Travel Bulletin India Supplement 2012

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October 2012October 2012

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3All About India

India made the headlines in the UK last week over the lifting ofthe ban on what has been dubbed tiger tourism. In July, theSupreme Court banned tourism in core tiger parks as they

believed this would help protect the tigers and boost theirpopulation.

Tour operators. along with many conservationists, have welcomedthe overturning of the ban, which they claim would leave the tigersat the mercy of poachers and illegal grazers as the tigers are deemedto be safer in reserves that are visited by larger numbers of tourists.

Visiting the national parks of India to get up close to the tigers anda number of other endangered species is a popular add-on tour tomany holidays to India.

In this All About India supplement, we include a brief round-up ofsome of the operators’ wildlife tours (page 18) that will now be ableto run following the lifting of the ban.

This year’s supplement kicks off with a look at What’s new for 2013(pages 4-6) from the operators, followed by Hotel hotline, whichfeatures the latest news on new hotels.

The supplement is then divided into regional focus, beginning witha look at all the must-see tourist sites in Northern India (pages 9-11).While the Golden Triangle is the biggest pull, there is much more tosee in the north outside of Agra, Delhi and Jaipur.

Home to Kolkata and the birthplace of Buddhism, east India (pages12 and 13) has more than its fair share of must-see heritage andcultural sites.

If beaches and Bollywood float your boat, then a holiday to westIndia (pages 14 and 15) should be high on your agenda. But if a sliceof the easy life is what you really need, then head south to thebackwaters of Kerala, the Venice of the east.

I hope this supplement helps to give you an insight in what Indiahas to offer.

It has so many different types of holidays, and while temples andmonuments are a key part of its appeal, India’s culture and traditionare an important part of your clients’ India experience.

So when you have a spare half-an-hour, make the most of this AllAbout India supplement so you help your clients choose the rightholiday for them. Happy reading.

Angela CroninSupplements editor

Published by

Lower Ground Floor, University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EX

Tel: 020-7834 6661Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe

Written and researched by: Angela CroninEmail: [email protected]

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Cover Picture: iStockISSN: 0956-2419

CONTENTS

Hotel hotline 7

What’s new 4

Northern highlights 9

Go west 14

East is east 12

All About

Southern spirit 16

Wild times 18

Travel essentials 19

IndiaIndia


4

Operators are expandingtheir programmes for 2013with more tailor-madetours and flexible options

When it comes to selling aholiday to India, offering yourclient the tailor-made option

is probably what will sell the deal.These days, most visitors, either

first-time or repeat, are keen to puttogether their holidays to India underthe guidance of a travel expert. Somake sure you are ahead of the gamewith our What’s new section for 2013.

ExploreThe adventure specialist has added acycling tour of the Ladakh region ofJammu and Kashmir close to theHimalayas.

The 18-day Cycle Ladakh tour visitsremote monasteries and experiencesthe Buddhist traditions of Ladakh.

Starting with Leh as the base, thetour cycles to Hemis, Stok and Phyangmonasteries before following quietpaths along the Indus River. Fewtourists visit this region and exploringby bike allows customers to reachsome of the smaller villages in theIndus Valley and gain an insight intohow people live in a region that istotally cut off for more than half of the year.

Prices lead in at £2,198 per personfor this 18-day trip, which includeshotel and camping accommodation,most meals, bike hire, transport,support vehicle and the services of atour leader, bike mechanic and driver.

KuoniKuoni has a range of new tours to Indiain its 2013 Discover brochure, whichoffers customers the chance totailor-make their own itineraries.

Product that features in theprogramme include: the chance tocombine a few days in Delhi with astay in the southern coastal state ofKerala; or a chance to spot tigers in

India's national parks – Pench,Bandhavgarh and Kanha – as part ofthe 12-day escorted small group tourCall of the Tiger.

Explore India on luxury trains on theMaharajas' Express visiting Delhi, Agra,Ranthambore, Jaipur and Delhi, or bythe Golden Chariot around the south ofthe country taking in Bangalore,Chennai, Pondicherry, Kanyakumariand Cochin.

Resorts in Goa also feature alongsidetree houses, houseboats andhomestays on an 11-day private tour ofSouthern India – part of the operator’sAnanea sustainable tourismprogramme.

Pampering holidays are alsoavailable in Kovalam, Goa and theHimalayas.

Cox and KingsThe tailor-made specialist hasintroduced standard and superiordepartures on selected group toursfor 2013.

The best-selling nine-dayseven-night Indian Experience tour of

the Golden Triangle is now priced from£1,295 per person for the standard tourand £1,345 per person for the superioralternative. Both versions include staysin four-star hotels and visit MehatabBagh garden for a view of the TajMahal at sunset.

The nine-day/seven-night SpiceLands of Kerala escorted tour visits theport city of Kochi and the backwaters,which can be explored by boat for a

All About India

What’snewWhat’snew

A cruise on a houseboat through thebackwaters of Kerala is a great way

to experience rural life first-hand


What’s new

glimpse into rural village life. The 2013 tour will be pricedfrom £1,495 per person for the standard tour and £1,595 perperson for the superior alternative.

Indus ToursThe tailor-made holiday specialist has introduced a newday-trip itinerary in Kashmir.

Based in the ancient city of Srinagar in the heart of theKashmir Valley, this tour takes in all the area's key sightsincluding the recently opened Lal Ded Memorial Museumand its collection of endemic cultural artefacts.

The new day trip takes in the centuries-old PandrethanTemple before heading out along the Jhelum River on ashikara (a traditional Kashmiri water taxi) past themagnificent architecture of the Bund and on under the ZeroBridge to arrive at the Lal Ded cultural centre.

From the museum, the tour continues along the river tothe wooden mosque of Shah Hamdan. A tour through thenarrow laneways of the old city then follows.

This Srinagar excursion can be bolted on to any holidayitinerary to this part of India.

An example itinerary is the nine-day Kashmir: the SecretGarden tour, which combines houseboat accommodation inSrinagar with a visit to the Alpine meadows of Gulmarg.Prices start at £1,679 per person.

