Land Journey

A Portrait of India

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Select small group departures (averaging 24 Tauck guests), or classic departures, and the year you would like to travel.

Days
18
From (per Person)
$19,390 AUD
Includes On-Tour Air
Journey Type
Land
Passengers
24
Time of Year
Jan - Feb, Sep - Oct
Cities & Landmarks
New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai, Varanasi
Taj Mahal

TEXT SIZE

Overview

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

 

Multiple-night stays at three hotels ranked among the 15 "World's Best" hotels by the readers of Travel + Leisure – The Oberoi Udaivilas, The Oberoi Rajvilas and The Oberoi Amarvilas (where you'll have Taj Mahal views from your room)

 

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

 

On-Tour Air included (5 flights)

 

Two nights in Jaipur, highlighted by a visit to the Amber Fort and a Maharajah evening featuring dinner and entertainment

 

A boat ride on the River Ganges, providing an opportunity to experience revered cultural traditions centuries old in Varanasi

 

Exclusive insider visit to a chef's private home in Kerala and a cooking demonstration for an authentic taste of daily life

 

Houseboat and river cruises, and a martial arts demo

 

Kathakali dance performance in tropical southern India

Activity

3
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Active components such as hiking, bicycling and walking longer distances may be included, and hills and/or uneven terrain may be encountered on several days. Guests should be able to walk two to three miles and stand for long periods of time with no difficulty.

Pace

3
?

Often robust – may include long days, active sightseeing, early starts, evening activities, significant travel times.

View Full Itinerary

Experiences of a lifetime

Live like a maharajah at some of the world's top-rated hotels – including a two-night stay at the award-winning The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, featuring views of the Taj Mahal, and three nights in Udaipur at The Oberoi Udaivilas...

You'll be amazed by all that's included on A Portrait of India... Our popular India tours give you a complete look at this complex country from north to south. Cruise by houseboat in southern India through Kerala's beautiful canals. A boat ride witnesses spiritual ceremonies along the River Ganges in Varanasi, and a cooking demonstration features a taste of hospitality on an exclusive insider visit to a chef's private home in Kerala. Enjoy a special Maharajah evening with dinner and entertainment... a traditional dance performance... with special insights from Tauck's local experts and much more... Read Less

Udaipur's markets by rickshaw

A rickshaw ride to explore Udaipur's colorful local markets

In Udaipur, an auto-rickshaw ride around the city's bustling spice and vegetable markets offers insights into everyday life in India's "City of Lakes." As you roam the markets, you'll see local women in brightly colored saris sitting among the stalls, surrounded by baskets brimming with their fresh produce, and a colorful array of curries and spices.

Lunch aboard a Kerala houseboat

Enjoy a luxury houseboat luncheon cruise in Kerala

Southern India's Kerala region has often been referred to as the "Venice of the East" for the lovely, palm-fringed canals found throughout its small coastal villages. Hop aboard a traditional thatched-roof riceboat-turned-luxury houseboat for a luncheon cruise through these scenic waterways, en route to Kumarakom in Lake Vembanad.

Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur

The royal treatment in Udaipur

In Udaipur – a city renowned for its palaces and Rajasthan-era grandeur – the palatial Oberoi Udaivilas embodies the opulence and romance of a royal era on the shores of Lake Pichola, projecting an ambiance of regal splendor. In accommodations like these, it's natural to feel like royalty.

On this trip the contrast between the northern desert cities and the lush tropical settings of the south is amazing.

Tauck Traveler Review

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Your Journey

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About Booking This Tour

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Travel Documents

All citizens of the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom require a valid passport to enter India (Note: Guests residing outside of these regions will also need a valid passport to enter India), and that passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel. (Please Note: Although adult passports are valid for a full ten years, children's passports require renewal every five years.)  Your passport must also contain at least two blank visa pages. If you are a United States citizen and do not have a valid passport, please contact the closest U.S. passport agency or consult the U.S. State Department web site for detailed information on how to obtain or renew your passport at:  www.travel.state.gov. 

Tauck must provide our ground operator with each guests' passport info 60 days prior to departure.

A visa is required to travel to India and they cannot be processed more than 30 days prior to departure. The visa fees are not included in the tour cost. 

There is an option of e-visa which is valid for one year from date of approval. Guests can apply no more than 30 days in advance from proposed date of travel for a visa that is valid for 30 days of visiting. The evisa website link is: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa.

