Highlights of India

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HIGHLIGHTS OF India Featuring a Rail Journey aboard the Deccan Odyssey Train October 28–November 11, 2010 WORLD LEADERS TRAVEL

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Explore five distinct Indian regions: Delhi, where British India and Islamic India rub shoulders; Uttar Pradesh, the birthplace of Hinduism; Rajasthan, land of the Rajput princes; Maharashtra, a treasure chest of architectural and artistic wonders; and the sandy beaches of fun-loving, tropical Goa.

Transcript of Highlights of India

Page 1: Highlights of India

HigHligHts of IndiaFeaturing a Rail Journey aboard the Deccan Odyssey Train

October 28–November 11, 2010

WORLD LEADERS TRAVEL

WORLD LEADERS TRAVEL

WORLD LEADERS TRAVEL

WORLD LEADERS TRAVEL

100% K

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Page 2: Highlights of India

all of India. In the afternoon travel by motor coach to Agra in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Every room in your hotel, the deluxe Oberoi Amarvilas, faces the extraordinarily beautiful Taj Mahal, commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife in 1648. oBEroi AMArvilAs (B,l,D)

AgrA / JAipurMoNDAy, NovEMBEr 1

Visit the Taj Mahal at dawn, when there are few visitors and the sun’s first rays wash its white marble with soft pinks, blues, and mauves. Explore spectacular Agra Fort, a maze of courtyards, mosques, and private chambers built by Emperor Akbar. En route to Jaipur, stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted imperial capital of Emperor Akbar and a perfectly preserved example of a Mughal city. In Jaipur, popularly known as the “Pink City” and the capital of present-day Rajasthan, 20-foot-high walls punctuated by eight gates enclose the city’s exquisite buildings of rose-colored stucco. rAjvilAs (B,l,D)

JAipurtUEsDAy, NovEMBEr 2

Amber Fort, a 17th-century fortress-palace in the hills of Amber, is almost all that remains of the former capital of Rajasthan. Explore the honey-colored palace, a distinctive example of Rajput architecture. Also visit Jaipur’s City Palace, a blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal architecture that houses a museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings, and an armory. Adjacent to the palace is Jantar Mantar, the observatory built in the early 18th century by Jai Singh, ruler of the kingdom of Amber (later Jaipur). rAjvilAs PAlACE (B,l,D)

Study LeaderAll World Leaders Travel programs include an educational series featuring an expert in one or more aspects of the destination. This individual may be, for example, a university professor, a museum curator, a research scientist, or a naturalist, and will present lectures and lead discussions that will enhance your experience. Study leaders are chosen for their love of both teaching and travel, and their presence ensures that your journey is not only a pleasant travel experience but is intellectually rewarding as well.

Dear Traveler,

From its centuries-old religious traditions and lively festivals to its jewel-colored saris and spice-saturated cuisine, India is a feast for the senses. Even as it embraces the future—as a global leader in engineering, science, biotechnology, software, and information technology—India clings proudly and steadfastly to its cultural, religious, and culinary traditions and opens its welcoming arms to visitors old and new.

Explore five distinct Indian regions: Delhi, where British India and Islamic India rub shoulders; Uttar Pradesh, the birthplace of Hinduism; Rajasthan, land of the Rajput princes; Maharashtra, a treasure chest of architectural and artistic wonders; and the sandy beaches of fun-loving, tropical Goa.

Come see India now!

Sincerely,

J. William Diebenow President World Leaders Travel

To reserve space, contact your professional travel advisor or call World Leaders Travel at 1-800-395-3288; WorldLeadersTravel.com.

Itineraryu.S. / DelhitHUrsDAy–friDAy, oCtoBEr 28–29

Depart the U.S. for Delhi on the recommended flight itinerary or independently. Upon arrival, check in to The Oberoi.

