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From Buddha to Bollywood - Overland Trip

3 weeks: Kathmandu to Mumbai (bombay) (IMT-HABB08)

Intro

If you plan to travel to India and Nepal only once in your life, join us on a tour which traverses the subcontinent all the way from Kathmandu to Mumbai (Bombay). This tour includes the major sights in Rajasthan and North India as well as the wonderfully atmospheric city of Kathmandu with its backdrop of the mighty Himalayas.

Group Size

Max 17

Activities

Camel safari, boat trip on the Ganges, optional jeep safari

Accommodation

17 nights simple hotels, 2 nights heritage hotel, 1 night sleeper train, 1 night tented camp

Transport

Train, private coach, public bus, camel

Fully Escorted

By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides

PUSHKAR FAIR DEPARTURES

An amended itinerary will operate for Pushkar Fair departures. See the trip dossier for details.

NEPAL FLIGHT SUPPLEMENT

Please note that between now and May 31st 2008 we will be using flights instead of road travel in Nepal on this tour, and a supplement of USD 110 per person is payable locally at the start of the tour.

Itineraries

Day 1, KATHMANDU

Arrival in Kathmandu.

Day 2, KATHMANDU

Morning walking tour of the exciting city of Kathmandu.

Day 3, LUMBINI

Travel to the beautiful Nepalese border town of Lumbini, where Siddhartha Gautama - better known as the Buddha was born.

Day 4, VARANASI

Continue to Varanasi for an intense introduction to India. The streets are alive with endless colour, spices, markets, rickshaws and everything else that makes up an Indian town. Join the pilgrims praying on the banks of the Ganges, explore the exotic temples dotted along its banks, or bargain in the bazaars.

Day 5, VARANASI

Early morning Ganges boat trip to see the sun rise over the holy river followed by a city tour.

Day 6, VARANASI

Full free day. Overnight sleeper train to Delhi.

Day 7, DELHI

Arrive in the Indian capital and transfer to our hotel. Afternoon free.

Day 8, DELHI AGRA

Early morning express train to Agra where we visit the Taj Mahal, reputedly the most beautiful building in the world.

Day 9, JAIPUR

Drive to Jaipur via the exquisite former Moghul capital of Fatehpur Sikri.

Day 10, JAIPUR

Morning orientation tour of Jaipur; in the afternoon we visit the magnificent Amber Fort on a hilltop outside the city.

Day 11, 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 12, KHEJARLA

Travel to Fort Khejarla, residence of the former ruling family who will be your hosts.

Day 13, CHANDELAO

Drive to the small heritage hotel of Chandelao Garh. Afternoon optional jeep safari to the villages near Chandelao where we see local craftsmen at work.

Day 14, CAMEL SAFARI

We drive into a remote part of the Thar Desert to start our camel safari. We spend the night in a beautiful tented camp.

Day 15, JAISALMER

Cross the desert to the fortress city of Jaisalmer. Within the fortress walls the cobbled streets are strewn with palaces, mansions of rich merchants (havelis), and Jain temples that were built between the 12th and 15th centuries.

Day 16, JAISALMER

A free day to explore this amazing city with its medieval atmosphere.

Day 17, JODHPUR

Continue to Jodhpur. Afternoon visit to the impressive Meherangarh Fort, with fantastic views across this blue city.

Day 18, UDAIPUR

Drive via the magnificent Jain temples of Ranakpur to the beautiful lake city of Udaipur.

Day 19, UDAIPUR

Morning tour of Udaipur. Afternoon at leisure to seek out a bargain in the markets or relax in a friendly café overlooking the lake.

Day 20, AHMEDABAD

We travel to Ahmedabad, a city with ancient monuments displaying a unique mix of Hindu and Muslim architecture.

Day 21, MUMBAI (BOMBAY)

Express train to Mumbai. Remainder of the day at leisure.