Questions for holiday period departure
We will be on the final departure of 2025, which means we will be in unusual places for Christmas and New Years. If you have done this tour at this time of year, perhaps you have an idea what to expect holiday celebration wise in the hotels and local communities.. We will be at Dwarka's Hotel in Kathmandu on Chriistmas Eve, then fly on Christmas to Chitwan National Park to stay at Meghauli Seria. For New Year's eve we will be at the LaLit Temple in Khajuraho and on New Year's Day will be Mahua Kothi Taj Hotel after visiting Bandhavgarh Nat'l Park.
We will be arriving a few days early in New Delhi, staying at the Imperial pre-tour. For those who have arrived early, do you have any restaurant recommendations (in hotel or otherwise) and also for independent touring, what did you have the hotel arrange that you recommend?
I certainly have looked at weather norms for the time of year at the various stops. i am wondering if those who have traveled late December and early January what clothing you found you need in light of weather and the varied activities on tour.
Thank you - we are really looking forward to this one.
Comments
We have not taken the tour but did stay at the LaLit hotel in Khajuraho when the original India tour went there some years ago. It’s rather ‘down market’ compared to the other palatial hotels on the India tour. Otherwise I’ve no idea how the Christmas part of the holiday will be in India or Nepal.
We didn't go at Christmas but we did arrive early and did a private tour of New Dehli that I thought was worthwhile. You can see what we did at https://www.mikeandjudytravel.com/2024-3India-01.htm
We used the hotel car and it worked out well. We were at the Leela Palace Hotel, however.
[Overall, I felt the India tour was very interesting. I'm glad we did that tour.]
sevenseas This is a GREAT tour. I really enjoy India. This tour was my 2nd visit. I was on the December 2023 India-Nepal tour. The timing isounds a bit off from your tour as we were in Aga for Christmas and we were in Mumbai for the NYE celebrations. Lots of FUN dancing in Mumbai. I was on the Portrait of India tour during the same time in 2018 and also spent Christmas Day and New Years Eve in Agra and Mumbai.
All of the hotels were decorated in traditional fashion for Christmas. A few of the workers were Christians and they were proud to make us aware of that. I hope you enjoy the Imperial Hotel as much as I did. Atmosphere - old British Charm, Service and Food were top notch. The Imperial has a very nice gift shop with quality items and reasonable prices. I purchased items there that I didn't see anywhere else on the tour. The rooms were well appointed. The pool is very relaxing. It was warm enough in December to enjoy or just relax on the loungers. I enjoyed dinner in the Spice Route Restaurant - I also had dinner there in 2018. I had lunch in the Italian restaurant - can't recall the name. You need reservations for the Spice Route. There was another restaurant during my first visit. I remember getting a taxi. I'll try to find my notes. I remember it being very good. ****EDIT--The name of the restaurant was Indian Accent****
Tours - the hotel arranged a tour guide, car and driver. We asked to be taken to places not on the Tauck itinerary. The concierge will provide a list of places of interest and descriptions The most was reasonable. I think you hire the car for either 1/2 day or full day. Easy peezy--
The Meghauli Seria was great. Your room and your private outdoor space is so relaxing--and they had nice cashmere throws on the bed. I agree with British the LaLit temple was not memorable. We spent overnight there. We arrived late evening, had dinner, went to bed and left early the next morning. There was a bar and entertainment on the ground floor but after dinner I war to bed.
Weather - Dehli was pleasant - no jacket required; however, I normally wear sleeves and always carry a light cashmere wrap. The jacket was needed in Kathmandu. Once we arrived Chitwan, I wore light-weight merino wool base layer long sleeve tops. The early morning safari drives were chilly; however it warmed up nicely and the jacket could be removed. There's also blankets in the safari vehicles to keep your legs warm. Bagmati was a bit chilly. I remember sitting outside by the fire in the evenings and having nice Old Fashions to end the day. Agra was warm. Bandhavgarh was warn--again, the morning safari drives were chilly but the afternoon drives were warm.It cools down at night and they provide these wonderful heated mattress pads and weighted blankets - I slept like a baby. Although I unplugged the heated mattress pad. Of course, Mumbai was hot as hades...
This is a FABULOUS Trip! The hotel properties were Spectacular. (exception LaLit Temple). have 3 years remaining on my 10-year Visa - I may just find myself back in India in the near future--especially if they release another itinerary-- the TD hinted something was in development---I'm optimistic.
Hope this helps...Enjoy the tour
I’m going to Nepal next year, can’t wait