil. During Diwali, all through the streets. Shops and businesses into four main parts: the women’s quarters; the celebrants wear new clothes and share close for the day, and on the eve of the the emperor’s quarters; a quarter for princes sweets and snacks with family members and celebrations a bonfire is held to remember the and noblemen; and weapons housing. We see friends. Believing in good luck and good story of Prahlada and Vishnu. various temples, pavilions and public areas, fortune associated with the events, most gaining a fascinating insight into how life must Indian business communities choose to begin While this is the mostly believed story, the have been for the inhabitants of this old city. the financial year on the first day of Diwali. myths and legends that surround Holi differ around the country, but the basic principle Continuing to Agra, we embark on a short tour If travelling on our tour departing 12 remains the same. Holi is meant to symbolise of the Agra Fort. Behind its colossal walls are November 2020, we offer slightly varied the triumph of good over evil, the importance some of the finest Mughal buildings in India. touring arrangements in Jaipur to celebrate of love and of happiness, and supports the Construction of the fort was commenced Diwali. formation of new friendships. during the reign of Emperor Akbar and Arrangements are as follows: additions were made until the rule of his Day 3 - Diwali, the Festival of Lights! Leaving our hotel, we'll drive to Bharatpur. grandson Shah Jahan. During Akbar’s time, it On our Taj Traveller tour departing on Arriving to our hotel in Bharatpur, you can pull was primarily a military fort though later the 12 November 2020 we join in the Diwali up a chair and watch the Holi celebrations focus shifted and it partially became a palace. celebrations in Jaipur on day 3. Special that will take place out on the lawn. For those arrangements on this day are as follows: wanting to get involved we'll be providing Our final stop today is the legendary Taj white kurta pyjamas for you to wear and Mahal. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in loving Day 3 - Diwali, the Festival of Light! Delhi - organic colours for you to throw. In this memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, who Jaipur. This morning we drive from Delhi to game of cat and mouse, stealth and the art tragically died in childbirth in 1631, the Taj Jaipur. Upon arrival to Jaipur the remainder of of surprise will serve you well. Note: The Mahal is described as the most extravagant the afternoon offers free time before we head festivities will take place between members of monument ever built for love and remains one out this evening to celebrate Diwali. Our first our groups, guides and some hotel staff, not of India’s most enduring symbols. stop this evening is the highly regarded Birla the general public. We do not celebrate Holi Overnight - Agra temple. Located at the foot of Moti Doongri out on the streets with locals as the assault set Day 7: Wednesday 31 March 2021. Agra - fortress, this beautiful temple is made up of upon non-locals can be overwhelming and the Delhi. This morning we return to Delhi (approx. three marble domes representing the three chemicals/colours used for making coloured 6 hour journey), the latter part of the afternoon major religions of the country and adorned powder in unknown. is free for you to relax or independently with intricate marble carvings of historic and explore more of Delhi. Opt for a meal in the religious figures. While the main idols of After a bombardment of powder bombs and the temple are Lord Vishnu and his consort shower of water in every imaginable colour, heart of the city or simply relax and chat with group members at the hotel. Overnight - Delhi Goddess Lakshmi, it does house many other there is time for lunch before visiting the small shrines devoted to various Hindu Gods UNESCO World Heritage Site of Keoladeo Day 8: Thursday 01 April 2021. Delhi. Our tour and Goddesses. Ghana National Park where we’ll enjoy a concludes after breakfast. Included departure leisurely rickshaw ride through the park. transfer to the airport for your flight home.(B) During Diwali the gardens surrounding the Keoladeo’s 29 sq.km of swamps and lakes temple are lit up and decorated in garlands constitute one of the most important breeding 12 November 2020 - Diwali, and flowers, and locals flock to the temple and migratory areas in the world, where from Festival of Lights to give their offerings to the deities. While October - March the some 200 plus local the temple does get very crowded during Of all the festivals celebrated in India, Diwali species are joined by a further 130 species the festivities, this is all part of experiencing is by far the most important. The five day from as far afield as the Russian Steppes and a truly authentic Diwali celebration with the celebration commemorates the return of Central Asia. Note: This departure does not locals. Leaving the temple grounds, we'll Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, include a visit to Abhaneri Village School and make our way to a restaurant in the city from his fourteen years of exile and the it’s unlikely that we will be able to reach the that specialises in classic Indian cuisine for vanquishing of the demon King Ravana. Chand Baori step well. Overnight - Bharatpur a special Diwali Dinner. As firecrackers light The people of Ayodhya, the Capital of

