INDIA  NEPAL 97 INDIA & HIMALAYAS Delhi to Kathmandu Imaginative Facts Tour code: HADE • Activities: Walking, boat trip on the Ganges • Accommodation: 11 nights simple hotels, 1 night heritage hotel, 1 night sleeper train • Transport: Trains, private bus, public bus • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Royal Chitwan National Park Extension' Days 1- 10: Follow ' Classic India' itinerary. DAY 11: VARANASI- Early morning Ganges boat trip. Rest of the day at leisure. DAY 12: BHAIRAWA- Travel to the border between Nepal and India. If time allows there may be the option to take an excursion to the nearby town of Lumbini where Siddhartha Gautama ( the Buddha) was born. DAY 13: KATHMANDU- Continue to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, an utterly fascinating city full of temples, markets, history, different cultures and life. A stepping stone to the mighty Himalayas. DAY 14: KATHMANDU- Tour ends. A great journey following our ' Classic India' tour to Nepal • Venture into Rajasthan and visit the captivating ' Pink City' of Jaipur • Explore the famous mediaeval architectureand erotic sculptures at Khajuraho • Experience the holy city of Varanasiand the magnificence of the Taj Mahal • Take a cruise on the Ganges and explore rural villagesnear Fort Madhogarh • End your trip in Kathmandu, one of the most exotic landmark citiesin the world Amritsar, Dharamsala & Rajasthan Imaginative Facts Tour code: HAAM • Activities: Optional hiking in Pushkar, Shimla and Dharamsala, camel safari • Accommodation: 16 nights simple hotels, 1 night heritage hotel, 1 night sleeper train, 1 night tented camp • Transport: Trains, private coach, public, bus, jeep • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader and services of local guides • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Varanasi Extension' DAY 1: DELHI- Arrive in Delhi. DAY 2: AGRA- Early morning express train to Agra. Guided tour of the Taj Mahal. DAYS 3 & 4: JAIPUR- Drive to the ' Pink City' of Jaipur via the deserted former Moghul capital of Fatehpur Sikri. Tour this beautiful pink sandstone city followed by a visit to the imposing Amber Fort. DAY 5: PACHEWAR- Afternoon drive to the small village of Pachewar where we stay in the lovely 300- year- old fort, with its massive ramparts and large gardens. DAY 6: PUSHKAR- A short drive to the laid back desert oasis of Pushkar. There is plenty of time to explore the lakeside with its many holy men, pilgrims and temples. DAY 7: JODHPUR- Continue to the ' Blue City' of Jodhpur. Afternoon visit to the impressive Meherangarh Fort. DAY 8: CAMEL SAFARI- We drive into a remote part of the Thar Desert for 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. DAYS 11 & 12: BIKANER- Drive to Bikaner, a desert outpost that was a major trading centre on the old caravan route from Central Asia. The old city of Bikaner has a maze of narrow lanes and some beautifully carved havelis in red sandstone. On Day 12 visit the fabulous Junagadh Fort. Later board the sleeper train to Chandigarh. DAYS 13 & 14: SHIMLA- We travel by bus to Shimla, the most famous of the hill-stations. Free time to enjoy the many beautiful walks in the pine- clad hills that surround this picturesque town. DAYS 15 & 16: DHARAMSALA- We travel to the hill- station of Dharamsala in a spectacular mountain setting perched on the slopes of the Kangra Valley. Dharamsala is home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile. Their settlement at Mcleod Ganj is a colourful example of Tibetan culture with many brightly coloured prayer flags and temples. DAY 17: DHARAMSALA- Optional walk through the mixed forest of oak, rhododendron and deodar trees to Triund, an alpine meadow situated atop a flat ridge with fine views of the Dhauladhars range and Kangra Valley. DAY 18: AMRITSAR- Travel to Amritsar, the sacred capital of Punjab. DAY 