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Why Travel With Classic Holidays |
Specialist - Quality India Travel
India's diversity and vastness is a never-ending source for many
unforgettable trips. Although this is one of the world's oldest
countries, its tourism of the subcontinent is still in its infancy.
Even the most experienced traveler needs to plan ahead, and use one
of the country's travel sources which offer only the most reliable
and knowledgeable contacts and trip planners.
Classic Holidays therefore has chosen to concentrate exclusively on
travel programs of India and the neighboring state of Nepal. All of
our team members have tested the different programs we offer,
ensuring safe but exciting visits to the best cities, monuments and
other sites. During our travels, we always assess the quality of
the trips to ensure they meet only our high-quality standards. |
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Classic Holidays on the Internet
Under www.topindiatravel.com, you find the various tour
programs and their prices, the hotels we stay at during our
journeys; information about the cities in India, UNESCO world
heritage sites, and Indian wildlife; and the actual description of
ayurveda and yoga resorts, beach hotels and resorts that are not
contained in the catalog. Our web site offers additional
information, and if you cannot find the information you need,
please feel free to contact Classic Holidays. Our website is
user-friendly, full of information and kept up-to-date with
information about the cities, pricing, monuments and more. |
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Individual Guidance
You will become acquainted with Classic Holidays' quality
services even before your trip begins! Our service begins with a
detailed consultation and the elaborate planning of your personal
travel program. Before your departure, you will receive
comprehensive information about your trip's course as well as about
the country and its people. By request we can also provide your
international airline tickets. You will need to acquire your visa
and travel insurance prior to your departure in your home country.
From your arrival at the International airport in Delhi until your
departure back home, we are determined to make your trip memorable.
During the trip, our tour guides and car drivers are focused only
on your well-being.
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Travel á la carte - or Custom-tailored travel
The trip featured in our catalog is a suggested program, and
are planned based on the current local conditions (weather,
political climate, etc). We are happy to consider your special
requests, and plan out an entirely personal tailor-made travel
program. The more we know about your travel preferences and goals,
the better we can advise you on which trip is the best for you. No
matter what you choose, if you travel alone, with a partner or with
a group, you will travel with the comforts of a well-organized tour
group.
We can organize travel programs for special interest groups
including house boat cruises, a tree house vacation, sail
expeditions, scuba diving tours, ayurveda and yoga courses, cooking
courses, a farm vacation and luxury train tours. |
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Individual Traveler
Almost all our offered trips are perfect for the individual
traveler. You will travel with a private chauffeur through the
country. When you reach the monuments and other tour spots, you
will spend time with local tour guides. You have the freedom to
determine where you would like to stop and when you begin and end
the day. Obviously your chauffeur helps you choose a restaurant,
help translate something as needed and also tell you about the
countryside you are traveling through, a site that you see, or what
the food is when you stop to eat. However, your chauffeur is not
trained as tour guide and cannot take over his functions. |
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Group trips with Guaranteed Departure
Classic Holidays also offers guided group trips into other areas of
the country. As a rule these are accompanied by an English-speaking
tour leader. We always encourage a small group for these tours, and
have no more than ten to twelve participants. We know that with
this size group our tour leader can fulfill the requirements of
each guest. If the minimum size of the group cannot be achieved, we
will not cancel the tour. In this case, we propose the already
booked participants continue the trip with a private chauffeur and
without an accompanying tour guide, but rely on the local tour
guides when they reach a destination.
Note: We never cancel our tours.
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Accommodations and Travel Services
Hotel Categories
Each of our individual travel programs include stays at
different classes of hotels. You stay basically in rooms with a
shower / bath and WC (water closet) or toilet. In the majority of
the hotels, you will not stay in a single room, but a double room.
If you desire a single room, the surcharge at most hotels for
single occupancy is very high. Since we do not typically classify
the hotels, we do rate the hotels per our high standards and
criteria.
