General Info

Your Holiday Explained

When you book a holiday with us, it is our prerogative to make sure that your holiday arrangements go exactly like you planned and wanted it.

What are generally included in your holiday costs (if not mentioned otherwise) are:  

Accommodation: Unless otherwise specified standard grade rooms are booked. For booking superior rooms or suites please ask us for a quote.

  • All internal travel including flights in economy, trains in the class specified, boat cruises - normally using exclusive boats for your private use, and road travel by a private chauffeur-driven car. For road journeys spread over many days a daily allowance for the driver to cover for his accommodation and meals is included in your price. Again for such long journeys the vehicle and driver are normally available for local use, within reasonable limits, at each place of halt at no extra cost. When adding extra days to a tour using a car circuit, the cost of retaining the car is also included in your supplementary accommodation costs.
  • All scheduled sightseeing including English-speaking guides and entrance fee to monuments and other sites listed in the tour details.
  • All scheduled game viewing in game reserves. This is usually in shared jeeps, seating up to five, or a larger open vehicle, seating up to eighteen, accompanied by a naturalist. For booking exclusive jeeps a higher charge may apply. These are subject to availability as only a limited number of vehicles is allowed inside a game park in a day.
  • All trekking expenses including guide & cook, porters, camping equipment, environment fee and insurance for porters. Sleeping bags are provided but you are welcome to bring your own. When travelling independently the entire retinue is organised just for you.
  • Meals as indicated in the “Meal Plan” with each tour. Most tours have a bed & breakfast arrangement, except in game parks and remote places where full board is provided. Given the wide variety and choice of restaurants in most hotels it is preferable not to be tied down to a fixed meal. It is also more cost effective to have a la carte dining in most hotels
  • Assisted transfers for all arrivals and departures by air or rail, using a private coach or chauffeur-driven car. In some resorts the hotel may provide a courtesy transfer. For courtesy transfers and arrivals/departures by road assistance may not be available in some places Charges for local guides,Sight seeing expenses, Entrance fees for monuments.

Not Included:

  • Video and Camera Charges: There is normally a small fee for taking cameras into monuments and game reserves in India. While the amount is nominal for still cameras it is somewhat higher for video cameras.
  • Visa Fees: Non Indian citizens require entry visas for India. Please contact the Indian High Commission in your country for further details.
  • Personal expenses: These may include meals not included, drinks, laundry, telephone, shopping, etc. Most hotels have a same day laundry service, room service for meals and beverages - this is in addition to the restaurants, and facility for international dialling.
  • Tips: We advise you on appropriate amounts for tipping prior to departure.
  • Meals not specified: We are happy to advice on estimated additional cost for meals.

When we discuss your holiday, we are happy to suggest the type of hotels and transport that suit your budget and preferences and add to your overall holiday experience. At most of the hotels, the tariff is inclusive of Bed and Breakfast. In remote areas though where the choice of eating out is limited or non-existent, the tariff will include all meals.

Transport :

Choosing the right mode of transport is one of the most crucial elements of your holiday. Most travel will be surface travel be it either by road or train with some flights. We do not generally encourage flying as you tend to miss out on the countryside and experiences of the sights and sound that you would otherwise experience if you were to travel by road or by trains. If distances are not vast then it best to travel by surface but if you are restricted by time then you could consider flying.

The vehicles that we use for clients have all been inspected thoroughly for quality and we ensure they are up to international standards. All our drivers are well trained and have been with us for years and know the requirements of our clients well. You can rest assured over long drives that your driver would know just the right place to stop and would drive at speed that you are comfortable with.

Train travel in India is fun and inexpensive. This is one of the most fascinating ways of seeing the "real" India. The railway platforms are like mini bazaars, and curious fellow travellers invariably strike up a conversation with visitors from abroad, often, though not always, in remarkably good English. While this is an exciting way of experiencing the local culture some people may find the upkeep below expectations, especially when compared to trains in the West. All things considered we feel at least one journey is worth the experience.

If visiting remoter parts of the country, including some wildlife parks, trains may be the only or the most efficient means of travel. You do have carriages with air-conditioning and western style toilets. You tend to see some spectacular scenery on some of the train journeys that can be incorporated in your itinerary. Do let us know if you like to experience a train journey.