DelhisAtUrDAy, oCtoBEr 30

Visit the Qutab Minar, a soaring stone tower of victory that dates back to the onset of Muslim rule in India in 1193; view Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of India’s president, and India Gate, built as a memorial to Indian soldiers killed in World War II; and visit Humayun’s Tomb, the architectural forerunner of the Taj Mahal. This evening enjoy a festive welcome dinner at the hotel. tHE oBEroi (B,l,D)

Delhi / AgrA sUNDAy, oCtoBEr 31

In Old Delhi, the capital of Muslim India for seven centuries, drive past Red Fort, surrounded by shops and bazaars; Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial site; and Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in

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JAipur / uDAipurWEDNEsDAy, NovEMBEr 3

Early this morning, fly to Udaipur, the “City of Lakes,” famed for its spectacular hilltop fortresses, fairy-tale-like island palaces, temples, lakes, and gardens. Tour the City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Now a museum, the marble and granite palace is a spectacular labyrinth of courtyards, richly decorated with inlaid mirror-work, peacock mosaics, frescoes, temples, and kiosks. Also take a walking tour of the Old City. UDAivilAs (B,l,D)

uDAipurtHUrsDAy, NovEMBEr 4

Drive into the countryside to visit the 10th-century Nagda temples, dedicated to Vishnu. Afterward, explore Eklingji, a complex of 108 exquisite temples chiseled from black and white marble and dating back to ad 734. UDAivilAs (B,l,D)

uDAipur / goA (boArD)friDAy, NovEMBEr 5

Fly to the tiny west coast state of Goa. Blessed with natural harbors and wide rivers, Goa was an ideal base for the seafaring Portuguese of the 16th century. Explore Old Goa’s grandiose complex of churches, monasteries, and convents, including the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which contains the silver casket of St. Francis Xavier, Goa’s patron saint. Today marks the beginning of Diwali, the five-day-long “Festival of Lights” celebrated throughout India. After dinner and a cultural program at the Beach Side Hotel, board the Deccan Odyssey train and depart for Kolhapur. Deccan ODyssey (B,l,D)

KolhApursAtUrDAy, NovEMBEr 6

Kolhapur has thrived under a variety of regimes, including Hindu, Muslim, and

womeN, JaIPur JaNtar maNtar, JaIPur

British. Visit the maharaja’s “new” palace, which dates from 1881 and houses collections that reflect the maharaja’s obsession with wild animal trophies as decorative elements. Also visit the Mahalaxmi Temple, dedicated to the goddess Amba Bai; Bhavani Mandap palace; and beautiful Shalini Palace, named after Princess Shrimant Shalini Raje of Kolhapur. Deccan ODyssey (B,l,D)

AurAngAbAD (ellorA)sUNDAy, NovEMBEr 7

Disembark in the Silk Road city of Aurangabad and drive past the magnificent fortress of Daulatabad, perched on a conical rock atop a hill that rises to some 600 ft. Continue to Ellora, a World Heritage site, to explore some of the 34 Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain temples cut into a hillside. Dating from approximately

gaur (INDIaN bIsoN), taDoba NatIoNal Park

cIty Palace, uDaIPur

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DECCAN oDyssEyIn early 2004, the Deccan Odyssey train first brought the luxury rail experience to southern India. Offering 48 staterooms with en suite facilities and modern features in richly appointed settings, the train is a welcome alternative to bus travel on busy roads. Two restaurant cars, a spacious lounge coach, and a beauty shop are some of the amenities available on board the train. Each accommodation coach houses four plush staterooms, a lounge area for refreshments, and an attentive saloon captain.

ProgrAM rAtEs, per personDouble occupancy $11,890Single occupancy $15,880Single accommodations are very limited.

aIrfare Program rates do not include airfare between the u.s. and India. because there are a number of transpacific and transatlantic flight options between the u.s. and India, there is no group flight for this program. transfers and baggage handling for arrival into Delhi and departure from mumbai are included for all travelers. world leaders travel is happy to assist you in making individual air travel arrangements. as of December 2009, the airfare for travel between New york/Delhi and mumbai/New york in economy class was approximately $1,098 per person. this fare is subject to change without notice.

Program rates INcluDe comprehensive educational program of lectures and discussions • all accommodations and meals as indicated in the itinerary • welcome and farewell receptions • bottled water, coffee, or tea at all meals and wine at welcome and farewell dinners • all on-tour transportation • services of on-site guides and local experts • excursions and special events, including entrance fees • transfers and baggage handling between airports and hotels for all travelers • gratuities to guides, porters, train crew, and drivers • airport departure taxes • Indian value added tax (vat) • complete packet of pre-departure information including educational materials and reading list • Professional tour management throughout.

