INDIA 93 INDIA & HIMALAYAS Himalayan Frontiers Imaginative Facts Tour code: HTHR • Activities: Extensive walking at sites • Accommodation: 12 nights tourist class hotels, 2 night sleeper train • Transport: Private jeep/ bus, train • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides DAY 1: KOLKATA ( CALCUTTA)- Arrive and transfer to hotel. DAY 2: TRAIN- Morning city tour of Kolkata - a riotous mix of noisy street- life and elegant monuments. Board the evening sleeper train to New Jalpaiguri. ( B) DAYS 3 & 4: DARJEELING- Travel to the famous hill station of Darjeeling, surrounded by forested hills and terraced tea gardens. Nepali and Tibetan houses mix with Victorian colonial mansions giving this Indian town an exotic feel. Travel to Tiger Hill to watch the sunrise over Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world, and visit the nearby monastery at Goom, the Tibetan Refugee Centre and the famous Himalayan Mountain Institute. ( B) DAYS 5 & 6: PELLING- Drive into Western Sikkim, a beautiful land with virgin forests and deep river valleys. Visit the awe- inspiring ancient monastery of Pemayangtse, one of the most important monasteries in Sikkim. We stay nearby in Pelling, with great views of the Himalayas. ( B) DAY 7: KHECHEPORI LAKE - YUKSOM-Drive to the sacred Khechepori Lake and trek to the tiny hill town of Yuksom, a good base for walking trips to nearby monasteries and jungles. ( B) DAY 8: TASHIDING - RAVANGLA- Trek from Yuksom to the gold- topped monastery in Tashiding high on a conical hill with panoramic views all around. End the day in the village of Ravangla. ( B) DAYS 9 & 10: GANGTOK- Drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, perched high on a ridge and inhabited predominantly by Buddhists. Our guesthouse is a retreat just outside Gangtok producing healthy organically grown vegetables and milk as well as ' Chaang', a local alcoholic beverage made from millet. Visit Phodang and Labrang monasteries. This is an area rarely visited by tourists with spectacular views of Kanchenjunga and a serene atmosphere. ( B) DAYS 11 & 12: RUMTEK - KALIMPONG-Drive to the nearby Rumtek Monastery, brightly painted with beautiful murals. Try a cup of salted butter tea served by the monks. Continue to Kalimpong, a hill station with superb mountain vistas and famous flower nurseries. Our guesthouse, an orchid farm situated in a botanical park, provides a great base to explore the surrounding area - by foot or bike. ( B) DAY 13: TRAIN- Drive from Kalimpong to New Jalpaiguri to take the sleeper train back to Kolkata. ( B) DAY14: KOLKATA- Arrive in Kolkata and transfer to hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to further explore this chaotic but fascinating city. ( B) DAY 15: KOLKATA- Tour ends. ( B) A journey to Darjeeling and Sikkim in the remote Eastern Himalayas • Enjoy the tea plantations, religious centres and colonial buildingsof Darjeeling • Travel through the virgin forests, lush valleys and untouched hills of Sikkim • Trek between tiny settlementsin view of Kanchenjunga • Visit Sikkim's ancient monasteries and Kolkata's modern monuments • Relax in rural guesthousesamidst botanical gardens Tribes & Temples Imaginative Facts Tour code: HPTR • Activities: Boat ride on Chilika Lake, visit to tribal markets • Accommodation: 10 nights simple hotels, 3 nights sleeper train, 1 night camping • Transport: Trains, private coach, public bus, jeeps • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides DAY 1: KOLKATA ( CALCUTTA)- Arrive in Kolkata. DAY 2: KOLKATA- Our city tour includes a visit to the enormous marble Victoria Memorial which provides one of the best insights into colonial rule. In the evening we board the sleeper train to Raipur. DAY 3: RAIPUR- Raipur, capital of Chhattisgarh, is gateway to once remote interiors of India and home to a unique concentration of tribal people. DAYS 4- 6: JAGDALPUR- We take the local bus south to Jagdalpur where tribal people wear distinctive dress, headgear and ornaments and workshops offer an array of brilliant handicrafts. We spend the next few days around Jagdalpur, travelling deep into the jungle and exploring many scenic sites. The stupendous