Classical India with Pushkar Fair

Trip Valid:	11/08/08 to 11/20/08
Duration:	13 Days / 12 Nights
Highlights:	The Pulsating beats of vivid images of the Sacred Brahma land, Pushkar brings alive the rich tradition of Rajasthan enhancing the glory of the golden sand. Spectacular Fair Ground in the month of Kartik with bedecked Camels, decorated cattles, adventures competitions, breathtaking events, jostling rustic crowd, meditating sadhus, holy dip, vivid stalls, exotic fair, colorful desert, so typical, so obvious, It can be nothing else but Pushkar Fair. The fair in conjunction with having religious entity is famous for its Cattle Fair. Camels, Horses, Donkeys, Bulls, etc are bought, sold, beautified, raced and paraded on the sand. In fact, the fair is predominantly a rural gathering, where villagers from different parts of state comes with their animals and lakes are flooded with the pilgrims for the Holy Dips (SNAN). The fair attracts a great number of tourists from far and wide. The fair grounds reverberate with festivity, as rows of make shift stalls display a bewildering array items. Body tattooing is yet another favorite activity. The profusion of colors that run riot in the desert sand, the glee and the contagious enthusiasm of the village folk are a unique experience for every visitor. If you are planning to travel in November you can take this tour. We are covering Best of India with Pushkar. Hotels are heritage wher ever possible and in Pushkar it is Swiss Tents / Cottages.
Trip Code:	CIWPF
Guarantee:	Departure is guaranteed
Group Size:	Minimum 1, Maximum 12
Price:	View Detail

Detail Itinerary
Saturday, 11/08/08
Day 01 New Delhi
Arrival in Delhi

You will be met on arrival at the International airport. Transfer to your hotel. Relax.

DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. Delhi is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land and a window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.

Morning: FREE to relax. After lunch New Delhi sightseeing that includes Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Baha'i Lotus Temple and drive past government buildings in New Delhi like President's Mansion, Ministries, Parliament House and India Gate.

Overnight will be in Delhi.

Sunday, 11/09/08:
Day 02 Delhi / Samode By Road in 6 hrs
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Start tour of Old Delhi.

OLD DELHI : A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.

Enjoy the cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk

After lunch drive to Samode.

Samode Bagh is a garden paradise situated 4 km from Samode Palace, nestled on 20 acres of beautiful grounds combines warmth and luxury, an atmosphere that is quiet, relaxed & elegant. It is a romantic hideaway where you can be as active or comtemplative as you wish. Samode Bagh offers a unique experience of an air-conditioned tented camp where the dune coloured tents are luxuriously furnished with every comfort. The garden is about three blocks long and is enclosed by a 15 foot high stone wall.

Overnight will be at Samode

Monday, 11/10/08:
Day 03 Samode/Pushkar By Road in 3 hrs
After breakfast drive about 3 hours to India's and perhaps the world's most colorful folk festival - the Pushkar Fair. Observe, explore and photograph the colorful Fair. Enjoy a camel ride, enjoy the festivities and many interesting events or visit the many temples along the Pushkar Lake including the famous Brahma temple.

Overnight will be in deluxe tents in fair grounds.

Tuesday, 11/11/08:
Day 04 Pushkar
Full day to enjoy the festival atmosphere at the colorful Pushkar Fair

Overnight will be in deluxe tents.

Wednesday, 11/12/08:
Day 05 Pushkar
Another full day at the Pushkar Fair

Overnight will be in deluxe tents.

Thursday, 11/13/08:
Day 06 Pushkar/ Jaipur
Drive to the city of Jaipur through rustic villages. Reach and check in at hotel by afternoon.

JAIPUR - The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.

This evening, visit the Birla Temple to learn more about the fascinating religious life of Jaipur. The marble structure, built as recently as 1985, houses ornate statues including one of Lakshmi (goddess of Wealth and Beauty) and Narayan dressed in gaudy robes, representing a Hindu vision of heavenly luxury. Carvings in the temple and on pillars supporting the covered walkways include images of the Hindu pantheon, as well as Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis of Assisi. Your visit will coincide with the AARTI Ceremony, which involves oil lamps being lit and waved, in order to awake and invoke the deity. Enjoy the experience and spend night at Jaipur.

