Rajasthan
Classic north india and city of joy
Included
USD 820
3-4-5 stars
Travel Duration
12 Days / 11 Nights
Included in the trip
Individual departures
Round The Year
Come visit India and explore the highlights of the north India and Kolkata on this adventureous trip. from Delhi to Kolkata . Witness the Mughal splendours of Agra and Delhi, discover the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, soak up in the ambience of holy Varanasi and admire the erotic sculptures at Khajuraho and the colonial charm of Kolkata – The city of Joy. This wonderful introduction to the magical India would cover lavish palaces, vibrant bazaars, Kama Sutra temple carvings, Ghat of varanasi and the incomparable Tajmahal. Packed with highlights and hidden gems this tour would leave you Enchanted. Take time to discover the Magic of India.
Stages Of Tour
Day 1
ARRIVAL IN DELHI & SIGHTSEEING
Arrival in Delhi, after the customs formalities, meet with MTARepresentative. Our Representative will be waiting for You Outside The Gate Number 5 with your Name Placard.
Start Your Day with the Visit of OldDelhi also called as Shahjahanabad. Visit the World Famous JamaMasijd, the biggest Friday Mosque of India, which can host upto 20,000 Worshippers. After the Visit take a Ride on PedalRickshaw through the narrow alleys of Famous ChandniChowk Market. Proceed Towards Rajghat – The Tomb Of Mahatma Gandhi called as The Father of the Nation. In the afternoon Visit ColonialDelhi Monuments, Drive Through Rajpath to view the Parliament House, the President’s House and India Gate. End your Day with the Visit of QutubMinar, A Unesco World Heritage Site.Proceed Towards Hotel. Checkin and Overnight in Delhi.
Inclusions : Accommodation, Transport, Tour Guide, Monument Entrances
Tour Highlights :Old Delhi, Rickshaw Ride, Colonial Delhi, QutubMinar, Jama Masjid
Day 2
DELHI – JAIPUR ( 260 KM – 5Hrs Approx)
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur, On Arrival Visit the GaltaJi Temple famous for Monkeys. Later Visit the Birla Temple Daedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi the temple is completely Built in white marble and is a perfect example of ( Possibility of participating in the evening Aarti).Chcek in to the Hotel. Overnight.
Inclusions : Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport, Tour Guide, Monument Entrances
Tour Highlights :Galta Temple, Birla Temple
Day 3
JAIPUR SIGHTSEEING
Morning excursion to Amber to visit the Fort of ManSingh, a splendid example of rajput architecture. The fort, built at a dominant position on the top of a hill, was once the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Enroute take a photo-stop at HAWAMAHAL.
Later visit of the CityPalace, a complex of princely buildings that include the private apartments of the Maharaja. Its Museum, full of carpets and miniatures is unique in the world. Adjacent to the palace is the Astronomical Observatory of Jai Singh, the seventeenth-century Astronomical Marvel, The Observatory, includes sophisticated tools for the calculation of eclipses and for the detection of the position of stars, the calculation of ascendants. The Principal Attraction of the building is 27 meter high sundial which is located in the center of the observatory and is able to calculate the time up to 2 seconds of precision. Time to explore the local handicraft items. Jaipur is famous for Textiles and Gemstones. Return Back to the Hotel Overnight in Jaipur.
Inclusions : Accommodation, Breakfast , Transport, Tour Guide, Monument Entrances
Tour Highlights :Amer Fort, City Palace , JantarMantar.
Day 4
JAIPUR – ABHANERI - FATEHPUR SIKRI – AGRA ( 230 KM – 5 Hrs Approx)
After breakfast, drive to Agra , along the way take a stop to visit the Famous Step well of Abhaneri. built in sandstone in the ninth century. This Step well is a shining example of Hindu Architecture. Make your second stop at Ghost City of Fatehpur Sikri, a city built in red sandstone by Emperor Akbar and abandoned after only twelve years of use,The citadel retains the charm of the medieval atmosphere that characterised it Proceed towards Agra. Arrival and checkin for overnight in Agra.
