Embarking on a journey to India is an immersive plunge into a whirlwind of sensations.
Whether navigating bustling streets, exploring iconic landmarks, or delving into vibrant markets, expect to be engulfed in organised chaos. Amongst the hustle and bustle, however, lie some of the world’s most breathtaking historical marvels.
Our “Temples, Tigers & The Taj Mahal” itinerary serves as a captivating introduction to India’s allure, catering both to first-time adventurers and seasoned explorers. Spanning 12 days and encompassing all essentials, the journey commences in Delhi, a city pulsating with centuries-old energy and kaleidoscopic hues.
Delhi’s dichotomy unfolds as we traverse from the ancient labyrinth of Old Delhi, adorned with bustling bazaars and architectural splendours, to the stately grandeur of New Delhi, a testament to British colonial legacy. Highlights include iconic landmarks like India Gate, Parliament House, the Tomb of Humayun, and the soaring Qutub Minar.
From Delhi, our expedition leads to Agra, renowned for the ethereal Taj Mahal, an architectural masterpiece that defies portrayal through mere photographs. While exploring the majestic Agra Fort, witness the Taj Mahal’s other-worldly beauty bathed in the soft hues of sunrise.
No exploration of India’s Rajasthani region is complete without venturing into the Kingdom of Bharatpur, home to the acclaimed Bird Sanctuary nestled within the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Here, witness a symphony of indigenous and migratory avian species, amidst the timeless allure of Fatehpur Sikri’s UNESCO World Heritage cityscape.
Do not hesitate to give us a call. One of our expert team is available and would be happy to answer any questions you have.
1300 668 149 or +61 3 9545 0906
Continuing our odyssey through history and tradition, we descend into the depths of Chand Baori Step-well, an architectural marvel steeped in antiquity. The journey then unfolds to Ranthambore National Park, a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, offering unparalleled encounters with the majestic tigers amidst the verdant jungle.
Jaipur, the quintessence of regal splendour, awaits with its opulent palaces and timeless traditions. Explore the Amber Fort, adorned with intricate carvings and mirrored halls, and marvel at the astronomical precision of Jantar Mantar.
Immerse yourself further with a unique elephant walk through Saluwar Forest, followed by a delectable barbecue dinner amidst the serene ambience of an open-air lounge. Concluding our adventure, delve into the wilderness of Jhalana Leopard Safari National Park, a sanctuary teeming with elusive felines and diverse wildlife.
An unforgettable Farewell Dinner marks the culmination of your odyssey, meticulously curated to transcend the mundane and evoke profound experiences.
With all-inclusive amenities and surprises woven into every moment, this itinerary promises unparalleled value and enchantment.
Limited to just 40 participants, seize the opportunity to embark on this transformative journey today, for an experience that transcends mere travel—it’s an immersion into the soul of India.
24th January 2025 @ 7:00pm
4th February 2025 @ 9:00am
Starts: Delhi, India
Ends: Jaipur, India
Conference Participant: $995 pp
Non-Conference Participant: $795 pp
Amaco Family Price: $12,995 pp
(For previous Amaco Conference Participants)
Early Bird Price: $12,995 pp
(For bookings made prior to 31 August 2024)
Standard Price: $13,995 pp
Incredible India Single Supplement (if travelling alone): $3,995
On arrival at Delhi Airport, you will be met by Amaco staff or our local representative and transferred to our group hotel – the beautiful Taj Palace Delhi.
Following check-in at the hotel, you are free to relax in your room or begin enjoying the area surrounding the hotel.
In the evening you will enjoy a Welcome Networking Dinner. It’s a great opportunity to meet your fellow participants, renew old friendships, and start new ones.
Overnight: Taj Palace Delhi
Included Meals: Welcome Networking Dinner
After breakfast, visit the Qutab Minar, a Tower of Victory, built in the 12th century by Qutbuddin Aibak. It’s then onto New Delhi, where you’ll witness the architecture of British India – the imposing President’s House, the North and South Blocks, the government offices and Parliament House and India Gate, the memorial to the Unknown Soldier.
Lunch at an authentic local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you’ll drive towards Old Delhi. Explore the living legacy of the Indo-Islamic culture & lifestyle in Old Delhi. Moghul emperor Shahjahan transferred his capital from Agra to Delhi and laid the foundations of Shahjahanabad, the seventh city of Delhi. Today it is popularly called Old Delhi.
