TOUR HIGHL IGHTS :

Capture the perfect image of the majestic

Taj Mahal in the spectacular morning

Explore Ranthambore National Park, a vast

wildlife reserve and home to tigers,

leopards and marsh crocodiles

Spend the day at a unique Indian Festival,

the annual Pushkar Camel Fair

Tour the magnificent palaces in the

romantic city of Udaipur

Gaze at the spectacular sklyline of

Pokhara, dominated by three of the ten

highest mountains in the world and

located on the tranquil shores of Lake

Pokhara

Visit Bhaktapur, an ancient UNESCO world

heritage site in the Kathmandu Valley

Discover the charms and flamboyant

style of Jaipur, known as “The Pink City “

Ride through the bustling streets of Old

Delhi in a traditional rickshaw

ACTIVITY RATING

This tour requires an adequate level of

fitness and mobility to participate.

It is essential that all passengers are able to:

•Walk 2 km at any one time unaided

•Get in and out of all vehicles unassisted

•Manage your own luggage

•Long travel days may be on rough, bumpy roads

20 Days

India & Nepal

Encounter

THE ESCORTED ESCAPES INCLUSIONS

AIRFARES INCLUDED*

FULLY ESCORTED HOLIDAYS*

VISAS, TRANSFERS & TIPPING INCLUDED*

SMALL GROUPS*

INCLUSIVE SIGHTSEEING*

AIRFARES INCLUDED

Economy class airfares are included from most Australian capital cities (Brisbane, Sydney,

Melbourne or Adelaide) plus all internal flights as per the group itinerary. We fly with Singapore

Airlines Internationally. Your Escorted Escapes host will travel from Brisbane on the proposed

flights* below:

Day Flight No Departure City Time Arrival City Time

Day 1 SQ256 Brisbane (BNE) 9:00 Singapore (SIN) 15:10

Day 1 SQ5416 Singapore (SIN) 17:40 Kathmandu (KTM) 20:40

Day 19 UK628 Udaipur (UDR) 15:20 Delhi (DEL) 16:45

Day 19 SQ403 Delhi (DEL) 21:45 Singapore (SIN) 06:00#

Day 20 SQ265 Singapore (SIN) 7:15 Brisbane (BNE) 16:55

*These are proposed flight times only and may change depending on your tour departure date

and airline schedules. # arrives into destination the next calendar day

You have three options available to join your host and group:

1. Travel with your host from Brisbane

2. Meet your host in Kathmandu

3. Meet your host en-route in Singapore

Upgrades and extensions are available on request please contact your travel agent for further

information and availability.

FULLY ESCORTED HOLIDAYS

Your Escorted Escape is personally hosted from Australia by an experienced travel professional.

Our hosts have travelled extensively themselves and have a passion for exploring our wonderful

world. We are there to liaise with the local operators to ensure you relax and enjoy your holiday

while we take care of the details.

VISAS, TRANSFERS & TIPPING

P a s s p o r t s

All information provided regarding passports and visas is based on Australian Passport holders only

– please advise your travel consultant as soon as possible if you will be travelling on a different

passport. Australian passport holders must have a minimum of 6 months validity on their passport

from the date they return home, and a minimum of four (4) blank pages.

V i s a s

India – A visa is required for Australian Passport Holders. All fees associated with this visa will be

paid by Escorted Escapes as this is included in your tour cost.

Nepal – A visa is required for Australian Passport Holders. All fees associated with this visa will be

paid by Escorted Escapes as this is included in your tour cost.

T r a n s f e r s

We believe travel should be simple and easy for you, which is why we include transfers from your

home to the airport to the value of $100 per person. Your transfers will be arranged by your travel

agent to ensure the best available option for your needs. Should your transfer s exceed $100 per

person, you may choose to pay the difference, or alternatively, if you wish to make your own way

to the airport your agent can deduct the transfer value from the total cost of your tour.

T i p p i n g

Our Escorted Escapes are designed to make travel easier for you, so we take care of tipping for all

of our group activities and meals, as well as for your tour leader, local guides and drivers.

You will be responsible for tipping any services or meals outside of the group inclusions, including

during your free time.

SMALL GROUPS We offer a small-group experience on all of our tours. We believe travelling in smaller groups will

ensure a more personalised and comfortable group travel experience for everyone.

This tour will run with a minimum of 12 Passengers and a maximum of 20 (plus your tour host).

