Culture Connections

KOCHI

Optional Cycling Tour of Fort Kochi (£45 per person): Today you have the option to explore Fort Kochi on a cycling tour. Fort Kochi, a historic trading port of Kochi is a laid-back town and cycling through its streets is a great way to discover it. With narrow cobbled stone streets, cafes that open for business late in the morning and fishermen that line the coast at sunrise with their Chinese fishing nets, Fort Kochi blends its old world charm seamlessly with its contemporary vibrancy.

Option for home hosted dinner (£55 per person): This evening you have an option to visit a contemporary yet traditional Keralan home for home hosted dinner. This is a unique opportunity to see a local Kochi house, interact and dine with the local family. The hosts would be happy to share a few of their family recipes of traditional home cooked Keralan coastal cuisine.

PERIYAR

Optional Elephant Safari in Periyar (£45 per person): During the spice plantation tour, you have the option to experience elephant safari through the plantation. Undisturbed by the mechanical roar of a car or jeep, open to the skies accompanied only by the rhythmic sound of the elephant, enjoy the ride through spice scented breeze.

Optional Martial Art Performance at Village Arena (£20 per person): This evening watch Kalaripayattu performance, one of the oldest form of martial arts and known as the mother of all martial arts. Kalarippayattu consists of punches, leg moves, stretches, twists, and jumps performed in a particular sequence. In Periyar, you get a unique opportunity to witness a performance of this ancient art along with the locals at the village arena.

DELHI

Option for Heritage Walk in Old Delhi (£60 per person): This morning you have the option to take a Heritage Walk in Old Delhi, an exciting experience for those interested in history, heritage, culture and local life in India. The guided walk takes you down the narrow alleys of Chandni Chowk, the moonlit street, to Jama Mazjid, the largest mosque of India ; the jewellery market, Dariba Kalan, selling precious stones, gems, gold and silver jewellery ; and Kinari Bazaar a wholesale market with large reserves of colourful Indian attire and other accessories. During the walk you also see ruins of beautiful haveli’s (houses of noblemen of the bygone era), sculptured gates, fascinating artwork, and resident artisans and workers engaged in their daily chores. Be prepared for a culture shock as you will be walking through some of the oldest parts of Delhi today!

Option for Home Hosted Dinner (£55 per person): This evening you have the option to learn more about local lifestyle and culture of India with dinner at an Indian home. Spend time talking to your hosts and learn about their way of life. You may also opt for a unique opportunity to step inside an Indian kitchen and learn the age old art of Indian culinary delights. Your hosts will be happy to share their secret recipes and give you some handy tips about Indian cooking.

AGRA

Option to watch a classic Theatre Performance (from £20 per person): This evening, you have the option to watch a live theatre performance, introducing you to the story of the Taj Mahal. Watch the spectacular performance – “Mohabbat the Taj – The saga of love”, staging the largest replica of the Taj Mahal, and presenting the legend of love that created this magnificent mausoleum (subject to operation of show).

RANTHAMBORE

Option to visit a local village (£25 per person): Today you have the option to visit a village near Ranthambore and get a first hand experience of rural Indian’s take on the day. The rural life of Sawai Madhopur reflects survival instincts of the local people. The people of these villages belong to different communities and are segregated according to the nature of their profession. The villages of Sawai Madhopur hold their own distinct charm.

JAIPUR

Option for guided heritage walk through old city of Jaipur (£30 per person): This afternoon, you have the option to take a guided heritage walk through the temples and haveli’s of the old city of Jaipur. This exciting two hours walking tour is a unique way to explore the living traditions, hidden riches and vibrant culture of Jaipur. Experience the warm Indian hospitality at a beautifully restored haveli (erstwhile mansion) where you get an opportunity to interact with the resident family over high tea. The walk offers an opportunity to meet and interact with artisans, shop owners, temple priests and local people of Jaipur, making the tour engaging and insightful.

Option to play Golf at Rambagh Golf course (£130 per person): Enjoy an opportunity to play golf at Rambagh Golf course, one of the oldest and most prestigious of Golf Clubs in India. Affiliated to the Indian Golf Union, this Golf Club is an 18 Hole challenging championship course with Par 70 Yardage-6303 (SSS 70). The Course is picturesquely located with views of the Rambagh Palace, Motta Doongri Fort, Nahargarh Fort and the Birla Planetarium.

Option for Hot Air Balloon Flight (£185 per person): Enjoy a sunrise or sunset hot air balloon flight, floating over forts, palaces and villages, over the pink city of Jaipur, offering splendid views of the city and its surrounds. The balloons usually land in village areas, attracting hoards of villagers. Guests find this experience and connection with the local community fascinating and unique. Drive through rural villages back to base.

Option for Elephant Safari with Breakfast or High Tea (£85 per person): Early morning or evening, embark on a short drive to a wilderness camp at the outskirts of Jaipur, for a fascinating elephant safari, followed by breakfast or high tea served at the garden camp.

UDAIPUR

Option for excursion to Eklingji Temple (£20 per person): This afternoon, you have the option to visit the most famous temples of Rajasthan. Located in the town of Eklingji (Kailashpuri), the place got its popular name from the temple. Eklingji Temple is positioned at a distance of 22 kms north of Udaipur.

Option for boat cruise at Lake Pichola, Udaipur (£20 per person): Enjoy an evening boat cruise at the serene Lake Pichola.

Option for Culinary tour in Udaipur (£65 per person): This afternoon enjoy a culinary experience with a noble family of the state. The experience includes a visit to the vegetable and spice market to familiarise with local vegetables and spices. This is followed by a 2 hour cooking demonstration showing preparation of traditional Rajasthani / north Indian cuisine. The evening is concluded with an interesting dinner with the host family.