Overnight will be in Jaipur.

Friday, 11/14/08:
Day 07 Jaipur
Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort afterbreakfast. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.

AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.

Continue sightseeing.

CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.

JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.

HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.

Relax in the evening or visit the markets. Overnight will be at Jaipur.

Saturday, 11/15/08:
Day 08 Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra By Road in 7 hrs
After breakfast drive to Agra.

En route visit Fatehpur Sikri.

The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.

Reach Agra and transfer to hotel.

AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.

Check in at hotel and relax. Overnight will be at Hotel.

Sunday, 11/16/08:
Day 09 Agra
Have a leisurely breakfast at the hotel.

Visit the TAJ MAHAL - one of the Seven Wonders of the World was built by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed in 1651AD. Taj Mahal - The symbol of Love was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal (Shah Jahan`s second Wife).

AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.

After Agra Fort we will visit BABY TAJ - The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj.

Overnight will be at Agra.

Monday, 11/17/08:
Day 10 Agra/Jhansi/Orchha/Khajuraho
After breakfast transfer to Agra Cantonment train station to board the air-conditioned chair car compartment of Shatabdi Express to Jhansi in central India.

On arrival transfer to a hotel for lunch, then visit the Orchha Fort and very interesting Hindu temples on the way to Khajuraho.

Proceed further to Khajuraho.

Situated in the heart of india, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is a fascinating village with a quaint, rural ambience and a rich cultural heritage, honoured by the world as india's unique contribution to human civilisation. the chandela dynasty built eighty-five temples here. twenty remain as embodiments of indian architectural and sculptural art at its most evolved state. even ten centuries after they were constructed, the temples of khajuraho reflect an eternal philosophy relevant to all mankind. the temples of khajuraho is a world heritage site and belong not just to india but to the world. Khajuraho is one of the few millennium destinations of the world.
Reach Khajuraho. Transferred to hotel and relax. Visit the Western set of Temples and enjoy Sound and Light Show.
Overnight will be at Hotel.

Tuesday, 11/18/08:
Day 11 Khajuraho/Varanasi By Air
After Breakfast, visit the world famous Hindu and Jain temples of Khajuraho that are profusely carved from red sandstone.

Transfer in time to airport for flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi, you will be met and transferred to hotel.

VARANASI IS THE WORLD'S MOST ANCIENT LIVING CITY. SUNRISE ON THE RIVERFRONT, AS SEEN FROM A BOAT, CAN BE SPIRITUALLY UPLIFTING SIGHT. CROWDED WITH TEMPLES, AND ITS LABYRINTH OF STREETS, THE CITY ATTRACTS THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TOURISTS. THE RELIGIOUS CAPITAL OF HINDUISM, VARANASI IS THE CARPET MANUFACTURING PLACE OF INDIA. IT WAS PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS KASHI - THE CITY THAT ILLUMINATES. THE PRESENT NAME IS DERIVED FROM THE FACT THAT THE CITY IS AT THE CONFLUENCE OF THE RIVERS VARUNA AND ASI.

Visit Sarnath 5 miles out of Varanasi for a day excursion: One of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 BC. Witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at the site.

Overnight will be at Varanasi.

Wednesday, 11/19/08:
Day 12 Varanasi
Morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions. (To start at 0500 hrs. for the best lifetime experience) For you to appreciate this remarkable city, we`ll transfer you to the banks of the River Ganges before the sun rises. Board a boat with your guide and proceed to the middle of the river, where at sunrise the sight unfolds before you. Thousands of faithful come daily to the banks to bathe and pray while in the background, temples and palaces rise in tiers from the water`s edge. Then return for a walk through the cobblestone streets along the banks of "Ganga". As shops are opening, the place now becomes a beehive of activity as the faithful are coming and going. Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple while returning to the hotel.

Breakfast will be at the hotel. Proceed for day guided tour of Varanasi.

