India Supplement 2011

Your one-stop guide to all the latest news and developments in India

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www.travelbulletin.co.uk

FACE TO FACE

WITH INDIA Cox & Kings has been organising travel to India for generations. Our journeys encompass the whole country from the soaring Himalaya to the exquisite palaces and mighty forts of Rajasthan, and the tropical beauty and ornate temples of the far south. Throughout India, its vibrant cities, timeless villages, cultural complexities and natural wonders make it endlessly beguiling. • Small Groups & Tailor-Made Travel • Highest Quality Services • Unrivalled Experience • Exceptional Value • Expert Planning • Personal Service

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Introduction

Welcome T

he British bond with India is a strong one. From our love of the country’s food to our hundreds of years of shared history, India, its people and its culture play a big part in our 21stcentury lifestyle.

For operators, it is the perfect destination to feature as it ticks every single box when it comes to the holiday that can deliver everything. From the beaches in the south to the tiger safaris in the heart of the country, from the bustling cosmopolitan cities of Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai to the Himalayan villages of the north, two weeks is simply not enough to get under the skin of India, hence why so many people go back.

In this supplement in our What’s New section, we look at what is coming down the line for 2012 from the operators and the airlines.

In our Beauty and the Beach section, we speak to the experts to find out what tours they think will suit visitors keen to combine a bit of culture with a few days on the beach.

Hotel development is big in India with all the international chains heading to the cities to capitalise on the booming economies of the country’s leading lights. For the leisure market, style and achingly chic interiors with an Indian twist are the name of the game for the new kids on the block for this year and next.

For our Nice and Niche pages, specialist operators tell us about all the new tours in the pipeline that allow clients to get away from the crowds and combine their passion for a pastime, such as cooking or photography Indian style.

Finally, in our Regional Round-up and Get the Lowdown, we look at the highlights of each region and ensure you have all the essential details so the next time a client walks through your agency door with a vague plan for a trip to India, you will have all the information at your fingertips, courtesy of Travel Bulletin’s All About India supplement.

Angela Cronin Supplements editor Travel Bulletin

CONTENTS 4 What’s New

8 Beauty and the beach

14 Nice and niche

17 Regional round-up Published by

Lower Ground Floor, University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EX Tel: 020-7834 6661 Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe Written and researched by: Angela Cronin Email: angelacronin2003@yahoo.co.uk Design/Layout: Ranganath GS & Prashanth AP Printed by: Wyndeham Grange Limited Cover Picture: Harkanwal Singh ISSN: 0956-2419

All about India

3

What’s new

What’s new From festivals to village life, from cosmopolitan cities to balmy beaches, operators’ programmes are bursting at the seams with new itineraries, hotels and adventures for 2012

I

ndia is a melting pot of cultures, heritage, breathtaking landscapes, beaches, iconic sites, wildlife, and let’s not forget the burgeoning industry that is Bollywood. For 2012, operators are building on their classic Golden Triangle and Goa offerings with new, adventurous tours that aim to give visitors an insight into Indian life, love and culture.

Let’s see what the operators and airlines have in store for us next year.

On the Go Tours The operator has launched its new India brochure with a range of tours that coincide with the yearly calendar of festivals.

Clients can join in the fun of the Jaisalmer Desert Festival, enjoy turbantying competitions, camel races, fire dancing and the ‘Mr Moustache’ contest. Other festivals include the Hemis Festival, Holi, Elephant Parade, Diwali, Taj Mahotsav and the not to be missed – Pushkar Camel Fair.

On the Go is currently developing an online training programme for agents.

Cosmos Cosmos has launched its first dedicated Goa and the Indian Ocean brochure featuring a range of resort stays, tour and stays, two centres and cruises in Goa, the Maldives, Dubai, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.

Capacity to Goa over the winter period has been doubled from both Gatwick and Manchester and two weeks for the price of one deals are available on selected holidays in November and December.

The new brochure offers 14 new 4

Inntravel's tie-up with Village Ways allows visitors the opportunity to integrate with local communities of the destinations they are visiting.

properties in Goa as well as the new resorts of Bambolim in central Goa and Vagator in north Goa and two new tours of the destination.

Early-booking offers include a deposit of £100 per person and two weeks for the price of one at a choice of hotels in Goa such as the Alor Grande Holiday Resort and Hotel Prazeres in Candolim and the Palmarinha Resort in Calangute.

Other new deals also include three free dinners each week at the Osborne Resort in Goa. Prices in the new brochure lead in at

£499 in Goa for seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the Beira Mar on Baga Beach, north Goa. Meanwhile, Cosmos Tours and Cruises has added the 16-day Enchanting Kerala and Southern India tour, which takes in the temple towns of southern India, including tranquil Periyar National Park and a cruise along Kerala’s serene backwaters.

Tour highlights are Chennai city, Mahabalipuram, Madurai, Periyar National Park, Backwater Houseboat Cruise, Kochi city and Ooty.

Prices lead in at £1,865.

All about India

What’s new

Cosmos has doubled capacity to Goa over the winter period from both Gatwick and Manchester with two weeks for the price of one deals available on selected holidays

InnTravel Inntravel has teamed up with guided walking holidays specialist Village Ways to introduce a selection of new adventures.

As part of the collaboration, Inntravel will extend its India programme to take in three ground-breaking new projects in Karnataka, Kerala and Rajasthan, allowing guests the chance to integrate with the community, ensuring their stay will benefit the many local people they meet.

As part of the Village Ways’s ethos of supporting sustainable and rural tourism, Village Ways provides the resources for struggling rural communities to transform their lives by building up a sustainable tourism business of their own.

Prices lead in at £2,170 per person for the 16-night day, which includes two rail journeys, four nights in Spice House, two in Mysore, two in Coonoor, four on a rice boat and two in Kochi, most meals, flights and transfers.

Inspired Breaks Inspired Breaks, the operator that specialises in gap years for people looking to have a career break and getting involved in voluntary work or conservation programmes overseas, has put together an India family explorer package.

