No tour to India would be complete without a visit to the world famous Taj Mahal.... click here to see a video & learn more about the Taj Mahal

Our tour to India can be combined with a 4 day post tour extension to Corbit National Park to go Tiger Hunting.... Click here to see the video of a tiger

Hotels on this tour are of an excellent, Western 4 and 5 star standard.
See the slide show of our India tour - follow this link

Jan 10 Today we fly from North America.

Jan 12 Those taking our international flights enjoy a guided tour of Hong Kong after lunch. Our tour will highlight the lesser visited sights of Hong Kong; the flower market,the home of Tai Fu Tai- an opulent stately home built in 1865. Our tour will also visit the Man Mo Temple-dedicated to the Gods of Literature & Martial Arts. This evening we board our flight to Madras (Chennai). Land Only tour starts this evening in Madras. First of 2 nights in Madras. Taj Connemara Hotel or similar. Breakfast

This morning we take a driving tour of the vibrant and proud capital city of the state of Tamil Nadu, Madras (now called Chennai.) We see Fort St George which was begun by the East India Company around 1640. We also see the buildings housing the Tamil Nadu Government Secretariat and Legislative Assembly. Driving along Beach Road we can admire Madras' beaches on one side and fine public buildings on the other. Later we drive down the coast to the village of Mahabalipuram. Here we find pure, ancient Hindu art such as the epic frieze known as Arjuna's Penance carved directly into the rockface. Second of 2 nights in Madras. Taj Connemara Hotel or similar. B & D

After a relaxing morning we take the short flight from Madras into the heart of tropical South India to the "Temple City" of Madurai. This afternoon we take a guided tour of Madurai. We begin with a visit to the stunning Palace of Thirumalai-Nayak, built by the most famous king of the 17th century Nayak dynasty. Leaving the palace we walk through the teeming market streets of Madurai to the main temple complex which is believed to be covered in over 33 million sculptures! Overnight outside Madurai. Fortune Pandiyan Hotel or similar. Breakfast & Dinner.

Madurai - Periyar This morning, travelling in our own air-conditioned coach, we cross from Tamil Nadu state into the state of Kerala. We make our way up to the Periyar Game Sanctuary, a protected wildlife refuge of 775 sq km (299 sq miles) in the fabled Malabar Hills. This afternoon we take a wildlife viewing excursion by boat on Periyar Lake. Overnight in Periyar. Elephant Court Lodge or similar. B & D.

This morning we take an excursion to some of the spice plantations in the surrounding hills. Later we travel overland in our air-conditioned coach from Periyar Game Sanctuary to the southwest coast of India, bordering the Arabian Sea. This afternoon we travel a sheltered inland waterway by motor launch from Kumarakom. We spend tonight on air-conditioned houseboats on one of the lakes, enjoying wonderful hospitality and perfect peace – far from any town. Overnight on Lake n Lagoons houseboats or similar. Breakfast & Dinner.

After enjoying a relaxing start to the day observing life along the waterways, we pick up our bus again at Allepey for the journey to Kerala's main city, Cochin. Upon arrival, we take a short tour of old Cochin, laid out at the entrance to a large bay which forms a natural harbour. We explore the quaint streets in the old Fort Cochin area with their 17th century Dutch and traditional Kerala architecture. This evening we have a chance to see the famous Kathakali dancing with its elaborate masks and costumes. Overnight in Cochin. Taj Residency Hotel or similar. Breakfast & Dinner.

This morning we fly from Cochin Goa which was the capital of the Portuguese empire in the east from the early 16th Century. Goa today is a relaxed, tropical paradise exhibiting a fusion of Indian and Portuguese influences. First of 3 nights in Goa. Cidade de Goa or similar. Breakfast & Dinner.

This morning we have time to enjoy swimming in the warm Arabian Sea and wandering the beach to see the fishermen bringing in their catches. After our relaxed start, we drive to the site of Old Goa. We visit the Cathedral of St Catherine which was completed in 1619 and is the largest Christian church in Asia. Across the central plaza of Old Goa is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, where the mortal remains of St Francis are enshrined. Second of 3 nights in Goa. Cidade de Goa or similar. Breakfast & Dinner.

