We have designed an itinerary to suit most types of travellers. There are plenty of activities to keep those with itchy feet busy, but we have scheduled plenty of free time throughout the trip. All the included activities are optional so if it is all getting a bit much, just take it easy and relax. There’s only one compulsion on this trip and that is to enjoy yourself.

Itinerary Detail

Day 1               Arrival – New Delhi

We’ll arrive late in the evening in the capital of India, New Delhi, where we will transfer through the sleepy streets of the suburbs to our comfortable hotel in the suburb of Karol Bagh. (Hotel Singh Sons  Website)

Day 2               New Delhi       

India's capital is a colourful, busy, chaotic city packed with museums, art galleries, historical sites, shops and bazaars. On our first full day we’ll head out to the streets of Old Delhi where we’ll take a guided visit through the Red Fort and see how the Emperors once ruled their Empire. From the Red Fort we’ll abandon our bus and travel like the locals, by bicycle rickshaw, the short distance to the largest mosque in India, the Jama Masjid. We’ll take a wander in the crowded bazaars and spice markets to really get a feel of daily city life among the noise, life and smells of the narrow alleyways. It will be a crowded affair and you may get lost, but that is part of the fun when travelling in India. We’ll finish our morning out at a Sikh Temple on Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi’s busiest thoroughfare. We’ll finish up early afternoon and return to New Delhi. The afternoon will be free to explore some of the city at your leisure, lunch at one of Delhi luxury hotels, or try a simple Indian dish at one of the many colourful restaurants.

Day 3               New Delhi, Overnight Train to Varanasi

On day three we’ll take some time out to explore the Tibetan’s place in New Delhi. We’ll make a trip to the suburb of Majnu Ka Tilla, home to Tibet’s refugees in Delhi.  We’ll receive some information from the local Welfare Officer about the community. We’ll also be visiting Raj Ghat to pay tribute to the father of the nation at the Ghandi memorial park. We will need to check out of the hotel in the morning before our explorations but we’ll have a couple of rooms available for use in the afternoon. At around 4.30pm we’ll be leaving the hotel and transferring to the bustle of New Delhi station for our air-conditioned overnight train to Varanasi. It is a long but colourful journey departing New Delhi at 6.30pm. 

Day 4 – 6          Varanasi

Arriving early in the morning we’ll transfer to our hotel in Assi Ghat. (Hotel Meraden Grand  www.meradengrand.com ) We’ll have two days to enjoy this very special, spiritual city, known as one of the world’s oldest living cities. The Ganga or Ganges River, which normally follows a south-eastern course, changes its path here briefly and flows north for a while, through the city. This is considered very auspicious. Shiva is said to have poured the river Ganga down from the Himalayas.  Buddha gave his first sermon just outside the city in the town of Sarnath, and 3 tirthankars (holy men) of the Jain religion were born here.  It is the holiest of the 7 sacred cities of Hinduism.  There are more than 2,000 temples and shrines.

After a rest we’ll take a walk along the ghats, the famous bathing steps that front the river Ganges. The rest of the afternoon will be free to explore and enjoy this wonderful city. On Day 5 we’ll take an early morning boat cruise to see

the city at the best time of the day. After breakfast there is the option to visit the holy city of Sarnath, 12kms out of Varanasi where the Buddha gave his first sermon. During our visit we’ll also have the opportunity to visit the Tibetan institute and library. One evening we’ll take to the Holy River at sunset for a flower ceremony with musicians. There’s the Maharaja’s palace across the holy Ganges to visit if you are in for adventure or just find a step to sit on and watch the river, and the colour that surrounds it, flow by.

Day 7               Bodh Gaya

On day 7, we leave Varanasi after breakfast and travel by air-conditioned bus across the plains of Uttar Pradesh (240kms, 5-6 hours) north to the state of Bihar to the holy site of Bodhgaya. The drive will take us through farmland and fields along bumpy roads and back streets.

Day 8-11           Bodh Gaya

We have 4 days to enjoy the magic and history of Bodhgaya. (Hotel Sujata  www.hotelsujata.com )  Bodhgaya is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage centres in the world. It was here under the Bodhi Tree, that Buddha attained Enlightenment. Buddhism as a religion was really born in Bihar and evolved here through his teaching and the example of his lifestyle of great simplicity, renunciation and empathy for everything living.

Bodhgaya is a small, lively village and especially in November it will be swarming with people from all over the world. The main focus is the Mahabodhi Temple(www.mahabodhi.com), which we will visit with a guide on our first day there. The temple is set on the grounds beside the bodhi tree, under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. It’s temple is set amongst pleasant grounds and you will want to visit yourself more than once as activities vary at different times of the day and year. Entrance to the temple is free but there is a daily camera fee (20rs) or video camera fee (500rs).

