Almost without doubt, the sub-continent of India is one of the most fascinating places on earth. A population of almost two billion people throng into hundreds of cities, from Delhi to Chennai, from Mumbai to Kolkata. The country occupies 1.3 million square miles of beautiful, lush green paddies to arid deserts, lakes and backwaters to towering mountains, modern cities to biblical villages. Although Hindi and English are probably the predominant languages, there are dozens of others and hundreds of dialects. So, too, it is with the cultures and religions, all in the world’s greatest melting-pot.
Each visit to India is a mind-blowing experience, one that can only be enjoyed by being there…and that’s what we plan to do. You are invited to join us.
We had limited response to our proposed Southern India tour, which was either too long, too early in the year, or too expensive. So, we decided to return to everyone's favourite - The Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. We have, however, stretched that out much further and will now include the stunning cities of Jodhpur and Udaipur....and visits to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and to Eleday, an elephant sanctuary where around 30 elephants enjoy peace, tranquility and lots of love.
Our journey commences with flights from Dublin, via Dubai , to Delhi. Here we stop at the lovely Connaught Hotel, smack in the city centre for two nights, before heading off on our tour.
We will be visiting Agra & Fatehpur Sikri, Ranthambore and Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur. There is a host of exciting things to see, do and enjoy. Have you ever washed an elephant? Why not try it! Have you ever tried spotting a tiger in the wild? Let's give it a go.......we can't guarantee you'll see any, though. April and May are, however, the best times to do so.
We have been asked about visiting a game reserve to sopt tigers but, to be honest, in the last few years, sightings by tourists have been extremely rare, almost non-existent. We thought the elephant sanctuary was a better deal!
We have included all breakfast and evening meals, so all you’ll need are a few lunches or snacks. Also included are almost all of your tips, so you don’t even need to worry about that. A few quid to the guide at the end of the tour, if you wish! All you need to do is sit back and let us enthrall you.
Then, it’s time to fly home or to extend your stay with a journey up into the Himalayas, to the summer residence of the government and Viceroy, to Shimla.
You can read the complete itinerary below and, shortly, we’ll have details of all the hotels loaded on the website, too. They are listed below, so you can “google” them if you wish.
We do hope you’ll consider joining us. If it’s anything like the last tour, it’ll be a blast!
PROVISIONAL ITINERARY
DAY 1: 07 April 2026 DUBLIN-DUBAI-DELHI
Our flight departs Dublin at 2.20pm, with a stop in Dubai, arriving next morning in Delhi. We will be flying with one of the world's very best airlines, Emirates.
Day 2: 08 April 2026 DELHI
Our flight arrives at 09.40 approx and we will meet our guide straight after clearing immigration and collecting our luggage. He will escort us to our hotel, right in the vibrant centre of New Delhi, the first class Connaught Hotel. Here we will spend the first two nights. The afternoon will be free to relax by the pool, take a nap or even go for a wander with your host, Alan.
Evening meal at the hotel.
Day 3: 09 April 2026 DELHI
After breakfast, we have a full day guided tour of this crazy city. Some of the tour may be by coach but mainly by Delhi's amazing underground Metro and on foot. (The traffic in Delhi is dire, so you can get stuck in a coach for hours and go nowhere!). Visit Asia largest spice market; take a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi; see India Gate and Parliament Buildings; capture the sounds and smells of one of the world's busiest cities.
Back to the hotel in time for a swim before dinner.
Evening meal at the hotel.
Day 4: 10 April 2026 DELHI-AGRA
After breakfast, you have a free morning. You'll have seen some sights yesterday, which you may wish to explore again. Or you can visit other sites, for which we will either give you directions or escort you.
The main train station is close by, so the transfer should be quite quick. We will depart the hotel early afternoon, to catch our train, which departs at 2.40pm to Agra. This is the express, which instead of a five-hour road trip takes just over two hours.
We will be met on arrival and, shortly before we check in to the hotel, we'll take a tour to Mehtab Bagh for a wonderful si=unset view of the Taj Mahal. (Note from Alan: This was the first view I ever had of the Taj Mahal, more than 40 yers ago, and the memory of that spectacle has lasted all that time. Amazing!). Drive to the hotel, check in and have dinner.
Evening meal at the hotel and early to bed.
Day 5: 11 April 2026 - Taj Mahal and more.
Forget about breakfast! We're off to see the Taj Mahal. We'll get in just as the sun is breaking through the mists. At first, you'll see the magnificent mausoleaum faintly, as if in a dream. As the morning progresses and the mist vanishes (hopefully!), you'll see it in all its splendour. You'll be able to walk right up to it, around it and through it. Peer out through the latticed windows, beautifully carved from the marble. Then, on your way back towards the entrance, stop where Princess Diana sat, and get someone to take your photo. What a memento!