Inclusions : Accommodation, Breakfast , Transport, Tour Guide, Monument Entrances
Tour Highlights :Fatehpur Sikri , Abhaneri
Day 5
AGRA SIGHTSEEING
Start your day with the visit of the Magnificent TajMahal, An Incredible Legacy of Moghul architecture in India. It was built by Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in white marble and semi-precious stones in The memory of his Beloved Wife MumtazMahal. After the TajMahal proceed towards AgraFort. One Km Away from TajMahal on the banks of the river rises the complex of palaces and royal gardens that housed the Moghul rulers for many years. Agra Fort was built by Akbar from 1565 on the foundations of the old fort of the Lodi dynasty and was en-larged and modified by its successors. Later visit the tomb of Etmad-ud-daulah also called as Baby Tajmahal.
Proceed to the hotel checkin & overnight in Agra.
Inclusions : Accommodation, Breakfast , Transport, Tour Guide, Monument Entrances
Tour Highlights :Tajmahal And Agra Fort.
Please Note :Tajmahal Remains Closed on Fridays.
Day 6
AGRA–ORCHHA (260 KM –3 ½ Hrs in Train )
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the train station to take the train for Jhansi. Arrival at Jhansi Station. Meet our representative in front of your coach, he will accompany you to the vehicle. Meet your Driver and drive to Orccha, once the famous feudal state of Bundelkhand, later abandoned. Here you will find a small village full of colours and beautiful temples with high Shikhara, called Chattris in the local language. It is a beautiful place on the banks of the river Betwa, visit Jahangir Mahaland other monuments built in the 16th century. Due to poor tourism and the fact that this area has been forgotten for years, the place seems neglected, but local authorities are trying to improve the level of maintenance. Checkin to the hotel, Overnight in Orchha.
Inclusions : Accommodation, Train, Breakfast , Transport, Tour Guide, Monument Entrances
Tour Highlights : Jahangir Mahal, OrcchaMahal, Rural India, Train Journey
Day 7
ORCHHA - KHAJURAHO (200 Km – 5 Hrs Approx. )
Breakfast at the hotel.Transfer to Khajuraho. On arrival checkin to the hotel. Afternoon visit the wonderful temples, built between the ninth and eleventh century. Visit the western temples dedicated to Hindu deities, known for their high architectural value and for their erotic sculptures. Many of these sculptures show the various mudra of Tantra. Originally there were around 84 temples, one for each of the 84 Kamasutra postures. However, many were destroyed in the Middle Ages and today only 33 remain. However, they continue to represent the great past of this fascinating place. After visiting the western temples, visit the east area dedicated to the JainistTirthankara and Jain religion.Return to the hotel for overnight stay in Khajuraho.
Inclusions : Accommodation, Breakfast , Transport, Tour Guide, Monument Entrances
Tour Highlights : Erotic Sculptures at Khajuraho Temples
Day 8
KHAJURAHO – VARANASI BY FLIGHT (1Hrs Approx)
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to airport for a flight to Varanasi.Varanasi, one of the oldest cities on earth and one of the sacred cities of Hinduism, known as the "city of life”. The first traces of urbanisation in Varanasi, dates back to the eleventh century BC. Varanasi is the sacred place from where everything originates and to where everything returns. For the Hindu devoties, Varanasi is the place to connect to the divine, where to atone for sins and free themselves from the infinite cycle of reincarnation. Afternoon at leisure.
Arrive at Varanasi and checkin to the hotel for overnight stay in Varanasi.
Inclusions : Accommodation, Breakfast , Transport, Tour Guide, Monument Entrances, Flight
Day 9
VARANASI SIGHTSEEING
Wake up before dawn and boat ride on the river Ganges, admiring the devotees who plunge into the river to free themselves from their sins. Visit Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon after got enlightment. Visit the Silk weaving centre to see the work of famous Silk Brocades from Varanasi. You may do some shopping also.
In the evening, take a rickshaw ride or walk among the ghats near the sacred Ganges to attend the evening prayer ceremony called Maha-arti, a festival of lights on the banks of the river, during which the Brahmins greet the Ganges and thank the gods with sacred songs and music. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Varanasi.
Inclusions : Accommodation, Breakfast , Transport, Tour Guide, Boat Ride, Monument Entrances
Tour Highlights : Boat Ride and morning rituals at Ganga, Sarnath, Maha-Arti.
