INDIA 89 INDIA & HIMALAYAS Spiritual India Imaginative Facts Tour code: HASP • Activities: Walking at sites • Accommodation: 11 nights simple hotels, 3 nights sleeper train • Transport: Private coach, trains • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Goa Beach Extension' DAY 1: DELHI- Arrive and transfer to hotel. Take an afternoon city tour visiting the extravagant Laxmi Narayan Mandir temple which houses the entire Hindu range of gods and goddesses. Gandhi stipulated that it should be open to all castes and faiths, thus it is the perfect place to begin our journey into Indian spirituality! DAY 2: AMRITSAR- Take the train to Amritsar, the capital of Punjab. Visit the exquisite Golden Temple, featuring an intricate mix of Hindu and Moslem artistic styles and the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion. DAYS 3- 5: DHARAMSALA & MCLEOD GANJ- We travel by train and bus to Dharamsala, a hill station in Himachal Pradesh. Mcleod Ganj is the spectacular mountain setting for the home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile. There are daily classes on Buddhism, meditation and yoga. On Day 5 we take the sleeper train to Haridwar. DAYS 6- 8: HARIDWAR & RISHIKESH-Millions of pilgrims come to bathe in the Ganges at Haridwar and daily funeral pyres are constructed on its banks. The nearby town of Rishikesh has long been a spiritual centre too - made even more famous by the Beatles. Many walks of life merge here in a kaleidoscope of colours and noise. There are numerous temples and ashrams and you will be able to witness various colourful Hindu ceremonies up close on a walk along the Ganges at sunset. On Day 8 we travel by sleeper train to Allahabad. DAY 9: ALLAHABAD- Allahabad has a huge importance for Hindus and is visited by hundreds of pilgrims who swell to thousands during the mammoth Kumbh Mela. DAYS 10 & 11: VARANASI- Continue by train to Varanasi ( Benares) which is every bit as magical as its reputation. It is holy to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains and draws its life from the River Ganges where the pilgrim goes for ritual purification and which eventually carries them off at the end of their lives, encased in a burning pyre. We take an early morning cruise on the Ganges followed by a walk through the old city - a fantastic place to ' lose' yourself in and become thoroughly immersed in local life and culture. DAYS 12 & 13: BODH GAYA- We board the train to Gaya. From here it is a short drive to Bodh Gaya, one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centres. It was under the Bo tree here that Gautama attained enlightenment to become the Buddha. There are many temples here built by numerous different nations reflecting their respective architectural styles. On Day 13 a sleeper train takes us to Calcutta. DAY 14: KOLKATA ( CALCUTTA)- A sleeper train takes us to Kolkata. This teeming metropolis is India's second largest city and has an unequalled reputation for poverty and squalor. Yet this vibrant capital is unmatched in India as a cultural and intellectual centre with a proud and welcoming population brimming over with rich Bengali humour and an intensity for life that will create a lasting impression. A fitting finale. DAY 15: KOLKATA- Tour ends. Enjoy a fascinating insight into the country's spirituality • Immerse yourself in India's many varied religions and cultures • Discover the main sites of Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism • Visit the iconic centres of Amritsar, Varanasi, Dharamsala and Rishikesh • Come face to face with daily ritualsand intriguing philosophy • The chance to explore your own spirituality in yoga and meditationclasses Frontiers of India Imaginative Facts Tour code: HPFI • Activities: Game spotting by jeep and elephant in Kaziranga National Park, boat trip on the Brahmaputra River • Accommodation: 12 nights tourist class hotels and guesthouses, 2 nights wildlife resorts • Transport: Private coach, jeep, boat, plane • Flights: Kolkata to Dibrugarh, Guwahati to Kolkata • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader DAY1: KOLKATA- Arrival day. Kolkata is a chaotic mix of colonial buildings, gardens, enormous memorials and overcrowded squalor! A vibrant and memorable introduction to