Mysteries of India
Presented By: MiraCosta Community Services

Day 1: Thursday, November 04, 2010 Overnight Flight


Day 2: Friday, November 05, 2010 Delhi, India - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in Delhi, India’s capital and a city rich with history spanning over 2,000 years.

Day 3: Saturday, November 06, 2010 New Delhi
LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager helps you discover the origin and history of the Hindi language, teaching you key words and phrases that will help you communicate with locals. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi and visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Then, explore the city's narrow streets by rickshaw, the traditional mode of transportation! Later, tour New Delhi, visiting Qutub Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world. Visit Humayun's tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun, and considered a precursor to the Taj Mahal for its Indo-Persian design. See the imposing India Gate war memorial, the Parliament and the palatial Rastrapathi Bhawan – the President's residence. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Sunday, November 07, 2010 Delhi - Udaipur
This morning fly to Udaipur, your gateway to Rajasthan, where chivalrous tales come to life at forts and palaces. Check into your hotel for the next two nights, a lovingly restored palace overlooking the lake! This evening, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Pichola for lovely views of the Jag Mandir Palace and the City Palace. (B, D)

Day 5: Monday, November 08, 2010 Udaipur
Visit the exquisite City Palace whose main entrance, a triple-arched gate called the Tripolia, was built in 1725. Continue to Jagdish Temple, the largest temple in Udaipur, built in the 16th century and dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Stop at Sahelion-ki-Bari – the Garden of the Maids of Honor – to learn about the unique lifestyle of the royal ladies who once strolled through these exquisite gardens. (B)

Day 6: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 Udaipur - Jaipur
This morning fly to the “Pink City,” Jaipur. Make a brief stop at Hawa Mahal, taking in its striking façade of 953 windows. This “Palace of the Winds” remains the home of a former Maharaja. Visit the City Palace, comprised of palaces, gardens and courtyards, and boasting intricate decorative art and carved doorways. Marvel at Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in 1726 by Sawai Jai Singh, which still makes accurate predictions of eclipses and celestial events. (B)

Day 7: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 Jaipur
This morning, participate in a relaxing yoga class and learn basic exercises and breathing techniques from a local expert. An elephant* takes you to the top of Amber Fort, once the seat of power in India. Stroll through a local flower market and learn the art of making the garlands used in traditional Indian welcome ceremonies. This evening, enjoy a home-hosted dinner and learn about daily life inside the old city from your local hosts. (B, D)

Day 8: Thursday, November 11, 2010 Jaipur - Ranthambore
Travel to the famous Ranthambore National Park, an example of Project Tiger's efforts at conservation in the country. The forests around the park were once the private grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. Learn from a naturalist about the wildlife of the country – through a slideshow and lecture – in preparation for your game viewing drive by canter, an open air vehicle. Keep your eyes open for marsh crocodiles, hyenas, sloth bears and even tigers! (B, L, D)

Day 9: Friday, November 12, 2010 Ranthambore
Start your day early with a game viewing drive. Return to the hotel for breakfast. This afternoon, visit the Ranthambore School of Art which recruits students from neighboring villages and trains them to be self-sufficient artists. Next, visit Dastkar Ranthambore Project, founded in 1981 when six women united to protect traditional artisans in contemporary India. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Saturday, November 13, 2010 Ranthambore - Bharatpur - Agra
All aboard! An early morning train brings you to Bharatpur. After brunch continue to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city built by the Mughal Emperor Akbarin in the late 16th century. Complete with palaces and mosques, this marvel was larger than London at the time it was constructed. Your day ends in Agra. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Sunday, November 14, 2010 Agra
Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, riding a tonga – or horse carriage – to the gates. The Taj Mahal took 22 years and 20,000 men to build; its white marble was quarried 200 miles away and transported by 1,000 elephants. Built in the mid-17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Next, visit Agra Fort, the seat of the Mughal Empire. Continue to Mother Teresa's Charity Home, a residence for orphans of all ages which is supported by the efforts of the Collette Foundation. Here, the sisters provide children with clothing, food, affection and quality education. (B)

Day 12: Monday, November 15, 2010 Agra - Jhansi - Occhra - Khajuraho
Board your train for Jhansi, continuing to Occhra for a visit to the fort. The intricately carved Jahangir Mahal has an aura of grandeur and opulence representative of Bundela School of Architecture. Continue to Khajuraho, your home for the evening. (B, L)

Day 13: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 Khajuraho - Varanasi
Visit the Chandel Temple complex and behold some of the finest examples of temple architecture in northern India and a reminder that all senses are the path to nirvana. Fly to Varanasi, a simplistic and charming city with a universal mystique. This evening visit the Ghats – the banks of the river – to witness the illuminated Ganga Aarti ceremony. Later, enjoy a lecture by a Hindu scholar who discusses the philosophy of Hinduism. (B)

