India: Off the beaten track
Cox & Kings’ new India programme, the first of the company’s collection of 2011 brochures, features an extensive range of escorted group tours and tailor-made private holidays throughout India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives, including two new itineraries which venture well off the beaten track.
Alongside established group tours, new tailor-made ideas and excursions have been developed across the region to cater for more adventurous clients wanting to explore lesser known regions.
Balaji Kandasamy, Cox & Kings India Product Manager, says he has noticed a definite shift towards more adventurous tailor-made itineraries in India. “People still want good standard hotels, but are more open-minded about where they stay, meaning they can venture away from the crowds and see some of India’s hidden gems, whilst experiencing some of the increasing number of family-run boutique hotels. A lot of our clients have travelled to India with us before and want to return to explore lesser-known places”.
New trips include:
Eastern Himalayan Trails Escorted Tour or Private Journey
For clients wanting the reassurance of being escorted throughout, but visiting places away from the ‘Golden Triangle’, this new group tour explores east India, home to stunning scenery, remarkable religious monuments and vibrant cultural centres. Travelling from Calcutta, considered by many to be the country’s cultural capital, the tour ends in the remote hill station of Darjeeling and includes visits to beautiful monasteries in between. The 12 day / 10 night escorted journey is from £2,745 per person including flights from London, via Delhi with Jet Airways, transfers, guided excursions, 2 days B&B in Calcutta and full board for the remainder. It is also possible to take as a private journey, giving greater flexibility throughout.
Wonders of Gujarat Private Journey
This exciting new 15 day / 13 night private journey discovers the colourful state of Gujarat, experiencing local handicrafts, exquisite architecture, unspoilt wildlife reserves and atmospheric towns and villages. The price is from £3,775 per person and includes flights from London, via Mumbai with Jet Airways, transfers, private guided excursions, breakfast daily and most other meals.
After a successful launch in March 2010, the Maharajas’ Express, the luxury train developed jointly by Cox & Kings and the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd, has designed a new route. ‘Classical India’ has been revised as a round trip from Delhi and now incorporates a day in Lucknow. Scene of the Uprising against the British in 1857, which eventually led to the creation of the British Raj, the British influences are still noticeable in the city’s Moghul architecture. The 11 day / 10 night itinerary is priced from £5,445 per person and includes 6 nights full board on the train, 4 nights with breakfast only in Delhi, transfers and flights from London with British Airways.
The luxury market is continuing to perform well for Cox & Kings and a new private journey in Sri Lanka has been designed to include stays at luxurious boutique hotels throughout. ‘Exclusive Sri Lanka’ explores the wilderness of Yala National Park, picturesque tea plantations and ancient cities, and ends with a 3 night stay on a tropical beach. The 14 day / 12 night itinerary is from £2,995 per person and includes flights from London with Sri Lankan Airline, accommodation with breakfast daily and 5 nights with full board, guided excursions and private transfers.
Cox & Kings organises travel to six continents and over 100 countries, and the Indian Experience continues to be one of the company’s best-selling tours. This introductory tour, covering the ‘Golden Triangle’ and northern India’s highlights in 7 nights, is fantastic value for money, with prices comparable to 2010.
See coxandkings.co.uk for the full programme to the Indian Subcontinent.