Incredible India

Thompsons Holidays India

2008/9

Dream the destination... Live the journey.

Why you should insist on a Thompsons Holiday The Leading Travel Companies of The World

Traditional woman carrying water

Thompsons Holidays is a proud member of “The Leading Travel Companies of The World”, a collection of quality International travel and tourism companies offering an extensive selection of holiday options across the globe. All members of this group offer superior quality, value for money and the highest levels of service.

Getting to know Thompsons Holidays This Thompsons brochure has been designed especially for you, our valued client. We have gone the extra mile to ensure that all your travel needs are covered and are confident that after reading it, you’ll insist on a Thompsons holiday. The Thompsons website is a one-stop shop for a variety of exciting holidays. Simply visit www.thompsons.co.za and discover a wealth of travel opportunities.

Your Link to Thompsons Thompsons Holidays has dealings with more than 1 500 travel agencies across South Africa so you’ll have no difficulty booking the holiday you deserve. Just pop into a travel agency near you and request a Thompsons holiday.

Price Guarantee Once full payment is received from you, the price paid is guaranteed, irrespective of any subsequent changes in airfare or fluctuations in the exchange rate.

India

Awards Speak Volumes With 30 years experience in the travel industry, we have built a reputation for providing excellent service, specialist knowledge and value for money tailor-made packages. Our efforts have not gone unnoticed and for five consecutive years, Thompsons has been voted Best International Tour Operator and Best African Tour Operator in the Diners Club ASATA Travel Awards.

Thompsons Value for Money As one of the largest Tour Operators, Thompsons Holidays enjoys excellent rates and booking conditions with our partner airlines, hotels, transfers, excursion and attraction suppliers. This translates into the best possible value for you, our valued customer.

Travel Pack Prior to departure, your travel documents will be presented to you in a durable Thompsons travel wallet. Each pack contains valuable information, as well as re-usable luggage labels and other surprises, depending on your destination. In the event of an emergency, a Thompsons staff member is contactable by phone, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Thompsons Top-Up’s Stretch your Rands and Top-Up your Thompsons package with additional excursions to enhance your holiday experience. Pre-book sightseeing tours, excursions and more.

Thompsons travel tips 2

• Make the most of your

holiday and book a Thompsons Top-Up look out for this symbol

Dream the destination... Live the journey.

• Only drink bottled water.The bottles should have a plastic seal that you have to break when you unscrew the top.

India

i CAPITAL CITY: New Delhi LANGUAGE: Official language is Hindi. English is also widely spoken. CURRENCY: Rupee and the Paisa (100 Paise is equal to one Rupee) VISA: S.A passport holders require a visa for a stay up to 30 days. AREA: 3,287,590 km2 TIME DIFFERENCE: SA time +3.5 hours HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: Malaria precautions are necessary in certain areas. Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are recommended.

Dream the destination... Live the journey. Contents:

Best time to travel

2-3 India with Thompsons 4 Delhi & Mumbai, Hotels and Sightseeing 5 Jaipur, Agra & Goa, Hotels and Sightseeing 6 Best Suggested Packages

what things cost These prices are an indication only and may vary according to hotels and seasons. (Prices are based in US Dollars and include tax) Glass of wine Beer: 650ml bottle Bottle of water: 1 litre Cup of Coffee/Tea Cold Drink: 300ml Toasted Sandwich Pub Lunch / Buffet Meal

US$ US$ US$ US$ US$ US$ US$

5 4 0.40 3 0.35 2 12-14

India

India has hot, tropical weather which varies from region to region. While the coolest months are from November to mid-March the hottest are from April to June. From mid-July to September one can experience Monsoon rains. Winters in India are pleasant with plenty of sunny days and tend to be much less humid than the Summer months. Most of North India remains dry, dusty and unpleasant during the Summer. India can be explored in all seasons, but you may have to be selective about the areas visited.

7 Exploring India India is a land of diversity, from the Himalayas in the North to glorious beaches in the South and the hustle and bustle of the big cities in between. The spirit of India has fascinated the world with its mystique, a sub-continent with a 5000 year old history. A civilization united by its diversity, India has always been known as a land where history echoes itself with all its wonders in every piece of

stone and every particle of sand. In a country as complex as India, it is not surprising to find that the people here reflect the rich glories of the past and the culture, traditions and the distinctive manners that will always remain truly Indian. The people of India are friendly, warm and welcoming and are sure to make any trip to India truly unforgettable.

Hotel Grading: Please note that the hotels featured in this brochure have been graded using the Thompsons Holidays’ recommended grading system. These are provided for guidance in comparing and selecting your hotel accommodation. Pricing: Package prices in this brochure are per person sharing, are an estimate and subject to change without prior notice. Our ‘What Things Cost’ prices are an estimate and to be used as a guideline only. Prices correct at time of going to print. Terms & conditions apply.

