Incredible India overwhelms visitors with an intoxicating mix of exotic culture, unfamiliar history and equally magnificent landscapes and architecture. This land assaults every sense with an intense pot-pourri of experiences. It’s immersive. It’s ecstatic. It’s a great choice if you want to visit somewhere truly unique and different. India offers a different aspect of her personality – exotic, extravagant, elegant, eclectic - to each traveller to the country.
|
|
There is so much discover and a great place to start to discover this fascinating country is at the immersive website www.incredibleindia.org which has wonderful photography and video as well as a depth of content.
The different facets of the jewel that is India draw visitors for many reasons. Some come to discover the history that dates back 5000 years – leaving fascinating stories written in the stones of Hindu Temples, fabulous Mughal monuments or fantastic palaces of Maharajahs.
Others are drawn by the spirituality of a culture that spawned 4 major world religions - the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain religions all originated in India and have shaped its future ever since. Linked to this mysticism is India’s culture of wellness. For instance, imagine visiting an ashram in Rishikesh, home to a 2000-year-old Vishnu Shrine and also the "Yoga capital of the world". It’s an ideal destination, not only for pilgrims, but also for those who want to delve deeper into meditation, yoga and other ancient practices.
For the adventurous, Rishikesh is also the starting point for trekking expeditions and excursions towards the Himalayan peaks. India merges stunning scenery with the opportunity for unique adventure – whether you are drawn by sports such as white water rafting or trekking in the Himalayas. India’s rich wildlife viewing also provides opportunities for wildlife safaris (you might see the rare Indian Rhino) and to visit tiger sanctuaries.
Most people visit the “Golden Triangle” of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur on their first visit to India.
Delhi
Delhi is one of the oldest cities in the world, yet the extraordinary progress India is making towards modernization is also apparent. This interweaving blend of old and new worlds makes for a fascinating visit. New Delhi has gracious colonial buildings built by the British and the foundation stone of the city was laid by George V, Emperor of India in 1911. New Delhi is considered the masterpiece of British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Stately and historic, Delhi boasts an array of historical sites including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The first is the Red Fort - the ultimate symbol of Mughal power in India, with its 60 foot high watchtowers and massive battlement walls stretching over 2.5 kms. The second is Hamayun’s Tomb, which is considered to be the prototype for the Taj Mahal. It is the tomb of the second Mughal Emperor, Hamayun, and was built by his wife. And Qutub Minar, India's tallest minaret and a miracle of architectural achievement in its time, is made of red sandstone and marble and inscribed with verses from the Qur'an.
Delhi also provides the visitor with the opportunity to learn about how modern India achieved independence and to glimpse the extraordinary life of Ghandi, the father of the nation. Ghandi Smriti was Ghandi’s last home in 1947-1948 and shows his footprints to the exact spot where he was shot by an assassin and killed. His study and his bedroom in a colonial bungalow were simple rooms and his few possessions are still in place.
Agra
Agra is an ancient city that came into the limelight during the reign of the Mughals. It is famous for one of the Seven New Wonders of the World - the Taj Mahal. The Taj is a monument of such incredible elegance that it is considered synonymous with beauty itself.
Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal to be the final resting place of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal who died bearing their 14th child. Ultimately, it is a testament to love and devotion. They lie here side by side – together forever in endless love. Today it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Agra’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site is its own Red Fort built by Akbar, the 3rd Mughal Emperor between 1565 to 1573.
Jaipur
Jaipur is known as the “Pink City” because in 1876 the whole city was painted pink to welcome Edward, Prince of Wales.
The Maharajas of Jaipur had incredible wealth and Jaipur was designed in 1727 as Asia’s first planned city. The Maharajas created a lake for the city and built an island palace. Jaipur’s famous Palace of the Wind has a beautiful frontage with 365 windows - but it's a mere façade to allow women of the Islamic court to view the city's street life unobserved.
The Amber Fort is yet another UNESCO World Heritage site in this country that seems to have an endless supply of them. The fort itself was constructed 1588-1710 and includes The Hall of Public Audiences is an elegant colonnaded space with views down to the exquisite gardens on an island in the lake below the ramparts. And the Maharajah’s Mirrored Palace is fabulous – the Maharajah imported countless mirrors to India at huge expense to beautify the ceiling with glass inlaid panels and mirrors. The mirrors are of convex shape and designed with coloured foil and paint so they glitter brightly under candle light.
