Detailed description. India & Nepal on a shoestring. Welcome. Day to Day schedule. is it karma that you should take this trip?

Transcription

1 India & Nepal on a shoestring is it karma that you should take this trip? Trip code: Group size: Number of days: SQQ Detailed description Welcome Always wished to see two of the most fascinating countries in the world, but it was just too expensive? We have compiled an interesting tour for you, making it cheaper than ever to see these great countries together. The magnificent Taj Mahal, the mysterious Ganges, the snowy Himalayas, the valley of Kathmandu and the hectic city of Delhi, they are certainly all on the program. A wellpriced tour of 22 days, taking you to see the best sights of India and Nepal. Day to Day schedule Below is a summary of the day-to-day description. Transport Route Overnight stay 1 Delhi Delhi 2 Delhi Delhi 3 Delhi Delhi 4 Bus Delhi - Jaipur Jaipur 5 Jaipur Jaipur 6 Jaipur Jaipur 7 Bus Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra Agra 8 Train Agra - Varanasi Night train Agra - Varanasi 9 Varanasi Varanasi 10 Varanasi Varanasi 11 Bus Varanasi - Lumbini Lumbini 12 Bus Lumbini - Chitwan National Park Chitwan 13 Chitwan National Park Chitwan 14 Bus Chitwan - Pokhara Pokhara

2 15 Pokhara Pokhara 16 Pokhara Pokhara 17 Bus Pokhara - Bhaktapur Bhaktapur 18 Bus Bhaktapur - Nagarkot Nagarkot 19 Bus,Walk Nagarkot - Bhaktapur - Kathmandu Kathmandu 20 Kathmandu Kathmandu 21 Kathmandu Kathmandu 22 Kathmandu End of tour Day to Day description Day 1: Delhi Welcome to India! Your tour starts in Delhi, where you can use your hotel room from check in time (12.00 hrs at noon) on day 1. Most of your travel companions will arrive later in the evening of day 1 or early morning of day 2, the exact time will be depending on their flight schedule. You will meet your English speaking tour leader at 8.00 a.m. tomorrow morning, when you can begin to construct your plan for the day. Make yourself comfortable in your new surroundings and take it easy as you begin to adapt to a fascinating destination full of new sights, smells, sounds and traditions! Day 2: Delhi Delhi has a history that stretches back over three millennia. There is an old area (Old Delhi) and a new area (New Delhi), designed at the start of the 20th century as the jewel in the British Empire s crown. The contrast between Old and New Delhi is huge. The old region is a cramped, colourful, µant colony full of narrow alleyways, temples and mosques. The Red Fort and the Jama Masjid, the biggest and most elegant mosque in the land, are situated here. The new region is a spatially constructed metropolis with long, broad, straight avenues, pavilions and parks. To the East is the sacred River Yamuna, to the South the stately homes and important military buildings, and to the North and West is where most of the population lives. If you have time you should shop for souvenirs at the many markets and shops in the area. Day 3: Delhi Free day. Heading into New Delhi you immediately notice the India Gate standing tall at the eastern end of the Rajpath (Royal Avenue) where the eternal flame burns for the lost soldiers. Not far from here is the Lotus Temple of the Bahai religion, made in the form of a giant water lily and built of white marble. You can also visit the Sikh temple Bangla Sahib and a visit to the Qutab Minar complex should not be missed. Here you will find the famous 73-meter-high minaret amidst beautifully landscaped gardens and unique architecture. Fancy a coffee? At Connaught Place you will find the CCD (Cafe Coffee Day), the Indian equivalent of Starbucks.

3 Day 4: Delhi - Jaipur You will stay for 3 nights in the µpink City of Jaipur. Explore at your leisure the North of the city that is surrounded by hills dotted with forts and palaces. One of the most elegant of which is the Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace). Roam the bustling streets filled with Rajasthani men, in their huge turbans and equally large moustaches, and women, decked in jewellery over the most colourful saris in India. You can also go on an excursion out of the city to see the famous Amber Fort standing at the top of a hill surrounded in all directions by other hills, upon which smaller fortifications are also built. There are many marble statues and mosaics to admire up here and the views from the top are simply stunning. Day 5: Jaipur The Pink City is partially encircled by a crenellated, battle-scarred wall, and the major gates of Chandpol, Ajmer and Sanganeri have been carefully restored. The entire city is a feat of town planning; the Old City is still loosely divided into traditional artisans' quarters. TIP: In the evening you can enjoy one of Jaipur s specialties. In northern India people like spicy food and Dal Batti, Churma, Mawa Kachori, Ghewar and Mirchi Bada are the favorite regional dishes. Day 6: Jaipur Our final day in Jaipur where we can take the time to explore any palaces or forts we have yet to discover. Day 7: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra We leave early in the morning and visit Fatehpur Sikri, an abandoned imperial city situated not far from Agra. Here, the emperor Akbar ruled between 1571 and 1585 but the glory of Fatehpur Sikri was short-lived due to the insufficient water supplies and soon after Akbar s death, the city was abandoned. Fortunately, the remains still paint a picture of the wealth of the city s heyday and consist of a number of well restored and maintained palaces, the most impressive of which are the breathtaking Jama Masjid (Great Mosque) and the Buland Darwaza, reputed to be the largest gateway in all of Asia. The architecture of this impressive mosque displays both clear Christian and Hindu influences besides the most prevalent Muslim influence. The entry fee for Fatehpur Sikri is not included in the price of your holiday. At the end of the afternoon we arrive in Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, just in time to watch the sun set behind this world-famous monument.

