With Imaginative Traveller you can travel from the lofty, snow-capped Himalayasto the tropical, sandy beaches of Sri Lanka. If you fancy a taster of India then trythe 8-day 'The Taj and Wildlife' (page 49)or for a more in-depth look join 'IndiaSouth & North' (page 51). We have researched those trips which offer genuine'off the beaten track' places in rural Rajasthan such as the tiny, remote village ofTordi Garh and use quirky forms of transport such as local fishing boats and 'toytrains'. A particular speciality are the Himalayan treks which not only follow thefamous classic routes to Everest and Annapurna Sanctuary but also head off themain trails utilising a series of lodges we have built in conjunction with thelocal communities. Experience this colourful,chaotic yet rewarding continent ImaginativeTraveller-style!47India, Sri Lanka & the Himalayas - IntroductionFor trip notes, availability and more, enter the trip code at imaginative-traveller.comImaginative HighlightsSpend the night in a fortified palace in ruralRajasthan on 'Jewels of the North' (page 49)Relax on a 3-day cruise along the Ganges toVaranasi on 'Slowly down the Ganges' (page 50)Cycle through an ancient Buddhist city on'Circle Sri Lanka' (page 53)Take an elephant-back tiger safari in ChitwanNational Parks on 'Nepal & India' (page 55)Get away from the crowds on the Siklis Trek on'Nepal Adventure' (page 58)Enjoy responsible trekking on 'AnnapurnaCommunity Lodge Trek' (page 57)Sample delicious momos whilst traversing theHimalayas on 'Tibet Unplugged' (page 59)India is such a massive country that peopleoften find themselves coming back time andagain. It is the ideal destination for a tailor-madetour as we can either concentrate on a particulararea that travellers want to explore in moredetail or really get off the tourist trail and visitremote locations not normally found on morestandard group itineraries. Similarly trekking inthe Himalayas can be addictive but repeat visitorsusually want to enjoy more remote routesoutside the Everest and Annapurna regions. Withour fantastic team of local guides and porters wecan arrange highly unusual itineraries, oftencombining them with wildlife, rafting andcultural visits for a truly unique experience.Jany King - Tailor-made consultant''''For a tailor-made itinerary please contactour specialist team on 01728 885575Why travel to India, Sri Lanka & the Himalayas with us

48India, Sri Lanka & the Himalayas - IndiaFor manytravellers to India thehighlight is the chanceto see 'real-life' in ruralIndia. This trip takesyou into small villagesand remote townswhilst also including allthe classic sights thatvisitors to India 'must'see. I particularly lovethe chance to campout by the lake inBijaipur in luxury tents.Liddy says...''''Book now at imaginative-traveller.com or call 01728 885561ITINERARY... Days 1-2 DelhiTake a cycle rickshaw tour throughOld Delhi and see one of its most impressive buildings, the JamaMasjid. Day 3 AgraJump aboard a train bound for the Mughal cityof Agra. Be amazed by the iconic Taj Mahal, a monolithic marvelconstructed from sparkling marble and inlaid with jade, crystal andsapphire. Day 4 Rural Heritage StayJourney to rural Rajasthanand stay at a former royal residence. Explore the village, meet thelocals and chat with traditional craftspeople. Days 5-6 JaipurTravelto Jaipur, Rajasthan's 'Pink City', the perfect place to spend sometime bargaining for souvenirs and exploring lively bazaars. Climb tothe hilltop Amber Fort and tour the majestic Hawa Mahal. Day 7 Ranthambore National ParkSafari into the Indian bush todiscover lakes and ruined palaces, while keeping your eyes peeledfor deer, monkeys and elusive Bengal tigers. Day 8 BundiJourneythrough rural Rajasthan to the quaint city of Bundi. Explore anetwork of enchanting alleyways and experience life in remoteRajasthan. Days 9-10 Rural Heritage StayCamp under the starson the banks of a lake before spending a night at a luxurious castle.Days 11-12 UdaipurRolling hills, white marble palaces and bluelakes combine to form the most romantic city in Rajasthan. Visit CityPalace, one of the largest royal palaces in India. Days 13-14 PushkarRub shoulders with pilgrims and sadhus (holy men) in pious Pushkar,and see India's only Brahma temple. For a change of pace, take acamel ride into the desert and witness a magical sunset among thedunes. Day 15 DelhiCome full circle and return to the hum of Delhi..Enjoy the fabulous sights of the 'Pink City' of Jaipur and the 'White City' of Udaipur.Experience theawe-inspiring Taj Mahal at Agra.Embark on a tiger safari in RanthamboreNational Park.Overnight at a luxurious castle and a royal family residence.Rub shoulders with thepilgrims and camels atPushkarTour highlightsACCOMMODATIONHotel (8 nts), heritage hotel (4 nts),deluxe permanent tent (1 nt), overnight sleeper train (1 nt) MEALS3 Breakfasts, 2 DinnersTRANSPORTAuto rickshaw, cycle rickshaw, metro, taxi, train, bus, jeep,private vehicle, 4WD safari vehicle, camelGROUPSIZEMaximum 12Departs every Sunday. Please see website for details.PlusTravellerTour price from£740ppSee website for details£451ppFlight ex London fromClassicRajasthan15 days, ex DelhiNEWCode IHHSCITINERARY... Day 1 Delhi Arrive. Day 2 AgraVisit Taj Mahal.Days 3-4 VaranasiSightseeing. Days 5-6 Bodh GayaVisit theplace where Buddha attained enlightenment.Days 7-9Pilgrimage to iconic Buddhist sites.Days 10-11 Lumbini (Nepal)Cross the border and visitBuddha's birthplace. Days 12-13 ChitwanSafari in the nationalpark. Days 14-16 KathmanduSightseeing.The tour cost £1,810 per adult, including international flightsfrom London, based on 28 people travelling.India is such an enormous country that people find it hard to pinpontexactly which area they want to concentrate on. It is thus perfect for tailor-madetours as we can pick out the particular places that will be of interest to you andpull them together into an itinerary. I did exactly this last year for a group from alocal Buddhish society who wanted to follow the footsteps of Buddha throughNorth India and Nepal. There were 28 people in the group, and we arranged forthem to visit where Buddha was born, where he achieved enlightenment, wherehe preached his first sermon and a number of other pilgrimage sites.Jo Reeve - Tailor-made consultant''''All itineraries are tailor-made; prices will depend on season, group size, accommodation etc.For a tailor-made itinerary please contactour specialist team on 01728 885575VaranasiExtensionExplore the oldestcity in the world andthe spiritual heart ofIndia. Take an earlymorning boat cruisealong the Gangesand watch pilgrimsperform rituals onthe riverside ghats.Pre- or post tour.