INCLUSIVE SIGHTSEEING

At Escorted Escapes we pride ourselves on including the very best sightseeing on offer in each

location. Our sightseeing highlights on this tour include:

Discover the fascinating city Kathmandu on a city tour

Venture to Bhaktapur – a UNESCO world heritage site in the Kathmandu Valley

Visit the Peace Monastery in Pokhara with sweeping views of the Annapurna Mountain

Range

Explore Pokhara including the Pokhara Mountain Museum, Devi’s Fall and Gupteswar Cave

Board a boat on Lake Phewa and visit the Tal Barahi Temple

Sharpen your bargaining skills at the eclectic market stalls in Kathmandu’s Thamel district

Wind your way through the narrow streets of Delhi on an exciting rickshaw ride

Stop at the exquisite Sikh Temple of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, where more than 10,000

people are fed each day

Explore the Agrasen Ki Baoli, a unique 60m long and 15m wide, centuries-old subterranean

marvel hiding in plain sight in Delhi

Enjoy a mystical, magical evening experience at the marble shrine of Muslim Sufi saint

Hazrat Nizamuddin, on some evenings you can hear the qawwali (Sufi devotional singing),

amid crowds of devotees.

Marvel at the wonders of the Taj Mahal, India’s most recognised monument and one of the

Seven Wonders of the World

Visit the last of Mughal-built gardens, Mehtab Bagh, for an uncluttered view of the Taj

Mahal.

Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Agra Fort, an imposing red sandstone citadel

built in 1565

Enroute to Ranthambore stop at Chand Biori, one of the most beautiful stepwells in India

Traverse Ranthambore National Park on morning and afternoon safaris in search of the

elusive tiger

Tour the fascinating “Pink City” of Jaipur, home to lively bazaars, camel carts and

numerous historical sights

Dine on the authentic cuisine of Rajasthan with a local family

Stroll through the lanes of Aund Meena, a village at the base of the iconic Amber Fort

Gain an in-depth knowledge of the prints authentic to Rajasthan at the Anokhi Textile

Musuem

Explore the City Palace of Jaipur, which is still home to the Jaipur Royal Family

Journey to Pushkar and join the activities at the Pushkar Camel Fair, a centuries old

traditional Indian festival

Enjoy a sunset boat cruise on Lake Pichola which affords views of some of the most

important historical monuments of, including the City Palace

Visit the City Palace of Udaipur, an enormous edifice built in 1725 that stands on a hill on

the banks of Lake Pichola

Visit the workshop of the Siklikar community and see how the weapons of the Rajputs were

embellished with intricate inlay work using gold or silver wires.

ACCOMMODATION

We use a range of quality accommodation. All of our accommodation includes private en-suite

facilities.

Fateh Niwas Hotel - Udaipur Alsisar Haveli Hotel - Jaipur

Destination Accommodation

Kathmandu Shangri La Hotel - Kathmandu

Pokhara Shangri La Hotel - Pokhara

Delhi Jaypee Siddartha

Agra Crystal Sarovar Premiere

Ranthambore Jungle Vilas

Jaipur Alsisar Haveli Hotel

Pushkar Bhanwar Singh Palace

Udaipur Fateh Niwas Hotel

Please note all accommodation will be confirmed to the best of our ability, should a property be unavailable for any of our

tours we will provide you with a property of an equal standard.

TRANSPORT

We will be travelling in a vehicle similar to the white bus below for the majority of our tour. For our

open vehicle game drives in Rathambore National Park will travel in safari vehicles similar to the

vehicle below on the left.

Please note: vehicles pictured below are an indication only, exact vehicles may vary.

LUGGAGE

Our Escorted Escapes baggage recommendation is one suitcase with a maximum size of 76 x 53 x

28cm (30 x 21 x 11 inches) and a maximum weight of 20kg. You may also carry a small backpack

or overnight bag as carry on luggage - Escorted Escapes provide you with a suitably sized

daypack ideal for use as carry on luggage and throughout the tour.

Individual airlines also have their own limits, for this tour they are as follows*:

Singapore Airlines – 30kg of checked luggage per person + 7kg carry-on luggage.

Internal Flights – 20kg of checked luggage per person + 7kg carry-on luggage.

* Airline baggage limits listed above are based on our included, economy class flights. If you have upgraded your flights your

baggage limits may change.

Please keep in mind you will be required to manage your own luggage at times throughout the

tour, so we recommend bringing luggage that is of a size and weight that you can comfortably

handle.

Liquids in carry on luggage – You are allowed to bring ONE plastic zip lock bag containing

liquids, aerosols, gels, creams or pastes (e.g. lipstick) in your carry-on bag and through security

checkpoints. These are limited to travel-sized containers that have a maximum size of 100mL or

less per item. At certain airports these may need to be removed from your hand luggage to be

screened, so we recommend keeping them close at hand.