falls of the Indravati at Chitrakote are breathtaking and tribal villages and weekly markets give you a glimpse of a very different kind of Indian life. DAYS 7 & 8: JEYPORE- Drive to Jeypore in southern Orissa, a commercial centre endowed with waterfalls, forests and wildlife. Apart from its natural beauty it is a great base to visit the bustling markets with a brisk trade in cattle, ethnic jewellery and local produce. In the evening of Day 8 transfer to Koraput station for the sleeper train to Bhubaneswar. DAY 9: BHUBANESWAR- On arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon at leisure to explore the famous 500 temples. DAY 10: CHILIKA LAKE- Chilika, Asia's largest saltwater lake, is dotted with islands and noted for the many migratory birds which flock here in winter to the nesting sanctuary. We take a boat ride to Nalbana Island which is host to sea eagles, ospreys, sandpipers, flamingo and pelicans. Camp overnight. DAYS 11- 13: PURI - Drive to Puri where we visit the massive Lord Jagannath's Temple, a World Heritage Site. The next day we visit the splendid Sun Temple of Konarak, designed and built in the 13th Century in the shape of a colossal chariot carrying Surya, the Sun God, across the heavens. In the afternoon, we make an excursion to Raghurajpur, the artisan village famous for its Patta Chitra painting. There is also time to enjoy a walk on the beautiful white sandy beach or to visit the nearby fishing villages along the coast. In the evening of Day 13 transfer to the station for the sleeper train to Kolkata ( Calcutta). DAY 14: KOLKATA ( CALCUTTA) - Arrive and transfer to hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. DAY 15: KOLKATA- Tour ends. Travel through the remote tribal villages of central and eastern India • Experience the colourful local lifeof settlements untouched by modernity • Explore the Sun Temple of Konarak and Lord Jagannath's Temple at Puri • Take a boat trip on saltwater Chilika Lake, a migratory bird sanctuary • Visit the 500 temples of Bhubaneswarand the monuments of Kolkata • Wander Puri's stunning golden beachesand Orissa's lush jungles and forests Single Supplement £ 320 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 18.59 * Price includes tour price of £ 699and local payment of INR15,000All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 885pp Land Only *• Seasonal Supplement £ 40 Single Supplement £ 420 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 18.59 * Price includes tour price of £ 749and local payment of INR14,000All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 925pp Land Only * pioneertraveller Tour duration 15 daysTour duration 15 days Starts SunEnds Sun KolkataKolkata 2009 18- Jan- 0901- Feb- 09 15- Mar- 0929- Mar- 09 27- Sep- 0911- Oct- 09 06- Dec- 0920- Dec- 09 Starts SunEnds Sun KolkataKolkata 2010 17- Jan- 1031- Jan- 10 28- Feb- 1014- Mar- 10 26- Sep- 1010- Oct- 10 05- Dec- 1019- Dec- 10 Starts SunEnds Sun KolkataKolkata 2009 05- Apr- 0919- Apr- 09 • 26- Apr- 0910- May- 09 13- Sep- 0927- Sep- 09 11- Oct- 0925- Oct- 09 08- Nov- 0922- Nov- 09 • Seasonal supplement applies Starts SunEnds Sun KolkataKolkata 2010 28- Mar- 1011- Apr- 10 • 25- Apr- 1009- May- 10 23- May- 1006- Jun- 10 12- Sep- 1026- Sep- 10 10- Oct- 1024- Oct- 10 07- Nov- 1021- Nov- 10 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

INDIA & HIMALAYASINDIA 94 " I thought that the tour was a good mix of seeing the sights, countryside and cities, some exercise and a great variety of cuisine! " Nicola McKirgan india & himalayas Rajasthan Explorer Imaginative Facts Tour code: HARJ • Activities: Walking, camel safari, optional jeep safari • Accommodation: 12 nights simple hotels, 2 nights heritage hotel, 1 night tented camp • Transport: Private coach, train • 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. DAY 2: AGRA- Early morning express train to Agra. Guided tour of the Taj Mahal. DAY 3: JAIPUR- Drive to Jaipur via the deserted Moghul capital of Fatehpur Sikri. DAY 4: JAIPUR- Tour the stunning ' Pink City'of Jaipur. Visit the magnificent Amber Fort, perched on a hilltop outside town. DAY 5: PUSHKAR- Drive to Pushkar, a desert oasis on a holy lake. Afternoon