INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS...exotic adventure throughout the Indian Himalayas. First we journey to...

INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Himalayan Kingdoms & Hemis Festival

Welcome to Incredible Indian Tours’ Himalayan Kingdoms & Hemis Festival Tour. This is a new and very exotic adventure throughout the Indian Himalayas. First we journey to Ladakh through Himachal Pradesh, visiting Shimla, McLeod Ganj and Manali before driving the spectacular Manali - Leh road. In and around Leh we explore the Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake and also experience the Hemis Festival. Heading west we drive through the upper Himalayas along one of the most stunning drives in the world to Kashmir, and Srinagar, holiday mecca of India.

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www.incredibleindiatours.com

E-mail: [email protected]

Ph: +91 95490 02876

Dossier validity 2016 - 2017

Highlights

• the splendour and contrast of the 7 cities of Delhi

• the historic toy train ride up the mountain to Shimla

• witness the remnants of the British Raj in Shimla

• visit the home of the Dalai Lama in McLeod Ganj

• stunning mountain scenery of the Dhauladhar range around Dharamsala

• view the mountain views from the beautiful green Beas River valley in Manali

• experience the spectacular Manali - Leh Highway

• be part of the energetic and colourful Hemis Festival

• explore the amazing Nubra Valley and stunning Pangong Lake in Ladakh

• drive the amazingly scenic Leh - Srinagar Highway

• discover the monastery villages of Uleytokpo & Basgo

• soak up the stunning ambience of Dal Lake in Srinagar


Days 1-2 Delhi

The tour starts at midday. After a short tour briefing over lunch, we head out on a visit to Old Delhi, the walled

city once known as Shahjahanabad which was the creation of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. First up we

visit one of its most impressive buildings and Delhi's oldest mosque, the Jama Masjid. We join the crowds to

walk in the bazaars of the old city, immersing ourselves in the noise and smells of the crowded narrow streets

and alleys, where different areas specialise in festival paraphernalia, silk, jewellery and spices.

On day 2, we visit New Delhi - specifically Humayans Tomb & Rajpath. India's capital is an exciting, busy and

chaotic city. With a past that stretches far back into the mists of time, it is rich with the splendor and vitality of

an eternal city. Divided into an ancient and a modern part, 1000 years of history greet the visitor at every step.

Monuments, mosques, and forts from many different eras,

bazaars, shops and museums lie scattered across its sprawling

expanse. There is so much to see in Delhi. If you arrive earlier

than day 1, there is an opportunity to make more discoveries -

the ruins of Qutb Minar and Purana Qila, Indira Gandhi

Museum, Rajghat, and the Lotus Temple are all

recommended.

On the evening of Day 2 we board an overnight train to Kalka.

Hotel: Visaya or similar

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Itinerary

Humayans Tomb - Delhi


(24 nights/23 days)

Days 3-4 Shimla

Travel time: 6 hours

A journey on the famous Toy Train takes us up the mountain through numerous tunnels and switchbacks

providing an entertaining trip with the locals to Shimla, the summer capital of the British Raj. Shimla, today the

capital of Himachal Pradesh state, is a sprawling town set amongst spectacular cool hills with plenty of

crumbling decaying colonial charm. We take an orientation walk around Shimla after we arrive and check out

some of the sights in the town.

Whilst in Shimla, we visit the Vice-regal Lodge, now home

to the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, the site of the

signing of India’s Independence treaty, the Mall and the

Ridge with its colonial buildings that still grace the streets.

There are plenty of walks to be done around Shimla,

including the hike up to Jakhu Temple, Prospect Hill and

the Glen. There is also the opportunity to take in a

Bollywood Movie at the local Cinema.

Hotel: Clarkes or similar

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The Mall, Shimla

Itinerary

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Days 5-6 Dharamsala (McLeod Ganj)


Another incredibly scenic drive today in private vehicles brings us to McLeod

Ganj, home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile.

McLeod Ganj is also a haven for travellers and backpackers who flock here

for the pleasant summer temperatures and the Tibetan community, plus the

opportunity to partake in any number of courses, either provided by the

Tibetans or other enterprising Indians or foreigners who set up shop teaching

everything from meditation, yoga and reiki, to cooking, Tibetan language and Buddhist Philosophy.

