TTA183

WEA

Trav

el

23rd January - 11th February 2010

Northern India

Contact DetailsFor more information contact the WEA tours office during office hours.

Phone: (08) 8223 1272Fax: (08) 8232 3690

Write to: Tours Office, Box 7055 Hutt St PO, Adelaide 5000

Email: tours@wea-sa.com.au

Web Site: www.wea-sa.com.au

TTA183

WEA

Trav

el

Overseas Cultural Tours

Main Entrance to the Taj Mahal

India:Masterpieces of Indian History and Culture

23rd January — 11th February 2010

The magnificent opulence of Mogul architecture in Northern India has to be seen only once to be remembered for a lifetime. Who could forget the stunning shimmering of the Taj Mahal in its reflecting pools, the maharaja palaces of Udaipur in the centre of Lake Pichola, the imposing Amber Fort in the “Pink City” of Jaipur, or the beauty of the long deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri? But Northern India has so much more to delight and fascinate the traveller from the ghats on the holy Ganges River in Benares at dawn, to the erotic stone carvings of the amazing one thousand year old temple complex of Khajuraho. From golden temples to the Red Fort of Agra we will discover some of the colour, excitement and rich cultural history of the largest democracy on earth. The memorial site of Mahatma Gandhi as well as a large Hindu temple complex only completed in 2005 will introduce you to some of the more recent political and cultural history of the capital city of New Delhi. As we traverse India we sail on the mighty Ganges River at dawn, ride elephants in Jaipur during the day, and take an overnight express train down the Ganges Valley to Benares. The tour has been planned around full moon for a visit to the Taj Mahal and in Udaipur we stay in a maharaja’s palace hotel for a touch of luxury! India an experience not to be missed and never to be forgotten!

Tour Leader: Sheela Sree Kumar B.Arch, and MBA, has led previous tours to both North and South India through the WEA. She has a bachelor degree in architecture, and a master of business administration. Her special field is Indian architecture.

Climate: Northern India in January should be sunny and mild with average temperatures in New Delhi ranging from 7 to 21 degrees.

ItineraryDay 1 Saturday 23 January.Mid afternoon we depart from Adelaide International Airport on a flight to Kuala Lumpur. The airline will arrange accommodation upon arrival for an overnight stay.

Meals in flight. Overnight Kuala Lumpur.

Day 2 Sunday 24 January.You have a day at leisure in Kuala Lumpur until our early evening departure from the airport to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi we will be transferred to a Delhi hotel.

Meals in flight. Overnight Delhi.

Day 3 Monday 25 January.This morning a half day sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. The tour of the 17th century old includes the great mosque of Jama Masjid, the main street of Old Delhi, known as Chandni Chowk (Moonlit Street), Red Fort, one of the most spectacular pieces of Mughal architecture built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648 and Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.

In the afternoon a visit to Akshardham Temple; the sprawling pink sandstone cultural complex, spread over 100 acres, showcases the grandeur of Indian history, art, culture and values. Completed in just 5 years in 2005, the temple is built in traditional architectural styles. The musical fountain open only to the public in the late evening is a must to see.

In the evening we attend a Welcome Dinner.Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight Delhi.

Day 4 Tuesday 26 January.After breakfast, half day sightseeing tour of New Delhi. Drive down the spectacular Rajpath (The Kingsway) passing the

India Gate (the memorial built to commemorate the Unknown Soldiers), the Presidents House and the House of Parliament. Enjoy a brief respite from the otherwise bustling city in the Birla Mandir, a modern colourful Hindu Temple. Visit Qutab Monar, one of the most popular landmarks in Delhi, built in 1199 by the Slave dynasty, Humayun’s Tomb, the pre cursor to the Taj Mahal and finally the Bahai Temple, shaped like a lotus flower and proof of India’s secularism.

The afternoon is free to explore Dehli.

In the evening we will attend a cultural dance performance.

Breakfast. Overnight Delhi.

Day 5 Wednesday 27 January. The morning is free to continue your exploration of Dehli.