at leisure to explore the lakeside with its many holy men, pilgrims and temples. DAY 6: KHEJARLA- Travel to Fort Khejarla, the stunning residence of the former ruling family who will be our hosts. DAY 7: CHANDELAO- Drive to the small heritage hotel of Chandelao Garh. Here, with no other tourists around, you can interact with the community and learn about the art, culture and heritage of Rajasthan. Afternoon optional jeep safari to the villages near Chandelao where we will see local craftsmen at work. DAY 8: CAMEL SAFARI- We drive into a remote part of the Thar Desert to start our camel safari. Overnight in a beautiful tented camp. DAYS 9 & 10: JAISALMER- Cross the desert to the ' Golden City' of Jaisalmer, looming magically out of the horizon. Within the fortress walls the cobbled streets are strewn with stunning palaces, beautiful mansions of rich merchants ( havelis), and Jain temples that were built between the 12th & 15th centuries. There is plenty of time to explore this amazing city with its mediaeval atmosphere. DAY 11: JODHPUR- Continue to the ' Blue City' of Jodhpur. Afternoon visit to the impressive Meherangarh Fort, with fantastic views across this blue- hued city. DAYS 12 & 13: UDAIPUR- Drive via the magnificent Jain temples of Ranakpur to the beautiful ' White City' of Udaipur, arguably the most stunning of Rajasthani cities, situated on Lake Pichola. The next day take a morning tour of the intricate palaces and temples. Afternoon at leisure to seek out a bargain in the markets or relax in a friendly café overlooking the lake. DAY 14: AHMEDABAD- We travel to Ahmedabad, a city with. ancient monuments displaying a unique mix of Hindu and Muslim architecture. A major attraction is the ashram where Mahatma Gandhi lived for many years, which we may have the option of visiting. DAY 15: MUMBAI ( BOMBAY)- Express train to Mumbai, site of the famous ' Gateway to India'. The rest of the day is at leisure. DAY 16: MUMBAI ( BOMBAY)- Tour ends. Note: An amended itinerary will operate for Pushkar Fair departures. See dossier for details. Travel through Rajasthan, the quintessential Indian state • Explore the enchanting citiesof Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer • Take a camel safari into the Thar Desert to an overnight tented camp • Visit the Pushkar oasis, historic Ahmedabad and the incomparable Taj Mahal • Visit the magnificent Amber, Kherjarla and Meherangarh Forts • Interact with the local community at rural Chandelao India Agra Madhogarh Jaipur Udaipur Jaisalmer Chandelao Khejarla Pushkar Ahmedabad Mumbai Delhi Rajasthan Explorer Indian Trails Indian Highlights Jodhpur • Seasonal Supplement £ 45 * Pushkar Fair Supplement £ 45 Single Supplement £ 335 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 16.04 * Price includes tour price of £ 565and local payment of INR8,000All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 665pp Land Only * adventurer Tour duration 16 days © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Sun DelhiMumbai 2009 03- Jan- 0918- Jan- 09 17- Jan- 0901- Feb- 09 31- Jan- 0915- Feb- 09 14- Feb- 0901- Mar- 09 28- Feb- 0915- Mar- 09 14- Mar- 0929- Mar- 09 28- Mar- 0912- Apr- 09 11- Apr- 0926- Apr- 09 18- Jul- 0902- Aug- 09 01- Aug- 0916- Aug- 09 15- Aug- 0930- Aug- 09 29- Aug- 0913- Sep- 09 12- Sep- 0927- Sep- 09 26- Sep- 0911- Oct- 09 10- Oct- 0925- Oct- 09 24- Oct- 0908- Nov- 09 * 07- Nov- 0922- Nov- 09 21- Nov- 0906- Dec- 09 05- Dec- 0920- Dec- 09 19- Dec- 0903- Jan- 10 • * Pushkar Fair departure Starts SatEnds Sun DelhiMumbai 2010 02- Jan- 1017- Jan- 10 16- Jan- 1031- Jan- 10 30- Jan- 1014- Feb- 10 13- Feb- 1028- Feb- 10 27- Feb- 1014- Mar- 10 13- Mar- 1028- Mar- 10 27- Mar- 1011- Apr- 10 10- Apr- 1025- Apr- 10 17- Jul- 1001- Aug- 10 31- Jul- 1015- Aug- 10 14- Aug- 1029- Aug- 10 28- Aug- 1012- Sep- 10 11- Sep- 1026- Sep- 10 25- Sep- 1010- Oct- 10 09- Oct- 1024- Oct- 10 23- Oct- 1007- Nov- 10 06- Nov- 1021- Nov- 10 * 20- Nov- 1005- Dec- 10 04- Dec- 1019- Dec- 10 18- Dec- 1002- Jan- 11 • • X- Mas & New Year Supplement Approximately 300 million cinema tickets are sold every year in India. amazing fact ... We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243