4 Day 8: Agra - Varanasi During the day you will have time to explore Agra and a visit to the world famous Taj Mahal is a must. However, besides this architectural wonder, Agra also has a series of other interesting sights. Once one of the three most important Moghul cities, the old area to the west of the Red Fort is multi-coloured and hectic, while the region in which most of the hotels are situated is spacious and green. The gigantic Red Fort, the residence of Indian Emperors of old and the colourful bazaars in the city are a treat for the eyes and great for finding some beautiful souvenirs. TIP: In the evening we board the night train to Varanasi, the most sacred city in the whole of this immense land. We travel in third class sleeper cars with air conditioning. Day 9: Varanasi According to legend Varanasi is the holiest city in India and the oldest city in the world. It is also known as Benares or Kashi and is the city of Shiva, the most powerful of the Hindu gods. The city itself is dusty and hectic and the number of buffalo and sacred cows on the streets is higher than in any other city in the country, making life very difficult for the bicycle rickshaws, people pulling hand carts and freight lorries. Outside the centre countless narrow alleys and streets lead to the very soul of India, Mother Ganges. In this sacred river, thousands of people wash their sins away every day, ashes of the dead are scattered and leaves carrying candles float by as offerings to the river. The Ganges itself has left its mark on the buildings and ghats through flooding and it has also undermined building foundations throughout the centuries, which have simply been restored with infinite patience. A boat trip along the river is highly memorable, especially at sunrise. Please note that during monsoon season in India (especially in August) the water level of the Ganges is high and thus the flow is dangerous. For this reason, it is prohibited under Indian law to sail on the Ganges. This information is subject to change. Day 10: Varanasi You should also visit Sarnath, a holy Buddhist site where Buddha founded his eightfold path to nirvana. Another interesting attraction is the Archaeological Museum which contains an exquisite collection of Buddhist and Hindu art. The monasteries and temples here are also very attractive, built by Buddhist pilgrims coming from many different countries. The Chinese, Japanese and Tibetan temples are especially worth visiting. Day 11: Varanasi - Lumbini We leave India today and after a long bus ride we cross the border into Nepal to Lumbini. Once part of India and famous for being the Buddha s birthplace, we will stay here overnight before travelling on to Chitwan National Park the following day.

5 Day 12: Lumbini - Chitwan National Park TIP: Today we travel to the renowned Chitwan National Park, where you can spot Indian rhinos and other wildlife. Chitwan is the most popular nature reserve in Nepal and is reputed for its vastly varied terrain, its bird life and its Indian rhinos. There are deciduous forests, grassy plains, rivers, lakes and subtropical forest which attract an equally varied array of wildlife including more than 40 different species of mammal. Tigers and panthers are the most intriguing predators, although the chances of spotting them are relatively low but you are more likely to spot a powerful Indian rhinoceros, Indian bison, wild oxen and many types of deer. There are also apes, crocodiles, monitor lizards and snakes within the park. You can explore by canoe or on foot. Day 13: Chitwan National Park Make the most of this second day in the park and try an alternative method of watching the wildlife. Chitwan is a paradise for bird lovers too, with more than 400 different species present. Herons, cranes, storks and numerous species of cormorant and ibis all make their homes here. Hornbills are also in Chitwan but they are rare. If you do get lucky, their loud calls and typical manner of flying will clearly indicate when a couple of them are nearby. Day 14: Chitwan - Pokhara Travelling along winding roads, through the spectacular Himalayas we arrive in Pokhara, set in a sub-tropical valley where the mountains rise straight up to the highest peaks in the world. In the middle of this spectacle of rock, ice and snow is the Machapuchare, the steepest mountain in the Himalayas, which from the side resembles a giant fish tail. No man has ever reached the summit of this mountain though, in the 1950s, a French expedition nearly managed it. But when in sight of victory, the sherpas became intensely fearful of divine revenge should humans reach the summit and they turned back. It is now forbidden to climb the mountain. Once a hippie paradise, Pokhara is situated in a picturesque location on a mountain lake, where you can swim, row or enjoy the stunning panoramic view from one of the tea gardens. Day 15: Pokhara Visit Lakeside, a popular shopping area of Pokhara where you can spend a day or afternoon browsing through the many shops and check out what the street vendors are selling, including a number of Tibetan refugees selling their handicrafts. If you see an item of interest thats commonly sold then take up the chance to do a bit of bargaining to see the best price achievable! TIP: We also recommend going for a walk to the viewpoint at Sarangkot and then walking back down to the lake through the forests and rice fields. Along the way you will meet some of the friendly people living in the mountains. Day 16: Pokhara Enjoy one last full day in Pokhara. One of the finest examples of nature in this area is the Seti gorge, which over the millennia has been worn to a depth of 45 m by the river. The gorge in some places is only 4.5 m wide. From Mahendra bridge in Pokhara you have a nice view of the gorge. TIP: It is also possible to rent a bike here. This is an easy way to visit the Hindu and Buddhist temples and the Devi waterfalls.