In the afternoon we transfer to the railway station for boarding of the Shiv Ganga Express train in our overnight sleeper to Varanasi. The train departs at 6:30 pm and all compartments are share compartments.

Breakfast, Packed Dinner. Overnight sleeper train.

Day 6 Thursday 28 January. We are met on arrival at the railway station (eta 7:30 am) and transferred to a Varanasi hotel to relax and have breakfast (note: rooms may not be ready until noon). In the afternoon we take an excursion to nearby Sarnath to visit the

Qutab Monar

Varanasi Ghats

Dhamek Stupa, the Ashoka Pillar (located in the outstanding archaeological museum of Sarnath), Chaukandi Stupa, Dhamarajika Stupa, and the Moolgandha Kuti Vihara. Varanasi as one of the holiest cities to Hindus and to Jains and has a number of important artistic, learning and cultural sites. It is the longest continuously inhabited city in the world dating back thousands of years! According to many, Varanasi with its prestigious universities and other cultural institutions is considered to be the religious, spiritual and literature capital of India. Above all it is known as the city of temples and ghats.

Our afternoon excursion is to Sarnath one of the four most holy places in India for Buddhists and where Buddha himself once preached. Archaeological excavations here date some relics back to the first century BC, although the Dhamek Stupa, which we visit only dates from the fourth century AD. Return to Varanasi.

Breakfast. Overnight Varanasi.

Day 7 Friday 29 January. Our sightseeing today is back in Varanasi and we visit Bharat Mata Temple (inaugurated by Mahatma Ghandi in 1936), the Benares Hindu University and the Mosque of the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb.

The afternoon is free.

In the evening we will visit the banks of the Ganges on cycle rickshaws to watch the evening ‘Aarti’ ceremony.

Breakfast. Overnight Varanasi.

Day 7 Saturday 30 January. We take a dawn boat ride down the Ganges River, the most sacred of rivers to the Hindus and where many congregate to ritually bath in the holy waters and pay homage to the Sun God. The riverfront when seen from a boat at sunrise is a spiritually uplifting sight. Hinduism, deep and mysterious, is everywhere: in a decorated doorway; in a glimpse of a glittering temple; in the sound of a sacred bell; in the chant of the priests; and the fragrance of flower oblations. From the river we can see some of the important and historic ghats (stepped areas for entering the River Ganges) along the banks of the mighty Ganga River. We return to our hotel for check out, and then take a late morning flight to Khajuraho. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel in Khajuraho. Time for some private explorations of the city of Khajuraho, or an optional extra tour.

Breakfast. Overnight Khajuraho.

Day 9 Sunday 31 January. Over thirty Hindu temples at Khajuraho date from around AD950. The temple carvings have withstood weathering for over a thousand years, and yet they still depict in great detail the religious emotion and artistic genius of the time. To Westerners the temples are known for their stunning figure sculptures, especially the explicit sexual ones which probably depict tantric rites. One temple alone has over 650 life-sized figures carved on its exterior. Our morning sightseeing tour includes temples of the Eastern and Western group, such as Lakshmi and Varaha Temple, Lakshama Temple, Matangesvara Temple (the only temple currently used for worship), Chausath Yogini Temple (the oldest temple), Parasvanath Temple (the largest and finest Jain temple), Adinath Temple, Shantinath Temple, and Ghantai Temple. We then transfer to Jhansi railway station (about 130 kms away) to board the Shatabdi Express to Agra, arriving at 8:20 pm (eta). Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel for the next three nights.

Breakfast. Overnight Agra.

Day 10 Monday 1 February.This morning we have a half day city tour of Agra visiting one of the new Seven wonders of the World – The Taj Mahal – a poem, a feeling of love, in white marble – is a fine example of the Mughal architectural styles. This splendid white marble tomb, inlaid with precious stones, is the monument Emperor Shah Jahan erected to his favourite wife as her final resting place. Higher than a twenty-story building, the great edifice took twenty-two

years to construct. The dome alone was an engineering feat, the symmetry and design is exemplary, and the opulence will amaze you. It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built to love! We will also visit the red sandstone Agra Fort, seat of the Mughal dynasty in the 16th Century, which lies on the bed of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years of 1565-1573.

