The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
ASIA & AFRICA
Golden Triangle to Goa
With average temperatures of 27C and relatively low humidity, February is a great month to visit India. New for 2024, this group trip mixes temples, forts and cultural highlights in the Golden Triangle with five days in Goa. On the agenda are guided tours in Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur; visits to the Taj Mahal and Amber Fort; a rickshaw ride in Old Delhi and a train journey to Agra. If you do fancy mixing in an element of relaxation, for an additional charge, upgrade to the beachfront Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, which has a large outdoor pool – but there are also opportunities to stay active, with a nine-hole golf green and even a yoga class designed to diminish the effects of jet lag.
A 12-night ‘India’s Golden Triangle with Goa Beach Stay’ costs from £2,799pp, departing February 5, 2024. Includes international and internal flights, transfers, most meals and guided tours (01283 523431; rivieratravel.co.uk)
Stars of southern Africa
This wildlife-intensive itinerary combines several of southern Africa’s natural wonders, with an immersive mobile safari experience in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and three nights in coastal Cape Town. Highlights include pods of hippo and elephant herds at Chobe, exploring by moroko (dugout canoe) on the lagoons of the Khwai river and Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls. The camp – roomy tents with private bathrooms – moves between Botswana’s Moremi National Park and the remote Mababe region, for bush walks and game drives in search of cheetah, lion, more elephants and birds. End the day with a hot bucket shower and a chef-cooked dinner.
A 17-day ‘Delta Mobile Safari, Victoria Falls and Cape Town’ holiday costs from £5,648pp, departing in March 2024. Includes all flights (into Cape Town and out of Johannesburg), most meals, hotels in Cape Town and Victoria Falls, lodges in Maun and Kasane and safari in Botswana (020 7263 3000; llamatravel.com)
Back on track
Asia’s popular Eastern & Oriental Express train is back for 2024, following a post-Covid hiatus, with new and exciting three-night itineraries from Singapore. Both finish in the Malaysian city of Penang, where Malay, Indian and Chinese communities have shaped the heritage area of George Town, now filled with restored Chinese shophouses, galleries and wonderful restaurants. The Essence of Malaysia trip visits Kuala Lumpur and the Palau Payar Marine Park in Langkawi, while the Wild Malaysia option dips into Taman Negara, a cave-riddled lowland forest that is home to monkeys, elephants, wild oxen and endangered rhinos. Learn about the safeguarding of the Malayan tiger during an off-train excursion.
An eight-night ‘Eastern and Oriental Express, A Belmond Train’ trip combines the Wild Malaysia rail journey with three hotel nights in Singapore and a half-day city tour. From £4,999pp including flights, transfers and all meals and excursions on board (0800 021 3172; fredholidays.co.uk)
At home on the beach
If you’d like to spend your holiday on the beach but do more than lie on it, check out these week-long Soul & Surf retreats in Ahangama, Sri Lanka. The eight-room Soul and Surf Cove hotel overlooks a limpid bay where the odd turtle swims, and beyond the lagoon there is a surf break which you can paddle to from the hotel’s café. Children aged seven-plus can join surfing lessons and there is a bar and café on site. Breakfast might be a coconut roti with smashed avocado and onion chutney; evening aperitif a tamarin sour and dinner a flavoursome fish curry. Owners Ed and Sofie can supply cots for under twos and extra beds (charges below) for under 12s. Week-long retreats from October to May from £1,045pp or £1,345 solo occupancy including breakfast, five lunches and four evening meals and a ‘Soul of Surfing’ programme, including surf workshops and video analysis sessions and a daily yoga class. An extra bed with surfing from £525 (12 and under) or from £325 with meals only. Flights extra (01273 931282; soulandsurf.com)