Throughout Bodhgaya there are a number of temples built by Buddhist organisations from around the world. You’ll have plenty of time to visit them at your leisure. There are also numerous institutions offering meditation and yoga and other related activities. The Root Institute is a Socially Engaged Buddhist Meditation Centre which provides an ideal location for the study and practice of Buddhist meditation and philosophy (www.rootinstitute.com). Another organisation doing good work for local village people is Muskan Viklang Trust or “Let the disabled smile” (www.muskanviklangtrust.org). MVT tries to help the great amount of handicapped people in Bihar, the poorest and most underdeveloped State of India. You may be able to join them for some village visits depending on their schedule at that time.

Day 12              Overnight train to Agra

Around lunchtime on Day 12 we’ll travel east to Patna (90kms, 2 hours), the capital of Bihar where we’ll board our air-conditioned overnight sleeper train to Agra. The train journey takes around 12 hours.

Day 13              Agra

We arrive in Tundla early morning (6.40am) and we’ll transfer to our hotel in Agra (45mins) Hotel Pushp Villa www.hotelpushpvilla.com . After breakfast we’ll head out to explore some of the beautiful historical Mughal monuments in Agra. Agra is home to one of the world's most instantly recognisable monuments, the majestic Taj Mahal. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife, this 'teardrop on the face of eternity', as it was described by Rabindranath Tagore, lives up to all expectations. We’ll visit this magnificent monument, after which we’ll stop for lunch before moving onto the magnificent Red Fort. Agra’s Red Fort provides stunning views of the Taj. We’ll also take some time out to visit a local carpet weaving factory, something India generally, and this region in particular is famous for. We’ll see how they are made and have the opportunity to buy one, or more as you please.

Trains can sometimes be late so we may change this schedule around if we arrive late. As part of a fight against pollution the local government has banned most vehicles close to the Taj Mahal. We’ll be travelling around Agra using electric tuk-tuks to counter this inconvenience and in the process reducing our carbon footprint.

Day 14              Overnight Train to Pathankot, Dharamsala

On day 14 the morning will be free to enjoy at your leisure. If you are up for it, an early morning re-visit to the Taj Mahal for sunrise is well worthwhile. (Please note that only one entry is included as part of your tour cost. If you choose to go again please allow 750INR for the entry ticket) In the afternoon we’ll travel back to Delhi by air-conditioned coach where we will connect with our overnight train to Pathankot at the foothills of the Himalaya en-route to Dharamsala. It should be a long and eventful day.

Day 15              Transfer to Dharamsala

An early morning arrival at the base of the Himalayas is a glorious sight. We arrive in the city of Pathankot from where we’ll drive to Dharamsala (McLeod Ganj) (3 hrs). It is a pleasant drive to Dharamsala where we’ll be able to breathe in the mountain air and relax from our long overnight journey from Agra.

Day 16-18         Dharamsala

In Dharamsala/McLeod Ganj we will be staying at Pemathang Guesthouse and we have three days to explore the hospitality of the Tibetan people in exile. It is a beautiful and spiritual place and home to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. On day 16 we have arranged for a visit to the Tibetan Children’s Village in Upper Dharamsala (www.tcv.org.in) From its humble beginning forty six years ago, Tibetan Children's Village has today become a thriving, integrated educational community for destitute Tibetan children in exile, as well as for hundreds of those escaping from Tibet in recent years.

Our guesthouse in Dharamsala is a little more basic but in a great location close to His Holiness’s Namgyal Monastery and residence which is worth more than one visit. There is a lively pilgrimage circuit (kora) around this monastery also.

We’ll also have a chance to visit the Tibetan Reception Centre which takes in newly arrived refugees from Tibet. We’ll have plenty of free time to explore some of the back streets of McLeod Ganj. At the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (www.ltwa.net) they hold daily dharma lessons conducted by respected Tibetan Lamas. We’ll also have the chance to visit the Norbulingka Institute (www.norbulingka.org), a centre for preserving Tibetan Culture through promoting the education of traditional Tibetan handicrafts. There’s also a small but well presented and worthwhile museum depicting the recent history of Tibet and its annexure by China. For the more adventurous you could take a walk in the Himalayas to enjoy the last of the mountains before returning to Delhi.                           

Day 19              New Delhi

We’ll be leaving Dharamsala early in the morning to travel down to the plains again and connect with our air-conditioned train to Delhi. All going to plan we should arrive back in the capital around 7pm to transfer to our hotel.