Whilst here in McLeod Ganj, we will visit the Norbulingka Institute, the Namgyal Monastery and the Karmapa

Lama. McLeod Ganj is a charming town full of great cafes and restaurants, shops selling everything from

music and dvds to Buddhist prayer flags to Tibetan handicrafts to clothes and Indian handicrafts. However if

you’re not into shopping, and want to get out and about in the hills, there are some fabulous short, half day

and full day walks to be had up into the hills surrounding the town.

Hotel: Surya McLeod Ganj or similar


Dharamsala

Itinerary

Days 7-8 Manali


We head deeper into the mountains today to Manali, the jumping off point for Ladakh, the Rohtang Pass, and

the Spiti Valley. A centre for trekking, climbing, and other adventure sports, Manali is one of the most popular

Indian summer resort towns.

After a day’s drive through the mountains, spend day 8 relaxing, walking, exploring the many temples around

Manali and Old Manali or soaking in the hot springs in Vashisht.

Hotel: Hotel Mayflower or similar

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Itinerary

Days 9 - 11 Manali - Leh Road

Travel time: 14-16 hours

Heading up from Manali, the first stop is the Rohtang Pass at just under 4000m. Heading further north into the

Lahaul & Spiti Valleys we have a stunning drive through Keylong town and if we’re lucky, with views of the Shigri

Glacier to the first nights stop - Jespa.

Hotel: Hotel Ibex or similar

On day 10, we drive further into the high Himalayas to our overnight camp at 4200m at Sarchu.

Hotel: Mulkila Adventure Camp or similar

Day 11 is probably the most spectacular day of this drive, as we

head over two high passes, the Lungalacha La and the

Taghlang La (the second highest motorable road in the world) at

5328m before descending down into Ladakh and the capital

Leh at 3500m.

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Itinerary

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Day 12 Leh / Hemis Festival

Built in the 1600’s, Hemis Monastery is a stunning Tibetan

Buddhist Gompa (the largest in Ladakh) famous for it’s annual

festival with ceremonies including music, ceremonial displays

and the mystic masked dances or chhams. Chham dances are considered a form of meditation and an

offering to the gods, providing merit to anyone who witnesses them. The Hemis Festival commemorates the

birth of Guru Padmasambhava who is revered throughout the Himalayan regions as the second Buddha.

Hotel: Hotel Sangri La or similar


Hemis Festival

Itinerary

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Days 13-14 Nubra Valley


Travelling over the Khardung La Pass, at 5602m, the highest motorable pass in the world, we head into the

remote Nubra Valley with green oasis villages surrounded by stark scree slopes, boulder fields and arid

mountains. Part of the old Silk Road between India & China, local communities once prospered as caravans

of cloth, spices, gold & gemstones traversed this route.

Hotel: Desert Himalayan Camp or similar


Itinerary

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Day 15 Leh


We head back to Leh, this afternoon taking time out to visit some of the monasteries and sights in Leh,

including the Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace.

Day 16 Pangong


Today we head to Pangong along a rough and dramatic mountain road, crossing the Changla Pass at

5360m. Pangong Tso is a large lake, 134km long which is situated in both India & Tibet. An important

breeding ground for a number of migratory birds, the lake is frozen over in winter. Often used as a filming

location for Bollywood and western movies, views around Pangong Lake are breathtaking and we spend the

night here making the most of our time to see the lake in it’s various moods.

Hotel: Pangong Sarai Camp or similar

Day 17 Leh

We return to Leh this afternoon for an opportunity to relax and explore more of Leh town.


Itinerary

Days 18-20 Leh - Srinagar Road


Another epic road trip awaits us as we drive west along another classicly scenic Himalayan mountain drive. We

visit monastery villages of Basgo, Likir and Alchi before stopping the first night at Uleytokpo. On day 19 we

continue on stopping the night at Kargil, the second largest town in Ladakh after Leh, and an ancient town in

the area known as Baltistan.

On day 20, we continue on to Srinagar.

Hotel: Ulley Eco Resort or similar / Zojila Residency or similar

Days 21-22 Srinagar

Srinagar dates back to the 3rd century BC with evidence that Emperor Ashoka built many stupas in the valley.

Over the next 2000 years, Buddhist rulers strengthened the Buddhist traditions before the Hindus took over

around 960CE. After the 14th century, the city came under the control of several muslim dynasties, including

the Moghals. The Sikh’s also had control over the valley for a period before the British took control and installed

Gulab Singh as the Maharajah in the mid 1800’s.