Day 10
VARANASI TO KOLKATA BY FLIGHT (01:30 Hrs Approx)
Breakfast in the morning, transfer to Varanasiairport for flight to Kolkata. Arrival at Kolkata check in hotel. After having some rest. You will go for visit HowrahBridge and DakshineswarKaliTemple. Return to hotel for overnight stay at Kolkata
Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast,Transport, Tour Guide, Flight, Monument Entrances
Tour Highlights: Howrah Bridge, Dakshineswar Kali Temple
Day 11
KOLKATA SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, start your day with the visit of Victoria Memorial (famous for its beautiful lush garden and artistic paintings), FortWilliam known as black hole of Calcutta, because once upon a time it was a jail, MarblePalacea mansion with large collection of artistic statues and paintings, Tagore house, it holds the history of famous poet; Rabindranath Tagore), Indian Museum(it is one of the oldest & largest museums in India). In evening visit the local market and taste the food and tradition of Kolkata. Enjoy overnight stay in Kolkata.
Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport, Tour Guide, Monument Entrances
Tour Highlights: Victoria Memorial, Fort William, Marble Palace, Tagore House, Botanical Garden, Indian Museum
Day 12
TRANSFER TO KOLKATA AIRPORT
After breakfast transfer to airport for International Departure. No services are booked afterwards.
Kindly arrange your return Flight Accordingly.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Transport
End of Our Services
The hotels
MTA Provides a wide variety of hotels
Cost Per Person For Different Categories
| # | No of Pax | Standard | Superior | Prestige |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Pax | INR 1368 | INR 1576 | INR 2095 |
| 2 | 4 Pax | INR 1162 | INR 1339 | INR 1781 |
| 3 | 6 Pax | INR 957 | INR 1103 | INR 1467 |
| 4 | 8 Pax | INR 820 | INR 945 | INR 1257 |
Supplements
| # | Plan | Standard | Superior | Prestige |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Half Board | INR 50 | INR 90 | INR 150 |
| 2 | Full Board | INR 100 | INR 180 | INR 300 |
| # | Months | Dates 1 | Dates 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April | 2023-04-03T00:00:00.000Z | 2023-04-17T00:00:00.000Z |
| 2 | May | 2023-05-08T00:00:00.000Z | 2023-05-22T00:00:00.000Z |
| 3 | June | 2023-06-05T00:00:00.000Z | 2023-06-19T00:00:00.000Z |
| 4 | July | 2023-07-03T00:00:00.000Z | 2023-07-17T00:00:00.000Z |
Inclusions
• Accommodation as per Itinerary on twin sharing with Bed and Breakfast Plan.
• Transport by private air conditioned vehicle as per program.
• Professional English Speaking Guide. ( we can also arrange Guide in Other Languages on Request )
• Monument Entrance fees as per the Program.
• Domestic flight from Khajuraho to Varanasi in Economy class (checkin baggage limit – 15 Kg.)
• Domestic flight from Varanasi to Kolkata in Economy class (checkin baggage limit – 15 Kg.)
• Train from Agra to Jhansi in AC Chair Car.
• Rickshaw Ride in Old Delhi
• Elephant Ride in Jaipur
• Visit of Abhaneri Step well - An 8th Century Architetural Marvel
• Hotel/port pickup and drop-off.
• 2 bottles of water per traveler per day
• Travel kit document bag
• One souvenir gift from MTA
• Private and personalized services.
• All taxes, fees and handling charges
• GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Exclusions
• Visa and Insurances
• Food and drinks, unless specified.
• Gratuities (recommended).
• Anything not mentioned and specified in Itinerary and in inclusions.
1. The Booking
Your contract is with My Tour Advisor. A contract exists between us when we have confirmed you on our tour of your choice and we have received your signed booking form and deposits. All the relevant section must be correctly and fully completed. We can only accept booking form signed as this confirms that you and other people on the tour accept our booking terms and condition and are entering into the contract.
2. Payment
All payments can be made to My Tour Advisor, by cash, Credit card or electronic money transfer. There will be a surcharge of 3% if you make the payment by credit card – which will be added to your invoice cost. For booking which are made within 15 working days of tour departure, the full amount will become immediately payable.
3. Balance
Once the completed booking Form and deposit has been received an invoice will be sent , along with a receipt for the amount already paid. The balance of the payment must be paid at Arrival in India. Any booking made within 14 working days of the tour departure is considered to be late booking for which the full and final payment is required at the same time of booking. Failure to pay the balance within the specified period will result in the cancellation of the booking, and in payment of a cancellation fee as detailed below.
4. If you cancel your Holiday
If you or any member of your party wishes to cancel your holiday, you must notify us in writing, in any case the date of cancellation will be at the date on which notice is received in the Tours Department of My Tour Advisor. The person who signed the booking form must also sign the letter of cancellation. As this incurs administrative cost and retention charges by hotel, the cancellation charges will apply on the following scale
Number of days before departure Amount of Cancellation charges
More than 30 Days 25% of the Tour Cost.