Visit Bharat Mata Temple, which features a big relief map of Mother India engraved in marble. Also visit the 18th century Durga Temple, commonly known as the Monkey Temple due to the huge population of the monkeys. Proceed to the Tulsi manas Temple, crafted from white marble which features the entire Ramayana inscribed on its walls. Also visit the BHU considered as the biggest residential university in Asia. The University Campus houses an Art Gallery and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Overnight stay will be at hotel.

Thursday, 11/20/08:
Day 13 Varanasi/Delhi By Air
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Visit the birthplace of Buddhist religion, Sarnath. Lord Buddha meditated for many years in the dear park at Sarnath. After enlightenment at Bodhgaya, he returned to Sarnath to preach the "Dharmachakra" or the "wheel of religion sermon". This was his first sermon to his initial five disciples. Mauryan Emperor Ashoka built a Stupa at the site where Lord Buddha's ashes were preserved along with a massive monastery and university complex. We will view the archeological ruins of this historic site and also visit a very interesting site museum of archeology.

Transfer to airport to board flight to Delhi. Reach and take a flight back home with sweet memories of India.

City	Suggested Hotels or Similar	Nights
Delhi	Taj Mahal	02
Samode	Samode Palace	01
Pushkar	Swiss Camp Tents / Cottages	03
Jaipur	Taj Jai Mahal Palace	02
Agra	Imperial Palace	02
Khajuraho	Radisson Jass	01
Varanasi	Taj Ganges / Ramada	02

Select a departure date from the list below:

Start date	End date	places available	bookings
11/08/08	11/20/08	Available	open

What cultural considerations should one take care of while touring in India?
India has a very traditional and religious society. Its cultures and customs are very different to western cultural ideas. We ask you as guests in this amazing country to respond to these sometimes-bizarre differences with sensitivity and respect.

We do request you to dress conservatively - both men and women should wear clothing that covers knees and shoulders (when visiting mosques and temples). Nudity is totally taboo, when swimming please do wear a swimsuit.

Try to avoid any public display of affection. When entering mosques, temples and places of religious worship or private homes - please remove your shoes. Many Hindu temples are not open to non-Hindus. Always ask permission before entering. Mosques may have limited visiting times for non-Muslims.

Some detailed information about passport & visa:

Passport
You must be in possession of a valid passport, which will not expire for at least six months after your journey is due to end. It should have to clear pages for entry and exit stamps as well as your visa.

A wise precaution is to carry a photocopy of your passport kept separately, extremely useful in the event of loss or theft.

Visa
All visitors to India require a visa that must be obtained from an Indian High Commission or Consulate. You would need to use two addresses in India and do let us know for the same as it is normal to give our company's (Maglev Destination) and our director's address on the same.

For postal applications passports should be sent by registered post and include a registered post paid return addressed envelope. Applications should be on the official visa form available from a local travel agent. Alternatively in some countries the form can be downloaded from the Embassies' official WEBSITE. All applications should include 3 passport-sized photographs. Your local travel agent or nearest Embassy will be able to inform you of the latest application fee.

Where to shop and how to be sure of the product & the price? Should we be confident of going with the guide?

India can be described as a shopper's paradise with products such as hand-woven rugs, inlaid marble, semi-precious stone jewelry, silk fabrics, brassware, etc. India's diversity is expressed though the creation of master craftspeople. Each state has a unique handicraft to proudly reflect the inherited and improved skills to near perfection. Souvenir shops and art & craft emporiums are to be found everywhere.
Consult your guidebook or the local guides and people. Usually the "pavement markets" do not guarantee the products and they do not accept credit / debit cards. Genuine products can only be guaranteed at a government showroom or branded showroom, i.e. Cottage Industries, etc.

Shopping can be one of the ways to interact with a local. For people who like to bargain, shopping is a true pleasure. For others, fixed priced stores are a relief. Whatever transaction you prefer, we hope your purchase that was made in India, will remind you of your trip.

