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NEW! INDIAN ODYSSEY
18 DAYS HOTELS/SLEEPER TRAIN A JOURNEY THROUGH THE HISTORY OF THE SUBCONTINENT India's history is an endlessly fascinating epic of great civilisations, invasions and religious flowerings. Concentrating on the north, we take a journey of discovery and learning, uncovering some of its major archaeological treasures along the way. Mr Sumeet Jha will be our informative and entertaining expert. Native to Delhi, Sumeet guides educational trips in India and works as an historical and cultural interpreter at New Delhi's National and Craft museums and Modern Art Gallery. He also lectures in Indian history, art and culture at the Tourism Management Institute. Delhi's Two Faces & Sacred Caves Our journey starts in the capital where we discover two very different worlds; the grand boulevards and planned order of Lutyens' New Delhi, and the chaotic, winding streets and alleyways of the ever-bustling Old City. A guided visit to the National Museum reveals an eclectic treasure trove of archaeological artefacts and antiquities spanning over 5000 years of cultural heritage. Flying south, we spend two full days exploring the UNESCO World Heritage gems of Ellora and Ajanta's sacred rock cut cave temples, where the devotion of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monks expressed itself in a remarkable profusion of sculpture and paintings. Erotic Temples & Spiritual Varanasi The tranquil village of Orchha was once a powerful Rajput capital; we spend an easy-going afternoon discovering its old palace and enjoying the rural ambience. The jungle site of Khajuraho (950 to 1050 AD) is famed for its erotic temple carvings and elegant sikharas. As we marvel at these poetic works of sculptural genius we ponder the meaning of their creation. At holy Varanasi, we join colourful throngs of Hindu pilgrims on the banks of the sacred Ganges and set out in boats at sunset to take in this mystical and moving scene. A deer park at nearby Sarnath was the site of the Buddha's first sermon; we stroll amongst the monastic ruins at this peaceful site. Moghuls & Maharajas The golden age of the Moghuls lasted from the 16th to 18th centuries, their great emperors leaving behind a rich architectural and artistic legacy. In Khajuraho Temple/John Carr
Ref SMG
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Delhi. 2 Arrive Delhi; PM sightseeing in Old and New Delhi. 3 Guided visit to National Museum. 4 AM visit Qutb Minar; PM fly Aurangabad. 5 Full day sightseeing at Ellora Caves. 6 Sightseeing at Ajanta Caves. 7 Free AM; overnight train to Jhansi. 8 Arrive Jhansi, transfer Orchha; PM sightseeing. 9 Drive Khajuraho. 10 Full day visit Khajuraho temple site. 11 Fly Varanasi; PM visit ghats area and sunset boat trip on Ganges . 12 AM optional sunrise boat trip; visit Sarnath Buddhist site. 13 Free AM; overnight train to Agra. 14 Arrive Agra, visit Fort and Taj Mahal. 15 Drive Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri. 16 Sightseeing in Jaipur. 17 Visit Amber Palace; PM drive Delhi. 18 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 14nts hotel, 2nts sleeper train; 14 breakfasts included. See p15. Mode of Travel: Bus/Train/Flights/Boat/Rickshaw. Comment: This tour has been designed as a journey through some of the most notable highpoints in Indian history. Our expert Sumeet Jha will include a number of lectures on a variety of subjects ranging from the historical to the arts and religion of the Subcontinent. Tour Staff & Support: Guest Lecturer and Explore Tour Leader Sumeet Jha, some local guides, drivers and boatmen. Group Size: Approx. 15 to 20.
Agra we admire Shah Jahan's breathtakingly beautiful Taj Mahal, whilst Akbar's red sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri, where he played human chess with dancing girls, now lies deserted. The pink city of Jaipur owes its colour and character to the Rajput Maharajas who made it their home. We admire the City Palace, honeycomb façade of Hawa Mahal and bizarre constructions of Jai Singh's Observatory. The impressive fort palace of Amber, perched high on a rocky bluff, provides a fitting end to our travels before we return once more to Delhi.
DATES AND PRICES Flight Inc 18 days Thu to Sun REF:SMG 2008 deps flight land Price in £s inc only 20 Nov-07 Dec 1475 949 2009 Price in £s 19 Feb-08 Mar 1399 949 19 Nov-06 Dec 1525 979 Land Only tour: 17 days - start Delhi day 2 (Fri), end Delhi day 18 (Sun) Single Room Option: £330* see p14 for details. These are guide prices, see p17 for details.
INDIA
Palace of the winds, Jaipur/Rachel Harfield
Indian Odyssey Ref SMG
National Museum tour City tour
DELHI
Amber Fort
Visit Fort & Taj Mahal
NEPAL
JAIPUR
City Palace & Observatory
AGRA
Ya
ORCHHA
Fatehpur es Sikri m un Jhansi a
KHAJURAHO
Ga
ng
Gh
ang
Sarnath
ara
VARANASI
Narm a d a
Ellora Caves
Burning Ghats Aarti ceremony Ganges boat trip
INDIA
Ajanta Caves
AURANGABAD
G od a
km 0 500
v a ri
9
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