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Year, Departure Type
Select small group departures (averaging 24 Tauck guests), or classic departures, and the year you would like to travel.
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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
SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES
Activity
3
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.
Experiences of a lifetime
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Your Journey
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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.
How to Book a Tour
See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.
At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:
* Required Fields
Deposit & Booking Information
Deposit Information
The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking. Your deposit is $1,000.
Final Payment
Final Payment is due to Tauck 60 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.
Travel Protection Plan
Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:
Tauck's Guest Protection
Tauck's Guest Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. Guest Protection includes the following:
Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:
Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.
*Extreme Circumstances: In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.
Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.
The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $799 per person
This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.
This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 1, 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.
The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.
To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPINTL.
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 result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.
Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:
Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person
Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:
60 days or more before departure = $1000 per person
59-8 days before departure = $1500 per person
7-1 days before departure = $2000 per person
Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.
In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.
Note: All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.
Travel Terms and Conditions
Click here to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.
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:
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
Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin
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
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.