Day 1 - Monday

Delhi

Meeting at the international airport with the Ofakim representative and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2 - Tuesday

Delhi, Amritsar

Transfer to the airport and flight to Amritsar.

Meeting at the international airport with the Ofakim representative and transfer to the hotel.

At nightfall we will go to the Golden Temple to watch and maybe even take part in the temple's daily closing ceremony.

Day 3 - Wednesday

Amritsar

Today will be our first real encounter with India and its sights, colors, sounds and rituals.

This morning we will go for a fascinating tour of the Golden Temple, the holiest site for the Sikhs. The most famous and sacred part of the Golden Temple complex is the Hari Mandir (Divine Temple) at the center of a large body of water. Around it, there are beautifully decorated buildings that give the place an aura of tales from A Thousand and One Nights.

We will go to another part of this sacred site, to the dining hall and the kitchen which cater for 35.000 people a day on a voluntary basis and are the biggest in the world.

After our visit to the temple complex, we will walk along the colorful streets of Amritsar.

Back to the hotel.

Day 4 - Thursday

Amritsar, Rishikesh

A train ride is another unique experience in India, and in particular on the prestigious Shatabdi train. We will rise early to board the Shatabdi for Rishikesh where we will arrive around midday.

Rishikesh is a spiritual center enveloped in mystery on the banks of the Ganges River and at the southern edge of the Himalayas.

Upon arrival, we will visit one of Rishikesh’s numerous ashrams that serve both as religious and spiritual centers.

Transfer to the hotel.

Day 5 - Friday

Rishikesh, Haridwar

After breakfast we will continue our tour of this special town.

We will go to another ashram and see the city’s temples.

After lunch we will go to Haridwar, one of India’s seven sacred cities and the gateway (Dar) to the holy shrines of Shiva (Har) and Vishnu (Hari), two of the most important Hindu Gods. This ancient city also sits on the banks of the Ganges River and large numbers of pilgrims come to bathe there and to wash away their sins. The height of the pilgrimages is in mid-April at the beginning of the Hindu solar year.

We will take the cable car up to Mansa Devi Temple, situated on a hill above the city. In the evening, we will go to a folklore performance with spectacular fire displays.

Back to the hotel in Rishikesh.

Day 6 - Saturday

Rishikesh, Neela Kantha Temple

We will begin the day early and go for a Yoga lesson on the banks of the Ganges.

We will go back to the hotel for a late breakfast, calm and relaxed. After breakfast, our bus will take us to Neela Kantha Temple.

We will take a jeep trip along the Ganges and take in the wonderful scenery of the Himalayas in the background.

At the end of the jeep route, we will go on a short trek to the temple famous for the fresh air that you breathe there and for the beautiful views all around. The temple is named after another version of Shiva’s name and pilgrims bring water from the Ganges here as an offering to this important god who, tradition tells, meditated there for the first time before going up into the Himalayas.

Back to Rishikesh.

Day 7 - Sunday

Rishikesh, Delhi, Jaipur

We will get up early and take the Shatabdi to Delhi.

Upon arrival, we will continue by bus to Jaipur, the pink city.

Transfer to the hotel.

Day 8 - Monday

Jaipur

This morning, Jaipur awaits us. Jaipur, the pink capital of Rajasthan, sits in a beautiful, wild landscape, surrounded by fortresses and strongholds.

We will get to the magnificent, picturesque Amber Fort in the Aravali Hillsastride elephants. Amber Fort was the ancient capital of the princely state of Jaipur.

After a guided tour inside the Fort, we will go for a tour of Jaipur during which we will see the Palace of the Winds, one of the most acclaimed attractions of the city and a perfect example of Rajput art and architecture.

We will also go to see the ‘strange looking’ Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory complex built by Jai Singh II who was a lover of astronomy and after whom Jaipur is named.

If time remains, we will go for a tour of the markets renowned to be the most colorful in India.

Day 9 - Tuesday

Jaipur, Agra

This morning our bus will take us to Agra, 250 kilometers away.

