JGT “Bucket List” Special

Ultimate Deluxe

“Incredible India” 11 nt Tour €2,995

Do it before you kick it!

And if you are going to do it – do it in style with JGT’s ultra-deluxe “Bucket List” Tour.

Small group – very limited places

Intimate Group departs 10th November 2017. 9 Days
Fully escorted by John Galligan*. 4-star Deluxe & Heritage Hotels.

 

Get to know India, in considerable style, on our intensive Deluxe tour including tiger safari.

10 Nov Dublin to Delhi: Fly from Dublin on Emirates to Delhi via Dubai (D)
11 Nov Delhi: Arrive Delhi. At leisure (B) Maidens Maidens Hotel
12 Nov Delhi: Full Day sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi (B) Maidens Hotel
13 Nov  Delhi – Agra: Drive to Agra (4 hrs). Remainder of the day at leisure. (B) Trident Agra
14 Nov Agra: Sightseeing Tour with Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal (B) Trident Agra
15 Nov Agra – Ranthambore: Drive to Bharatpur visiting Fatehpur Sikri enroute. Train to Ranthambore (B/D) Rathambore Regency
16 Nov Ranthambore: Morning & Afternoon Game Drives (B/L/D) Rathambore Regency
17 Nov Ranthambore – Jaipur: Morning Game Drive. Drive to Jaipur (4 hrs). (B) Trident Jaipur
18 Nov Jaipur: Full Day sightseeing tour of Amer Fort & the City (B) Trident Jaipur
19 Nov Jaipur – Delhi: Drive to Delhi (5-6 Hrs). Remainder of the day at leisure. (B) Novotel Aerocity
20 Nov Delhi – Dublin: Fly back to Dublin via Dubai on Emirates (B/D/B)
(B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch and (D) = Dinner

 

 

To book your place on this once-in-a-lifetime trip, call John Galligan Travel on (01) 207 6555 or e-mail leisure@jgt.ie

 

The Whole Story

Friday 10 November

Fly from Dublin to Delhi on Emirates via Dubai. Depart Dublin at 2020

Saturday 11 November
Arrive Dubai at 0750 and change for your flight to Delhi. Depart Dubai at 1005. Arrive Delhi at 1445.

Having cleared immigration, collected your luggage and passed through customs, you will meet your local guide. India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor traveling in from the airport are of a spacious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of beautiful parks. You will be transferred to your hotel and assisted with check in. Afternoon & evening free.

Overnight stay at The Maidens Hotel, New Delhi [Premier Room with breakfast]

 

Sunday 12 November
After breakfast at the hotel, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Delhi. This begins with Old Delhi, the Mughal Capital of Shahjahanabad. Visit the Jama Masjid – the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal, and completed in the year 1656 AD, it is the largest and best-known mosque in India. Enjoy a rickshaw ride in the busy streets of the mile long Chandni Chowk, popularly called “The Silver Street”. Later we proceed to visit Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi – The Father Of Nation, was cremated and drive past the Red Fort [from outside] – the palace for Shahjahan new capital, Shahjahanabad, the seventh Muslim city in the Delhi site. Continue for visit to one of the famous Sikh Temple – Bangla Sahib Gurudwara.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy half day sightseeing tour of New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the life-styles. The walled city is all tradition, where one will be able to glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards.

The tour to Imperial Delhi will start by a visit to the Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. The Qutab Minar was started in 1199 AD by Qutab-ud-Din Aibak and completed by the sultan’s successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish. The building is 72.5 m high and has 379 steps from the bottom to the top. The Minar is tapering with the diameter of the base is 14.3 m while at the top floor it is 2.7 m. The Qutab Minar is still the highest stone tower as well as one of the finest Islamic structures ever raised in India. Then, visit Humayun’s Tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun’s, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s residence.
Overnight stay at The Maidens Hotel, New Delhi [Premier Room with breakfast]

 

Monday 13 November
Breakfast is at the Hotel. After breakfast, drive to Agra by surface [220 Km – 4 hrs]. Agra in terms of ambience is still associated with its Mughal period. The Mughals, besides being great rulers were also great builders and they preserved their best architectural wonders for Agra & its neighborhood. It has many wonderful monuments and the Taj Mahal, the greatest of them all, is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture at its best.