We have two full days to explore the sights in and around Srinagar. In town, the old city, the Moghul and other

Gardens and Dal Lake are all fabulous locations, while out of town, Gulmarg and Pahalgam make good

excursions.

Hotel: Royal House Boat or similar

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Itinerary

Days 23-24 Delhi


After a free morning, we have an afternoon flight over the spectacular Himalayas to Delhi. Tonight, we’ll head

out for a final night dinner to celebrate a remarkable journey across the top of the world.

Hotel: Visaya or similar

There are no activities on day 24. You are free to depart at any time

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Itinerary

single supplement

If you are a single traveller we do not charge a single

supplement and will pair you with other travelers of the

same sex, often rotating room-mates at each stop so you

get to share with different group members. However if you

do not wish to share accommodation, but would like to

guarantee your own room throughout the tour a single

supplement payment of USD695 (or equivalent) will be

payable.

transport

Train, private vehicle, auto-rickshaw, cycle-rickshaw, flight

Train travel in India is essential considering it is such an

efficient and extensive network, and is also such a part of

India’s culture and heritage.

We will be taking private vehicles for most other journeys.

activities included

The following is a list of included activities on this trip. Other

activities are optional and will be at your own expense.

Jama Masjid, Old Delhi, Humayans Tomb, Rajpath (Delhi)

Toy Train ride, Vice-regal Lodge (Shimla)

Nyamgal Monastery (Dharamsala)

Boat Ride, Shikara Ride (Srinagar)

meals

Traveling with Incredible Indian Tours we ensure that you will

experience a vast array of the gustatory treats available in

India. Generally, meals are not included in the trip price

when there is a choice of eating options. This allows you to

choose where, and what to eat. More often than not

however we eat together as a group. Your leader will offer

suggestions for favourite restaurants throughout the trip.

meal inclusions

23 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners

group size

10 maximum

days

24 days 23 nights

starts and finishes in

Delhi

cost

See individual itineraries for cost

price includes

Arrival and departure transfers

All accommodation as specified

All transportation between overnight stops and to and

from included sightseeing

Entrance fees for all sites listed as part of the itinerary

Meals as specified

Tips & Gratuities

price does not include

Visa costs

Meals other than those listed

Drinks, meal tips, laundry and other items of a personal

nature

International flights

accommodation

Guesthouses/hotels (15 nights), Overnight train (1 night),

Houseboat (3 nights), Tented Camp (4 nights)

This tour uses a variety of accommodation. From

guesthouses to heritage hotels to tented camps, we

experience a wide range of accommodation styles.

Hotel rooms are twin share with private bathrooms with

western style toilets. Although a few rooms may be air-

conditioned, most will be fan-cooled.

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general tour information


and the altitude of many locations on this tour will make

general sightseeing more strenuous.

culture shock rating

Conditions in

India are not

a lways a s

comfo r tab le

as in other countries. You may need to occasionally deal

with a squat toilet, cold showers or power failure.

travel insurance

Travel Insurance is highly recommended whilst traveling to

India and is compulsory for any group tour with Incredible

Indian Tours.

visas

All foreign nationals require a visa to enter India. Many

nationalities can apply for an e-Tourist visa. The Indian

Government is in the process of extending this e-Tourist

facility to more countries so check this website to find out

the latest eligibility details.

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

For the e-Tourist visa, you need to apply within 30 days of

travel for no longer than 30 days validity. The visa is issued

online and takes 3 days.

Regular tourist visas (issued by the Indian Embassy or

Consulate) for those nationalities who do not yet have

availability of the e-Tourist facility, are usually issued for 6

months and are either Single, Double or Multiple Entry. As

the validity begins from date of issue, be sure you do not

apply for your visa too early For information, or assistance

with obtaining a visa, check out the following websites.

http://www.vfs-in-au.net/

http://www.travcour.com/

https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/homepage

http://in.vfsglobal.ca/

money exchange As at November 2015

AUD1 = 46 INR

CAD1 = 49 INR

EUR1 = 71 INR

GBP1 = 100 INR

NZD1 = 43 INR

USD1 = 66 INR

There are many ATM machines (which accept both

Cirrus/Maestro debit cards and Visa and MasterCard)

throughout India. This is a safe and convenient way to

access money in India, however we suggest that you

bring a small amount of money in cash in case there are

times that ATMs are not available. The major currencies,

including AUD and CAD are no problem in general to

exchange. Travellers cheques are no longer commonly

accepted. Visa & MasterCard credit cards are accepted

in major shops and restaurants in the bigger cities.

spending money

Although entrance fees to specified sites are included in

the tour price, there are additional sights that you may

like to visit. Many sites levy camera fees.

