Includes 11 breakfasts and 10 dinners!

Transcription

1 Includes 11 breakfasts and 10 dinners!

2 If you ve ever dreamt of visiting India and uncovering this diverse and spiritual land, then this tour is the one for you. Offering an inspiring introduction to this colourful country, our 12 day solo tour combines visits to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi and Lucknow. We start with two nights in the bustling metropolis of Delhi, where we ll travel in time between old and new, discovering both parts of this fascinating city. Next we head to Varanasi, for two nights in one of the oldest and holiest cities in India, where we ll take a dawn boat ride on the Ganges River and discover the Ghats, where Hindu pilgrims come to cleanse their souls of sin in the waters. On Day 5 we head to the charming city of Lucknow, for two days of sightseeing, with visits to a Chikan embroidery workshop and a walking food tour of some of the world famous traditional roadside eateries. Day 6 sees us heading to the alluring city of Agra and home of the Taj Mahal. Our dawn visit allows us to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site in its best light, before we head off on a sightseeing tour of Agra itself. Next we head to flamboyant Jaipur, a treasure-trove of culture, art and history, famous for its colour, lifestyle and Rajasthani cuisine. Here we ll take part in the Festival of Colours - Holi, celebrating the end of winter and the arrival of spring with live music, dance, drinks and delicacies along with the chance to take to the streets to throw colourful gulal (powder) over each other! Our last full day includes a city tour of Jaipur itself with visits to the Amber Fort, the Hawa Mahal and the City Palace Museum. That s 12 days in a colourful, vibrant and spiritual land on an adventure you won t forget. Will you join us? Don t forget, if you fancy even more adventure, our India and Sri Lanka Tours can be booked as back to back tours

3 12 DAY SOLO TOUR - FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 Day 1-21 February 2018 ARRIVE DELHI Welcome to India! Upon arrival at the airport, you ll be met by your Tour Guide and transferred to your hotel. Your Two s a Crowd Tour Host will meet you at the hotel to assist with check-in, answer any questions you may have and confirm the time for our welcome breakfast and tour briefing on Day 2. Once checked in, there ll be plenty of free time to explore your new surroundings and settle in. Accommodation: ITC Welcom Dwarka (Deluxe Room) Day 2-22 February 2018 OLD AND NEW DELHI (B,D) Day 2 starts with a welcome breakfast and tour briefing and is followed by a guided sightseeing tour covering the highlights of the remarkable contrast between Mughal Old Delhi and Colonial New Delhi. We start in Old Delhi with a drive past the renowned 17th-century landmark Lal Qila (Red Fort) before we head to Jama Masjid. Built by Shah Jahan between 1644 and 1658, the Jama Masjid is one of India s largest mosques, capable of holding up to 25,000 people. Next up is a colourful rickshaw ride through the busy lanes and bustling markets of Chandni Chowk. Our tour of New Delhi starts with a drive down the spectacular Rajpath, a vast parade linking India Gate to the offices of the India Government and known as the Kingsway. We also visit the President s House, the Parliament House and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Qutub Minar, which boasts the tallest minaret in India and is a stunning example of Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel. Accommodation: ITC Welcom Dwarka (Deluxe Room) Day 3-23 February 2018 DELHI - VARANASI (FLIGHT) (B,D) After breakfast, we transfer to Delhi airport and board a flight to Varanasi. One of the most colourful and fascinating places on Earth, Varanasi is one of the oldest and holiest cities. On arrival we ll be met by our Tour Guide at the Airport and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the local markets for Banarasi silk, cherished as a collector s item across the world. In the evening we ll witness a grand prayer ceremony on the ghats of the river Ganges. Accommodation: Hotel Ramada (Superior Room)

4 12 DAY SOLO TOUR - FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 Day 4-24 February 2018 VARANASI (B,D) Today we begin with a magical dawn boat ride on the Ganges River, for an unparalleled view of the ghats and temples as we glide past the bathers and funeral pyres. Ghats are giant steps leading down to the river, where Hindu pilgrims come to cleanse their souls of sin in the waters. At this time of day, the river is awash with early morning bathers, raising their faces to the rising sun and reciting the sacred mantra on the riverbanks to wash, socialise and worship. We ll visit some of the ghats themselves before heading back to the hotel for breakfast. Next we take a trip to the BHU (Banaras Hindu University). Considered to be the biggest residential university in Asia, the BHU houses an Art Gallery and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Our final visit today is to Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon and which is now one of the four key sites on the Buddhist circuit, attracting followers from around the world. Accommodation: Hotel Ramada (Superior Room) Day 5-25 February 2018 VARANASI - LUCKNOW (TRAIN) (B,D) This morning we take a packed breakfast with us as we transfer to the railway station and board our train to Lucknow. Known as The City of Nawabs Lucknow, is an intriguing blend of old world charm, beautiful architecture, courteous people, warm hospitality and rich heritage. On arrival we ll meet our Tour Guide at the railway station and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is yours at leisure to relax, unwind and explore. Accommodation: Golden Tulip (Club Room) Day 6-26 February 2018 LUCKNOW (B,D) Today we take a a sightseeing tour of Lucknow. After breakfast our first stop is Bara Imambara, an Islamic tomb which houses an array of sites to discover. Within the complex, we ll visit the Asfi mosque, and the Bhul-Bhulayah, also known as the labyrinth, an enticing network of narrow passageways that winds its way inside the upper floors of the tomb s structure. Next we head to the Government Museum, a must see, modern three-storied building situated within the Banarasi Bagh area of Lucknow. Lucknow is considered the heart of the Chikan embroidery