6 Day 17: Pokhara - Bhaktapur We ll travel by bus to Bhaktapur, which is the smallest of the three royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley. It is surrounded by rice fields, brick houses, temples and squares, winding streets and alleys. Bhaktapur retains a very medieval atmosphere, with an absence of cars and a penchant for tending to their cattle, pottery and rituals in the many temples. Around sunset, the elder residents chat while the youths stroll around and the young children play around them. The timeless Bhaktapur is much quieter in comparison to the busier cities of Patan and Kathmandu and most tour guides recommend staying a night here. Bhaktapur is also the best place to buy wood carvings and Nepalese dolls. The entrance fee for Bhaktapur is included. Day 18: Bhaktapur - Nagarkot Today you have more time to explore Bhaktapur before travelling during the day to the mountain village of Nagarkot. Nagarkot represents a fantastic opportunity to get a look over the peaks of the Himalayas, such as the Ganesh Himal and Lhotse. The endless views of these giants are particularly stunning at sunrise, (weather conditions permitting). Day 19: Nagarkot - Bhaktapur - Kathmandu This morning we will walk back to Bhaktapur passing through charming small villages along the way and enjoying some spectacular views. The walk is mainly downhill and will take between 4 and 5 hours. It is not challenging and suitable for beginners. Your main luggage will be taken on to Bhaktapur, so you need only take a day-pack for today. If you would rather not walk, the group bus will be available later to take you to Bhaktapur (at no extra cost). We then make the short trip to Kathmandu where you have a free day. The temples in the Kathmandu Valley were built between the 16th and the 19th century, when there was an architectural battle between the three royal cities of Nepal (Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan). Each one wanted to outdo the other. This resulted in the construction of a large number of temples, which you now enjoy. Day 20: Kathmandu Much of daily life in Kathmandu continues almost as if the 20th century is still to come as the native folk appear as if out of the middle ages, especially in the older part of the city. A mile and a half to the west you will find the large and extremely beautiful stupa (traditional Buddhist monument) of Swayambunath which is definitely worth a visit, if only to see the many monkeys which hang around the area, giving the stupa the nickname µmonkey Temple An even bigger stupa is situated a little further outside Kathmandu, in Bodnath and on the way we pass Pashupatinath, the sacred Tibetan Hindu site, where Nepalese and Indians bathe in the Bagmati River. Day 21: Kathmandu Enjoy another day in Nepals' capital city. Kathmandu, despite being quite crowded remains a fascinating city with beautiful temples and ancient buildings that will vie for your attention with a vibrant colourful population, especially in the old town. Some visitors will easily spend a day sitting on the steps of one of the temples on the central Durbar Square, where they will simply take in all that goes on around them. This square and the old neighborhoods to the north and south of it are particularly interesting.

7 Day 22: Kathmandu The last day of your tour. You can use your hotel room in Kathmandu until check out time (most times at hrs noon). We wish you a comfortable journey home and are sure you will take with you some wonderful memories of India and Nepal. Your personal my.shoestring page on our website is the perfect way to make contact with other travellers before and after your trip. You can read and create journals from trips and upload your photos onto the photo gallery. Visit my shoestring today. When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any posttour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (day 22) is not included. FESTIVAL TOURS On the trip departing on 22nd July 2017 you can visit the TEEJ FESTIVAL in Jaipur. On the trip departing on 25th February 2018, you can visit the HOLI FESTIVAL in Jaipur. On the trip departing on 9th August 2018, you can visit the TEEJ FESTIVAL in Jaipur. Note: The travel routes during festival tours may be adapted. If this is the case you can find information under the 'News' section. For more information about the festivals themselves, check under 'More info' and then 'Festivals'. More info What's included: Accommodation in hotels; transportation in (mini)buses only for transfers from hotel to hotel; train journey; visit Fatehpur Sikri; trekking from Bhaktapur to Nagarkot; entrance fee for Bhaktapur; English speaking tour leader What's excluded: international flights; all meals; tips; visas; optional excursions; all other entrance fees; airport transfers; booking fee; travel insurance. Attention Single room is not available on night train.

8 Travel documents Travelling with the correct travel documentation is your own responsibility. Please ensure your passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the finish date of your trip. For both India and Nepal, a visa is required for many nationalities in order to gain entry. Please check visa information in good time before your trip commences as this information is always subject to change. You can check this information through a site such as this one. To arrange your visa, you should either contact your nearest Indian/Nepalese embassy or use an agency such as CIBT. It is now also possible for nationals of a number of countries to apply online for their India visa, in advance of travel using the E-Visa facility. Please check the following website for further information and online visa application: Accommodation and transport

9 Transport During this India & Nepal 'on a Shoestring' trip we have access to a private bus (which in the summer months only - from March to October is air conditioned), so we can stop at beautiful spots along the way. The transfers to and from the airport are not included. This is a real budget trip, so be prepared for long distances and a high-tempo travel speed. Additionally, you will use the public night train in India from Agra to Varanasi (MTJP Express). These trains give you a bed in a second-class car with air conditioning (three beds,one above the other, six per section). This means you'll have little privacy and that you should pay attention to your luggage. It is advisable to - like the Indians themselves - stow your luggage on specially made hooks under the benches. The train will stop several times at stations en route. It is sometimes possible to leave the train to buy a cup of tea or just to look around on the platform. However, please note that the train sometimes starts up again unannounced! Sufficient bed linen is not always provided, so keep your sleeping bag liner at your fingertips. Travel Distances on this trip: Delhi to Jaipur: 240 km / 7 hours Jaipur to Agra: 250 km / 8 hours Agra to Varanasi: 600 km / 12 hours (night train) Varanasi to Lumbini: 365 km / 11 hours Lumbini to Chitwan: 180 km / 4 to 5 hours Chitwan to Pokhara 200 km / 5 to 6 hours Pokhara to Bhaktapur: 215 km / 7 hours Bhaktapur to Nagarkot: 14 km / 30 mins Nagarkot to Bhaktapur :16 km trekking 4-5 hours Note: The above time given is the minimum amount per day and is highly dependent on traffic, road conditions, border formalities and weather. Accommodation During the tour we stay in simple but comfortable mid-range hotels in 2-person rooms with private bathroom. Typically there is no air conditioning in the rooms but there is a fan or a cooling system. In hotels if air conditioning in the rooms is available, sometimes an extra fee is asked for using it. Most hotels have their own restaurant and usually a garden or terrace. The check-in time at the hotels is usually 12.00, so it may happen that (for early arrivals) your room is not quite ready. The planned hotels in Agra and Varanasi have a pool. In exceptional cases it may happen that there is another hotel used that has no pool. If this occurs we will try to find a suitable alternative. Participants who register individually share a room with another participant. We keep in mind of course to try to pair you with someone of the same sex. If you would like a room for the whole trip for yourself, it could in principle be arranged. You will then need to pay the single room supplement (at time of booking). In the night trains no single rooms are possible as each car is shared by six people. During your trip, it is possible to participate in 'single' excursions offered locally by the tour leader. These excursions are optional. To allow you to plan a budget for your trip we have provided you with an idea of the cost of these excursions. The price can change due to currency fluctuations. The amounts are therefore only meant to give you an indication of the cost. Entrance fees will often change and therefore are excluded from the prices displayed (unless explicitly stated). We display the prices in Euros/GB Pounds/US Dollars. When you are in your destination, it is possible to pay for the excursions in local currency.

