Wander Across India (Oct/Nov) – Final Details

Wander Across India

October 22nd – November 5th, 2023

Important Details

Tourist Visas

➜ US and European citizens may now easily obtain an E-Visa for India. As a result, you can skip the process of obtaining a tourist visa from the Indian Embassy and can simply take care of the procedures online. Please note that you can only apply for the E-Visa within 4 weeks of your arrival date.

Here are the steps:

Visit this official Indian government website – https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/
Click on “For eVisa by Bureau of Immigration – Apply Here“
Click on “Apply here for e-visa“
Follow the instructions

Here is some information you will need to complete the process:

Passport details
Passport photo in PDF (Size Minimum 10 KB, Maximum 300 KB)
A recent photo: forward facing selfie with a neutral background should work (you will need to upload this to the system): minimum size 350 pixels, size no larger than 1MB.
Arrival details
Destinations to be visited (Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore, Bundi, Udaipur and Varanasi)
Dates of the trip / arrival and departure dates
Name and address of the hotel in Delhi – Park Inn Lajpat Nagar (Address: 1&2, Ring Rd, Vikram Vihar, Lajpat Nagar IV, New Delhi, 110024, India). Phone: 91 11 4651 5151
Reference in your home country – Simply put the name and details of a relative or friend at home.
Contact in India – Put the above hotel details in this section as well
They will ask if you have visited SAARC countries during last 3 years? These countries are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Where it says “Have you booked any room in a Hotel/Resort etc. through any Tour Operator?” Please put “no”. It’s confusing but this is for people who are not on a tour but had an agency book accommodation for them.
When it is time to upload the files, first they will ask you for your photo, and then your passport. Both must be in jpeg or jpg
Payment method:

➜ Once you start the application, we suggest taking note (or a screenshot) of the Temporary Application ID; once you’re done but before you pay, again take note (or another screenshot) to record the Application ID Number.

*If you choose the ONE MONTH VISA, you should apply 4 weeks before your arrival date.
*If you choose the ONE YEAR VISA, you can apply at any time.

Important: Once your visa is issued, you MUST print out a copy of your E-Visa approval email. You will need this to check in for your flight and at immigration in the Delhi airport.

➜ Canadian citizens need to obtain a visa from the Indian Embassy/Consulate. To apply for this visa, please make an appointment at BLS – the official Indian visa processing agency in Canada – at your earliest convenience. BLS will provide you with the visa instructions.

Airport Arrival & Pickup

Please follow the below instructions upon arrival at Delhi’s International Airport:

After exiting the plane, walk through the terminal building to the immigration inspection. If you have an “E-Visa”, please enter the “Visa on arrival” line on the right side of the building and have your printed E-Visa confirmation ready.
Once through immigration, collect your luggage from the correct carousel and then pass through the quick customs inspection.
After you exit the baggage/customs area (through a sliding door), you’ll be in the Arrivals Hall. You will see many people in this area with signs waiting for passengers to arrive. Your driver will be waiting for you in this group of people with a sign that says “Wandering Earl Tours”.
If you are unable to find your driver, simply take a seat at the Costa Coffee Cafe (it’s the only cafe there) and the driver will check there as well.
*Do NOT go outside as you will not be allowed to re-enter the Arrivals Hall. If you have any issues, you can contact your tour leader, Sakai Naismith, at +1 (510) 806-5488 via WhatsApp.

➜ Please note: When filling out the Landing Card upon arrival at the Delhi Airport, you will need to enter the name of the hotel where you will be staying. Please enter: Park Inn Lajpat Nagar (Address: 1&2, Ring Rd, Vikram Vihar, Lajpat Nagar IV, New Delhi, 110024, India)

➜ Important: You MUST print out a copy of your E-Visa approval notice which you will receive via email. You will need to show this to the airline staff upon check-in for your flight and again to the immigration officer at the airport in Delhi.

Arrival / Departure Airport

Please note that the arrival and departure airport for this tour is Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and your flight to/from India should be for this airport only.

WhatsApp Group

We will set up a WhatsApp chat 2 weeks prior to the start of the tour that will include all of the participants as well as your tour leader. This will allow everyone to get to know each other in advance, ask questions and communicate with your tour leader both before and during the tour. It will be very useful for you to have WhatsApp available to you during the tour as this will be the main method of communication.

Tour Leader

The tour leader for your trip is Sakai Naismith, who brings over 20 years of travel experience, with multiple tours in India under his belt. He will accompany you throughout the journey, providing his extensive expertise and deep understanding of India, ensuring you’re in excellent hands. He will introduce himself and share more details when we create the group WhatsApp chat approximately 2 weeks before the tour.

**Our tour leader will be there to ensure the trip runs smoothly and our local guides are there to share the wonders of their country!