The 10-day trip offered by the specialist, which is part of Tui Travel, includes Delhi, an Indian safari at Ranthanbore National Park, Agra Fort and the must-see Taj Mahal, Rajasthan and Jaipur. Visitors will also get the opportunity to visit a school and interact with the local children.

Prices start at £739 per person for the 10 days land only tour. The price includes All about India

transfers, accommodation, meals, a tour leader and activities.

Treyn Escorted rail specialist Treyn has added a new 11-day train journey to India to its worldwide programme.

The Tigers and Palaces itinerary includes rail travel on the Shatabdi Express and highlights of the experience are: a sightseeing tour of Delhi; a guided tour of Agra; sunset visit to the Taj Mahal; excursion to Fatehpur Sikri; two game drives at Ranthambore National Park; a sightseeing tour of Jaipur; a visit to the Amber Fort; and a guided tour of Patan and Badal Mahal; Prices lead in at £1,495 per person and include flights, nine nights’ hotel accommodation with some meals and all transfers.

Fancy a fam trip?

TransIndus is planning two fam trips next year – one to the wildlife parks and another to Kerala. The fam trips are scheduled to take place next Easter or after. Agents who are interested should contact Satyan Bhalla on satyan@transindus.com Abercrombie and Kent The luxury specialist has introduced a Colourful India itinerary designed to appeal to keen photographers.

The four-night/five-day trip journeys to Varanasi and Jodhpur, where visitors will be spoilt for choice when it comes to photographic opportunities. Jon

Nicholson, a photographer who has recently been appointed to be the official London 2012 Olympic photographer to take images for the Games’ commemorative book, will be leading the tour.

Prices for the trip start at £2,195, excluding flights, and can be included as part of a bigger itinerary to India.

Cox and Kings Cox and Kings has launched its India and Beyond programme, the first in the collection of new-look brochures.

The programme features an extensive range of escorted group tours and tailormade private holidays throughout India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives, including new itineraries that venture off the well-trodden tourist path.

India product manager Balaji Kandasamy said there has been an increase in demand for more off-the-beaten-track areas.

“People still want good standard hotels, but are more open-minded about where they stay, meaning they can venture away from the crowds and see some of India’s hidden gems. A lot of our clients have travelled to India with us before and want to return to explore places off the beaten track. Our specialist sales team can advise hotels to suit a variety of tastes and budgets, including homestays, lodges, tented camps, converted forts and palaces or havelis.”

New for 2012 is the 13-day, expert-led tour to Gujarat: Gujarat’s Untamed Wilderness, which journeys through the most westerly state in India, and includes a visit to Sasan Gir, the only sanctuary in the subcontinent for Asiatic lions. The tour is 5

What’s new

led by Dr Divyabhanusinh Chavda, a naturalist and conservation expert and president of the World Wide Fund for Nature in India. Prices lead in at £4,995 per person and include flights.

Also new is the 13-day Villages Walks in the Himalaya tour. Prices start at £3,095 per person and include flights.

The expanded tailor-made section of the brochure contains suggestions for exploring beyond India’s Golden Triangle such as Gwalior, with its dominating eighth-century fort and Bharatpur and the Chambal valley, both popular locations for avid birdwatchers.

The Adventure Company The adventure specialist has introduced a Created for You modular option of activities and experiences. The mix-andmatch approach will allow families to create a personalised holiday that works best for them.

Options include the chance to relax and unwind in Goa after travellers have explored the northern regions on India. The recommended four-night stay includes a

hotel in a beautiful palm-fringed location on the edge of a private beach where families can soak up the friendly spirit of Goan culture. Other options include exploring the Golden Triangle, five-night Authentic India, Wildlife at Ranthambore National Park, Rishikesh and Ganges Camping and Varansi.

Virgin Holidays Virgin Holidays has introduced a new family tour of India to its Worldwide Journeys 2012/13 brochure.

The nine-day/seven-night Taj and Tigers Family Adventure features two nights in Deli, a night in Agra, two nights in Ranthambore National Park and two nights in Jaipur.

Prices lead in at £1,595 per adult and £1,195 per child and include flights and transfers.

Hayes and Jarvis The long-haul operator has introduced an eight-day rail tour to its 2012 programme.

The Palace on Wheels itinerary covers New Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur,

Inspired Breaks family explorer package takes visitors on an Indian safari at Ranthambore National Park

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Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Agra.

Departing on Wednesdays, prices lead in at £1,785 per person excluding international flights.

Travel IndoChina Travel IndoChina is guaranteeing every single departure on its seven-day Taste of India Classic trip and its 14-day Highlights of Rajasthan tour – both of which are small group journeys.

The Taste of India itinerary visits Delhi, Agra, Taj Mahal, Jaipur and Samode. Prices start at £820 per person.

The Highlights of Rajasthan journey, visits Delhi, Agra, Taj Mahal, Ranthambore National Park, Jaipur, Nimaj, Osian Camel Camp, Jodhpur and Udaipur. Departures are fortnightly in the key travel seasons. Prices start at £1,895 per person.

Explore Adventure specialist Explore has introduced two new tours for 2012.

The first one is the Off Beat Rajasthan tour, which combines north India’s famous attractions with its lesser known sites including Chambal Sanctuary, the river temples of Bateshwar and the town of Karauli. Tour highlights include searching for gangetic dolphins, sarus cranes and soft shell turtles on a river safari, exploring the markets and monuments of Old Delhi and visiting the villages and markets of India’s ‘Golden Triangle’.

Prices for this tour lead in at £1,983 per person and includes return flights, 12 nights’ hotel and two nights’ lodge accommodation on a B&B basis, transport and the services of a tour leader, driver and some local guides. The price is based on a 25 April 2012 departure.

