COLORS OF CENTRAL INDIA

Transcription

1 travel with LESLEY ROBIN COLORS OF CENTRAL INDIA 16 DAYS 1-16, 2017 textiles, tribals and tigers Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh & West Bengal 1

2 TRIP DOSSIER 13 pages: A Brief Outline Itinerary, Your Detailed Itinerary, Important Notes as well as Booking Form & Booking Conditions on Pages 11 & DAYS 1-16 NOVEMBER 2017 $6695 LAND ONLY, per person twin sharing $1594 Single Supplement Date Brief Outline Itinerary Destinations Day 1 Wednesday 1 Meeting on arrival Delhi International Airport by independent flight arrangements. Transfer to hotel. Check-in from 2pm today. Delhi Airport Hotel Radisson Blu Day 2 Thursday 2 Early FLIGHT to Raipur in Chhattisgarh and drive to Kawardha. Kawardha - Kawardha Palace Hotel Day 3 Friday 3 Explore tribal villages and a haat (local market), a potters family and Bhoramdev Temple. Kawardha - Kawardha Palace Hotel Day 4 Saturday 4 Full day excursion to Gond and Baiga tribal villages. Kawardha - Kawardha Palace Hotel Day 5 Sunday 5 Morning drive to Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Afternoon game drive. Kanha The Baagh Forest Retreat Day 6 Monday 6 Morning game drive. Visit a tribal village and a homestead. Kanha The Baagh Forest Retreat Day 7 Tuesday 7 Travel day. 5-hour drive to airport for afternoon FLIGHT to Lucknow in Madhya Pradesh. Lucknow Hotel Vivanta by Taj Day 8 Wednesday 8 Sightseeing includes visit to SEWA, an organization of women artisans for applique and chikan embroidery. Take a Heritage Walk of the Chowk, the oldest market place. Lucknow - Hotel Vivanta by Taj 2

3 Date Brief Outline Itinerary Destinations Day 9 Thursday 9 Sightseeing and visit to the home and zardozi (gold threadwork) workshop of a designer couple. Lucknow Hotel Vivanta by Taj Day 10 Friday 10 Drive to Varanasi on the River Ganges, one of the most holy places in India. Varanasi Jukaso Ganges Heritage Hotel situated on the river Day 11 Saturday 11 Excursion to weaving villages. Afternoon sightseeing. Evening aarti (prayers) on the river. Varanasi Jukaso Ganges Heritage Hotel situated on the river Day 12 Sunday 12 Sunrise boat trip on the Ganges and walk the back lanes thronging with pilgrims. Visit Buddhist Sarnath. Evening FLIGHT to Kolkata in West Bengal. Kolkata Hotel Oberoi Grand Day 13 Monday 13 Day 14 Tuesday 14 Sightseeing includes a Heritage walk of colonial Kolkata and a visit to the Weavers Studio. Sightseeing includes the potters colony and an excursion to a women s kantha embroidery cooperative. Kolkata Hotel Oberoi Grand Kolkata Hotel Oberoi Grand Day 15 Wednesday 15 Visit Gurusaday Museum with a collection of 18th & 19th century kantha embroideries. This evening we come together for our farewell dinner. Kolkata Hotel Oberoi Grand Day 16 Thursday 16 End of Tour. Rooms are reserved until midday today. Transfer to international airport. A free day in Kolkata for those joining the 6-day Extension: Along the River Ganges. Kolkata Hotel Oberoi Grand 3

