DESTINATIONS INDIA | ESCORTED TOURS
CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: Saga Holidays fam trip group at the Taj Mahal; Amber Fort, Jaipur; Bengal tiger
experts ASK THE
Michelle Stammers, travel consultant,
travelgenius.blog
“The advantage of an escorted
tour is that you get to see all of the best parts without having to waste time planning it yourself; plus, you are accompanied by a guide who can share their expert knowledge and keep you safe. I also love the social aspect and camaraderie of travelling with like-minded people.”
PICTURES: Shutterstock; Saga Holidays/Getty Images/ –Guenter Guni; Arif Khan
Ian Lewis, branch manager, Dragon Travel Agents
“India delivered more memories than I could have imagined.
The Taj Mahal was a highlight, along with catching sight of four tigers in Ranthambore National Park. It’s a must-do trip.”
BOOK IT
Saga Holidays’ 10-day The Golden Triangle and Tiger Trail starts at £1,599, including nine nights’ B&B in a hotel, nine breakfasts and dinners, VIP door-to-door travel service from anywhere on the UK mainland, air-conditioned coach and a dedicated Saga tour manager. Price includes optional travel insurance or a reduction if it’s not required. Departures from September 16.
sagaagents.co.uk
50 13 JUNE 2019
TOURING THE TAJ From Delhi, we travelled to Agra, 135 miles away. An escorted tour definitely helps maximise the time you have at each destination, offering the convenience of having transport ‘on tap’, rather than being a slave to the schedules of local transport. We also did a fair amount of hotel-hopping over
the 10-day trip and Aarti was always one step ahead, making sure our check-ins went smoothly. We were greeted with a refreshing wet towel and cold drink and were usually in our rooms within 10 minutes of arrival – a boon after a long day of sightseeing or travelling. To make tipping easier, Aarti suggested we contribute a fixed amount and she divided it up into envelopes for us to take it in turns to tip – a simple plan that meant we weren’t constantly rummaging for rupees or agonising over the correct amount. Agra has the honour of being home to the Taj Mahal, hailed as one of the wonders of the world and designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1983. Built between 1630 and 1652, the domed white-marble mausoleum is a tribute of eternal love from Emperor Shah Jahan to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Its ethereal beauty has inspired poets and writers through the ages, including Indian poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore, who described it as a ‘tear drop on the face of eternity’.
We had a guided tour as the sun came up, an exquisite time to see this architectural wonder. Semi- precious inlaid stones create a kaleidoscope of beautiful colours that drift over the facade as the light changes.
IN THE PINK
Our final stop was Jaipur, also known as the Pink City. High on a ridge overlooking the modern city is the stupendous Amber Fort, built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 17th century. A guide showed us around the remarkable complex, pointing out Ganesh Pol, a dramatic gateway adorned with beautiful depictions of Ganesh, the Hindu elephant-headed god, and the Sheesh Mahal, a room decorated with iridescent Venetian Murano glass that shimmers when the sun strikes. In the evening, as temperatures cooled, we headed to the ancient bazaar. It’s a labyrinthine mix of every kind of shop, and the advantage of an escorted tour was highlighted again when Aarti accompanied those on a serious shopping mission.
Haggling for goods is an authentic part of the Indian experience and, with Aarti’s help, a couple of the women in the group secured a fair price for exquisite saris to take home. With their ornate decoration and glorious colour, it is a souvenir that will forever whisk them back to this most memorable corner of India.
TW
travelweekly.co.uk
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