INDIA FEB 04 ....FLAVOURS OF INDIA

FLAVOURS OF INDIA

This trip has been designed by myself in conjunction with my India based tour operatorfor a group. We can do this trip for a minimum of 2 people as well. It offers the unique features of Northern India

Trip Highlights

The great Desert State of Rajasthan
Wildlife Viewing
Vegetarian Cooking Lessons from the different states..yes you get to sample the food as well
A Indian Receipe Cooking book
Visiting the Taj Mahal specifically designed for a afternoon sunset visit
Staying in City Hotels experience the variety of Indian hospitality, service, and local boutique artichecture, furnishings, design
Experience Rural villages staying in tented upscale lodging
Yoga class in Delhi for those who want to partcipate/experience.
We will visit many assorted Temples offerring great works of Architecture/Sculpture
Experience travelling by Air, Land and Train
City tours with localEnglish speaking guides
Air conditioned Vans
Visit Varanassi..the great Ganges..river cruise

Jaipur...the Pink city and much more

A trip designed with a balanced schedule to give you free time in each destination. Each portion of the trip offerss scheduled activities, and time for you to explore at your own pace.

Further we have some surprises for you like on Day 11..mmm I cannot say any more however bring your cameras

For those who like to play Golf, and would like to experience a afternoon of Golf in Delhi, we can arrange that as well.

Like to shop..we can arrange and suggest different markets, bazaars, for this as well

