India: Beyond the Taj
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Overview
Highlights
- Explore Delhi, Agra and Gwalior.
- Experience train journey by travelling attractive cities like Rajasthan and Bharatpur.
- Discover Khajuraho and Varanasi
- Visit Panna National Park and Deeg Palace
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Trip includes
- VIP door-to-door travel service
- Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required
- Return flights and transfers
- Saga tour manager
- Welcome drink reception
- Porterage at all hotels
- Tourist visa for full British Citizens resident in the UK
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Itinerary
After taking Saga's included UK door-to-door travel service to the airport, fly overnight to Delhi.
Stay overnight at Vivanta by Taj – Dwarka, Delhi (4Q). This evening there will be a welcome talk.
After an early breakfast, set off on your coach journey to Agra, arriving around lunchtime. This afternoon on an included excursion you'll view the majestic Taj Mahal from an unusual perspective across the river and see the exquisite Itmad-ud-daula tomb. Perhaps return to see the sunset over the Taj Mahal on an optional excursion. Stay two nights at The Gateway Hotel (4Q). B,D
Travel into eastern Rajasthan this morning to visit Deeg Palace and its formal Mughal gardens and mansions. Continue to Bharatpur for an included lunch before flocking to Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary. Once a duck-shooting ground for the maharajas and British, it is now a nature reserve protected by UNESCO where you may see a wide variety of migratory birds.
Enjoy the hustle and bustle of daily Indian life on your second train journey. This afternoon an included visit will reveal Gwalior Fort, a vast complex that contains a wealth of historic architecture. Highlights include the ornate four-storey Man Mandir and an 8th-century Vishnu temple. Stay two nights at the heritage Taj Usha Kiran Palace (3Q).
Visit the Tomb of Mohammad Ghaus, a Muslim saint who assisted the Mughal Emperor, Babur, when he conquered the city’s fort in 1526. This elegant 16th century building lies amongst a complex of tombs and with its walls of pierced stone screens, hexagonal corner towers ...
Enjoy the last of your Indian rail journeys before disembarking in Jhansi and venturing off the beaten track to Datia. This is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage centre where you can see one of the best examples of Bundela architecture, Govind Palace. After an including sightseeing tour, continue to Orchha for a two-night stay at Amar Mahal (3Q).
One of India’s better-kept secrets, Orchha’s atmospheric fort protects beautiful temples and palaces that lie largely empty. Admire the domed pavilions of 17th-century Jehangir Mahal and view the royal cenotaphs during an included tour of the former Bundela capital. Then look forward to attending a Hindu aarti ceremony this evening.
Cross the rural landscapes of Madhya Pradesh en route to Khajuraho for two nights at the Taj Hotel Chandela (3Q).
The 9th-century temples of Khajuraho will be revealed on an included morning tour. Protected by UNESCO, these temples feature sandstone carvings which depict various scenes thought to represent the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. A small fraction of these broach more taboo topics and have given these temples quite a reputation!
Venture into the teak thickets, gorges and valleys of Panna National Park on an optional early morning visit. Then this afternoon, fly to Varnanasi for two nights at The Gateway Hotel (4Q). This evening, visit Mother Ganges, India's most scared river and a holy pilgrimage site where you can attend another moving aarti ceremony.
Bear witness to Varanasi's morning rituals on an included boat ride past scores of ghats. Afterwards, explore the narrow lanes of Varanasi and see the Golden Temple. This afternoon, visit the site in Sarnath where Buddha preached for the first time. Here you can see the Dhamekh Stupa and a ruined monastery.
You're free to relax at leisure this morning, before departing, after lunch, on your final rail journey – a long but rewarding one to Lucknow. Stay two nights at the Vivanta by Taj – Gomti Nagar (4Q).
Lucknow's fascinating past as the fabled city for the Nawab of Awadh will be revealed on an included sightseeing tour today. Architectural highlights include the Turkish Gate, the spires of Bara Imambara, Chattar Manzil palace and the British Raj residency, site of th...