Day 14: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 Varanasi
An early morning boat ride on the holy River Ganges takes you past various Ghats where you’ll see people ritually cleansing themselves of their sins, hoping for salvation. A city tour includes Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva; Benaras Hindu University; and Bharat Mata Temple. Continue to Sarnath where Siddarth Gautama, later known as Buddha, gave his first sermon on a quiet grove in the 6th century BC. Join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner this evening. (B, D)

Day 15: Thursday, November 18, 2010 Varanasi - Delhi - Tour Ends
Enjoy a morning at leisure before flying back to Delhi. After dinner, depart for the airport for your flight home. (B, D)




November 04 - November 18, 2010
15 Days • 26 Meals
13 Breakfasts • 5 Lunches • 8 Dinners
Highlights: Old Delhi, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Game Drives, Taj Mahal, Mother Teresa's Charity Home
Rates Per Person
Double: $6099, Single: $6849
*Included in Price: Round Trip Air from San Diego Intl Airport, Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges of $120 (subject to increase until paid in full), Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $200 per person, Hotel Transfers.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 Overnight Flight
Day 2 - 3 Hyatt Regency Hotel, Delhi
Day 4 - 5 Fateh Garh Palace, Udaipur
Day 6 - 7 Sheraton Rajputana Hotel, Jaipur
Day 8 - 9 Dev Vilas, Ranthambore
Day 10 - 11 ITC Mughal, Agra
Day 12 Radisson Jass Hotel Shimla, Khajuraho
Day 13 - 14 Radisson Hotel, Varanasi
On some dates alternate hotels may be used.
Essential Experiences
  • View the Taj Mahal at sunrise.
  • Experience two game drives in Ranthambore National Park and witness first hand an example of Project Tiger's effort at conservation.
  • Visit Mother Teresa's Charity Home and witness how her work is carried on in her memory.
  • Spend two nights in Varanasi, the holiest city in India.
For more information call
 Linda Kurokawa
MiraCosta Community Services
(760) 795-6824
Included Meals Key
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

AVAILABLE OPTIONS:
Agra
Sunset at the Taj Mahal & Cultural Show • $30.00
Climb aboard your tuk-tuk to Agra to behold the mysteriously beautiful Taj Mahal at sunset. Your auto rickshaw takes you right to Mahtab Bagh – the “Moonlight Garden” on the banks of Yamuna River opposite the Taj Mahal – for a picture-perfect view of the Taj Mahal, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. After the sun sets behind this architectural marvel, travel to Kalakriti Cultural Center to see Mohabbat-the-Taj – a series of plays depicting the saga of love surrounding its creation. The love of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal and the lifestyle of Mughal era artisans who worked for 22 years to create this marvel are depicted in this timeless masterpiece.
Jaipur
Sound and Light Show Amber Fort • $25.00
Amber Fort and Palace Complex in Jaipur holds the history of a citadel, pulsating with a legendary past of 600 years and 28 kings of the Kachhwaha dynasty, before their capital moved to Jaipur. This musical extravaganza has highlighted the local legends, folklore and a connoisseur of folk music that continues to give Rajasthan its unique identity. The show has been set in a very exotic location, with the giant panoramic view of the Amber Fort and Palace Complex in the front, raising Jaigarh on the left, the hills at the back and the gallery itself in the Kesar Kiyari Complex of Maota Lake.
CANCELLATION WAIVER:

Worry-Free Cancelation
Our industry-leading cancellation waiver offers travelers a full cash refund for the price of the tour, right up to the day prior to departure, minus the small cost of the waiver. Travel worry-free knowing if anything changes, you're protected.

Plus, you're covered on tour.
Our cancellation waiver and insurance plan covers you on tour. If you have to stop your trip or return home early, need medical assistance or evacuation, suffer a baggage loss or delay; or are delayed on tour for 12 hours or more, you're covered.

Cancellation Waiver and Insurance is just $200 per person.

Click here for complete details.