19: DELHI- Morning visit to the exquisite Golden Temple, one of the most impressive temples in India and the holiest site for Sikhs. Evening express train to Delhi. DAY 20: DELHI- Tour ends. Note: An amended itinerary will operate for the Pushkar Fair departure. See dossier for details. An amazing journey from desert cities to mountains • Visit the iconic Taj Mahalat Agra and Golden Temple at Amritsar • Travel to the Rajasthani desert cities of Jaipur and Jaisalmer • Ride camels in the Thar Desertand walk the hills of Himachal Pradesh • Explore the Pushkar oasis, the Bikaner trading post and hill station of Shimla • Savour Buddhist culture in the spectacular mountain setting of Dharamsala • Seasonal Supplement £ 45 Single Supplement £ 200 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 16.29 * Price includes tour price of £ 625and local payment of INR8,000All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 725pp Land Only ** Pushkar Fair Supplement £ 45 Single Supplement £ 350 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 15.46 * Price includes tour price of £ 720and local payment of INR10,000All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 845pp Land Only * adventureradventurer Tour duration 14 daysTour duration 20 days Starts MonEnds Sun DelhiKathmandu 2009 12- Jan- 0925- Jan- 09 02- Feb- 0915- Feb- 09 23- Feb- 0908- Mar- 09 16- Mar- 0929- Mar- 09 06- Apr- 0919- Apr- 09 06- Jul- 0919- Jul- 09 27- Jul- 0909- Aug- 09 17- Aug- 0930- Aug- 09 07- Sep- 0920- Sep- 09 28- Sep- 0911- Oct- 09 19- Oct- 0901- Nov- 09 09- Nov- 0922- Nov- 09 30- Nov- 0913- Dec- 09 21- Dec- 0903- Jan- 10 • Starts MonEnds Sun DelhiKathmandu 2010 11- Jan- 1024- Jan- 10 01- Feb- 1014- Feb- 10 22- Feb- 1007- Mar- 10 15- Mar- 1028- Mar- 10 05- Apr- 1018- Apr- 10 05- Jul- 1018- Jul- 10 26- Jul- 1008- Aug- 10 16- Aug- 1029- Aug- 10 06- Sep- 1019- Sep- 10 27- Sep- 1010- Oct- 10 18- Oct- 1031- Oct- 10 08- Nov- 1021- Nov- 10 29- Nov- 1012- Dec- 10 20- Dec- 1002- Jan- 11 • • X- Mas & New Year Supplement Starts SunEnds Fri DelhiDelhi 2009 15- Feb- 0906- Mar- 09 08- Mar- 0927- Mar- 09 29- Mar- 0917- Apr- 09 12- Jul- 0931- Jul- 09 02- Aug- 0921- Aug- 09 23- Aug- 0911- Sep- 09 13- Sep- 0902- Oct- 09 04- Oct- 0923- Oct- 09 25- Oct- 0913- Nov- 09 * 15- Nov- 0904- Dec- 09 Starts SunEnds Fri DelhiDelhi 2010 14- Feb- 1005- Mar- 10 07- Mar- 1026- Mar- 10 28- Mar- 1016- Apr- 10 11- Jul- 1030- Jul- 10 01- Aug- 1020- Aug- 10 22- Aug- 1010- Sep- 10 12- Sep- 1001- Oct- 10 03- Oct- 1022- Oct- 10 24- Oct- 1012- Nov- 10 14- Nov- 1003- Dec- 10 * * Pushkar Fair departure Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

INDIA & HIMALAYASINDIA 98 " Our tour leader was exceptional - we have never had a guide who relayed such a strong and ethical focus of social responsibility." Lyn Hornsby india & himalayas Ladakh - The Hidden Kingdom Imaginative Facts Tour code: HALH • Activities: Trekking, rafting ( optional). Trek grade- Moderate • Accommodation: 13 nights simple hotels, 3 nights camping, 1 night monastery guesthouse • Transport: Plane, jeep, raft ( optional), bus, train • Flight: Delhi - Leh • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour/ trek leader, cook, kitchen help, services of porters, local representatives and rafting guides • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Most of our tour departure dates link up with other trips. For example why not combine this tour with our ' Moghul Highlights'! DAY 1: DELHI- Arrive in Delhi. DAY 2: LEH- Fly to Leh ( 3,500m) on a breathtaking flight across the Himalayas. Optional tour of Sankar Gompa ( monastery). DAYS 3 & 4: LEH - INDUS VALLEY- Tour the magnificent Indus Valley gompas of Shey, Tikse & Hemis. Tikse is a good place to watch religious ceremonies which are preceded by the playing of large standing drums and long horns. There is also optional white- water rafting - highly