10 Single excursions Excursion Details Price Agra - City Tour and Taj Mahal Book at location During the city tour of Agra, the following will be visited: Agra Fort, Taj Mahal (including a lunch stop) Excursion schedule (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader): 10:00 Depart hotel to Agra Fort 10:15 Visit to Agra Fort (2 hours) 12:30 Lunch Stop at Riao Restaurant 2:00 p.m. Visit to Taj Mahal (3 hours) Return to hotel 5:00 p.m. Included: transport, English speaking guide Not included: entrance fees, lunch, camera fees and tip for driver 15 Delhi - City Tour Book at location During the city tour of Delhi we will visit the following: New Delhi: Humayun's Tomb, India Gate and Sikh Temple (Bangla Sahib) Old Delhi: Raj Ghat, Jama Mashid, Red Fort (photo stop) 14 Excursion schedule (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader): Excursion starting 11:00 am End of tour 17:00 pm Included: transportation and English speaking guide Not included: Entrance fees, camera fees and tip for the guide Jaipur - Amber Fort Book at location During this excursion to the Amber fort photo stops are made at the Jal Mahal (Water Palace) and the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). At the end of the tour participants are dropped off at the City Palace. Excursion schedule (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader): 08:00 Departure from the hotel to Amber Fort 8:30 Visit to the Amber Fort (2 hours) 10:30 Departure from Amber fort. Photo stops at the Water Palace and the Palace of Winds 11:30 Participants are dropped off at the City Palace Included: transport, English speaking guide Not included: Entrance fees, Camera fees and tip 12

11 Jaipur - Bollywood Dance class Book at location Jaipur - Night Tour by Ambassador Book at location Bollywood is the dance-form made famous through Indian films produced in Mumbai (Bollywood). It is actually a mix of various styles such as belly dance, kathak, Indian folk dance, modern dance, jazz and even Western erotic dancing! Please bring light, comfortable clothing, ready for the dance floor! Excursion schedule (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader): Start of excursion: 16:00 End of excursion: 17:00 Included: transport and dance teacher Not included: tips Take a trip in the Ambassador, the iconic Indian automobile. The 'King of Indian Roads' takes you to Nahargarh Fort, where you have a beautiful sunset view over Jaipur. You will also make a photo stop at Jal Mahal (Water Palace) and Amber Fort. Excursion schedule (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader): Start of excursion: 17:00 (winter) or 18:00 (summer) End of excursion: 21:00 (winter) or 22:00 (summer) Included: transport by Ambassador Not included: Entrance fees, Camera fees and tips 14 22

12 Kathmandu - City tour Book at location The Kathmandu city tour takes you past the famous places of the city. Thus, including Durbar Square (the central square of the city), the Buddhist Swayambunath Temple (due to the many monkeys that hang around this stupa it is also known as the "Monkey Temple"), Pashupatinath (The holiest place for the Nepalese Hindus to access the Bagmati river) and the Buddhist stupa in Bodnath. Entrance fees are not included in this excursion. The following times are an indication. 22 Excursion schedule (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader): 09:00 Departure from the hotel 9:30 Sightseeing of the Durbar Square (approximately 2 hours) 11:30 Departure to the "Monkey Temple" Swayambunath 12:00 Sightseeing Swayambunath 1:00 p.m. Time for lunch (not included) 14:00 Check into the shrine Pashupatinath Sightseeing Pashupatinath 15:00 Check into Bodnath Sightseeing Bodnath Return to hotel Included: transport, English speaking guide Not included: entrance fees, lunch, camera fees and tip Kathmandu - Cultural dance performance with dinner Book at location You enjoy a traditional Nepalese dinner at restaurant 'Bhojan Griha ", which literally means" House of Food ". The restaurant is located in a building that dates back to over 150 years ago and once belonged to a priest of the king of Nepal. At dinner you can enjoy a cultural show with Nepalese dance and music. 30 Excursion schedule (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader): 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. hours Included: transport, cultural show and Nepalese dinner Not included: drinks

13 Kathmandu - Mountain Flight to Mount Everest Book at location One of the best ways to get close to the Himalayas, especially Everest, is by taking a mountain flight. During the one hour flight you will have an impressive view of the mountains, like Mt. Everest - the world's highest peak (8848 m) and other Himalayan peaks such as Gauri Shankar (7134 m), Nuptse (7855 m), Lhotse (8516 m), Amadablam (6812 m), Chamlang (7319 m), Makalu (8463 m ) and Cho Oyu (8201 m). The planes take a limited number of passengers so that everyone has a window seat. Excursion schedule (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader): Departure to the airport Mountain Flight (about one hour) Transfer back to hotel Includes: airport transfers, flight 182 Kathmandu - Trisuli River Rafting Book at location You go rafting on the Trisuli River. A ride on a rubber boat on a flowing river between the mountains is a breathtaking experience! The Trisuli becomes a swirling mass during the monsoon. Excursion schedule (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader): 7:30 Departure from the hotel to Mugling 10:30 Arrive at the starting point for rafting 11:00 Start of rafting (approximately 2 hours) 13:00 Check back to Kathmandu Included: transportation, rafting Not included: lunch, drinks 72 Kathmandu - Visit to Patan Book at location The sister city of Kathmandu, Patan, is fused to the capital. If at all possible, the old part of town has an even greater density of temples and monasteries than the capital. Patan (Lalitpur as it s locally known) is much quieter than Kathmandu and a respite from the bustle of the city. Your visit will include the Durbar Square with its many temples and the Krishna temple. Excursion Time (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader): 09:00 Departure from the hotel 9:30 Visit to Patan (approximately 3 hours) 12:30 Departure back to hotel Included: transport, English speaking guide Not included: entrance fees, lunch, camera fees and tip 13