TRAVEL TIPS:
Mysteries of India
Listed below is important information to assist you in preparing for your upcoming trip. This information provided will help you have a more enjoyable experience while you are on your tour.
Accommodations
On some programs, there are a limited number of single and triple rooms. Double rooms usually consist of 2 beds. Triple rooms are normally a standard double room with 2 beds. A cot or rollaway bed may be added to the double room at some hotels, based on room size and fire codes. When triples are not available, appropriate charges for single and twin accommodations will be assessed. We make every effort to accommodate your specific requests and forward them to the hotels. These requests cannot be guaranteed as hotels may not always be able to honor them. Check-in times are set by individual hotel properties and vary by hotel. Depending on your arrival time, there may be a delay in gaining access to your room as most hotels offer afternoon check-in. We ask guests to observe check-out times at all properties as designated by the hotel. Some hotels require a credit card imprint or your passport information upon check-in in order to activate telephones in the rooms and for potential incidental charges. Most hotels charge an access fee for using phones in hotel rooms. Please check with the front desk personnel at each hotel for specific policies. Hotel membership programs are not applicable. In certain countries, hotel rooms tend to be smaller than standard U.S. accommodations. Please be assured that we use high quality properties throughout each country.
ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act does not apply outside of the United States. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the special needs of tour participants. Persons requiring individual assistance must be accompanied by a companion who is capable of, and totally responsible for, providing the necessary assistance. Neither our personnel nor its suppliers may physically lift or assist clients onto transportation vehicles. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a tour member who has special mobility, dietary or other like needs.
Clothing & Packing Tips
If you are taking prescription medication, please be sure to take an adequate supply for your tour and a few additional days, in original prescription containers. Medication should be packed in your carry-on baggage. Do not place it in your checked luggage. You may want to carry an extra prescription in a separate bag in case medication is lost.
Collette Foundation
In India, the Collette Foundation is supporting Mother Theresa’s Charity Home, in Agra. Formed to provide service to the orphaned and sick, the Mother Theresa's Charity home in Agra has 48 children who are orphaned or come from poor families who can no longer provide for them; as well as 150 infirmed adults who can no longer care for themselves. Many of our past travelers have inquired about in-kind donations. The Collette Foundation does not accept in-kind donations directly, however, if you would like to bring items the children and home are in need of, below is a list of suggestions: • Sterile gauze • Latex gloves • Masks • Vitamins For more information about the Collette Foundation please visit www.collettefoundation.org.
Currency
Your personal bank card may work at local ATM machines in the destination you are traveling to and would dispense local currency. Please contact your bank to determine if this option is available, that your PIN number will be accepted, to inform them that you are traveling and to determine if any charges apply for each transaction. You may exchange your money at airports, banks, exchange bureaus, and at most hotels. In most cases, a commission charge will be assessed to exchange your money. At the hotel or in the city usually offer a better currency exchange rate than airports. We recommend carrying only a few major credit cards. Credit card purchases often provide an extra guarantee on your purchase (check with your specific credit card company for details and fees). It is advisable to contact any credit card company you intend utilizing while on tour before you depart to notify them where you will be traveling, to avoid any rejection of services. The currency in India is the Rupee. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and some department stores. The street vendors accept local currency. If optional tours are made available to purchase, please note that credit cards must have an expiration date of greater than 30 days from the start of the tour.
Electricity
Voltage in India is 230V. Plug type is C and D.
An adaptor (which changes the physical plug) and/or converter (which changes the electric current) are necessary if you plan to use an appliance with voltage different from the standard within the country you are visiting. Please note, if your appliance has dual voltage you may still need an adaptor for the plug. When packing your electronic items for travel, please review the converter electric current level to make sure it the same or greater than the items you are planning on using. If you plan on utilizing or transporting a sleep apnea machine, please remember to pack an extension cord and adapter plug to ensure proper function.
Elevation
No significant elevation is encountered.
Helpful Hints
Bring a camera, memory cards, film, and batteries and be sure to bring enough photography supplies for your entire trip. If you have a video camera, bring an extra battery, plus proper recharging equipment. Due to security screening, we recommend storing your equipment in your carry-on luggage. Bring a travel alarm clock, travel sewing kit and an alcohol based gel hand sanitizer when soap and water is not accessible. Pack items that may leak in plastic bags. Do not pack any articles of value in your checked luggage. As a precaution, we suggest that you divide the contents of your suitcase with your traveling companion. Avoid over packing and leave room for souvenirs that you plan to take back home.
Bring a copy of your passport/identification and pack it separately from the original. Leave a copy of your tour itinerary at home with your emergency contact and a copy of your passport. Remember when flying you can only take one quart size bag with no more than 3 ounces of any one liquid. Liquids that do not fit in the one quart size bag and are larger than 3 ounces will be discarded by security. Remember to hydrate and get up and stretch while flying. If you are considering using your cell phone while traveling internationally, you should check with your cell provider concerning their access and charges for overseas calls, texting and emailing for the specific destination you are traveling to.