Intrepid TravelThe adventure specialist has added a new 15-day Delhi toGoa tour for 2013.

The tour begins in Delhi, exploring Rajasthan’s iconic forts

and palaces, including the Taj Mahal and the pink-hued city ofJaipur, before heading to a heritage homestay in the heart ofrural India, travelling into the heart of Bollywood in Mumbaiand ending with some relaxation on the beaches of Goa.

Prices lead in at £1,075 excluding flights.

Wendy Wu Tours The escorted tours specialist has introduced a your waytravel planner for 2013, which allows customers totailor-make their own packages from 19 short stays in India.

Clients can pull together a selection of tours with flightsand transfers by the Wendy Wu Tours’ team.

For example, combining three tours such as the DelhiShort Stay, exploring Old and New Delhi in three days, theCorbett National Park trip, enabling travellers to search forwildlife throughout the foothills of the Himalayas, andBuddha’s Journey Tour, discovering some of India’s mostimportant religious sites. Short-stay prices range from £230per person to £890.

Travel IndochinaThe Asia specialist has reduced the cost of all of its Small GroupJourneys to India for 2013, meaning departure dates are onaverage 6% cheaper than this year.

Travel Indochina’s Small Group Journeys include a westerntour leader and a local guide, small group size (maximum of16 travellers), good standard of accommodation in itsClassic range with the opportunity to upgrade to Deluxeaccommodation on some of the operator’s journey.

Tours for 2013 include the seven-day Taste of India tour,which takes in the Golden Triangle, finishing in the secludedSamode, and a 14-day Highlights of Rajasthan small groupjourney. Travel Indochina has also added more heritagehotels to its Small Group Journey itineraries.

On the Go ToursOn the Go Tours has added a number of new tours that tie inwith major events on the Indian festival calendar to its India2012/13 brochure.

The 12-day Hola Sikh Festival and Golden Triangle tourtakes in Sikhism's famous annual Hola Mohalla Festival,which Sikhs from all over the world attend every year.

Cricket tours specialist Barmy Travel has put togethertwo packages to allow England fans the chance to enjoythe upcoming India tour.The first package offers fans the opportunity to seeEngland take on India at the Eden Gardens in the six-night tour. Prices for this first Test in Kolkata start at£1,395 per person with departures on 3 December.Packages for second and third Tests combine a few daysin Goa in between. Prices are from £2,995 per person andinclude match tickets and flights from Heathrow toMumbai on 21 November and return flights from Kolkotaon 10 December.

Bowled over

5All About India

An interim ban on tiger tourism in key tiger habitatsstopping tourists from visiting national parks to seetigers in their natural habitat has been lifted.In July this year, the Supreme Court banned tourism incore tiger parks in a bid to offer higher protection andboost their population.However, the ban has now been overturned and newguidelines will now permit tourism in 20% of core areas.

Tiger tourism ban lifted

The hill station of Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama


A tour of the Golden Triangle taking inDelhi, Jaipur and the Taj Mahal in Agrais included at the end. Prices lead in at£1,149 per person departing on 26March 2013.

The eight-day Holi and the ElephantParade combines a tour of the GoldenTriangle with the festivities of Holi andthe Elephant Festival of Jaipur, whendecorated elephants from the AmberFort parade through the showgroundand play the regal game of polo. Pricesstart at £599 per person for departureson 23 March 2013.

Also new is the 10-day Best ExoticMarigold tour, which follows in thefootsteps of the characters from hitmovie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

The tour takes visitors on a journeythrough the chaos of Delhi to theserenity of Udaipur, the architecturalhighlights of Jaipur to the Taj Mahal. Astay at the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel isincluded. Prices start at £1,149 perperson based on two travelling.

Finally, On the Go Tours has added anumber of dates on its eight-day TajExpress tour that now caters forfamilies.

Virgin Holidays The operator has added the 11-dayRajasthan Adventure to its WorldwideJourneys programme for 2012.

The tour includes sightseeing andaccommodation in Delhi, Taj Mahal,Bharatpur, Abhaneri, Jaipur, Jodhpur,Ranakpur and Udaipur. Prices start at£1,795 per person on a mixed-boardbasis and include flights and transfers.

Jet AirwaysIndian airline Jet Airways hasintroduced its full-service Premiere(Business Class) product on allJetKonnect Next-Generation Boeing737-700/800 flights across India.

The Premiere cabin has a 44-inch seatpitch, multi-course menu options, extralegroom, dedicated check-in countersand 30kgs baggage allowance.

The airline has also introduced a newOnline Upgrade feature, which allowspassengers to upgrade their booking toa higher cabin for a nominal fee. Thisfacility is available on a first-come,first-served basis on select Jet Airwaysand JetKonnect flights.

6

What’s new

All About India

The beaches of Goa


7

The Leela Palaces, Hotels andResorts has opened a new hotel inChennai.

The Leela Palace Chennai is theregion’s first sea-facing modern palacehotel spanning six acres with views ofthe Bay of Bengal.

The hotel, which is close to thecapital’s business district, spans over11 floors and has 326 rooms.

The hotel has an ESPA spa, a fitnesscentre, a 25-metre swimming pool andpalatial spaces for meetings,conferences and private celebrations.

Every room is equipped with the42-inch Sony LCD TVs, Bose soundsystems, iPod docks and wifi.

The Leela Palace Chennai is theeighth hotel in the group’s awardwinning portfolio.

Room rates start at £95 per night.

A new hotel is due to open later this

year in Madhya Pradesh. The KathiwadaMansion, built in 1905 by thearchitects for the then Maharaja RanaSaheb Onkar Singhji, has recently beenrestored to its former glory.

Nestled amid 120 acres of mangoorchards, banana plantations, coconotgroves and paddy fields, the107-year-old colonial mansion willfeature its original 1940s Art Decofurniture and the Kathiwada family’sprivate Modern and Contemporary Artscollection.

The luxury Keralan retreat ofNeeleshwar Hermitage hasintroduced a new houseboat. The Lotushas two bedrooms, each with a privatesitting-out area. There is a bar andkitchen on board with chef andhousekeeping staff. Ayurveda massageand yoga lessons are available.