4 Lesley s experience of India spans more than three decades, bringing to our travels wide personal experience of this vast country s diverse cultures, religions and unique textile heritage. Journey into tribal Chhattisgarh and the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Discover a landscape of legendary cities, rural life and villages off the beaten track. Wander through bazaars awash with fabrics and bric-a-brac, fruit and vegetables, spices, herbs, sweets and snacks and items for everyday use. We ll explore the tribal villages and local markets of remote Kawardha. We ll stay in an eco retreat adjacent to Kanha National Park and take jeep safaris to view the elusive tiger, wildlife and birds and wake up in our Heritage hotel to the sunrise over the River Ganges, a short boat ride away from the heart of Varanasi, that most holy of temple cities. We ll have opportunity throughout our journey to meet textile designers and visit not-forprofit organizations. We ll encounter handloom weavers using silk and the finest cottons to produce glorious textiles with traditional Indian designs. In Lucknow we ll engage with rural women, highly skilled in chikan embroidery, while near Kolkata we ll visit a women s cooperative for kantha quilts, synonymous with West Bengal. Join us on this journey of a lifetime with fabulous photographic opportunities and experience the life-changing magic of travel! DETAILED ITINERARY: CENTRAL INDIA 2017 Day 1 1 WEDNESDAY Arrival in Delhi by your own independent air arrangements. Rooms available for check-in from 2pm today. Land arrangements begin with a transfer from Delhi International Airport to Hotel Radisson Blu. We come together before dinner this evening to meet each other and go over the trip. DELHI RADISSON BLU PLAZA AIRPORT HOTEL (Dinner) Day 2 2 THURSDAY An early start to the day with a 7.30am flight to Raipur in Chhattisgarh. Travel by car to Kawardha arriving in time for lunch at our 1930s palace hotel situated in 11 acres of garden in a very rural part of India, our base for the next 3 nights. Afternoon is at leisure to rest up after the journey and enjoy the palace grounds or perhaps visit the nearby town. KAWARDHA KAWARDHA PALACE (B, L, D) Kawardha is more a private guesthouse than a hotel with only 11 rooms. Single rooms are limited so please advise early if you require a single room. 4

5 Day 3 & 4 3, 4 FRIDAY, SATURDAY Kawardha lies in a predominantly tribal area on the edge of the Maikal hills in the Satpura Range. The main tribal group is the Baigas who were the original forest-dwelling aboriginals of Central India, many of whom still live close to nature and maintain an animistic way of life. This is an opportunity to go into the heart of an area that is relatively remote and unexplored. Over the next two days we ll visit Baiga and Gond tolas (tribal villages), their houses painted in indigo blue and turquoise as well as the weekly market at Taregaon which brings together people from outlying villages, dressed in their traditional clothing, to buy and sell their local produce, spices and herbs, textiles, bric-a-brac and household items for everyday use. Excursion to the 10th century Bhoramdeo Shiva temple with exquisite carvings and Amroudi village, where we ll meet several families of potters who make earthenware pots using traditional wheels. One evening we see traditional dances. KAWARDHA KAWARDHA PALACE (B, L, D daily) Day 5 5 SUNDAY A 3-hour drive brings us to Kanha National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh. In 1973 it became part of Project Tiger to preserve its natural resources and wildlife. This area was the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's classic, the "Jungle Book." It is home to diverse flora and fauna, including tiger, leopard, jackal, Indian Bison and many varieties of deer and birdlife. This afternoon we take a jungle safari in open jeeps with driver and naturalist guide. KANHA THE BAAGH (B,L,D) The Baagh is a tranquil eco forest retreat adjacent to Kanha National Park, situated in the Maikal Hills with hundreds of fruiting trees and small lakes woven into the landscape populated by a wide of variety of birdlife. Day 6 6 MONDAY Early game drive into the Park. The rest of the morning is at leisure to enjoy our beautiful surroundings. Perhaps take a leisurely stroll with one of the expert resident naturalists who will introduce you to the flora, fauna and birdlife. This afternoon an easy walk to a nearby village, the houses painted in bright turquoise with thickly thatched roofs. We visit a family homestead and gain an insight into the daily ways of tribal life and their traditions. KANHA THE BAAGH (B,L,D) 5