If you have questions, please send them to stephen@mind.net

01 Feb.	Arrive Delhi. Reception and assistance on arrival. Transfer to hotel. Depending upon time of arrival a welcome snack with tea/ coffee or dinner in the hotel.
02 Feb.	Morning visit the Yoga ashram for introductory lecture and practice session. Return to hotel for breakfast. Thereafter full day sightseeing of Delhi. Evening a cooking demonstration with dinner of North Indian Vegetarian Food.
03 Feb.	Morning visit the Yoga Ashram, followed by a full day sightseeing along with free time for shopping and walking about in the markets on your own. We are happy to organise any spontaneous shopping trips for you as well..I know of some wonderful boutique clothing shops, there are carpet shops etc. Evening a cooking demonstration with dinner of Vegetarian Punjabi food.
04 Feb.	Morning Free. Transfer to airport for flight to Udaipur. ( Ticket cost not included) 9W 707 departing at 1335 hrs. Arrive Udaipur at 1445 hrs. Transfer to Trident Hotel. The Trident is a landmark in the city of Udaipur, acclaimed the world over for its beautiful lakes, medieval palaces and colourful bazaars. Overlooking the picturesque Pichola Lake, the tranquil Jag Mandir and the surrounding Aravali range, the hotel is set amidst landscaped gardens. Dinner on your own. Overnight stay Trident Udaipur.
05 Feb.	Morning half day of sightseeing. Afternoon free time to walk around the city on your own. Evening dinner with a cooking demonstration of Vegetarian Food from Mewar and Gujarat. Overnight stay Udaipur.
06 Feb.	Morning Depart for Ranakpur (2.5 hrs.). It's an old marble Jain temple that is one of a kind in the world. Built in 1439, It has 29 halls supported by 1444 stone carved pillars no two of which are exactly alike. Once we are done exploring this impressive Temple, we arrive to Aodhi (45 mts) for lunch, and then visit the impressive Kumbalgarh Fort which is about 30 mts. driving time from your hotel. Kumbalgarh was built in 15th century and was only conquered once in it's history. It played a very important part in the history of Rajasthan. Evening see the sound and light show if it's running. This show is being set up and should be ready by December 2003 but unforseen delays can occur. Dinner. Overnight stay at Aodhi.
07 Feb.	Morning departure for the drive to Nimaj (4 Hrs.) and arrive in Chhatrasagar ( www.chhatrasagar.com ) by lunch time. A delightful tented resort built on an embankment over a lake. A family owned and managed property. The Rathore family are renowned for their hospitality and were at one time the rulers of the surrounding villages. You can still experience some of the feudal undertones when you see the way in which the local villagers interact with the Rathore family. Evening a cooking demonstration of Vegetarian food from the Mewar region. Overnight stay Chhatrasagar.
08 Feb.	Morning visit typical Rajasthani village. You can see a gold and silver smith at work, and the other villages going about their daily routines. The best part is that you can walk around freely without being hassled or troubled in any way. Lunch. Evening dinner. Overnight stay Chhatrasagar.
09 Feb.	Drive to Pushkar ( 3 Hrs.) visit the only Brahma Temple in the world, have lunch and continue onto Jaipur ( 2.5 Hrs.). Check into Al Sisar Haveli ( www.alsisar.com). A family run heritage property in the heart of the city. Evening dinner in the hotel along with the cooking demonstration of some Vegetarian Indian desserts. Overnight stay Al Sisar Haveli, Jaipur.
10 Feb.	This morning we visit the impressive Amber Fort with an elephant ride up to the gate. The Fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly located on a hill side overlooking a lake were we eat Lunch Then we visit the Turban Museum for a Turban type demonstration followed by the city palace and Observatory. In the evening a cooking demonstration and dinner of food from the Jaipur region. Overnight stay Al Sisar Haveli, Jaipur.
11 Feb.	This morning visit Sanganer to see handmade paper Manufacture and Block printing of cotton fabric. Evening drive across (1 Hr.) to an old Heritage building called Chomu castle for Dinner. THIS IS A SURPRISE EVENING I CANNOT TELL YOU MORE BUT BRING YOUR CAMERA!!!!!!
12 Feb.	Depart at 0700 Hrs. for Agra by road.We will have a light snack to take with us. After a toilet stop enroute, reach Fatehpur Sikri by 1130 Hrs. Built by Emperor Akbar in red sandstone, the city had to be abandoned due to an acute scarcity of water. It is an excellent example of Moghul architecture and is very well preserved. Continue onto Agra ( 1 Hr.), Reaching the hotel in time for lunch ( on your own). This Afternoon we visit the Taj Mahal - the famed monument to love and one of the modern wonders of the world. This visit was specifically designed for the afternoon time, as the sunsets offer great visual affects....Spend a leisurely afternoon at the monument, and after sunset return to your hotel. Dinner on your own. Overnight stay at Trident Agra.
13 Feb.	Start the day with a visit to Agra Fort, followed by Sikandra ( Emperor Akbar's Mausoleum ) and Itmad - ud - daulah (also called the baby Taj ). Lunch on your own. Afternoon free in Agra to wander around on your own. You can watch skilled craftsmen working on Marble inlay work and shop for handicrafts for which the city is famous for. Evening dinner in the hotel with a cooking demonstration of Vegetarian food from Uttar Pradesh. Overnight stay Agra.
14 Feb.	Morning transfer to the station for the Shatabdi train to Jhansi. It departs at 0800 Hrs. and reaches Jhansi at 1030 Hrs. Transfer to Orcha ( 45 Mts.). Visit the Monuments and cenotaphs in Orcha followed by lunch. Thereafter drive to Khajuraho a city that is famous for its carvings, sometimes bordering on the erotic( 3 Hrs. ). Check in and proceed for the sound and light show. Dinner on your own. Overnight stay at hotel Taj Chandela.
15 Feb.	In Morning we visit the famed 1000 years old temples of Khajuraho, one of India most visited attractions due to the famous stone sculptures. Their stone sculptures are magnificent, some of which have been termed erotic. Afternoon drive ( 45 Mins.) to the Ken River Lodge for lunch on a tree top platform restaurant overlooking the Ken River. Thereafter we visit the Panna National Park in open vehicles for a mini safri hoping to see the king of the jungle the Tiger. The Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), the king of the jungle, roams freely in this secure, though a bit small habitat alongwith his fellow beings – leopard (Panthera pardus), wild dog (Cuon alpinus), wolf (Canis lupus), hyaena (Hyaena hyaena) and caracal (Felus caracal) and smaller cats. Sloth bear has his most favourite home in the rock escarpments and undisturbed vales. The wooded areas are dotted with sambar the largest of Indian deers, chital and chowsingha. One can easily see nilgai and chinkara in most open areas in the grasslands, especially on the periphery. Situated in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh at a distance of around 57 km from Khajuraho is the Panna National Park. The region, which is famous for its diamonds, is also home to some of the best wildlife species in India and is one of the better Tiger Reserves in the country. The park is known worldwide for its wild cats, including tigers as well as deer and antelope. It is close to one of the best-known Indian tourist attraction in India, Khajuraho were we will be staying. Evening return to the hotel for dinner along with a cooking Demonstration of Vegetarian food from Central India. Overnight stay in the hotel.
16 Feb.	Morning free to walk around the little town of Khajuraho, or visit the temples again on your own. Afternoon fly to Varanasi by 9W 334 departing Khajuraho at 1330 Hrs. Arriving Varanasi at 1430 Hrs.Proceed straight for a half day sightseeing. Evening farewell dinner. Overnight Varanasi - Radisson hotel.
17 Feb.	Early morning boat ride along the ghats, breakfast in the hotel, and a Sarnath tour We transfer to the airport for flight 9W 334 departure at 1440 Hrs, arrival Delhi at 1600 Hrs. Sadly we say goodbye as we transfer you to the International airport for your flight home.

Rate:

Roughly $2,400.00pp land only based on double occupancy..rates subject to change

Single rate available

International Air

We offer discounted air and will block air space as well

Departures outside of the USA or utilising frequent flyer miles

Please communicate with me before reserving your air flights so we can cordinate a easy transfer pick up

Domestic Flights

Domestic airfare is appoximately an $330 additional pp this will clarify once we determine the number of partcipants.

MEALS

7 lunches( including 2 at Chattrasagar and a to go snack for Day 12) and 12 dinners

Includes

All transportation by road and rail

Meals as mentioned in the itinerary

Cooking demonstrations

Cook Book

Sightseeing, including entrances along with a guide

Twin sharing accomodation in mentioned hotels or similar

DOES NOT INCLUDE

Flights, domestic or international

Domestic airfare is appoximately $330 pp this will clarify once we determine the number of partcipants.

Mineral water, beverages, laundry, telephone calls or any personal expenses.

Anything not specifically mentioned above as included such as Indian Visas, etc

For those whoa re in interested we are offerring a extended option to South India for a Ayurvedic Resort experience

Travel Insurance recommended and available