INDIA tours, fully inclusive group tours and short stay holidays

INDIA Overview

India evokes images of colourful religious festivals, deserts lined with historic forts, tented camps nestled in sand dunes, flavoursome food and Royal palaces. Abundant wildlife such as the Asian Elephant, the Royal Bengal Tiger and the One-Horned Rhino can be found in the numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. India has the second largest population in the world, with more than one billion people. An important part of India’s culture is the numerous festivals held throughout the year.

They can be celebrated at the change of season or for different religious and cultural occasions. Some may be celebrated by the entire country, others only in certain regions, but all aim to spread unity and harmony. Song and dance are performed on the streets, homes are decorated and treats are shared with loved ones. All of these images and facets of India may be experienced on our tours. But the most enduring image that you will take away with you is of the happy, smiling people.

Time - India is 4½ hours behind Australian EST

Language - Hindi is the official national language of India, however, there are 22 official languages. English is also widely spoken

Entry Requirments -Passports must be valid for six months beyond the length of stay. Visas are required for Australian travellers, the price of which is already included in the fully inclusive price of all our group tours for Australian passport holders (providing all applications are received by Wendy Wu Tours within the required visa processing time frame).

HOLI FESTIVAL IN INDIA

Holi Festival (Festival of Colours) in India is celebrated on the full moon in the month of March and marks the arrival of spring. This is a very colourful festival and the people of India, particularly Northern India, take part in the celebrations with much enthusiasm! People rub and throw gulal and abeer (coloured powder and dyes) on each other and small gifts are also exchanged to show signs of love and well-being. Customers travelling on a group tour that coincides with Holi Festival are asked to please ensure they bring a dust mask with them on tour if they suffer from allergies. Holi Festival dates: 27 March 2013 and 17 March 2014.

Cities

DELHI

The city of Delhi consists of two parts. The first is Old Delhi, the capital of Muslim India between the 12th and 19th centuries. It retains legendary bazaars such as Chandni Chowk and monuments and forts relating to India’s Muslim history. The other is New Delhi, which was created by the British.

JAIPUR

The capital of Rajasthan is popularly known as the ‘Pink City’ because of the painted exterior of the buildings in the old walled city. In Jaipur you will experience the authentic India as you are welcomed by camel carts and bustling bazaars.

CHENNAI

In 1639 the construction of Fort St. George marked the settlement of the British and the birth of a new city known as Madras. Today, Chennai is India’s fourth largest city and is known as the ‘Gateway to the South’. A city famed for its temples, Chennai gives a sense of serenity, enhanced by one of the world’s largest and most beautiful beaches, Marina Beach.

JODHPUR

Standing on the edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is the second largest city in the state of Rajasthan. The city is dominated by the huge Meherangarh Fort built in 1638 and is situated on a hill located in the centre of the Old City.

AGRA

During the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of Mughal India. Agra has a magnificent fort and is home to the building that so many people travel to India solely to see, the Taj Mahal.

JAISALMER

Located along a traditional trade route, Jaisalmer acquired great wealth. The merchants and townspeople built magnificent houses and havelis,
exquisitely carved from wood and golden-yellow sandstone.

UDAIPUR

Udaipur is known as the ‘White City’ or ‘City of Lakes’. The drawcards of modern day Udaipur include the massive City Palace and Lake Pichola. It is on this lake that Jag Niwas Island, also known as the Lake Palace Island, is located.

VARANASI

Nowhere in India is there a more important pilgrimage site for Hindus than Varanasi. Situated on the banks of the holy River Ganges, thousands of pilgrims flock to the bathing ghats (steps) every day to conduct their ritual ablutions.

MUMBAI

Whilst Delhi is the political capital of India, Mumbai is the commercial and economic capital. The city is famous for its film industry known as ‘Bollywood’.

DARJEELING

Perched amongst the clouds at 2,134m in the lower Himalayas, Darjeeling lies in the heart of rolling hills of premium tea plantations and retains its old colonial charm.

GANGTOK

Located atop a ridge of the mighty Himalayas, Gangtok is the capital of the state of Sikkim in northeast India. It is a bustling town serving as a perfect base for exploring Sikkim.

KHAJURAHO

The temples of Khajuraho are one of India’s major attractions, built around 950AD during the Chandela Dynasty. The temples here are excellent examples of Indo-Aryan architecture and depict scenes of Royal battles and everyday life over 1,000 years ago.

KOCHI

Kochi is the most laid-back of Kerala’s cities, with one of the finest natural harbours on the coast of the Arabian Sea. The city once served as a port of call for the Chinese, Arabs, Jews, British, French and the Portuguese. From combining the cultures of each nationality, Kochi formed
its cosmopolitan character.

MYSORE

Mysore is the second largest city in the state of Karnataka and one of the finest in southern India. Small, relaxed and famous for its silks and sandalwood, it is a city of fine gardens, tree-lined boulevards and the intriguing Maharaja’s Palace.