Option to take a guided walk through the old town of Udaipur (£25 per person): This morning you may opt for a guided walk in the old town of Udaipur. This walk provides you an opportunity to experience the ‘real Udaipur’ – its people, its living traditions, its interesting localities and vibrant bazaars. Walk through the hidden alleys and meet local artisans engaged in jewellery making, pottery and bamboo craft. You can also visit the famous ghats on the banks of Lake Pichola, observe the traditional way of making clay potteries or join a family at their private residence for a cup of tea and snacks in their century’s old mansion decorated with fascinating fresco paintings and mirror work.

JODHPUR

Option for Horse Safari or Nature Trek with Lunch at Mountbatten Lodge (TBA): En-route to Udaipur, you have the option to stop at a small village for a short horse safari or nature trek through the countryside down to Mountbatten Lodge at Ranakpur. The safari / trek would take close to 45/60 minutes and you will have an opportunity to stop at the tribal Village Kambha to visit the local school and a potters house. Conclude the safari with lunch at Mountbatten Lodge.

Option for 4×4 Offroad Jeep Safari to local Villages (£25 per person): Later this afternoon, you have the option to experience an off-road 4×4 jeep safari to the nearby villages, to get a feel for the local lifestyle of Rajasthani villagers. Observe the local lifestyle and interact with villagers, shepherds, farmers and weavers of the region, alongside enjoying an off-road 4×4 experience through the dunes of Rajasthan.

Option to take a guided walk through the old town of Jodhpur (£20 per person): This evening you may opt for a guided walk meandering through the colourful old town of Jodhpur. Walk through the busy market area housing spices & grocery, meet craftsmen engaged in making tie & dye textiles, jewellery, leather items and lacquer bangles, sample some local delicacies, and mingle with colourfully dressed residents with their welcoming smiles and warm hospitality.

JAISALMER

Option for a Sunset Camel Safari, Cultural Performance and Dinner (£40 per person): Enjoy an evening sunset camel safari to the sand dunes of Sam along with cultural performance and dinner in the deserts of Jaisalmer (subject to weather conditions).

Option for Sand Dunes Day Safari (£50 per person): We start our journey from Jaisalmer, in a 4WD driving for approx 30 Kms towards the sand dunes of Sam, and stop at the nearest point of the desert to deflate tyres. Then we proceed to the Sam Sand Dunes, where you experience the thrill of a lifetime roller coaster ride on the golden sand dunes. We stop in between to take photographs, play on the sand dunes or just admire the natural beauty of the desert followed by refreshing mineral water. We then continue our journey and proceed to the Heritage Village located in the middle of the dunes. Upon arrival at the village the following activities are available for you to choose from: Camel rides / Cart rides, Counter for soft drinks & water, Rajasthani Dresses (men & women) for photographs. Hotel pick up @ approx 09:00; Hotel drop off @ approx 12:00 (subject to weather conditions)

Option for Evening Sand Dunes Safari followed by dinner and cultural performances (£65 per person): Same as Sand Dunes Day Safari + Rajasthani Folk music and dance creating a fascinating performance + Sunset views from the deserts of Jaisalmer + Unlimited Hubbly Bubbly (Hooka) + A lavish buffet dinner. Hotel pick up @ approx 15:30; Hotel drop off @ approx 21:30 (subject to weather conditions).

MUNNAR

Optional Hike in the hills of Munnar (£60 per person): This afternoon you have the option to hike through the mountain grasslands of Munnar. Hike through the green scenic beauty to Meesapulimala (2640m), the second highest peak in the Western Ghats. You may also catch a glimpse of elephants, sambar, sloth bear and the Nilgiri tahr along the way.

Option to attend a cooking demonstration (TBA): This evening you may opt for a cooking demonstration with the chef and learn uses of various spices in everyday cooking. The chef will be happy to share their secret recipes and give you some handy tips about South Indian cooking.

KUMARAKOM

Optional Sunset Backwater Cruise (£35 per person): This evening you may opt to take a sunset motorboat cruise along the backwaters of Kumarakom. Kerala backwaters consist of a complex network of lagoons, lakes, & canals and are best experienced while slowly rowing down the labyrinth of canals, appreciating life on the banks, lush green rice fields, and coconut groves.

Optional Overnight Backwater Cruise (TBA): Tonight, you have the option of spending the night under the stars aboard a traditional thatched roof houseboat on the backwaters of Kumarakom. The houseboat experiences comes inclusive with all meals served on board

MUMBAI

Option for Sunset Sailing at Gateway of India (£95 per person): Enjoy a sailing experience in the Arabian Sea casting off from the Gateway of India. Sit back and watch the sun being swallowed by the ocean while one of the most distinctive skylines blinks to life.

Option for Dabbawalla Tour in Mumbai (£45 per person): Discover the vast industry of tiffin delivery service in Mumbai on this comprehensive Dabbawalla tour. The word “Dabbawalla” refers to a person who carries and delivers freshly made food from home in lunch boxes to office workers. This is your opportunity to watch 4,500 Dabbawallas in action, collecting and delivering 175,000 lunch tiffins to offices in Mumbai everyday! The entire system depends on organisation, teamwork and careful timing. Hear a brief introduction with the Dabbawallas and learn about the precision techniques adopted for coding and mass distribution of tiffins everyday.

KHAJURAHO

Option to watch the famous Khajuraho Dance Show (£10 per person): Enjoy the evening watching a live Indian classical dance show at an auditorium at Khajuraho (subject to operation of show).

Option to watch the famous Khajuraho Sound and Light Show (£10 per person): Enjoy the evening watching a spectacular sound and light show at the historic temples of Khajuraho (subject to operation of show).