Vivanta by Taj Hotels and Resorts

has opened a new hotel insouthwestern India.

The Vivanta by Taj – Madikeri Coorgis the hotel group’s 25th property.

Situated at an altitude of 3,800ft fivemiles from the hill station of Madikeriwithin 180 acres of subtropicalrainforest, the hotel is set to be theultimate retreat for nature lovers andsybarites.

The hotel has 63 rooms and villasbuilt to eco-conscious credentials inmind. The Luxury Bliss Villas have abuilt-in indoor pool and a retractablesun-roof. Premium Temptation villashave private swimming pools, while thePresidential Nirvana Suite offers threebedrooms, a swimming pool, privatepavilion, its own courtyard and facilitiesfor in-house dining.

The hotel will have a Jiva Grande Spa,three restaurants and a cocktail bar.

Prices start at £170 per room per night.

From Delhi toKerala, here’sthe lowdown on the hotelsopening this

year and next

All About India

Hotel hotlineHotel hotline

The Vivanta by Taj - Surya, Coimbatore opened at the beginning of this year

S02 India Supp 2012 Hotel Hotline_Layout 1 22/10/2012 17:00 Page 7

Vivanta by Taj has also opened a new hotel inBekal in Kerala earlier this year.

Spread across 25 acres the resort is setalongside the Kappil River, located in theKasargod district of northern Kerala.

Inspired by the Kettuvallam house boats thatare unique to the region, Vivanta by Taj – Bekalreflects the local style.

The rooms offer plunge pools, privatecourtyards, outdoor dining areas, rain showersand soak tubs.

Dining spaces include Latitude the all-dayrestaurant and Ivory Bar.

The hotel’s Jiva Spa will offer the full range ofJiva signature treatments, special Indiantherapies and dedicated ayurvedic consultations.

Prices start at £195 per night.Meanwhile, Vivanta by Taj is opening in the business hun

of Gurgaon, Delhi in January 2013. This will be the first Tajhotel in Gurgaon

Rajakkad Garden Hotel is the latest property to open in TamilNadu. Surrounded by forest and coffee estates in the rollingPalani Hills of central Tamil Nadu, the small garden hotel haseight rooms.

Rajakkad was originally raised on the backwaters at Pallam,near Kottayam in Kerala. Once home to 80 descendents of theTravancore maharajas, an Englishman, Jeremy Fry, discovered itand rebuilt it in the forests and high ground of the Palani Hills.

The hotel has eight rooms.The ITC Grand Chola Hotel has opened in the heart of thesouthern indian city of Chennai.

The hotel's design and architecture is steeped in the localculture, heritage, art and history of the Chola dynasty, whichruled Chennai, parts of southern India and southeast Asiafrom 300AD to 1250AD.

The 600-room hotel boasts a spa, 10 restaurants and100,000 square feet of banqueting and convention space.

iPad 2s are available in every room, and the tablets havebeen designed to control air-con, lighting, room service,laundry booking, consolidate room bills, provide local areainformation, allow guests to watch movies, play music, andcan even screen visitors and let them in.

8

Hotel hotline

All About India

Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has a new hotel in Chennai

Neeleshwar Hermitag’s new houseboat, theLotus, will be based on the backwaters ofKerala close to the hotel

S02 India Supp 2012 Hotel Hotline_Layout 1 22/10/2012 17:00 Page 8

9

India is many things to many peoplebut ask your clients what are theirfirst thoughts when you mention the

country, and images of mystical forts,palaces, temples and the words “GoldenTriangle” will probably spring to mind.

Northern India is home to many ofthese sites that first-time visitors want tocross off their must-see list, including thethree most visited cities in the north, theGolden Triangle destinations of Delhi,Agra (home to the Taj Mahal) and Jaipur.And of course, there are plenty of tours tochoose from.

While the Golden Triangle forms someof the north’s appeal, lovers of the greatoutdoors who relish a bit of adventurealso find themselves drawn to this part ofthe country as the Himalayas dominatethis region too.

Adventure seekers are drawn to theirmajestic mountains, which offer epichill-trekking trails as well as many placesto explore, including Dharamsala, thehome of the Dalai Lama, and Shimla, thesummer time retreat of the British Raj.

From the hills of the border states tothe tourist trails of the Golden Triangle,here’s a brief guide to the main touristdestinations in northern India.

Jammu and KashmirBordered by Pakistan, Afghanistan andChina, the states of Jammu and Kashmiris the northern-most part of India, and

while still relatively undiscovered bytourists, operators such as Indus Toursoffer packages here.

Its terrain – from snow-capped highmountain ranges to verdant valleys – lendsitself to activity-based holidays, includingskiing, mountain biking, trekking,white-water rafting, city walks, fishing, birdwatching, golf and horse riding.

However, for visitors who want to visitsome historical sites, there’s plenty tochoose from.

Dating back to the 3rd century BC, thecity of Srinagar was founded on the banksof the River Jhelum by Emperor Ashoka,in the heart of the Kashmir valley. Today,Srinagar is concentrated on the Dal Lake.

It is full of medieval charm with a mazeof roads, bazaars, mosques and shrinesdue to the fact it has been influenced bymany empires including the Mughals,Afghans and Sikhs. They have left theirmark in the architecture of this regionalcapital with beautifully preservedtemples, bridges, wooden mosques andother interesting architecture from acrossthe ages.

Located at the foot hills of theHimalayas, Jammu is the winter capital ofthe state Jammu and Kashmir. Thought tohave been founded in the 14th centuryBC, Jammu is also known for its ancienttemples and palaces, included theAkhnoor Fort, the Bahu Fort (thought tobe more than 3,000 years old) and the

Amar Mahal. Jammu’s locationoverlooking the Tawi river means it ispopular with thrill seekers, who savourthe opportunity to go mountaineering,trekking and rafting.

ShimlaThe state capital of Himachal Pradeshand once the summer capital of theBritish Raj, Shimla is a hill station locatedin the shadow of the Himalayas anddense jungle, and is a destination ofoutstanding beauty.