Day 20              Depart New Delhi

Departure day. The day is free to do some last minute exploring in this vibrant Indian city before a transfer to airport.

Trip Grade: Moderate   ( Please also read the ‘Important Dossier Notes’ carefully.)

This trip is graded ‘moderate’ which means that, while the trip is relatively straight forward, there are some challenging elements, especially for travellers who have never visited India before. The weather will be hot and incessant by day, and quite chilly once we get into the mountains. We have some long overnight train journeys which can also be a touch challenging to the uninitiated.

BOOKING INFORMATION

Cost of Tour:  $ 4,990

Single supplement available at an extra cost ( yet to be confirmed.)

Tour costs include:

  *    Return airfares Melbourne – Delhi

·         Airport Transfers

·         Twin share hotel accommodation ( 3-4 star)

·         Most breakfasts included

·         Bus / train fares listed with-in the itinerary

·         Entrance fee’s to monuments and other sightseeing as listed on the itinerary

·         Overnight Train journeys in two tier Second class A/C coaches

·         Himalayan Exposure Tour facilitator / leader for duration of tour

Tour costs DO NOT include:

 Airport tax (approx $350), Indian Visa, Travel Insurance (compulsory), Lunch & Dinner most days, Personal spending, Tips and things of a personal nature, Camera fee’s

Booking Procedure:

Print out and complete the booking form. Forward the completed form, together with your cheque or money order for the full deposit of $ 500, to the address shown on the booking form as soon as possible to secure your place on the tour.

A receipt for the deposit and confirmation of your inclusion on the tour will be sent to you immediately.

Balance payment of $ 4490 + Airport Tax will be required by  6 Sept 2007 ( Cost of Airport Tax to be confirmed  with tour organizer prior to payment of balance). Failure to pay the balance by this date will result in forfeiture of your place. The next person on the waiting list will then be offered your place on the tour. If for some reason the tour doesn’t go ahead, all monies will be refunded.            

The first 23 people who send their deposit with the booking form, will secure a place on the tour.

After that, names will be put on a waiting list in order of receipt of application.. So, don’t delay!

The previous Tibet tours have had an overwhelming response with far more people interested than there were places available. Please seriously consider your commitment to joining the tour, as once our final bookings and payments are made, monies are non-refundable. Depending on reasons for canceling, travel insurance may cover any loss.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Accommodation:

Hotels 12 nights, Guesthouse 4, Overnight Train 3 nights:  Accommodation during this trip will be comfortable with all hotels offering air-conditioning, room service (Except Dharamsala/McLeod Ganj) and hot showers. All accommodation will be on a twin-share basis (2 people per twin room) unless requested. (See ‘single supplement).

On some occasions we will be arriving into cities very early in the morning. This will usually be after an overnight train journey. On these days hotel rooms may not be ready for us as other guests still need to check out, rooms need to be cleaned etc, etc. Please be patient upon arrival in such situations. In addition, there will be times where we won’t be leaving towns until late in the afternoon but we will need to check out well before we leave. We will provide luggage storage or a couple of rooms to use on these occasions.

Meals

Included – 12 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners  

Meals in India can be a real adventure, which is why we encourage passengers to try different kinds of dishes.  Some of your meals will be included as part of your itinerary. These will be advised soon. Your group leader will endeavour to advise group members on the safest and most delicious places to eat while in the cities.  It is advised to stay away from street-side vendors, as the food is not always fresh or washed in hygienic water.

Transport

During your trip we will be using a variety of forms of transport – Trains, Taxis, bus, Auto Rickshaws, Tuk-tuks, cycle rickshaw, electric tuk-tuk – just to name a few. We will be using air conditioned transport for most transfers and longer journeys. In some places we will be using non-air conditioned transport (like in Dharamsala) because the weather will be cold and air conditioning rally doesn’t make sense. In some towns – Varanasi, Dharamsala, McLeod Ganj – we’ll be using smaller vehicles (Taxis, rickshaws etc) simply because with the size of the streets and traffic congestion the idea of using a bus is either illegal or very impractical. In Varanasi large vehicles are not allowed in the crowded, narrow streets near the river at certain times of day. In Agra, large non – electric vehicles are not allowed near the Taj Mahal. In these places we will need to be flexible to local whims. See also ‘Responsible Travel’

Activities included

New Delhi – Tour of Old Delhi including Agra Red Fort and local bazaars.