5 12 DAY SOLO TOUR - FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 industry, renowned for its timeless grace and delicacy and dating back more than 2000 years. In the afternoon we ll visit a Chikan workshop where you ll get to see this beautiful craft being performed by skilled workers. In the evening we ll enjoy a walking food tour* of Lucknow which allows us to hop in and out of some of the world famous traditional roadside eateries. Some of the eateries we visit include Mobeen s Pasanda, Raheem s Nihari Gosht, Bismillha s or Idris Biryani and Tundey Kebab. Our evening will end with a fabulous Indian ice cream at Chanakya s Kulf. *The walking food tour (18:45 hrs). It starts and ends at Akbari Gate. The total duration is about 1.5 hours. Accommodation: Golden Tulip (Club Room) Day 7-27 February 2018 LUCKNOW - AGRA (TRAIN) (B,D) This morning is free for you to explore the local bazaar until midday. Then we ll transfer to Lucknow railway station to board our train to Tundla. On arrival we ll meet our Tour Guide and transfer to our hotel in magical Agra. Known primarily for being the home of the Taj Mahal, this alluring city has plenty to offer, not least the fascinating architecture left by the Mughal Empire, much of which you ll see as we pass by. Accommodation: Clarks Shiraz (Standard Room) Day 8-28 February 2018 AGRA (B,D) Day 8 begins with an early morning visit to see the sun rise over the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Taj Mahal. Undisputedly one of the world s most beautiful buildings, in the soft morning light, as the mist rises from the Yamuna River, it seems to float like a mirage above the surrounding landscape. Built from dazzling marble, its colour changes from white to yellow, to cream, to almost orange. An exquisite image that you ll remember forever. We return to our hotel for breakfast before we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Agra itself. Our tour begins with a visit to one of the finest Mughal forts in India, the Agra Fort. Built by Emperor Akbar between 1565 and 1571, this palatial red sandstone and marble fortress consists of a plethora of courtyards displaying a mixture of Islamic and Hindu styles of architecture. This wonderful day ends with a visit to Itimad-Ud-Daulah, nicknamed the Baby Taj, and another fine example of Mughal architecture. Accommodation: Clarks Shiraz (Standard Room)

6 12 DAY SOLO TOUR - FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 Day 9-1 March 2018 AGRA - JAIPUR (B,D) After a leisurely breakfast we head off to Abhaneri Stepwell, an ancient village in Rajasthan, renowned for its 10th-century monument Chand Baori, an incredible geometric wonder and one of the largest stepwells in India. Next we continue on to the enthralling city of Jaipur. A treasure-trove of culture, art and history, famous for its colour, life style and Rajasthani cuisine, this city exudes flamboyancy and extravagant richness, as well as being host to a multitude of historical temples and shrines. Accommodation: Golden Tulip (Standard Room) Day 10-2 March 2018 JAIPUR - HOLI CELEBRATION Today we get the chance to take part in the colourful and vibrant festival of Holi at the Narain Niwas Palace*. The most boisterous of Hindu festivals, Holi is celebrated across all four corners of India and across the globe. Known as The Festival of Colours the Holi celebrates the end of winter and the arrival of Spring, a season of hope and joy. The morning is filled with live music, dance, drinks and mouthwatering delicacies, before both children and adults take to the streets to throw colourful gulal (powder) over each other. Dyed water is shot from pichkaries (water guns), thrown from buckets and poured into balloons, which are then tossed at people. After an exhilarating day of fun and frolics, we return to our hotel to clean up and relax! Accommodation: Golden Tulip (Standard Room) *The Narain Niwas Celebration includes: Welcome Drink (Non-Alcoholic Beverages) Lunch Live traditional Music Kurta Pyjama (For both men and women) Traditional Turbans Changing room facility Herbal colours + Water Guns + Water Balloons Indian Snacks (2 veg+ 2 non-veg + Mineral Water)