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight via Delhi, arriving this evening for your included UK VIP door-to-door travel service home.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Saga Travel.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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The travel division consists of four key business areas: Saga Holidays, Saga Cruises, Titan and Destinology, all of which provide great service, exciting destinations and unforgettable holiday experiences.
During 2015, our travel businesses were awarded 65 awards ranging from Saga's best specialist tour operator, award from the Times and SundayTimes to Destinology’s Gold award for best medium sized luxury holiday company, in the British Travel Awards.
Founded in 1951, Saga Holidays provides a classic holiday experience, with the emphasis on quality and comfort, backed up by excellent service. We now offer holidays in all parts of the world, ranging from relaxing hotel stays to active adventures for the more intrepid explorer.
Saga Cruises are designed for customers who want to see the world with the assurance of first-class care, service and comfort. Our elegant ships are cosy and intimate, their smaller size meaning they can sail right to the heart of destinations often inaccessible to larger ships.
Destinology focuses on four and five-star holidays in the UAE, Far East, Indian Ocean and Europe. Children are welcome on Destinology holidays - making it the ideal provider of luxury resort stays for families.
Titan is a touring expert and its customers looking to explore the world in a sophisticated manner.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Taj Mahal
- Deeg Palace
- Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary
- Gwalior Fort
- Gwalior Light Railway
- Jai Vilas Palace
- Tomb of Tansen
- Datia
- Orchha Fort
- Khajuraho temples
- Aarti ceremony
- Ganges boat ride
- Sarnath
- Lucknow sightseeing tour
27 meals: 13 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 13 dinners
2 nights: Delhi Half board
Experience more of Delhi with a two-night post extension at Vivanta by Taj – Surajkund, Delhi (4Q) on a half-board basis. This hotel is located in the commercial and residential area of Faridabad in the south of Delhi. This contemporary hotel has two restaurants including a multi-cuisine restaurant where your meals will be served, an Indian restaurant (extra charge), two lounges serving snacks and light meals, as well as a cocktail bar and wine cellar. There is an outdoor pool, a fitness centre, and spa offering a range of treatments for an extra charge. All 287 rooms are equipped with a satellite television, telephone, tea and coffee-making facilities, a safe, hairdryer and Wi-Fi. Single room supplement applies.
Please note: This extension is only available on 2016 departures.
5 nights: Goa
Fly from Lucknow to Goa and spend a further four nights after your tour at The Zuri White Sands, Goa Resort and Casino (4Q). The resort is located on Varca Beach in southern Goa, about two kilometres south of the fishing town of Benaulim, with its Portuguese colonial houses and churches. The resort stands in 37 acres of grounds and offers a wide range of facilities. The property has six bars and restaurants serving Asian and international food, three hot tubs, a dance floor, gym and two outdoor swimming pools. All 154 guest rooms have private balconies offering views of the pool or gardens. Return to Delhi and stay overnight at the Pride Aero City Hotel (4Q) near the airport on Day 5. Take your return flight home next day then your included door-to-door travel service. Single room supplement applies.
Please note: This extension is only available on 2017 departures. Departures March 20, 2017 will stay instead at the locally rated 5-star Alila Diwa Goa (4Q) on Gonsua Beach in Majorda, also in southern Goa, on this extension. This luxurious resort has three restaurants and a lounge bar, a swimming pool and 153 bedrooms.
Goa India Asia
The Zuri White Sands
4 nights: Kathmandu 4 nights. Half board. Including two excursions.
Fly overnight to Kathmandu, arriving on day two where you'll meet your Saga tour manager and transfer to the Malla Hotel (4Q) for a four-night stay. Centrally located in Kathmandu, near the Thamel shopping district, the Malla Hotel has been built on the site of an old palace. Enjoy included city tours of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, as well as a choice of optionals exploring more of the Kathmandu valley and its Buddhist monuments. Single rooms at no extra charge on selected dates, subject to availability.
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