After our visit, we'll return to the hotel for late breakfast / early lunch. You may need the rest of the day to come back down to earth. If, however, you're up for it, we'll maybe have a look at some of the other spectacles of Agra. None will be quite as good as the Taj Mahal, though.
Day 6: 12 April 2026 AGRA-RANTHAMBORE
It's quite a long drive today but we'll stop a few times to stretch our legs and to see some other sights. We'll depart soon after breakfast and drive towards Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful city that ran out of water and was abandoned. Visit the buildings, feel the atmosphere, be amazed that such a city was built and yet, just a few years later, was abandoned.
We will continue on towards Ranthambore National Park, with at least two more stops en-route. Arrive at the Park early evening, settle into your rooms, enjoy a cool beer in the bar or by the pool of our stunning resort hotel, the Tigress. We guarantee you will not forget this place!
Evening meal at the resort.
Day 7: 13 April 2026 Tigers and other wildlife
OK, we'll go looking for the tigers. There are currently (31Oct25) 71 tigers in the reserve, where normally one might expect 50 or less. April and May are known as the best times to see them, so we'll keep our fingers crossed, our eyes peeled and our cameras ready.
We set off very early, once again before breakfast, for the dawn run. Our drive will be in 10-12 seater cantors, which are raised open-top safari vehicles and will be driven by expert guides, who constantly communicate with each other and, if a tiger is spotted, we'll race there at full tilt! Back for a late breakfast and some time to relax.....but not for too long! In the late afternoon, you'll have to put away your G&T's, change out of your cozzie, and join us for another tiger tour.
We'll be back in time for a magnificent evening meal at our beautiful resort. Magic!
Day 8: 14 April 2026 More tigers?
Or have a lie in, relax by the pool or go for a walk. The morning is free to do as you choose but we do need to know before we arrive in India if you want to join the third tour, or just relax.
After lunch, we'll set off again, this time for the fascinating city of Jaipur. It's a 3-4 hour drive, with breaks but we'll arrive, once again in time for a swim.....or if your fit enough or daft enough, you can visit the gym! Or you could have a massage or other therapy.
Evening meal at the hotel.
Day 9: 15 April 2026 Jaipur
We have an exciting day lined up for you.
After breakfast, we will set off on our guided tour by coach. En-route to the Amer Fort (often mistakenly known as the Amber Fort), we'll see some of the beautiful buildings of the "Pink City". We can visit the fort, either by jeep or, if you're up for it, on foot. You can go by elephant to the summit but that will be up to you. Once a popular thing to do, it is now seen as cruel and we will not be promoting you to do it (anymore!). The walk is exhilerating and, when you get to the top, you can barter with the local hawkers and buy your turban! All great fun.
Later in the day, we'll stop at the lake, we'll walk past the famous Palace of the Winds and then we'll have a lot of fun in the bazaar. It's crazy but safe and great craic!
Back to the hotel for some relaxation before dinner.
Day 10. 16 April 2026 Elephants
Today, after breakfast, we will take you to Eleday. It's a sanctuary for retired or released elephants, currently all female. The owners of the park were all mahouts, some of whose families worked for the former Royals. The offer the elephants tender care and somewhere safe and lovely for them to live. If you're up for it, you can even join these magnificent animals for a dip in the river. Be prepared to get very, very wet!
We'll go back to the hotel for some relaxation but there will be opportunities to do and see more.
Day 11. 17 April 2026 Jaipur-Jodhpur
Most of today will be taken up with the drive, out into the Thar Desert and on to the "Blue City" of Jodhpur....yes, that's where the words jodhpurs originated! Obviously we'll have a couple of comfort stops and some sightseeing on the way, but maybe it's time to just sit back, relax and wonder how none of those cows walking all over the roads and highways get knocked down!
Welcome to a bygone era, right in the heart of Jodhpur. Our lodgings tonight are at the gorgeous Heritage Hotel, Ratan Vilas. Live like a maharajah and soak up the atmosphere of this amazing resort hotel. We did promise you culture, after all!
Tonight might be the night for dressing up for dinner....but it's not obligatory; just as long as you are comfortable.
Evening meal at the hotel.
Day 12. 18 April 2026 Jodhpur
After breakfast we'll set of for a day's sightseeing. We'll visit the huge fort of Mehrangarh and the Jaswant Thada, a local mausoleum. Jodhpur is a beautiful city, its buildings painted blue. If you'd like a day off, however, this is the place to enjoy a bit of relaxation.