Effective 30 June 2018, we also saw the introduction of a restriction on the carriage of powders on

international services. Generally the restrictions are applying to inorganic powders such as

cosmetics, talcum powder, detergents etc. Organic powders such as flour, powdered baby

formula, spices and the like will have to be checked but generally will be exempt from the weight

restriction. Individual inorganic items cannot exceed 350 grams or 12 ounces in your carry-on

luggage. Please note: The average weight of a loose cosmetic powder is around 30g and a

compact powder averages around 12g.

CLIMATE & SEASONAL INFORMATION

Nepal - During November, the weather is the bit warm with the clear sky. The average daytime

temperature is around 15°C. It is just perfect temperatures to enjoy the walks around the city.

There is generally no chance of rain in November in Nepal.

India - The months between October and November serves as the post-monsoonal season.

Minimum temperature ranging between 18°C and 20°C brings relief. The salubrious weather

during this period is ideal to explore the best tourist places.

Temperature Averages – Minimum to Maximum

City Temp Avg - Min to Max

Kathmandu 12° to 22°

Pokhara 13° to 24°

Delhi 23° to 28°

Agra 22° to 31°

Ranthambore 21° to 30°

Jaipur 21° to 29°

Pushkar 20° to 29°

Udaipur 20° to 29°

PACKING TIPS

It's always best to layer at this time of year. Make sure to pack a warm jumper, as well as

comfortable and casual clothing. Long sleeves are recommended for insect and sun protection.

Enclosed walking shoes, hats and sunglasses are a must. It is advisable to pack sunscreen and

insect repellent as well.

RECOMMENDED:

- A good quality, high-beam headlamp or torch for around the lodges

- Waterproof/windproof jacket is a good idea for wet days, as well early morning or evening

activities when it can be cool and/or windy, and will also protect against dust

- Warm fleece, beanie and a scarf for morning and evening activities in Nepal

- Personal medical kit. We recommend you carry items such as mild pain killers, electrolytes and

band aids, as well as your own prescribed medication

- Insect repellent and sunscreen

- A camera with good zoom for capturing priceless memories!

- Binoculars

- A good book, journal or music playing device for the longer drive days

- A copy of your travel insurance policy and vaccination documents (if required)

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

Before breakfast you can undertake a sightseeing flight past Mt Everest. Highly

recommended. Approximately USD240 per person. Weather dependent, needs to be pre-booked.

Soar to the top of the world on a scenic flight over the Himalayas, including outstanding aerial

views of towering Mt Everest. Take off from Kathmandu in the early morning and catch

breathtaking sights of the world’s largest mountain range from above. Settle into your plane for

prime viewing and pilot narration during your 1-hour flight, which showcases more than a dozen

snow-covered peaks. Round-trip transport between your hotel and the airport is included.

CURRENCY & MONEY MATTERS

India: Indian Rupee INR

Nepal: Nepalese Rupee NPR

Before you depart - ensure you notify your bank that you will be travelling overseas. You will need

to advise each country you will be travelling to.

In this case it will be Nepal, India, and Singapore (in transit)

Both currencies can be easily obtained in Australia, if you order at least 4 weeks prior to

departure. You might find it difficult getting change for a INR/NPR 1000 note away from big cities,

so it’s worth having some smaller notes and coins on hand.

INDIA

It’s important to note that visitors to India can only bring up to ₹25,000 into the country. Unless

you’re an Indian citizen or permanent resident, you’ll need to exchange the rest of your money

into rupees on arrival.

It is convenient and economical to obtain local currency while on tour from an ATM, which are

readily available in most towns. Master card and Visa are the most widely accepted credit cards

WI-FI

Mobile phone coverage is reasonably good throughout our journey; Wi-Fi is available in most of

the hotels and also in many local cafes, restaurants and bars but is not always free.

TIME ZONES

Nepal Time (NPT) is 5:45 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and 5.15h behind

Australia (AEST). This time zone is in use during standard time in: Asia. Nepal Time is a 45-minute

time zone. Its local time differs by 45 minutes instead of the normal whole or half hour.

Indian Standard Time (IST) is 5:30 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and 5.5h

behind Australia (AEST)

POWER OUTLETS

Escorted Escapes supply you with a universal adapter - this also has 2 USB ports for charging

electronic items.

In Nepal the power plugs and sockets are of type C, D and M. The standard voltage is 230 V and

the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

India uses 230 Volts, 50 Hz alternating current as the power source. Plugs and sockets have either 3

Pin connections (Type D) or 2 pin connections (Type C). The two pin plug is also called the

Europlug. It has two round 4 mm (0.157 in) pins.

SAFETY

We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-

keeping of your passport, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home -

you won't need it while travelling. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.

