Dates: Golden Triangle Tour

Includes

• Accommodation
• Breakfasts - set menu
• All transfers to & from Hotels
• Taxes
• Indian visa
• Travel insurance (general)
• Transport associated with itinerary such as trains, taxis and jeeps.
• Your guide who will travel with you
• Use of local guides
• Entrance fees into monuments, forts and sights as per itinerary.
• $50 donation to local people

We organise all your visas and travel permits for you. You are required to have a passport valid for 6 months beyond the expiry date with at least 2 blank pages.

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.

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.

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.

Copyright Mandala Magic 2005

SOMETHING SPECIAL

Have you hands intricately decorated with henna – a natural plantdye. These patterns are traditionally painted on the palms and hands and feet as part of the wedding ceremony. This is an ancient art known as mahendi.

WANT TO GO ?

Contact Karen or Gary and express your interest.

Contact Karen or Gary

Copyright mandala magic 2004

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.

Depart on early morning train for Agra. Settle into Hotel, rest and enjoy the courtyard and garden over coffee. Walk down to the River behind the Taj Mahal. Great for the photographer and a non-tourist view of the Taj. Visit the tomb of the first wife (outside the Taj compound and seldom visited by tourists)

Afternoon - go inside the Itmad Tomb (Taj Mahal) and stay until sunset. This is a monument to love and truly exquisite. Soak up the amazing atmosphere, the water reflections and superb river views. Great for photos. Explore the Mosque to the right.

Day to self – suggest a re-visit the Taj Mahal at dawn and a wander around the local market or just relax in the gardens – swing on the seat and watch the little squirrels scurry about.

Take a walk and, 'people watch' - there is always something to see.

Depart Agra this morning for Jaipur in Rajasthan, the desert part of India with some of the greatest contrasts, saturated with rich vibrant colours against harsh landscapes, superb palaces and the incredible lifestyles of the Maharajas.

Take a 1½ hr. journey to the magnificent Fetaphur Secri ruins – explore with local guide.

Visit the Fetaphur Mosque and the huge victory gate taking in the view back over Agra. Akhbar built this gate to commemorate one of his many victories.

This mosque is famed for beng the best replica to the one in Mecca. The architecture is stunning, especially the white marble tomb in the courtyard.

Here lies the sage said to have clairvoyant powers - a holy man and adviser to Akhbar himself. Descendents of his family reside in the village outside. There is also a secret underground tunnel connecting with Agra - some 36kms - for a quick escape.

Visit the city palace late morning. View some of the extravagant life style of the Maharajas here – the current Maharaja – still resident in this Palace - is a polo chum of Prince Charles. See fabulous miniature paintings and other exquisite art work.

Lunch in the palace grounds restaurant entertained by classical music, have your palm read whilst the fountain splashes and you relax in the sun drenched courtyard.

After lunch wander around the palace grounds or explore the jewellery shops.

Return to Delhi by morning bus. Arrive and rest up. Attend to last minute shopping ie: buy a new backpack, collect script glasses or arrange to have an Indian outfit tailor made.

Dinner at ‘Sams’ the roof-top restaurant in Delhi – good views of the main Bazaar at night.