DELHI , RAJASTHAN & AGRA
Imagine a date with history, where you walk down lanes once trodden by mighty sovereigns and their subjects; where gory battles were fought to be won or lost; where love and romance had pulsated with an innocent effervescence; where intrigue and valour went hand to hand. 'Mughals & Maharajas' takes you through the some of most prominent destinations in India: Delhi, the capital of India; Neemrana - the Fort Palace; Jaipur - the capital of the valiant Rajputs; Bharatpur - one of the finest bird sanctuary in the world; and Agra - once the seat of the Mughal power. The crowning glory of this 'cultural triangle' is the Taj Mahal - a love rhapsody in marble compared to 'a tear drop on the face of universe' by the famous Indian poet, Rabindra Nath Tagore. So fasten your seatbelts and hurtle down the roller coaster ride passing from a world of dish-antennas and speeding cars whizzing past on tarred roads; to a world of crumbling minarets, dilapidated old buildings struck by the vagaries of time and crisscrossed with dusty old streets, all frozen in time, but reminders of a glorious and vibrant past.



Duration: 9 days
Best time: October to April
Focus: forts, palaces, flowers, birds, culture, temples, villages
Route: Delhi - Neemrana - Jaipur - Bharatpur - Agra - Delhi

THE DELIGHTFUL ISLAND

SRI LANKA
From tea plantations that cling to hillsides, to white palm-fringed beaches of the seacoast, Sri Lanka is an island of extraordinary natural beauty. The glorious variety of flora and fauna, the cool hill-stations, and the serene grace that permeates all aspects of the Sinhalese way of life, make a visit to this island kingdom a relaxing and fascinating break from the hubbub of the modern world. This journey combines visit to the ancient Buddhist shrines at Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, and the magnificent rock fortress at Sigriya, with stays in the hill towns of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. The tour concludes with a stay on the coast, to relax and hear the surf of the Indian Ocean break on the golden beaches.

Duration: 14 days
Best time: October to mid April
Focus: beaches, temples, monasteries, elephant camp, wildlife, people, Sinhalese culture Highlights: Buddhist circuit
Route: Colombo - Dambulla - Anuradhapura - Polonnaruwa - Sigriya - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya - Kataragama - Galle - Colombo

RAJASTHAN DISCOVERY

RAJASTHAN
Rajasthan evokes enduring images of a vibrant and colourful past, with gigantic forts and magnificent palaces gracing every horizon. A thriving folk culture expresses itself in an abundance of pageantry and colour, with exuberant festivals, dances and music. This unusual tour captures the unique spirit of the beautiful desert and also includes an exciting two day trek in the Aravalli hills, venturing off-the-beaten-track to remote rural areas and through Kumbalgarh Sanctuary; where local traditions and costumes have been untainted by the passing of time (you will not have to carry more than a daypack). The trip also includes a two day camel safari in the Thar desert, visiting remote desert villages. Explore the majestic architecture of mighty forts and marble palaces; And ornate Hindu temples, while passing through teeming cities and serene villages. The journey concludes at the romantic lake city of Udaipur, a perfect place to relax and unwind, before returning to Delhi.

Duration: 21 days
Best time: mid October to mid March
Highlights: 2 days trekking in Aravalli Hills; 2 days camel safari in Thar desert; Taj Mahal; Tigers at Ranthambore
Physical challenge: moderate overall: some long drives; camel safari can be exhausting for some

Route: Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Khuri - Jodhpur - Narlai - Kumbalgarh - Thandiberi - Bagh-ka-Bagh - Ghanerao - Udaipur - Delhi