On arrival at Agra, check in to your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at The Trident Agra [Deluxe Garden View Room with Breakfast]

 

Tuesday 14 November
At sunrise visit the Taj Mahal. Having taken 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid-17th century, it is truly one of the wonders. Following your visit, return to the hotel for breakfast.
Later in the day visit the Red Fort. Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture, it was the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jahan added the impressive quarters and the mosque, while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. You will visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions.

Overnight stay at The Trident Agra [Deluxe Garden View Room with Breakfast]

Wednesday 15 November
After breakfast, you will drive to Bharatpur. En route visit Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri- Once the seat of Mughal legacy and the other, an abandoned city glowing red under the sun, Fatehpur Sikri – the deserted red sandstone city was built by the Great Mughal Emperor, Akbar, as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is just 37kms from Agra. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Now it is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect condition. On arrival at Bharatpur railway station you will be boarding your train to Sawai Madhopur. Train Jan Shatabdi Express departs Bharatpur at 1550, arriving in Sawai Madhopur at 1802.

Near the township of Sawai Madhopur, in the state of Rajasthan. Ranthambore National Park is an outstanding example of Project Tiger’s efforts at conservation in the country. The forest around the Ranthambore Fort was once, the private grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. As a result of the stringent efforts in conservation, tigers, the prime assets of the Park, have become more and more active during the day. More than in any other park or sanctuary in India, tigers are easily spotted here in daylight. It is very easy to chance upon a tiger lolling around lazily in the sun, or feverishly hunting down sambhar around the lakes. Apart from tigers, you will come across a few panthers too. The other permanent residents of the park include marsh crocodiles, hyenas, jungle cats and sloth bears. Sambars are found in abundance all over the area, the prime target of all predators. Chital, Nilgai and chinkara are the other inhabitants of the region. The avian population comprises of black storks, quails, Bonelli’s eagles, spur fowls, crested serpent eagles and painted storks.

On arrival, you will check in at your hotel.
Evening will be at leisure to relax or to pursue independent activities.

Overnight stay at Ranthambore Regency, Ranthambore [Deluxe Room with Breakfast & Dinner]

To book this tour call John Galligan Travel on (01) 207 6555 or e-mail leisure@jgt.ie

Thursday 16 November
Today you will enjoy two game drives [AM & PM] by shared jeep to view the wildlife of Ranthambore National Park. The Park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and as a National Park in 1980, seven years after the launch of Project Tiger. In 1984, the southern and northeast forests were declared as Sawai Man Singh and Kailadevi sanctuaries. Before Independence, the forests of Ranthambore were the preserve of the maharajas of Jaipur who frequently hunted here, and royal hunts go back to the 12th century AD. These forests were the favorite hunting grounds of Prithviraj Chauhan, a Rajput ruler whose hunting zeal took him into other ruler’s lands and consequently into battle! In recent times, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were Maharaja Man Singh’s special guests in 1960.

Overnight stay at Ranthambore Regency, Ranthambore [Deluxe Room with Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner]

Friday 17 November
Morning Jungle safari by shared jeep. Later return to hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast you will drive to Jaipur [150 Kms: 3.5 Hrs]. Jaipur – The capital of Rajasthan Jaipur – popularly known as the “Pink City “as the Pink sandstone was used to construct the buildings in Old walled city. Jaipur owes its name, its foundation and it’s planning to the Great warrior astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II (1699–1744 AD).

On arrival, you will check in at your hotel.

Overnight stay at Trident Hotel, Jaipur [Deluxe Garden View Room with Breakfast]

Saturday 18 November
After breakfast, you will drive just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area. An elephant [subject to availability/alternatively by jeep] will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls; Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room.
En-route to Amber, you will stop and see the `Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. It is extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind blows through its facade of windows and latticed screens through which the queens of the court once viewed the streets of the city.
In the afternoon, you will have a half day sightseeing tour of Jaipur visiting the City Palace. The magnificent City Palace is in the centre of the pink city of Jaipur, enclosed by high walls and set amidst fine gardens and courtyards. Since, Jai Singh built it in 1728, it has been the principal residence for the Maharajas of Jaipur and the successive rulers have each added to it. The major attractions in the Palace are the Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Dilkhush Mahal, Moti Mahal Sheesh Mahal and Krishna Mahal, all of which are adorned with exquisite colours and paintings. Then walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar also called Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726 and is one of the five such astronomical wonders constructed by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions.