The second new tour is a budget tour of India that explores the Golden City of Jaisalmer and the fort of Jodhpur, with transfers on local transport and acccommodation in family-run hotels. The new Rajasthan Explorer tour rides through the great Thar Desert by camel and experiences the nomadic lifestyle camping under the stars. The tour costs from £1,264 per person and includes flights, seven nights’ hotel, one night train and one night camping accommodation, 11 meals, transport and the services of a tour leader, driver and some local guides.

All about India

What’s new

…from the hotels Alila Diwa Goa The contemporary resort of Alila Diwa Goa on Majorda beach has launched a series of special offers available until 31 March 2012.

The deals offer free stays for children under 12 to stay. The packages include access to the kids’ club, the teen zone and a private children’s pool including day beds and outdoor children’s park.

The resort also has a wealth of Alila Journeys to allow guests to explore the region, from visiting the local markets and spice plantations with the hotel’s chef before returning to rustle up Goan/Portuguese specialities, or enjoying a sunrise picnic at one of Goa’s sacred temples.

The resort offers three nights in a family/Diwa suite from £791 which includes all day breakfast at Bistro, plus complimentary resort credit of £197 per stay that can be redeemed against dining and select Leisure Concierge activities.

Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts The Leela Palace New Delhi and the Leela Palace Udaipur are celebrating the 100th

anniversary of the Delhi Durbar with a four-night package to mark the occasion.

Back in 1901, the Delhi Durbar saw King George V along with Queen Mary, the then Emperor and Empress of India, announce the move of the Indian capital from Kolkata to Delhi.

To celebrate the centenary, guests can enjoy two nights at the Leela Palace New Delhi and two nights at the Leela Palace Udaipur, taking in the spectacular sites of both cities.

Audley Travel offers four-night packages from £1,865 per person, including flights and transfers.

The airline has recently taken delivery of 11 Boeing 737-800 and it has also introduced QR Barcode technology offering guests immediate access to flight information via their smartphones in addition to Jet’s mobile site which was added last year.

Also, as part of Jet Airways’s ongoing drive to redefine the in-flight experience, passengers can now customise their meals to suit their individual tastes.

As well as its extensive domestic network, Jet Airways flies internationally to a number of destinations including London, New York, Toronto and Hong Kong.

…from the airlines

Qatar Airways Qatar Airways has launched daily flights to Kolkata from Doha.

The new route takes Qatar Airways’ capacity in India to 95 services a week across 12 destinations, which include Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Trivandrum, Cochin, Kozhikode, Goa, Amritsar and Bengaluru (Bangalore). ■

Jet Airways Jet Airways, the airline that operates the largest domestic network in India, has seen a 21.4% increase in the total number of passengers it carried over the last year, taking the overall figure to 14.67 million.

In May alone, Jet Airways flew a record number of two million guests – the highest number of passengers carried by any airline of Indian origin in its domestic and international network.

Office India State Tourist IS 3LH.

ndon W 7 Cork Street , Lo 77, 020 7734 6613 Tel: 020 7437 36 48, Fax: 020 7494 10 ffice.org to ris ou at E-mail: info@indi credibleindia.org Website: www.in

The Patan Mahal Palace Hotel

All about India

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Beauty and the beach

Sun, see and sights Want to see some of the major sights in India before chilling out on the beach at the end? Operators have come up with some amazing tours that guarantee to include a lot of culture and a bit of beach.

W

ith so many palaces and forts to see, World Heritage sites to experience, markets to shop in and culture to soak up, trying to cram everything in one visit is almost impossible. The best way for your clients to see as much as they can in a few weeks is to book a guided tour that will combine the must-see sights with a few days relaxing on the beach at the end. We spoke to some operators to get the lowdown on some of the best tours around.

Gujarat Textiles and Tribals Although 10 days visiting the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur followed by a few days relaxing on the beach in Goa is a popular choice, Satyan Bhalla, sales manager at TransIndus, suggests Gujarat Textiles and Tribals tour as the perfect alternative for customers looking for something different.

Gujarat was often the first port of call for Arab traders in their dhows and later

an important commercial centre for the Portuguese, the English, and the Dutch.

Here, they established trading posts with the local rulers, dealing, among other things, in printed cotton and embroideries, for both of which Gujarat is still famous for. The sights include Ahmedabad’s famous Textile Museum; the complex of mosques at Champaner; the Jain temples of Palitana, perched on the tip of the Shatrunjaya hills; the Indus Valley site of Lothal, dating from 2500 BC and the Gir Forest, preserving the Asiatic lion. Guests can opt to end the tour with a stay at the tented camp on Mandvi Beach.

How much? An 18-day private journey costs from £2,845 per person and is based on two people sharing.

Taj Mahal, Palaces and Backwaters Nikhil Chhibber, India product manager for W&O Travel, says the operator’s Taj Mahal Palaces and Backwaters tour with a few days on the beach in either Goa or

Kerala tagged on at the end of the itinerary is the perfect combination of sightseeing and relaxation.

The tour starts off with two nights in Delhi, followed by a trip to the Red Fort of Agra and the Taj Mahal.

A two-day visit to the forts and palaces of the pink city of Jaipur follows, which includes overnight stays at the Taj Rambagh Palace. Visitors will get the chance to soak up the atmosphere of Jaipur with a stroll through the city’s bustling streets and market.

From Jaipur, the itinerary takes guests to Udaipur for two nights to experience Lake Pichola, home to two island palaces in the lake. Visitors are sure to be enchanted by life on the banks of the lake.

Next stop is Kochi city for two nights to take in Fort Kochi followed by an overnight cruise on the backwaters of Kerala on a houseboat. The 14-day trip ends with two nights at Kumarakom Lake Resort, however there is the opportunity to bolt on a few days at the

View from the Alila Diwa Goa swimming pool out on to the paddy fields

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All about India

Beauty and the beach beach at one of the luxury hotels in Goa or Kerala.

How much? The 14-day Taj Mahal Palaces and Backwaters tour costs from £3,875 per person, based on two people

sharing, and includes a driver, guided sightseeing, meals and flights.