Taj Traveller the balmy, autumn night sky we'll continue to Confirming your trip staff. The tipping kitty amount is noted under celebrate Diwali alongside the locals. At time of booking please provide us with: 'Exclusions' on the first page of this document. Overnight - Jaipur (B, D) - YOUR FULL NAME and DOB, 120 days prior PLEASE NOTE: The tipping kitty is to be paid in to departure to secure train tickets INDIAN RUPEES (INR) and it will be collected KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - A SCANNED COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT, on day 2 of your tour. 90 days prior to departure to book your safari If travelling onto Sri Lanka on our Delhi to COVID-19 Vaccination by canter vehicle in Ranthambore National Colombo tour, the tipping kitty for that section Requirements Park. of your tour will be collected by your guide in As of 01 November 2021 it is a condition of If booking less than 120/90 days, every effort Sri Lanka and is payable in Sri Lankan Rupees travel, as detailed in our Terms & Conditions will be made to secure seats in the same (SLR). If travelling on our Railways of the Raj that all travellers over 18 years provide proof carriage and canter as the others in your tour tour, a tip kitty will not be collected and we ask of COVID-19 vaccination. group, though this may not be possible. that you independently manage tipping along We recognise any vaccine that has been the way. authorised for use in the country where Entrance fees Our ‘Tip Kitty’ doesn’t include a tip for your the vaccine was administered. This includes On our group tours, select entry fees are group tour guide, where we suggest an vaccines such as AstraZeneca, Covaxin, included with in the tour costs, however all amount of approx USD$4-7 per day multiplied Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer- other entrance fees must be budgeted for by by the duration of your tour. Naturally though, BioNtech, Sinopharm, Sinovac and Sputnik. you. The total cost of these entrance fees, as the amount is up to you. The tip for your guide noted under 'Exclusions' on the first page of is an entirely personal gesture. In all instances, you must be fully immunised. this document are required to be paid locally This means you must receive the full dosage by each traveller at the Welcome Meeting. If travelling on a group tour with less than 6 of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow a minimum Entrance fee amounts are subject to change participants, in place of ‘tipping made easy’ of 14 days before travelling in order for and as such upon arrival to India your tour we recommend the following amounts per immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 leader will highlight the exact total entrance person per day be allocated to cover tips vaccine has different dosages and timeframes fee cost for your tour. PLEASE NOTE: Entrance paid directly by you to - bellhops, luggage for immunisation, so please check the related fees are to be paid in INDIAN RUPEES (INR) handlers, your driver and local guides - medical advice associated with your vaccine. and they will be collected on day 2 of your USD$9 per travellers if the day includes a Children under 18 years are not required to tour. local guide and sightseeing and USD$4 per provide evidence of vaccination to travel at traveller, if the day excludes a local guide and this time. If travelling on our Railways of the Raj tour, sightseeing. entrance fees will not be collected and are If you are unable to be vaccinated due payable by you at each site. If travelling to Sri Guides & groups to medical reasons, you may apply for an Lanka on our Delhi to Colombo tour, entrance Our longest group tour in India is our Highway exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on fees for the Sri Lanka section of your tour will to Himalayas – 16 day tour and our Passage a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must be collected by your guide in Sri Lanka and to India – 14 day tour tour. All other group provide supporting documentation from a payable in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR). medical professional. tours that we offer are sectors of a longer Tipping kitty tour. As such on your holiday you may have Proof of COVID-19 immunisation must travellers join you part way through your tour Tipping is not a natural part of many Western be provided to us no less than or end their holiday when you continue on. cultures and many of us feel uncomfortable, 4 weeks prior to travel. We accept Whenever there is 6 persons of more on your or unsure about when or how much to COVID-19 digital certificates, NHS Covid holiday you will have