New Delhi – Tour of Tibetan Refugee Community and Gandhi Memorial Garden

Varanasi – Morning Orientation walk

Varanasi – Dawn Cruise on River Ganges

Varanasi – Evening Flower Ceremony on River Ganges

Varanasi – Sarnath including entrance to Stupa
Agra – Taj Mahal, Red Fort

Bodh Gaya – Mahabodhi Temple Visit

Dharamsala/McLeod Ganj – Visit to Tibetan Children’s Village

Dharamsala/McLeod Ganj – Visit to Refugee Reception Centre

Delays and changes to itinerary:

There may be occasional, unpredictable or unavoidable changes in plans consistent with travel in this part of the world. Every effort will be made to avoid any inconvenience, but if changes do occur eg.airlines reallocating flights, bus/train delays there may be additional costs for which the tour will not take responsibility.

Himalayan Exposure (India)

Travel agent Himalayan Exposure in India will be helping to make your tour a unique, cultural experience.

Burger (Nathan) will be our tour facilitator/leader who will travel with us to provide consistent logistical support for our duration in India and therefore hopefully avoid problems along the way as we move around.

Himalayan travel have an extensive knowledge of the destinations and as a result can find some special treats and experiences that will provide enormous value to those travelers who love to explore.

There will be room in the itinerary for spontaneity on the trip, as we don’t want to miss any wonderful opportunities that may present themselves.

Please note that this is YOUR holiday. The included activities are optional and you are under no compulsion to join any of these tours. There will be no refund of fees for these if you choose not to attend.

Information Evening:

In September (date to be announced) Nathan from Himalayan Exposure (India) is hoping to be in Melbourne and we will endeavor to present a information evening where we can get together, meet everyone and you will get the opportunity to ask questions .

Visas

It is your responsibility to arrange visas before you travel. At the time of printing all nationalities require a visa for India. Visas for India are not available at port of entry but must be obtained in advance. Himalayan Exposure will arrange any additional permits required in country.

For information call Indian Consulate (Melb) Ph. 9384 0141

Travel Insurance

It is compulsory for all people joining the tour to take out travel insurance. The estimated cost with Jetset Ocean Grove for 24 days travel is approximately  $ 158 p/p.

Your trip cost does not include personal travel or medical insurance. It is your responsibility to make sure suitable insurance has been taken out for your trip. For all trips it is essential to ensure your insurance covers you for emergency repatriation. You will not be allowed to participate in the trip until evidence has been sighted by your group leader.

Spending Money

You will need to allow enough money for meals not included as part of the itinerary, drinks, shopping and additional sightseeing.  We recommend allowing US$15 per day for food and drink. This is a liberal estimate and you can easily get by on a lot less. We estimate allowing an additional US$250 – $300 for meals and other activities. 

When you arrive it is a good idea to try to get small money. It is the one question (Second only to “Where are you from?”) that you will get asked.

Tipping is an integral part of Indian life and is essential to a smooth trip. Tips are expected by all people for services rendered. It can range for a few cents to a few dollars. To make things easier, at the group meeting your group leader will collect 600rps from each traveller for a tipping kitty. This will cover tips for hotel staff, for local guides, and for drivers of private transport the group uses. It does not cover restaurant tips or individual porters you may use at train stations. Tips usually amount to 10% of your total bill.

Emergency Funds

Please also make sure you have access to an additional USD$200, to be used when unforeseen incidents or circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster) necessitate a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence but it is well worth being prepared!

Camera Fee: At most monuments in India there is a ‘camera fee’ charged to bring your camera in. This expense is usually no more than a few dollars but is not included in the cost of your tour. If you want to carry your camera you will need to pay this fee yourself.

Currency Exchange

The currency of India is Indian Rupee:

Approx US$1 = 40rs, A$1 = 32rs. For the latest exchange rates please see www.xe.com

Currency exchange in India can be time consuming and inefficient. If you plan to bring funds in traveller’s cheques it is advisable to bring them in US dollars and to bring only Thomas Cook or American Express travellers cheques. Credit card use is available in most cities and ATMS are widely available. It is advisable to bring funds in a couple of different formats.

Climate

November in India represents very much a changing month in India. The weather is moving from the hot weather of monsoon into the winter. The days should be clear and warm to hot with daytime temperatures around 30˚C but temperatures can become quite cool in the evenings. In the hills around Dharamsala the evening temperatures may drop to a quite a bit lower than in other towns due to the altitude. In November there is the potential for cold weather and snow although this would be unusual for November. Warm clothes and other accessories are readily available in Dharamsala if the weather proves colder than expected.