The standard class includes simple, but clean hotels. Lodgings in
the 3- and 4-star category (international) are comfortable,
providing highly well-groomed accommodations. Most of the 3- and
4-star hotels have swimming pools. The luxury class offers highly
comfortable accommodations with elegant furnishings and very good
service. The super luxury classes are the flagships at those hotels
including the Oberoi hotel group (Vilas- Resort), the world-famous
hotel accommodations of the Aman hotel group and naturally the best
hotels of the well-known Indian hotel chain Taj.
"Palace/Heritage Hotels": With 22 principalities, Rajasthan was
once the stronghold of the Indian nobility. In 1947, with the
independence of India, the Maharajas (kings of Rajasthan) lost
their political power. Their magnificent residences however
survived. As Indira Gandhi withdrew the state appendage of the
aristocrats in 1971, the Maharajas often lacked the money in order
to maintain the palaces any longer. In order to safeguard it from
the disrepair, many were rebuilt into hotels, including dreamlike
treasures of the majestic luxury houses. Frequently, they are
inhabited (in parts) by the Maharaja family. Although a high dollar
amount was used for renovation of these hotels, one cannot expect
the comfort of a luxury hotel from all houses (heritage
accommodations). Many times all of the sanitary facilities do not
meet always to the industry standard. Occasionally there is no
water or the electricity fails.
To make your trip memorable, enjoyable and an experience, we offer
you also a "Mix" of the hotel categories for your planned trip. You
can get our input on the best places to stay as we have personally
visited all of the heritage accommodations. |
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Ayurveda Treatment and Yoga
Classic Holidays now offers a way to escape everyday stress
that can affect your health and spirit, and enjoy one of our
wellness travel programs that takes you to places away from the
typical tourist locations. Each during your trip you will receive
and experience a treatment that will help rejuvenate your body,
mind and spirit, and also help with body purification. These
treatments include corresponding Panchakarma elements and are
conducted under medical supervision and with a prescription. At the
ayurveda resorts, you can participate in daily yoga and meditation
sessions; learn about your personalized nutritional diet and
fitness plan according to the Indian medical art Ayurveda.
Please note that Ayurveda treatments are not advised during
pregnancy.
You should only sun bathe and go swimming (in the sea or pool) only
after consulting with the treating Ayurveda physician (there is a
danger of UV contingent allergic reactions).
Click here for Ayurveda in India
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Beaches in India
The natural beaches in India are almost exclusively public. We
would like you to point out that during the monsoon seasons
swimming in the sea is not possible. This applies especially to the
periods from May until July as well as October and November.
Early days booking: If you want to include visits to India's
beaches or arrange a trip that is solely along the beaches, then we
recommend that you book your trip early. Especially during the high
season, the flights and hotels are booked well in advance. |
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Guide Services
Our India trips are not designed to be "study tours" but rather
"experiential trips". Our trips will offer an insight into our
culture, as well as the everyday life of the great people of India.
There are local tour guides available for you at the respective
tourist spots and places. In the context of group tours or per your
request, we will provide an English-speaking (or other languages)
tour leader that will accompany you while touring the local
monuments, sites and other locations. Since our tour leaders can
speak the local languages, you will not have to worry about
language barriers when you converse with the local country people.
The tour guides will gladly answer all questions that arise during
the tour. Our tour guides are no scholars, but rather connoisseurs
of the country who will share their enthusiasm for the country, its
history and its culture with you. We select our tour guides very
carefully and finance their language courses and other courses so
that they are always up-to-date on current affairs, history and
more. Our guides are flexible in their schedules, so they are ready
to help you during your travels even if your suggested itinerary is
changed during the course of the trip.