a tour guide escorting/ tip. However, in India tipping makes up a Pass or Vaccination Record Cards e- travelling with you. Your guide will conduct significant part of many people’s wages so it’s mailed to [email protected] or you the sightseeing arrangements, or accompany important that we get it right. For this reason, can upload your vaccination history you where the local law dictates that a local we’ve developed a very simple system to take yourself via our traveller login. https:// guide must conduct the sightseeing in this all the hassle out of tipping. www.onthegotours.com/Login region. Where the group number is less than With our ‘tipping made easy’ policy, a nominal 6 persons you will travel from place to place The information you will need to upload pre-determined amount is collected from all with a driver and meet a local guide at includes: Administering national authority or group tour participants to cover tips during each new destination, who will conduct your government, document No, name of Vaccine, your tour. This then saves you the hassle of sightseeing arrangements in this location. date/s of vaccination. when and how much to tip bellhops, luggage handlers, local guides and other support

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Change for children Arrive to Delhi's Indira Gandhi International subject to change, therefore it is essential that On many of our Group Tours we stop at one Airport, where after you have attended to you check current visa requirements with the of two Village Schools where we operate our customs and immigration formalities, please embassy before travel. For information about ‘Change for Children’ programme. If travelling proceed to the arrival hall. Please have your visas, head to www.onthegotours.com/India/ via Karauli you will meet the children at tour voucher handy and make it available to Visas Nishabd local school (supporting deaf and our representative who will be waiting for you blind children), and if via Bharatpur, Adarsh in the arrivals hall, holding a prominent On The Health requirements Vidya Mandir local school. If you have bought Go Tours logo signboard, ready to escort you You should seek medical advice for any educational items with you to hand out to to our awaiting transportation and onward to vaccinations and about medications before children, this would be the time to do so. You your start hotel. travelling. can also make a donation to the school if you If, for any reason you have trouble locating Water choose via our Change For Children Project. our representative (after waiting 20 minutes As tap water is not safe to drink in India, only Your guide will hand out envelopes to those in the arrival hall) or your flight is delayed, drink bottled mineral water which is readily interested. please call or send a text message (standard available in hotels, shops and restaurants. All schools are closed from mid-May through text message, not Messenger or WhatsApp) to You should also avoid salads which may be till the start of July for the Summer Vacation the emergency contact number as stated on washed in unhygienic water. and then in December for Winter Vacation. your Tour Voucher. Please do not leave the Additionally, they may be closed throughout airport or go to the hotel on your own. Call Essential packing Please check local temperatures so the year during festival weeks such as Holi, our emergency contact number and follow the you can pack accordingly. Visit Diwali and others - including teacher training advice given by our local team. www.worldclimate.com days which only tend to be announced a day If travelling on our other India holidays that or two prior. Accordingly, it is not be possible don't arrive into Delhi Airport (with arrival • A small daypack for your day-to-day needs to visit the schools during these times and via Kochi, Cochin, Goa, Mumbai, Chennai, • Tour Voucher and a copy of your travel should you have bought along items for the Trivandrum, Kolkata and Dimapur Airport), the insurance policy, spare passport photos and a school, your guide will be happy to pass them procedure for meeting you at the airport is the photocopy of your passport on when it re-opens, on your behalf. same as those detailed above. • Universal travel adaptor • Insect repellent to guard against mosquitos The schools have made the following Pre and post tour accommodation can be • Spare camera batteries and memory cards suggesting's to support onward education: arranged upon request, please contact us for • Consider packing some pencils, pens or • Wall charts – map of the world, numbers, rates. If you are arriving early and book pre modest educational supplies that can be letters, multiplication tables tour accommodation with us then you will still given to village schools or street children • Any visual teaching resources, coloured qualify for our complimentary airport arrival • Buy some Indian Rupees at the airport on cardboard, junior scissors, rulers, sharpeners, transfer. arrival and keep a supply of small notes for lead pencils local transactions • Reading books – suitable for any age If arriving prior to 9am on day 1 (essentially between 4 – 12 years of age on a flight that arrives very, very early in the Domestic flights - Baggage • Sporting equipment – cricket bat, tennis morning) consider purchasing a night of pre- allowance balls, soft balls, skipping ropes, elastics tour accommodation to save you waiting until If your holiday includes a domestic flight or • Toothbrushes, toothpaste, liquid soap for hotel check in time, which is generally 2pm. washrooms you have independently booked domestic Visas & passports flights separate to that of your international India Country Guide Visa requirements are subject to change and flights, please be mindful that that free visa procurement is the responsibility of the baggage allowance for Economy class travel Welcome to India - Arrival traveller and not On The Go Tours. Please also on flights within India is near always 15kg, transfer ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 with 5-7kg allowance for hand luggage. Additional weight is charged per kilo and is If your holiday includes a complimentary months from your planned date of departure payable by you directly to the airline at check- airport arrival transfer (as indicated in the from India. in. If travelling with more than 15kg on a flight 'Inclusions' section of these Trip Notes After booking your holiday, please provide us included within your holiday, please contact on page 1) from Delhi's Indira Gandhi with your passport details as soon as possible us so we can confirm the exact luggage International Airport, our arrival procedure is so that we can proceed to book all services. allowance for your flight and give you the as follows: Please be advised visa requirements are current per kilo cost for additional weight.

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What to expect manned by an attendant who will distribute Travel Operators for Tigers Please visit www.onthegotours.com/India/ linen, free of charge. Dependent upon the Travel Operators for Tigers (TOFT), is a Travel-tips-and-useful-info for local customs, service, a variety of snacks and drinks or full UK based campaign, set up to encourage currency, WiFi and other helpful information to dinner service can be ordered at an additional sustainable wildlife tourism in tiger reserves prepare you for an enjoyable holiday. cost (except for the Shatabdi Express and and national parks. Funds generated through Rajdhani Express where meals are included TOFT will be used to fund tiger conservation Train travel in India within your fare). Food aboard the Shatabdi initiatives and local community development, Travelling by train in India is an unforgettable Express train is most often exceptionally through their two partner conservation local experience where you will get to meet good, though on many other train services organisations - Global Tiger Patrol and the Indian people and experience daily life as they it is probably best to buy snacks, fresh fruit Environmental Investigation Agency. On The do. The Indian Railway system is the world’s that can be peeled or meals prior to the start Go Tours are members of TOFT and we second largest, with over 108,706 km of track, of your journey. In addition, there are WC happily pledge a USD$20 contribution to connecting more than 7000 stations. Every facilities (European and ‘squat-style’) at each TOFT for each of our clients that choose to day, more than 7000 trains run, carrying some end of the carriage. Cleanliness varies, so travel on a wildlife tour to India with us. 14 million passengers, including us. Several be prepared and take your own anti-bacterial our holidays include train journeys, some by hand wipes and toilet paper. Not like home... & begging day and others overnight. If your holiday does Travelling to far–flung corners of the earth 1st AC COACH/ SLEEPER include train travel, we have noted within the often involves encountering lifestyles and All Indian trains offer 2nd and 3rd AC coaches, itinerary the coach/class of travel that will be conditions that are very different from but only a handful of trains offer 1st AC booked. Below is some further information what you are used to back home. As coaches, which can accommodate a tiny total that may assist you in planning for your such it is important to come prepared for of 18 people. 1st AC coach/ sleepers only have journey. unusual situations, local inadequacies and berths on one side of the train hence making unpredictable events as and when they occur. the cabin more spacious. The cabin may have AC CHAIR CAR Foreign travel is definitely not suitable for 2 berths or 4 which seat/sleep 2 or 4 persons. If travelling on a daytime journey, you will people who expect or demand everything to You can sit up a on bench seat during the travel in an air-conditioned seated carriage go exactly as planned, as things can and do day, which is folded into bunk beds at night. (called AC chair car), similar to that of a change in foreign countries. standard city trains in most western countries. The 1st AC coach also has a door making it When travelling to loftier destinations where fully closed and lockable for 2 or 4 persons. The people, customs, creed, food and the weather is cooler, air-conditioning may not Beds are a tad wider and mattresses more languages of India are different from one be provided. cushioned. Each cabin has a 'bell' switch, region to the next. It is as vast as it is which when pressed summons the attendant crowded, and as opulent as it is squalid. 