INDIA SPECIALIST COX & KINGS LAUNCHES 2015 BROCHURE FEATURING A NEW ESCORTED TOUR TO SRI LANKA, AND NEW RIVER AND RAIL IDEAS

 London – 21 July 2014

The first of Cox & Kings' 2015 brochures, India & Beyond features an extensive range of escorted group tours and tailor-made private holidays throughout India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives. With a new government in place, India's first majority government for 30 years, tourism is firmly on the agenda. The rupee is at its most favourable rate for years and travel to the subcontinent is once again excellent value for money: the popular 9-day Indian Experience escorted tour is priced from £1,295 per person, a saving of £150 compared to travel in 2014.

The new brochure contains plenty of suggestions for venturing away from the trodden tourist path, as well as a new group tour to Sri Lanka, ideas for river cruising in India and additional suggestions for Nepal.

Cox & Kings' CEO Peter Kerkar says, “The Indian subcontinent is now offering exceptional value for money. We have worked hard to negotiate excellent rates with hoteliers and combined with the favourable exchange rate, our 2015 tours are all lower in price than 2014. The new government in India is prioritising tourism and with the introduction later this year of visa on arrival we are hopeful that visitor numbers will continue to grow.”

ESCORTED TOURS: Group tours across the Indian subcontinent have continued to show positive year-on-year increases in with passenger numbers increasing by 50% compared to 2013. Numbers have increased by almost 70% in 2014 for both the Grand Tour of South India, a 15-day / 14-night tour now priced from £2,295 per person and Taj Mahal to Tropical Kerala, a 17-day / 15-night tour priced from £2,495 per person. With price reductions on these tours of up to £780 per person, this trend is expected to continue.

NEW: SRI LANKA: Bookings to Sri Lanka have grown considerably in 2014 as the destination remains excellent value for money. With new hotels and improved infrastructure on the island's east coast, as well as political stability, its popularity looks set to remain. For 2015, Cox & Kings is launching a second escorted tour to the country, which focusses on the amazing diversity of birdlife, flora, fauna and marine life. Wonders of the Wild is a 12-day / 10-night escorted tour priced from £1,995 per person. The 14-day / 12-night Sri Lanka: The Enchanted Island is priced from £1,895 per person for 2015, a £680 saving compared to 2014 departures.

NEW: THE ULTIMATE TRAVELLING CAMP: This luxury movable tented camp, which began operation in August 2013, has announced two new locations for spring 2015: Kotwara and Dudhwa National Park. The Kotwara Terai Camp is set in 200 hectares of pristine wilderness against the backdrop of the Anhalwara Palace. As guests of Muzaffar Ali, a celebrated painter, filmmaker and descendent of the Kotwara royal family, there will be opportunities to learn more about the Sufi culture as well as visits to the local villages to see the renowned embroidery and textile makers. Dudhwa National Park is perhaps one of India's least explored parks and supports a sizeable tiger population as well as one-horned rhinoceros, sloth bears and more than 400 bird species. A naturalist from Suheli Camp Dudhwa will accompany guests on nature walks and safari drives. An 11-day / 9-night trip, including 2 nights' full board at the Suheli Camp Dudhwa National Park and 2 nights' full board at the Kotwara Terai Camp is priced from £3,995 per person.

RIVER & RAIL: For 2015 Cox & Kings has introduced river cruises in northern India into the brochure. Allowing the exploration of remote countryside, guests will discover ancient monuments and palaces and see first-hand the importance of rivers in the everyday life of local people. As the source of all life, rivers are considered sacred by Indians and are a lifeline for millions. RV Rajmahal, launched in 2014, has a specially designed shallow draught to allow for cruising in shallow channels. City of Light is a 13-day / 11-night tour, including a 7-night cruise between Patna and Varanasi onboard the RV Rajmahal is priced from £2,495 per person.

The Deccan Odyssey train offers nine different rail journeys through some of India's most culturally rich regions. Combining key sites with remote areas away from the tourist trail, the 21-carriage train allows guests to explore India without compromising on comfort. Indian Odyssey is an 11-day / 9-night trip from Delhi to Mumbai, which includes a 7-night train journey, and is priced from £3,695 per person with full board on the train.

Please note that all quoted prices include international flights from London, transfers, excursions and accommodation with breakfast daily unless otherwise specified.

Please see www.coxandkings.co.uk/indian-subcontinent for the full programme.

For more information or images, or to request a copy of the brochure, please contact Katie Parsons on 020 7808 5694 or email katie.parsons@coxandkings.co.uk  

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Cox & Kings is the world's longest established travel company. Its history stretches back more than 250 years to 1758 when Richard Cox was appointed regimental agent to the Footguards (later the Grenadier Guards). The company's fortunes grew hand in hand with the British empire and by the early 20th century the company was acting as agent and banker throughout the armed forces and as a shipping agent. In 1922 Cox & Co merged with the Henry S King bank, which had strong connections with India. The bank became part of Lloyds and the shipping agency grew separately, evolving into the modern travel company.

Today, built on the high quality service and attention to detail established by Richard Cox in the 18th century, the company continues to flourish as an independent tour operator, with operations in London, the US, Japan, Australia and throughout India. Cox & Kings organises escorted small-group tours and private tailor-made travel in the Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, the Middle East, the Far East, Africa, Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, and the Caribbean.