Intrepid's real life experiences in india, nepal ... - Intrepid Travel

North India UnpluggedtripcodehhrrBasix22 days, Delhi to KolkataDeparts every Sunday from July - MarchDEPARTUREGUARANTEEDITINERARY... Days 1-2 Delhi Discover the beating heart of OldDelhi - its narrow streets burst with stores selling spices, saris andincense. The next day, board an overnight sleeper train and headtowards Rajasthan. Days 3-5 Jaisalmer/Camel Safari FromJaisalmer, experience nomadic life on an overnight camel safarithrough the Thar Desert. Eat local delicacies by the campfire andsleep under a blanket of stars. Days 6-7 Jodhpur Sip on a lassiand admire views of the colossal Mehrangarh Fort. Wander amongcolourful saris and sparkling bangles in the Sadar Bazaar, one of theoldest markets in India. Days 8-10 Udaipur India’s most romanticcity, Udaipur, is a centre for artists and musicians. Why not havedinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the lake? Days 11-12Pushkar Mingle with holy men in spiritual Pushkar and perhapstake a walk to Savitri Temple for sunrise. Days 13-14 Jaipur Seethe intricate, pink sandstone latticework of the Hawa Mahal, the‘Palace of the Winds’, then have a unique cinema experience at anoptional Bollywood movie screening. Day 15 Bharatpur Why nottake a relaxing bicycle ride through the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary?Days 16-17 Agra Discover spectacular views from the Red Fortand admire the elegant architecture of the Taj Mahal - sunriseover this iconic monument is worth rising early for. Days 18-20Varanasi The holiest place for Hindus, Varanasi is a city of ritualand ceremony. Days 21-22 Kolkata The former capital of BritishIndia boasts dramatic colonial architecture. Browse flower marketsor sample the tangy Bengali cuisine.• Bargain hard forsouvenirs in Delhi• Experience Rajasthaninomad life in Jaisalmer• Browse at one ofIndia’s oldest markets• Fall in love withbeautiful UdaipurPhysicalculturAL• Catch a golden sunrisefrom the SavitriTemple in Pushkar• Visit the legendaryTaj Mahal in Agra• Get spiritual in the holycity of VaranasiACCOMMODATION Simple hotel/guesthouse (17 nts), basic camping (1 nt),overnight train (3 nts) TRANSPORT Overnight train, train, local bus, autorickshaw, cycle rickshaw, camel GROUP SIZE Max 12 MEALS 1 Breakfast, 1Dinner BUDGET See trip notes for additional costs of meals not included,optional activities & personal spending DEPARTS Every Sun from Jul-Mar &selected Tue & Fri GUARANTEE Departure guaranteed CARBON EMISSIONSOFFSET 400 kg pp per trip NOTES A small surcharge applies to departuresvisiting Pushkar during the camel fair. TRAVELLER RATING 4.72 out of 5Photo Competition, Candlelit ceremony, Varanasi, India - Justina Lee93 IndiaSouthern IndiatripcodehhssOriginal15 days, ex KochiDeparts every Friday from September - MarchDEPARTUREGUARANTEEDITINERARY... Days 1-2 Kochi Visit fragrant spice bazaars, antiqueshops, Mattancherry Palace and historic Fort Kochi. Enjoy anexciting traditional Kathakali dance performance in the evening.Days 3-4 Ootacamund Ride the famous toy train throughrolling plantations and learn the secret of making the perfect brewat a tea garden. Day 5 Mudumalai National Park Stay in ajungle retreat at the foot of the Nilgiri Hills. Safari into the wilds ofMudumalai National Park, home to tigers, panthers, elephants andspotted deer. Days 6-7 Mysore View the illuminated stained glasswindows of the ornate Maharaja’s Palace, dine with a local friendand travel to the Keshava Temple - a great example of Hoysalaarchitecture. Day 8 Mamallapuram Travel to Mamallapuram,cycle around the Shore Temple and see the massive rock carvingknown as Arjuna’s Penance. Day 9 Pondicherry Follow the sceniccoastal road to the French-influenced Pondicherry and visit the SriAurobindo Ashram. Day 10 Madurai Witness mysterious ritualsin the Sri Meenakshi Temple, a labyrinth of lamp-lit corridors andshrines. Days 11-12 Periyar National Park Travel throughrubber, tea and coffee plantations, then breathe in the fresh aromaof spices on a visit to a spice farm. At Periyar National Park, try totrack herds of elephants. Day 13 Kerala Backwaters HomestayShare a traditional feast with a local family and take a sunset cruisethrough the backwaters. Days 14-15 Kochi Enjoy free timeexploring the vibrant streets of Kochi, filled with Portuguese, Dutchand British Raj architecture.PhysicalculturAL• Admire the mish-mashof architecture in Kochi• Ride a train throughtea plantations• Safari into MudumalaiNational Park• Savour the aromas at aspice farmGo large in India...Why not add on theClassic Rajasthan tripfor the ultimate Indiaexperience? See page92 for the full itinerary.ACCOMMODATION Guesthouse/hotel (11 nts), homestay (1 nt), dormitory (1nt), overnight train (1 nt) TRANSPORT Overnight train, train, private vehicle,private boat, ferry, local bus, auto rickshaw, cycle rickshaw GROUP SIZE Max12 MEALS 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners BUDGET See trip notes foradditional costs of meals not included, optional activities & personal spendingDEPARTS Every Fri from Sep-Mar & selected Tue & Fri GUARANTEE Departureguaranteed CARBON EMISSIONS OFFSET 305 kg pp per trip TRAVELLERRATING 4.66 out of 5Photo Competition, River reflections, Kerala, India - Nikita ShethAdditional information about this destination is available at intrepidtravel.com