Tauck has collaborated with VisaCentral in the US to assist our guests with processing and issuing their travel documents. If a guest opts to work with VisaCentral, their services are available online at www.visacentral.com/tauck. To speak directly with VisaCentral Customer Service, please call 844-860-7199 (toll-free in the US) or email tauck@visacentral.com.

Please Note: While Tauck has an affiliation with VisaCentral for processing visas, you are not required to process your visa through VisaCentral, and you may elect to choose other visa services or work directly through the appropriate consulates or embassies.

Regardless of which visa service company you chose (or if you opt to work directly with the appropriate consulate or embassy), your visa application will require a summary of your Tauck itinerary. Please email journeypreparationteam@tauck.com to request your itinerary summary, which we will be happy to provide.

Please Note: Because a visa is an official document, Tauck cannot apply for a visa on your behalf, and we are very limited regarding the assistance we're able to provide.  If you require help, we recommend working with a reputable visa service company as they can provide the highest level of assistance.

Non-U.S. citizen passport holders should check with the Indian Embassy or Consulate to determine necessary travel documents.

For contact details within India:

The Leela Palace New Delhi
Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110 023, India
Phone: 011-91-11-39331234
Email: reservations@theleela.com

Please see the below contact information for our visa partner in India: Worldwide Adventures India

Suite 211, Tower A
Spazede Building, Gurgaon
Delhi, India
Email: balu@worldwideadventuresindia.com, manoj@worldwideadventuresindia.com
Phone:  + 91 124 438 7371, +91 981 109 3859

We strongly recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

Deposit & Booking Information

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 1800-962-043 to make a reservation.

Deposit Information:

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan are due at time of booking. Your deposit is AUD $1,250.

Terms and Conditions:

For additional information pertaining to our Tauck Journeys, including Cancellation Information and Booking Conditions, click here to learn more.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready:
  • Tour Name and Departure Date Desired
  • Traveler Name(s):  Please have first and last names as they appear on the passport or driver's license.
  • Traveler's Address(es)
  • Traveler's Phone Number(s)
  • Emergency Contact Information: This would be a relative or friend whom we could contact during the tour in the event of an emergency. Please provide their name and phone number(s).
  • Interest in purchasing a travel protection product (US and Canada)
  • Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
  • Interest in our specially negotiated airfares.

Regarding your final payment:

Final Payment is due to the Tauck Australia office 90 days before departure for lands trips, and 120 days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Protect Your Travel Investment

Deposit Protection Plan – Tauck provides a "Deposit Protection Plan" at a cost of AUD $89 per person per tour or cruise. The cost is non-refundable and non-transferable and must be paid at the time of booking with your deposit. It only applies when you cancel your tour or cruise prior to final payment date. The deposit held in credit will exclude fees imposed by third parties in relation to air, rail travel, hotels, transfer or applicable cruise cabins. When booking airfares through Tauck (including when taking advantage of a special offer that includes air travel), standard airline cancellation fees will apply. In some cases, airfares will be non-refundable. In the event of cancellation, these fees will be deducted from the deposit paid, and therefore the credit being held. We will only credit the remainder of deposit to a future tour or cruise booking if you book within 24 months of cancellation of the original Tauck tour or cruise. This offer expires after the 24 months. We will only credit the remainder of the deposit to a future tour or cruise booking Balance Due and it can't be used as a credit for the initial deposit of a future tour or cruise booking. The Tauck "Deposit Protection Plan" only covers a Tauck tour or cruise and it does not replace Travel Insurance, which we recommend at the time of booking.

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit

Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees.

 

If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit

Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in costly penalties and fees from hotels, ship operators and other travel providers. Therefore, the per person fees listed below will apply:

 

Land Tours

 

Cancellation penalties for land tours apply as follows:

90 days or more before departure

Loss of Deposit.

 

89-30 days before departure

25% total cost of tour

 

29-1 days or less before departure

50% of total cost of tour

 

Cruises & Train Tours

 

120 days or more before departure

Loss of Deposit.

 

60 days before departure

Loss of 50% of tour cost, not including air (if applicable)

 

59-1 day before departure

Loss of 100% of tour cost, not including air (if applicable)

 

Please note -  Airfares included on On-Tour Flights required with any of Tauck tours may be subject to different cancellation fees not outlined above.