The dates of this tour have been organised around Full Moon and we will be hoping for a clear night to view the Taj Mahal in moonlight. This is considered to be a truly ethereal experience. We have a night tour to see the Taj Mahal by moonlight.

Breakfast. Overnight Agra.

Day 11 Tuesday 2 February.A free morning to spend more time to explore Agra and the Taj Mahal perhaps?

In the afternoon our tour visits the tomb of Itmad-ud-daulah (Baby Taj) and proceeds for a sunset view of the Taj Mahal from the opposite side of Yamuna river where the Black Taj was started.

Breakfast. Overnight Agra.

Day 12 Wednesday 3 February.This morning we drive from Agra to Jaipur a distance of 250 kms. En route we visit Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage listed city and city often referred to as a ghost city as Emperor Akbar used it for only thirteen years! Emperor Akbar built the city as the capital of his Mughal Empire in the 1500s. His capital of palaces, courtyards, pools, tombs, harems and a great mosque were constructed of brilliant red sandstone in a uniform architectural style. Many argue that Fatehpur Sikri is the greatest example of Mughal architecture only surpassed by the Taj Mahal itself. This is a beautiful awe-inspiring place that you will remember for a long time. On arrival in Jaipur we check in at our hotel.

Breakfast. Overnight Jaipur.

Day 13 Thursday 4 February. Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan was founded in the 1700s and is known as the Pink City because of the colour of stone used in so many of its buildings. A

wall twenty feet high and nine feet wide, with eight impressive entrance gates, surrounds the city. Our sightseeing in Jaipur is spread over two days and will include the beautiful Palace of Winds. The palace is really not much more than a facade, five stories high with semi octagonal overhanging balconies; regardless, it is astoundingly beautiful. This morning we tour the Pink City. We start with the City Palace, the home of the Maharaja of Jaipur, with its seven gates, museums and gardens, before we visit the Jantar Mantar, an historic observatory built in 1728 to study the heavens. Riding elephants we approach the Amber Fort. This is an impressive fortress on a hill overlooking the city. Inside the Fort we visit the Hall of Victory with its glittering mirrors, the Jai Mahal and the Temple of Kali. We return to our hotel by more conventional means of transport!

Breakfast. Overnight Jaipur.

Day 14 Friday 5 February.A full day free to explore the magnificent sites of Jaipur city on your own. Perhaps catch up with some shopping in some of the many ancient and amazing bazaars in the old city.

Breakfast. Overnight Jaipur.

Day 14 Saturday 6 February.This morning we transfer from our hotel to the airport for a flight to Udaipur, a royal city of Rajasthan. Upon arrival we transfer to our special hotel in Udaipur. We will be staying in a heritage, palace hotel which also serves as the home of a Maharajah. Most, but not all, rooms overlook Lake Pichola with views across to the Lake Palace on its island in the centre of the lake. All rooms are furnished with antiques and original centuries old paintings. The palace includes the dazzling Crystal Gallery, which contains the largest collection of crystal in the world. You have time to explore the hotel, its collections and your surroundings on the shore of Lake Pichola.

Breakfast. Overnight Udaipur.

Day 16 Sunday 7 February.Our half-day of sightseeing in Udaipur includes visiting the City Palace and the Garden of the Maids of Honour. Udaipur is almost 2,000 feet above sea level and is one of the most romantic cities in India with its lakes, hills, marble palaces and beautiful gardens. Lake Pichola is an artificial lake built in 1362. In 1559 a Mogul ruler established the city of Udaipur upon the shores of Lake Pichola. The City Palace is an architectural marvel of crenulated walls, pavilions, arches, marble elephants, hanging gardens, and lotus pools. It contains an excellent museum known for its peacock mosaics and glass. Return to your own palace hotel for the rest of the day!

