Highlights of Northern India - Summer itinerary

We visit the 'Pink City' of Jaipur, home to the wonderful former Maharaja's Palace and the splendid hilltop Amber Fort. Agra and the serene Taj Mahal are not to be missed and fully live up to expectations. Varanasi is often the city that lingers longest in the memory; located on the River Ganges it is one of the most sacred in India.

Mixing heritage and modern styles, you'll stay in convenient, centrally located city hotels, two or three-star (local rating) as well as a jungle hotel in Sariska National Park and the overnight sleeper train from Agra to Varanasi.



Sariska Tiger Camp, Sariska







Sariska Tiger Camp, Sariska



A resort situated close to the Sariska Tiger Reserve offering comfortable accommodation with modern amenities. The restaurant serves authentic dishes to the region and when not out in search of Tigers in the forest, relax in the pool or just sit in their gardens giving your senses a break, away from city noise, smells and heat!



Fort Chandragupt, Jaipur



[caption id="attachment_120307" align="alignnone" width="363"] Fort Chandragupt, Jaipur[/caption]



Arriving in central Jaipur, the Fort Chandragupt Hotel is a combination of a classic heritage with contemporary services and amenities. From the rooftop terrace, take in the view of the "pink city" and surrounding Aravalli mountain range where, on a clear day the Nahargarh Fort can be seen. Located, close to several attractions and transport hubs, your senses will go into overdrive as you step out into the hustle and bustle of locals and tourist busily going about their day. The hotel facilities include a swimming pool, several restaurants and lounge bar.



Sleeper trains



[caption id="attachment_120297" align="alignnone" width="374"] Sleeper Train[/caption]



These are booked in a two-tier (or three-tier if two-tier is unavailable) sleeper with air conditioning. There are many excellent trains in India, but the standard of seating and sleeping is not in line with Western standards. All seats are allocated at the time the tickets are issued, meaning we cannot guarantee the whole group is together on the train. Your leader will manage this as best as possible and will always check on you during the journey. Indian trains are safe, but we recommend that you always keep valuables with you. Snacks are often offered on board (at an additional cost). While some trains have Western-style facilities, most services are equipped with squat toilets.



Worth knowing



Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are only a couple of months when the weather can get cold. You can, however, request more blankets if needed or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room. Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this matter.

Its common for hotels in India to have limited times in the day for hot water use, saving energy. If you find your shower is cold, please let your Leader or Reception know so they can make sure the water heater is on.

Sleeper trains are not single compartments, bed bunks are set up within a carriage with curtains for some privacy.

Single accommodation excludes sleeper trains.