Yes, the guides do take you to shops and showrooms, while you are on tour. You can say "no" when you don't want to visit the shops or not interested in shopping with a guide. But when you do visit the store with the guide, you do not necessarily pay a higher price for a substandard product. As this is a worldwide phenomenon, we accept it too with its "blues". What we have done is, selected a few stores both privately owned & government owned but in both cases Government recognized) at important destinations, where we are sure of two things;

1) Quality of the product
2) The product if too heavy should be delivered at your doorstep without any extra cost even if the extra cost needs to be added to the price of the product.

As for price, some are fixed price & some are bargain shops. So go ahead and have FUN!!!

For lists of authorized shops do let us know.


How is one sure of the authenticity / qualification / credentials of the guides?

We have a panel of guides with ranks and only use them, and in most cases they would be satisfactory. Government licensed guides are always preferred by Maglev Destination Management. There are training courses and exams for the same and chances are less that you will be unhappy if you go with one. Their daily rates and wages are Government fixed. Note that the guide usually is there during lunch and it is not an obligation to buy him/her lunch. If there are ever any problems 9The Guide cannot speak the language well, too fast while you would like to spend more time at the monuments, etc. do let us know so that we can change the guide.

Are the monument entrance fees included in the tour cost?
The monument entrance fees are usually not included in the tour cost. It is not a problem when the same is included but when it is not, you need to keep small change for the same. Usually you need to take the tickets yourself but can request the guide who would be happy to oblige. We also have detailed lists of monuments with the entrance fees and camera charges. Do request us for the same if you want to have a good idea when the same is not included in your tour cost.

General Information:

Insurance
While traveling in India it is important that you obtain good personal travel insurance from an insurance agent in your country. A suitable policy will include an unlimited amount for medical, hospital and additional health associated costs.

Most policies cover loss of baggage, personal money (usually limited) delay and curtailment. Do make sure your policy covers you for unexpected cancellation of your trip in this unlikely event you will then be covered for financial cost.

You should carry your insurance policy with you at all time, preferably in your relevant details in a separate place, with your passport photocopy.

Tipping
Tipping is an inherent part of life in India. It is one of the most effective ways to communicate how you felt about the service provided. It is common practice to tip porters, drivers, wait staff, toilet attendants and guides. It is not necessary to tip rickshaw drivers. Please note that you are not obliged to tip and it is entirely to your discretion. Please refer to http://www.tipping.org/tips/TipsPageIndia.html for tipping standards. Please let us know if you want some guidelines on the same but usually it is "what you feel is appropriate".

A general idea would be as follows:
Bellboys: Rs. 10 - 20 (1/4th US$) per bag
Drivers: Rs. 200 (5 US$) per day & Rs.100 (2 US$) per half day
Day Guides: Rs. 250 to 400 (6 - 8 US$)
Restaurants: 5% of the bill amount could be left.
Room boys / Maid : It is not recommended

We Care
In India roads could appear to be pot-holed and traffic chaotic and hence our guests very frequently get very worried. We suggest that you catch up on some sleep or read a book or even better put on your in-flight eye shades and doze off. The drivers are well trained and they are used to these roads. Very seldom (I must hasten to add that almost none) are any accidents involving tourist vehicles. The cars that we use are safe, insured for and routinely checked. Trains however are much more comfortable ride-wise but could appear dirty and filthy. Do carry your dry hand wash and tissue always while taking train journeys. The flights are pleasant and service good.

The transport is broadly classified as:
Cars - In India, the mostly used car for tourists is, the Ambassador. This is one of the oldest models in the world still being manufactured and it is still hardy and spacious. We have always had guests specially requesting for this car. We have a couple of them in our fleet and they are almost a year old (2003 end model) and we use them discreetly as they wear and tear fast and could be slow and rickety if used without rest. Other than these two cars we also use TATA INDIGO which is a small sedan with good air-conditioning, TATA INDICA which is a small hatchback and is used for backpackers on a long trip, TOYOTA QUALIS & INNOVA & TATA SAFARI which are high SUV type vehicles seating 4 - 5 people normally but used for couples also as are very comfortable and MITSUBISHI LANCERS. On guest's request, the premium cars that we use are CHEVY OPTRA & TOYOTA COROLLA. We also use TOYOTA CAMRY, HONDA ACCORD & MERCEDES (C, E & S) when requested for. We have recently launched our luxury limousine which we use only for top end tours as and when requested.

