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Tour :
| 19 Day Conducted India Tour |
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| Tour Cost :
| AUD$4,985.00 per person twin share.This price includes airport taxes and levies of $820.00. |
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| Tour Departs:
| 31 March 2010 |
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| What's Included: |
This price is great value as it covers all of the following:
Return airfares from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane into Delhi and out of Bombay (Mumbai) with Singapore Airlines, plus three flights within India.An extensive 16 day coach, rail, air and boat tour of India including a visit to the wonderful Taj Mahal.A 2 day stopover in Singapore.Mainly four star accommodation throughout.Many meals.Entrance fees to many attractions.All transport and transfers.Services of Indian tour guides, and there will be an Australian tour leader if there are 12 or more passengers.
If you don't have a travel partner but wish to travel at twin share rates, we will try to match you up , but this is not guaranteed. If you require a single room there will be an extra charge of $1280.
It is planned to restrict the number of participants to a maximum of approximately 20 people. |
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| Notes: |
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| Tour Itinerary: |
Note: Included meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner.
31.03.10
Depart Sydney at 11.30am on SQ232, arriving in Singapore at 5.45pm.
Depart Melbourne at 10.10am on SQ238, arriving in Singapore at 4.05pm.
Depart Brisbane at 2.45pm on SQ236, arriving in Singapore at 8.50pm.
You will be transferred to your hotel in Singapore for a two night stay. While in Singapore the following will be included.
Airport-hotel return transfers on a seat-in coach.50% discount on the a la carte food menu (food item only) at designated food outlets in passenger's hotel. Free SIA Hop-on tourist bus service.Admission to Sentosa Island, Singapore Zoo, Malay Heritage Centre, National Orchid Garden, Peranakan Museum, Singpore River Bumboat Tour and Jurong Bird Park.Discounts on shopping, dinning, sightseeing tours, tourist attractions and car rentals.
01.04.10
Free day in Singapore.
02.04.10
Free morning, in the afternoon transfer to Singapore airport. Departing at 6.50pm on SQ408, arriving in Delhi at 9.55pm. You will be met and transferred to your hotel.
03.04.10 (B,D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure. Afternoon proceed with the half day sightseeing of Old Delhi visiting the Red Fort and Jama Masjid. Also visiting the Raj Ghat - memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Spend some time in Chadni Chowk to savour the ambience of a crowded oriental bazaar. Drive through the old city subject to traffic restrictions.
04.04.10 (B,D)
After breakfast at the hotel, in time transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi. Arrive in Varanasi at 11.50am and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon proceed with the sightseeing tour of Sarnath, located at distance of 10kms from Varanasi City. Buddha preached his first sermon to five disciples at the Deer Park here, enshrining the principals of his teaching into laws. The Dhamek Stupa marks the location of a once resplendent monastery. A large complex of ruined monasteries cover the area north of the stupas. The major events of Buddha's life are depicted here in wall paintings by a Japanese artist.
05.04.10 (B,D)
Early morning before sunrise proceed with boat ride on the River Ganges, to witness the fascinating view of devotees thronging onto the ghats and offer their prayer.Boat ride on the holy River Ganges - 2 hours over three miles in length. The western banks of Ganges has a string of Ghats - the chain of stone steps, all built with pavilions, palace and terraces, most of which are mainly used as Dharamsalas where the pilgrims stay during their visit to the holy city. At dawn, the Ghats are abuzz with activity of the devotees performing their ablutions in the river or offering prayers to the rising sun and performing other religious rituals. A boat ride along the Ghats gives you vantage views of this activity. The sunrise on the Ganges is a soul-lifting experience.After the boat ride walk through the narrow lanes of Varanasi. These narrow cobbled lanes have stories to tell with large numbers of humanity passing through them daily, all looking for 'Nirvana' - a release from the cycle of rebirth. After late breakfast at hotel, in time transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. Met upon arrival in Delhi and transfer to the hotel.
06.04.10 (B,D)
After breakfast at the hotel proceed with the sightseeing tour of New Delhi drive past the 12th century 230-feet high Qutab Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234ft, the mausoleum of emperor Hymayun - a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture, the imposing Lakshim Narayan temple, India Gate (memorial to Indian army soldiers who died in the World War I), the Rashtrapati Bhavan (formerly the viceroy's residence) and the Parliament House. Vsit the Birla (Laxi Narayan) Temple, with its many idols.
Afternoon in time depart by surface for Agra, 204kms/5hour drive.
07.04.10 (B,D)
Breakfast at the hotel and then we go for a half day sightseeing tour of Agra visiting the Taj Mahal and Fort. Visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white marble that stands testimony to the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and who took 17 years to complete this 'Love Poem in Marble' Later visit the Agra fort containing the halls private and public audiences and other palaces. Shah Jahan spent years of confinement at the hands of his sons Aurangzeb, looking wistfully at the Taj Mahal from the Fort. A brief visit is also made to the marble inlay workshop, where one can see the art that went into the inlay work at the Taj Mahal. This workshop has brought back into this forgotten art style. Also enjoy Tonga ride from Taj bus parking to Taj and vice a versa.