30 – 15 Days 50% of the Tour Cost
15 – 08 Days 75% of the Tour Cost
07 Days or less 100% of the Tour Cost
a) for certain tourist and non-tourist services the penalties can be 100% already at the moment of the irrevocable proposal or of the booking / confirmation by the tour operator; such changes will be indicated in the documents relating to out-of-catalog programs or tailor-made trips or trips and services in general that are not fully or partially included in this catalog;
b) in any case, no reimbursement is due to the consumer who decides to interrupt the trip or stay by unilateral will.
5. If you change your booking
If, after your confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangement in any way, for your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do atmost to make these changes, but it may not always be possible.
6. Liability
The company does not own or control hotels, coach or other facilities mentioned in the tour. As an operator of the package tour therefore, we cannot be held liable.
a) Where there has been no fault on the part of the company, supplier or agents.
b) Where the failures in performance of the contract are attributable to the customer.
c) Where the failures are attributable to a third party not connected with the provision of the holiday and are unforeseeable or unavoidable
d) Where the failures are due to unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond your control.
e) Where the failures are due to an event which you or your supplier even with all due care could not foresee or foretell, We do take all reasonable steps in ensuring that the organisation maintains standards and provide a service that is acceptable to the passengers. The information within this website has been compiled with all reasonable care and is correct to the best knowledge of the company and is published in good faith.
Enquiry Form
Please fill the below form for more information
USEFUL INFORMATION
STATE ORDER
India is a Constitutional Republic made up of 28 sovereign states, 8 Union Territories plus the district of Delhi. Its Constitution entered into force on January 26, 1950. The highest office of the Union is the President of the Republic. The Union of States
Independently headed by the State Assemblies, The Central Parliament is headed by two chambers: the lower house Lok Sabha, the people's chamber, and the upper house, Rajya Sabha, the council of states. The Lok Sabha has 545 members and elections are held every 5 years. The Rajya Sabha is made up of 250 members elected every 2 years, and 125 members elected every 6. Each individual state has its own independent government, a State Head and a Chief Minister, and elects its representatives in the Delhi Parliament. The Indian states are divided into districts and in the villages the administrative system is still oriented towards the traditional method of panchayat run by the five leaders of the community.
CAPITAL
The capital of India is New Delhi, formerly the capital of the British Raj since 1911, an ancient city of art and home to all the embassies in the world.
THE FLAG OF INDIA
The Indian national flag is made up of three horizontal stripes: orange at the top, white at the center and green at the bottom. In the central strip is inserted the wheel of the chariot of Ashoka, the greatest Indian emperor who lived in the third century BC.
Population
The population of India amounts to about 1 billion and 250 million people. Population density: 300 inhabitants per sq. Km.
Language
India has 23 official languages. Hindi is mainly spoken in the northern regions. In the southern states the local languages are spoken. English is spoken in all metropolises and large cities.
Religion
India is the cradle of Eastern religions. The most widespread religions are Hinduism (80%), Islam (12%), Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism and Catholicism.
Documents for expatriation
Passport: required, with residual validity of at least six (6) months upon arrival. Entry visa: required. Since last April 2017, the Indian government has extended the possibility to obtain an online visa (E-Visa) for trips of less than 60 days. The E-Visa must be requested online directly by the customer and paid for by credit card. The cost is about 50 Dollars, the payment is to be made online by credit card. Before proceeding with the online application for the E-Visa it is necessary to verify that you are in possession of: -
PASSPORT valid for at least six (6) months from the date of arrival in India, with at least 3 blank pages. - COLOR SCAN OF A 5cm x 5cm size PHOTO CARD, frontal and with white background (jpeg format, minimum 10 KB maximum 1 MB). - COLOR SCAN OF THE PASSPORT PAGE containing personal data (pdf format, minimum 10 KB maximum 300 KB). To apply for the E-Visa you need to connect to the site
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/registration, click on the “E-Visa Application” box and proceed with completing the online form in its entirety. At the end of the compilation, the payment of 50 USD will be required and the upload of the two scans (passport photo and passport). The visa in electronic format will be sent within 72 hours to the e-mail address you indicated when completing the form, it must be printed, brought with you to the airport together with the passport and kept for the entire duration of the trip. The E-Visa can be requested: - from 30 days from the date of departure of the trip and is valid for a period of stay of up to 60 days from the date of arrival in India. – and can be asked only twice a year. – also valid only if you enter India from one of the following airports: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengalore, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi, Cochin, Goa and Mangalore.