Flights - There are presently four domestic airlines in India other than Air India which also operates some domestic routes. The local airlines in the order of service and punctuality are Jet Airways, Sahara Airlines, Indian Airlines and Deccan Air. Out of all the four Deccan is to be avoided as they are still facing teething problems.

Trains - As described above train journeys could be enjoyable if you have an open mind and just want to enjoy and experience true India. The middle class and upper middle class (cliché) use Indian Railways and it is a way of life in India. The best trains that could be booked and we use them where possible are SHATABDI & RAJDHANI EXPRESS. You could check the various classes in the following site:
http://www.indiarail.co.uk/class.htm

Travelers Cheques
Thomas Cook or American Express in American Dollars, Euro or British Sterling are the only ones that are widely accepted.

Cash
US dollars, Euro and British Sterling are the best currency to take. The notes need to be clean, undamaged and if possible the latest issue.

Credit Card
In major cities Visa, Master and American Express cards can be used. Please do not rely on your credit card as a source of finance in small cities though most of the touristic cities have a large number of ATMs.

Currency
The unit of currency is Rupee. (1 rupee is equal to 43US$ / 80GBP£ / 55€ approximately)

Climate
With such a large landmass, India has a wide range of climates with effects of the altitude and the sea being very string in certain areas.

North India
April - June : Hot, dry and dusty with temperature 35-42 DEG C
July - August : Hot, Humid and rainy
Sep - Mar : Pleasant days and could get cooler in the night

South India
April/May & Aug/Sep : Hot and Humid with average temperature 38 DEG C
June/July/Oct/Nov : Hot and Heavy rains
Dec - Mar : Hot but less humid

Language
India is an area of great linguistic diversity with over 1500 languages and dialect. People associated with tourism speak English throughout the country. The official language is however Hindi.

Time
India is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT, 6.5 hours behind New Zealand Standard Time, 4.5 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time and 11.5 hours ahead of Canadian Eastern Standard Time.

Clothing
For the most of areas, cotton casual clothing that is light and loose fitting is recommended for daywear. For trips during Nov-Jan do carry warm clothes as it is cold during early mornings and evenings. (Only in Northern India) Carry a hat during sightseeing to keep off the mid-day sun and for the evenings a couple of elegant dresses would be nice to be worn for dinner at the lovely hotels. You could also wear trousers and jeans during the day. There is no problem. Carry a stole or a scarf to cover your head or feet while at the religious places.

We the people
India 's Population ; 995 Million (1998)
Capital : New Delhi

Ask us
There could be a lot of other questions that you might have, once you are already in the process of booking the tour. For instance; payment methods, cancellation conditions, meet and assist at the airport, company bank details, previous reference, etc. and you are welcome to ask them. It would be our pleasure.

THE ABOVE HAS BEEN COMPILED TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE. FOR ANY LATEST DEVELOPMENTS OR DETAILED CLARIFICATIONS, DO FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US. YOU CAN ALSO GIVE YOUR SUGGESTIONS AS TO HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THIS.

Feedback
Our Guest Speaks....
Hello Varsha!
I am finally back to my office in Italy.

I would like to thank you because I had a very good time in North India and I found your tour very well organised.
If you need whatsoever feedback from me, I would be happy to provide it! Kind regards,

Silvi

Silvia.Sandrin@ashurst.com
Country-- United States of America , January '2007
( more Commendation from USA )

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Hi Varsha

I am sorry it has taken me so long to send this email but I did want to write and thank you and Maglev tours for arranging our holiday in India. We had a wonderful time, with many photos and memories to bring back with us. A special thank you to our driver, Ragu on the long drives

Thank you again Louise Wade
Regards

Lwade@havering-college.ac.uk
Country--United Kingdom : Aprail '2007
( more Commendation from UK )