Mandala Magic Tour Delhi

INDIA - SPIRITUAL & ADVENTURE TOUR - 17 Days
Dates: October 29th - 14rd November. 2011
Cost: A$2,880.00 (Land component only)
A journey of the heart and soul.
DELHI/DHARAMSALA/AGRA/VARANASI/BODHGAYA/DELHI

Experience the spirit of northern India. Arrive in the capitol, Delhi an intriguing city that is home to 13 million people with ancient forts, the biggest Mosque in India, fascinating bazaars and markets along side modern city life. Travel up north into the foothills of the Himalayas and stay in the picturesque village of McLeod Ganj, home of the exiled 14 th Dalai Lama. Get a feel for Tibetan, culture, art, and Buddhism. Participate in a Buddhist teaching, given by a Lama, via a translator. Walk in this breath-taking mountain setting through small Ghadi villages and visit Bhagsunath a famous pilgrimage place for Shiva worshippers. Enjoy the lovely views over a hot chai or take a day trek through deodar pines and rhododendron forests, following goat herders and traders tracks to ‘Triund’ 3000mts above sea level. Explore the picturesque Kangra valley and one of the top 7 Hindu Goddess temples in India. This valley is so beautiful that many Persian painters came here to study the art of miniature painting. Depart to see the Taj Mahal, the famous monument to love, a truly exquisite and perfect architectural wonder. Be touched by the sun setting on the River - the non-tourist view.

Journey to Varanassi the Spiritual heart of India. Set on the Ganjes River this ancient city is said to be the oldest continually inhabited town in the world. Experience Hindu culture and the significance of this great River known as ‘the Mother’. See Bodhgaya the most important Buddhist pilgrimage destination in the world and view different practices of Buddhism. Sit under the famous Bodhi tree where Buddha attained enlightenment. From here we take an overnight train back to Delhi.