Health Provisions
No vaccination is required in India. However, we recommend that you consult your doctor and your Municipality's Health Office. It is always necessary to follow some preventive indications and to maintain proper personal hygiene. The first advice is not to drink water if not bottled, even better if it is added with carbon dioxide (always making sure that the cap is closed) and avoid consuming raw vegetables and unpeeled fruit.
Air Transport and airports
Intercontinental flights are operated with numerous IATA carriers. The international airport in New Delhi, the Indira Gandhi International airport, is about 20 Km (45 minutes) from the city center and is connected by a taxi and bus service. Mumbai International Airport is 15 km from the city and can be reached in approximately 1 hour, which extends during peak hours. Domestic flights in India may be subject to delays or variations due to adverse weather conditions or other causes. The Internal Air Trafiic is handled by national and private companies covering the whole national territory. Airline tickets for any domestic flights scheduled for your tour will be delivered by our correspondent upon arrival in India.
Airport Taxes
There are currently no airport taxes to be paid out of India with the exception of Bangalore airport (1100 rupees). The legislation in India is subject to sudden changes.
Currency Import regulations:
1. Local currency (Indian Rupee-INR): up to max. INR 25,000.-.
a. not allowed for nationals of Bangladesh or Pakistan residing outside India;
b. if arriving from Bhutan or Nepal, only currency notes in denominations of max. INR 100, - are allowed.
2. Foreign Currencies: unlimited. However, amounts exceeding USD 5,000. - (or equivalent) in cash, or USD 10,000.- (or equivalent) in traveler's cheques must be declared.
Foreign currencies include currency notes, traveler's cheques, cheques, drafts etc. (Re)exchange only through banks and authorized money exchange points.
Customs regulations
The entry of foreign currency is unlimited. All valuables and high-tech items must be declared at the entrance, withholding the receipt. It is allowed to import 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars, 2 liters of alcoholic beverages, 4 perfume bottles for personal use. There are some restrictions on the export of antiques.
Baggage
See international standards.
Indian Currency
The official monetary unit in India is the Indian Rupee (INR), divided into 100 Paisa. There are banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2000 Rupees and coins of 1, 2 and 5, 10, 20 Rupees. The most easily convertible currency is the USD but the Euros is also normally accepted. It is advisable to exchange money at hotels that charge a fee or at banks and exchange offices in major Indian cities. Credit cards are accepted in shops, hotels and major tourist centers. 1 Euro = 75 Indian Rupees 1 US Dollar = 67 Indian Rupees NB: The above exchange rates are to be considered indicative.
Time zonetime
Official Timezone of India is +530. Indian Standard time is the time zone observed throughout India, with a time offset of UTC+05:30. India does not observe daylight saving time or other seasonal adjustments.
Climate
Given the vastness of the territory, India has all types of climate. Monsoon period (from July to August): hot-humid climate with abundant rain, at various times of the day, and humidity around 90%. Temperatures range from 30-32 degrees during the day to 20-22 degrees at night. Autumn-winter period (from September to April): warm dry climate generally sunny, without particularly intense rains, with temperatures ranging between 22-26 degrees during the day and 14-16 degrees at night. This is the best time to visit India. Tropical hot period (May to June): hot dry climate with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees during the day. To visit the Himalayan regions of Ladakh, Kashmir and Sikkim, the ideal period is from April to September, with dry weather and sporadic nighttime rainfall. During these months the temperatures in the Himalayas, even at altitudes above 3000 meters, are pleasant: 18-22 degrees during the day and 8-12 degrees at night. Above 4000 meters, night temperatures around zero are recorded.