• Carry insect repellant with you as India has an

• As India can be extremely hot and humid

• In Mosques you will need to make sure

abundance of mosquitos. Many of them do not carry serious diseases but can be a nuisance

pack light, breathable clothes, comfortable shoes and plenty of sunscreen.

that your head is covered, a worthwhile purchase would be a scarf that you can keep in your bag at all times.

www.thompsons.co.za

3

Delhi & Mumbai

Selection of persian carpets

India - Delhi & Mumbai

SIGHTSEEING Full Day City Tour of Old and New Delhi Start the tour by enjoying the highlights of Old Delhi. The tour will take you to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, and the Red Fort. You will also visit Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. You will then have lunch at a local restaurant before continuing the tour with a visit of New Delhi. Here you will visit the 12th century Qutub Minar and the mausoleum of emperor Humayun. Take a drive past India Gate (a war memorial), the President’s residence and the Secretariat buildings. You will also visit Laxmi Narayan Temple.

from $54 pp

Half day city tour of Mumbai Once you are in Mumbai, the list of things to see and do is endless. The Gateway of India is the top attraction of Mumbai City. Built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911, a must visit during your Mumbai stay. Other sights include the Mani Bhawan or the Ghandi memorial, Marine Drive and Juhu that gives you the feeling of being in the commercial capital of India. The gardens like the Hanging Garden and the Kamla Nehru will provide you with some much needed rest between your sightseeing.

from $44 pp

HHHH

The Claridges Hotel - Delhi

Location: In the heart of the city, The Claridges has been a landmark in Delhi since the 1950’s. Accommodation: Set on 3 acres of land, the hotel is a low-rise building with only three floors. Facilities: In room safe, minibar, tea/coffee maker, wireless internet, plasma TV and complimentary daily newspaper. from US$124 pp HH★H

Park Hotel - Delhi

Location: City Centre Accommodation: The interiors combine East and West. Facilities: 9- hole putting green, beauty parlour/hair salon, car hire service, currency exchange, express laundry/dry cleaning, fitness centre, shopping arcade, swimming pool, tennis Courts and wireless internet access. from US$179 pp ★HHHH

Taj Palace Hotel - Delhi

Location: City Centre Accommodation: The perfect embodiment of all qualities synonymous with the quality of Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces Facilities: 9- hole putting green, beauty salon, currency exchange, express laundry, fitness centre, shopping arcade, swimming pool, tennis Courts and wireless internet access. from US$124-156 pp ★HH

Fariyas Hotel - Mumbai

Location: City Centre - just 2 minutes away from the Gateway of lndia and other historical sites like the Prince of Wales Museum and the David Sassoon Library. Accommodation: Good quality with first class facilties. Facilities: Wi-fi internet access in all rooms, minibar and access to both the swimming pool and gym. from US$113 pp HHHH

Marina Plaza - Mumbai

Location: City Centre - overlooking the Arabian Sea. Accommodation: Well appointment bedrooms and suites. Facilities: Internet access, money exchange, laundry and valet service, swimming pool, jacuzzi, fitness centre and a Leather Boutique, Glass bottom pool and Jacuzzi on top of the 5-storey atrium. from US$164 pp HHHHH

Taj Mahal Palace and Tower - Mumbai

Location: City Centre - with panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India, the hotel is a gracious landmark of Mumbai. Accommodation: Well appointment bedrooms and suites. Facilities: Satellite TV, minibar, safe, tea/coffee making facilities, beauty salon, concierge service, currency exchange and express laundry service. from US$183-196 pp

4

Dream the destination... Live the journey.

Jaipur, Agra & Goa

Goa beach

SIGHTSEEING Half day city tour of Jaipur

from $31 pp

Full day city tour of Agra and visit to Fatehpur Sikri This tour begins with a visit to the The Taj Mahal. It was built by the Emperor, Shah Jahan in 1631 in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It counts among man’s proudest creations and is included in the list of the world’s foremost wonders. Continue on to Fatehpur Sikri the deserted capital of Emperor Akbar, located just outside Agra. Be amazed at the complex of monuments and temples, all in a beautiful blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles.

from $90 pp

Holiday Inn - Jaipur

Location: City centre - perfect to explore the sights of the city. Accommodation: Spacious and elegant with modern facilities. Facilities: Satellite TV, minibar, air conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities, currency exchange, laundry facilities, parking facilities, gymnasium and swimming pool.



from US$50 pp ★HHH

Trident Hotel - Jaipur

Location: Situated en route to Jaipur’s renowned Amer Fort. Accommodation: 137 rooms that overlook the Mansagar Lake or the Aravalli range. Facilities: Mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities, direct dial telephone, satellite TV and Wi-Fi.



from US$65 pp ★HH

Holiday Inn - Agra

India - Jaipur, Agra & Goa

This tour begins with a visit to the Maharaja’s City Palace, the former Royal residence. A small portion of the building is still used by the Royal Family of Jaipur while another part has been converted into a museum. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as the ‘Armory Museum’, which houses an impressive selection of weaponry-pistols, swords, rifles and daggers. Later, visit the Jantar Mantar, the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world.

