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Southern India, Nepal & Bhutan Gold Tour20 days duration (including travel time back to Australia)
We depart today aboard our flight bound for India, where we arrive late this evening after a plane change in Singapore. After clearing Customs and Immigration in Chennai, we are met and taken to our hotel for a relaxing three night stay. (Meals in flight).
After enjoying a leisurely breakfast we hold a very informative Tour Orientation Meeting in which we get to know each other better and outline the important aspects of the day-to-day operation of the Gold Tour. After the meeting we will have the rest of the day at leisure to relax and rest from the flights of the previous day.
Our deluxe hotel is located near the peaceful fishing village of Covelong. Replete with an assortment of places of interest such as forts, churches, mosques, and a lovely beach, it will give those wishing to explore an overview of the history of Tamil Nadu Province. After a relaxing day we will again gather for a special “Tour Welcome” dinner before settling down for the night. (BD)
After breakfast we undertake a comprehensive full day city tour, which includes Kalakshetra or the ‘Temple of Art’ and the unique heritage centre of Dakshinachitra. Kalakshetra is an academy of music and dance, founded by Rukmini Devi in 1936, to encourage and revive an interest in Bharatanatyam, the classical dance form from Tamil Nadu. This institution is among the finest of its kind in the country, renowned for its teaching of arts and crafts and famed for its saris and textiles woven in traditional patterns. After our visit we will proceed to Dakshinachitra where we have lunch. Served in the traditional South Indian way we will be able to savour the delicacies of the surrounding coastal area. Following lunch we get the opportunity to observe the traditional craftsmen and women at work in the centre, which showcases the distinct cultures of the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
From here we drive to the seaside village of Mahabalipuram, which was the main port of the Pallava Dynasty from the 5th – 9th centuries. A UNESCO world heritage site, it showcases several antique sculptural marvels which include the spectacular two-spired shrine, unique in that it houses the Gods Vishnu and Shiva in its sanctum. After the visit we return to our hotel. (BLD)
This morning we are taken to the airport for our flight to Cochin. Here we are met and taken by car to Kumarakom. Fringing the coast of Kerala and winding far inland is a vast network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals. Today we enjoy a leisurely exploration cruise of the Kerala backwaters.
Floating through these placid waters passing palm fringed canals, lakes and villages are able to observe the locals going about their daily lives. Our boat comprises fully furnished bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a sundeck, an open lounge and a full crew. We have our meals aboard the boat as we meander through this fascinating area. (BLD)
After breakfast we return to Cochin, en route we visit a Coir Factory to observe the weaving. On arrival, we check into our hotel for an exotic two-night stay. Set on a cluster of islands and a narrow peninsula, Cochin is Kerala’s major port boasting one of the finest natural harbours in the world. This evening we enjoy a Sunset boat cruise to witness some of the splendors the city has to offer. (BD)
We begin the day with a visit the Fort Cochin area where we see the famous Chinese fishing nets and may encounter the morning catch being auctioned on the beach. We also take a walk through the old town around Mattancherry Jetty, visit St. Francis Church of Kochi and tour the Mattancherry Palace (also known as the Dutch Palace). We then stroll through Jew Town where the oldest synagogue in India is located.
Following the visit we continue on for a tour to the local spice market. You have the afternoon at leisure for some shopping or to enjoy the hotel. This evening we experience a Kathakali dance performance. Kathakali is a synthesis of dance, drama and music which will amaze you with its colours and grace. Tonight we enjoy Cochins famous fresh seafood. (BD)
Following a leisurely breakfast we are taken to Cochin Airport for our flight to Mumbai or “Bombay”, as it was formally known. On arrival we are met and taken to our luxurious hotel located next to one of Mumbai’s most famous landmarks, the Gateway of India, for a fabulous two night stay.
There is time to rest and freshen up before we embark on a tour to savour the ambience of the Mumbai streets using the traditional mode of transportation, a horse drawn ‘tonga’ or “Victoria”, as it is known. The ride will take us from the Gateway of India between the illuminated buildings and monuments of this city that never sleeps, then along Chowpati Beach and the Marine Drive. After dinner we return to our hotel for the night. (BD)
Today we undertake a comprehensive city tour which includes visits to the Gateway of India, the Hanging Gardens and Mani Bhawan, the house where the ‘Father of the Nation’, Gandhi, stayed on his early visits to the city. This afternoon you have time to explore the local bazaars or relax in the hotel. (BL)
This morning we are taken to the airport where we board our flight to Varanasi. Located on the west side of the Holy Ganges, it has been the centre of the Hindu Religion, learning and civilisation for over 3,000 years, thus making it one of the oldest living cities in India. On arrival we check into our hotel for the next two nights. (B)
Today we undertake an early morning boat ride, during which we have the privilege of witnessing the incredible scene as thousands of pilgrims and other devotees immerse themselves in the holy water of the Ganges River to pay their homage to the revered sun god. This is followed by a late breakfast at our hotel and some time at leisure.
