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| Explore — Worldwide 2008/09 |
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INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
INDIA
Rural Rajasthan/Steve Coackley
NEW! Village India
17 DAYS HOTELS/COTTAGES/TENT A RURAL ODYSSEY
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VI
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
INDIA
Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
Bengal to the Malabar Coast
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On this special tour we escape the tourist crowds and discover the very essence of Indias cultural heart on a journey through offbeat Rajasthan and Gujurat. For it is in the patchwork of seemingly infinite villages that we discover the timeless traditions and rituals of rural life.
Forts & Temples Leaving the hectic streets of Old Delhi far behind, we journey by train; the urban scene giving way to stark yet beautiful Rajasthan, where feuding Rajput warriors once roamed and a myriad of tiny villages dot the landscape. At Pachewar our base is a converted 300 year-old fort; we visit nearby settlements by bullock cart and discover the secrets of fiery local cuisine! In holy Pushkar, we plan to observe Hindu ceremonies by the lakes edge and climb to the hilltop Savitri temple for a golden sunset over the surrounding desert. Villages of Gujarat
Aravalli Trails & Udaipur The ancient Aravalli hills traverse the state for over 300 kilometres, their wooded slopes and ravines provide a haven for leopard, sloth bear, wild boar and many different species of bird. We explore rural trails on foot and can join the menfolk as they discuss the days business at the village chai stall. At Ranakpur we visit exquisitely carved, white marble temples, whilst the placid lakes and lush gardens of enchanting Udaipur provide the opportunity for a boat ride. Bhuj & the Rann of Kutch Entering Gujurat we search for flamingos and rare Khur (wild ass) amongst the eerie salt flats and grasslands of the Little Rann . At the charming walled town of Bhuj, its easy to lose yourself in the market, rubbing shoulders with turbaned tribesmen and colourful sariclad women. We explore nearby tribal villages where communities produce famous Gujurati handicrafts such as bead and mirror embroidery, tie-dye and weaving.
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
23 DAYS HOTELS/SLEEPER TRAIN FROM BAY OF BENGAL TO THE MALABAR COAST
Bengal to the Malabar Coast Ref CG
Narm ada
KOLKATA (Calcutta)
Jain & Kali Temples Dalhousie Square St Johns Church
INDIA
BHUBANESHWAR
f s o s Mouth nge Ga the
D E C C A N
Ellora Caves Jalgaon P L A T E A U & Daulatabad Fort Ajanta Caves Gulf of
Konarak Temple complex
Jagannath Temple
PURI
Khambhat
MUMBAI
Museums
AURANGABAD
Bibi Ka Maqbara Bala Hissar Citadel Bahmani Sultans Tombs
Overnight train G o d Falaknuma Express
av
ar
i
ARABIAN SEA MALABAR COAST
GULBARGA BIJAPUR
Gol Gumbaz
HYDERABAD
Pattadakal & Aihole Visit Golconda Fort & Qutb Shahi Tombs
B A Y O F B E N G A L
BADAMI
Caves
Visit Hampi/Vijayanagar site
km 0 500
GOA
HOSPET
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Delhi. 2 Arrive Delhi; tour Old Delhi. 3 Train Jaipur; drive Pachewar. 4 In Pachewar, village tour, bullock cart ride, cookery demonstration (optional) and cultural evening. 5 Drive Pushkar via Kishangarh old palace; climb hill for sunset (optional). 6 Drive Chandelogarh; village walk. 7 Drive Badrajun via Jodhpur and Meehrangarh Fort. 8 Drive Jojawar via Ranakpur temples; village walks. 9 In Jojawar; drive Udaipur. 10 Free in Udaipur for palace, temple visits, boat trip or cycling. 11 Drive Dungarpur; PM walk to old palace. 12 Drive Dasada via Modhera Sun Temple; village safari. 13 Am jeep safari in Little Rann of Kutch; PM drive Bhuj. 14 AM in Bhuj; PM visit Kutch villages; overnight camp. 15 Visit Kutch villages; PM drive Bhuj. 16 Train to Ahmedabad. 17 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 13nts hotel, 1nt cottages, 1nt tent; 15 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 8 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/jeep/On foot/Train. Comment: A fascinating tour which offers the chance to learn about life in rural India over two states. Accommodation on nights 3-4, 6-8 and 11 is in heritage hotels (converted mansions/forts/palaces. We stay in simple two man tents in Bhuj with mattress and blankets provided - bring a sleeping sheet. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, some local guides and driver(s). Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
A classic journey in the best Explore tradition, offering an authentic insight into Indias great cultural and religious heritage and architectural diversity.