A relaxing day, your are free to explore Goa’s capital city- Panjin. Panjin, situated at the mouth of the Mandovi river is reminiscent of a provincial Mediterranean town. The downtown is laid-out on a grid pattern with leafy side avenues. Third of 3 nights in Goa. Cidade de Goa or similar. Breakfast & Dinner.

Early this morning we make our way to Goa airport for our short flight to India's largest city, Bombay We take a city tour of Bombay to see some of its splendid Victorian buildings from the era of the British Raj, including the Gateway of India, High Court, Rajabhai Clock Tower, Victoria Terminus railway station and the splendid Taj Mahal Hotel. We will also see the Dhobi Ghat, the largest outdoor laundry in the world. We drive along Marine Drive, popularly known as the Queen's Necklace. We view the memorial to Haji Ali, a Muslim saint, and drive to the area of the Hanging Gardens, sacred to the Parsi religious sect of fire worshippers, for a splendid view of the city. We will also visit the Mani Bhavan, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed when visitting Bombay. Depending on traffic, we should be able to visit a temple of the small but wealthy Jain religious group. This afternoon we fly from Bombay to Aurangabad First of 2 nights in Aurangabad. Rama International Hotel or similar. Breakfast & Dinner.

Aurangabad is named after the last of the great Moghul emperors, Aurangzeb (1685-1707. Today we visit the Ajanta Caves, Second Century Buddhist caves hewn on an enormous scale from the living rock and painted with vivid scenes from the life of the Buddha. Second of 2 nights in Aurangabad. Rama International Hotel or similar. B & D.

This morning we visit some of the 34 rock-cut temples in the Ellora Caves group, a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are 12 Buddhist (600-880 AD), 5 Jain (800-1000 AD) and 17 Hindu (900 AD) caves. The main structure at Ellora is considered to be the largest rock-cut monument in the world. Late this afternoon we return to Aurangabad and take the short flight back to Bombay Overnight in Bombay. Hilton Towers Hotel or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

We have a free morning in Bombay. You may wish to visit the Prince of Wales Museum, walk along Marine Drive or explore some of Bombay’s fine craft stores. A cup of tea at the sumptuous Taj Mahal Hotel is always a treat! This afternoon we fly from Bombay to Udaipur in Rajasthan. First of 2 nights in Udaipur. Laxmi Villas Palace Hotel or similar. Breakfast & Dinner.

Today we enjoy a city tour of Udaipur. This morning we cruise on Lake Pichola before we visit the City Palace, which is the largest complex of palace buildings in Rajasthan, being built over a period of 400 years. From the City Palace we look across the water to the famous Lake Palace, now one of the world’s most exclusive hotels. Second of 2 nights in Udaipur. Laxmi Villas Palace Hotel or similar. Breakfast & Dinner

Today we fly to Jaipur, the capital of the state of Rajasthan. The 'pink city' is justifiably world-famous. Built in 1728, the city is laid out according to the principles of perfect Hindu architecture but there are also Jain, Moghul and Bengali influences. First of 2 nights in Jaipur. Carlson Country Inn & Suites or similar. Breakfast & Dinner.

The Amber Fort, built in 1592, is considered to be the most magnificent of all the palaces of the Rajput kings. We mount our decorated elephants for the ride up the hill and into the actual fortress-palace, where we take a guided tour. This afternoon we take a guided tour of Jaipur city. The City Palace, is now a superb museum. The Mubarak Mahal (Palace of Welcome) contains an exhibition of musical instruments, textiles and clothes. Above the doors of the Armoury 'Welcome' is spelt out in knives and 'Goodbye' in pistols! In the Sharbata- badra (Hall of Private Audience) we will see two urns which are the largest silver items ever made. Four colourfully-decorated Peacock Doorways lead into rooms filled with fine Moghul glass. The Art Gallery contains a superb collection of carpets, miniature paintings and over 20,000 manuscripts. We also visit the Jantar Mantar, an extraordinary astrological observatory built for Maharaja Jai Singh II in the early 18th century. We will see the rose coloured city walls which have seven monumental gates. This evening we take a rickshaw ride through the bustling streets. Second of 2 nights in Jaipur. Carlson Country Inn & Suites Hotel or similar. Breakfast & Dinner.