Health and Fitness

There are no specific health requirements regarding entry into India. You should consult your doctor before you depart for up to date information and prescriptions for vaccinations for any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst travelling in India. It is recommended that all travellers carry a small first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that for legal reasons Himalayan Exposure representatives are prohibited from administering any type of drug whatsoever. Please be adequately prepared.

The climate of India is very hot by day and it is important to stay hydrated. We will be doing quit a bit of walking during day tours. Please be advised that your group leader has the power to recommend any group member not partake in activities that may place the traveller in undue risk.

Important Dossier Notes:

It is important that you understand that Himalayan Exposure offers adventure holidays in regions of India. The standard of services – accommodation, transport, safety, hygiene, medical facilities and other factors -- will not be of the standard you are used to at home or could expect to find on a conventional holiday. By joining Himalayan Exposure you are accepting those risks and dangers, although we always do our best to ensure the safety and comfort of our travelers.

A word of warning about travelling in India: India is a country which is very different to anything you will have experienced before. Although this means it is not the easiest place to travel, this is also what makes it so special. Pollution, poverty and the crowds can result in initial culture shock but should be seen as an exciting new challenge. During our time here we have come to love this large and wonderfully different country, but we know that we should always expect to encounter some difficulties along the way. 

In India there are very different attitudes to time keeping, public cleanliness, privacy and service. Trains will sometimes be late, plumbing can sometimes be temperamental and power will often just vanish. Optimistic menus turn out to have only one dish available and everyone, just everyone, will want to know your name. If you are able to travel with a lot of patience and a healthy sense of humour, then we know that you - like all of us - will be captivated by what India has to offer.

Responsible Travel

It is important to realize that to travel and visit other countries and cultures is an honour and a PRIVILEGE. We at Himalayan Exposure want to ensure that our visit provides a productive and positive interaction with both the people and the natural environment. We realize we have great power to change people's lives for the better at a grass roots level, and in this way we will make a difference. Please read more at www.himalayanexposure.com/hearts.htm

Throughout this dossier we provided a number of references to community based organisations that are doing good work in the locations we will visit. In some places we may visit these organisations (Eg: TCV in Dharamsala), in other places you may have the chance to visit individually. We as an organisation usually make donations from our funds to some of these organisations but we provide this information also so you can research them yourself and maybe you’ll find something special that you would like to support or learn more about.

In addition, in this era of global climate change it is very important to do what we can to make a difference. Travelling by train is a positive step and we use lots of trains on this trip. We also want to look after your comfort so where it is necessary we will be provided air conditioned transport but where it is not, like in the mountains where it will be quite cool, we will forgo this for the sake of the planet. 

Safety

There can be no compromise on safety when travelling through Asia or anywhere for that matter. Himalayan Exposure takes every precaution to ensure the safety of its travellers while travelling in remote destinations.

For more information on Himalayan Exposure’s safety policy please see

www.himalayanexposure.com/safety.htm

Important Note

It is important that you understand that Himalayan Exposure offer extreme adventure holidays in remote regions of Asia. The standard of services – accommodation, transport, safety, hygiene, medical facilities and other factors - will not be of the standard you are used to at home or could expect to find on a conventional holiday. By joining Himalayan Exposure you are accepting those risks and dangers. 

Travelling in India is sometimes like travelling on a different planet.  The rules of order that you are used to at home don’t necessarily apply in this land of chaos and disarray.  DO NOT let this stress you out!  It is crucial that you relax, engage your sense of humour, and let your group leader do the hard work of organizing your trip through the chaos.  You will see things that amaze you, disgust you, touch your heart, and you will often go to sleep at night thinking “did today REALLY happen?”  Patience and a very good sense of humour will add drastically to your experience of India.  If you release into the flow of life She offers, you will be engaged in an amazing journey through Mother India.

Joining/Finishing Point

Hotel Singh Sons

7A/10, W.E.A., Channa Market,

Karol Bagh, New Delhi-110005

Tel: 91-11-25749500-08

www.hotelsinghsons.com  

Finalising the itinerary:

There are still some details to finalise and some aspects of the tour may change, but we hope this gives you an idea of what Geshe Sonam has planned for you. After deposits are paid and numbers are determined, we will send you more extensive information to help you prepare for the trip.

Included will be details about visa’s, vaccinations, what to pack/climate, money matters, first aid kit etc. but please don’t hesitate to give me a call for a chat..

Any profit  made from the tour will be used to fund ongoing projects at Drol Kar Buddhist Centre, Tushita, Paraparap in Victoria.  

                           www.drolkarbuddhistcentre.org.au

For further enquiries please contact

India  2007  tour organizer

Vikki Gage  Tel: 5258 3067  or   0414 958 491

Email: lhazee@tpg.com.au