Tour operator Western & Oriental has introduced a series of short city breaks to India and announced a summer sale in response to the introduction of India's new e-Tourist Visa service.

“The process of obtaining a visa for India is now simpler, quicker and more affordable, which really opens the destination up for late bookings and the short breaks market,” comments Nikhil Chhibber, Western & Oriental's India product manager. “A flight to Delhi is less than an hour longer than a flight to New York and 90 minutes longer than a flight to Dubai. Both of those destinations are popular for short getaways and our new city breaks will enable India to viably compete as a vibrant and culture-rich option for the same market of spontaneous bookers.”

New itineraries

India is one of Western & Oriental's top selling destinations and the company has added three new city breaks to boost its expansive portfolio of India trips. All are ideal for short sight-seeing or shopping breaks.

• Delhi Weekend City Break – This five day/four night break includes accommodation at The Imperial Hotel, one of India's best colonial hotels, which is ideally located for exploring the sights, sounds and flavours of the city. A chauffeur driven private car is included in the package price, so visitors can spread out their sightseeing. Options include visits to local markets, a cycle rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk or visiting an Indian family to learn about North Indian cooking. Prices start from £849 per person, based on two sharing and including return flights.  http://www.westernoriental.com/tour/india-tours/delhi-weekend-city-break/

• Mumbai Weekend City Break – Mumbai began as seven small islands inhabited by simple fishermen before becoming the economic powerhouse of India. Today, the glitz and glamour of Bollywood, fashion, design, museums, galleries, monuments and nightlife sit alongside the world of Slum Dog Millionaire and streets busy with dabba wallahs. Prices start from £749 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights and four nights' accommodation at the Oberoi Mumbai. http://www.westernoriental.com/tour/india-tours/mumbai-weekend-city-break/

• Hyderabad Weekend City Break - Hyderabad, the City of Nizams, is steeped in rich culture, heritage and tradition. Today Hyderabad is home to one of the best cultural experiences and a perfect getaway for lovers of history and culture, food or even jewellery. Travellers have the option to enjoy a vintage car excursion to the monument and mosque of Charminar and relish in the flavours of traditional Hyerabadi biryanis.  Prices start from £999 per adult including direct flights from London and four nights' accommodation at The Taj Falaknuma Palace hotel. http://www.westernoriental.com/tour/india-tours/hyderabad-weekend-city-break/

Summer sale

Peak tourism season begins on 1st October in India, but with the visa process eased, travellers still have time to take advantage of August and September hotel rates which may be up to 30 or 40 per cent lower. Western & Oriental is highlighting the following trips which are still available for travel this summer.

• Save £1,200 per couple on luxury camping in Leh – Experience the real India with The Ultimate Travel Camp on a visit to the remote city of Leh in India's high-altitude Himalayan region. Offering a taste of the area's rustic past, the region is best experienced with an eye for the outdoors - rafting and hiking are a great way to see the spectacular landscape. This new itinerary – Leh with the Ultimate Travel Camp - includes a saving of £1,200 per couple for travel before the end of September 2015, with prices starting from £2,849 per adult incorporating that saving. The trip includes two nights in Delhi and five nights at The Ultimate Travelling Camp – Chamba Camp, Thiksey, where excursions include an orientation tour of Leh, experiencing morning prayers at the Thiksey monastery, and a chance to view the dramatic landscapes at Alchi and Basgo along the Indus river. http://www.westernoriental.com/tour/india-tours/leh-with-the-ultimate-travel-camp/

• Save £300 per couple on a luxury river cruise - The ABN Rajmahal is a 22 cabin vessel and the newest addition to the Assam Bengal Navigation fleet. During August and September, travellers can save £300 per couple on the 12-day Kolkata & Upstream on the ABN Rajmahal tour which travels along the Ganges river. The cruise allows passengers to explore Kolkata, the chaotic and colourful city of Varanasi and the ancient city of Patna. Prices start from £3,249 per adult, incorporating the summer price saving, including flights, accommodation, private transfers and a guide. Travellers will spend three nights in Kolkata on a bed and breakfast basis, and seven nights aboard the cruise on a full board basis. http://www.westernoriental.com/tour/india-tours/kolkata-upstream-on-the-abn-rajmahal/

• Explore Kerala with summer savings before the end of September – On Western & Oriental's new Kerala Summer Surprise itinerary, travellers will have time to enjoy the diverse culture of Cochin before boarding a private houseboat on the backwaters. From the water, visitors will slow down the pace and watch local life unfold around them, including kids playing cricket, women performing household tasks and people fishing in the river. The nine-day trip is available from £1,099 per adult based on two sharing – a saving of £300 per couple when travelling before the end of September 2015. The price includes flights, accommodation, private transfers and a private English-speaking guide for sightseeing and activities. http://www.westernoriental.com/tour/india-tours/kerala-summer-surprise/

To book any of these trips, call Western & Oriental on 020 7666 1234 or see www.westernoriental.com for more details.

About the e-Tourist Visa

Introduced for British and Irish travellers on 15th August - India's Independence Day – the new e-Tourist Visa service allows for applications to be made online a minimum of four days before travel. Previously, travellers were required to book an appointment at an application centre or apply by post, which typically took up to two weeks. The new e-Tourist Visa allows for entry at 16 designated airports within India, including the key gateways of Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai which have direct flights from UK airports. From 15th August, UK and Irish travellers now pay US$60 – approximately £39 – for a tourist visa to India. Under the previous system, travellers were charged £89.44, so the cost has more than halved. 

Western & Oriental is a specialist in travel to India. From viewing majestic Bengal tigers to visiting the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal; practicing yoga in a wellness retreat to relaxing on a beach, its tailor-made itineraries focus on the cultural traditions, the distinctive regions and dramatic landscapes that make India so captivating for travellers.

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Western & Oriental is part of the ITC Luxury Travel Group.

Click this link to download India images http://we.tl/OVWriiHaRQ

For media enquiries, please contact Kate Popham, Group Head of PR, on

kate@westernoriental.com or 020 7666 1259.