Golden Triangle and Kerala On the Go launched a new 14-day group tour this season, which aims to uncover the delights of India’s famed Golden Triangle of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, before

heading south to Kerala. The tour kicks off with two days experiencing the sights and sounds of Delhi, including the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India – and the Raj Ghat, the memorial that marks the spot on the Yamuna River where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated after his assassination.

Two days in Jaipur follow, taking in the City Palace, which is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture, and Jantar Mantar, an observatory of astronomy built by Jai Singh in 1728. The second day in Jaipur includes an early-

The Taj Mahal tops the list of most people's must-see sites on a trip to India

Beauty and the beach

morning, hot-air balloon flight over Jaipur before journeying outside the city to the 16th-century Amber Fort. Visitors will arrive at the palace in traditional style – on elephants.

The following day, the tour heads to Chand Baori, a ninth-century step well in the village of Abhaneri. Then it’s off to the rural village of Perharsar for an insight into local life and traditions.

Visitors will be able to go to the village school where On the Go operates its Change for Children programme.

Next stop is the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its swamps and lakes constitute one of the most important breeding and migratory areas in the world. Day six, the tour heads up to Agra for a visit to the must-see site of the Taj Mahal before getting a flight the next day from Delhi to Kochi.

From here, the tour takes in the historic Fort Kochi before heading east to explore the tea plantations of Munnar. An overnight stay in Munnar is followed by a trip to the Keralan backwaters for an overnight stay on a luxury rice boat.

The last two days of the experience are spent on Kumarakom, a cluster of islands on Lake Vembanad.

How much? Prices lead in at £1,199 per person excluding flights.

Travel the Unknown Rahul Aggarwal, director of Travel the Unknown, recommends the operator’s

17-day Spirit of South India tour. Starting in the former Portuguese enclave of Goa, visitors get the chance to explore the quaint colonial streets of Panjim and Old Goa’s churches before relaxing on Goa’s sandy beaches.

The tour then moves on to the undiscovered state of Karnataka, home to India’s most ancient temples, including the sixth-century cave temples in Badami, gravity-defying ancient boulders of Hampi and the regal splendour of Mysore Palace.

Then it’s off to Nagarhole National Park to track elephants and other wildlife before crossing into the tropical mountain forests of Wayanad in Kerala.

The experience finishes off with a few days on a Keralan houseboat gliding among the islands of Lake Vembanad.

How much? Prices lead in at £2,195 per person, excluding flights, and £2,745 per person including flights.

Mumbai and Goa Elegant Resorts suggests Mumbai and Goa as the ideal combination of city sights in Mumbai – India’s Bollywood capital –and the pure rest and relaxation of beach life in southern Goa. The holiday kicks off with three nights at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower in Mumbai before heading off to the Alila Diwa Goa. Set amid peaceful paddy fields and Majorda beach, the hotel is one of the newest and most contemporary resorts in Goa and is far away from the crowds of the north.

Something for repeat visitors While Goa is the obvious choice when it comes to beach breaks, Abercrombie and Kent suggest visitors consider heading to Chennai where the new Leela Palace Hotel is set to open in 2012. Located right on the beach overlooking the Bay of Bengal, the 14-storey hotel will have 329 rooms and is a good base to start exploring the east coast of India.

It’s the ideal place for repeat visitors looking for something different.

The hotel has recently introduced a spa for guests who are really keen to destress. However, for visitors who want to get to know the region, there are plenty of opportunities to do so from visiting spice plantations to enjoying a home-cooked Portuguese/Goan lunch at a traditional colonial house.

How much? Seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the Alila Diwa Goa and three nights’ B&B at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower start at £1,455 per person.

The price is based on two people sharing accommodation and includes flights and transfers. ■

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Sunset at Majorda beach in southern Goa

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All about India

New hotels

New rooms with a view

Hilton New Delhi-NoidaMayur Vihar

The Roadhouse Party bar at the DoubleTree by Hilton's new property in Delhi

From Srinagar in the north to Chennai in the south, hotel expansion in India is rapid with properties opening all over the country

R

egularly appearing in newspaper stories about emerging markets, figures from industry trend reports highlight India as a country with a section of its population that is rapidly becoming more middle class and investing their newfound wealth in overseas travel.

While the UK is one of the destinations Indians are heading to, the growth in India’s economy is fuelling an expansion of the domestic travel industry – both leisure and business.

As a consequence, new hotels are appearing all over the country on a monthly basis. Here is a look at the new hotels that have opened this year, with some in the pipeline for next year.

Hilton Hilton Hotels and Resorts has opened a new hotel in Delhi under a management agreement with Eros Resorts and Hotels.

The Hilton New Delhi-Noida-Mayur All about India

Vihar is a 20-minute drive from the commercial hub in Noida, a prime destination for information and software technology and IT-enabled services. The 168-room, newly-built hotel has two restaurants and a lobby lounge and bar.

The business and recreational facilities at the hotel include a 24-hour business centre, outdoor pool, a fitness centre with a range of cardiovascular and strength training equipment and a spa that offers among the finest city spa amenities.

The opening of this hotel in Delhi expands the Hilton portfolio in India to four hotels, including Hilton New Delhi/Janakpuri, Hilton Mumbai International Airport and Hilton Chennai.

Room rates start at £190 per night.

Double Tree by Hilton Hilton Worldwide has announced the opening of the DoubleTree by Hilton New Delhi-Mayur Vihar, the first DoubleTree by

Hilton hotel in India.

Owned and operated by Eros Resorts and Hotels and managed by Hilton Worldwide, the new hotel is located in Mayur Vihar within a 20-minute drive of the business district in Noida including the bustling Sector 62 and Film City in Sector 16.