Your host and Tour Leader will accompany you on all included activities, however during your tour

you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your

leisure. Please use your own good judgement when selecting your free time activities and exercise

due caution when you are out and about exploring. Ensure you carry your host’s phone number

and ideally the address and phone number of your hotel as well.

Please also note that your Tour Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the tour

itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns.

FOOD & DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

Please advise us if you have any specific dietary requirements upon booking your tour. This

information can be provided on our standard booking form.

Nepal

Nepalese cuisine comprises a variety of cuisines based upon ethnicity, soil and climate relating to

Nepal's cultural diversity and geography. Dal-bhat-tarkari is eaten throughout Nepal. Dal is a soup

made of lentils and spices, served over boiled grain, bhat—usually rice

Momo—Tibetan style dumplings with Nepali/Nepalese spices—are one of the most popular foods

in Nepal. They were originally filled with buffalo meat but now also with goat or chicken, as well as

vegetarian preparations.

Chow mein is a Nepali favourite in modern times based on Chinese-style stir fried noodles. It is one

of the most beloved everyday staple lunch in Nepali/Nepalese household today.

India

Staple foods of Indian cuisine include pearl millet(bājra), rice, whole-wheat flour (aṭṭa), and a

variety of lentils, such as masoor (most often red lentils), toor (pigeon peas), urad (black gram),

and moong (mung beans).

Many types of meat are used for Indian cooking, but chicken and mutton tend to be the most

commonly consumed meats. Fish and beef consumption are prevalent in some parts of India, but

they are not widely consumed except for coastal areas, as well as the north east.

Meals not included:

For meals not included, a budget of USD3 to USD10 per meal (lunch) and USD5 to USD15

(dinner/main course) should be sufficient for most, of course these are indicative prices and will

vary depending on your personal budget and preferences. Local “street” food may be less

expensive, on the other hand if you want to try the finest food at the finest restaurants, you can

expect meals to cost as much as in western countries.

Water and Ice:

The tap water throughout India and Nepal is not suitable for drinking. The safest option is to drink

purified bottled water. Make sure you are purchasing sealed bottles and watch the seal being

broken on the bottle. Bottled water will be provided on the bus for your convenience. We also

recommend you use bottled water for brushing your teeth while on tour, and if in doubt ask for no

ice in your drinks when at local establishments.

MEDICAL & HEALTH

We suggest that you consult with your own physician prior to your tour to ensure your routine

immunizations, such as tetanus, are up-to-date before travelling. Older travellers in particular may

wish to consider preventive measures against influenza and pneumonia.

We also recommend consulting your local doctor, travel medical service or specialist vaccination

clinic to ensure you are aware of any health requirements and recommended precautions

relevant to your tour.

It is advised to carry any personal medication in its original container and it should have a clearly

printed label. Prescription and controlled medication must be accompanied by a prescription

from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationery and include the medication's generic

name.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is a condition of travelling with Escorted Escapes that you have a valid, fully comprehensive

travel insurance policy for the whole duration of your travel arrangements.

It’s important that you protect yourself in case of natural disasters, lost or delayed baggage and

unforeseen medical expenses. We strongly recommend that the policy covers personal liability,

cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please make sure you bring a

copy of your policy with you on tour.

If you lose any of your belongings while on tour you may be required to obtain a police report.

Make sure you keep any receipts for anything you may wish to claim for on your return – i.e.

medical receipts etc.

GROUP TOUR ETIQUETTE

We endeavour to make group travel with Escorted Escapes a truly enjoyable experience and

showing respect to everyone we encounter will help ensure that the group travel memories you

bring home are happy ones.

We ask you to remember that patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the

benefit of everyone's travel experience.

Rules of tradition, superstitions and religion play a large role in day-to-day life in Asia, we ask that

you listen and respect the tour leader and host when they address the group.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why does this tour require an adequate level of fitness?

Our tour is designed to be a leisurely pace and the majority of our sightseeing uses a

private coach for your convenience, however the coach may not be accessible to all

locations. In some instances you will be required to walk continuously without sitting due to

limited seating availability. Safari vehicles have elevated seats, and can be reached with

three high steps, so a suitable mobility will be required.

Are there laundry facilities?

Most of the Hotels will be able to organise for washing to be done for a low fee. We suggest

this be done where we have 2 or 3 night stays.

What are the toilets in India and Nepal like?

Most of the time there are western style toilets available although occasionally squat toilets

might be found in bus or train stations, as well as some smaller local restaurants.

All of our accommodations provide private en-suites with western style toilet facilities.

How much spending money will I need?

When it comes to spending money on the tour, every traveller is a little different. You know

your spending habits better than we do so please budget a sensible amount for things like

meals that are not included, drinks, shopping and optional activities. Don't forget to allow

enough to treat yourself to a special meal and buy some souvenirs!