HHH

Location: In the heart of the city. Accommodation: 145 well appointed rooms, Facilities: Well-equipped business centre, banquet and conference facilities. For leisure, you can workout at the fitness centre or unwind by making use of the swimming pools, whirlpool or sauna.



from US$32 pp ★HHHH

Trident Hotel - Agra

Location: Set amidst beautiful gardens and is only a few minutes away from the famous Taj Mahal. Accommodation: 138 elegantly furnished rooms that include rooms for the physically disabled and a non-smoking section. Facilities: Air-conditioning, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities, direct dial telephone, satellite TV and safe. from US$56 pp HHHH

Cidade de Goa - Goa

Location: On Vainguinim Beach between green hills and the sea. Accommodation: The resort built on 40 acres of lush greenery, was created to resemble a self-contained Portuguese hill hamlet. Facilities: Satellite TV, minibar, tea/coffee making facilities, currency exchange, gym, jacuzzi, swimming pool and tennis court.



from US$63-74 pp HHHHH

Taj Holiday Village - Goa

Location: On the beach. Accommodation: Built in 1981, the Taj Holiday Village has charming terracotta cottages, pretty pathways and fragrant gardens unfold an easy pace and style. Facilities: LCD TV, DVD player, beauty salon, currency exchange and express laundry/dry cleaning. from US$119 pp

www.thompsons.co.za

5

Best Suggested Packages Shopping in Bollywood

Unforgettable India

INCLUDES: • Return flights to Mumbai on Etihad Airways • Return transfers • 3 Nights accommodation in a 3 star hotel • Breakfast daily

India - Best Suggested Packages

OPTIONAL EXTRA’S: • Elephanta Caves Tour • Bombay Half Day City Tour

INCLUDES: • Return flights into Delhi on South African Airways • Return transfers • 3 Nights accommodation in a 4 star hotel in Delhi • Return first class rail ticket from Delhi to Agra • 1 Night accommodation in a 4 star hotel in Agra • Breakfast daily

from R430 pp from R375 pp

OPTIONAL EXTRA’S: • Sunrise/Sunset Taj Mahal Tour from R395 pp

PRICES:

PRICES:

Ex Johannesburg

From R6 520

(approx. taxes R2 347)

Ex Johannesburg

From R8 832

(approx. taxes R4 143)

Ex Durban

From R7 432

(approx. taxes R3 266)

Ex Durban

From R9 283

(approx. taxes R4 852)

Ex Cape Town

From R7 888

(approx. taxes R3 266)

Ex Cape Town

From R9 509

(approx. taxes R4 852)

Experience “Gods Own Country”

INCLUDES: • Return flights to Cochin via Mumbai on South African Airways • Return transfers • 2 Nights accommodation in a 3 star hotel in Mumbai • 5 Nights accommodation in a 3 star hotel in Cochin • Breakfast daily OPTIONAL EXTRA’S: • Kathakali Dance Show in Cochin

from R170 pp

Visit the Pearl of the Orient

INCLUDES: • Return flights to Goa on South African Airways • Return transfers • 7 Nights accommodation in a 4 star hotel • Breakfast daily OPTIONAL EXTRA’S: • Goa Half Day City Tour

PRICES:

6

from R380 pp

PRICES:

Ex Johannesburg

From R 9 604 (approx. taxes R4 076)

Ex Johannesburg

From R 9 663 (approx. taxes R4 143)

Ex Durban

From R10 055 (approx. taxes R4 785)

Ex Durban

From R10 114 (approx. taxes R4 852)

Ex Cape Town

From R10 281 (approx. taxes R4 785)

Ex Cape Town

From R10 340 (approx. taxes R4 852)

Dream the destination... Live the journey.



Exploring India Royal India - 6 Nights/7 Days Day 1: Arrive Delhi and overnight. Day 2: In Delhi - Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi visiting The mighty Red Fort, Friday Mosque - Jama Masjid, The silver street of Chandni Chowk, Raj Ghat -- the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, The Hindu temple - Birla Mandir, The India Gate - a 42 m high war memorial, The Rashtrapati Bhawan – the President’s House, The tomb of Emperor Humayun, Qutab Minar - a 73m high victory tower and The Bahai Temple, shaped like a lotus flower and a proof of India’s secularism. Day 3: Drive Delhi-Agra (220 kms/04 hrs). Take a drive to Agra and upon arrival, check into the hotel. Day 4: Agra - Set off on a half day sightseeing tour of Agra visiting the world famous Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world - a monument of love created by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal and perhaps the most perfect architectural monument of the world; the Agra Fort - the red sand stone fort, a testament to the rise and fall of the Mughal empire built by Emperor Akbar in red sand stone over 400 years ago.