Evening meal at the hotel
Day 13. 19 April 2026 Jodhpur - Udaipur
We'll depart around 09.00am, after an early breakfast. There are around six hours of driving ahead of us today but we'll make a number of stops en-route, including Ranakpur. This city is famous for its colossal Jain marble temple. Once again. we'll arrive in time for some relaxing time before dinner
Evening meal at the hotel.
Day 14. 20 April 2026 Udaipur
After breakfast this morning, we'll go for a walk through the bustling bazaar; we'll visit the city palace and the Pratap memorial. Join us for a boat trip on Lake Pichola. There will be some free time and you can enjoy a pre-dinner drink back at the hotel.
Evening meal at the hotel.
Day 15. 21 April 2026 Udaipur - Delhi
We're leaving you to enjoy some relaxation today. Times to be confirmed but we aim to take a late afternoon or evening flight back to Delhi for an overnight stay at an airport hotel before flying home.
Evening meal (to be confirmed - subject to flight times)
Day 16. 22 April 2026 Delhi - Home
(or do you want more?)
Our flight departs Delhi around 11.00am, so we'll need an early breakfast before the very short transfer to the terminal. Time to say goodbye to our guide and driver, both of whom will have made this a tour to remember for many years.
....or, do you want more?
The Himalayas and Shimla
We can offer you a short extension to your already wonderful tour of stunning India. We will travel by train and landcruiser to the former hill station of Shimla, formerly frequented by princes and princesses, maharajahs and maharani, politicians and military. It was the summer home of the Viceroy of India, and you'll visit his former palace.
You'll have two nights at the premium hotel the Jass Radisson Shimla and will be escorted by a local guide. During your free time, you can explore the town, from its winding alleys where butchers and merchants ply their trades to its avenues and squares. Trek up to the temples where monkeys greet you with open arms (beware!) and from where you can view the lofty peaks of the Himalayas, reaching to over 6000m (20,000 ft in old money!).
This is a tour never to forget but, we warn you, it's quite tiring with a lot of time travelling. You may, however, never have such a chance again!
At the end, you'll return by Toyota Innova car, to Delhi airport for an overnight stay, before your morning flight home.
END OF TOUR
FARES, VISAS & HEALTH
Fare: £2995 p.p. Based on twin/double
Single supp £700 (Valid as of 31 Oct 2025) Fares subject to change without notice and will be confirmed on date of booking. These fares can increase substantially, even on a daily basis!
Extend your stay to Shimla - 3 night tour
Fare: £475. Single suppl. £270
Upgrade to Business Class or Premium Economy,
(depending on availability - these supplements are liable to increase without notice. We will confirm at time of booking.)
Premium Economy - Supplement £1750 pp
Business Class - Supplement £2850 pp
Upgrade to Extra Legroom – £350 pp
(Limited to just 10 seats on any flight. Once they're gone, they're gone!)
Twin Seating - £150pp
The aircraft seating is usually 3-4-3. but towards the back, there are a few rows, 2-4-2 . There are just 3 rows of these, so a total of 12 seats)
INCLUDED IN THE FARE
· Return flights from Dublin via Dubai to Delhi with Emirates Airways. Details to be finalised very shortly.
· 20kgs checked luggage (See notes below)
· Flight from Udaipur to Delhi
( Seats allocated at check-in)
· 14 or 17 Nights in India with breakfast
· evening meals.
· All hotels are 5* & 4* Superior
· All transfers and excursions in deluxe, modern, air-conditioned coach
· Some excursion in Delhi by Metro
· Services of local, English speaking tour leader
· Entrance fees (as per itinerary)
· Porterage at hotels (one case p.p.)
· Tips and taxes at hotels
· Tips for local Tour Manager / Guide / Driver
· Financial protection under ATOL
NOT INCLUDED IN THE FARE
· Personal travel insurance
· Indian E- Visa (Currently approximately £60 forIrish or British Passport- to be confirmed)
· Any meals or drinks not included in the itinerary.
· Laundry or any other personal expense·
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
1 x Small carry-on bag - max 7kgs
Checked luggage - up to 20kgs
We recommend your suitcase is much less than the 20kg allowance. as you will inevitably be moving it around, yourself, quite a lot. Furthermore, the weather will be hot and only light clothing will be required. Even if you are travelling in Business Class, where more luggage is allowed, the total allowed on internal Indian flights is 20kgs. You will have to pay excess luggage fees for anything over the 20kgs.
INDIAN E-VISA
You can apply for your own Indian E-Visa on-line at India Visa Online (indianvisaonline.gov.in)
If you wish us to apply on your behalf, we will be happy to do so. You will need to send us your passport and we will charge a fee of £10 per person.
HEALTH
Details to follow
HOTELS
Details to follow