14 Pokhara - Walk to Sarangkot Book at location You will be picked up early at the hotel and drive fifteen minutes to Bindbyasini Temple in Phewa Lake, the start of a beautiful walk through farms and rice paddies. From here you walk in about 2 hours to Sarangkot (1592 m). It is a beautiful view point that offers a good part of the Annapurna Range. You can (on a clear day) enjoy a beautiful panorama with an unforgettable sunrise over Annapurna II among others, Machhapuchhare (Fishtail) and Dhaulagiri. Then you descend for about 30 minutes down to a point where your transport awaits, which brings you back to your hotel (about a 45 minute drive). 20 Excursion schedule (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader): Exact time depends on the weather. The best is probably to leave very early in the morning, so that you're in Sarangkot at sunrise. If you do not want to make the trek, but want to go to Sarangkot, you can be dropped off at a (lower) viewpoint at Sarangkot. Included: transportation, guide during the trek Not included: entrance fees, camera fees, tips Varanasi - Boat trip on the Ganges at sunrise Book at location At sunrise you make a trip on the Ganges, the sacred river for Hindus. During the cruise and the subsequent walk through the narrow streets you will visit various ghats (stairs to the river) where pilgrims bathe and are cremated. You also visit the Golden Temple and Kashi Vishnanath the Grand Mosque. 23 Excursion schedule (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader): 5:00 Departure from hotel to the ghat Dasaswamedh 5:15 Boat trip on the Ganges River 6:15 Walk through the old town of Varanasi to the Golden Temple and the Grand Mosque 8:00 Return to hotel Included: transport, English speaking guide and a one hour boat trip Not included: entrance fees, camera fees, tips

15 Varanasi - Ganga Aarti Book at location Dasaswamedha Ghat, Varanasi s holiest spot, is named after the ten simultaneous horse sacrifices performed by Brahma the creator. Rows of priests sit under bamboo parasols, ready to perform ritual prayers for the pilgrims that swarm here. Excursion schedule (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader): 5:00 p.m. Cycle Rickshaw Ride from Hotel to Dasaswamedha Ghat 5:45 p.m. Arrive Dasaswamedha Ghat and proceed for boat ride 6:30 p.m. Back to Ghat by Boat to witness Evening Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedha Ghat 7:30 p.m. Back to Hotel by Cycle Rickshaw Included: Cycle Rickshaw / Boat Ride / English Speaking Local Guide Not included: Monument Fee / Camera Charges / Tips to Rickshaw Driver & Local Guide 17 Varanasi - Sarnath Book at location Sarnath is where Buddha's message to the middle Nirvana is preached. Today it is a center for Buddhism. You can find the remains of several temples. Excursion schedule (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader): 14:00 Check-out direction of hotel Sarnath 2:30 p.m. Visit to the museum, the ruins of stupas and the Buddhist temple 4.30 p.m. Return to hotel Included: transport, English speaking guide Not included: Entrance fees, Camera fees and tip 19 Festival info

16 HOLI PHAGWA FESTIVAL - WHOLE OF INDIA The Holi feast of Phagwa or Holi is a colourful Hindu festival that is celebrated annually throughout India (and Nepal). This spring festival is the sign of the beginning of a new season and is known also as the harvest festival. It is also considered a victory party: the victory of good over evil. The old Hindu story around the festival is about Narasimha, an incarnation of the great Vishnu killing Hiranyakashipu, the great demon king. On the eve of the Holi the scene of burning Holika is re-enacted all over India. Wood fires are lit and a living object such as a plant is given up. Rice is thrown into the fire, which is considered a symbolic expulsion of evil. The ceremony also includes prayer, music and singing. The next day Hindus return to the scene of their fire and smear themselves with the ash. Then in the afternoon they sprinkle one another with scents, perfumes and dyes with different colours having different significances. During these holidays there is an atmosphere of freedom and happiness. Make sure you bring some old clothes, because most likely you will not be spared and you too will end up buried under coloured powders! TEEJ FESTIVAL - JAIPUR Rajasthan is India's most colourful and exotic state. The fairy-tale palaces, the massive forts and ornate clothing of the population are a feast for the eyes. Rajasthan evokes the image of classical India. The land where time stands still, the country where Hinduism still survives strongly in its traditional form. During the Teej Festival married women pray for a happy and long marriage to Parvati and Shiva. The festival is celebrated all over Rajasthan but is the most colourful in Jaipur. Joohlas (swings) are hung in trees with leaves and flowers. In Jaipur, a statue of the goddess Parvati is shown in a kilometer-long procession accompanied by decorated elephants, horses, camels, floats and more. There is music and dancing. A truly unique festival to attend. News COUNTRY INFORMATION INDIA BACKGROUND INFORMATION Culture The cultural differences between Europeans and Indians are so vast that one could write a book about them. Below is an overview of some points to take into account when mixing with the locals. "Yes and no": Maybe the most confusing cultural difference is the usage of yes and no. To begin with, yes is not indicated by nodding but by quickly moving the chin to and fro, causing the head to wobble (you should try it!). Secondly, whether spoken or wobbled, yes has a much broader meaning. Besides yes, it can indicate eh, or understood, or even something like that s probably right, or I have heard you, but I m not interested in what you are saying. Yes when uttered by an Indian hence doesn t give you a clue as to what they mean. No is a word Indians do not like to say too often, for example when asked if the bus to Colombo stops here. If offered a piece of liquorice, nine out of ten Indians will find the taste foul but the chances of them saying no when asked if they like it are very slim. Courtesy rules: Indians traditionally greet with a namasté, hand palms pressed together and held upright in front of the face. The higher you hold your hands, the more respect you express. In addition, with members of the same sex, you can often shake hands. Address everyone with sir or madam. Do not