India. DAYS2 & 3: DIBRUGARH ( ASSAM)- Fly to Dibrugarh on the Brahmaputra River, surrounded by picturesque tea estates. We visit Digboi, site of a British Second World War cemetery, and Nam- Phake, an ethnic tribal village of stilt houses whose ancestors migrated from Thailand and who still maintain their age- old culture. ( B) DAYS4 & 5: SIVSAGAR - MON ( NAGALAND)- Travel to Sivsagar, once the capital of the Ahom kingdom, to see the Shiva Temple here then continue to Mon in northern Nagaland, a mountainous and narrow strip of land, bordered by Myanmar and home to over fifteen different Tibeto- Burmese tribal groups, known collectively as the Nagas. This area is home to the Konyak tribe who live in villages of communal longhouses decorated with the skulls of mithun ( wild buffalo). The older men have elaborate tattoos and wear feathered headgear and traditional dresses. ( B) DAY6: MOKUKCHUNG- We continue to the pretty town of Mokukchung, home to the Ao Nagas, once known for the practice of headhunting. We visit the nearby Ao villages of Ungma and Longkhum and stay overnight in a local village house. ( B) DAY7: JORHAT- We drive to Jorhat, a major tea centre and conveniently located for visiting nearby Majuli Island. ( B) DAY8: MAJULI - KAZIRANGA- We take a boat cruise on the mighty Brahmaputra River to Majuli Island, a monastic retreat for the Vaishnavite community, noted for its beautiful rural setting and traditional Assamese architecture. En route there is the possibility of sighting the Gangetic River Dolphin. We end the day in Kaziranga. ( BD) DAY9: KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK- A World Heritage Site and home to more than 75% of the world's population of the Indian One Horned Rhinoceros. Water buffalo, elephants and tigers can also be seen as well as four hundred species of birds. We explore the park on elephant back and by jeep. ( BLD) DAYS10 & 11: SHILLONG ( MEGHALAYA)- We drive to Meghalaya, ' the abode of clouds' and one of India's prettiest states. Its capital, Shillong, is spread out on hills and known as the ' Scotland of the East' because of its temperate climate. ( B) DAY12: CHERRAPUNJEE- Visit nearby Cherrapunjee, a picturesque town built along a ridge with spectacular views of deep gorges, waterfalls and luxuriant rainforests. Return to Shillong. ( B) DAY13: GUWAHATI- We drive to Guwahati, the capital of Assam, strikingly located on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River. Explore its many mysterious temples. ( B) DAY14: KOLKATA- Fly back to Kolkata. DAY15: KOLKATA- The tour ends. ( B) An exploration of Assam, Nagaland and Kaziranga National Park • Journey to the remote northeastern frontier states, to an unseen India • Explore tribal villageswith distinctly different cultures in Nagaland • Take an elephant safari in search of rhinoin Kaziranga National Park • Travel through the secluded hills of Meghalaya, ' the abode of the clouds' • Visit the monastic retreats of Assamand sail the Brahmaputra River • Seasonal Supplement £ 45 Single Supplement £ 315 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 17.03 * Price includes tour price of £ 699and local payment of INR7,000All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 785pp Land Only * Single Supplement £ 670 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 18.59 * Price includes tour price of £ 1499and local payment of INR18,000All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1725pp Land Only * adventurerpioneer Tour duration 15 daysTour duration 15 days Starts SunEnds Sun DelhiKolkata 2009 30- Aug- 0913- Sep- 09 25- Oct- 0908- Nov- 09 20- Dec- 0903- Jan- 10 • • X- Mas & New Year Supplement Starts SunEnds Sun DelhiKolkata 2010 31- Jan- 1014- Feb- 10 14- Mar- 1028- Mar- 10 29- Aug- 1012- Sep- 10 24- Oct- 1007- Nov- 10 19- Dec- 1002- Jan- 11 • Starts SunEnds Sun KolkataKolkata 2009 12- Apr- 0926- Apr- 09 22- Nov- 0906- Dec- 09 Starts SunEnds Sun KolkataKolkata 2010 03- Jan- 1017- Jan- 10 14- Feb- 1028- Feb- 10 21- Nov- 1005- Dec- 10 new tour for 2009 new tour for 2009 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

