INDIA 91 INDIA & HIMALAYAS North India in Style Imaginative Facts Tour code: HCIS • Activities: Game rides at Corbett, white- water rafting on the Ganges • Accommodation: 8 nights unique hotels, 3 nights jungle resort, 3 nights tourist class hotels in Agra and Delhi • Transport: Private air- conditioned coach, express train, elephant, raft, jeep • 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 your hotel. Afternoon orientation tour of Delhi. DAY 2: HARIDWAR- We take the early morning express train from Delhi to Haridwar where we stay in the Haveli Hari Ganga, a beautiful heritage haveli, situated on the banks of the Holy Ganges. ( BD) DAYS 3 & 4: RISHIKESH- A short drive takes us to Rishikesh, famous for its ashrams and sadhus. We explore the town and end the day at the Glass House on the Ganges. This small, secluded hotel is set in a lychee and mango orchard with a garden of tropical plants, rare birds and butterflies. The next day starts with an exciting white-water rafting trip down the Ganges ( this is optional; those who prefer can relax at the camp or take a jungle walk instead). After lunch, day at leisure. ( BD) DAYS 5- 7: CORBETT- Drive to Corbett National Park, India's first national park and one of its finest. Extending over a tract of 520km2, the sanctuary is endowed with breathtaking natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife including tigers and elephants. The birdlife is especially impressive with over 500 species. We stay for three nights in the lovely Corbett Hideaway resort with two full days to explore Corbett by elephant and jeep. We also take an excursion into Dhikala, the very heart of Corbett. ( Day 5 - BD, Days 6 and 7 - BLD) DAY 8: GARHMUKTESHWAR- Drive to the early 19th century Fort Unchagaon near Garhmukteshwar. The heritage property offers a host of recreational activities such as horse- riding, billiards, squash and badminton. The surrounding areas are very rural and there is a colourful bazaar and ancient temple nearby. ( BD) DAY 9: AGRA- Our next stop is Agra, home to possibly the most famous and beautiful building in the world, the Taj Mahal. ( B) DAY 10: BHARATPUR- A short drive takes us via the abandoned Moghul capital of Fatehpur Sikri to the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur, one of the world's finest bird sanctuaries. We stay overnight in Laxmi Vilas Palace, a heritage hotel. ( BD) DAYS 11 & 12: JAIPUR- Continue to the stunning ' Pink City' of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. In the afternoon we take an excursion to the majestic Amber Fort. The next morning take a city tour, including the City Palace, the ancient stone observatory and the famous façade of the ' Palace of Winds'. ( B) DAY 13: NEEMRANA- Drive to Neemrana where we stay in the impeccably restored 15th century Neemrana Fort. Located at a lofty height, the fort has dramatic views over the surrounding countryside. ( BD) DAY 14: DELHI- We return to Delhi where we stay the night in a comfortable hotel close to the airport. The remainder of the day is free for some final shopping. ( B) DAY 15: DELHI- Tour ends. ( B) Enjoy the highlights of this colourful country in comfort • Travel from the foothills of the Himalayas to the deserts of Rajasthan • Stay in elegant heritage hotelsoffering unique history and atmosphere • Visit Delhi, Jaipur and Agra as well as some special places off the beaten track • Take a tiger safari in Corbettand visit the famous Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary • Wander the ashrams of Rishikesh and raft down the River Ganges • Seasonal Supplement £ 65 Single Supplement £ 985 ( 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 Starts SunEnds Sun DelhiDelhi 2009 18- Jan- 0901- Feb- 09 15- Feb- 0901- Mar- 09 15- Mar- 0929- Mar- 09 08- Nov- 0922- Nov- 09 22- Nov- 0906- Dec- 09 06- Dec- 0920- Dec- 09 Starts SunEnds Sun DelhiDelhi 2010 24- Jan- 1007- Feb- 10 21- Feb- 1007- Mar- 10 21- Mar- 1004- Apr- 10 • 07- Nov- 1021- Nov- 10 21- Nov- 1005- Dec- 10 05- Dec- 1019- Dec- 10 • Seasonal supplement applies Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

INDIA & HIMALAYASINDIA 92 " The tour guides introduced us to many different and unusual foods. It has been great fun, and I can only hope that any further tour I go on will match this one." Mavis Cameron india & himalayas Colours of India Imaginative Facts Tour code: HSCI • Activities: Camel ride, game safari at Ranthambore • Accommodation: 6 nights tourist class hotels, 5 nights heritage hotels, 1 night in luxurious ' mud huts', 2 nights sleeper train • Transport: Private air- conditioned coach, train, camel, boat • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader and professional photographer • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Goa Beach Extension' DAY 1: DELHI- Arrive and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon enjoy a city tour. DAY 2: MANDAWA- Drive to Mandawa, famous for its painted havelis and exquisite frescoes. We spend the night at Castle Mandawa, a heritage hotel with a maze of terraces and courtyards. ( B) DAY 3: MANDAWA - DESERT- This morning we take a walking tour of Mandawa followed by a camel ride to some of the surrounding villages. We spend the night at the Desert Resort, a charming village of specially created mud huts. The resort also has a lovely swimming pool, set overlooking the rolling sand dunes of Mandawa. ( B) DAYS 4 & 5: JAIPUR- Travel to Jaipur, the captivating ' Pink City'. We visit the fabulous Amber Fort then continue to our tastefully furnished boutique hotel. Jaipur is a riot of colour, and offers incredible photographic opportunities. The following morning, we visit some of the city's palaces ( including the famous façade of the ' Palace of Winds'). ( B) DAY 6: RANTHAMBORE- Continue to Sawai Madhopur, our base for visiting Ranthambore National Park and enjoy an afternoon game ride. Tigers are occasionally sighted, along with other animals such as sambhar, nilgai, sloth bear, jackal, crocodiles and abundant bird life. ( B) DAYS 7 & 8: KARAULI- The old City Palace of Karauli, built in 1635, is a treasure trove of architecture, stone carvings and classic paintings. There is also an interesting bazaar full of local handicrafts, carvings and colourful bangles. We are guests in the royal but homely atmosphere of the Bhanwar Vilas Palace. This low, pleasant Art Deco building has wide cool verandas, a drawing room with authentic period furniture and a long dining table where the Maharajah often joins guests when he is in residence. It also boasts a swimming pool and a collection of vintage cars! ( B) DAY 9: BHARATPUR - AGRA- This morning, we leave to travel to Agra, stopping at Bharatpur, famous for the nearby Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, and the abandoned ancient Moghul capital of Fatehpur Sikri, a complex of forts, palaces and mosques built from sandstone. ( B) DAY 10: AGRA- Visit the Taj Mahal, one of the most famous buildings in the world. The pure white marble of this tomb seems to constantly change colour throughout the day and night. In the evening we board the sleeper train to Varanasi. ( B) DAYS 11- 13: VARANASI- The holy city of Varanasi is the most important place of pilgrimage for Hindus. The principal attraction is the long string of bathing ghats ( wide steps), which line the west bank of the Ganges. Hindus believe that anyone cremated by the river Ganges, especially at Varanasi, is certain to gain entry to heaven. The best way to view the river is on an early morning boat ride. At this time it is possible to see the holy men chanting mantras as they bathe, a profound and unforgettable experience. Varanasi is arguably the most colourful and photogenic location in India and a fitting climax to your photographic trip. We have ample time to explore this holy city. On the evening of Day 13 we take the sleeper train to Delhi. ( Days 12 & 13 - B) DAY 14: DELHI- On arrival, we check in to our hotel and enjoy a free day. DAY 15: DELHI- Tour ends. ( B) Note: During September, we will stay a night in Madhogarh Fort as Ranthambore National Park is closed. Perfect your photographic techniques in this colourful country A fantastic opportunity to explore this photogenic countryin the company of our guest photographer. India has hundreds of attractions just waiting to be discovered, from stunning scenerytobeautiful architecture, from colourful characters to an incredible array of wildlife. Combine photography tuition with a stimulating travel experience for the ultimate holiday! India Colours of India Tribals & Temples Delhi Mandawa Jaipur Ranthambore Agra Varanasi Kolkata Raipur Jagdalpur Jeypore Karauli Puri Bhubaneswar India Kolkata New Jalpaiguri Darjeeling PellingGangtok Kalimpong Yuksom Himalayan Frontiers Sharon Hickey Sharon Hickey brings over twenty years experience as a professional photographer. Her work captures the personality of her subjects, the essence of a mood and thrives in discovering new people and places. Combined with her love of adventure, people and places, her passion comes from stimulating others to find their own inspiration. Note: Our photography trips will be accompanied by one of two photographers ( Sharon Hickey or Aubrey Wade). Photographer Profile Single Supplement £ 425 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 15.46 * Price includes tour price of £ 1299and local payment of INR20,000All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1549pp Land Only * special interest Tour duration 15 days © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative Traveller Starts SunEnds Sun DelhiDelhi 2009 04- Jan- 0918- Jan- 09 06- Dec- 09 20- Dec- 09 Starts SunEnds Sun DelhiDelhi 2010 17- Jan- 10 31- Jan- 10 10- Oct- 10 24- Oct- 10 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243