08.04.10 (B,D),br>After breakfast at hotel, depart by surface for Jaipur with stop en route at Fatehpur Sikri, 274kms over 6 hrs drive. Fatehpur Sikri. Located 40kms from Agra, the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, in honour of the great Saint Sheikh Salim Chrsti who blessed Akbar and prophesized the birth of three sons to the heirless Emperor. Akbar slowly became deserted and ruined after Akbar left the city. Scarcity of water was the prime factor for the abandonment of this beautiful city. Visit the remarkably well-preserved, graceful buildings within the 'Ghost City' including the Jama Masjid, tomb of Salim Christi, Panch Mahal Palace and other palaces that speak of the grandeur and splendour of the Mughal empire at the height of its power.Later drive to Samode and upon arrival check in at hotel. Evening take leisurely walk across the Samode village.
09.04.10 (B,D)
After breakfast at the hotel, depart by surface for Jaipur en route visiting Amer fort Palace. At a short distance of 11km from Jaipur, the Amer Fort complex stands amidst wooded hills. One of the finest examples of Rajput architecture, it was the ancient capital of Jaipur. The original palace was built by Raja Man Singh and additions were made later by Sawai Jai Singh. Within the palace are the Diwan-e-Aam or the 'Hall of Public Audience', the Diwan-e-Khas or the 'Hall of Private Audience' and the Sukh Niwas, the private chambers of the queens with windows having latticed screens so that the ladies could watch the proceedings of the royal court in privacy. There is also the Jai Mandir or the 'Temple of Victory', with its famed Sheesh Mahal, the scintillating 'Hall of Mirrors' Afternoon arrive in Jaipur and check i at you hotel. Rest of the day at leisure on own.
10.04.10 (B,D)
Breakfast at hotel. Morning Half day city tour begins with a visit to the Maharaja's City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. Built in the style of a fortified campus, the palace covers almost one-seventh in area of the city. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armoury Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition. Afternoon at leisure on own.
11.04.10 (B,D)
Breakfast at the hotel, in time transfer to the Railway Station to board then Intercity Express departing at 1730 for Jodhpur. Arrive and transfer to you hotel.
12.04.10 (B,D)
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed with sightseeing tour of the city visiting the 5km long Mehrangarh Fort situated on a 125 mt high hill. This is one of the most impressive and formidable structures in Rajasthan. Within the fort are some magnificent palaces with meticulously carved panels, latticed windows or 'Jarokhas' with evocative names. The chambers of Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, the Sileh Khana and the Daulat Khana are noteworthy for the splendour and glamour of a bygone era. Later visit the Jaswant Thada - a cluster of royal cenotaphs in the white marble built in 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh-II. Take a glimpse of the famous Umaid Bhavan, which has been converted into a hotel but a part of the palace is still a Royal Residence. Afternoon at Leisure.
13.04.10 (B,D)
After breakfast at hotel, depart by surface for Deogarh, 170kms 4hrs drive. Arrive in Deogarh and check-in at the Deogarh Mahal. Rest of the day is at leisure.
14.04.10
(B,D)
After breakfast at the hotel, depart by surface for Udaipur, 135kms over 3 hrs drive. Arrive Udaipur and check in at your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.
15.04.10 (B,D)
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed with boat ride on Lake Pichola takes its name from the small village of Pichola on its west bank. In the lake are several islands. Visit City Palace, built in 1725, which houses the Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal - studded with glittering Belgium Mirrors. Moti Mahal and the Palace of Lord Krishna all of which are ornately decorated. Visit the Jagdish Temple. This temple built in 1651 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Gods. Later drive around the Fatehsagar Lake and also visit the Sahelion Ki Bari gardens.
16.04.10 (B,D)
Early morning in time transfer to airport to board flight for Munbai. Met upon arrival in Mumbai and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon proceed with the sightseeing tour of city. Visit the Gateway of India - the main attraction of Mumbai city. Built to commemorate the visit to King George V and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durban in the year 1911, this massive historical monument the Mani Bhawan or the Gandhi memorial, Prince of Wales Museum, Marine Drive and Juhu that give you the feeling of being in the commercial capital of India. The gardens like hanging gardens and the Kamla Nehru Garden will provide you the much needed rest between your sightseeing trips and the Chowpatty gives you the view of one of the most happening beaches of Mumbai.
Visit the Municipal Corporation building (V shaped) that stands across the Victorian Terminus (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus), designed in early Gothic style and blended with Indian motifs. The dome, its chief architectural feature, is 71.5 meters from the ground. The High Court, built in 1878 in the early English Gothic style. The central structure rises up to 54.2 meters and is surrounded by statues representing Justice and Mercy. The Rajabai Towers built in the 19th century in Gothic style on the university campus has a 79 meter high clock-tower. Also drive past Victoria Terminus, one of the largest buildings in the Gothic style, its imposing dome is surmounted by a figure symbolising progress. A life size statue of Queen Victoria is placed in front of the central facade.
17.04.10 (B,D)
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to half day excursion to Elephanta Caves. An early morning excursion across the Mumbai harbour to 1200-year old Elephanta Caves housing some of the most beautiful rock-cuts of the period. The famous Trimurti sculptures of three-faced Shiva depicting his three aspects as Creator, Preserver and Destroyer is powerfully portrayed in the massive sculpture. This afternoon is at leisure perhaps for some shopping.
18.04.10 (B)
Morning at the hotel. Assistance on departure from the hotel to the International airport. Depart Mumbai at 11.45am on SQ408, arriving in Singapore at 7.40pm.
Sydney passengers depart Singapore at 8.35pm on SQ221, arriving in Sydney at 5.55am (19.04.10).
Melbourne passengers depart Singapore at 9.00pm on SQ227, arriving in Melbourne at 6.10am (19.04.10).
Brisbane passengers depart Singapore at 9.40pm on SQ235, arriving in Brisbane at 6.40am (19.04.10). |
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