17 raise your voice, even if something does not go the way you like. It is better to ask for someone higher in rank, as delegation of decisions is not a strong point in Indian organisations. Presents are not unpacked immediately, but put aside. Showing eagerness is seen as a bad habit. Gifts: Do not be surprised or offended if you are not immediately thanked upon presenting a gift. The gift will usually be put to one side, unopened. This is not a sign of ingratitude. In India showing eagerness towards gifts is seen as a sign of greed, and not at all appreciated. Dress: Adult men wearing shorts are seen as ridiculous by Indians, and women wearing shorts as outrageous. The local population likes to dress formally for important events. Should you be invited to a wedding, ask about any dress code. Swimming naked or topless is prohibited. In a bikini, you will look foolish. Indian women bathe mostly in their sari. In practice, wearing a bikini results in persistent stares from Indian men. A bathing suit will make sunbathing a far more relaxed experience. Left and right: The right hand is used to eat, while the left hand is reserved for cleaning one s behind. Should you be eating a meal with Indians using your hands, remember to only use your right hand. Changing hands is considered foul by Indians. Do not touch anyone with your left hand. Appointments: We are from a hectic culture in which time equals money and appointments tend to be met punctually, or the day s schedule will be messed up. Indians do not have this problem. Not that they will always be late: it is possible that they didn t have anything else to do and that they decide to arrive an hour early. Privacy: Staring is not impolite and most Indians do not have the sense of space as we know it. They will come nearer to you than Europeans, like to join you when reading your book and they will study it meticulously as soon as you put it down. They may enter the room without knocking and they may stay around when they are done. It is up to you to indicate your boundaries. Men and women: In India, men and women treat each other differently than westerners. You will hardly ever see a man and a woman walking with their arms around each other. Physical contact in public between men and women is being limited as much as possible. To show your affection in public is likewise viewed as highly inappropriate. In stations and some cinemas, there are even separate cash tills for women and in trains there are separate compartments. However, the rules for the contacts between the sexes are rather liberal. As a man it is better not to sit next to a woman and not to talk to her. This rule applies in particular to women in their fertile age. Female tourists are free to make contact with Indian women. For western women, it is particularly important to take into account behavioural codes visà-vis Indian men. As a western woman, it is better not to look Indian men in the eye. Many men will think you are after something. Visiting holy places: Holy places must be entered barefoot, with the exception of churches. Hindu temples you must enter without head dress. In some temples, and always in the garbha griha, the holiest place of a temple, you are not welcome. To visit a mosque, wear clothes that cover you up. Sometimes you are asked to cover your head. During a service, men are separated from the women. When walking around a Buddhist stupa, walk to the left, so clockwise. It is not appreciated when tourists make pictures in front of a Buddha statue. In Jain monuments it is not permitted to take leather objects inside (shoes, bags, belts etc). Sikh temples should be entered covered up and with something to cover your head. Begging: Begging is partly a socially accepted activity. Through giving alms, Hindus can improve their karma and well-to-do Muslims according to the Koran are required to give 4% of their income to the less well off. However, most inhabitants of India will loudly show that they disapprove of the same practice. Beggars are called bone-idle ; those people that want to get their daily handful of rice without working for it. Shoestring has the rule never to give money to children, if anything some fruit or something else to eat. (Preferably not sweets, there are hardly any dentists in these parts.) It is accepted to give to elderly people or invalids. The truth behind each beggar can be very different. One or two indeed have to beg for their food, but most are forced to pay for their place in a house with this activity. Besides, the number of drug and alcohol addicts is on the increase. It is wisest to give to a well-reputed charity. It is legitimate for beggars to sit near the exit door of temples and mosques and wait for baksheesh (alms). Both Hindus and Muslims have a system similar to our way of giving indulgences. Prices and haggling: Find out the real price of something. Paying too much leads to inflation and paying too little harms the seller. In practice, the price of an item will always be set higher than what you are expected to pay for it. It is better to see it as a game, which can be fun to play. In the eyes of the local population, westerners are always on holiday and earn loads of money. This can give them the feeling of