The British, who retreated here duringthe hot summer months after theyacquired control of the hill station in1819, have left their mark on the citywith grand monuments and colonialarchitecture Victorian style.

But its location in the foothills of theHimalayas mean its stunning views andcolonial charm make it a populardestination with honeymooners, and thrillseekers alike as it is the starting point forthe mountainous Himachal region.

Located just outside Shimla is theluxurious resort of Wildflower Hall. Nowowned by Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, itwas once the residence of Lord Kitchener,Commander-in-Chief of the IndianArmed Forces.

Other hill stations worthy of a visitinclude Dalhousie and Dharamsala, thehome of the Dalai Lama and India'slargest Tibetan community.

From the mountains ofthe Himalayas to theforts of Jaipur, northernIndia is guaranteed toleave an impressionthat lasts a lifetime

All About India

Northern highlightsNorthern highlights

The Palace of Winds, Jaipur

S03 India Supp 2012 North India_Layout 1 22/10/2012 17:06 Page 9

DelhiUsually visited as part of a Golden Triangle package to Agra andJaipur, Delhi is the capital city of India, and has plenty to offeras a stand-alone destination.

With many ancient temples, palaces, forts and archaelogicalsites, the city is the perfect mix of old and new.

Sites to see in Delhi include the number one touristattraction, the Red Fort. Completed in 1648 by the MughalEmperor Shah Jahan, the fort today houses a bazaar, a numberof palaces, gardens, halls and the Museum of the IndependenceMovement.

Other sites include: Humayun's Tomb, the tomb of the secondMughal emperor, started in 1562; the Qutub complex, whichhouses structures dating from the Slave Dynasty (1206-1290),including the Qutub Minar, a 72.5-metre minaret, which whenbuilt between 1193 and 1368, was the tallest tower in theworld; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; Rajpath, themain parade route that leads from Rashtrapati Bhavan (thePresident's residence) to India Gate, a memorial for the Indiansoldiers who died in World War I.

When you are done with sightseeing, indulge your innershopaholic and head to the city’s bazaars or one of its manyshopping malls.

AgraHome to the Taj Mahal, one of the world’s most iconic sites, afirst-timer’s visit to India wouldn’t be complete without astopover in Agra.

The Taj Mahal is an impressive mausoleum of white marble,built between 1631 and 1648 by the Mughal emperor ShahJahan in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

One of the new seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal isone of the most well preserved and breathtakingly beautifultombs in the world.

While the tomb is the site everyone wants to see, the groundsof the complex include several other buildings, reflecting poolsand ornamental gardens.

After you have seen enough of the Taj Mahal, then maketracks to the Agra Fort, just a mile from the Taj Mahal. The

The iconic Taj Mahal

10All About India

Head to the hills: Intrepid Travel offers a 13-dayMountains and Mystics tour that offers visitors thechance to experience rural life at a homestay, take atrain journey through the Himalayan foothills, visitDharamsala, the home to the Dalai Lama, and walk alongmountain trails. Prices start at £655 excluding flights.

TransIndus offers a 15-night tour through the valleys ofLahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur in India's far north, visiting hilltowns of Dharamsala and Shimla on the way. Prices startat £2,895 per person, including 15 nights'accommodation, flights, all internal travel, and allscheduled sightseeing.

The royal connectionBales Worldwide offers a 16-day Palaces of Rajasthantour which visits Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer,Rohet, Deograh and Udaipur. Prices start at £2,165 perperson and include flights, accommodation, sightseeing,an English-speaking guide and transfers.

Explore’s 15-day Off Beat Rajasthan tour combines thevillages and markets of India’s ‘Golden Triangle’ with therich wildlife of the Chambal Sanctuary, Keoladeo BirdSanctuary and Ranthambore National Park. Travelling toChambal Sanctuary, guests will take a river safari insearch of the gangetic dolphins, sarus cranes and softshell turtles. In Ranthamborne National Park guests willgo in search of tigers, sloth bears, deer and wild boar.The tour has a good mix of wildlife and local insight, andtakes guests to traditional villages and an evening HinduAarti ceremony. Prices start at £1,710 per person andinclude flights, accommodation on a bed and breakfastbasis, transport and the services of a tour leader, driverand some local guides.

Sample product


16th-century Mughal monument is a fortress of red sandstonewhich encompasses the imperial city of the Mughal rulers.

Inside the walls are a number of fairy-tale palaces, such asthe Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan;audience halls and two mosques.

Also, while in Agra, check out Itmad ud Daulah or the BabyTaj as it is sometimes known, and head out to Fatehpur Sikri tosee this deserted fort city built by Akbar.

JaipurIf ancient palaces and forts rock your world, then India’s desertcapital of Jaipur in the state of Rajasthan is the place for you.

Referred to as the Pink City because of the pink walls andbuildings of the old city, it reignites the atmosphere of timesgone by. The most popular Jaipur attractions are the ancientpalaces and forts, which include: the City Palace, a hugecomplex of courtyards, gardens, and buildings which blend bothRajasthani and Mughal architecture.

The fascinating facade of the Palace of the Winds is probablyJaipur's most recognised building. Constructed in 1799, it hasfive floors that contain rows of small windows and screens.

Wind used to flow through the openings, giving the palace itsname. However, the wind has now gone from the Wind Palace.

Located at the far eastern side of Jaipur, getting to the holyHindi Galta Monkey Temple can feel like a bit of an epicadventure but it is well worth the effort.

The temple forms part of a larger temple complex, which alsohas three sacred pools of water. One of the pools has beentaken over by thousands of monkeys that congregate there toswim and bathe.

Further out of the city is the magical Amber Fort, whichoverlooks the Matoa Lake. The original home of Rajput royalty,the fort contains some stunningly ornate and grand palaces,halls, gardens, and temples.

Next on the must-see list is Nahargarh Fort, also known as theTiger Fort, is perched high on the Aravali Hills overlooking Jaipurcity. Built in 1734 to help defend the city, the fort is perfectlylocated to get some breathtaking views of the area– particularly at sunset.