Come see India now! contact your professional travel advisor or call world leaders travel at 1-800-395-3288; worldleaderstravel.com.

ad 600–1000, the temples have been compared to the pyramids of Egypt for their remarkable construction, sculptures, and frescoes. Return to Aurangabad for a visit to Bibi Ka Maqbara, the “Tomb of the Lady” built by Emperor Aurangzeb. Deccan ODyssey (B,l,D)

ChAnDrApur (TADobA nATionAl pArK) / WArDhAMoNDAy, NovEMBEr 8

Arrive at Chandrapur, board Jeeps, and depart for Tadoba National Park, the oldest national park in Maharashtra state and a Project Tiger reserve. Tadoba is an excellent place to enjoy nature and wildlife during a game-viewing drive. Return to the train and depart for Wardha and a visit to Gandhi’s ashram in the village of Sevagram. Deccan ODyssey (B,l,D)

AJAnTA / nASiKtUEsDAy, NovEMBEr 9

This morning visit the caves of Ajanta, carved from volcanic lava cliffs by Buddhist

monks and dating to about 200 bc to ad 650. Inside, the monks created colorful paintings representing scenes from the life of the Buddha, allegorical tales, daily life, and animal and bird studies. The remarkably well preserved paintings are considered masterpieces of Buddhist art. Continue by train to Nasik, where hundreds of temples and bathing ghats (ceremonial stairs) dot the banks of the holy Godavari River. Experience the flower-strewn religious rituals performed at Panchavati Ghat and at a Hindu temple before a farewell reception and dinner on the train. Deccan ODyssey (B,l,D)

MuMbAi (DiSeMbArK)WEDNEsDAy, NovEMBEr 10

Disembark from the Deccan Odyssey this morning in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), the capital of

Maharashtra state. Take a city tour featuring the Dobhi Ghats, Mumbai’s outdoor “laundries” where dobhis (launderers) wash, dry, and iron clothes; Mani Bhavan, the Mumbai residence of Mahatma Gandhi; and the Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai’s finest Victorian building, crowned with Moorish domes. This afternoon check in to a hotel near the airport and relax before transferring to the airport for late-evening flights home. tAj lANDs END (DAy rooMs) (B,l,D)

MuMbAi / u.S.tHUrsDAy, NovEMBEr 11

Depart Mumbai shortly after midnight, arriving in the U.S. in the mid-afternoon.

photos: COvER red fort (©Martyn Unsworth/Dreamstime.com). INSIDE Qutab Minar (©istockphoto.com/ranjan Chari); Women (©susannah Dameron); jantar Mantar (©jeremyrichards/Dreamstime.com), goa (©francocogoli/Dreamstime.com); City Palace (©istockphoto.com/xidong luo); gaur (©saranvaid/Dreamstime.com); textiles (©seniz yoruk/Dreamstime.com). baCk COvER taj Mahal (©luciano Mortula/Dreamstime.com); smiling kids (©istockphoto.com/Anandha krishnan).

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HigHligHts of IndiaFeaturing a Rail Journey aboard the Deccan Odyssey Train October 28–November 11, 2010

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Program rates Do Not INcluDe U.s. domestic and

international airfare • Passport and visa fees • immunization costs

• Airport security fees imposed by the government or airline •

Accident/baggage/ cancellation insurance • Excess baggage

charges • Meals and beverages other than those specified as

included • other items of a personal nature such as laundry, room

service, telephone, email, and fax charges • gratuities for non-

group services • optional excursions

reservatIoNs aND PaymeNts A deposit of $1,000 per person

(payable to World leaders travel) is required to confirm all

reservations. Please mail the check to World leaders travel, 500

third street, suite 455, san francisco, CA 94107. final payment

deadline is April 8, 2010, 120 days prior to departure.

caNcellatIoNs aND refuNDs Deposits are fully refundable

if a written notice of cancellation is received by World leaders

travel within 30 days of receipt of deposit; after that, they are 100%

non-refundable. All payments are completely nonrefundable at or

within 120 days prior to departure, regardless of date of deposit. All

cancellations must be made in writing.

ItINerary, Program, aND cost moDIfIcatIoNs the itinerary,

as contained in this brochure, is subject to modifications and

change by World leaders travel. Every effort will be made to carry

out this program as planned, but alterations may still occur after

the final itinerary is sent. Costs, although given in good faith and

based on information available upon publication of the brochure,

are also subject to change and revision. Due to fluctuations in oil

prices, a fuel surcharge may be added to your tour fee. Details and

costs will be advised prior to your departure.