This morning on our way out of the city we stop to see the most photographed building in Jaipur and one of the symbols of India - the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). Our drive today takes us to the Moghul "ghost city" of Fatehpur Sikri. Between 1570 and 1582 Akbar the Great had a totally new, planned city built here in red sandstone. His grand plan was to move the capital of the Moghul Empire here in thanks to a local saint who had granted Akbar's prayers for a son. Akbar used the opportunity to experiment with different architectural styles. Unfortunately, water was short so, after only 14 years, the city was abandoned and the capital moved back to Agra. Driving further east we come to Agra, home of one of the most recognisable buildings on earth - the Taj Mahal. First of 2 nights in Agra. Trident Hotel or similar. B & D

Our tour of Agra includes a visit to the Red Fort, the centre of the early Moghul Empire for over 150 years. We will see graceful royal apartments and palaces from the reigns of Akbar and Shah Jahan. The fort, built on an outcrop above the Yamuna River, affords superb views downstream to the Taj Mahal. This afternoon we time our visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal to coincide with sunset. Second of 2 nights in Agra. Trident Hotel or similar. Breakfast & Dinner.

This morning we get a chance to sample the famous Indian railway system as we travel by train from Agra to Jhansi and transfer by our own coach to Khajuraho. Overnight in Khajuraho. Taj Chandela Hotel or similar. Breakfast & Dinner.

This morning we take a guided tour of Khajuraho, the capital of the obscure but powerful Chandela kings. One thousand years ago the Chandelas built 85 temples to the glory of God, of which 22 survive today. These temples are designed to lead one's eyes ever upwards over ornately carved friezes and sculptures. Khajuraho is famous for its erotic sculptures, but these form only a small part [2%] of the wealth of the site. The majority of the sculptures depict the everyday life of the people and the court of this long-vanished civilization. Early this afternoon we take the short flight from Khajuraho to Varanasi , often called "the eternal city" because it has been the most holy city for Hindus for thousands of years. Overnight in Varanasi. Ramada Plaza JHV Hotel or similar. Breakfast & Dinner.

The most famous feature of Varanasi is the ghats. These are steps that stretch nearly four miles along the bank of the holy River Ganges and lead pilgrims down to the waters themselves. We take a boat ride on the river just at dawn. We sail past the Bathing Ghats and the Burning Ghats, where bodies are burned according to ancient Hindu rituals and the ashes scattered in the river. After our boat ride we return to our hotel for breakfast. After visiting the city of Varanasi itself we travel 4 miles north to Sarnath where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Here we will see the Dhamekh Stupa, an Ashokan pillar and the museum which contains some fine sculptures. Later this afternoon we fly from Varanasi to Delhi Overnight in Delhi. Siddharth Hotel or similar. Breakfast & Dinner.

Today we enjoy a full day guided tour of India’s capital. We visit the world famous Baha’i House of Worship (also known as “The Lotus Temple”), which is designed in the shape of a 27-petalled, white marble lotus flower. Its main auditorium can seat 1,300 people and the magnificent building is surrounded by 9 pools of water and 92 hectares (227 acres) of lawns. Rajghat is a place of national pilgrimage, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Stepping back in time, we explore the ruins at Lal Kot. Dominating the site is the 12th century Qutab Minar fluted tower which rises 72 metres (235 feet) and is decorated with five balconies plus inscriptions from the Muslim holy book, the Koran. In New Delhi we will see the huge India Gate war memorial, India's Parliament House, the Secretariat Buildings, the 340-room Presidential Palace and many residences from the time of the British Raj. We complete our tour of Delhi with a visit to the National Museum where nearly 200,000 artefacts cover over 5,000 years of Indian history. The Land tour finishes in Delhi this afternoon after our city tour. For those taking our international flights we transfer this evening to Delhi Airport and fly to Singapore where we connect to our flight to Vancouver, arriving on Feb 3rd . Breakfast.