Finally, if you love a fact or two about cannons and militarystructures from the past, then the massive Jaigarh Fort is a mustas it is home to one of the world's largest cannon on wheels. Itis also one of the best-preserved military structures of medievalIndia. Climb the Diwa Burj watchtower to get an excellent viewover the plains.

JodhpurKnown as the Blue City, Jodhpur is the second largest city inRajasthan and is also high on the list of most visitors must-see places.

Like Jaipur, Jodhpur is famous for its forts, palaces, havelis,museums, temples and colorful bazaars, but it also has areputation for its culture, arts and crafts and colorful festivals.

Firmly marked out on the tourist trail of Jodhpur is the 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort, which houses a number ofbeautiful palaces in its compound as well as a museum.

The pink sandstone and marble Umaid Bhawan Palace isanother important landmark of Jodhpur. Now a five-star hotelowned by Taj Hotels and Resorts, work started on theconstruction of the building back in 1929 as a famine reliefscheme. A visit to Jodhpur isn’t complete without stopping offat Balsamand Lake and Palace, which was once a royal summerpalace and is located four miles outside the city.

JaisalmerKnown as the Golden City of India, Jaisalmer is also inRajasthan, and like Jaipur and Jodhpur, it has its fair share ofstunning forts, palaces, mansions and centuries old houses.

However, what makes Jaisalmer stand out is its location inthe Thar desert, which means as well as many impressivesandstone buildings to marvel at, there is also the option to goon a camel safari.

The main attractions are the 12th-century Jaisalmer Fort, theJaisalmer Havelis (mansions), which are famous for their artisticdesigns and decorations, Gadsisar Sagar Lake, and Tazia Tower.

The Amber Fort

11

North India

All About India


12

The land of Blue Mountains, GreenValleys and Red River, east Indiahas breathtaking scenery and a

wealth of heritage – it was the centrefor Buddhists, Hindus and Jains – tocompletely blow your mind.

While the region is vast and theplaces to visit are many, knowingwhere the key tourism attractions areis key to helping your clients puttogether their holiday to the east.

West BengalIndia’s fourth most populous state,West Bengal is also home to one ofIndia’s most well-known cities,Kolkata. The capital of the state today,it used to be the capital of the BritishEast India Company and its longassociation with the British Raj isclearly evident in the Victorianarchitecture around the city.

The Victoria Memorial is a grandbuilding constructed in the memory ofQueen Victoria and it houses a numberof rare specimens of the historicalpreserves of the land. The photographs,paintings and many sculptures insidethe building provide an insight intoIndian history from the arrival of theBritish to the Independence era.

Howrah Bridge is another Kolkatalandmark that attracts a large numberof visitors, along with theDakshineshwar Temple and thetemples of Kalighat and Belur.

Outside of Kolkata, other majorattractions include the university townof Shantiniketan, made famous byNobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore,who lived there. He became the firstnon-European to win the Nobel Prize inLiterature in 1913. Shantiniketan isalso famous for its fairs and festivals.

If you really fancy retreating into thewilderness, head up into the hillstations of Kalimpong and Darjeeling,famous for its flavored tea, and a greatplace to go trekking.

While not really known for itsbeaches, there are a number includingDigha, Mandarmoni, Shankarpur andTajpur, all of which are a water sports’lovers’ paradise.

The state also has rich forestlands,which are full of rare animals such aswild elephants, one-horn-rhinos and soon. West Bengal is also home to theRoyal Bengal Tiger, which is found onlyin the large mangrove forest ofSunderbans in the southern Bengal.Other wild destinations in the state arethe jungles of Dooars and Jaldapara.

BiharProbably not on the radar of manyvisiting tourists, but it really should befor two simple reasons: Bodh Gaya inBihar is believed to be the birthplaceof Buddhism; and Nalanda is thoughtto be the site for one of the oldestuniversities of the world, founded in

the 5th century by the Gupta emperors.Thousands of teachers and studentsfrom all over the world visited thiscollege until the end of the 12thcentury.

Patna is the capital of Bihar and islocated along the sacred Ganges river.Patna is also believed to be the world’soldest capital city.

The forest-clad hill town of Rajgirwas the ancient capital of Magadhaempire, and Lord Buddha often visitedthe monastery here to meditate and topreach. It was also the venue for thefirst Buddhist Council.

All About India

East is eastThe birthplace of Buddhism and thesite of one of the world’s firstuniversities, there’s much more toeast India than Kolkata

East is east

Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh is the largest monastery in India

The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata

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East India

Meanwhile, Vaishali was one of the earliest republics inthe world, founded in 6th century BC. Lord Buddha preachedhis last sermon here.

OdishaLocated along the coastal stretch of the Bay of Bengal,Odisha is a culturally rich and stunningly beautiful state.

Bhubaneswar is known as the Temple City because of thelarge number of ancient temples. It is also a pilgrimagedestination for Buddhists and Hindus.

Well worth a visit is the small town of Konark in the Puridistrict, which is known all over the world for its SunTemple, dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. The beaches inKonark are also one of the best on the east coast.

The seaside town of Puri is famous for the 12th-centuryJagannath temple and its lively beach community, whileChilika Lake is India's largest lake and a bird sanctuary, andSimlipal Tiger Reserve is a must for wildlife lovers.

JharkhandIf breathtaking scenery and a love of the great outdoors iswhat really gets your blood pumping, than Jharkhand is theplace for you.

Some 29% of the state is occupied by evergreen forests,and along with rolling hills, lakes, wildlife sancturies andwaterfalls, it is a picture-perfect state. Attractions thatappeal to tourists include Betla National Park and Palamu,which is populated by many animals including tigers,panthers, elephants and deers.

Other prominent tourist attractions include the SunTemple, Dassam falls, Hazaribagh, Hundru falls andParasnath Temple.

AssamA world leader in the production of tea, there is lots still tobe discovered by tourists in the state of Assam.

First on the list is the city of Guwahati, home to theKamakhya temple, dedicated to the Mother Goddess, theJanardan temple and the temple of Navagraha dedicated tothe nine planets.