6 Day 7 7 TUESDAY Today s a travel day with a 5-hour drive to the airport for our afternoon flights to Lucknow, the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh arriving evening and our base for the next 3 nights. LUCKNOW HOTEL VIVANTA BY TAJ (B,L,D) Days 8 & 9 8, 9 WED, THURSDAY We ll explore Lucknow with its mosques and tombs, ornate palaces and gardens, historically associated with the Mughals and the British Raj. The rulings Nawabs of Avadh (Oudh) were great patrons of culinary art, music and dance. Lucknow s reputation as a city of culture and cuisine continues to this day. We take a Heritage walk in the main market situated in the Chowk, the city s old quarter with its maze of narrow lanes, flower markets piled high with the sweet smell of roses and jasmine. Shops sell everything from colorful kites to chikankari, the fine muslin delicately embroidered with threadwork dating back to the Mughal era. There ll be time to leisurely explore this visual overload! We ll visit some of the architecturally impressive highlights of the city including The Bara Imambara, La Martiniere College, Dilkusha Palace and gardens and the British Residency. We ll visit SEWA, the inspiring Self-employed Women s Association of chikan embroidery artisans, set up in 1984 to revive this traditional craft and to empower women through economic independence. They create high quality products using chikan work, applique and mukaish badla, one of the most beautiful embellishment and ornamentation art. We ll spend time at the home and workshop of designer couple Masood and Almas who will share with us the background of metal thread embroidery. Made of gold or silver and woven into silk fabrics using complex patterns, its origins are from the Mughal period. LUCKNOW HOTEL VIVANTA BY TAJ (B,L,D daily) Day FRIDAY Today is a travel day. Early departure for our morning s drive to Varanasi. Varanasi, also known as Benares or Kashi, the city of light is considered India s most holy pilgrimage place for Hindus. It has been a cultural, spiritual and religious center for nearly three thousand years. HOTEL JUKASO GANGES (B,L,D) Our small Heritage hotel is centrally located on one of the Ghats that lead down to the river and with views of the sunrise. We ll travel to and from it by small boat, a short distance from the important sites of Varanasi. 6

7 Day SATURDAY For centuries Varanasi was a major hub for the silk trade with weavers creating cloth in complex and glorious patterns, until power looms offered a cheaper and faster way to produce the same goods. This new technology left many highly skilled artisans with no means of livelihood. Loom to Luxury is a true success story in the revival and regeneration of quality and luxurious clothing, saris and shawls that are sold in boutiques across India. We visit a rural village and meet some of the people and weavers involved in this project. In the late afternoon we ll walk along the Ghats and into the backstreets, a maze of narrow winding lanes with thousands of pilgrims, small wayside temples and shrines decorated with flowers and incense. Attend the evening aarti, daily prayers that take place daily at dawn and dusk when oil lamps are offered, bells are rung and sacred scriptures chanted to the holy Mother Ganges. A very atmospheric time on the river. HOTEL JUKASO GANGES (B,L,D) Day SUNDAY At sunrise we take an early morning boat ride on the river seeing pilgrims take a dip and perform Hindu rituals, when the Ganges is worshipped as a living goddess. After breakfast we ll visit Badi bazaar, a weavers colony with many small shops selling handloom silks and brocades, with designs woven into the warp and weft. Here a large community of weavers is involved in the process of dyeing, warping and weaving. Afternoon drive to Sarnath and visit the 5th century Dhamekh Stupa that is built on the site believed to be where the Buddha gave his first major teaching. Visit the Archaeological Museum with a collection of Buddhist artifacts. We take the evening flight to Kolkata, capital of West Bengal and have a late dinner on arrival. KOLKATA THE OBEROI GRAND HOTEL (B,L,D) Our hotel dates back to the late 1880s and is an iconic landmark situated in the heart of the city with bustling markets on its doorstep. Days 13, 14 & 15 13, 14, 15 MON, TUE, WED Over the next 3 days we ll explore Kolkata. Formerly known as Calcutta, it sits on the banks of the great Hooghly river, a vibrant city with a rich colonial architecture. We ll visit to the Flower market and see views of the famous Howrah Bridge. Enjoy a Heritage walk of Dalhousie Square, the infamous Black Hole, Writer s Building (formerly the Headquarters of the East India Company) and Government House. 7