Breakfast. Overnight Udaipur.

Day 17 Monday 8 February.Your last chance to relax and enjoy the Udaipur panorama; you may wish to do this from the hotels fine terrace restaurant overlooking Lake Pichola. Later in the day we transfer to the airport for the flight to Delhi.

Breakfast. Overnight Dehli.

Day 18 Tuesday 9 February.A final opportunity for some personal sightseeing or shopping around Dehli. In the early evening we transfer to the airport for our flight to Kuala Lumpur.

Breakfast, Meals in flight. Overnight in flight.

The Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur-as featured in the James Bond movie

“Octopussy”

Day 19 Wednesday 10 February.We arrive early in the morning in Kuala Lumpur. We will have day use of hotel rooms provided by the airline. You might like to journey to the city for private explorations of Kuala Lumpur. In the evening we board our flight for Adelaide.

Meals in flight. Overnight in flight.

Day 20 Thursday 11 February.You will arrive early in the morning at Adelaide International Airport. ♦

Important Notes Tour LeaderWEA tours provide quality personal experiences, which capture the essences of places visited. All WEA tours are fully escorted by our Tour Leaders who have a genuine love for arts, culture, architecture and history of the country they are visiting. Our educational tours give you the opportunity to meet other enthusiasts and immerse yourself in valuable new information and experiences.

Cost:Prices are based on twin share arrangements.• The inclusive Adelaide to Adelaide fee is $6020. (Subject to

increases levied by tour operators, airlines, hotels, governments and currency fluctuations). (March 2009.)

• Single supplement is an additional $1675. (March 2009.)• A deposit of $300 is to accompany the Tour Booking Form. • Final payment due by close of business Thursday, 12 November

2009 with valid passport required from this date for obtaining visas.

Inclusions:

• Fully escorted tours• Air travel Adelaide to Dehli and return.• Twin share accommodation in tourist class hotels with private

facilities.• Meals as per itinerary, in-flight meals and snacks served

according to airline policy.• All admission fees, transfers and tours as detailed in the itinerary

unless specified as optional.• Pre-tour get-together with wine and cheese at the WEA Centre,

Angas St, Adelaide.• Study notes.

Exclusions:

• A Passport with 6 months validity, with at least 2 blank pages is required.

• All visas – WEA will arrange where necessary.

• Travel insurance must be obtained and sighted by the WEA travel office on or before final payment - refer clause 12 of Terms and Conditions.

• Gratuities and tips.• Personal items and drinks with meals.• Single room supplement does not include stopovers provided by

the airlines between connecting flights.• Airport taxes to be advised.

E&OE

The WEA regularly organises tours to many parts of the world in-cluding “developing” destinations. Travel to such destinations can require special considerations. The WEA urges you to attend any pre-tour briefing that may be arranged. You are also urged to study the tour enrolment conditions following.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has daily updatesof Travel Advisories on their internet site:

www.smarttraveller.gov.au

Terms and ConditionsThese TERMS AND CONDITIONS are to be read in conjunction with and deemed to form part of the TOUR BOOKING FORM. This form must be signed by you to enable your booking in the tour described herein. The conditions form part of your offer to WEA and of your contract with WEA. Please read them carefully.

1 TOUR FEE1.1 Subject to condition 9, the cost of the tour shall be $6,020 which is hereafter

called ‘the tour fee’.1.2 The prices quoted in this brochure are in Australian dollars and are based on the

rates of exchange at the time of costing the tour. Prices are subject to change due to international currency fluctuations and other factors beyond our control. As this tour is sold as a package tour, no itemisation of costs can be given. Economy Class air travel is utilised. All charges are subject to a final audit.

2 DEPOSIT2.1 Upon enrolment, a deposit of $300 shall be paid immediately to WEA.2.2 The deposit will not be accepted unless it is accompanied by a completed TOUR

BOOKING FORM2.3 After acceptance by WEA of your booking, the deposit WILL NOT be refunded

by WEA under any circumstances.2.4 We strongly advise that travel insurance is taken out on payment of your deposit

to avoid unnecessary losses.