India is home to world-class handicrafts, so we have included in
our programs visits to handcraft shops along your travels. In North
India, it is common that the tour guide invites you to visit a
local workshop to learn about and shop for carpets, marble or the
like. After the demonstration, you would be taken to the adjoining
showroom to have a look at finished objects. The tour guides
receive small commissions on anything you buy which is customary in
India and around the world. If you do not want to purchase
anything, let your tour guide know so you can continue sightseeing
or be able to return to your hotel. But we strongly recommend you,
to go through all the demonstration of existing handicrafts in
India and experience the techniques of making them. In most of the
cities we have appointed handicraft showrooms which we have visited
to guarantee the quality of the products that the craftsman sells.
In fact all of the shops are approved by the government of India.
On request, we can furnish you the list of those handicrafts shops.
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Entrance fee
All trips include the cost of entrance fees as part of the
total price of the tour. In the interest of the conservation of the
cultural heritages, the price of admission to all monuments has
gone up considerably in the last years. When reviewing the cost of
our trips, you should keep in mind that entrance fees account for
up to $ 150 per person.
Changes in the Tour program
The actual itinerary mentioned in the catalog can change based on
the season, weather, official holidays, change in opening and
closing times of monuments and national parks or monument closing
day (Note: Taj Mahal is closed every Friday). Our local agencies
are familiar with such problems however and will do everything in
order to accomplish the program anyhow.
If you travel by house boat or other boats, those trips can be
subject to changes dependent upon the water level and weather.
Elephant rides included in our tour program are also subject to
weather conditions and the availability of the animals. Flight
connections to Ladakh are also subject to the weather conditions
because the approach to land can take place only as a visual
flight. Also, last-minute time changes and / or flight schedule
changes can occur.
Please take into consideration that you cannot expect western
perfection, immaculate cleanness and dead on time punctuality in a
country that uses "yesterday" and "tomorrow" all the time. |
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Noise Nuisance
During festival season (December until February), music will
play sometimes during the entire night out of loudspeakers at
temples, churches and mosques Also traffic noise in India is a
common annoyance. You find that "Blow your horn" is a normal
occurrence. |
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Your travel documents
After receiving your booking, we ask you, to fill out your
registration form and send it to us as soon as possible. After
taking into consideration your special requests, we will work on
your special tour program. We offer the largest number of items you
can select from to include in your travel plan, more than any other
travel service and at the best price in the tour industry. You can
select from a wide range of side trips and other places to visit
including a village safari, camel ride, elephant ride, lunch and
dinner at certain places, a dance and laser light show at Agra,
extra sightseeing etc.
After working on your tailor-made tour program, we send it to you
for your approval. We also ask you whether you need us to book your
international flight (you also have the option to book your
international flight yourself). After getting your approval, we ask
you to wire at least a 50% deposit to our bank account
(instructions will be provided at the time of booking). The deposit
is used for the hotel reservations, and to book train and flight
tickets. If we book your international flight you will need to
remit the full amount of airfare plus 50% of the tour package cost.
The balance of the trip's cost can be paid upon your arrival in US
Dollars or Euros. Upon your arrival in India and before your trip
starts, you will be provided with all of your necessary travel
documents (Hotel Vouchers and Flight or Train Tickets).
Please note: We don't provide Visa and Insurance services. But, we
strongly recommend that you get travel insurance from your local
travel insurance provider.
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Services Not Included In the Price
There are no hidden costs - our tour price clearly lists all
inclusions and exclusions. Our tour price is generally an all
inclusive price. For hassle-free travel and unlike our competitors,
we generally include entrance fees to monuments, excursions to
nearby sights, mineral water bottles etc in our tour price.
In the tour price mentioned on the website, there are other costs
that are not included in the cost. Exclusions are: Visa fees,
travel insurance, all suggestions marked as a possibility during
the respective tour course, tips, massages, fees required for water
sport possibilities, video fees and camera fees as well as other
personal expenses. Any type of airfare (domestic or international).