Local currency

The local currency in India is the Indian Rupee (INR). The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 82 INR.

In terms of spending money, you should estimate an average of $10 – $25 USD per day for all of your needs. This would be for meals that are not included in the tour, basic purchases (laundry service, snacks, etc) as well as any activities you choose to do on your own.

As for exchanging money, the best method is via ATM machines which are everywhere in the country. This is the easiest so that you don’t need to carry around large amounts of cash.

However, check with your bank at home as some banks charge high foreign transaction fees every time you withdraw money overseas.

If using an ATM is not an option, or the fees are too high, simply bring USD, Euros or GBP to exchange at money exchange offices that are located all over the country.

**US dollars are not accepted anywhere in India. You must make purchases in the local currency.

**Credit cards are accepted at some restaurants, cafes and shops in cities and larger towns. In more rural areas, cash is generally the main payment option.

**Please do not change money at home before you arrive. India recently removed certain bills from circulation and if you end up with the old bills, they will be worthless upon arrival. Once you arrive we’ll get you to an ATM or a trusted money exchange office.

Tipping

Tipping in India is not as common as in the West, but in some cases it is expected. Here’s a general guideline:

Restaurants – 5-10% if a service charge is not already added to the bill
Hotel staff – 100 – 200 INR if someone helps you with luggage or anything else
Our drivers – At the end of the trip, we recommend that everyone gives a $50 USD tip that we will split among our drivers. We will collect this on the last day and give it to our drivers before we say goodbye to them.
Tour Leader – If you wish to tip your tour leader, they will always be greatly appreciative.

*Tips for local guides and waitstaff at included meals are already included.

Staying Connected

This is India (we’ll say that a thousand times!), so unfortunately, strong internet is not exactly widespread. While all of the hotels we stay at have Wi-Fi, the connection is often poor to okay. It will work and you’ll be able to send emails and do whatever you need to do, but it just might take longer than normal. You can also activate the international plan from your network at home or buy an E-Sim card online that will ensure you have a good 4G/5G connection throughout the tour.

Packing / Luggage Restrictions

Packing lightly will always make it easier to load up the vans and will also be less of a hassle as we move from place to place. There may be times when you’ll need to walk with your luggage for a short distance in order to reach our accommodation.

*Important: For our internal flights from Udaipur to Varanasi and from Varanasi to Delhi, the maximum amount of checked luggage allowed is 15kg (33 pounds). You will also be allowed 1 piece of carry-on that weighs no more than 7kg (15 pounds) and 1 personal item. For your convenience, we’ll recommend you to pack-up a day bag with everything you need for our 3-night stay in Varanasi, as our trusted drivers will drive your bags back to Delhi, which will be waiting for your return.

Accommodation / Air conditioning

On this tour, air conditioning will be available in all of our hotels.

Itinerary

October 22nd: Delhi

Private transfer to the hotel
Orientation meeting
Welcome Dinner at one of Delhi’s best restaurants

➜ Accommodation: Park Inn Lajpat Nagar
➜ Included meals: Breakfast (for the participants that booked the pre-trip accommodation with us), Dinner

October 23rd: Delhi

Full-day guided tour of Old Delhi, a bustling part of the city full of history and culture
Visit the colorful and sprawling Chandni Chowk Market, the main bazaar of Old Delhi
Visit to the Bangla Sahib Sikh Temple where Sikh pilgrims gather
Witness the massive communal kitchen that serves 5000 free meals per day
Group dinner

➜ Accommodation: Park Inn Lajpat Nagar
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

October 24th: Delhi ➜ Agra

2-hour drive to Agra
Check-in to our family-run guesthouse
Guided afternoon/evening visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the world’s most famous and impressive landmarks
Home cooked dinner back at our guesthouse

➜ Accommodation: Aman Homestay
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

October 25th: Agra ➜ Ranthambore

Morning 7-hour drive to Ranthambore
Check-in to our hotel in the peaceful countryside
Dinner at the hotel

➜ Accommodation: Ranthambore Bagh Palace
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

October 26th: Ranthambore

Early morning 3-hour tiger safari in Ranthambore National Park, home to India’s majestic Bengal tigers
Breakfast at the hotel
Visit to a local women’s textile collective, where we’ll learn about traditional crafts and their role in the community
Optional visit to the Ranthambore Fortress, a historic site steeped in India’s royal past

➜ Accommodation: Ranthambore Bagh Palace
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

October 27th: Ranthambore ➜ Bundi

Breakfast at the hotel
3.5-hour drive to the enchanting city of Bundi, nestled in the heart of Rajasthan
Check-in to our heritage hotel in the old town
Local chai demonstration at one of the most famous chai stalls in India
Light walking tour through Bundi’s lanes and markets, immersing ourselves in the local rhythm

