The Best Exotic Marigold Adventure February 2024

“Initially you’re overwhelmed. But gradually you realize it’s like a wave. Resist, and you’ll be knocked over. Dive into it and you’ll swim out the other side.” – Evelyn Greenslade

As Evelyn Greenslade says, ‘…dive in…!’

If you wake up everyday feeling kind of ‘beige’, then maybe it’s time to let fate whisk you away.

Immerse yourself in the glorious colour and excitement of Mother India, as  you paint your next life chapter…

On this exotic odyssey, we follow in the footsteps of Dame Judi Dench and Bill Nighy—the irresistible stars of the movie—through some of the most romantic locations in India.

This is an opportunity to plunge in—to rediscover the vibrancy of life that India offers and to reinvigorate your senses. And with our host Nitin and Sarah leading this inspirational journey in style and comfort, you’ll gently recover your sense of adventure among India’s timeless rhythms…

Start packing—see you at the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in 2024!

For the Elderly and Beautiful

RAJASTHAN

The enchanting northern province of Rajasthan is awash with all the colours of India. Consisting of the vast Thar Desert and one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, the Aravallis. The Rajput heritage apparent in the forts, temples and palaces established by the Rajput Kings. On our adventure we discover the history of these massive forts and the opulence and splendour of Maharajahs’ palaces. Rajasthan has been described as an open air museum. We will travel through the chaos of Delhi to the serenity of Udaipur, from the architectural wonder of Jaipur to the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal, with time to reflect on the light, colour and smiles of India with a stay at the ‘Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ itself. This is truly the essence of Rajasthan.

Oh the places we go ......

Trip Highlights

Book your Marigold Tour
Price

This tour has a $500 deposit and the remainder is due 75 prior to departure. 

If you combine trips a $200 your receive a $200 discount, which has already been applied to the price. 

*Flights not included, approx. $1000AUD return

*This trip starts and finishes in Delhi. Start time is 9am on the 18th of February 2024. Please ensure you arrive in time to commence this tour. This may require an extra nights accommodation, please choose flights accordingly.

Requirements:

This sightseeing tour has several walking tours and many stairs, you require a moderate level of fitness to attend. We can walk around 5km a day so you really need to be prepared. Please note you must wear practical and comfortable walking shoes or sandals for your own safety, road and paths are very uneven. 

Inclusions
What is not included
dELHI-2023

Travel Itinerary

Sarah Forshaw - Your Host

I love to explore new and old places and take in the uniqueness of different cultures. Immersing myself in the wonders of artwork and culinary flavours. I find travelling intriguing and offers scope to learn and grow personally. “Your journey is not the same as mine, and my journey is not yours but if you meet me on a certain path, may we encourage each other”.

Nitin Jangra – Tour Manager

Nitin is in charge of the logistics of your tour. He has arranged everything so you can have a seamless journey. From accommodation, to transport to guides, he has everything under control. Cool, calm and collected he hails from Chandigarh in Northern India and was previously the manager of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel!

Trip Notes

The Trip Notes on this link are always the most up to date version. When booking a tour in advance things can change.

Please find the most up to date Trip Notes for your tour HERE

FAQ's

Arrivals and Departures are from Indira Gandhi International Airport Delhi (Terminal 3 Gate 4)
 
Check www.skyscanner.com for your options. We like Air India to Australia as it has direct flights from Delhi to Sydney and Melbourne. 
 
Please arrive on the 17th of February 2024 so you are ready for the start of the first day on the 18th of February start at 10am. Otherwise some airlines have flights that arrive very early into Delhi on the 18th for example 6am, this too would be fine just remember that you may be tired if you have start your tour at 10am and you won’t be able to check in to your room until we return in the late afternoon. any flights arriving later than 6am will not get you into Delhi in time to start your tour so please arrange an extra nights accommodation on the 17th in this case.  We can arrange extra nights accommodation and airport transfers for $250AUD per room.
 
Departure on the 26th of February 2024 at anytime, just know that checkout from the hotel is at 12pm.
 

A. Please arrive on the 17th of February 2024 so you are ready for the first day on the 18th of February unless you can arrive by 6am on the 18th into Delhi airport. We can arrange extra nights accommodation and airport transfers for $250AUD. If you are not continuing on the Colours of India Tour, please arrange to depart on the 26th of February at anytime, just know that checkout from the hotel is at 12pm.

A. Indira Gandhi International Airport Delhi. 

Check www.skyscanner.com for your options. We like Air India to Australia as it has direct flights from Delhi to Sydney and Melbourne.