The DoubleTree by Hilton New DelhiMayur Vihar has 196 guest rooms, including four suites. Every guestroom features wired and wireless internet access, LCD television, media hub, electronic safe, refrigerated private bar, tea and coffeemaking facility and iPod docking station with alarm clock.

Additional amenities include 24-hour, inroom dining, laundry, concierge, a 24-hour business centre and a boardroom that seats up to 16 guests.

The hotel also includes an outdoor, infinity pool and a fitness centre equipped with the latest in cardiovascular and weight training equipment. Dining options at the 11

New hotels

DoubleTree by Hilton New Delhi-Mayur Vihar include the American-style restaurant Roadhouse Bar & Grill and Café , a 24-hour brasserie and deli.

Room rates start at £97 per night.

also a lobby lounge, cigar room, a pool bar, a rooftop bar and a spa with 12 treatment rooms.

Room rates are not yet available for this property.

Fairmont Jaipur Luxury hotel chain Fairmont is making its first foray into India with the opening of a hotel in Jaipur in January.

The Fairmont Jaipur will have 238 guest rooms, seven one and twobedroom suites, nine villas and one presidential villa. Each room will feature: oversize bathrooms and separate showers, with plunge pools in the villas, and an open-air rain shower in the presidential villa; Bose sound system in some rooms; flat-screen TVs; and highspeed internet access.

The Fairmont Gold lifestyle experience will be available with 40 rooms all located on one private floor. The hotel is hoping to attract business travellers and has developed an extensive conference offering, including a facility that accommodates up to 1,520 people, five meeting rooms and a screening room. Dining options will include all-day, buffet-style, international cuisine and a pan-Indian speciality restaurant. There is

Mountbatten Lodge, Ranakpur A new boutique hotel in Ranakpur, which is located in the Pali district of Rajasthan in western India, is opening its doors in January.

The Mountbatten Lodge will only have four suites and is the perfect overnight stay destination for visitors travelling between Jodhpur and Udaipur. Two of the suites have a plunge pool and the other two suites share a swimming pool.

Ranakpur shares its boundary with the Kumbalgarh wildlife sanctuary and has the Ranakpur Jain Temples and The Kumbalgarh Fort, which is famous for having the second longest wall after the great wall of China, right on its doorstep.

Besides the temple and the fort, the sanctuary is a haven for leopards, sloth bear, barking deer, wild boar, blue bull, grey jungle fowl and a host of bird life.

The hotel can organise picnic lunches, champagne sunsets either by elephant or horse, along with it a tribal village visit.

Abercrombie and Kent offers three nights’ full board from £750 per person.

Vivanta by Taj has plans to open a number of hotels this year and next, building on its presence in destinations such as Kerala

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ITC Grand Chola ITC Hotels is set to open a new 600room flagship property in the South Indian city of Chennai in January.

The 10-storey, three-wing hotel will include the first luxury serviced apartments in the city as well as 14 suites and a grand presidential suite featuring its own swimming pool, gym, living room, drawing room and kitchen.

The range of accommodation options include: ITC One rooms with private butlers and an exclusive lounge; the Towers rooms and the Executive Club featuring workspace for corporate travellers. ITC Grand Chola will also feature an Eva wing, designed to meet the needs of female travellers, with lady butlers, in-room video phones and special amenities all on offer.

There will be a choice of 10 restaurants and bars, a Kaya Kalp Spa, outdoor pools and gyms for each of the three wings and a shopping area.

Room rates are not yet available.

Alila Bangalore Asian hotel chain Alila has opened a fivestar property in Bangalore.

Designed by London-based architects, Allies and Morrison and a member of Design Hotels, Alila Bangalore is set in a tranquil oasis in a beautiful suburb of the city, which has built a reputation as being India’s IT city The hotel’s 101 contemporary studio rooms feature private balconies, while the 12 SOHO Suites provide a separate living area with guest bathroom,

All about India

New hotels

ideal for use as an office or meeting room.

The seven leisure suites feature over-sized daybeds on the balcony and have been designed specifically with couples in mind.

The two Alila Residences will appeal to families as they comprise a living room, kitchen, three bedrooms, library, large balcony and maid’s quarters. The hotel also has a spa along with an Alila Personal Preference Menu which allows guests to tailor-make their experience.

The opening of Alila Bangalore follows in the footsteps of the Alila Diwa Goa, which opened in December 2009.

Alila’s expansion plans also include further Indian developments in the southern state of Kerala.

Room rates for the Alila Bangalore lead in at £89 for one night’s bed and breakfast based on two sharing a room.

rooftop restaurant serving up freshly sourced seafood with views of the Arabian sea, topped by a Helipad. There will be 24-hour dining, a delicatessen, lounge bar, night club and ‘Aqua’ signature poolside bar.

The Park Hotels Contemporary hotel group The Park Hotels is expanding its presence in South India, with the opening of two new properties – one on the beach in North Goa and one in downtown Kochi.

Guests at the 33-room property on Candolim Beach in Goa, which will open this winter, will have exclusive access to the beach and views of the Arabian sea from the residents’ beach area or up at the pool-deck lounge and restaurant.

The bedrooms will be furnished in minimalist white and deep purple, decorated with contemporary works of art and furniture.

Aura Spa therapists will be on hand the day to offer treatments poolside or in-suite. Resident DJs will perform throughout the day and the evening.

The Park Kochi, which will open in spring 2012, will be located in the city’s new business district and will have a

The Leela, Chennai The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is set to open its eighth property in January in Chennai in the southeast of India.

Located in a quiet residential area of Chennai, the 14-storey high-rise hotel is being developed on a site facing the Bay of Bengal and will have 329 rooms and suites, four restaurants, an extensive ESPA Spa, swimming pool and fitness centre as well as round-the-clock butler service and the exclusive Royal Club.

Room rates are not yet available.

Vivanta by Taj The Indian hotel chain whose strapline is that it offers options for “work-hardplay-hard traveller across metropolitan cities” is embarking on a big growth plan with four hotel openings this year and next.