There is great news for anyone with India on their bucket list! Air Canada has announced that from November 2015 they will offer non-stop flights from Toronto to Delhi aboard their state of the art B787 Dreamliner aircraft. This will be the only non stop service to India from Canada and tickets are already on sale! If you aren’t based in Toronto don’t worry – Air Canada has set the flight times to fit in with convenient connections within Air Canada’s North American network (a network that includes Montreal amongst 61 other Canadian cities).
|
|
Air Canada has offered service to India with their Atlantic Joint Venture partners Lufthansa and United Airlines. Now Air Canada’s complementary nonstop service offers you even more choice. And once you arrive in Delhi you can also easily continue your journey in India on Air India or other partner airlines to such cities as Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad – and indeed to other destinations throughout Southeast Asia.
The Dreamliner B787 aircraft represent the latest generation of aircraft and provide an unparalleled onboard experience - everyone on board benefits from a quieter and smoother flight with these ultra-modern planes. Plus technological advances mean less travel fatigue. Ambient mood lighting eases the time zone changes, lower cabin pressure means better oxygen absorption and increased humidity reduces dehydration. The air you breathe is cleaner thanks to continuous circulation through an advanced filtration system and the water is pure thanks to ultra-violet light water treatment. These aircraft offer the largest windows of any aircraft flying today – and forget about blinds as these windows have an electronic dimming system! Click here to find out more.
Air Canada offers you a choice of three cabin classes:
- Business Class with 30 executive pods (1-2-1 configuration) that extend to create a fully lie flat bed. The seats are so comfortable they even have a massage function in the headrests! And the pampering includes everything from an 18” entertainment screen to freshly brewed Lavazza expressos and cappuccinos to aromatherapy!
- Premium Economy Class has 21 seats (2-3-2 configuration) with 38” of legroom and a generous 7” recline, plus an 11” touch screen entertainment system. It’s a great option if you want to arrive refreshed and ready to hit the streets of Delhi.
- Economy Class has 247 comfortable seats (3-3-3 configuration) with the personal space that you would expect from a regular, scheduled Air Canada flight.
And best of all, Air Canada passengers earn Aeroplan miles on every flight - which they can then use towards future travel. Maybe you even have enough Aeroplan miles to fly to India.
Air Canada Vacations can offer you not just your flight – they can help you create the perfect India vacation with hotels and all kinds of tours to help you explore this fascinating country. Flexibility is the name of the game as you can book flights across India, hotels from a wide choice of 3, 4 and 5 star accommodation as well as everything from half day city tours to 7 day itineraries. Naturally you earn Aeroplan miles on the whole booking as well as being able to tap into Air Canada Vacation’s deep knowledge of the destination.
Your Travel Agent can help make your reservations with Air Canada Vacation or check out the many options available at www.AirCanadaVacations.com.
The depth of the Air Canada Vacations product should not be underestimated. They can offer you a choice of 307 hotels, 92 day trips and excursions, 35 multi day tours, private sightseeing, cooking classes and more!
Here are just three examples of the land based tours available. These cover the “Golden Triangle” destinations of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur – a popular choice for a first trip to India.
All multi-day tours to the highlights of India include:
- Meet & greet upon arrival and departure at the airport
- All transfers at airport and sightseeing excursions in air-conditioned vehicles
- Accommodation
- Private English/French speaking guides
Golden Triangle & Karauli
8 days / 7 nights
Delhi • Jaipur • Karauli • Agra
Discover India's classic 'Golden Triangle' route, plus discover Karauli, home of the famous Lord Krishna Temple.
Tour highlights:
- City Sightseeing tour of Old Delhi & New Delhi, including short rickshaw ride
- Tonga (Horse Carriage) ride during visit of Taj Mahal
- Village Walk in Agra
- Village Safari walk or camel cart in Karauli
- Dinner and interactive cooking session with Indian family in Jaipur
- Elephant ride at Amber Fort/Jaipur (subject to availability)
- Heritage Walk of Old Jaipur City
Palaces of Rajasthan
10 days / 9 nights
Delhi • Agra • Jaipur • Pushkar • Jodhpur • Udaipur
Marvel in the architecture and engineering of the historical forts and palaces of Royal Rajasthan!
Tour highlights
- Guided tour of Jodhpur City
- Guided city tour of Udaipur
- Heritage walk in Udaipur
- Boat ride on Lake Pichola and high tea at Jagmandir Palace, Udaipur
Best of North India
12 days / 11 nights
Delhi • Jaipur • Agra • Dholpur • Orchha • Khajuraho • Varanasi
A longer, more in-depth tour that takes you to the Golden Triangle and beyond - and includes some of Northern India’s most famous landmarks.
Tour highlights
- Taj nature walk, Agra
- Village walk in Agra
- Boat ride in Dholpur
- Evening Aarti Ceremony on the Ganges, including dance performance and dinner with an Indian family
- Private boat ride on River Ganges