 

Flights
If you need assistance with FLIGHT BOOKINGS we use Kerstin Rheinlander – Contact details : Mobile: 0448 958 366 Phone: 1-300-024-856 Email: kerstin.rheinlander@travelmanagers.com.au
You will need to provide Kerstin with your travel dates and departure location. She can also assist you with travel insurance and additional support if you want to extend your tours. A service fee applies for bookings flights as with all travel agents now. 

A. Our groups are usually between 12 and 18 participants. These are ideal numbers as they are small enough to be manageable and intimate but large enough for diversity and fun!

A. We have both single and twinshare rooms available. The single room has the supplement included. If you choose twinshare and are not travelling with a friend we will do our best to find you a roommate however in the event no one else is seeking a twinshare roommate, then the single room rate will apply. We hope you understand.

*Please note that snorers, smokers or people who wear CPAP machines when sleeping must disclose this when booking as this could impact other peoples sleep and they need to be aware of this.

**Also please note we cannot guarantee compatibility of roommates, for example you may be of different ages or nationalities, have different habits, snore etc. however mostly when we do match people up they get on well and its only for a short period of time. Some people have even made lifelong friendships.

A. The food is Indian haha and I think most people know what this is like. Yes, its spicy but we can ask to tone it down. Keep in mind that when you ask, “Is this spicy?” and the waiter says, “No Maam” his taste buds are not like yours and it will be spicy. India is heaven for vegetarians, all that delicious dahl, spinach and paneer, mushrooms with tomatoes and cauliflower and fresh green peas, potatoes with cumin seeds, koftas and the list goes on, India is my favourite food destination.

A. Please wear culturally appropriate clothing ie cover shoulders and knees. You will also need a scarf for temples and religious ceremonies. In the Jain temples any leather products are prohibited but they do provide lockers for you to store your belongings. Please bring comfortable walking sandals or shoes. *Please do not bring any valuable items with you to India such as expensive jewellery.

A. Well, that depends on your shopping habits! You will need to allocate around $15/$20 per meal lunches and dinners and then add on extra for personal spending. Alcohol is always more expensive in countries where people don’t drink and is taxed highly. I tell people to bring around $500USD to change on arrival to India. Then bring a credit card for the other larger spending. You can also use ATM but they don’t always work. 

A. Note above we do not suggest you come early or stay longer unless you have something specific in mind or another person with you. We would not recommend women travelling on their own venture out in large Indian cities unaccompanied. If you desire a longer stay in India we suggest contacting https://www.thedelhiway.com/.

A. The most convenient and cheapest way to get your visa is online e-Visa – To complete online choose E-Visa Application. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

The online application can only be completed between 4 and 120 days prior to travel. Make sure you don’t apply too early so that your visa is expired by the time you want to depart, 30 days in advance is enough, previously it has taken 1 week to receive the E-Visa. This cost is between $10 and $50USD, prices change all the time sorry but just to give you a guideline.

You will receive a document on how to complete your VISA application after we receive your booking and deposit. Its a step by step process with images

A $500 non-refundable non-transferable payment is required for this tour. Up until 75 days before the start of the tour a $500 non-refundable deposit will be retained. For between 75 days and 45 days,  50% will be forfeited in addition to the non refundable deposit.  For less than 45 days or for no shows the entire amount will be retained as we would have already had to pay for accommodation, transport, flights and activities, and this money will not be returned to us.  Once the tour has commenced no monies will be returned to you.  This is why travel insurance is compulsory.

Please read our Terms and Conditions HERE. You will be asked to sign your agreeance to these terms and conditions upon booking. 

Our rates do not include any kind of travel insurance and each guest must make sure to arrange their own necessary insurance prior to arrival in India. We will do everything possible to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. However, all travel involves some degree of risk we strongly recommend that you take out appropriate travel insurance for your adventure. 

Your insurance protection should include cover for cancellation, medical, in particular Coronavirus and repatriation expenses, personal injury and accident, death and loss of personal baggage and money and personal liability. Insurance cover offered by credit card companies or reciprocal medical cover agreements are often not comprehensive please check this before travelling. Or contact our preferred Travel Insurance provider CoverMore

The most convenient and cheapest way to get your visa is online e-Visa – To complete online choose E-Visa Application. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html a 30 day visa can only be applied for 30 days prior to travel unless you want a 12 month visa. Make sure you don’t apply too early so that your visa is expired by the time you want to depart, 30 days in advance is enough, previously it has taken 3 days to receive the E-Visa. This cost is between $10 and $50USD, prices change all the time sorry but just to give you a guideline. We will also provide you with an info sheet on how to compete your visa application, separate to your trip notes.