INsuraNce trip cancellation/interruption insurance is highly

recommended and should be considered for your financial

protection. Another important consideration is medical insurance

and emergency medical evacuation coverage. A comprehensive

package will be made available to you upon receipt of your initial

deposit. Early purchase will provide coverage of pre-existing

medical conditions.

HealtH All participants should be in good health and capable of

walking over rough terrain. By forwarding the deposit for passage,

the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any physical or

other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/

herself or other passengers.

resPoNsIbIlIty World leaders travel (Wlt) acts only as an agent

for the suppliers and contractors providing transportation and/

or all other travel-related services and assume no responsibility

howsoever caused for personal injury, or for personal or property

loss or damage, in connection with any service. Additionally,

responsibility is not accepted for losses or expenses due to

sickness, weather, strikes, terrorism, wars, or other such causes.

Wlt reserves the right to make changes to the published itinerary

whenever, in its judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem

it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of the tour.

occasionally, unforeseen changes in transportation schedules

or other pressing matters necessitate a change in the land

portion of the tour or cause a tour to be extended beyond its

scheduled completion; any extra costs incurred in such cases are

the responsibility of the passenger. Wlt reserves the right at its

discretion to alter, change, omit, and/or feature any part of the

itinerary or any reservation, conveyance, or routing at any time and

without notice and for any reason whatsoever without allowance of

refund. Wlt also reserves the right to decline or accept any person

as a member of the tour, or to require any person to withdraw

from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by its

representative to be in the best interests of the health, safety, and

general welfare of the tour group or the individual participant. Wlt

reserves the right to withdraw without penalty any tour announced.

Personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owners at all

times.

Cst #2070901-40 | Printed on recycled paper | 101028 NiD Wlt

Reservation FormPlease send you completed reservation form and deposit to World Leaders Travel, 500 Third Street, Suite 455, San Francisco, CA

94107; call us at (800) 395-3288; or contact your professional travel advisor.

Please print:CoNtACt iNforMAtioN

NAME 1 (as it appears on passport) DAtE of BirtH

NAME 2 (as it appears on passport) DAtE of BirtH

ADDrEss

City stAtE ZiP

PHoNE (HoME) (Work) (CEll)

fAx EMAil

PAyMENt

❍ Enclosed is my check for $ ($1,000 per person, made payable to World Leaders Travel) for spaces(s) on the India tour. or❍ Please charge my deposit of $ ($1,000 per person) to the following credit card: ❍ VISA ❍ MasterCard ❍ American Express

CArD No. ExP. DAtE (MM/DD/yy) sECUrity CoDE

CArDHolDEr sigNAtUrE DAtE

CArDHolDEr NAME (as it appears on card)

ACCoMMoDAtioNs

Bed preference in hotels (not guaranteed): ❍ One bed ❍ Two bedssiNglE PArtiCiPANts oNly

❍ I prefer single accommodations.❍ I plan to share accommodations with: ❍ Please arrange a share for me (not guaranteed). I am a ❍ smoker ❍ non-smoker.I understand that if a roommate is not found by the final payment deadline of June 30, 2010, I will pay the single rate. ACCEPtANCE of tErMs

I/We have read the program information and the Terms and Conditions in this brochure and agree to the terms as stated therein.

sigNAtUrE DAtE

sigNAtUrE DAtE

WORLD LEADERS TRAVEL

WORLD LEADERS TRAVEL

WORLD LEADERS TRAVEL

WORLD LEADERS TRAVEL

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Page 6: Highlights of India

CoME sEE India NoW!

GOA

AURANGABAD

AJANTA

JAIPUR

MUMBAI

DELHI

India

NEPAL

Indian Ocean

AGRA

NASIKELLORA

KOLHAPUR

UDAIPUR

CHANDRAPUR

WARDHA

RAIL

LAND

AIR

500 3rd Street, Suite 455, San Francisco, CA 94107WorldLeadersTravel.com

WORLD LEADERS TRAVEL

WORLD LEADERS TRAVEL

WORLD LEADERS TRAVEL

WORLD LEADERS TRAVEL

100% K

100% White

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