8 Visit the Victoria Memorial and the opulent Marble Palace providing a glimpse into the life of a rich 19th century Bengali household. There ll also be time at leisure to explore the markets close to our hotel and for independent shopping. We ll spend time at Gurusaday Museum with its folk art and crafts and renowned collection of 19th and 20th century kantha embroideries. Kanthas are the way in which women recycled old saris, using a simple running stitch to create decorative patterns reflecting everyday life, often inspired by nature, animals and birds. We meet a designer who uses gamchas (the traditional Indian and Bangladeshi cotton towels worn by men) to make unusual saris. We visit the Weavers Studio that works with both men and women at grassroots to produce contemporary and hand crafted textiles as well as Kumartuli, where a community of potters create life-sized figures of gods and goddesses for a myriad of festivals. We ll make a morning s excursion to Tiljala Panchanna Gram Society, a women s cooperative a short drive out of the city, where high-end items including quilts and saris are handmade using their tradition of kantha stitch work. We ll have an opportunity to engage with women in a local village and see them at work. On our final evening we come together for our farewell dinner. KOLKATA THE OBEROI GRAND HOTEL (B,L,D daily) Day THURSDAY Rooms are reserved at the hotel until 12noon today. Breakfast is served during normal hotel breakfast hours. Transfer to Delhi Airport for your return flight home. A day for independent activities in Kolkata for those joining the 6-day Extension: Along the River Ganges. KOLKATA THE OBEROI GRAND HOTEL (B,D) TOUR DIRECTOR, LESLEY ROBIN: Lesley s experience of India spans more than 30 years, bringing to our journey a personal and in depth knowledge of this vast country with its diverse culture. Her interest in textiles began in the late 70s when she settled in Dharamsala (Western Himalayas) exiled home of the Tibetan Dalai Lama. Here she helped set up projects with local weavers. Her knowledge of eastern culture, Hinduism and Buddhism and her interest in the textile & craft heritage of the Indian sub-continent is a result of her extensive travels throughout the region. For further information please Lesley: lesley@exclusivejourneys.com 8

9 IMPORTANT NOTES PASSPORTS: Passports need to be valid for 6 months beyond trip dates. A visa is required for India. Indian Visas: Holders of British and American passports, as well as citizens from many other countries, are now able to apply online for the Indian e-tourist Visa (etv). An easy process, this visa allows the holder to enter India at sixteen designated airports for two visits per year of one-month duration each. GENERAL INFORMATION: Two months prior to the start of the tour you will be sent comprehensive pre-departure details pertaining to health, clothing, climate, hotels, obtaining your Indian visa etc. In the meantime if you have any questions or require assistance with any arrangements additional to the itinerary please let us know. FINAL PAYMENT: Is due 12 weeks before departure (9 August, 2017) in order to guarantee hotels and flights within India. TOUR PRICE: $6695 LAND ONLY per person, twin sharing $1594 SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT Supplement for single rooms pays for privacy and not better accommodation. TOUR PRICE INCLUDES: International Airport Transfers: Transfers are included on arrival and departure. Sightseeing & Transport: Sightseeing as per itinerary and transport by private coach, cars and jeep as well as domestic flights. Accommodation: Based on twin bedded rooms, double occupancy with shower/bath. We stay in a variety hotels from 5* and 4* hotels, Heritage hotels and an Eco-lodge, chosen for their charm and location and the best available in the rural areas. Meals: All meals are included with tea/coffee. Bottled mineral water is provided with lunch/dinner. B- breakfast, L lunch, D Dinner. Guides: The services of Tour Director Lesley Robin throughout and local guides where appropriate. Baggage: Baggage handling for maximum 2 bags not to exceed 50lbs. Gratuities: All group tips are included for local guides and bus drivers, hotel housekeeping and restaurant personnel, porters, craft visits, safari drivers and naturalist guides, etc. in connection with the services provided. There are no hidden extras. Entrance Fees & Camera Fees: To all monuments and museums are included. 9

10 TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Round-trip international flights to India Indian visa fee and Travel Insurance Excess baggage charges on internal flights Meals not specified as included Personal expenses including alcoholic beverages, room service, laundry charges, phone calls etc. INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS: International airfare is NOT included in the price of Land Arrangements. This tour begins in Delhi and ends in Kolkata (Calcutta). SPACE IS LIMITED TO 18 PERSONS RESERVE EARLY Jenni Lipa is the CEO of Spa Trek Travel, New York that is fully IATA/CAA protected and can arrange your international flights to join this trip. Jenni has many years of experience in the world of travel and she personally takes care of all bookings in the USA for Lesley s tours. Should you require assistance with any arrangements additional to the itinerary please let us know. In the meantime do not delay in reserving your place on this fabulous trip! SEE BOOKING FORM & BOOKING CONDITIONS ON THE PAGES BELOW. To contact Jenni please jenni@spatrek.com or Tel: (+1)

