New Tour Programme for 2009-10

Welcome to Darjeeling Tours. If you’re looking for a holiday to India with a special theme, such as photography, textiles, railways or history for example, then you’re in the right place! For photographers, we’ve teamed up with the Royal Photographic Society to offer a special Photography tour of northern India in January 2009. For the railway fans, we’ve got a new tour in partnership with Railnews, the Indian Steam Safari FULLY BOOKED - running in March 2009 . Our Textile Tour of India is sure to be really fascinating for anyone interested in sewing, arts and crafts. Indian Magic will suit anyone going to India for the first time who’s interested in railways and India in general. We’ve also got a new British-Raj History themed tour... see below. Plus - a NEW tour for Narrow Gauge Railway enthusiasts...Narrow Gauge Adventurer.

Some of the fabulous sights you can see on a Darjeeling Tours holiday...

Interested in the history of the

British Raj?

You’ll enjoy our NEW

“Pith Helmets and Parasols” tour!

This is a 17-day accompanied tour of India with a theme of the British colonial era. For first-timers and old hands alike, the tour combines visits to sites of general interest with a nostalgic look at the days of the Raj. British rule in India lasted for over two hundred years, and the influence is still seen in so many ways; architecture, the railway network, stifling bureaucracy, and the English language amongst them. This tour will appeal to those with an appetite for travel and an interest in colonial India, but who want to be led by experienced tour guides in the knowledge that essential comforts and travel arrangements are being taken care of.

Those with historical family connections in India will also find the tour interesting. Add-ons to the basic itinerary to cater for individual requirements can be arranged.

Wherever possible heritage hotels and those with a colonial past will be chosen, however this intention will not be allowed to compromise standards. Throughout the tour anecdotal references to British connections – people, places, military endeavour and trade – will help to put history into context with the modern industrial power that is India today.

The tour is inclusive of flights from/to Heathrow. The main tour commences at Calcutta, but for those who wish to explore the origins of the British in India there’s a three-day add-on tour to Chennai (formerly Madras) at the start.

Fabulous Textile Tour of India with

This unforgettable tour of India includes many exclusive trips and excursions especially suited to sewers or anyone interested in textiles and crafts. And partners are also very welcome as over the 16 days we will visit iconic sights such as the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Delhi Mela and Amber Palace as well as take city tours of Delhi and Calcutta, take a steam train to fascinating Darjeeling with its views of the Himalayas, watch cookery and sari tying demonstrations, visit villages and see craft demonstrations. In addition our experienced tour manager Sarah Thompson will be joined by Sewing World Magazine’s Editor Wendy Gardiner. Click here for more information. STOP PRESS! A second 2010 SEWING WORLD Tour is now available here.

Go Goa!

How about an add-on to Goa?

We have access to a resort in lovely southern Goa where you’ll be able to relax and unwind after your tour with us. Click here for more information.

Why Darjeeling Tours?

All our tours are led by knowledgeable tour managers (all of whom are experienced travellers) who will do everything they can to make your trip interesting, enjoyable and memorable. We don’t run standard “package” tours – whilst we do use coaches and flights to travel long distances, you won’t be hermetically sealed in a coach for long periods – in India for example, there will be times when you’ll be able to negotiate your own transport such as autorickshaw or taxi fares. And on train journeys what better opportunity to meet and talk to the locals – which is all part of the experience! Of course one of our tour managers will always be on hand to help. Many of our customers have travelled with us several times – and have become our friends: that’s all part of the Darjeeling Tours experience.

If you’d like to discuss any of our tours or have any questions just give us a call on on +44 (0) 1777 817798 or +44 (0) 208 816 8775 or email us at tours @ darjeelingtours. co. uk (no spaces)

UPDATE: TERRORIST ATTACK ON MUMBAI - ALL TOURS ARE RUNNING

The recent high-profile terrorist attack on Mumbai is, regrettably, a sign of our times. In recent years we have witnessed similar attacks in many parts of the world, including Bali, Madrid and London, to name but three. The fact that such an attack has now occurred in Mumbai should not be construed as a sign that India is any more a hotbed of terrorism than Spain or England. Indeed, it could be argued that it is likely to be safer given the heightened security that will doubtless be put in place. We have reviewed our current programme and at this stage we have no plans to cancel or change any of the tours as a result of these events. Nevertheless, we will continue to monitor the situation and heed advice issued by the Foreign Office. Should that advice require us to amend or cancel any of our published tours, we will do so without hesitation.

Darjeeling Tours Limited Lime Tree Lodge, Thorpe Road, Mattersey, Doncaster DN10 5ED United Kingdom

Tel: 0044 (0) 1777 817798 Fax: +44 (0) 8444 170574