* For services included in your booking that are not provided by Tauck, additional cancellation fees may be incurred

* Travel Professionals may impose their own cancellation fees.

 

Time of cancellation is when notice is received in Tauck's Wilton, CT office.

 

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

 

Tour Interruption Fees: If you have to interrupt your tour en route, you may be entitled to a refund for the unused land portion if it exceeds 24 hours; certain restrictions apply. Such refunds are based upon the number of overnights missed less a fee of AUD $50 per person per day for unused transportation and other fixed expenses.

Partial Room Cancellation: A person who cancels or leaves a tour while a roommate remains constitutes a cancellation of one type of accommodation and rebooking of another type of accommodation. The price charged to the remaining person is the new, higher price for the new accommodation.

 

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

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Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour

Due to strictly enforced weight restrictions on the on-tour flights, luggage weight per person must not exceed 50 lbs (23 kg) and you are permitted only one piece of checked luggage. Luggage exceeding the allowable weight is subject to excess baggage charges that can result in a considerable additional expense. 

Regulations within most airports require that customers handle their own luggage through customs.

There will be three occasions during your trip when weight restrictions on our intra-tour flights will require you to pack an overnight duffel in place of your primary luggage: 1.) When you depart Delhi for your overnight in Varanasi on Day 3 (you will be reunited with your primary luggage upon arrival in Agra on Day 4), and, 2.) on Day 7, when your primary luggage will be collected in the evening for transport overnight from Jaipur to Udaipur. (You will be reunited with your primary luggage on Day 8 in Udaipur) and 3.) when you fly to Cochin on Day 11 (you will be reunited with your primary luggage on day 15 in Mumbai).

A special duffel will be mailed to your home prior to your tour departure, which you may use for clothing, toiletries and other essentials at these times. The use of an overnight duffel on these occasions will facilitate the separate transportation of your primary luggage, which cannot travel with us on our intra-tour flights due to weight restrictions.  We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

If you reside in the United States, the duffel bag will be sent to your home and should arrive approximately two weeks prior to your departure for India. If you reside outside of the U.S., you will receive your duffels from your Tauck Director while on tour.

In addition to the Tauck duffel which will be your checked piece of luggage for these overnights, you will be allowed to bring ONE piece of carry-on luggage aboard your intra-tour flights weighing no more than 15 pounds (7 kg) and with maximum dimensions of 21" x 13.75" x 10" (55 cm x 35 cm x 25 cm).

Checked Luggage – General

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Carry-on Luggage – General

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Health, Safety and Mobility

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

Public toilet facilities are rare. You are encouraged to take every opportunity to use a clean toilet in places such as hotels and restaurants. Most hotels catering to an international clientele provide western style restroom facilities.

.Always keep mosquito repellent with you and be sure to pay special attention to mosquito protection between dusk and dawn.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Some of the countries visited on this itinerary may require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against certain diseases in order to enter the country.  These requirements are subject to frequent change as outbreaks occur and subside in different areas, and it is therefore crucial that you obtain the very latest information on entry requirements as you prepare for your journey.

For the most current information, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by clicking here and the World Health Organization (WHO) by clicking here. You may also wish to visit the web sites for the embassies of the countries you will be visiting.  Besides providing details on vaccination requirements, these sites can also provide information on vaccinations that may be recommended (but aren't required) and other potential health issues for which no vaccines are available.

Any decisions relating to your health, of course, should not be based solely on information provided by a web site.  It is critically important that you consult with your personal physician prior to your journey to obtain any required vaccinations and to review any optional recommendations offered by the CDC or other sources.

Please be sure to discuss your journey with your physician at least four to six weeks in advance of your departure, as certain vaccinations take time to become fully effective.  Also, be certain to ask your physician for proof of any vaccinations you receive, and to pack this proof along with your other travel documents in your carry-on luggage (not in your checked luggage).

Researching and complying with vaccination entry requirements for the countries visited on this itinerary is the responsibility of the traveler and not Tauck. Tauck is therefore not responsible for any expenses incurred or disruptions to travel caused by improper or incomplete vaccinations, or by the failure to provide proof of required vaccinations.

If you do not obtain the necessary vaccinations and proper documentation, you may be denied entry into one or more countries, or temporarily quarantined until the necessary vaccinations are administered, or until proper documentation is provided.