There is no better way to explore this bustling part of the city in the afternoon than on a cycle rickshaw. Ride through the narrow lanes and experience the daily activities of the merchants, the little food and traditional stalls and the teeming population busy with daily activities.
Visit Khari Baoli, Asia’s largest spice market. Stroll through the bustling, busy lanes of the area. The displays of hundreds of spices and condiments are arranged in neat colourful piles making it a visual treat. Also visit the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), India’s largest mosque, also built by Shah Jahan.
A Dinner at the Spice Route.
Since its debut, the country’s favourite restaurant has been fascinating diners from the world over with its mural art, ancient temple pillars and awe-inspiring philosophy, visible across nine intriguing storied sections to the open courtyard. The journey of Asian cuisine at The Spice Route begins from the corners of East Asia through Java to India, presenting a modern yet epicurean Asian plate dining experience for business luncheons and fun evenings with colleagues and friends at the very heart of the city.
Overnight: Taj Palace Delhi
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, depart the hotel and head to the VIP section to enjoy the Republic Day Parade. Republic Day is the day when India marks and celebrates the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950. This replaced the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India, thus turning the nation into a republic separate from British Raj.
Return to the hotel following the parade where a specially curated Indo-Aussie fusion lunch will follow.
Conference Sessions 1 & 2 will take place at the hotel this afternoon.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Taj Palace Delhi
Included Meals: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, check-out and drive to Agra (approx. 210kms / 4 hrs drive).
The ancient city of Agra lies on the banks of the river Yamuna and is one of the oldest settlements in India. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, it was the seat of power of the Mughals and three generations of Great Mughals ruled a huge empire from here. It was also a centre of learning, Culture, Art and Religious philosophies which produced some of the most renowned litterateurs and scholars.
Lunch will be at Molecule Restaurant.
In the afternoon you’ll visit the Agra Fort, a giant monument in red sandstone, dominating a bend in the River Yamuna, a little north-west of the Taj Mahal. Experts have acknowledged it as the most important fort in India, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. All the major Moghul Emperors spent time ruling India from here. Shah Jahan was famously imprisoned here by his son Aurangzeb and died here, overlooking the Taj Mahal he had built for his favourite wife. The fort also features in one of India’s battles against the British during the independence uprising of 1857.
Dinner at the Peshawari Restaurant at the ITC Mughal.
Overnight: ITC Mughal
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You’ll be up early to visit the Taj Mahal with a sunrise visit planned before returning to the hotel for breakfast.
After checking out, you’ll head towards Bharatpur (approx. 60kms/1½ drive). En route you’ll visit Fatehpur Sikri – an exquisite city built by Akbar the Great in 1569, in red sandstone, with its forts, palaces and mosques, and abandoned after its creation due to political unrest. It is a well-preserved abandoned Mughal city and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Arrive in Bharatpur to a traditional welcome and check into the Laxmi Vilas Palace.
The Kingdom of Bharatpur was carved out by the legendary Jat warriors, Badan Singh and Suraj Mal. Under their able leadership, the territory of Bharatpur expanded far beyond the original boundaries of the town of Bharatpur and the Jats became a power to be reckoned with in this region. Such was the might of the Jats that Bharatpur came to be known as an impregnable city. The forces of Bharatpur were the only ones that fought successfully against the British.
Lunch at the Laxmi Vilas Palace.
Following lunch, visit the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in eco-friendly rickshaws. One of the finest bird parks in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a reserve that offers protection to faunal species as well. Keoladeo, the name derives from an ancient Hindu temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, which stands at the centre of the park. ‘Ghana’ means dense, referring to the thick forest, which used to cover the area.
Nesting indigenous water- birds as well as migratory water birds and waterside birds, this sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar.
Overnight: Laxmi Vilas Palace
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you’ll proceed to Abhaneri to visit the Chand Baori (Abhaneri) Step-well (105 kms/ 2 hrs).
This stepwell is situated in the village of Abhaneri in Rajasthan. It extends approximately 30m into the ground, making it one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India.
Return to Laxmi Vilas Palace for lunch.
Conference Sessions 3 & 4 will take place this afternoon.
A Special Dinner in the Palace gardens accompanied by Rajasthani Folk Dances and a Puppet Show.
Overnight: Laxmi Vilas Palace
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a fairly relaxing morning today before departing the Laxmi Vilas Palace and heading for the local train station.