Sikh festival, Pahaganj main Street. Delhi, India	DAY 1	COST OF 16 DAY INDIA ADVENTURE. A$2,880.00 (Land component only) Dates: 7th - 23rd November. 2010 (Approximate dates - may change a day or two with air flights) INCLUDES: accommodation - twin share Train, bus, taxi, rickshaw etc, travel as listed on itinerary. Train & bus fares with overnight stays Breakfasts – set menu Guides – local as required Your personal guide will stay with you in Hotels etc. Entrance fees to monuments and temples as per itinerary $50 donation to local people Dates: Delhi- Dharamsala – Delhi Tour 2010 Departing from Melbourne on the 7th Nov (dates may change slightly) Want to go? E-mail us at mandalamagic@iprimus.com.au A free information evening will be arranged and you will be given more details of your trip – health, money, food etc. Travel kits are given out. Accommodation is twin share in comfortable, average Hotels. Position of Hotels is important. All rooms have their own bathroom and toilet. We eat delicious Indian food but go to restaurants where western and Israeli food is available. Travel is by local transport – bus, train, private jeeps, taxi, rickshaws, foot, car or camel. *YOUR GUIDES-* Gary and Karen design unique small group tours through northern India, Nepal and Tibet. Whether you wish to travel as a family, with a group of friends or with a special interest group they will accommodate your needs to create a memorable holiday experience for you. Both are experienced travellers and tour leaders who not only design these tours but travel with you. They have lived, studied and worked in India for years and have a hands on knowledge and a love for this incredible country. Karen and Gary offer a ‘real experience’, something that touches the heart of this special part of the world. TRANSPORT - To get as close as possible to the culture and land that we are travelling through we use a variety of transport to give you the best possible experience. This includes – planes, buses, trains, private jeeps, taxis, rickshaws, cars, elephants, horses, camels and on foot. VISAS and PASSPORTS - We will help you to organise your visa. You are required to have a passport valid for 6 months beyond the expiry date with at least 2 blank pages. FOOD- Food in India is truly a sensational. The tantalising aroma of roasting spices and a huge variety of breads, vegetable and meat curries to wickedly tempting sweets delight the palette. We eat local Indian, Tibetan and Nepalese food but go to restaurants where western type food is available. ACCOMODATION - Accommodation generally is comfortable twin share, to add to and enhance your experience, therefore not 5 star (unless stated). Some are refurbished palaces or historical buildings.We endeavour to ensure rooms have their own bathroom and toilet. Hotels are chosen for their location – in the cultural heart of the town, close to everything that you need such as shops, restaurants, money changers, internet etc.Each has something special to offer and most have lovely courtyards and garden settings, and include restaurants. Staff are friendly and helpful.(If you choose to have your own room add extra $600) TOUR GRADINGS- Our tours suit travellers of all ages with average fitness and mobility. Some are more suited to those with a keen interest for exploration and adventure and involve long road or rail journeys, some walking and at times more basic accommodation. We are with you all the way to support and ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. GENERAL INFORMATION- We supply a detailed list of what to pack, information on money, health precautions and climatic conditions, things to be aware of and other general information specific to each tour. We offer free information meetings and have a ’get together dinner’ to meet other members of our groups before departing. After each tour we have a group dinner party to share photos, laughs and our experiences.
	Depart Melbourne. Arrive Delhi in the evening - transfer to Hotel in Pahaganj, where the action is.
	DAY 2
	Delhi: settle in and explore the bazaar seeing some of this ancient city, home to 13 million people. Taste local food and get a feel for Indan life in this big city. Take the overnight sleeper bus to McGanj – Dharamsala.
McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, India	DAY 3
McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, India	Dharamsala - McLeod Ganj.Enjoy this Tibetan village in a beautiful mountain setting. We take you to the main temple of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and guide you through and explian some of the practices of Tibetan Buddhism. Spin the prayer wheels, walk the ‘kora’ and join other pilgrims taking in the atmosphere. Plenty of shopping for Tibetan arts, crafts etc. here. Have a coffee in one of the delightful cafes and enjoy the stunning views.
Sunset view over the Kangra valley from our hotel room. McLeod Ganj.	DAY 4
	Depart in the morning for a day of travel by jeep, down into this beautiful valley, famous for the miniature painting techniques taught in Persia. Visit Kangra village and see the famous Kali Goddess Temple (one of the top seven sacred Goddess temples in India) and sacred banyan tree. Walk through the Bazaar, with the impressive backdrop of the Himalayas, which has good fabrics and other interesting artefacts and temple paraphernalia. Visit the ancient fort ruins and climb to the top to witness the best view ever!!! Look down into the gorge with the rushing clear blue/green river. Amazing.
Walking to the waterfall, Bagsu, Dharamsala.	DAY 5
Walking to the waterfall, Bagsu, Dharamsala.	Day to self. Suggestions: walk or rickshaw to Bagsunath to see the pools and ancient Shiva Temple (swimming o.k. but water is cold) Walk further to the stunning waterfall at the old slate mines. OR Visit St. Johns in the wilderness Church, from the British Raj days. Walk through the cemetery and get a feel for what the British experienced in this hill station named after Lieutenant McLeod. OPTIONAL DAY TREK 6am start to trek up to the saddle, Triund. Moderate fitness required (climb up 700 mts). Fabulous views weather permitting.
Ven. Gen Sonam Rimpoche (Tibetan Lama) giving a blessing. Dharamsala. Green Tara statue, Nechung Monastery, Dharamsala.	DAY 6
	Mcleod Ganj. Morning walk or rickshaw down to Gangchen Kyishong to visit the ‘ Tibetan Library of works and archives’ and participate in a Buddhist teaching, given by the resident Lama, via a translator. Explanation given by us. Have typical Tibetan lunch at the Library together. Visit Naychung Monastry home of the Oracle to HH Dalai Lama. Enter main hall to view the magnificent embroidered and appliquéd thankas (paintings) and musical implements of ritual. Return to Mc Leod Ganj. Overnight bus to Delhi – a long and arduous trip. Can be cold. Take your sleeping bag & pillow and try to get some rest. Green Tara is a Tibetan Buddhist Deity representing Wisdom in action. Her left foot is outstretched ready to spring to aid those in suffering.
Visit Dharamsala, home of the exiled 14 th Dalai Lama. My sister with the Dalai Lama. Main Street – Pahaganj, Delhi during a festival.	DAY 7
	Arrive in morning at our Hotel in Delhi. Day to self.
	DAY 8
	7.15 am train to Agra. Settle into Hotel, rest and enjoy the hotel courtyard and garden before going to see Itmad Tomb (Taj Mahal) amazing atmosphere and great photos. Sunset at the back of the Taj on the Yamuna River. Take a camel ride.
	DAY 9
	Visit Fetaphur Secri ruins and the Fetaphur mosque for the morning. Afternoon pack, organise, rest and transfer to railway station. Catch the overnight sleeper train from Agra to Varanassi.
Morning on the river banks – Ghats – below our Hotel, Varanassi.	DAY 10
	Arrive Varanassi and settle into Hotel on the banks of the Ganges river. Direct access to the river with great views and a pleasant courtyard. Rest, lunch and then walking tour of the main burning Ghat. 6pm - attend the Hindu ritual for the great mother river Ganges on the steps of the river.
Boats on the banks of the Ganges River, Varanassi.	DAY 11
Boats on the banks of the Ganges River, Varanassi.	Morning shopping (Gary will take a group to a silk merchant) walking through the streets/alleys of this ancient city, Varanasi. Morning or evening boat rides on the Ganges River. Afternoon to self to explore the many temples around the ghats.
Stupas at Bodh Gaya.	DAY 12
Stupas at Bodh Gaya.	Depart Varanasi by train for Bodh Gaya the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in the world where 1,000s are drawn here to study and meditate. We may be staying in the Burmese monastery. It is very peaceful and simple accommodation (no hot showers) in dorms. Visit the Mahabodhi Temple 6 th century AD and sit under the famous Bodhi tree under which Prince Siddhartha transformed himself into the enlightened one – Buddha.
Green Tara statue that is said to have wept tears. Bodhgaya.	DAY 13
	Trace the steps of the Buddha crossing over the river bed to Sujata returning to Bodh Gaya. Afternoon to pack and organise for departure by train to Delhi
	DAY 14
	Settle into Hotel and rest then an afternoon trip to the Red Fort in Old Delhi.
	DAY 15
	Day to self , to do all your last minute shopping and packing. Transfer to airport. Try to sleep on the on the plane.
	DAY 16
	Australia arrive in evening.

Mandala Magic Home	Tours Information		Experienced Guides		Contact
SHEDULED TOURS 2010
Tibet– Nepal May 19th-11th June 2010 Kathmandu, Lhasa, Gyantse Shigatse, Everest base camp, Circumambulate Mt Kailash, Neylam, Kathmandu		Tibet– Nepal May 19th-1st June 2010 Kathmandu, Lhasa, Gyantse Shigatse, Everest base camp, Circumambulate Mt Kailash, Neylam, Kathmandu		India Experience Nov 7th - 23rd 2010 Delhi, Dharamasala, Agra, Varanassi Bodhgaya, Delhi
FUTURE TOURS
Tibet– China Chengdu, Chongquing, Lhasa Gyantze, Chengdu		India Delhi, Ledakh Manali, Agra Delhi	Golden Triangle Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Delhi	Kolkota - Delhi Kolkota, Bodh, Gaya, Varanassi Agra, Jaipur, Delhi