On the way, we will visit Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned city that was once the site of the Mughal ruler Akhbar’s court. Akhbar is fondly remembered for his benevolence and tolerance and the city has been beautifully preserved.

We will tour this red sandstone city and appreciate the opulence of Mughal culture and architecture that is evident in the wonderful red sandstone carvings.

Day 10 - Wednesday

Agra

Today we will get to know Agra, the city that became famous because of the Taj Mahal (meaning the Crown Palace), which we will, of course visit.

The Taj Mahal is an impressive mausoleum, considered to be the most magnificent in the world, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his favorite wife. It took thousands of people dozens of years to build it and the end result is a monument that represents India.

The moment we arrive we will feel the majesty of this place and we will have an opportunity to see it from close up.

We will also go to Agra Fort, the most important fort in India that alternated from being a palace and an army camp. The events that brought about the building of the Taj Mahal took place within the walls of this fort.

We will look across at the Taj Mahal from the fort, go beyond the great walls and walk around the jewel-encrusted marble halls and hear the story of the fort that was so significant to the Mughal period in India.

Afternoon free to wander around Agra’s authentic markets.

Day 11 - Thursday

Agra, Orcha

We will take the express train (Shatabdi) to Jhansi and continue from there by bus and watch the fascinating human tapestry and changing topography on the way.

We will arrive in Orcha in the late afternoon and check in to the hotel on the banks of the Betwa River.

Day 12 - Friday

Orcha, Khajuraho

Before we leave for Khajuraho, we will have an interesting tour of Orcha, a small, authentic, non-touristic town in a wild natural setting on the banks of a river.

Orcha is home to the palaces and temples built by the rulers of the Bundela dynasty which look as though they have been taken out of a fairy tale. The beautiful natural background with its greenery, the river and the eagles in the sky give this place a pastoral atmosphere, untouched by touristy commercialism, and there is a feeling that time has stopped here.

After the tour, we will drive to Khajuraho where we will arrive in the afternoon and check in to the hotel.

Day 13 - Saturday

Khajuraho, Varanasi

One of the main attractions of India is the amazing complex of temples in Khajuraho, which we will visit and see the sculptures which were made with the utmost attention to every small detail including, sometimes, things that can bring up a blush on the cheeks of the beholder.

We will ask ourselves what brought the kings of the Chandala dynasty to build their temples here of all places and why they chose this particular style of erotic art and architecture to decorate the temples.

In the afternoon we fly to Varanasi, the mystical and spiritual city, the city of Shiva.

Transfer to the hotel.

Day 14 - Sunday

Varanasi, Delhi

Varanasi, the city of Shiva, is the most sacred city of all for Hindis and we will absorb its magically mystical atmosphere as we walk along its activity-filled narrow, twisty lanes and the ghats (steps leading down to the river) that the Hindis use when they bath in the holy waters of the Ganges.

This morning we will get up early and watch the sun rise on a boat trip on the Ganges, where thousands of people already crowd the river and go about their daily lives as they perform rituals.

We will sail past burning ghats and see how the Hindis burn their dead. We will pass by Varanasi’s important temples (entrance is forbidden to non-Hindis) and we will see the worshipers arriving for their morning rituals.

After the boat trip we will go back to the hotel for breakfast and then we will go and wander around the city’s lanes and go to see the different activities taking place at the ghats depending on the time of day.

We take our leave of Varanasi and fly to Delhi, India’s capital.

Transfer to the hotel.

Day 15 - Monday

Delhi

Today we will visit both the new and the old parts of Delhi.

We will go to the administrative area and see the Parliament, Delhi Gate, Raj Gath, the memorial where Gandhi was cremated after his assassination.

We will go to Kutub Minar, the first place in India where a mosque was erected, with its minaret that is build in the form of a victory tower and is decorated with passages from the Koran. The mosque is built out of materials taken from the ruins of Hindu temples that were destroyed by the new conqueror: Islam.

During the time that remains, we will visit Delhi’s markets.

Day 15 - Tuesday

Delhi, Home

Transfer to the airport.

END OF SERVICES.