11 BOOKING FORM COLORS OF CENTRAL INDIA: 1-16, 2017 Surname Full Name (as on passport).. Nationality Date of Birth... Place of Birth (City & Country).... Passport No. Place of Issue Date of Issue Date of Expiry Address for Correspondence:... Telephone (day): Telephone (home):. Telephone (cell): I shall be accompanied by: (optional) Please reserve me a place in a SINGLE YES/NO (delete as appropriate) NOTE: For hotels and airline bookings we require a copy of your passport details (photograph page) please scan and with your Booking Form. INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS: Indicate if you would like SPA TREK TRAVEL to book your international flight Indicate if you are arranging your international flights independently YES/NO (delete as appropriate) YES/NO (delete as appropriate) EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS DURING THE TOUR Please supply minimum 1 person s contact details: NAME & ADDRESS: TELEPHONE NUMBER: NAME & ADDRESS: TELEPHONE NUMBER: I have read the Conditions of Booking and I agree on behalf of all persons listed above by whom I am authorized to make this agreement Signed:. Date: $500 per person $ Check (payable to SteveJen Inc) enclosed for total: $ Please Note: We accept payment only by check or wire-transfer. SPA TREK TRAVEL 475 PARK AVE SOUTH 34 TH FLR NEW YORK NY jenni@spatrek.com Tel: (+1)

12 Booking Terms & Conditions of SPA TREK TRAVEL Your contract is with SPA TREK TRAVEL (Company number EIN ). We are also an agent for IATA (The International Air Transport Association) for which our membership number is Making your booking Please complete the provided booking form and send it to us together with the deposit, or full payment if your booking is within 14 weeks of departure. Provided the tour is available we will make all arrangements and send you a confirmation of your booking and all relevant details. If the tour is not available, we will return your deposit or full payment. Once we have confirmed your booking, your deposit is non-refundable except in the special circumstances mentioned below. We will send you a final invoice approximately 16 weeks prior to departure and this will show any surcharges due. You must pay the full balance of your holiday 14 weeks before departure. We may otherwise treat the booking as cancelled and apply our cancellation charges. We will send you your e-tickets and documents approximately 21 days before travel. What your money buys The tour price includes: Twin or double-bedded room with private bath or shower at the named hotels or substitutes of the same standard. Meals are as specified on your confirmation. Meetings, transfers, surface transportation by car, bus or train. Tour prices cover only the services and duration shown on each itinerary. Check-out time from rooms is generally 12 noon. Economy class air travel inclusive of all ticketable airport taxes, fuel surcharges which will be secured at the lowest available fare at the time of booking (with any supplements payable due to lack of flight availability advised to you for your approval before confirmation). Once booked your airline ticket(s) will be 100 % non-refundable. Where, for reasons of force majeure, altered services are taken or the duration of the tour is extended, we reserve the right to pass on additional costs in full. Excluded are all expenses of a personal nature such as drinks or laundry. Group tours are based on a minimum number of persons travelling. We must regretfully reserve the right not to operate any tour on which there are insufficient bookings 8 weeks before departure. Full payment, including your deposit, will be refunded. Your luggage and belongings Our ground arrangements allow for you to take one suitcase and one piece of hand luggage. If you have booked your flights through us we will advise you of your weight restrictions. Please check with your airline if you have arranged your own flights. Airlines and Seating We are able to quote for airline ticketing on the lowest and best routing. If we obtain tickets by using your mileage, there is a service fee. Specified seating is something not available until 30 days prior to departure. Delays at Point of Departure The scheduled airlines we use will generally provide meals and accommodation to passengers already checked-in in the event of extended delays. Spa Trek Travel and Exclusive Journeys cannot be held responsible for any alterations that are necessary as a result of any delays caused directly or indirectly to the international flights for reasons within or outside of theirs or the carrier s control. Passports, Visas and Health You must have a American Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond your return date and at least two blank pages available in your passport. All names on the booking must be exactly as per your passport. If you do not hold an American passport or do not meet these requirements or have any doubt as to your eligibility to enter INDIA then please contact us for further advice before confirming your booking. Age and Health We do not operate any age limit on our holidays. However if you are over 80 years of age, we strongly recommend that you are fit and healthy to travel and take your own responsibility. In many of the countries in which we operate, medical facilities are poor and if you do fall ill appropriate treatment may be difficult to access. There are no formal health requirements except for those who have recently visited a Yellow Fever area. Recommended precautions will be advised with the confirmation of booking. All clients are themselves responsible for ensuring that they conform to the health regulations regarding vaccinations. Surcharges Our Policy All costs quoted are the most up-to-date prices available for October All prices quoted are subject to unforeseen increases such as currency fluctuation and are in the main based on negotiated group rates and therefore subject to minimum numbers. The price of your tour is subject to surcharges on the following items for increases in transportation costs, e.g. scheduled airfares and any other airline surcharge which is part of the contract between airlines (and their agents) and the tour operator, government action such as increases in VAT or any other government imposed increases, currency in relation to adverse exchange rate variations, fuel for road vehicles. Even in these cases we will absorb an amount equivalent to 2% of the tour price, which excludes insurance premiums and any amendment charges. Only amounts in excess of this 2% will be surcharged. If this means paying more than 10% on the tour price, you will be entitled to cancel your tour with a full refund of all monies paid except for any deposits paid to the airline which in some circumstances may be non-refundable, and any premium paid to us for tour insurance and amendment charges. Should you decide to cancel because of this, you must exercise your right to do so within 14 days from the issue date printed on the invoice. 12

