Great tour with Aitken Spence for Sri Lanka. We were picked up from the airport by a transfer service wityh our guide, Oscar, too. Very efficient organization, good drivers, bus in excellent condition and kept scrupulously clean throughout our tour. All assistance provided when required. Recommended.
Explore the sites of the iconic Golden Triangle before going on search for Indian tigers in Ranthambore National Park on this 10 day Indian adventure.
Your adventure starts in Delhi, where we take in both the new and old sides to the city. Old Delhi, the home of the Mughal Empire in centuries past, boasts a wealth of fascinating history, beautiful architecture and of course, great street food, while New Delhi's architecture, religious sites and modern aspects form an intriguing contrast. No visit to Delhi is complete without an exciting ride in a rickshaw or a taste of the world famous street food, that's why we've included these experiences at no additional cost!
Moving on to Agra, we'll firstly visit the Sheroes cafe for lunch, a great little NGO, supporting victims of acid attacks which we're proud to support. We'll then join a local villager who will escort us on a Mughal Heritage Walk through villages and farmland on the opposite bank of the Yamuna River to the Taj Mahal. This walking tour supports the local community and provides a fascinating insight into village life in Agra as well as providing great views of the Taj Mahal not normally seen. A sunrise tour of the Taj then follows before we head out into the countryside for a night in a converted palace and explore the village and surroundings, getting a real feel for rural Indian life.
As we move on to Jaipur, we visit the huge Step Well at Abanheri with its 3,500 steps and 13 stories (you might recognise it from the Great Exotic Marigold movie). Whilst in the 'Pink City' of Jaipur, capital of the arid state of Rajasthan, we'll visit the Amber Fort, City Palace and Jantar Mantar Observatory before exploring the city's famous craft and produce markets on foot and join a block printing workshop.
After leaving the members of the group heading back to Delhi, we move on to Ranthambore National Park.The park is one of India's most famous, and was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973. As well as the tigers, which are the main attraction for most people, there is a multitude of other wildlife including over 300 species of birds, marsh crocodiles and monitor lizards, and 30 mammals including sloth bear, wild boar, porcupines and jackals, leopards, jungle cats, monkeys and various species of deer and antelope.
Ranthambore also hosts an old fort which is interesting to pass on the way through the park. We take guided safaris through the park by canter (open backed lorry), before taking a ride on India's extensive rail network as we head back to Delhi where the tour comes to an end.
The accommodations used on this tour have been carefully selected and include a home-stay style hotel whilst in Delhi, a modern property in Agra and heritage hotels in Jaipur, Hinduan and Ranthambore.
Combine a tour of the famous Golden Triangle with the exuberant festivities of Holi - India’s most dazzling celebration, when streets throughout the country are transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour.
Old and new, colour and chaos, sticky cities and sunny beaches… India is a wonderful cacophony that blazes a trail in your memory long after you get home. Ready to have your senses awakened in Delhi’s buzzing bazaars, Jaipur’s pink palaces, Mumbai’s historical streets and Goa’s heavenly beaches? This is officially the trip for you.
Fantastic guide! Nimal Wijeratne, Aitken Spence's Travels. Because of Nimal we have had a great holiday as he showed us his beautiful Sri Lanka in so many different ways. He was helpful, friendly and extremely knowledgeable about Sri Lanka and the trip. We have been to restaurants and places where we would never have been without Nimal. We have had a good connection with Nimal and he became a true friend.
The golden triangle was everything I expected and more. We had excellent tour guides who are very knowledgeable about the sites that we visited, their history, and local customs. Each hotel we stayed at was comfortable and the service was outstanding. The added a trip to Amritsar was also very memorable as the Golden temple is very spectacular. I also visited Dharmsala whose natural beauty and small winding streets were a nice change from the hustle and bustle of the large cities. I highly recommend Le passage of India as a tour guide. Deepak went over and above to ensure that we were comfortable throughout the trip. If you’re an enthusiast about world history a visit to India should be at the top of your list. The Taj Mahal is indescribable, however the Jaipur, Delhi, Amritsar, and Dharmsala also offer memories that your cherish for lifetime.
Excellent tour delivery, Tour commentary, In-depth research & knowledge of history and cultural significance, great car of our safety & comfort, especially in large crowds & hot weather, guiding us to shade, best vantage points for best view and photos.
Explore Sri Lanka with this fascinating six-day round-trip starting in the capital, Colombo, and taking an inland loop that covers all the main historic, cultural and natural attractions of this magical island. Discover a world of lush landscapes, picturesque lakeside cities, historic temples and ancient citadels. Breathe in the fragrances of Sri Lanka at herb and spice gardens. Enjoy the lush green tea plantations spreaded through the hill county.
Sri Lanka Time Tour via Aitken Spence. We met our driver and guided Sanka in Negombo for a 10 day tour of Sri Lanka. As soon as we met Sanka we knew we had made a very good decision, he was very friendly and welcoming us to continue our tour with the first events, he was prompt and very knowledgeable, and very proud of his country. Driving in Sri Lanka is crazy but Sanka was very experienced and we never felt unsafe. Safety throughout Sri Lanka is a high priority, but we never feel unsafe anywhere and encourage visitors to carry on while the tourism industry suffers. The hotels we stayed in were excellent and the staff were always friendly and very helpful. The tour is very busy with some long days, but we end with a six day break in the Maldives to recover. A truly memorable holiday with lots of laughs and banter with Sanka who made the tour so enjoyable.
Adventure across India—from the Presidential Palace of Delhi, to the tigers of Ranthambore and onwards to the pink city of Jaipur. Delhi impresses with a private tour of Jama Masjid, while in Jaipur a Indian High Tea experience unlocks the private living room of the Maharaja. The culinary highlights continue at the opulent 1135 AD restaurant where dinner is served in a royal interior, with traditional music and stunning sunset views. In Ranthambore, search out the elusive tigers in their natural habitat as you stalk the former private hunting grounds of the maharajahs, peppered with palatial ruins and traditional Chhatri. Later explore Jaipur your way with the choice of shopping the fresh flower and spice markets, or a visit to the Hindu Temple Birla Mandir—to witness the traditional aarti prayer ceremony.
This six-day cultural tour takes you to discover the enchanting central region of Sri Lanka. Visit ancient ruins with impressive architecture and imposing statues. Climb fifth-century fortresses and be inspired by fascinating temples and spectacular natural landscapes. Make a stop at a typical tea factory.In Kitulgala grab your gear and toss into the wild rapids for a seamless rafting challenge on white water or if hardcore adventurism is not for you, simply trek along the beaten track to admire the immaculate beauty of the wilderness.