The contemporary, stylish hotel chain, opened a hotel in Bekal in Kerala in August, which was quickly followed by a new resort in Srinagar, Kashmir.

A Vivanta is scheduled to open in Delhi in December with a property poised to open in Madikeri, Coorg next year.

Le Sutra, Mumba Set in Mumbai’s posh Pali Hill in Bandra, Le Sutra is the first-ever Indian Art Hotel.

With just 16 rooms spread over three floors, each floor depicts a different human trait in philosophical terms. The first floor is Tamas (colourful and erotic), the second is Rajas (passion and style) and the third is Sattava (minimalist, celestial, aesthetic). There is an art gallery attached to the hotel and a restaurant.

TransIndus features La Sutra with rates from £150 per night per room.

Talliar Tea Bungalow, Munnar An estate bungalow in the tea country of Munnar, a three-hour drive from Kochi, offers old world charm, hospitality and an outstanding chef.

Talliar Tea Bungalow is undergoing major upgrading and is due to open just after Christmas. Ideal for walks in the surrounding hills, seeing the tea factory and enjoying tastings or just relaxing and enjoying the sumptuous food with a glass of fine wine.

TransIndus features Talliar Tea Bunglow with rates from £130 per night per room.

The Oberoi, Gurgaon Oberoi Hotels and Resorts opened a new property in the business and shopping district of Gurgaon earlier this year.

The 202-room property is located 15 minutes from Delhi International Airport and within easy reach from the Delhi city centre. The hotel’s facilities include heated full-length swimming pools; an olympicsized swimming pool and the first 24-hour spa to open in Delhi, that offers a range of Ayurvedic therapies alongside more traditional treatments, as well as Bastien Gonzalez pedicures.

Room rates lead in at £404 for one night’s bed and breakfast.

Devi Ratn Devi Resorts opened the long-awaited Devi Ratn this summer.

The futuristic 63-room property was inspired by the gem-craft of Jaipur and Rasa. The rooms are arranged on crescents, with views of the Araveli hills and come with terrazzo floors in black and white zigzag patterns, glossy surfaces, gemstone hues and sunken marble baths. Devi Ratn features a L’Occitane spa designed in the form of ancient circular stepwall.

Room rates lead in at £379. ■

urist Office India State To on WIS 3LH.

, Lond 7 Cork Street 6613 77, 020 7734 36 Tel: 020 7437 , 8 4 4 10 Fax: 020 749 ristoffice.org ou at di in E-mail: info@ ia.org w.incredibleind Website: ww

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Specialist tours

Demand for trekking breaks that explore the Himalayas are on the increase

Nice and niche From train journeys that evoke the romance of India to photography tours for families, the specialist operators have an amazing array of tours to cater for all types of activities

S

o your customers have done the Golden Triangle and experienced the beaches of Goa and Kerala, but are keen to go back and discover more of India. There are plenty of experiences to offer: from luxury train journeys to trekking in the Himalayas, from tracking down tigers in Ranthambore National Park, to knocking up the most delicious Indian meal, repeat – and first-time – customers are spoilt for choice. We asked the experts to recommend some itineraries so the next time a customer walks into your agency looking for a return trip to India, you will be able to suggest some perfect options for them.

Maharajas Express Luxury train service, the Maharajas 14

Express, has introduced a new journey on the back of the soaring success of its launch last year.

The UK trade has been integral to the train’s success with UK passengers accounting for 70% of total bookings.

New for 2011/12, the Maharajas Express is adding the Royal Sojourn taking in a new route and experiences through Imperial India from Delhi through Jaipur, Kota, Ranthambore and Agra.

The eight-day/seven-night journey has monthly departures until April 2012 and offers guests the chance to discover the heritage, architecture and mix of cultures of Imperial India.

New highlights will include the historical city of Kota in southeast Rajasthan, with visits to the 13th-

century Garh Palace; a boat cruise on the Chambal river, breeding ground for crocodiles; and a royal dinner at the Umed Bhawan Palace.

Also included in the experience is a champagne breakfast overlooking the Taj Mahal, tiger safaris in Ranthambore and elephant polo in Jaipur.

The train has 20 deluxe cabins, 18 junior suites, four suites, the onecarriage grand presidential suite, two restaurants and two bars.

The Royal Sojourn joins the Princely India journey from Mumbai to Delhi; the Royal India journey from Delhi to Mumbai and the Classical India roundtrip from Delhi with highlights including Varanasi on the river Ganges.

How much? Cox and Kings offers a 10All about India

Specialist tours day /11-night Royal Sojourn journey on the Maharajas Express from Delhi priced from £5,795 per person. This price includes all flights, full-board on the train, two nights before and after the train.

Himalayan Village Walk and Holistic Spa For visitors who want to get away from it all and immerse themselves in the lush mountain scenery of the Himalayas and experience village life in India at the same time, then Nikhil Chhibber, India product manager for W&O Travel recommends the operator’s Himalayan Village Walk and Holistic Spa tour.

The 15-day holiday offers visitors the chance to combine gentle trekking in the Himalayan foothills. Guests will be based at the eco-friendly resort of Kalamtia Sangam in the Uttaranchal province for two nights for a three-day village trek, followed by two nights at the Camp Forktail Creek. From here, guests can discover Corbett National Park on elephant safari where they will have plenty of opportunities to seek out tigers, deers, wild boars and leopards. The journey continues on to the luxurious Ananda in the Himalayas.

Built high on a mountain ridge, the Ananda offers stunning views across Rishikesh city and the river Ganges and is world famous for its outstanding

spa, which boasts an extensive menu of restorative treatments that combine Ayurvedic, Oriental and European techniques, How much? From £2,785 per person, including a private driver, private guided sightseeing, meals and flights.

Darjeeling High Tea On the Go offers a whole range of ‘unique adventures’ for customers looking for something different to the Golden Triangle, including six scenic railway train journeys from Kolkata to Delhi via Darjeeling and a number of itineraries that link in with India’s extensive calendar of festivals New for this year is the seven-day Darjeeling High Tea tour that explores the chai plantations in the Himalayas.