➜ Accommodation: Dev Niwas Hotel
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

October 28th: Bundi

Full-day guided tour of Bundi
Visit to a local school
Wander through the markets that connect the old town with the new
Visit the majestic Bundi Palace, with its imposing hillside location and endless rooms, courtyards, gardens and more that are sure to impress
Evening group dinner at a local friend’s house, savoring the authentic Rajasthani cuisine and hospitality

➜ Accommodation: Dev Niwas Hotel
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

October 29th: Bundi ➜ Udaipur

5.5-hour drive to the lakeside city of Udaipur, known as India’s most romantic city with its 7 lakes and numerous palaces
Check-in to our hotel on the edge of Lake Pichola
Sunset walk near the lake
Dinner on the rooftop overlooking the city

➜ Accommodation: Lake Pichola Hotel
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

October 30th: Udaipur

Half-day guided tour of Udaipur
Roam through the huge and mighty City Palace, one of the largest palace complexes in the country
Visit the beautiful Jagdish Temple, a 17th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu
Discover the old town of Udaipur, with its narrow streets, colorful bazaars and traditional Rajasthani architecture
Free time to enjoy Udaipur at your own pace
Cooking class in the home of a local woman and her family

➜ Accommodation: Lake Pichola Hotel
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

October 31st: Udaipur

Optional visit to the Saheliyon ki Badi Royal Gardens, an elegant garden built for women of the royal household
Free day at leisure with multiple optional activities, such as visiting the Monsoon Palace (a hilltop palace with impressive views of the city), enjoying a traditional ayurvedic massage or shopping at the many workshops of local Rajasthani artisans
Group dinner on the hotel’s rooftop overlooking the city

➜ Accommodation: Lake Pichola Hotel
➜ Included meals: Breakfast

November 1st: Udaipur ➜ Varanasi

Morning flight to Varanasi (via Delhi), the spiritual capital of India
Check-in to our hotel located in the middle of the Old City
Group dinner

➜ Accommodation: Sri Omkar Hotel
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

November 2nd: Varanasi

Full-day guided tour of Varanasi’s Old City, where we’ll dive deep into the history and culture of this ancient location
Experience the fascinating activity of pilgrims, sadhus, gurus and more at the dozens of ghats that line the banks of the river
Visit the burning ghat in order to witness the holy cremations
Walk through the bazaars that sell everything imaginable to all those who visit this city
Savor a delicious lassi at a famous local lassi shop
Soak up the mesmerizing atmosphere as you learn about the rituals, sounds, aromas, traditions and more that constantly surround you
Free time to keep exploring this fascinating city
Group dinner

➜ Accommodation: Sri Omkar Hotel
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

November 3rd: Varanasi

Sunrise boat trip along the Ganges River to witness this holy city come to life
Optional guided walk along the ghats to visit some of the hidden temples and learn about their significance
Afternoon at leisure
Witness the holy Hindu ceremony that takes place on the main ghat of the city every evening, a unique experience that captures the essence of the city’s spirituality

➜ Accommodation: Sri Omkar Hotel
➜ Included meals: Breakfast

November 4th: Varanasi ➜ Delhi

Morning flight back to Delhi
Evening at leisure with a final chance to keep exploring this dynamic city
Farewell group dinner

➜ Accommodation: Park Inn Lajpat Nagar
➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

November 5th: Delhi / Departure Day

Transfer to the airport based on your flight time

➜ Included meals: Breakfast

What’s Included?

➜ Wandering Earl Tours expert tour leader
➜ Small group (maximum 12 participants)
➜ Accommodation (14 nights – 3* hotels and boutique heritage guesthouses)
➜ Transportation within India (vans, internal flights)
➜ Local guides
➜ All activities and entrance fees
➜ Breakfast every day, 5 lunches and 12 dinners
➜ Gratuities at hotels/included meals
➜ All airport transfers

What’s Not Included?

➜ Flights to/from India
➜ Passport/visa fees
➜ Meals and activities not mentioned
➜ Travel insurance (mandatory)
➜ Other gratuities

Covid-19 Disclaimer

Please note that in the event of any interruption to your tour experience as a result of your testing positive for Covid-19, our staff will be on hand to assist with making any arrangements that need to be made. This could include accommodation booking, transportation, scheduling additional Covid-19 tests, etc. However, it is important to understand that you would be fully responsible for all expenses incurred related to interruptions to the trip and/or medical treatment needed as a result of a positive Covid-19 test before, during or after the trip. We highly recommend having a travel/health insurance policy that covers Covid-19 related situations. By participating in the tour, you are confirming your understanding of the above

That’s all for now! If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at team@wanderingearl.com.