Some further details – India Mission is where your application will be lodged ie Canberra, Sydney etc the office closest to you. You can use these contact details for hotel and reference in India sections. Royal Plaza Hotel Delhi, Address: 19, Ashoka Rd, Janpath, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India Phone: +91 11 4355 5555. Your reference in Australia is your emergency contact. It seems there is no other option but to request a 6-month visa and for 60 days even though you may only be travelling for 9 days. “Double Entry” means you can depart and re-enter India twice on this visa, you will not to use this option. When you receive your visa application confirmation email you will see this comment under the dot points section – Please confirm that your ETA status is shown as GRANTED on our official website (https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html ) prior to commencement of your journey. If you go to this link you can print off your visa with a barcode and your photo attached, otherwise the email visa works fine too. Good Luck and welcome to Indian Bureaucracy!

You can view an example of a completed form on the link here, keep in mind this is a 2020 visa application so you will need to adjust dates and this is Tammie’s application so please complete your own person details.   

All travellers are limited to two items of luggage each; a suitcase with a maximum weight of 15kg and one piece of hand luggage with a maximum weight of 7kg as well as your handbag.

It is essential that your luggage is lockable. Please note that Indian authorities will only allow bottles onto the aircraft if they have been checked in as main baggage. Bottles in hand luggage maybe confiscated.

Domestic airlines within India have recently reviewed their checked luggage limits, as such all airlines have now implemented a maximum checked luggage limit of 15kg. Please keep this in mind when packing for your upcoming trip. Any excess luggage charges incurred will be at the expense of the passenger.

 

NB* Please make sure when you pass through security that all of your hand luggage has a tag and security stamp including your handbag, otherwise when boarding the plane, you will be asked to return to the scanning section to have your tag stamped.

Tourists should consult your Family GP or Travel Health Clinic at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect.

Most people have their own individual preferences for what they like to travel with, so our list won’t be comprehensive for everyone. It’s intended to be a handy reference point from which you can build. (Passport, Visa, Prescriptions, Doctor Letters, Emergency Information, $USD, Credit/Debit Cards, photocopies of important documents, business cards).

The official Indian currency is the Indian Rupee.  The Indian currency is called the Indian Rupee (INR) and the coins are called paise. One Rupee consists of 100 paise. The symbol of the Indian Rupee is ₹ . The design resembles both the Devanagari letter “₹” (ra) and the Latin capital letter “R”, with a double horizontal line at the top.

ATM’s are widely available in India, you can also bring USD$ to change and use your credit card. 

 

End of Feb beginning of March marks the ending of winter season and starting of summer one. Rajasthan climate is warm but not humid at day time and cool at night in Feb/March. Its day temperature can reach up to 28ºC maximum and 10ºC minimum at night. Tourists are recommend to wear suitable clothes according to weather and stay hydrated during travelling. you will need some warm and some cool weather clothing. Also note that this part of India can have air pollution which means we may experience smog for parts of this trip, especially in Delhi, also perhaps in Jaipur and Agra.

 Please remember to take enough prescribed medication for duration of the tour.  Chemists are very easy to access and things such as anti-biotics are generally available over the counter.

ADD OUR COLOURS OF INDIA TOUR 26 FEB – 5 MARCH 2024

If you want to make the most of your adventure you can join  our “Colors of India” tour after this trip. 

If you book both  India tours combined, you receive a $200 discount which will cover your flight. This discount has already been applied to the final price.

5/5
"Just finished the India trip. The entire trip was superbly organised and thoroughly enjoyable. Tammy ensured everyone was comfortable and happy. Would go again in a heartbeat. Far exceeded any expectation I had. Very AFFORDABLE. Magical experience".
Carol
Marigold Tour
5/5
"I found everything as stated accommodation very good and all well planned ,food excellent and Indian tour leader very friendly, helpful and KNOWLEDGEABLE. I found the experience somehow emotional, took me a few days to get over the emotion. My family could not understand why I felt like that I had travelled to other Asian countries but India seemed somehow different."
Linda
Marigold Tour

Vibrant Women with a heart ♥

Please know that $25 of your booking goes towards supporting our charity Samadhan Dwarka and the amazing work they do in supporting children with an intellectual disability in India, so THANK YOU!