The ruins of Sibsagar, 300 miles from Guwahati, providean insight into Assam’s past, while Kaziranga National Parkis the natural habitat of the one-horned rhino.

The tiger reserves of Manas National Park, 130 miles fromGuwahati, is located on the gentle slopes of the Himalayas,and is also home to the rare golden langur, the hispid hare,the pigmy hog and the one-horned rhinoceros.

SikkimIf your true desire is to get far away from the crowds and fillyour lungs with fresh mountain air, then Sikkim is the placefor you. Its position at the foot of Mount Kanchendzonga,the world’s third highest mountain, makes it a trekkers’paradise and the rivers of the Teesta and Rangit make it agood place to go white-water rafting.The town of Pelling is agreat place to visit for breathtaking views of the mountains.

Arunachal PradeshDiscover your inner adventurer with a visit to ArunachalPradesh. Located in the northeast, bordering Burma, Bhutanand China, Arunachal Pradesh’s unique selling point is itsdensely forested ridges, stunning mountains, colourful tribesand wildlife sanctuaries, which are home to elephant, tiger,gaur, barking deer, black bear and red panda.

Street life in Kolkata

13All About India

For visitors that have done the Golden Triangle and arelooking to head east, TransIndus recommends its TeaGardens and Eastern Himalaya group tour.The itinerary visits Darjeeling, Kolkata and Sikkim with achance to ride on the 'toy train' a World Heritage, narrowgauge railway in Darjeeling is a highlight. Otherexperiences include seeing the sunrise from Tiger Hilland savouring an authentic Bengali meal in a traditional'thali'. Prices start at £2,495 per person, including 10 nights'accommodation, flights, all internal travel and allscheduled sightseeing.

Travel the Unknown’s 13-day Nagaland and The HornbillFestival tour takes guests on a drive through the plainsof Assam on the lookout for unicorn rhino in KazirangaNational Park. It crosses the Brahmaputra river to Majuli,the world’s largest river island with its own uniqueculture before finally entering Nagaland.The chance to experience the Hornbill Festival alsofeatures where Naga culture is brought to life in songand dance.Prices start at £2,095 per person.

Sample product

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From the beaches ofGoa to the madnessof Mumbai, the westhas it all going on

The package-holiday boom of the1980s saw Britons heading intheir thousands to the exotic

shores of west India.Thirty years on, and while the

demand for beach holidays still exists,Brits are looking to discover moreabout the culture and heritage of westIndia beyond the sun and the sea.

GoaGoa is one of the main states in westIndia. Evidence of its history as aPortuguese colony way back in the16th century is strong, but it is itsmiles and miles of golden beaches thathave made it a massive success withsun-seeking travellers.

In the 1960s, the hippy trail ledbeatniks from the west to the beachesof Goa where they pursued analternative lifestyle. Twenty years onand the package holiday touristsarrived in their thousands. But Goa hasmanaged to hold on to its new-agepast, which is evident in the number ofyoga retreats and high-class hotelsoffering health and wellbeing withholistic spa packages.

As a two-week, fly-and-flop or boltedon to a sightseeing tour, Goa isguaranteed to impress. The mainresorts are the Calangute, Colva andAnjuna, the original hippy-trail beach,but the resorts of Betul, Palolem andBambolim are more laid-back.

A visit to the capital Panaji is a mustto see the Portuguese Baroque-style

buildings for some great holiday snaps,while a holiday in Goa isn’t completewithout a visit to Old Goa. Now aUNESCO World Heritage site, Old Goa’shey-day was back in the 1500s when ithad a population exceeding that ofLisbon and London.

MaharashtraIndia’s most industrialised region isnot a slogan the tourist board wouldwant to use to promote this state.However, most tourists flock here tosoak up the atmosphere of its capitalMumbai, which is the epicentre ofBollywood.

There are too many sites to see inMumbai to list here, but the main ones

include: the Gateway of India arch andthe stunning Taj Mahal hotel locatedopposite; Haji Ali, which is both amosque and tomb, built in 1431; andthe heritage buildings, some of thebest of which are the Gothic-lookingPrince of Wales Museum in the KalaGhoda art precinct, Victoria Terminusrailway station, the Bombay High Courtand the buildings of Horniman Circle inthe Fort area.

Mumbai is also great for shopping,from the more affordable purchasesthat can be made in the many bazaarsthat sell everything from jewellery toshoes, to the upmarket shoppingarcades attached to the five-starhotels.

West India

All About India

The paradise-like feel of the beaches of Goahave put the region firmly on the touris t map

Go westGo west

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And after a hard few days’ sightseeing, follow the localsdown to the beaches of Juhu and Marine Drive.

Outside of Mumbai is Sanjay Gandhi National Park, whichincludes more than 100 ancient hand-carved Buddhistcaves, a tiger sanctuary, tiger and lion safaris. Then aone-hour ferry journey from Mumbai is Elephanta Island,home to seven ancient caves hand carved out of rock.

The caves of Ajanta and Ellora, 250 miles from Mumbaiare also popular with tourists. Both UNESCO World Heritagesites, mural paintings in Ajanta and the sculptures in Elloradate them back to the 2nd century.

GujaratAgain a state that is not so well known for its tourismappeal, but those who doubt its tourist creds are foolishlymistaken.

While it is also one of India’s most industrialised andwealthiest regions, it is also a dazzlingly diverse one withplenty of hidden tourist gems to be discovered.

While the 15th-century monuments influenced by Hinduand Islamic architectural styles in Gujarat’s capitalAhmedabad are an attraction in their own right, SabarmatiAshram is really the biggest attraction as it is the Ashram ofMahatma Gandhi on the bank of the river Sabarmati, fromwhere he started the famous 'Dandi March'. It now houseslots of memorabilia on Ghandi in a museum.

Other jewels in the crown include the holy town ofDwarka, believed to be the place where Lord Krishna lived,and home to the impressive Dwarkadheesh temple.

The best-known temple of Gujarat is Somnath Temple, oneof the 12 Shiva Shrines. The temple was destroyed seventimes by Muslim invaders but rebuilt each time.