INDIA & HIMALAYASINDIA 90 " The standard of accommodation was excellent, especially the haveli! There were too many highlights for me to be able to point out just one!" Dennis Calvert india & himalayas Rajasthan in Style Imaginative Facts Tour code: HCRA • Activities: Jeep safari, camel ride • Accommodation: 10 nights heritage hotels, 1 night deluxe tented camp, 3 nights tourist class hotel • Transport: Private air- conditioned coach • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Goa Beach Extension' DAY 1: DELHI- Arrive in Delhi and transfer to the hotel. DAYS 2 & 3: MANDAWA- Drive to the Shekhavati area of Rajasthan, renowned for its painted frescoes and ornate havelis ( merchants' houses). We spend the night in an immaculately restored heritage hotel. The following day we take a camel ride and overnight in the Desert Resort, in ' luxurious' mud- built huts. Enjoy the azure swimming pool overlooking the rolling sand dunes of Mandawa. ( B) DAY 4: BIKANER- Continue to Bikaner to visit the grand Junagadh Fort. Stay at the impressive Lallgarh Palace. ( B) DAY 5: OSIAN- Drive via Nagaur and the unique Karni Mata Temple at Deshnok to Osian, an ancient town in the Thar Desert. We spend the night in a beautiful tented camp in the sand dunes and take an afternoon camel ride in the desert. ( B) DAY 6: JODHPUR- Next is the ' Blue City' of Jodhpur, dominated by the impressive Meherangarh Fort with magnificent views over the blue- hued city. ( B) DAY 7: RANAKPUR- South of Jodhpur are the superb Jain temples of Ranakpur. We stay overnight in Fateh Bagh, a beautifully restored heritage hotel. ( B) DAY 8: UDAIPUR- Continue to the enchanting ' White City' of Udaipur, surely Rajasthan's most picturesque city with its white marble palaces, placid blue lakes, attractive gardens and green hills. We stay for two nights in a lovely hotel near Lake Pichola. ( B) DAY 9: UDAIPUR- In the morning we enjoy a city tour which includes a visit to the huge City Palace. The afternoon is free to wander through the maze of alleys and interesting bazaars. ( B) DAY 10: DEOGARH- Nearby is the pleasant and little- frequented town of Deogarh. The narrow bazaar road, filled with textiles and silver jewellery shops, winds its way up to the top of the hill where you find the beautifully renovated 17th century Deogarh Mahal Palace. ( B) DAY 11: JAIPUR- Drive to the ' Pink City' of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, with its old pink- coloured sandstone buildings. We stay two nights in a small heritage property close to the old city. ( B) DAY 12: JAIPUR- Visit the City Palace, the Observatory and the famous façade of Hawa Mahal or ' Palace of Winds'. The afternoon is at leisure to explore the bazaars or perhaps visit the magnificent Amber Fort. ( B) DAY 13: AGRA- Drive via the abandoned Moghul capital of Fatehpur Sikri to Agra. ( B) DAY 14: DELHI- Morning visit to the Taj Mahal, India's iconic masterpiece. Afternoon drive back to Delhi. ( B) DAY 15: DELHI- Transfer to the airport. ( B) Experience the romance of the Maharajahs • Immerse yourself in India's royal pastamidst Rajasthan's stunning sites • Visit impressive forts and castles, opulent palaces and ancient temples • Travel to Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaipur and, of course, the Taj Mahal at Agra • Ride camels into the desertand wander a maze of bazaars in the cities • Overnight in restored heritage hotels, ' luxurious' mud huts and palaces India Agra Jaipur UdaipurDeogarh Ranakpur Jodhpur Osian Bikaner Mandawa Garhmukteshwar Corbett National Park Rishikesh Haridwar Rajasthan in Style North India in Style Neemrana Bharatpur Delhi Single Supplement £ 900 ( compulsory) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 15.46 * Price includes tour price of £ 1275and local payment of INR20,000All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1525pp Land Only * connoisseur Tour duration 15 days © Imaginative Traveller Starts SunEnds Sun DelhiDelhi 2009 04- Jan- 0918- Jan- 09 01- Feb- 0915- Feb- 09 01- Mar- 0915- Mar- 09 27- Sep- 0911- Oct- 09 25- Oct- 0908- Nov- 09 Starts SunEnds Sun DelhiDelhi 2010 10- Jan- 1024- Jan- 10 07- Feb- 1021- Feb- 10 07- Mar- 1021- Mar- 10 26- Sep- 1010- Oct- 10 24- Oct- 1007- Nov- 10 You can visit one of India's most fascinating and colourful cities on our Varanasi Extension. See page 85. don't forget ... We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243