Disclaimer of Liability in Adventure & Expedition Trips
In expedition trips (such as climbing Himalaya, or staying in the
tree house), equestrian and diving tours there are special risks
involved that you must keep in mind. Classic Holidays is barred
from liabilities of such risks. Naturally, we take responsibility
for the proper selection of our partners, but the course of such a
trip depends basically on the participants themselves and other
influencing factors (for example weather). We ask for notice of
this liability exclusion. |
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Transportation
On the Road
Transportation by land is impacted by road conditions, weather
and the condition of the vehicle. Please note that the performance
of the vehicles would not always fulfill the European and western
standards.
For an individual l tour up to 3 participants, vehicles of
"standard category" are deployed. With small groups of up to 7
persons, we use small buses such as The Tempo Traveler. In trips in
rough terrain - for example in the Himalaya or highland of Kerala -
jeeps of domestic production are used. During overland drives, the
suitcases are transported usually on the roof of the vehicle. The
drivers will try to protect your baggage with a tarpaulin, but
pollutants and small scratches cannot be averted in the frequent
uploading and unloading of baggage. Please avoid bringing your
finest leather suitcases.
We can also accommodate your request for a desired vehicle type
which you can do while planning your trip. |
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On the Rail
Train journeys in India are a "must". Our express trains -
called Shatabdi Express - are fast, and very comfortable. The
compartments are air-conditioned, the seats are adjustable and
newspapers, meals and drinks are served on board. Unfortunately
these trains do not service all of the routes.
On the remaining trains, there is a multitude of different
categories:
1st Class A/C Sleeper (A/C = air-conditioning): As a rule two cabin
types are possible: 1 cabin for 4 passengers (lockable from inside)
with 2 beds below and 2 beds above. Alternatively, there are also
cabins for 2 persons (also lockable from inside) with a bed above
and a bed below.
2nd Class A/C Sleeper: The compartments are divided in 2 parts: On
one side equipped with 4 sleep possibilities (2 below, 2 above) and
two sleep possibilities at the opposite side (below and above).
These compartments are not closable; however they are equipped with
curtains.
For overnight train trips, you need to make your reservation in
advance (4 weeks before trip start at the latest).
In the Air
Flights within India are not cheap. In India there are some "No
Frills Airlines" on the market. With frequent low-priced flights
they offer during the flight no services (drinks and foods can be
paid directly). Often, these airlines are bookable only on the
Internet and have very strict cancellation conditions. Basically,
we try at the time of planning your trip, to restrain the amount of
flying within India as little as possible - flight delays and
flight failure happen often.
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Other Plus Points
. No hidden costs - our tour price clearly lists all inclusions
and exclusions. While India has become an expensive destination in
south-east Asian countries, we offer you the best price for our
tour programs. Not only will you have a memorable trip, but you'll
visit more sites and experience more getting the best possible
value for your money. But don't get us wrong! We never sell "cheap
tours". You will stay in the best hotels, have the best
transportation, visit the best sites, and eat the best meals.
. We always stay in touch with our clients, wherever you are
traveling in India or Nepal. We are aware of your itinerary, and
are just a call away if you need us.
. We always use SUV (Toyota or similar) for the whole tour, while
most of the companies use small and mid size cars. In India you
have to travel approx. 200 Km daily because of long distances.
That's why we strongly recommend only SUVs.
. We give the services of our representatives at each city who will
help you in hotel check in, guide introduction and other services.
. Most of the companies allow you to travel strictly according to
the tour itinerary (tour program). But with us, unlike other
companies, along with the sight-seeing mentioned in the program,
you are free to explore any extra tourist spots or markets
according to your wish in and around each and every city. Car and
driver will available for you at no extra cost. On the contrary, we
give you from our side list of extra sight-seeing in each city,
which can be done on your own discretion.
With the growing inconsistency and fraud in online travel
companies, especially in Asian countries like India, Classic
holidays is determined to give you up-to-date information and
quality services and do our best to make your holidays memorable.
We strictly adhere to professional ethics.
You should also go through: About us, Terms & Conditions, India
Travel Tips and Details, Mode of Payment |
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