3 CONFIRMATION OF ENROLMENT3.1 Upon receipt of the TOUR BOOKING FORM and the deposit, WEA will

confirm in writing the acceptance or non acceptance of the booking – this shall take the form of a Booking Confirmation Receipt.

3.2 It is only upon the confirmation of acceptance of the booking that a contract shall come into existence.

3.3 The date of formation of acceptance of the contract and the acceptance of the enrolment shall be the date shown on the Booking Confirmation Receipt of acceptance to be issued by WEA

3.4 WEA reserves the right to refuse to accept any booking and shall not be bound to give any reason for its refusal.

3.5 Where possible the WEA will attempt to match singles wishing to share, however, this cannot be guaranteed and the single supplement will apply should no match be possible.

4 PAYMENT OF BALANCE4.1 The balance of the tour fee shall be paid by the close of business on Thursday, 12th

November 2009 at the offices of WEA at 223 Angas Street, Adelaide 5000.4.2 Bookings in relation to which payments are received by WEA after that date may

or may not be accepted by WEA at its absolute discretion.

5 EFFECT OF NON-PAYMENT OF BALANCEBoth non-payment of the balance of the tour fee by the due date and non-acceptance by WEA of a late payment of the balance of the tour fee will result in:5.1 The forfeiture of the deposit paid by you; and5.2 Cancellation of your enrolment so that there shall thereafter be no further

contractual relationship whatsoever between you and the WEA.

6 CANCELLATIONS6.1 Cancellations will be accepted after your deposit and booking is confirmed.

Where early payment has been paid prior to the balance due date, a refund of the amount paid less the deposit will be provided.

6.2 No cancellation of any nature whatsoever will be accepted after payment of the balance of the tour fee and the passing of the balance due date. 100% of the tour fee will be forfeited.

7 CANCELLATION OF TOUR BY WEA - REFUND OF MONEYS7.1 WEA may, at its discretion, cancel the tour prior to the date of commencement

thereof. Upon your request the WEA will provide reasons for its decision to cancel the tour.

7.2 WEA shall be entitled to cancel the tour after its commencement if, in the opinion of WEA or the tour leader:

(i) the continuation of the tour would for any reason jeopardise the safety of the participants;

(ii) the continuation of the tour would for any reason make the tour financially burdensome to WEA or the Tour Leader:

(iii) the continuation of the tour would for any reason violate any law or direction of any government authority and the re-routing of the tour is impracticable.

7.3 Upon cancellation of the tour, WEA will repay to you in full any monies paid by you pursuant to this contract to the extent that they have not been paid by WEA to third parties.

7.4 WEA shall not be bound to seek to recover moneys paid by WEA to third parties, but if indemnified by you, will lend its name to an action for the recovery of moneys against such third parties.

8 CHANGES TO STANDARD TOUR 8.1 Any changes or extensions to the WEA Tour travel arrangements must be in

writing at least eight weeks before final payment date. An administration fee of $100 will be incurred for each change.

8.2 No changes will be pursued if any variations to the standard tour cannot be confirmed by the airline or other third party provider at the time of final payment.

9 VARIATION OF TOUR FEE9.1 The tour fee has been calculated based on fees, fares and costs current as at time

of publication.9.2 Increases in fees, air fares and other tour costs of any nature whatsoever which

occur at any time before the commencement of the tour are at your risk and will be passed on to you.

9.3 Increased fees, fares and costs being demanded are payable by you on the date advised by WEA.

9.4 In the event of failure by you to pay increased fees, fares and costs by the date advised of demand and of demand being made for the same by WEA, you will be deemed to have cancelled your booking and clause 5 shall apply. 100% of the tour fee and associated costs paid will be forfeited.