18 being underdeveloped and poor. Try to give them a more balanced picture by describing daily life in the west. A cup of tea in a simple Indian street stall costs some 5 rupees, while we would easily pay 100 rupees at home. In general Be aware at all times that you are a guest in a country with different social customs than you are used to. Particularly during the festivals, it is important to adapt to the local standards, however strange you may find them. Religion The large majority of Indians (82%) are Hindu. The proportion of Muslims is 11.3%. There are also Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Jews, Parsis, Baha is and Animists. Hinduism It would seem as if Hindus have not much in common with western religion. In a sense, that is true. There is no central hierarchy, no common confession of creed and no founding father in whom all Hindus believe. Hindus express their religious feelings in various ways. For this reason, a concept such as ahimsa, non-violence, and ideas about vegetarianism co-exist with rituals in which animals are slaughtered or self-punishment is practised. A belief in reincarnation co-exists with a belief in a heaven for ancestors, and highly formalized rituals occur as well as highly emotional ceremonies. To get a better understanding of Hinduism, you should ask individual Hindus about their ideas on the matter. You will find that almost all Indians have very distinct ideas about their own religious experiences and are usually eager to tell you about them. You will probably notice that there are many different personal views amongst them. Hindus generally recognize the fact that life has four objectives. In the first place, the aim is to live up to one s religious and social obligations vis-à-vis the family and society. These obligations are summarized in the concept of dharma. Secondly, it is important to gain sufficient material possessions, so that alms can be given to beggars and itinerant holy men and the family can be sustained. This is known as artha. The third aim in life is experiencing sexuality or kaama, which should result in male offspring. The son is necessary to perform ancestral rituals. The last and highest goal is liberalization from reincarnation, or moksha (a comparable and much more well-known concept in the West is the Buddhist Nirvana). Apart from living up to these obligations, the individual Hindu is free to think whatever he or she wants. He can choose his own spiritual master or guru. There is a lot of respect for gurus and elderly people. An equal amount of respect is also paid to the numerous living holy men. Many of these holy men wander through India and are called saddhus. Most Hindus also believe in karma. This is the law that one deed prompts another, and everything you come across in life is actually a result of previous deeds. By doing good deeds you can build up credits from which you will reap the benefits, either in this life or in a following one. Hindus spend a lot of time worshipping gods that live in the temples. These can be enormous temples, or small home shrines in a corner of the room where the family god is worshipped. In the temple, their god lives like a king. Many Hindus believe that it is possible to actually meet their god in the temple. The world of gods A visit to a Hindu temple is an introduction to an extensive pantheon of gods. Most Hindus will tell you they believe in one god, even if it seems thousands exist. When you question them about this oddity, you will often be told that the manifest forms should be seen as the planes of a diamond. If a ray of light falls on the diamond, a different plane will light up every time, but it will still be the same diamond. In the following we will pay attention to a few important Hindu gods: Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu and Ganesha. We shall also touch upon some goddesses. In the west, the Hindu trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva is often known. Brahma is hardly worshipped, however, as he is too abstract, does not take on a definite personality and has created hardly any exciting myths. In the whole of India, there is only one temple that is dedicated to Brahma, in Pushkar (Rajasthan). Brahma is the creator of the universe and he is portrayed having four heads. Sarasvati originally was described as Brahma s daughter, but in later times was described as his wife. She is seen as the goddess of the arts and is mostly portrayed with a stringed instrument in her hands. Shiva is one of the most important gods in Hinduism. He is often portrayed as an ascetic. He is dressed in a tiger skin or an elephant skin, as a reference to two demons he has once slain. His body is greyish or white, because he rubs himself with the ashes from incinerated bodies. He wears his hair in long braided strands, the style many ascetics in India have their hair. He has three eyes the third embellishes his forehead. From this third eye he can evoke a destructive fire, to destruct the universe when creation nears its end. In his figure and the attributes he carries, Shiva unites many opposites.

19 Hindus explain this is because he is a god encompassing the whole universe, from high to low, from clean to foul. Thus in his one ear he wears an earring customarily worn by village women from low castes, while in his other ear he has an earring with the shape of a mythical crocodile typically worn by Brahmins. In one of his hands he holds a drum, damaru, resembling an hourglass. With this drum he indicates the rhythm of creation. One of his other hands carries a blazing fire that he destroys the world with. On his head he wears flowers, including the highly toxic datura, a flower from which hallucinatory substances can be distilled. Around his neck he has venomous snakes, symbols of death. On his head he also has a moon s crescent, another symbol of death. His mount is the bull Nandi. Nandi almost always lies in front of Shiva temples. Shiva has always been the god of ascetics. Many of his followers are saddhus (holy men), wandering through India alone or in groups, their bodies rubbed with ashes, doing penance in bizarre ways. They can be recognized by the three horizontal lines they paint on their foreheads. Their attribute is the trident. Shiva s women are known by many names and figures. Parvati is Shiva s most well known partner she became the symbol of the submissive, subservient woman. She had to sit and watch how Shiva went off with beauties in and out of season, but he would always come back to her. Parvati is the peaceful form of the concept of shakti (female energy), although she can also manifest herself in different, more ferocious forms: Durga, Chamunda or Kali. Durga is often worshipped as an independent goddess who has nothing to do with Shiva. She was created especially to save the gods of a terrible disaster, with her own weapons. As Kali ( the black ) Parvati occurs in her most terrible shape. She is black, her tongue protrudes from her bloody mouth, and she is hung with chopped human heads and skulls, wandering over horrible final resting places. She is supposed to offer help where no other god still has any power. Remarkably, even the lowest castes are allowed to worship her, which makes her following very large. Uniquely, she is presented with blood sacrifices; during her festivals, numerous black male animals are sacrificed, varying from cats to buffaloes. Vishnu is a god appearing in numerous appearances. He usually has a character milder and friendlier than Shiva, although even he has ecstatic aspects. Vishnu is usually pictured with a blue body colour and four arms, in which he holds a shell, a club, a lotus flower and a discus. He often wears a crown and a yellow robe. Around his neck he has a wreath of forest flowers and various pieces of jewellery, including a jewel that fulfils wishes. Vishnu has two mounts, the snake Shesha and the bird Garuda. The snake serves him as a resting place, while the bird carries him through the universe. Vishnu guards the world and in case something threatens to go amiss, he will act. He will appear on the earth as an incarnation. The Hindus know ten classic incarnations: fish, tortoise, swine, the man-lion Narasimha, dwarf, Rama with the axe, Rama with an arch, Krishna, Buddha and finally, Kalki. The last incarnation of Vishnu, Kalki, still has to appear. He will appear as a horseman on a white horse with a sword that flares as a comet. With this sword he will destroy all demons that threaten the world. The most popular incarnations of Vishnu are Krishna and Rama with the arch, the hero of Ramayana. Krishna himself figures in many different stories and situations, and is especially popular in his appearance as a young cowherd. He has a number of affairs with the shepherdesses of the village where he lives. Later he becomes a great religious preacher and he lays down his message to humankind in the Bhagavad Gita, an important philosophical text that is a central text in the Mahabharata. A particularly popular god is Ganesha. He can be instantly recognized between the hundreds of god figures of the Indian pantheon, as he has an elephant s head. Tens of different appearances exist of him. He is considered to be the spiritual son of Shiva, who would not be the one who begot him, however. He was born from the bath oil of his mother Parvati as a handsome boy. He developed his elephant head later. When Shiva came home after a long absence, Parvati was just taking a bath. She had put her son Ganesha in front of the door, on guard. Ganesha had not seen Shiva and refused to let him in. Shiva flew into a rage and beheaded the guardsman. Only when he heard he had murdered his own son, he had to quickly find the head of any other being to replace it, and this happened to be an elephant. When the elephant s head was hewn off and fell onto the ground, one of the tusks broke off. It was placed in the sky in the shape of a moon s crescent. Ganesha is a god that takes away hindrances, when worshipped. If not worshipped, however, he can create hindrances. Ganesha does everything for the people that worship him and for that reason criminals and black magicians often worship him. Ganesha is worshipped in almost all Hindu temples. He resembles a rat.