EXTENSION to Nepal

Day 16-18 - Tuesday to Thursday

Kathmandu

Flight to Kathmandu.

For the next three days we will see the city and valley of Kathmandu. We will discover Nepalese city life in the little Kathmandu valley that is surrounded by great mountains.

This town, with its unique smells, sights and sounds, is and always has been the center of Nepalese life and activity.

We will go to Swayambhunath Stupa, the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines that overlook the Kathmandu valley, also known as the ’Monkey Temple.’

From the center of the stupa, the eyes of Buddha look in four directions, symbolizing his power to see everything. We will rise early and go to the top of the village of Nagarkot or Dhulikhel in the hope that the sky will be clear enough for us to see the sun rising over the Himalayas.

We will go for a tour of Patan, the town of craftsmen and metal workers, known as the ’city of superb artists’ or ’the city of fine arts.’

There, we will see Durbar Square with its magnificent stone architecture. We will also go to the Temple of Kumari (vestal virgin), the Living Goddess.

We will make a special trip to Dakshinkali Temple that sits on the bank of the river in the green landscape outside the city in order to see a sacrificial ceremony to the goddess Kali.

On our way back, we will go to Buddhanath, the stupa that is the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal and also the site where the movie ’Little Buddha’ was filmed.

If there is time, we will visit some of Kathmandu’s markets.

Day 19 - Friday

Kathmandu, New Delhi

Flight to Kathmandu.

We will do whatever is left to do and then take our leave of Kathmandu Valley and take the flight to New Delhi where we will arrive in the evening.

Transfer to the hotel.

Day 19 - Saturday

New Delhi, home

Transfer to the airport for the flight home.

Amritsar, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Jaipur, Agra, Orcha, Khajuraho, Varanasi, Delhi (& Nepal)

Guided tours in: Amritsar, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Jaipur, Agra, Orcha, Kajurahu, Varanasi, Delhi Special visits: Amritsar: Golden Temple. Shatabdi Express Train from Amritsar to Rishikesh. Rishikesh: Ashrams, Temples. Jeep tour along the Ganges at the foot of the Himalayas. Yoga lesson on the banks of the Ganges. Haridwar: Tour of the holy city, Cable car to Mansa Devi Temple. Jaipur: Elephant ride to Amber Fort, Jai Singh Observatory, Palace at Fatehpur Sikri. Agra: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort. Shatabdi Express Train from Agra to Jhansi. Orcha: Palaces and Temples of the Bundela Dynasty. Kajuraho: Erotic Temples. Varanasi: Boat trip on the Ganges. Delhi: Raj Gath, Kutub Minar. (Nepal: Katmandu area).   Domestic flights abroad Hotels: First class and good tourist class. Double rooms with adjoining bathrooms. Meals: Buffet breakfast throughout the tour and 14 extra meals (either lunch or dinner). Air-conditioned bus for all touring and transfers Experienced, professional guide Visa: Please check with your travel agent Visits: Entrance fees included as per the itinerary   The price also includes: local airport taxes, fuel tax as per 6/1/07, tips for services rendered. The price does not include: international air, optional tours, travel insurance. We recommend that you read the chapter at the end of the brochure devoted to general information and general terms. TOUR CODE: OIH-K Arrival date to destination Price p.p land only without Extension OIH Land only - per person in USD including Extension to NEPAL OIH/K 2007 Sep 11,25 $2,445 $3,350 Oct 16 $2,445 $3,350 Nov 6, 27 $2,445 $3,350 Dec 4, 18 $2,445 $3,350 2008 Jan 8 $2,445 $3,350 Feb 5 $2,445 $3,350 Mar 4 $2,445 $3,350 Sep 2, 9, 23, 30 $2,445 $3,350 Oct 21 $2,445 $3,350 Nov 4, 18 $2,445 $3,350 Dec 2, 16 $2,445 $3,350 2009 Jan 6, 20 $2,445 $3,350 Feb 3, 17 $2,445 $3,350 Mar 3 $2,445 $3,350

For more information regarding tour costs and extensions, contact Gil Travel by email or phone 800.223.3855.

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