recommended. DAY 5: TREK- Drive to Likir, famous for its impressive monastery, to begin our trek. The route is fairly easy - we walk approximately four hours per day and seldom go over 4,000m. We visit several villages and experience the lifestyle of the locals. Camp near Yangtang village. ( LD) DAY 6: TREK- Hike to the impressive monastery of Ridzong, perched in a fantastic spot high up in a side valley. At this strict Buddhist monastery the monks possess nothing but their books and robes. ( BLD) DAY 7: TREK- Crossing a small pass we descend to the village of Hemis Shukpachen, a picturesque spot full of greenery and apricot orchards. ( BLD) DAY 8: LAMAYURU- Trek via the village of Ang to Themisgaam. From here we drive to Lamayuru where we stay in the monastery guesthouse. Lamayuru is one of the most famous and spectacular gompas in Ladakh, perched on a steep cliff. ( BLD) DAY 9: LEH- Return to Leh with a stop en route to visit the unique Alchi Monastery. Built in the 12th century, this monastery survived the restoration of the 16th century and still has the original paintings in Kashmiri style. ( B) DAY 10: LEH TO MANALI HIGHWAY- Drive along the legendary Leh to Manali highway ( the world's second highest!) with unsurpassed views along the way. We stop for the night in Keylong. DAY 11: MANALI- Continue by bus to the hill- station of Manali, one of the most scenic areas of Himachal Pradesh. The scenery is stunning - snowcapped peaks tower above green hills that are carpeted with pine forest and fruit orchards. DAY 12: MANALI- Full day at leisure. This area is ideal for easy hikes with stunning views or you can explore the town with its many Tibetan shops. DAYS 13 & 14: DHARAMSALA- We travel to the hill- station of Dharamsala in a spectacular mountain setting. Perched on the slopes of the Kangra Valley, Dharamsala is home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile. Their settlement at Mcleod Ganj is a colourful example of Tibetan culture with many brightly coloured prayer flags and temples. DAY 15: DHARAMSALA- Optional walk through the mixed forest of oak, rhododendron and deodar trees to Triund, an alpine meadow situated atop a flat ridge with fine views of the Dhauladhars range and the Kangra Valley. DAY 16: AMRITSAR- Travel to Amritsar, the sacred capital of Punjab. DAY 17: AMRITSAR - DELHI- Morning visit to the exquisite Golden Temple, one of the most impressive temples in India and the holiest site for Sikhs. Evening train to Delhi. DAY 18: DELHI - Tour ends. Discover the wonders of this secretive and dramatic mountain kingdom • Experience remote Indiawith a preserved Buddhist religion and culture • Trek through the Indus Valley past ancient monasteriesand historic villages • Enjoy contrasting landscapes of barren plains, lush valleys and snowy peaks • Take a spectacular flight over the Indian Himalayasto the high capital of Leh • Visit sacred Amritsar and the Dalai Lama's headquarters at Dharamsala India Delhi Amritsar Dharamsala Manali Keylong Leh Likir Lamayuru Ladakh - The Hidden Kingdom India GoaLondaHampi Bangalore Mysore Madurai Kochi Backwaters Kovalam South India Adventure Backwaters & Villages of Kerala Thekkady Single Supplement £ 195 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 15.46 * Price includes tour price of £ 925and local payment of INR13,000All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1090pp Land Only * adventurer Tour duration 18 days © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative Traveller Starts ThuEnds Sun DelhiDelhi 2009 25- Jun- 0912- Jul- 09 23- Jul- 0909- Aug- 09 13- Aug- 0930- Aug- 09 03- Sep- 0920- Sep- 09 24- Sep- 0911- Oct- 09 Starts ThuEnds Sun DelhiDelhi 2010 24- Jun- 1011- Jul- 10 22- Jul- 1008- Aug- 10 12- Aug- 1029- Aug- 10 02- Sep- 1019- Sep- 10 23- Sep- 1010- Oct- 10 We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243