20 Festivals Whatever time of year you visit, it is likely that some festival or other is taking place during your stay. There is often something going on in the temples every full moon. Some of the more noteworthy festivals are: February: Shivaratri is the festival in honour of Shiva. On phalgun, the night of the full moon, festivals are held in every Shiva temple. February/March: Holi is a popular festival, particularly amongst the lower castes. This festival is held to mark the coming of Spring. It is a time when all accepted norms are thrown out of the window and everything is permissible, comparable to western festivals such as Mardi Gras. During Holi, people drench each other with water and powder paint, so make sure you are wearing old clothes at the time, as tourists are a popular target and the paint doesn t come out easily! October/November: Diwali or Tihar is celebrated. This is the Festival of Light and is marked by the illumination of thousands of lights, fireworks, baking cakes and other sweets and making patterns in sand outside one s house. This is to accompany the return of the god Rama from his banishment in the jungle. The festival of the goddess Lakshimi is held at the same time. October/November: Pushkar Camel Fair. At full moon during the Hindu month Kartika Purnima and Pushkar transforms from a sleepy place into a madhouse. Tens of thousands of camels and horses and as many as a quarter of a million people descend on the area. This is the largest camel market in India, probably the world. The occasion is marked by camel races, music and dancing. It is a spectacular occasion, and people stay in large, colourful campsites where food is made readily available. Food and drinks The eating habits in India differ greatly from Europe and adjusting can prove tricky. People usually sit on the floor and eat with their right hand from a metal plate. Hands and face are washed before the meal. Eating breakfast or drinking tea or coffee before brushing your teeth is seen as dirty. Water is drunk during meals and should you order a coffee without further instructions, it will be brought to you after the meal. Talking comes before the meal; people rarely talk during it. If you are invited out to eat, chat amiably before the meal but leave after it. Women and children eat separately and only after the men have finished. Guests are often the only ones to eat, while the host concentrates on your service. This is a sign of politeness, but can make Europeans feel uncomfortable. Indians eat three warm meals per day. Many Indians are vegetarians for religious or moral reasons. Even eggs are often avoided. For a long time the Indian diet was restricted to fish. Vegetarians are well catered for. Meat was not part of the Indian diet until the Moghuls and Europeans stepped in. The amount of meat used in Indian curry is small compared to European tastes. Of the meat dishes, we recommend tandoori and tikka. Breakfast: Cornflakes, toast, jam, butter and eggs are the standard fare in hotels and restaurants. Indians eat idlis (rice cakes), dosas (pancakes), puri badji (fried bread with veg) or different types of bread with curd. Lunch and dinner: In India, warm meals are eaten in the afternoon and evening. There are regional differences, but in the large cities you can find places specialised in a wide range of foods although the variety is difficult for westerners to notice at first. Indian meals consist of rice and different breads, with curries and dal. Curry is the name given to all vegetable, fish and meat dishes which are prepared using the most complex spice combinations in the world (up to 25 per meal). Dal is the name of dishes made from lentils and is the most important protein source. Other than Indian cuisine, western and Chinese food is also available in the large cities, although some of the attempts to replicate western food have rather poor results. One reason why the food often disagrees with tourists is that they often take too much curry in relation to the bread and rice. Curries are often spicy and fatty and should be eaten in relatively small amounts, as flavouring to the rice or bread. Snacks: Apart from the meals there are the snacks. Poor Indians often nibble puffed rice, dried chickpeas or peanuts. Belpuri is a snack favoured by people in and around Bombay. It is made of lentils, crunchy vermicelli, tomato, onion and fresh coriander. For a few rupees you can buy a small plate. Besides there are various fried snacks which are invariably vegetarian. Only in the more expensive restaurants such snacks are prepared with a meat filling. Some of the names of these snacks are pakoras, fried balls kept together by potato starch, samosas, small pastries with a potato and vegetable filling, and cutlets, snacks coated with breadcrumbs, filled with a varying vegetarian mixture and fried. Tap water: Tap water is not suitable for drinking. You will have to buy mineral water or use the drinking