In the evening we take bicycle rickshaws through the colourful, chaotic, vibrant market area to reach the banks of the Ganges where the temples will be lit with oil-lamps and candles. This light, combined with the aromas of incense sticks, oil lamps and flowers filling the air, makes the experience magical as we watch hundreds of little lamps float out onto the Ganges River as offerings during the Arti Ceremony (collective prayer). After this spiritual experience we return to our hotel for the night. (BD)
Following breakfast we are taken to the airport for our flight to Katmandu the capital of the ancient mountain kingdom of Nepal. It has the air of a medieval city with a maze of narrow streets, wooden temples and beautifully decorated palaces. In the background there is often the gentle sound of jangling cymbals and the markets are a rich blend of colours and aromas. On arrival we are met and taken to our centrally located hotel. In the evening we are introduced to the culture of Nepal with a Cultural dance and dinner at a local restaurant. (BD)
This morning we are taken on a sightseeing tour of Katmandu visiting amongst others the Temple of Kumari, the residence of the living Goddess with its carved wooden balconies and windows and the fabulous Buddhist Stupa of Swayambhunath, which is said to be over 2,000 years old and popularly known as monkey temple.
In the afternoon we visit Patan City or “the city of fine arts” as it is also known. Here we visits Patan Durbar Square, situated in the heart of the city, it is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments (BLD)
This morning we are taken to Boudhanath which is possibly the world's largest Buddhist stupa and a site of great veneration for Buddhists. Around the stupa, a number of monasteries of the different sects of Tibetan Buddhism have sprung up which include one that houses an enormous, splendidly adorned, seated statue of Maitreya Buddha. We also visit Pashupatinath, the most sacred of Hindu temples in Nepal and situated on the banks of the holy Bagmati River.
In the afternoon we visit Bhaktapur City or the “city of devotees” as it is sometimes called. It is shaped like a conch shell and was the setting for the major Hollywood production “The Little Buddha”. Pottery and weavings are its traditional industries. (BLD)
Today is an early start as we are taken to the airport for a scenic flight around the Himalayan Mountains. During the approximately one hour flight we should see, amongst many others, Mt. Everest reaching up 8,848 meters into the sky. Following the flight we remain at the airport until our flight to Paro in Bhutan departs later this morning. On arrival we are met and taken for lunch before being taken by road to Thimphu, the capital. Exquisitely beautiful and brimming with traditional Bhutanese art, architecture, and culture, this tiny capital of Bhutan is nothing less than Shangri-La. (BLD)
Today's full day of sightseeing in the Thimphu valley will be our first real introduction to the way of life in this peaceful part of the world. We start the day with a walk to Tango Goemba, a monastery of the Mahayana school of Buddhism located outside the city. Here we are given the opportunity to witness how the locals are trained in the Buddhist way of life. In the afternoon we visit the National Library, which was established in the late 1960s to conserve the country's literary treasures, which form a significant part of Bhutan's cultural heritage.
While in the area we visit the nearby Institute for Zorig Chusum, commonly known as the Painting School, where students spend six years training in the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. (BLD)
Following breakfast we drive past the Trashi Chhoe Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion); a distinctively Bhutanese fortress-monastery erected in 1641on our way to visit the National Memorial Chorten with its finely executed wall paintings and delicately fashioned statues giving us a deep insight into the kingdom's Buddhist culture. Following the visit we are driven to Paro, located in a beautiful valley which encapsulates a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan's oldest temples and monasteries and the National Museum.
Mt. Chomolhari (7,300m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley, its glacial waters plunging through deep gorges to form the Pa Chu (Paro River). Today we visit Rinpung Dzong or the 'Fortress of the Heap of Jewels', which was built in 1646. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge (called the Nemi Zam) and then up a paved stone path running alongside the imposing outer walls. We also visit Ta Dzong, which is located on a ridge immediately overlooking Rinpung Dzong and was originally built as a watchtower to protect the dzong. It is now the National Museum and holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together with a small natural history collection. (BLD)
This morning we are taken to see the ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong, perched in the mountains and the departure point for many long-distance mountain treks. This dzong, with a picturesque village nestling below its ramparts, was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. Following the visit we undertake a walk to the Taktshang Monastery, the most famous of Bhutan's monasteries, which is perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this place, hence the monastery is also called 'Tiger's Nest'. This site is a place of pilgrimage which Bhutanese try to visit at least once in a lifetime. Though the climb is steep, the journey is most worthwhile on account of the superb views en-route. (BLD)
Early this morning we are taken to the airport for our flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi we are taken to our hotel for a two-night stay. In the afternoon we visit Bahai Temple or the Lotus Temple, a building looking a bit like the Sydney Opera House, which is the temple of all religions. This is followed by a Dances of India show and dinner. (BD)
Today we undertake a comprehensive tour of Old and New Delhi in which we get to see India Gate, the Houses of Parliament, Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques. We undertake an interesting rickshaw ride through the narrow streets and colorful alleys of Old Delhi's market places before being taken to the airport for your flight to Singapore departing later this evening. (BL)
On arrival in Singapore you remain in transit until your Singapore Airlines flight to Australia departs. You arrive home later this evening. (Meals in flight)
Welcome Home! All prices are subject to currency fluctuations, additional airline charges and changes in costs from ground suppliers. We reserve the right to vary any part of the tour at our sole discretion as circumstances may require.
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