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Royal India Tour - Experience the extraordinary attractions of north and west India, from the contrasts of Old and New Delhi. Visit the wondrous Taj Mahal, sacred lakeside temples and a desert tribal village. Ride on an elephant, a camel and a romantic lake boat. Stay overnight in a palatial 17th century Palace. |
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Tour Itinerary: |
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Extra pre nights in Delhi can be booked for an additional USD 125/person on a twin sharing basis. |
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THURSDAY |
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Day 01 |
DELHI |
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Anytime: |
Welcome to Delhi, India! a monumental city with a vibrant mix of old and new teeming bazaars, stately British boulevards, powerful Mughal palaces and forts, and intricate, ethereal towers, temples and tombs. On arrival at Delhi International Airport you will be met and assisted by our company executive and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Delhi |
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Accommodation: |
Overnight in Delhi |
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FRIDAY |
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Day 02 |
DELHI - AGRA (205 KMS / 5 HRS) |
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Breakfast: |
At hotel |
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Morning: |
Tour Old and New Delhi visiting Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi's serene and evocative cremation site, India Gate (the War Memorial) and the Presidents House (from the outside), the Baha'i Lotus Temple (closed on Mondays) - this distinctive lotus shaped marvel in marble is a symbol of peace, the Qutub Minar a stunning 240-foot minaret, the tallest in the world surrounded by an elaborate complex built in the Indo-Islamic architectural tradition. |
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Afternoon: |
Drive to Agra. On arrival check in to the hotel |
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Evening: |
At leisure |
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Accommodation: |
Overnight in Agra |
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Meals Included: |
Breakfast |
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SATURDAY |
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DAY 03 |
AGRA |
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Early Morning: |
Enjoy the sunrise at the Taj Mahal. Often considered the pinnacle of Mughal art in India, the Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. When declaring it a world heritage site, UNESCO described it as "the jewel of Muslim art in India". There are few words that can describe the magnificence of this monument. Marvel as light and colors transform this stunning monument in the beautiful dawn glow. Return back to the hotel |
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Breakfast: |
At hotel |
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Afternoon: |
Visit Agra Fort; another UNESO heritage site built and added to between the 16th and 17th centuries by successive rulers of the Mughal Dynasty. The fort was built primarily as a military structure, but Shah Jahan upgraded it to a palace and later it became his gilded prison for 8 years after his son Aurangzeb seized power. The elegant building inside reflects an interesting synthesis of Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles. |
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Evening: |
Marble craftsmanship demonstration |
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Accommodation: |
Overnight in Agra |
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Meals Included: |
Breakfast |
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SUNDAY |
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DAY 04 |
AGRA - JAIPUR (236 KMS / 5 HRS) |
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Breakfast: |
At hotel |
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Morning: |
Drive to Jaipur en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri an eerily abandoned capital from the Mughal Empire between 1570 and 1586. Akbar built this city to celebrate the birth of his son and future heir to the throne, Emperor Jahangir. While Akbar is believed to have been illiterate, he took great interest in the arts and architecture; Fatehpur Sikri is one of his masterworks. Sadly, it served as capital for little more than a decade, eventually abandoned for lack of accessible water. |
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Evening: |
At leisure |
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Afternoon: |
On arrival check in to the hotel. Jaipur, Rajasthan's capital is also known as the Pink City. The origin of this nickname becomes immediately apparent as you enter the old city walls and greet the pink-colored buildings that rise at every turn. |
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Dinner: |
Authentic Rajasthani cuisine at Chowki Dhani |
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Accommodation: |
Overnight in Jaipur |
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Meals Included: |
Breakfast & Dinner |
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MONDAY |
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DAY 05 |
JAIPUR |
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Breakfast: |
At hotel |
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Morning: |
Start with an exhilarating excursion to Amber Fort perched on top of a hill. A royal ride on elephant (subject to availability) up the hill like the Maharajas of past times and visit the Jagmandir (the hall of victory). Perched on a hillside on the outskirts of town, the palace was constructed in the 1590s by Maharaja Man Singh, the commander of Akbar's army, and was largely motivated by the highly defensible location. This is a beautiful and very well preserved structure, built on four levels and surrounded by ruins, which served as the backdrop for the Mira Nair movie "Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love." |
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Afternoon: |