Clothing
The choice of clothing must generally respond to criteria of practicality, comfort, compliance with the climate and the environment. It is therefore advisable to opt for very comfortable sports clothing and footwear, excluding garments in synthetic fibers that prevent body transpiration, especially in hot climates. Personal equipment recommended for the trip We provide below an indicative list of material to undertake the trip, which everyone must adapt to their habits and needs. - Sun hat, scarf - long sleeve cotton dresses and shirts - t-shirt type t-shirts - long cotton canvas pants, jeans - short shorts (not above the knee for women) - Wool sweater or sweatshirt for evening - waterproof or light waxed cape - Cotton underwear - a pair of comfortable sneakers - a pair of sandals - light windproof jacket - handkerchiefs and refreshing wipes - moisturizer - sunscreen with high protection factor - Cocoa Butter for Lips - insect repellent - sunglasses - multipurpose knife - electric socket with universal connection - backpack for daily needs
Personal pharmacy
In addition to any medicines for personal use, it is advisable to bring basic medicines with you such as: antibiotics (a broad spectrum and one specific for the pulmonary tract), diuretics, antinevralgics, antidiarrheals (Imodium), intestinal disinfectants (Bimixin, Normix), dietary supplements intestinal (Enterogermina), aspirins, antipyretics, eye drops, insect repellent, water disinfectant, plasters, gauze and bandages for small wounds, penicillin-based ointment, antihistamine ointment. We also recommend the use of saline supplements to avoid dehydration of the body, very fast in these environmental conditions.
Offices
Banks are open from 10.00 to 14.00 from Monday to Saturday. The shops are open from 10.30 to 20.00 from Monday to Saturday.
Electricity
It is preferable to have a universal type adapter. Electricity runs at 220 volts and has standard sockets in almost all hotels. The plugs with the ground socket (center pin) do not work.
Telephone
To make an International call by a Fix line or Mobile you must add International Country Code, followed by the prefix of the city with the leading zero and finally the number of the subscriber. In all Indian cities there are public telephones (called STD and ISD) with operator, counting and payment in cash. Telephone cards for public telephones are not used. A minute of conversation from India to Europe could costs around 20 rupees (less than 1 euro). Calling from hotels can cost up to 4 or 5 times more. To call from Italy to India you must select 0091 followed by the city code (New Delhi 11, Mumbai 22, Kolkata 33) and dial the subscriber number. Mobile phones: throughout the country, mobile phones work regularly. Coverage is not complete in desert regions and the more remote Himalayan valleys.
Hotel accommodation
In India, the official category of hotels does not guarantee international standards and does not always guarantee customer expectations. All facilities, from luxury hotels to heritage residences (former homes of the Maharajas), are periodically supervised by our staff. Heritage hotels (3/4/5 stars) guarantee a comfortable standard and a traditional atmosphere able to immerse visitors in the time of the Maharajas. In the main cities, where the accommodation offer is wider, hotels have been selected that guarantee an accurate service, a welcoming environment and a privileged location. In the Himalayan areas and along the off-road itineraries, the best existing structures (3 stars) and fixed tented camps with limited comfort are provided, where a good spirit of adaptation is required.
Means of transport
The roads connecting the major cities of India are generally paved. The means of transport are private and of Indian standard, with air conditioning and highly experienced English speaking drivers. The traffic of the Cities considerably slow down the transfer times allowing an average of about 50 km per hour. For travelers who wish it is possible to provide vehicles of superior category.
Food and Drink
Indian cuisine is very rich and tasty. Each state has its own culinary traditions and is distinguished by its elaborate preparations. Spices (Masala) are used with almost all foods. In general, Indians are very fond of vegetables, rice, lentils, yogurt, tropical fruit, vegetables but also chicken, mutton and lamb. Beef and pork are excluded from the table for religious reasons. Excellent chapati, roti and paratha bread which is prepared in different ways depending on the region. Curry, cumin, coriander, black pepper, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, anise, cardamom are present in many vegetarian or meat or fish dishes; often the dishes are associated with "daal" (lentils) with white yogurt. In general, the cuisine is spicy even if the hotels that host Western travelers try to "limit" the use of spices. Do not miss the Tandoori chicken (typically Indian chicken), fruit (coconuts, mangoes, papaya, bananas) and of course the "chai": tea with milk and spices. The Indians produce excellent beer and different qualities of rum.