Kolkata & Orissan Temples Our adventure begins in Kolkata (Calcutta), considered by many to be Indias intellectual centre with a lively cultural scene and streets rich in colonial history. We journey south along the coast by train to Orissa where were privileged to visit some of the worlds finest temples; the exquisite Sun Temple at Konarak, Puris Jagannath Temple dedicated to Vishnu and the myriad shrines of Bhubaneshwar. Hyderabad & Hampi Heading westwards and inland well spend a week in discovery and exploration of both the world-renowned and unsung hidden treasures of Central India. Hyderabad, glorious centre of Sun temple at Konarak
Islamic architecture and learning, the walled city of Bijapur, white-washed village of Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole and last but not least, splendid Hampi, the once flourishing capital of the Vijayanagar kings which is now a vast open-air treasure house of 16th century Dravidian art. Ellora & Ajanta Descending across the Western Ghats theres a chance to relax on the long white sandy beaches of Goa before flying north to investigate the bustling city of Mumbai (Bombay). Our journey continues to the famous Ajanta Caves where a series of remarkable wall paintings record the full flowering of Buddhism in a silent, dream-like atmosphere. We overnight in the old Moghul city of Aurangabad before heading off to explore the nearby Hindu temples at Ellora.
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Kolkata (Calcutta). 2 Arrive Kolkata. 3 Full day city sightseeing. 4 Free morning; train to Bhubaneshwar. 5 Temple tour; drive Puri. 6 Visits to Jagannath and Sun temples. 7 Drive to Bhubaneshwar; overnight train Hyderabad. 8 City sightseeing. 9 Visit Golconda Fort and Qutb Shahi tombs. 10 Drive Gulbarga; orientation tour. 11 Drive Bijapur, visit mosque and bazaar. 12 Visit Gol Gumbaz; drive Badami, visit caves. 13 Visit Pattadakal and Aihole; drive Hospet. 14 Visit Hampi. 15 Further visit Hampi. 16 Train to Goa. 17 Free day in Goa with optional trips. 18 Free morning, afternoon fly Mumbai. 19 City sightseeing; overnight train Jalgaon. 20 Ajanta caves; drive Aurangabad. 21 Aurangabad and Ellora caves. 22 Fly Mumbai; free afternoon. 23 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 19nts hotel, 2nts overnight sleeper train 2nd Class A/C; 19 breakfasts included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Train/Flights/On Foot. Comment: A comprehensive journey from Indias North-East to the West coast, focusing on the fascinating and diverse cultural gems of the region. Infrastructure in parts of Central India can be poor be prepared for some bumpy road journeys. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 13 to 18.
Village India Ref VI
R A J A S T H A N
Jaipur Kishangarh
DELHI
Old Delhi tour Jami Masjid Mosque Chandi Chowk Bazaar
Jodhpur Visit bazaar & fort
PUSHKAR Palace
am
Y
u
na
du
s
PAKISTAN
In
BADRAJUN
CHANDELOGARH PACHEWAR Village bullock-cart ride & JOJAWAR l l s
Arabian Sea
Ranakpur Temples Rann O f K utch Complex KUTCH Modhera BHUJ Little Rann Sun Temple WILD CAMP Jeep Visit Bani safari villages DASADA
H
i
optional cooking lessons
a
l
li
UDAIPUR
Optional walking tour Palace, temples & ghats
INDIA
M A D H Y A P R A D E S H
km 0 300
A
ra
v
DUNGARPUR
Hills walk
Gulf o
f Kutch G U J A R A T
AHMEDABAD
Request a tour dossier for comprehensive tour information
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