View the grand Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). This magnificent structure was built to allow the royal ladies of the palace to discretely watch the grand processions along the main street, City Palace and impressive Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in the early 1700s by Maharaja Jai Sing II, the great warrior-astronomer to which this city owes its name. Also enjoy a rickshaw ride through the old part of the Pink city. |
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Evening: |
Demonstration of gem-cutting & polishing |
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Accommodation: |
Overnight in Jaipur |
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Meals Included: |
Breakfast |
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TUESDAY |
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DAY 06 |
JAIPUR - PUSHKAR (140 KMS /3.5 HRS) |
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Breakfast: |
At hotel |
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Morning: |
Drive to Pushkar |
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Afternoon: |
Arrive in Pushkar; check in to the hotel. Enjoy a walking tour of the Holy City of the God, Brahma; visit the Holy Lake and the famous Brahma Temple. Special Pooja ceremony at a Ghat with a Hindu priest |
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Accommodation: |
Overnight in Pushkar |
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Meals Included: |
Breakfast |
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WEDNESDAY |
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DAY 07 |
PUSHKAR - UDAIPUR (260 KMS / 5 HRS) |
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Breakfast: |
At hotel |
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Morning: |
Morning after breakfast drive to Udaipur. |
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Afternoon: |
On arrival in Udaipur check in to the hotel. Udaipur is the majestic city of lakes and palaces. Founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559 and fondly referred to as Rajasthan's most romantic city, its rich history is matched by its picturesque setting among the Aravalli Mountains and three manmade lakes. |
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Evening: |
Take a sunset cruise on Lake Pichola (public boat), sailing past picturesque Ghats and palaces, stopping at the island of Jag Mandir, a 17th century water palace that witnessed two important historical events. It was the refuge for Prince Khurram, later known as Shah Jahan, when he was exiled by his father and later during the uprising of 1857, the island offered safety to several British families who fled from nearby Née much. |
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Accommodation: |
Overnight in Udaipur |
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Meals Included: |
Breakfast |
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THURSDAY |
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DAY 08 |
UDAIPUR |
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Breakfast: |
At hotel |
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Morning: |
Begin our day at the City Palace, overlooking the blue waters of Lake Pichola. Maharana Udai Singh initiated construction in 1559 A.D. and it was subsequently expanded, with impressive uniformity, by several succeeding Maharanas. The palace consists of a number of beautiful courtyards and gardens. The main hall has been converted into a museum, housing opulent artifacts and original works of art. Inside the complex we will find the exquisite crystal gallery, exhibiting 19th century pieces including crystal chandeliers, tables, sofas and beds. We will continue walking towards the Jagdish Temple to study its many remarkable friezes. Lavishly built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh, it is easy to understand why Jagdish is the most venerated Hindu temple in Udaipur. Afterwards we will explore the Old City, wandering through its bustling streets lined with art shops, spice vendors, tailors and more. |
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Evening: |
Special dinner at Rajbagh |
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Accommodation: |
Overnight in Udaipur |
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Meals Included: |
Breakfast & Dinner |
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FRIDAY |
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DAY 09 |
UDAIPUR - JODHPUR (285 KMS / 5 HRS) |
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Breakfast: |
At hotel |
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Morning: |
Drive to Jodhpur, en-route visit Ranakpur Temple built in the 15th century and located in a valley on the western side of the Aravali Range. Ranakpur is considered one of the five holiest sites of the Jain community and is exceptionally beautiful. Over 1444 marble pillars, each differently carved in exquisite detail; support the temple although legend has it that it is really impossible to count the pillars. Not to be missed in the temple is one carving out of a single stone with 108 heads of snakes and numerous tails.
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Afternoon: |
Upon arrival check in to the hotel |
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Evening: |
At leisure |
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Accommodation: |
Overnight in Jodhpur |
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Meals Included: |
Breakfast. |
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SATURDAY |
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DAY 10 |
JODHPUR- JAISALMER (290 KMS/ 5.5 HRS) |
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Breakfast: |
At hotel |
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Morning: |
Visit Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada. Later drive to Jaisalmer founded by Prince Jaisal in 1156. Jaisalmer was a major staging post on the trade route across the forbidding Thar Desert. The first glimpse of the honey colored walls of the fort, rising out of the hot and barren desert is magical. Untouched by time, Jaisalmer, with its golden crenulated walls, narrow streets lined with exquisite havelis, has a medieval ambience.
