DESTINATIONS ESCORTED TOURS | INDIA
CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: Sambar deer in Ranthambore National Park; Delhi; Palace of the Winds, Jaipur
PICTURES: Shutterstock; Saga Holidays/Getty Images/Byelikova Oksana; Archna Singh
stay WHERE TO
DELHI The LaLit Five-star hotel offering 461 opulently furnished rooms and suites, plus an Insta-worthy temperature-controlled rooftop swimming pool. A Deluxe Room King starts at £85 a night.
thelalit.com
skies above. Leopards also roam here, but we didn’t spot any of the elusive big cats.
As we made the hour-long journey back through the park – past the picturesque ruins of Ranthambore Fort, once the seat of the maharajas (royal kings) of Jaipur – the skies opened, leading us to seek shelter at the nearby outpost. The rangers seemed to enjoy our spontaneous pit-stop as much as we did, even giving us a tour of their modest accommodation.
DELHI DELIGHTS
Our journey had begun four days earlier in the capital city of Delhi, an exciting introduction to the sensory intensity of this vast country of 1.06 billion people. Divided into ‘Old’ and ‘New’ Delhi, we took a tour of the ‘old’ city of Shahjahanabad, founded by the greatest Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan. A thrilling rickshaw ride jiggled and rattled us through
a maze of narrow, busy streets, past time-worn buildings, wedding shops selling jewel-bright adornments and stalls selling paratha, a staple Indian dish of fried flatbread stuffed with savoury fillings – the whole ride accompanied by the cacophony of thousands of Delhiites going about their daily business. Afterwards, a visit to Raj Ghat, the cremation site of social activist and ‘father of India’ Mahatma
travelweekly.co.uk
A thrilling rickshaw ride
jiggled us through narrow streets, accompanied by the cacophony of Delhiites going about their daily business
Gandhi, provided a welcome moment of serenity. It also highlighted another benefit of an escorted tour – our knowledgeable guide was on hand to explain the significance of the site.
Simple yet striking, the commemorative complex beautifully reflects Gandhi’s protest in the 1930s and ‘40s against British rule through non-violent protest, or satyagraha. Today, an eternal flame burns brightly in the centre of the site, a reminder of his important role in finally securing independence for the country in 1947. India is the birthplace of four of the world’s major
religions. Hinduism is the dominant belief system today, but through history other religions have tried to establish a foothold. The remarkable Qutub Minar – a 72.5m-high stone tower, built in the early 13th century – marked the start of two centuries of Islamic rule in the country.
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RANTHAMBORE Hotel Ranthambore Regency A four-star hotel with a safari- lodge vibe, comprising 66 rooms and nine cottage-style suites. Full-board rates for a Deluxe Double Room start at £85 plus tax.
ranthambhor.com
AGRA Taj Hotel and Convention Centre An infinity pool with views of the Taj Mahal is the highlight of this five-star hotel, whose 239 rooms and suites feature pared-back yet stylish decor. B&B rates from £62.
tajhotels.com
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