Holidays
Magha- January / February 26 January: Indian Republic Day Makar Sankranti, Hindu festival Mahashivaratri, Shiva, Kumbh Mela festival (rotating): - Haridwar 2021 (Uttaranchal) - Allahabad 2024 (Uttar Pradesh) - Nasik 2027 (Maharashtra) - Ujjain 2030 (Madhya Pradesh), Phalguna - February / March Holi, festival of colors Thar Desert Festival (Rajasthan) Chaitra - March / April Hanuman Jayanti, birth of Hanuman Ramnavami, birth of Rama Pooram, Thrissur (Kerala) Vaishaka - April / May Buddha Purnima, birth of Buddha Jyaistha - May / June Id-E-MÌIad, birth of Mohammed Asadha - June / July Rath Yatra, festival of chariots, Puri (Orissa) Hemis, Buddhist festival (Ladakh) Sravana - July / August Lamayuru , Buddhist festival (Ladakh) Phyang, Buddhist festival (Ladakh) Janmashthami, birth of Krishna Bhadra - August / September Ganesh Chaturthi, birth of Ganesh (Mumbai and Pune) August 15: Independence Day Nerhu Trophy, Aleppey (Kerala) Ashwin - September/ October Dusserha, Hindu festival, Mysore (Karnataka) Gandhi Jayanti, birth of Mahatma Gandhi Navratri, Hindu festival Kartika - October / November Diwali, festival of lights Pushkar Festival (Rajasthan) Guru Nanak Jayanti, Sikh Aghan festival - November / December Ramadan, Muslim festival Break - December / January Dance and Music Festival, Chennai International Film Festival, Trivandrum
Photographic material
It is advisable to obtain all the necessary material in advance: films, micro-Films, flashes, memory cards are not always easily available or very expensive. It will be useful to carry a simple plastic bag with you to protect objects from dust or humidity.
Shopping
In India it is possible to buy many handicrafts and each state has its own particular local art. From carpets to precious stones, from silk fabrics to silver objects, from spices to multiple objects inlaid in wood or marble, from pashmina shawls to bedspreads embroidered with gold thread and mirrors. Traveling with local guides or Indian escorts you will have many opportunities to shop. At the end of the planned visits, it is customary for the guides and companions to recommend some shops where to shop and where the objects offered are of authentic value. Sometimes the local guides can be too insistent in taking you to the shops they know: in these cases, you do not feel obliged to go but if you follow their advice do not doubt the quality of the goods that are offered to you. Treat your prices with tenacity: it is the local custom. In any case, by going to the shops on your own, unless you have very precise indications, you would most likely stumble into "little scams": do not delude yourself otherwise!
Tipping
In India it is good practice to leave service tips in hotels, restaurants, guides and drivers following your journey. For a tip for normal room service or porterage we recommend 50-100 Rupees. For the one-day service of a local guide (as long as you are satisfied) we recommend around 10 dollars. Same treatment for a driver.
Important information
Our Staff
Our guides and professional escorts have experience in the area and in-depth cultural preparation. We can provide Guides in differenr languages also in most of the sectors but in some areas there shall be only english speaking Guides available, Such as Ladakh and the Himalayan areas, Kindly do check it with our travel experts regarding the availabiluty.
Means of transport
Our organization boasts a large fleet of new generation air-conditioned means of transport: from standard or deluxe cars (2/3 pax) to Overland vehicles (2/3 pax); from minibuses (4/8 pax) to grand tour buses (10/40 pax), with professional English speaking drivers, always attentive to the needs of travelers. The roads that connect the main cities of India are generally good. Indian Traffic conditions limit the transfer times to an average of 50 km per hour.
Hotels and tented camps
In Indian Subcontinent, the official category of hotels does not guarantee international standards and does not always correspond to the expectations of the traveler. The structures that MTA chooses, from luxury hotels, to Heritage Hotels (former residences of the Maharajas), to lower category hotels, are periodically supervised by our staff. In the Himalayan areas of Ladakh, hotels are provided among the best existing and standard tented camps with limited comfort, where a good spirit of adaptation is required.
Flights
The Major airports where International flights Land are Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Almost all of the major International Airliens have theor scheduled flights from these cities. including Swiss, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, BrusselsAirlines and Etihad.
Personalized trips
Our Product Managers are available to travelers to develop personalized itineraries (for individuals or groups) and offer ad hoc programming, designed with maximum flexibility and with smallest details, for those who want to immerse themselves in the magic and spirituality of " Land of the Gods” outside the classic Itineraries or with programs already present in the catalog. MTA is also available to develop personalized travels in cinema, nature, sports, honeymoons, incentive travel, business tourism and medical tourism in India.
India Visa
To obtain an entry visa to India it is essential to have a passport valid for 6 months from the date of travel (with at least three consecutive free pages), and two passport photos. you can apply for ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) The Link of the website is https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa Kindly check for permission Granted on ETA before boarding your flight.