2nd AC COACH/SLEEPER of the coach. India is exciting, intense and diverse - an If travelling overnight, we accommodate all-embracing experience, a veritable assault 3rd AC COACH/ SLEEPER passengers in the 2nd class sleeper on the senses. Sometimes the poverty will We do not include 3rd AC coach travel air-conditioned category (unless otherwise get you down, Indian bureaucracy can test within any of our tours, though if you were indicated at a higher level). 2nd class sleeper your patience and facing another traffic jam considering it for personal arrangements a air-conditioned cabins consist of 2 upper and will seem almost too much to bear. Yet, it’s description can be given as follows. 3rd AC 2 lower bunks, plus a double-decker set of all worthwhile! While India is far from the coach is very similar to 2nd AC coach with the bunk beds on the opposite side of the cabin easiest country in the world to travel around, shared by you and other Indian travellers. You only difference being that there is a middle On The Go will try their upmost to make berth ie not just a 2 bunk bed but a triple bunk can sit up on your bench seat during the day your holiday as seamless as possible. Our bed, hence making it possible for 6 people and simply lie down once you are ready to go holidays combine comfortable transportation, to be accommodated within the space. Like to sleep. comprehensive sightseeing and good hotels, the 2nd AC coach there is also another set allowing you to concentrate on getting the All cabins are mixed sex. Your cabin is not of bunk beds on the opposite side - running most out of your stay. self-contained as such. ‘Cabins’ are separated parallel with the length of the train. Like 2nd from the carriage corridor by curtains, serving AC, there’s no door just curtains and again you India is a country of unparalleled contrasts, as an artificial barrier that can be drawn sit up on your bunk bed during the day and lie a destination where you’ll be afforded plenty at night. Luggage, including hand luggage down to sleep. of unique encounters, and if you can travel should be locked (as you would do when with an open mind you will have a wonderful travelling on any overnight train anywhere in time here. In return, please remember to the world) and can be stored underneath the lower bunks or on the floor. The carriage is

Taj Traveller demonstrate sensitivity and respect for local Although we only visit reputable retailers, customs. please note that we cannot explicitly guarantee the quality of their products. All Begging purchases made whilst on holiday with us are With more than 350 million people in India at your own discretion. Please make sure that living on less than USD$2 per day, inevitably you are completely happy with your purchase. you will come across many people begging On The Go cannot be held responsible for for money. Begging has a legitimate place any items that you buy if they fail to meet in Indian society. Even poor people give to expectation, or any shipping arrangements. beggars or charities to earn religious merit. Proceed with caution. The Indian government, however, would like to regulate begging more stringently. Though begging is common, you are not under obligation to give money. If you choose to give money to beggars, we advise you to do this from the vehicle and not on the street. Alternatively, consider donating pencils, pens or modest educational supplies to village schools.

Shopping India is a virtual Aladdin’s Cave. At the many bazaars known as ‘chowks’, the cardinal rule is to bargain hard. State run craft emporiums that stock the best of what a state has to offer can give you a reasonable idea of what is acceptable in terms of price and quality. You'll find carpets of quality equal to those of Persian origin, Rajasthani pottery and metalwork, embellished slippers known as jootis, jewellery in breathtaking designs. Likewise, leatherwork, silks and saris in spectacularly colourful designs, paintings and clothing make excellent souvenirs.

In the tourism industry it’s common practice for commission to be offered in exchange for recommending particular shops or suppliers. This can become an issue when clients feel obliged to purchase goods. We do our best to avoid this by monitoring all shopping experiences offered.

All shopping experiences on your tour have been noted in the itinerary and they been carefully selected based upon positive feedback from On The Go travellers. You are under no obligation to partake in a listed shopping experience and you are most welcome to wait inside or outside the premises.