INDIA 99 INDIA & HIMALAYAS South India Adventure Imaginative Facts Tour code: HASA • Activities: Extensive walking at sites • Accommodation: 14 nights simple hotels, 1 night backwaters resort, 2 nights sleeper train • Transport: Private coach, sleeper train, boat • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader DAYS 1 & 2: KOVALAM- Arrive in Trivandrum and transfer to nearby Kovalam, the finest beach in South India. The next day is at leisure to shake off the jet lag and settle into the leisurely pace of life in South India. DAY 3: BACKWATERS- Drive to a village on Kerala's backwaters. Time to explore traditional villages by dug- out canoe or on foot. DAYS 4 & 5: KOCHI ( COCHIN)- Drive to Kochi, one of the most interesting and cosmopolitan cities in India with Portuguese, Jewish, Chinese, Dutch and British influences! Time to explore Fort Cochin, the harbour and the islands, with so many reminders of the city's colonial past. DAYS 6 & 7: THEKKADY ( PERIYAR)- A scenic drive to Thekkady, the best place to stay for a visit to Periyar Wildlife Reserve, one of the largest in India, deep in the scenic Cardamom Hills. There are numerous elephants, sambhar, wild pig, flying squirrel and over 260 species of birds. There is a full day for optional activities in the park. Boat trips are available on the lake and there are opportunities for hiking through the dense jungle. DAYS 8 & 9: MADURAI- Drive to Madurai, one of the most lively and exotic temple cities. Afternoon visit to the magnificent Meenakshi Temple. There is then a further day to explore the colourful bazaars packed full of street tailors, throngs of pilgrims and joyful religious processions. In the evening of Day 9 board the sleeper train to Mysore. DAYS 10 & 11: MYSORE- Arrive in Mysore, a friendly and easy- going city of shady trees and buildings of faded grandeur. Visit the colourful food markets and the magnificent Maharajah's Palace with its glittering interiors. You also have the option to take a local rickshaw to drive up Chamundi Hill for fabulous views over the city. DAY 12: BANGALORE- Transfer to Bangalore. Board the sleeper train to Hospet. DAYS 13 & 14: HAMPI- Arrive in Hospet. Just a short drive away are the magnificent ruins of the Vijayanagar Empire at Hampi. At the height of its power in the 16th century, the city rivalled Rome in splendour and controlled almost all of South India. We explore the city on foot. Day 15: GOA- Train to Londa and then drive to Goa where we stay near the superb beaches of Candolim, Calangute and Baga. DAYS 16 & 17: GOA- Relax and enjoy the Goan lifestyle. Goa is renowned for its Portuguese colonial heritage, architecture, temples and churches as well as its gorgeous tropical beaches. DAY 18: GOA- Tour ends. Journey through tropical backwaters, lush mountains and exotic temples • Explore the tranquil palm- lined backwatersand traditional villages of Kerala • Chance to take a boat or walking safari into Periyar Wildlife Reserve • Visit the grand buildings of colonial Kochi and historic Mysore • Tour the magnificent temples of Madurai and fascinating ruins at Kampi • Begin on the beach at Kovalamand end on the beach at Goa! Backwaters & Villages of Kerala Imaginative Facts Tour code: HABC • Activities: Extensive walking at sites • Accommodation: 8 nights simple hotels, 1 night backwaters resort • Transport: Private coach, boat • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader Days 1- 8, unescorted Days 9 & 10 DAYS 1 & 2: KOVALAM- Arrive in Trivandrum and transfer to nearby Kovalam, the finest beach in South India. The next day is at leisure to shake off the jet lag and settle into the leisurely pace of life in South India. DAY 3: BACKWATERS- Drive to a village on Kerala's tropical backwaters. Time to explore traditional villages by dug- out canoe or on foot. DAYS 4 & 5: KOCHI ( COCHIN)- Drive to Kochi, one of the most