As well as all the tourist attactions, the state has 3,500fairs and festivals every year, including the InternationalKite Festival in Ahmedabad.

Sample productIndus Tours features a 16-day Royal Gujarat tour that visitsLothal with its Indus Valley civilisation discoveries, the Jaintemple complex at Palitana, Little Rann of Kutch to see WildAss and Gir National Park – the home of the Asiatic Lion.The tour ends with a few days relaxing on the beach atMandvi. Prices start at £2,198

West India

Cosmos has launched its widest range of single and twin-centre holidays in north and south Goa.The new programme includes a wide range ofaccommodation from good value, two-star beach hotels toluxury spa hotels. Tour and stay holidays also feature.Customers can choose from resorts in northern Goa withprices from £524 per person for seven nights at thePrazeres on the popular Candolim beach.For those looking for a more slower pace, Cosmos featuresa number of hotels in southern Goa, which is famed for its

quiet fishing villages, sandy beaches, temples, waterfallsand paddy fields. Seven nights at the Haathi Mahal inCavelossim costs from £660 per person.Cosmos also offers the twin-centre option of combiningseeing more of the traditional India with a Goa beach stay.Options include the Golden Triangle tour and the Essencesof Kerala tour.Weekly flights are available from both Manchester andGatwick. Prices include return flights, transfers,accommodation and 20kgs baggage allowance.

News in brief

15All About India

Imag

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When a region is described as‘God’s own country’, imagesof paradise where everyone is

blissfully happy spring to mind.Well, the laid-back vibes of the

backwaters and beaches of Kerala havehelped this state claim this envioustitle – and have firmly placed southernIndia on the tourism map over recentyears.

Here’s a brief look at the key touristattractions in this region

KeralaLike its package-holiday trailblazer,Goa, Kerala too was a destination onthe hippy trail of the ‘60s, in particularthe beaches of Kovalam.

Now, it has followed in the footstepsof its west coast counterpart and iswelcoming package holidaymakers bythe plane load – however it has stillmanaged to cling on to its paradisefound feel.

This is somewhat helped by thegrowth in the holistic health market,with five-star resorts in Kovalamoffering health and wellbeingtreatment programmes to help peoplede-stress from the day-to-day pressuresof modern living. Ayurveda treatmentsare big here.

To get a bit more off-the-beatentrack, head for Cherai Beach near Kochicity, Alapuzha Beach and Kollam Beach– good for beach sports andtournaments – Kozhikode Beach andVarkala Beach near Kollam.

While the beaches are a big part ofwhat Kerala has to offer visitors, theheadline act has to be the rivers thatmake up the region’s backwaters.

Nicknamed the Venice of the east,Alleppey is the gateway to the networkof 45 rivers that make up thebackwaters of Kerala, and the startingpoint for most houseboat trips.

Very much like the Italian city,Alleppey is a melee of shady streetsspread out around a grid of canals, andis a great place to spend a day soakingup the atmosphere before heading outon a houseboat to discover the 900miles of backwaters.

Once you have meandered alongsome of the many rivers of Kerala, thenthere’s still plenty to explore, includingthe beautiful hill stations in the BlueMountains, the most popular of whichis Munnar. Think waterfalls, rapids androlling hills.

A visit to a region of India isn’tcomplete without crossing a fewtemples off the list and squeezing in a

16

From its Venetian-like backwaters toits temples andwildlife sancturies,the south is worthyof its supremereputation

All About India

Southern spiritSouthern spirit

Alleppy is described as the Venice of the east.

Intr

epid

Tra

vel

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spot of shopping. Well the commercial capital of Kochi is agreat place to bag a bargain, and as for temples, the palacesat Sree Padmanabhapuram just 20 miles from the capitalTrivandrum are well worth a visit; they are the largestpalaces ever constructed from wood and granite in India,don’t you know?

Tamil NaduIt’s all about temples and tigers in the state of Tamil Nadu,also known as the Land of Enduring Heritage, a worthynickname.

Rameswaram is on an island in the Gulf of Mannar, andone of the most significant pilgrimage centres in SouthIndia for both Shaivites and Vaishnavaites. RameshwaramTemple is the major attraction here.

Also, Tiruchirappalli, located on the banks of River Kaveri,is a famous religious site for the Vaishvanites and is wellworth the visit to see the remarkable and colourfulShirangam temple.

Kanchipuram is another town full of Hindu temples, whileKumbakonam is well known for its impressive Cholatemples dotted around town and Chidambaram’s great

temple complex of Nataraja is agreat shot for the photo album.

Tamil Nadu also has a numberof hill stations up in the WesternGhat ranges, the most popular ofwhich is Udhagamandalam.Discovered by the British, in theearly 19th century, its botanicalgardens, St. Stephen’s Churchand Government Museum aregreat places to visit.

Udhagamandalam is a base forexploring some of Tamil Nadu’snational parks and wildlifesanctuaries, which play a vitalrole in offering some refuge formuch of India’s wildlifeincluding elephants, tigers andrare species of monkeys andgaurs.

Adventure specialist Explore offers an 11-day KeralanExplorer tour that includes one night homestay, a dayexploring the waterways in traditional wooden canoes,an opportunity to learn how to cook a traditional curry, avisit to the port city of Kochi, a search for wildlife inPeriyar National Park and some downtime on thebeaches of the Arabian Coast.Prices start at £1,347 per person and include flights,eight nights’ hotel, one night’s homestay and one night’shouseboat accommodation.

Intrepid Travel’s five-day South India Highlights tourtakes in a cruise along the Kerala backwaters, a visit tothe port city of Kochi and a homestay with a localfamily. Prices start at £395, excluding flights.