The tour also takes in the Ghoom Buddhist monastery, the Everest Museum and the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.

Alternatively, head south to Kerala on tthe nine-day Munnar and Ooty tour, which explores the Plantations and Hill stations of the magical Nilgiri Hills.

Another option is to take the kids on a classic family holiday that follows in the footsteps of Tintin. The 15-day family adventure tries to recapture the imagery portrayed in Tintin’s travels with visits to: Delhi; Agra, home to the Taj Mahal; Ranthambhore National Park; the pink

city of Jaipur; Jodhpur – perched on the edge of the Thar Desert; and Shimla the romantic hill station and summer capital of the British Raj. How much? Prices lead in at £799 per person, excluding flights.

Tigers and Lions of India Rahul Aggarwal, director of Travel the Unknown, recommends visitors looking for something different take a walk on the wild side with the operator’s Tigers and Lions of India 15-day tour.

One of the objectives of this tour is to track down the rare Asiatic lion, so the experience will take guests to the Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Parks in central India – prime tiger territory – and then on to Satpura, which has a unique ecosystem that provides the perfect habitat for tigers, leopards, sambars and Indian Giant squirrel to mention just a few.

Finally, the tour heads west to Gujarat’s Gir National Park, home to India’s only lions.

The operator’s 21-day Monks, Tribes and Rhinos takes visitors on a journey through northeast India where they will encounter the ancient Apatani tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, chill out in bamboo huts on Majuli Island, the world’s largest river island.

Experience the backwaters of Kerala on a rice boat

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Specialist tours

They will also get the chance to learn how tea is grown in Assam’s tea estates, spot unicorn rhino and other wildlife in Kaziranga National Park and rise above the Himalayan clouds to Tawang, which perched on the mountain edge overlooking Bhutan, is home to the world’s second largest Buddhist monastery.

How much? the 15-day Tigers and Lions of India tour leads in at £2,195 per person excluding flights and £2,745 per person including flights. The 21-day Monks, Tribes and Rhinos tour costs £2,395, excluding flights, and £2,945 per person including flights.

Trip Feast Tours This operator specialises in providing cooking tours for foodies that take guests on a journey through Indian cuisine.

The 15-day Delicacies of North India offers visitors the opportunity to cook in the foothills of the Himalayas and in majestic forts, dine with families in their homes, go shopping for fruit and vegetables in local markets, and enjoy authentic food in Indian restaurants.

In between the cooking and eating, guests get the chance to weave their way through India’s rich cultural tapestry, taking in colonial cities, mountain scenery, and ancient forts and temples, while savouring a whole range of cuisines on the way – from Kashmiri and Rajasthani delicacies to Awadhi and Bengali dishes.

The 14-day Taste of South India takes guests on a journey from east to west. With the assistance of expert chefs, guests will be serving up spicy Chettinad seafood and vegetarian dishes enjoyed in Tamil Nadu, and delicious dosas and idlis, South India’s signature food. The tour also includes a visit to spice and pepper plantations, ancient temples and forts, and cooking lessons on the banks of Kerala’s backwaters and in the lawns of homestays.

How much? Delicacies of North India leads in at £1,995, excluding flights, £2,445 with flights. The Taste of South India experience costs £1,695, excluding flights, and £2,245 with flights.

India Insights Young Photographer As part of a range of new family photography trips, the Adventure Company has introduced the India Insights Young Photographer tour designed for families with children aged seven and above.

Professional photographer Andrew Newey will help kids develop their technique throughout the tour as they explore Delhi, the Taj Mahal and the wilderness of Ranthambore National Park.

During the eight-day trips, families will enjoy a series of camera-based challenges, from taking portrait shots and photographing moving targets to black and white imagery, all of which follow the GCSE/Key Stage 4 Curriculum. The groups then gather together at the end of each day to review their final photographs before discussing the next day’s focus.

How much? Departing on 8 April, prices lead in at £1,359 for adults and £1,269 for children including flights, six nights’ bed-and-breakfast accommodation, transport, some meals, expert tuition from Andrew Newey and an experience local group leader. ■

t Office India State Touris 3LH.

ndon WIS 7 Cork Street , Lo , 020 7734 6613 77 Tel: 020 7437 36 48 Fax: 020 7494 10 ffice.org to ris ou at di in E-mail: info@ in credible dia.org Website: www.in

The Adventure Company has introduced a new India Insights Young Photographer’s tour, tailor-made specifically for keen, young snappers

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All about India

Regional round-up

Regional

round-up

The North

The East

Dominated by the Himalayas, while this region is perhaps the most remote part of India, demand to leave the hustle and bustle of modern life behind and get back to nature is fuelling a growth in the number of operators that are offering tours to the region.

Jammu and Kashmir: home to the old city of Srinagar – Vivanta by Taj has recently opened a hotel here – on the banks of the river Jhelum, Srinagar is full of medieval charm with labyrinthine of roads, bazaars, mosques and shrines.

Himachal Pradesh: the mountain state is popular during the summer season when people head to this tiny hill station to escape the heat of the plains. The main places to visit in the area are: Dalhousie, a hill station, located in the western part of Himachal Pradesh. Kullu Valley on the Beas river bank, in the lower reaches of the Himalayas, is well known for its ancient temples, festivals, apples orchards and its handicraft work.

Shimla is the state capital and once the summer capital of the British Raj, and is a must for any visitors to the region. Dharamsala is the home of the Dalai Lama and India’s largest Tibetan community.

Uttaranchal: this state pulls out all the stops on the scenery front, from glaciers and snow-clad mountains to valleys of flowers, ski slopes and dense forests.

The Punjab: bordering Pakistan, the Punjab the perfect place for culture vultures, keen to learn about ancient civilisations and spirituality – the Golden Temple in Amritsar is a must.