10 VARIATION OF TOUR10.1 WEA reserves the right to change the itinerary of the tour:

(i) when required to do so by events outside its control; or(ii) if it or the tour leader is reasonably of the opinion that the change or changes

are in the best interests of the participants of the tour.10.2 No compensation shall be payable to you by WEA as a result of such changes.

11 THIRD PARTY LIABILITIES11.1 All travel arrangements in relation to the tour (including arrangements for the

issuing of tickets and the making or arrangements with travel agents, hotels, airlines, bus companies, railroad companies and other third parties) are made by WEA as your agent and not as agent for any third party.

11.2 Accordingly, WEA is not liable for any act, omission or default of any such third party (whether negligent or amounting to a breach of contract by the third party or otherwise) nor is it responsible for any loss, damage, or injury caused by any such third party.

11.3 In addition, you are subject to any conditions imposed by the third party on the tour arrangements.

12 TRAVEL INSURANCE12.1 All tour participants MUST TAKE OUT personal travel insurance to cover the

costs and effects of personal injury, property loss or damage, tour delays and

cancellations (including cancellations before the tour commences), repatriation, and all other risks against which international travellers usually insure.

12.2 WEA will require production of the insurance policy no later than the date of final payment of the tour.

12.3 If you are unable to show to the satisfaction of WEA that such an insurance has been issued to you, you will not be permitted to commence the tour.

12.4 In that event, you will not be entitled to a refund of any monies paid by you to WEA pursuant to this contract.

12.5 We strongly advise that travel insurance be taken out on confirmation of your booking by WEA to avoid unnecessary losses.

13 EXCLUSION CLAUSE13.1 WEA does not accept any liability or responsibility for:

(i) any loss, accident or delay however caused whether prior to, during or subsequent to the tour; or

(ii) loss or damage caused to you or your effects caused(a) by the acts or omissions of its employees, whether negligent or involving

a breach of contract or otherwise(b) by any act or omission of any nature by any third party.

13.2 Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, WEA shall not be responsible for any injury or loss caused by political disputes, border closures, refusal of visas, industrial action, delayed transport, effects of climate, war, natural disaster or other events beyond the control of WEA.

14 NECESSARY TRAVEL DOCUMENTSYou are responsible for ensuring that all necessary travel documents are current, valid and effective. Including, but not limited to, passport, visas, certificates of vaccination (where and if required).

15 AUTHORITY OF TOUR LEADER15.1 At all times before and after the commencement of the tour, the decision of WEA’s

expedition or Tour Leader or representative will be final on all matters pertinent to the safety and well being of the tour participants.

15.2 You must at all times strictly comply with the laws, customs and currency and drug regulations of all countries visited. Should you fail to comply with any such law, custom or regulation or should you interfere with the well-being of the group, WEA’s Tour Leader or WEA representative may order you to leave the tour and in that event you will have no right to any refund from or any other recourse against WEA.

16 DISCLOSURE OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS16.1 You are required to make full and true disclosure to WEA of all ailments and

physical or psychological impairments of which you are aware that may affect in

any way you ability to undertake the tour without endangering your health, or the health or safety of other tour participants or the orderly progress of the tour.

16.2 The WEA may at its discretion request a medical report from a medical practitioner nominated by the WEA concerning your physical and or psychological medical condition. The reports will be provided to the WEA at your cost. Upon production of the report the WEA may, at its discretion, terminate your booking. Upon termination in these circumstances the WEA is not bound to provide a reason for that termination. If your booking is terminated in these circumstances the WEA will (except where the tour is cancelled) fully refund to you all moneys paid by you pursuant to this contract.

17 EFFECTS OF ACTING ILLEGALLYShould you act in any way contrary to the laws of Australia or any other country during the course of the tour, you do so at your own risk and WEA is not obliged to provide legal or other assistance to you.

18 LAWS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIAThis contract is subject to the law of South Australia and is to be interpreted in accordance with that law. The parties shall submit to the jurisdiction of the Courts of South Australia.

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WEA Travel: India 2010

Masterpieces of Indian History and Culture