MOBILITY

Your journey to the subcontinent is very active and includes five on-tour flights. You should be in good health and able to walk moderate distances over varied terrain. Various modes of transportation will be used to highlight different aspects of India's culture and geography, including airplane, train, motor coach and houseboat.

There is a significant amount of walking on this journey; however, the pace of the itinerary has been carefully planned to intersperse sightseeing with leisurely days to ensure you have a most enjoyable time.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN AND MOBILITY ISSUES:  This Tauck itinerary cannot accommodate oxygen tanks, wheelchairs or motorized scooters.  Oxygen tanks are strictly prohibited in many foreign countries on regional flights aboard small aircraft, such as those intra-tour flights featured on this Tauck journey.  Likewise, the very limited cargo capacity on such flights prohibits the transport of wheelchairs or motorized scooters.

Guests should also bear in mind that the infrastructure in many foreign countries, particularly in developing countries, often presents severe and even insurmountable challenges for those with walking difficulties or other mobility issues.  The responsibility of the Tauck Director is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest.  Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

Due to the ancient nature of several of the sites you will visit during your sojourn in India, stairs and walkways are sometimes dark, uneven, steep and/or slippery.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

SAFETY

Airline Disinsection

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a guidance letter that requires airlines and travel agents to disclose to consumers countries that require the use of insecticides by airlines. Please click here for more information.

SMOKING

Smoking is not permitted on the motor coaches. Hotels in India do not always have designated non-smoking rooms, but your preference will be forwarded to the hotels and every effort will be made to accommodate your request, although it cannot be guaranteed.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list here.

Weather

The climate in India varies depending on the location and time of travel. In northern India, the weather during the late fall and winter months of October through March is dry with temperatures averaging 45 °F (7 °C) in the early morning and evening, and 70 to 75 °F (21 to 24 °C) during the day. However, as you travel south to Mumbai and then Cochin, temperatures rise, with daytime temperatures averaging 75 to 80 °F (24 to 27 °C) in Mumbai to 90 °F (32 °C) in Cochin.

India is known for its rainy season, when monsoons make headlines. However, from October through March – the best time to travel – no more than one inch of rain per month on average falls on the cities we visit.

To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.


What To Pack

When packing for travel to India, we suggest you select a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. In India, delicate fabrics do not stand up well to laundering facilities except at deluxe hotels. Plain cotton or cotton and synthetic blend clothing is the most practical and is the coolest in summer. It is best to avoid synthetic fabrics that do not "breathe". A hat with a wide brim will help protect you from the harsh sun. During the fall season, a collapsible umbrella comes in handy. During the winter months, sweaters and light jackets are necessary.

When visiting places of worship, women are not allowed to enter with bare shoulders, short pants or short skirts; a long skirt, dress, or slacks are recommended. A scarf is acceptable to cover shoulders if a woman is wearing a sleeveless top. Head covering is not required. Men should also dress appropriately for a holy sanctuary. Shorts are discouraged. All visitors will be required to remove their shoes in temples and mosques.

For the welcome and farewell dinners, we recommend resort wear to suit a tropical climate.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack:

  • Resort wear
  • A sports jacket for men for fine dining options
  • Skirt below the knee
  • Loose slacks
  • Trousers
  • Shorts
  • Short and long-sleeved shirts and blouses
  • Scarf
  • Light sweater
  • Light waterproof jacket
  • Swimwear
  • Gym wear
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Wide-brimmed hat
  • A pair of sturdy, yet comfortable, pre-worn walking shoes for uneven terrain
  • A pair of easily removable shoes or sandals for entering temples and shrines
  • Collapsible umbrella
  • Toiletries, sundries, tissues
  • Pre-moistened towelettes
  • Handkerchiefs
  • Antibacterial lotion
  • Medication for allergies/aspirin/upset stomach/diarrhea
  • Insect repellent
  • Travel alarm clock/cell phone with alarm function (many hotels do not have clocks in the rooms)
  • Camera, film, memory cards, chargers, batteries and other photography accessories
  • Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

Please refer to the Necessary Gear website at www.necessarygear.com as one option available to you for renting and purchasing apparel, PPEs, and other items appropriate for your journey.

The Tauck Experience

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Leave Your Worries At Home

One Upfront Price – No Hidden Costs

Tauck Directors – Simply The Best

Never Settle For Ordinary

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Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

Discover The World

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

Discover The World

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

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