Included Features
The following are included in your tour package: transportation via motorcoach, accommodations, hotel luggage handling, meals, sightseeing, admission charges (as outlined in your itinerary), and applicable gratuities for bellmen, doormen and dining room wait staff. Customary gratuities for cruise ship personnel, overnight/train personnel, hotel housekeeping staff, local sightseeing guides, drivers and tour managers have not been included.
Local Guides
In order to further enhance your experience of this destination, one local guide has been arranged throughout this tour. Customary gratuities for this guide is not included in the cost of the tour. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary and individual basis at a suggested amount of 1-2 USD per person, per day, per guide. Your tour manager will review customary tipping amounts and timing with you when you are on your tour.
Luggage
Due to the limited motorcoach capacity, one carry-on (36 inches in length, height and width; not to exceed 11 lbs. /5.2 kg.) and one checked luggage (62 inches in length, height and width; weight not to exceed 20kg/44lbs) are allowed. Please consult with your scheduled airline as luggage fees and restrictions vary by carrier and destination. Wheeled carry-ons are not suitable for coach tours. If you exceed the limit of 2 bags, we cannot guarantee that your additional luggage will be able to fit in the touring vehicle. Storage or shipment of additional luggage will be at your own expense. If we are able to accommodate your additional luggage, we will assess a fee of 4 USD per bag per hotel. Please remember to label your luggage and important items with your name, home address and telephone number. We recommend labeling your luggage on both outside and inside of the bag. Please attach only the plastic luggage tag included in this mailing to your checked luggage before checking in for your flight. Your paper luggage tag is to be attached at the first hotel. We cannot assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft or normal wear and tear that results from hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is in your best interest to have adequate insurance (such as our comprehensive "No Worries Travel Protection") to cover these eventualities.
For your flight into India, there is a maximum of 20 kilos (approximately 44 lbs).
Meals
Most meals are included as indicated in your document itinerary. Guests with special dietary requirements must advise their travel counselor at the time of booking and also the tour manager upon joining the tour. When information is provided, every effort will be made to accommodate these requests. Please be advised that the average cost of meals (not inclusive of tax and gratuity) that are not included in your tour are as follows: lunch 10 to 15 USD and dinner 20 to 30 USD. It is customary to drink bottled water while in India.
Name Badges
Name Badges Explorations provides name badges to our travelers in order to facilitate conversation among fellow travelers. The name badge also ensures that an Explorations representative can easily recognize you, especially at airports upon arrival.
Reading List
Interested in reading about your destination before you depart? Explorations has pre-selected travel guides, novels and books on history, nature and art to help enhance your total vacation experience. You can access the complete list by typing the following into your web browser. Select the region of the world to find your tour: http://www.collettevacations.com/travel-books.cfm
Smoking
Smoking Restrictions: Our tours are non-smoking throughout. If you require a smoking room, please alert your agent upon tour booking. Please be mindful of locations where smoking is prohibited: the motorcoach, at dining venues and other restricted areas on tour including most hotels. Customers are responsible for any fines incurred for failure to comply with smoking restrictions.
Transportation
Flight Information, Departure Taxes & Fees Land Only Vacations: If you chose to purchase a land only vacation, pay particular attention to flight segments that occur during the tour which are not included in your land only rate. You must purchase these internal flight segments and the schedule must match the flights that we utilize on the group tour. Please provide us with your flight schedules for the entire tour six weeks prior to departure so we may secure services if you purchased transfers from us, as well as maintain emergency contact. Air Inclusive Vacations Air inclusive vacations cover air transport to and from your origin gateway as well as all internal air segments on tour. In order to comply with Homeland Security’s “Secure Flight” mandate, all passengers must provide full name, date of birth and gender at time of reservation. Your airline ticket must match the name on your valid, non-expired, government issued photo ID to be shown at the airport (including middle name, first or middle initial). If you are a member of a participating frequent flyer program, provide the number upon booking and retain the passenger copy of your ticket and boarding pass to ensure that you receive proper credit of your mileage. Some air tickets are not eligible for mileage accrual. Whenever possible, we will add charges for air departure taxes to your invoice. Some international arrival and departure fees are not included in your air ticket and must be paid by you on tour in local currency.
Transfers We are pleased to provide you with complimentary airport to hotel, and hotel to airport transfers at the beginning and end of an escorted tour when you purchase an air-inclusive vacation. Land-only clients who have purchased round trip transfers will be accommodated at the same times as air inclusive clients. Arrival meeting locations and transfer departure times are provided on your document booklets. On some programs there may be a waiting period at the airport due to varying flight schedules of other arriving passengers. If you have secured your own transfer, you may meet your tour manager at the hotel. Motorcoach Information: We do not own or operate vehicles. We charter quality coaches that are temperature controlled vehicles. Coach size may vary based upon the number of tour patrons. In certain countries, lavatory equipped motorcoaches are not available or the lavatory is for emergency use only. Frequent stops will be made en route for comfort and convenience. Seat Rotation: Seats are rotated for the benefit of our tour guests, fosters communication, and enables our guests to enjoy a variety of vantage points on the motorcoach. Guests will rotate seats at least once a day, as directed by the tour manager. In fairness to all, there will be no exceptions to this policy.