Enjoy lunch en route at The Bagh before boarding the 12060 Kota Janshatabdi Express Train to Ranthambore. The train journey takes approximately 2.5 hours.
Ranthambore National Park is one of the biggest and most renowned national parks in Northern India. Spread over an area of 400sq. km, these former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur are now a major tourist spot that attracts many wildlife experts and photographers from all over the world. Although there is rich wildlife here, the park is famous for its tigers and is considered one of the best locations to spot the majestic predators in its natural habitat.
Arrive in Ranthambore and transfer to our accommodation.
Dinner at the Resort.
Overnight: Bookmark Resort Jogi Mahal
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Game Drive in the Ranthambore National Park by exclusive jeeps with an English Speaking Naturalist.
The park has a very large number of animals, including various deer and a wide variety of birdlife. If you are lucky, you might be able to see and observe a tigress with her cubs. You will get excellent photographic opportunities at Malik Talao, where the lake’s surface seems to be carpeted by red algae and is visited by all kinds of birds.
Return to the lodge for Breakfast
Spend the rest of the morning relaxing at the resort or take a Naturalist-led Nature Walk or visit the local village school.
Lunch at the Resort… with the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Dinner at the Resort
Overnight: Bookmark Resort Jogi Mahal
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today will begin much like the previous day with you departing for an early morning game drive before returning to the Resort for a delicious breakfast.
You’ll then have some time to visit the local school. Pending availability you may also have the chance to enjoy a guided walk with the local rangers.
Lunch will be served at the Resort.
After lunch, you’ll be driven to Jaipur (approx. 177kms/3½ hrs) where you’ll be given a royal welcome.
Jaipur is a city where royalty still lives in the grandeur of its palaces, where fighting for the honour of the clan has never been a need but a way of life, and where treating guests as gods has been a tradition from time immemorial. Jaipur got its name from its founder Sawai Jai Singh (1693-1743), who had the vision to create a meticulously planned city as his capital. All the houses in the old city are painted pink, including the famous Hawa Mahal, thereby giving the city its popular name, the Pink City.
Dinner will be at the hotel.
Overnight: The Raj Palace
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A full-day tour of this historical city awaits you today.
Drive past the Hawa Mahal, known popularly as the Palace of Winds. This is a facade built for the ladies of the royal household in the 19th century. There is also time set aside for you to wander through the traditional markets dotted around the area.
The tour then continues to Amber Fort, the capital of the erstwhile State of Jaipur until 1728. The fort is perched on a hill and has numerous halls including the famous Hall of Public and Private Audience, the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) and various marble palaces which are marvellous examples of ancient Rajput architecture.
A special lunch at the Golden Room of the Rambagh Palace follows.
Following lunch, you’ll visit the City Palace – the former royal residence and the Jantar Mantar – a stone astrological and astronomical Observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th century.
Then, late in the afternoon, you’ll head to Dera Amer where you can enjoy an amazing interactive elephant walk and dinner.
Overnight: The Raj Palace
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early breakfast, proceed to Jhalana Leopard Safari National Park on the outskirts of the city.
Jhalana National Park is the world’s most densely populated leopard reserve, and while it only covers an area of 20sq km, it is home to more than 40 leopards and other wild animals like the striped hyena, Indian civet, jackal, porcupine and desert fox to name a few.
Return to the hotel for lunch after which Conference Sessions 5 & 6 will take place.
A Farewell Networking Dinner will be held this evening.
Overnight: The Raj Palace
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Amaco is not only a member of ATIA (the Australian Travel Industry Association) and CATO (Council of Australian Tour Operators) but we are also ATAS Travel Accredited. This means we have met strict industry financial, operational, and management standards and criteria. Only the best industry agents achieve this accreditation, meaning you can travel with us knowing that you’re in safe and capable hands.
With almost 30 years of experience in planning and running conferences, we understand that participants may want to add additional travel destinations and adventures before or after the all-inclusive packages we provide.
Other conference operators might discourage you from doing this. Sometimes, it’s because of the added complexity it creates and at other times they’ll try to talk you out of it simply because they don’t have capable or experienced staff with the breadth and depth of the advisors we employ.
We encourage all participants to make the most of the time away. This might mean departing earlier than the rest of the group and visiting other destinations before meeting up with the main group at the conference or staying on at the conclusion and doing some additional travel.
Our travel advisors are perfectly positioned to assist you with making these arrangements and will do all the hard work for you – seamlessly combining your personalised itinerary with the group program.
Yes… not a problem. We understand that people may have a preferred Travel Agency they want to use and we don’t have any issues with you doing so. We’ll advise you of suggested arrival and departure times to allow you to make use of our group transfers.
Keep in mind though… we do have experienced travel advisors who are ready and waiting to help… even if that means just giving you a comparison price – nothing wrong with some competition.
If you do book your own flights, we will ask for a copy of your full itinerary so that we can double-check it to ensure that it fits with our program and group itinerary.
One word of warning, however, when booking flights independently – as the non-ticketing Agency we’re not notified of any time changes or cancellations to your booking. If anything changes with your booking both before and during the journey, it will be up to your agent to contact you and to make any changes needed.
It is also worth pointing out that even though we’ll have experienced staff members escorting the group during the conference, as the non-ticketing Agent we are not allowed to make contact or deal with the airline or other suppliers on your behalf.
We used to include flights in our travel package but found that in many cases the fares were more expensive than the best available daily fares or were not applicable for people who were looking to extend before or after the main conference travel dates.
We also felt it was unfair on you, as a participant, to unknowingly pay a premium for a more flexible group fare when you are already committed to attending the conference.
By not including the airfare in the package, you are able to work with one of our experienced and knowledgeable Travel Advisors to arrange flights on any airline and from any destination depending on your preferences…. including the class of travel.
In short….. Yes!
You’re encouraged to talk to our experienced travel advisors to learn more about the options open to you either before or after the conference itineraries. We will gladly work with you to put together a personalised itinerary that can include as much or as little as you want.
We believe it is important for your own peace of mind to know that our advisors are all employed directly by Amaco Small Group Tours and are located in our office in Notting Hill.
We don’t subcontract out the travel to a third party which means you can be comfortable knowing that whatever arrangements you make through Amaco will be tied together with the conference program to make one continuous, seamless travel itinerary. We’ll put as much care and effort into your extension as we put into the planning of the conference.
Whether it is simply booking some airport transfers with a couple of nights accommodation through to more elaborate arrangements we are perfectly positioned to incorporate any individual travel plans into your overall conference itinerary.
Email or call us so we can put together your perfect itinerary.
Much has been said about the value of travel insurance – especially given the broad-based exclusion policies many underwriters had in place which protected them from claims resulting from pandemics and epidemics.
A lot has changed in the past 12 – 18 months and many of the reputable travel insurance policies available in the market now not only include the usual cover for luggage and emergency medical expenses but also include coverage for COVID.
All members of the Amaco team are trained and authorised to provide information to clients regarding travel insurance. We routinely attend product updates on the various policy options and inclusions and stand ready to assist you in finding the right policy for you.
Please call our office and we will gladly explain the various different scenarios to you in greater depth.
Amaco is an Accredited Education Provider for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural & Remote Medicine. Over the years members of our tea have also worked closely with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, the Australian Medical Association, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and various dental and specialist associations and colleges.
Each conference we run includes an education syllabus that assists GP’s, pharmacists and health professionals to improve the quality of care they provide to patients and customers while at the same time providing them the opportunity to travel to and experience new and exciting destinations.
Our conference will allow delegates the opportunity to earn CPD hours / points based on the content and time in sessions. As has been the case with past conferences, we will work closely with participants affiliated with other associations to ensure that they receive maximum recognition for attending the conference.
The content of the education sessions will be relevant to GPs, Medical Specialists, Pharmacists, Dentists, Nurses, and other health providers. We encourage all attendees to register for the conference sessions.
The Education Committee for the Incredible India Conference will be selected in mid-2024 with final conference topics to be chosen based on the feedback from our previous conference attendees and with input from the RACGP, ACRRM, and medical journals. Suitable speakers will be approached based on the topics selected.
Subject to final accreditation, the Incredible India Conference will include up to 14 hours of accredited education.
ACRRM members can also expect the education program to be accredited and to earn CPD points. RACGP and ACRRM accreditation will be applied for under the triennium 2023 to 2025.
As has been the case in the past, Amaco will work with pharmacy bodies and those affiliated with other associations to ensure that they receive maximum recognition for attending the conference.
We welcome applications from potential presenters and encourage anyone interested to contact us to obtain further information.