interesting and cosmopolitan cities in India with Portuguese, Jewish, Chinese, Dutch and British influences! Time to explore Fort Cochin, the harbour and the islands, with so many reminders of the city's colonial past. DAYS 6 & 7: THEKKADY ( PERIYAR)- A scenic drive to Thekkady, the best place to stay for a visit to Periyar Wildlife Reserve, one of the largest in India, deep in the scenic Cardamom Hills. There are numerous elephants, sambhar, wild pig, flying squirrel and over 260 species of birds. There is a full day for optional activities in the park. Boat trips are available on the lake and there are opportunities for hiking through the dense jungle. DAY 8: MADURAI- Drive to Madurai, one of the most lively and exotic temple cities with colourful bazaars packed full of street tailors, throngs of pilgrims and joyful religious processions. Afternoon visit to the magnificent Meenakshi Temple. DAY 9: MADURAI - KOVALAM- Return to Kovalam and its glorious beach. DAY 10: KOVALAM- Tour ends. A shorter version of our ' South India Adventure' - all the highlights! • Explore the tranquil palm- lined backwaters and traditional villages of Kerala • Chance to take a boat or walking safari into Periyar Wildlife Reserve • Visit the grand buildings, harbour and islands of colonial Kochi • Tour the magnificent temples and colourful bazaars of Madurai • Begin and end on the beach at Kovalam, the finest beach in South India • Seasonal Supplement £ 45 Single Supplement £ 300 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 17.60 * Price includes tour price of £ 640and local payment of INR10,000All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 765pp Land Only * Single Supplement £ 195 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 17.60 * Price includes tour price of £ 399and local payment of INR5,000All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 460pp Land Only * adventureradventurer Tour duration 18 daysTour duration 10 days Starts SunEnds Wed TrivandrumGoa 2009 04- Jan- 0921- Jan- 09 25- Jan- 0911- Feb- 09 15- Feb- 0904- Mar- 09 08- Mar- 0925- Mar- 09 11- Oct- 0928- Oct- 09 01- Nov- 0918- Nov- 09 22- Nov- 0909- Dec- 09 13- Dec- 0930- Dec- 09 • Starts SunEnds Wed TrivandrumGoa 2010 03- Jan- 1020- Jan- 10 24- Jan- 1010- Feb- 10 14- Feb- 1003- Mar- 10 07- Mar- 1024- Mar- 10 10- Oct- 1027- Oct- 10 31- Oct- 1017- Nov- 10 21- Nov- 1008- Dec- 10 12- Dec- 1029- Dec- 10 • • X- Mas & New Year Supplement Starts SunEnds Tue TrivandrumTrivandrum 2009 04- Jan- 0913- Jan- 09 25- Jan- 0903- Feb- 09 15- Feb- 0924- Feb- 09 08- Mar- 0917- Mar- 09 11- Oct- 0920- Oct- 09 01- Nov- 0910- Nov- 09 22- Nov- 0901- Dec- 09 13- Dec- 0922- Dec- 09 Starts SunEnds Tue TrivandrumTrivandrum 2010 03- Jan- 1012- Jan- 10 24- Jan- 1002- Feb- 10 14- Feb- 1023- Feb- 10 07- Mar- 1016- Mar- 10 10- Oct- 1019- Oct- 10 31- Oct- 1009- Nov- 10 21- Nov- 1030- Nov- 10 12- Dec- 1021- Dec- 10 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

INDIA & HIMALAYASINDIA 100 " I have never enjoyed a trip so much and met such lovely people. I would like to thank Imaginative Traveller for a great tour." Sara Stock india & himalayas South Indian Highlights Imaginative Facts Tour code: HTSI • Activities: Jungle trek and boat trip on Periyar Lake • Accommodation: 12 nights tourist class hotels, 1 night houseboat, 1 night sleeper train • Transport: Private air- conditioned coach, houseboat, train • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Chill out on the beach by adding our ' Goa Beach Extension' DAYS 1 & 2: MAMALLAPURAM- On arrival at Chennai ( Madras) airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Mamallapuram. This ancient seaport is now a coastal retreat with a long sandy beach. The next day you will visit the fabulous rock- cut temples, giant frieze and Shore Temple, carved out of rock along the Coromandel Coast. Afternoon at leisure. ( Day 2 - B) DAY 3: PONDICHERRY- Drive to the former French colony of Pondicherry. Afternoon at leisure to stroll around the boulevards or visit the community of Auroville, a unique experiment in international living. ( B) DAY 4: THANJAVUR- Drive to Thanjavur. Afternoon visit to the Sri Brihadeshwari Temple, a World Heritage monument. ( B) DAYS 5 & 6: MADURAI- Drive to Madurai. Stop en route in Tiruchirappali to visit the Rock Fort Temple towering above the city, as well as the gigantic Srirangam Temple. Madurai is full of colourful bazaars, street tailors, throngs of pilgrims and joyful religious processions. The main attraction is the famous temple dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi. ( B) DAYS 7 & 8: THEKKADY ( PERIYAR)- Thekkady is the best place to stay for a visit to Periyar Wildlife Reserve, one of the largest in India, deep in the scenic Cardamom Hills. There are numerous elephants, sambhar, wild pig, flying squirrel and over 260 species of birds. We take a walk through the jungle, followed by a boat cruise on Periyar Lake. ( B) DAY 9: HOUSEBOAT- Take a houseboat cruise through Kerala's famous backwaters and lagoons. Relax and watch the world go by, enjoying the sheer peace of the palm-fringed waterways. Spend the night on board the houseboat. ( BLD) DAYS 10 & 11: KOCHI ( COCHIN)- Kochi is set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas and has one of the best natural harbours in the world. It is one of the most unique and fascinating towns in South India. Watch an evening performance of Kathakali dancing. In the morning of Day 11 take a tour of Fort Cochin and a cruise through the harbour. That evening board the sleeper train to Bangalore. ( B) DAYS 12 & 13: MYSORE- Arrive and drive to Mysore, a friendly and easy- going city of shady trees and buildings of faded grandeur. Visit the Maharajah's palace and Chamundi Hill. Mysore is also a crafts centre, and there are numerous shops selling a large range of sandalwood, rosewood, teak carvings and furniture. ( B) DAY 14: MYSORE - CHENNAI ( MADRAS)- We take the Shatabdi Express from Mysore to Chennai. ( B) DAY 15: CHENNAI- Tour ends. ( B) Take a leisurely journey through Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka • Meander the peaceful tropical waterways of Kerala by houseboat • Explore the lively cultural centres of Mysore and Chennai ( Madras) • Tour the diverse architectural templesat Madurai, Thanjavur and Trichy • Take a boat and walking safari in Periyar Wildlife Reserve • Visit colonial Pondicherry and cosmopolitan Kochi India Bangalore Mysore Madurai Kochi Chennai Mamallapuram Pondicherry Thanjavur Backwaters South Indian Highlights Thekkady Sri Lanka Discovery Sri Lanka Colombo Negombo Anuradhapura Polonnaruwa Nuwara Eliya Kaudulla Sigiriya Dambulla Kandy World's End Belihuloya Bentota Tanamalwila • Xmas / New Year Supplement £ 90 Single Supplement £ 485 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 19.25 * Price includes tour price of £ 880and local payment of INR12,000All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1030pp Land Only * traveller Tour duration 15 days © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative Traveller Starts SunEnds Sun ChennaiChennai ( Mamallapuram) 2009 04- Jan- 0918- Jan- 09 01- Feb- 0915- Feb- 09 01- Mar- 0915- Mar- 09 29- Mar- 0912- Apr- 09 27- Sep- 0911- Oct- 09 18- Oct- 0901- Nov- 09 08- Nov- 0922- Nov- 09 29- Nov- 0913- Dec- 09 20- Dec- 0903- Jan- 10 • Starts SunEnds Sun ChennaiChennai ( Mamallapuram) 2010 10- Jan- 1024- Jan- 10 31- Jan- 1014- Feb- 10 21- Feb- 1007- Mar- 10 14- Mar- 1028- Mar- 10 04- Apr- 1018- Apr- 10 26- Sep- 1010- Oct- 10 17- Oct- 1031- Oct- 10 07- Nov- 1021- Nov- 10 28- Nov- 1012- Dec- 10 19- Dec- 1002- Jan- 11 • • Xmas / New Year Supplement There are 330 million Hindu Gods in India. amazing fact ... We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243