7 12 DAY SOLO TOUR - FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 Day 11-3 March 2018 JAIPUR (B,D) Our last full day on tour begins with a guided visit to Amber Fort, with a photo stop en-route at the Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of Winds. The Amber Fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, comprising an extensive complex, built from pale yellow and pink sandstone and white marble. Next we enjoy a guided tour of Jaipur itself, starting with the City Palace Museum. Boasting priceless, handwritten Hindu scriptures, miniature delicate paintings and preserved painted ceilings, the museum is registered in the Guinness Book of Records for containing the biggest silver objects in the world. Our sightseeing tour ends with a visit to Jantar Mantar, one of the famed observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. Built for measuring the heavens, in 2010 it was added to India s list of Unesco World Heritage Sites. We then return to the hotel with time to get ready for our farewell dinner. Accommodation: Golden Tulip (Standard Room) Optional Tour: Hot Air Balloon Ride over Jaipur AU$ per person One of the best ways to see Jaipur is from up high and this optional Hot Air Balloon Safari will allow you to do just that. Enjoy the peace and serenity as you behold the breathtaking sights of this spectacular region. This one-hour flight over India s pink city provides an exhilarating experience as you drift over the mountains, traditional villages, rural fields, palaces and the spectacular Amber Fort. The flights are operated early in the morning and late afternoon and your experience will start with pick-up from your Jaipur hotel and transfer to launch site, where you will receive hot tea and other refreshments. Listen to a briefing and watch with awe as the Hot Air Balloon inflates while the ground crew prepare for your flight. Day 12-4 March 2018 JAIPUR - DELHI DEPARTURE (B) After breakfast we transfer to the airport for your flight home or onto further adventures.

8 IRRESISTIBLE AMAZON AND INDIA INCA ADVENTURE 12 DAY 16 DAY SOLO SOLOS TOUR TOUR - FEBRUARY/MARCH MARCH/APRIL TOUR PRICING $5,245 PLUS INTERNATIONAL AIRFARES TOUR DATES: 21 FEBRUARY - 4 MARCH 2018 Tour Inclusions: Transport as described in the itinerary (fully insured vehicle with heating and air conditioning and professional driver). 14 nights quality hotel accommodation in your own room always! English speaking Tour Guide throughout complemented by local English speaking guides. Entrance fees to the attractions as per itinerary. We include general admission tickets (there might be some optional paying zones inside some of the attractions, not included). Cycle rickshaw ride in Old Delhi. Domestic Flight from Delhi Varanasi in Economy Class. Viewing of Grand Prayer Ceremony in Varanasi. Sunrise boat ride (shared boat) on river Ganges. Culinary Walking Food Tour in Lucknow. Train Fare for Varanasi Lucknow & Lucknow Agra sectors in A/c Chair Car Cabin. Morning visit to Taj Mahal. A group photograph clicked in front of the monument of love Taj Mahal. Holi Festival Celebration in Jaipur. Jeep ride (shared Jeep) at Amber Fort in Jaipur. All the transfers hotel/airport are with tour guide assistance. Meals as per itinerary: 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 10 dinners. One bottle of mineral water per person per day (during drives and sightseeing only). All applicable and current taxes. Two s a Crowd tour host from Australia. Standard CHI Travel Insurance Policy. Additional premium may be payable if over 59 years, have an existing medial condition or wish to extend your travelling dates. Insurance supplier is Suresave (Underwritten by Lloyds of London). Tour Exclusions: Meals not specifed in the itinerary. Items of a personal nature. International airfares (we can arrange flights on your behalf). Tips for guides, drivers and porters (suggested tips are US$8 for guide and US$4 for driver per day). Tips can be offered to guides/drivers at your discretion, but they are not compulsory. Airport taxes (if applicable) and visa fees NEED MORE INFORMATION? CONTACT THE TEAM: ( P hone: (AUS) or (NZ) team@twosacrowd.com.au ABOUT TWO S A CROWD: We are an award winning tour company exclusively dedicated to the needs of solo travellers. At Two s a Crowd, single and solo travellers have access to fantastic itineraries at great prices without ever feeling like a third wheel to someone else s private getaway. Our travellers enjoy the best of both worlds: private time, personalised attention, low single supplements, as well as the camaraderie of like-minded travellers. For your peace of mind we are ATAS accredited (No A13850) Our commitment is to make solo travel more enjoyable and affordable. Terms & Conditions: Prices are per person and based on sole use rooms throughout Pricing correct at 31 March 2017 and is subject to change until paid in full. Refer to our website for full terms and conditions Travel Passion Pty Ltd ABN trading as Two s a Crowd. Two s a Crowd and the disk logo are registered trademarks of Travel Passion Pty Ltd. AMAZON AND INCA ADVENTURE