Overnight stay at Trident Hotel, Jaipur [Deluxe Garden View Room with Breakfast]

 

Sunday 19 November
Breakfast is at the Hotel. Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, drive back to Delhi  [265 Kms / 5 Hrs].

Upon arrival check in to the hotel.

Overnight stay at Novotel Aerocity, Delhi [Standard Room with Breakfast]

To book this tour call John Galligan Travel on (01) 207 6555 or e-mail leisure@jgt.ie

 

Monday 20 November

Breakfast at hotel. At an appropriate time, you will be transferred to Delhi International Airport for your flight to Dublin via Dubai.

Flight EK 511 Departs Delhi 1035. Arrives Dubai 1300.

On arrival in Dubai, change for your flight to Dublin on

EK 1855 Departs Dubai 1435. Arrives Dublin 1855 Hrs

*** END ***

 

To book this hotel call John Galligan Travel on (01) 207 6555 or e-mail leisure@jgt.ie

N.B. This tour incorporates a lot of travelling by air, land and rail. It is designed as an intensive introduction to India and contains a full programme of tours. While the standard of luxury is very high and everything is designed to be seamless from beginning to end, you will need to have good mobility and a reasonable state of health. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory.

 

Tour Price

Sharing – € 2,995 pp inc.

Single Supplement €800

 

*Escorted by John Galligan staff subject to minimum numbers.

 

Our Quote Includes:-
 International flights on scheduled services of Emirates in Economy Class
 9 Nights accommodation on double occupancy basis at the hotels mentioned
 Meal Plan as indicated [B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner]
 Full day sightseeing tour of Delhi
 Half Day city tour of Agra
 Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal
 Visit Fatehpur Sikri Enroute Agra-Ranthambore
 Air Conditioned train tickets for Bharatpur-Sawai Madhopur
 Shared Jeep Safari in Ranthambore
 Full day sightseeing tour Jaipur including Elephant/Jeep ride [subject to availability] at Amber Fort
 All transfers, sightseeing and excursions will be by an air-conditioned vehicle
 Entrance fees, road taxes, parking fee, fuel charges, interstate taxes as per the program
 Services of an accompanying English speaking, as per the itinerary
 Representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers with meet and assist
 All currently applicable taxes, including the service tax of 3.09% applicable on total invoice amount

 

Our Quote Excludes:-
 Expenses of personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone / fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera / video camera fees at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure taxes, etc.
 Meals other than those specified above
 Any insurance
 Any visa fees
 Any air-fare unless mentioned above
 Any other services not mentioned in the inclusion

 

Special Notes:
 Irish citizens require a visa to visit India. You are responsible for obtaining these yourselves but we will of course provide any guidance or assistance you may require
 Prices especially train / airfares are subject to revision
 Hotel check-in & check-out time is usually 1200 Hrs and check-out is at 1200 Hrs
 In case of any currency fluctuations or amendments to local Government taxes, or any fuel price rises, we reserve the right to adjust the tour price accordingly
 Rate quoted above includes only those items as specified in the above inclusion column
 Effective 2nd October 2008, the Indian Government has introduced “No-Smoking” legislation for hotels, restaurants and all public places. As a consequence, smoking is prohibited in all parts of the hotel except in designated bedrooms where smoking is permitted. The hotel has dedicated smoking guest bedrooms. Should you desire a smoking bedroom, please let us know. We shall try to reserve a smoking bedroom for you, subject to availability, should you need one
 For Flight bookings, we will require complete names (per passports), including full first names
 For Train bookings, we will require complete names including date of births of the guests, 60 days in advance
For Security Reasons, it is mandatory to supply the below
 Guest Residential Address
 Contact Numbers
 Email ID
 Nationality
 Photo Identity
 Copy of Passport

To book this tour call John Galligan Travel on (01) 207 6555 or e-mail leisure@jgt.ie