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Afternoon: |
Arrive in Jaisalmer; check in to the hotel |
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Evening: |
At leisure |
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Accommodation: |
Overnight in Jaisalmer |
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Meals Included: |
Breakfast |
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SUNDAY |
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DAY 11 |
JAISALMER |
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Breakfast: |
At hotel |
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Morning: |
Tour Jaisalmer; the fort, often referred to as the Golden Fort because of the color of the stone, encloses palaces decorated with delicate jali or lattice worked screens, carved doors and floral carvings and elaborately carved 12th to 16th century Jain temples. The havelis in both the fort and the town are exceptional, similar in style to the homes of Venetian merchants; the havelis were the mansions of wealthy traders. The houses are decorated with beautifully carved facades, screens and windows. Each haveli has an inner courtyard surrounded by richly decorated apartments. Walk through the narrow streets of the fort to see the Nathmalji-ki-Haveli with its beautiful arched roof with carved brackets in the form of peacocks; Patwon-ki-Haveli the most elaborate and magnificent haveli and best known for its latticed façade and Salim Singh ki Haveli. Outside the walls of the fortified town is the small oasis of Gadi Sagar, which led Prince Jaisal to found his city.
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Evening: |
Enjoy a unique camel ride excursion to see the sunset at Sam Dunes known for its enormous sand dunes that make a surrealistic landscape patterned by the wind. |
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Accommodation: |
Overnight in Jaisalmer |
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Meals Included: |
Breakfast |
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MONDAY |
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DAY 12 |
JAISALMER - BIKANER (325 KMS/ 6 HRS) |
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Breakfast: |
At hotel |
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Morning: |
After breakfast drive to Bikaner |
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Afternoon: |
Arrive in Bikaner; check in to the hotel. Afterwards visit a camel breeding farm |
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Accommodation: |
Overnight in Bikaner |
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Meals Included: |
Breakfast |
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TUESDAY |
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DAY 13 |
BIKANER - MANDAWA (200 KMS/ 4 HRS) |
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Breakfast: |
At hotel |
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Morning: |
Visit Junagarh Fort, begun by Raja Rai Singh in the 16th century, but was added on over the next three centuries. The outer wall, built of light red sandstone is surrounded by a moat, and within are beautifully designed palaces with balconies, kiosks, fine jali or lattice work screens with richly decorated interiors. The Badal Mahal in the fort has walls covered with stories from Krishna's life, whilst the walls of the oldest palace, the Lal Niwas, are elaborately decorated in red and gold. Drive to Mandawa |
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Afternoon: |
Arrive at Mandawa; check in to the hotel. Enjoy a walking tour of Mandawa dominated by a painted arched gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows. Visit Chokhani and Ladia Havelis and the street with Saraf Havelis |
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Accommodation: |
Overnight in Mandawa |
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Meals Included: |
Breakfast |
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WEDNESDAY |
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DAY 14 |
MANDAWA - DELHI - DEPARTURE (265 KMS / 6 HRS) |
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Breakfast: |
At hotel |
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Morning: |
Depart back to Delhi |
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Late Afternoon: |
Free time for last minute shopping in Delhi. |
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Evening: |
Transfer to the Indira Ghandi International Airport to check in for onward flights |
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Meals Included: |
Breakfast |
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*****EXTENSION IDEAS: (Ask for more details) |
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Goa |
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Extend your tour by 5 days to include a visit to Goa for an additional USD 625/person based on twin sharing.
(Delhi - Goa flight is not included) |
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Corbett Tiger Reserve |
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Extend your tour by 3 days to include a tour of Corbett Tiger Reserve for an additional USD625/person based on twin sharing. |
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(END OF OUR SERVICES) |
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| TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES: |
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13 Nights accommodation at listed hotels or similar |
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Return airport transfers |
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Daily Breakfast |
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Special Dinner in Jaipur |
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Demonstration of Marble craftsmanship in Agra |
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Demonstration of Carpet weaving and block printing in Jaipur |
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Rickshaw Ride in Jaipur |
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Elephant ride at Amber Fort, Jaipur (Subject to the availability of elephants) |
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Pooja ceremony on Ghat with Hindu Priest in Pushkar |
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Camel joy-ride to sand dunes for sunset viewing (Jaisalmer) |
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Boat ride (shared boat) on Lake Pichola, Udaipur (Subject to water levels) |
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Special Dinner at Rajbagh in Udaipur |
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Sightseeing & Entrance fees as per the itinerary |
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Service of an English speaking Tour Manager |
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All transportation by AC Chauffer driven vehicle |
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All presently applicable land taxes |
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| TOUR PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDES: |
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Meals not mentioned as being included |
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Items of a personal nature |
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Tips & gratuities |
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Visa fees |
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Optional tours |
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Camera/Video fees |
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Travel Insurance |
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International airfare |
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Beverages with meals |
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Items not mentioned as being included |
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