Haryana is home to Kurukshetra, a place of pilgrimage for Hindus, there are a number of temples to visit.

West Bengal: most visitors to the eastern region of India will first head to West Bengal to visit Kolkata, the former capital of the British East India Company where evidence of the British colonisation still exists, such as the Victoria Memorial. Other attractions include the Howrah Bridge, the Dakshineshwar Temple and the temples of Kalighat and Belur. If you fancy getting out of the city, head to the hill stations of Kalimpong and Darjeeling, famous for its flavoured tea.

Bihar: Buddhism and Jainism started in Bihar and it also provided firm foundations for the growth of Sikhism and Hinduism. Bihar was also the centre of the first republic in the world at Vaishali and some of India’s most important dynasties, so there is plenty of sightseeing to be done. Patna, the state’s modern-day capital, home to Nalanda, the Buddhist university that was founded in the fifth century by the Gupta emperors, is well worth a visit.

Jharkhand: if it’s spectacular scenery you want, then Jharkhand is the place to head to. Think evergreen forests, wildlife sanctuaries, lakes, waterfalls and national parks packed full of tigers, panthers, elephants, deer and many other animals.

Orissa: temples, sea beaches, India’s largest Lake, and wildlife in Shimilipal National Forest are just some of this state’s highlights.

Sikkim: located at the base of Mount Kanchendzonga, Sikkim is an adrenaline junkies’ paradise with trekking a plenty and two main rivers for white-water rafting.

Arunachal Pradesh: home to the tea

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plantation state of Assam, it has great appeal for its national parks, wildlife and bird sanctuaries and its archaeological sites.

The South Kerala: known as God’s own country for the paradise-like feel of its miles of golden, sandy beaches, Kerala is also famed for its network of 45 rivers in the Aleppey region of the state, where visitors can spend a night or two cruising around the backwaters of the rivers on rice boats. Kovalam beach is known for five-star hotels that specialist in holistic health and wellbeing treatments.

For visitors who want to escape the heat of the beach, they can 17

Regional round-up head up to the hill stations in Munnar, or for a bit of retail therapy, check out the markets and shops of Kochi.

Tamil Nadu: called the Land of Enduring Heritage, Tamil Nadu has a number of fabulous temples dating back to the seventh century.

Karnataka: home to the IT capital of Bangalore and the historical city of Mysore which has a number of temples and palaces.

Andhra Pradesh: popular with tourists for its beaches, natural caves, temples, museums, hill stations and Buddhist pilgrim sites. Its capital Hyderabad is rich with culture and tradition.

are found here too including the Prince of Wales Museum and the National Gallery of Modern Art. Perhaps, the best part of seeing Mumbai is the experience. It is great for shopping from the many bazaars selling everything from jewellery to shoes to the more upmarket shopping arcades attached to the five-star hotels. The nightlife is spectacular and if you have time, take in a Bollywood film in a local cinema. Other places to visit in the state of Maharashtra include the Elephanta Caves, six miles off the coast of Mumbai, that date back to 450 to 750 AD, and the hill stations on the Western Ghats mountain range. ■

Get the lowdown

The Centre Madhya Pradesh: known as the tiger state, a third of its area is covered by forests and as a result it has 11 national parks and 31 wildlife sanctuaries. The state is believed to have the highest density of tigers in the world and is one of the few places where you are guaranteed to see a tiger in its own habitat. The bamboo forests, grassy meadows and ravines of Kanha National Park provided the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book.

The West Goa: popular with Brits for a number of decades for a bit of sun, sea and sand, Goa has a number of breathtaking beaches to brag about. These include the more well-known ones of Calangute, Colva and Anjuna, with the quieter options being Betul, Palolem and Bambolim. Being a Portuguese colony for hundreds of years makes Goa an architecturally impressive place to visit and for that reason the capital Panaji is well worth a trip.

Gujarat: one of India’s most industrialised and prosperous states, it also has an abundance of tourist attractions in Gujarat including the state’s capital Ahmedabad, which has some spectacular 15th-century monuments that are a good mixture of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles.

Maharashtra: the first experience of Maharashtra most people have is when they land in Mumbai. The capital alone has its fair share of tourist attractions and experiences to enjoy.

Some of the most famous museums and art galleries in India local lady sat surrounded by chillies

Time: GMT + 5.5 hours Capital: Delhi.

Geography: India shares borders to the northwest with Pakistan, to the north with China, Nepal and Bhutan, and to the east with Bangladesh and Burma. To the west is the Arabian Sea, to the east, the Bay of Bengal and to the south the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka lies off the southeast coast, and the Maldives off the southwest coast. The far northeastern states and territories are all but separated from the rest of India by Bangladesh as it extends northwards from the Bay of Bengal towards Bhutan. The Himalayan mountain range to the north and the Indus River (west) and Ganges River (east) form a barrier between India and the rest of Asia. It is the seventh largest country in the world and the second most populous.

Language: the main language is Hindi which is spoken by about 40% of the population but English is widely spoken.

Social conventions: visitors are asked to remove footwear when entering places of religious worship. Most Indians also remove their footwear when entering their homes; visitors should follow suit. In Sikh temples, your head should be covered. In mosques, women should cover their head and arms and wear long skirts. Photography is prohibited inside many places of worship. Many Hindus are vegetarian and many, especially women, do not drink alcohol.

Visa: you must obtain a visa before travelling to India. If you arrive without a visa, you will be refused entry. Contact the Indian High Commission in London.

Passport: must be valid for a minimum of six months.

Getting there: there are direct flights from the UK with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines. Indirect services are available with Emirates, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, SAS, Austrian Air and Swiss.

Tourist information India State Tourist Office 7 Cork Street , London WIS 3LH. Tel: 020 7437 3677; 020 7734 6613 Fax: 020 7494 1048 E-mail: info@indiatouristoffice.org Website: www.incredibleindia.org 18

All about India