Overnight in Jaipur. Day 7: Drive Jaipur-Delhi (265 kms/05 hrs) Breakfast. Drive back to Delhi Airport for your flight home.

From US$746 pp - Land Only

Ex Johannesburg from R10 778 pp (approx taxes R4 143) Ex Durban from R11 229 pp (approx taxes R4 852) Ex Cape Town from R11 455 pp (approx taxes R4 852)

Best of Kerala - 6 Nights/7 Days Day 1: Arrive Cochin

India - Exploring India

Day 5: Drive Agra-Jaipur (250 kms/05 hrs) Drive to Jaipur en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri - the deserted capital of Emperor Akbar approximately 35 kms outside Agra. Built in the 16th century, this city was abandoned 12 years later due to a scarcity of water. The entire city of Red sand stone (sand stone palaces and temples) is virtually intact and a site worth seeing is the 54 m high main entrance - The Buland Darwaza, The gate of victory constructed to commemorate Akbar’s victory in Gujarat.Continue drive to Jaipur.

Day 6: Jaipur - Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Jaipur. The tour of ‘Pink City’ takes you to the Hawa Mahal -- The Palace of Winds, the facade of which is all pink windows and filigree screens, The Jantar Mantar - the largest and best preserved 18th century stone observatory, The City Palace - still the home of the former royalty H.H Bhawani Singh Ji of Jaipur housing an extensive collection of art, carpets and old weapons. You will also visit the Amber Fort, situated 11 kms away from Jaipur, Amber was once the ancient capital of Jaipur state. The Fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake, which reflects its terraces and ramparts. The climb to the fort is on gaily-bedecked Elephants.

Day 2: Cochin - Enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Cochin. This harbour city presents a contrast of sorts with its British, Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese & Jewish influence. Your tour takes you to the Cochin harbor terminus where the Chinese fishing nets present a wonderful sight. Mattancherry Dutch palace - built by the Portuguese & presented to The Raja of Cochin in 1555, The Jewish synagogue - built in 1568, destroyed by the Portuguese in 1662 & rebuilt by the Dutch two years later, St Francis church - the oldest Protestant church built in 1510, Vasco da Gama who died in 1524, was buried here. Day 3: Drive Cochin-Periyar (200 kms/05 hrs) Take a drive to Periyar and upon arrival, check into the hotel. Day 4: Periyar. Enjoy an early morning boat ride into the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to some 35 species of mammals, 265 species of birds and hundreds of species of butterflies, reptiles and plant life, Periyar is quite exclusive. Afternoon, visit to the Spice Plantation. Day 5: Drive Periyar-Kumarakom (170 kms/03 hrs) Enjoy a drive to Kumarakom and upon arrival, check into the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Day 6: Kumarakom-Houseboat. Take a transfer to jetty to board the Houseboat. A private boat trip along the beautiful backwater canals of Kerala is a highlight of any visit to the South. These converted rice barges or “Kettuvallams” sail along shallow, palm-fringed lakes and narrow canals where coconut and cashew is loaded onto dugouts.

You pass villages built on narrow spits of land, stopping to visit local markets by bullock-cart, or to marvel at craftsmen engaged in centuries-old boat-making tradition. Day 7: Houseboat-Cochin Disembark the Houseboat in Alleppey and drive to Cochin airport (80 kms/02 hrs) in-time to board flight for onward destination.

From US$660 pp - Land Only Ex Johannesburg from R10 069 pp (approx taxes R4 075) Ex Durban from R10 520 pp (approx taxes R4 784) Ex Cape Town from R10 746 pp (approx taxes R4 784)

www.thompsons.co.za

7

Your approved Thompsons agent is:

JOHANNESBURG: Travel House, 6 Hood Ave, Rosebank, South Africa. P.O. Box 41032, Craighall, 2024, South Africa. Docex 270, Randburg. Tel: (27) (11) 770-7511; Fax: (27) (11) 770-7670/1/2. DURBAN: 20 The Boulevard, West End Office Park, Spine Road, Westville, South Africa. P.O. Box 2758, Westway Office Park, 3635, Durban, South Africa. Docex 238, Durban. Tel: (27) (31) 275-3500; Fax: (27) (31) 275-3990. CAPE TOWN: 15th Floor, Main Tower, Standard Bank Centre, Hertzog Boulevard, Foreshore, South Africa. P.O. Box 382, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa. Docex 145, Cape Town. Tel: (27) (21) 408-9500; Fax: (27) (21) 408-9596.

Just a phone call away from a remarkable holiday.

Thompsons Holidays: A division of Cullinan Holdings LTD (Reg No 1902/001808/06)

www.thompsons.co.za