13 Cancellations If you find you cannot take your tour and have to cancel for whatever reason, you will forfeit your deposit. If you cancel, we must receive your cancellation in writing. The penalties are as follows: Between time of booking and 98 Days before departure - Loss of Deposit Between days before departure - 30% Between days before departure - 50% Between 35 - Departure - 100% For International air travel booked with Spa Trek Travel, rules apply pertaining to ticket issued. Travel Insurance Travel insurance is required to travel on one of our tours. Please note you must make sure your insurance includes cancellation & repatriation. Your travel insurance must cover the destinations you will be visiting along with any activities you are taking part in. (Please ask if you need any assistance with an insurance quote). Alterations by ourselves We will do our utmost to provide the tour arrangements that have been confirmed. We reserve the right to modify or cancel any tour, flight schedule, accommodation or arrangement if unforeseen circumstances arise or if our minimum number of 10 travelers per tour is not met. In such rare circumstances, we will inform you as soon as possible and, should the change be such that it alters the nature of your tour, we shall offer you the choice of an alternative tour or a full refund of all monies paid to ourselves. Our liabilities to you We do not exclude or limit any liability to our clients which may arise from proven negligence by any person employed directly by us or by our suppliers and subcontractors, servants or agents of the same whilst acting in the course of their employment in respect of death, bodily injury or illness. If our suppliers are able to exclude or limit liability by virtue of any international convention we will claim the benefit of that exclusion or limitation. Such liabilities shall be subject to US law and all proceedings shall be within the exclusive domain of the US courts. We accept responsibility for ensuring that all parts of the tour are supplied as described and that all services shall reach a reasonable standard. These obligations and responsibilities shall be limited where international conventions in respect of air or sea carriers apply. Naturally we cannot assume responsibility for loss or expense due to war, riots, strikes, terrorist activities or natural disasters. Complaints If you have cause for complaint, it makes sense to sort out the problem on the spot, so you can continue to enjoy your tour. If the matter cannot be rectified whilst you are on tour, please write and tell us as soon as possible after you get back and we will do our best to sort it out promptly. In the unlikely event that you are still unhappy, IATAN s arbitration scheme may be called upon (details on request) by either side to bring matters to a speedy and amicable solution. You may alternatively refer the matter to any court of law. Debit, Credit and Charge Cards We do NOT accept payment by credit or debit cards. Payment by Check only or Bank Wire. Consumer Protection For Bookings that originate and paid for in the US, your tour is protected and licensed by VWT, Inc. with IATAN number When you buy an IATAN protected air inclusive package from us, you will an invoice confirming your arrangements and your protection under our IATAN number. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, IATAN will ensure that you are not left stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking. For further information visit the IATAN website Spa Trek Travel 475 Park Ave South 34 th Floor New York, NY USA Tel: