Inspire Brochure May 23 - Dec 24

12 | Mercury Holidays To order our Escorted Tours Brochure or to book, call us free on 0800 093 6811 I ndia is a country of colour, culture and spiritualism. This in-depth tour will take you through cities and landscapes and UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites before heading south to lush Kerala. Begin your tour by exploring the multi- faceted city of Mumbai, witnessing iconic sights such as the Gateway of India and the Hanging Gardens. Continue your journey to Amritsar to explore the Sikh’s holy city, its network of historic bazaars and the famed Golden Temple. Next, head towards Shimla, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas and enjoy a ride on the UNESCO-recognised ‘Toy Train’ through breathtaking sceneries. Your next stop is the buzzing city of Delhi. Discover the city by traversing through narrow, spice-scented streets on a rickshaw, taking in sights such as the Red Fort, before crossing to the centre of New Delhi. Head onward to the Pink city of Jaipur, where you’ll visit the impressive Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar and stunning Hawa Mahal. Next, depart for Agra to explore the fascinating mausoleums and bustling markets of this charming city. Spend an unforgettable day exploring the magnificent Taj Mahal and the impressive, red sandstone Agra Fort. Proceed to Lucknow, to visit the city’s most impressive highlights, before exploring the great Hindu city of Varanasi, and witnessing a Ganga Aarti ceremony upon the River Ganges. Explore the cities of Kolkata and Cochin before stopping in Alleppey, where you’ll board a traditional House Boat for a journey through the scenic winding backwaters. Drive through spectacular countryside and spice-scented plantations to Thekkady for an unforgettable visit to Periyar National Park. Head to the rolling valleys and mountains of Munnar, visiting tea and spice plantations, then continue onto Cochin for a memorable end to your tour, marvelling at Mattancherry Dutch Palace and St. Francis church. Meals included: All meals daily Extend your tour: Kerala beach stay, 4 nights, 5 H Full Board from £379 A Passage Through India J O U R N E Y O N PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK A highlight of the tour for wildlife lovers is a visit to India’s largest wildlife sanctuary, the Periyar National Park in Thekkady. Enjoy a morning boat ride at Periyar Lake where you will have the chance to spot the animals in their natural habitat. In addition to the endearing elephants, look out for the park’s 25 Bengal tigers, colourful birds, reptiles and other mammals.