Travel the Unknown’s culinary-themed 14-day Taste ofSouth India tour gives visitors the chance to experiencethe flavours and exotic spices of South India on ajourney from east to west. Along the way, expert chefswill have guests serving up spicy Chettinad seafood andvegetarian dishes enjoyed in Tamil Nadu, and dosas andidlis, South India’s signature food. The tour includes visits to spice and pepper plantations,ancient temples and forts, and cooking lessons on thebanks of Kerala`s backwaters Prices lead in at £1,845 per person

Sample product

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South India

All About India

Cox

& K

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Taj H

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An overnight stay on a houseboat is anessential part of the Keralan experience

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Once you’ve done the temples, it’s time to check out the tigers

India’s Supreme Court issued a banon tiger tourism earlier this year inkey national parks in an attempt to

offer higher protection and boost thepopulation of tigers.

The ban was overturned earlier thismonth with new guidelines allowingtourism in 20% of specific areas “forregulated low-impact touristvisitation”.

Operators have welcomed the liftingof the ban, including Ampersand TravelFounder and Managing Director JamesJayasundera, who said: “We are allrelieved that this temporary ban hasbeen lifted and once again responsibletourism to the parks of India cancontinue. I am pleased to see thatcommon sense has prevailed."

Here is a brief round-up of what toursare on offer for the remainder of thisyear and next.

CarrierThe luxury specialist offers an 11-nightUltimate Tiger Trail, which featuresgame drives at three national parks,combined with private sightseeingtours of both Mumbai and Delhi.

The journey starts with tours ofMumbai before exploring the diversenational parks followed by the templesof Khajuraho and a guided tour of bothOld and New Delhi.

Hotels that are included in thisitinerary include: the Taj Mahal Palace,Mumbai; Baghvan, Nagpur; BanjaarTola, Kanha National Park; MahuaKothi, Bandhavgarh National Park; andthe Imperial, Delhi.

Prices lead in at £3,705 per personincluding flights, accommodation,private transfers, game drives and allmeals as specified.

Travel the Unknown offers a 14-dayTigers and Lions of India which takesclients to Central India’s prime tigerterritory of Bandhavgarh and KanhaNational Parks and then on to Satpura,one of India’s best-kept wildlife

secrets. Finally, the tour heads toGujarat’s Gir National Park, home toAsia’s only lions. Prices lead in at£2,195 per person

Travel IndochinaFor a slightly different take on thewildlife, Travel Indochina’s 14-daySpice of the South takes in NagarholeNational Park in Karnataka inIndia’s south.

Safaris here are both by boat alongthe park’s reservoir, and by jeep intothe evergreen forests, and almostalways offer close up sightings of herdsof elephants amongst other wildlifesuch as crocodiles, wild dog, deer,bison and sometimes the big cats.

Prices lead in at £2,065 per person,including 13 nights’ accommodation,road transport in air-conditionedvehicles, sightseeing and entrancefees, Western tour leader and localEnglish-speaking guide throughout,

airport transfers, daily breakfast, sevenlunches and two dinners.

Wendy Wu ToursOne of Wendy Wu Tours’ new 2013offerings is the 13-day Wildlife InFocus private tour.

This new itinerary journeys throughsome of India’s national parksincluding Kanha, Bandhavgarh,Keoladeo and Ranthambore, famous forits spectacular wildlife including theBengal Tiger. The first tour departs on10 January 2013 and is priced from£2,690 per person.

Ampersand TravelThe luxury specialist offers aseven-night tour that includes threenights at Bandhavgarh National Parkand four nights at Kanha National Parkwith prices starts from £2,315 perperson including flights, full board atnational parks and game drives.

Wild times

All About India

Wild timesWild times

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Travel essentials

All About India

The essential facts you need to know before you go

Location: South Asia.Time: GMT + 5.5 hours.Capital: New Delhi.Language: the main language is Hindiwhich is spoken by 40% of thepopulation but English is widelyspoken.Vaccinations: none needed, butdiphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A,hepatitis B, polio and typhoid arerecommended. Mosquito-bornediseases should be guarded against.Take care with food hygiene: only drinkbottled/boiled water and wash yourhands regularly. For more details, go towww.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations.Visa: you must obtain a visa beforetravelling to India. For more details, goto www.in.vfsglobal.co.ukPassport: must be valid for aminimum of six months.Currency: Rupee. Travellers' chequesshould be well-known brands asshould credit cards. ATMs are found inmany places. Getting there: there are direct flights

from the UK with British Airways,Virgin Atlantic, Air India, Jet Airwaysand Monarch. Indirect services areavailable with Oman Air, Emirates,Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Lufthansa, AirFrance, KLM, SAS and Swiss. Averageflight time is eight hours to Mumbaiand Delhi and just over 10 to Kolkata. When to go: mid-September to mid-April is the ideal time to visit mostparts of India.Religion: 82% Hindu; 12% Muslim,with Sikh, Christian, Jain, Parsi andBuddhist minorities.Social conventions: visitors are askedto remove footwear when enteringplaces of religious worship. MostIndians also remove their footwearwhen entering their homes; visitorsshould follow suit. In Sikh temples,your head should be covered. Inmosques, women should cover theirhead and arms and wear long skirts.

Photography is prohibited insidemany places of worship.

Many Hindus are vegetarian and

many, especially women, do not drinkalcohol. Geography: India shares borders tothe northwest with Pakistan, to thenorth with China, Nepal and Bhutan,and to the east with Bangladesh andBurma. To the west is the Arabian Sea,to the east, the Bay of Bengal and tothe south the Indian Ocean. Sri Lankalies off the southeast coast, and theMaldives off the southwest coast. Thefar northeastern states and territoriesare all but separated from the rest ofIndia by Bangladesh as it extendsnorthwards from the Bay of Bengaltowards Bhutan. The Himalayanmountain range to the north and theIndus River (west) and Ganges River(east) form a barrier between India andthe rest of Asia. It is the seventhlargest country in the world and thesecond most populous.Contact: India Tourism in the UK, 7Cork Street, London W1S 3LH, UKTel: (020) 7437 3677www.incredibleindia.org

Get the lowdownGet the lowdown


Enjoy unspoilt natureSpoil yourself

Find what you seek

A beach in Andamans, far from the madding crowd. To know more, visit www.incredibleindia.org

India Tourism, 7 Cork Street, London W1S 3LH, United KingdomTel: +44 20 7437 3677

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Documents

Travel Bulletin India Supplement 2012