Spending money requirements will differ from one person

to the next. You will need to take into consideration your

spending habits when allowing for drinks, shopping, and

optional activities.

You will need to allow enough money for the following:

Meals – USD350 (or equivalent)

Optional Activities – USD100 (or equivalent)

Money for drinks, shopping and incidentals.

Tipping is an integral part of Indian life and is essential to

a smooth trip. To make things easier, we cover tips for

hotel room boys, local guides and for drivers of private

transport we use. We do NOT cover restaurant tips. You

will need to allow approximately 10-15% on top of your

restaurant bill.

Tips—allow USD40 (or equivalent)

physical rating

You may

need to

carry your

b ag / pac k

up and down hotel stairs. There will be plenty of walking

around towns or sites, which due to the warm weather

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don’ts), being mindful of the environment, and leaving a

positive image behind. Remember we are ambassadors

for our country. Bringing a few photos of your family and

home with you is a great way to interact with the locals

by giving them a glimpse of your world whilst you visit

theirs.

joining hotel

Visaya

N82 Panchshila Park

New Delhi. 110017

Ph: +91 11 4319 0000

transfer/joining instructions

Your airport transfer pickup will await you holding a sign

with your name when you exit the baggage claim area of

the arrivals hall. There may be large crowds here so

please look carefully for your transfer.

arriving early

Our boutique hotel in Delhi is located in south Delhi near

the market areas of Haus Khas, GK1, South Extension and

Defence Colony. The hotel has a restaurant, and all

rooms have air conditioning and cable TV. Luggage

storage is available.

early arrival information

If you are arriving earlier than day 1, extra

accommodation in Delhi is available at USD80 Single/

Double (or equivalent) per night per room. Please notify

us as early as possible if you require extra

accommodation as hotels in Delhi tend to be heavily

booked up well in advance.

Flights from Mumbai or other cities can be arranged

conveniently and inexpensively over the internet using one

of India’s regular or budget airlines:

For online bookings visit:

http://www.cleartrip.com/flights

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health

We recommend that you consult your doctor for current

medical travel information about before departure. Your

leader will be carrying a basic first aid kit, but we suggest

you bring along your own as well as any personal

medical requirements .

The following websites have up-to-date information about

health requirements.

http://www.travelvax.com.au/

http://www.travelhealth.co.uk/

communications

Many of our hotels have Wifi, but do not rely on it being

available or fast.

You can purchase a local prepaid sim card (for unlocked

cell phones) and data sticks (for mobile internet on your

laptop) inexpensively in India. Recommended are

‘Vodaphone’ and ‘Airtel’. You will need extra passport

photos for this as well as photocopies of your photo and

visa page from your passport.

your group leader / tour escort

Your group leader is there to organise and streamline

your travels and to help you have the best trip possible.

Whilst they are not a guide per se, they will share their

local knowledge, give you suggestions for your free

time and manage the day to day running of the tour.

They will introduce you to their local friends and

recommend great local restaurants and experiences.

They will have a broad general knowledge of India, so do

feel free to tap into their wisdom. At some sites, local

guides may be hired where we think more specific

knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we

are visiting.

responsible travel

We believe strongly in responsible travel. This includes

being respectful to the local culture (ie dressing

appropriately, and learning a few basic cultural do’s and

and you will need to bring a jacket and layers for the

cooler evenings in the mountains and our excursions to the

high altitude passes. Rain is always a possibility at this time

of year, so an umbrella, sunblock and a hat are essentials.

Blankets are provided on the overnight train journey.

checklist

Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance (don’t

forget your emergency insurance contact details), air

tickets.

Photocopy of above documents

Day pack

Health vaccinations/medication

First aid kit

Money: ATM card (widely available and easy to access);

credit cards (widely accepted in big cities); cash (for

emergencies)

Money pouch

Alarm clock and torch/flashlight

Mosquito repellent

Ear plugs can be useful if you are a light sleeper

Lock for your back pack or bag

Good hiking or walking shoes for optional walks in and

around the mountains.

We recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt to

store your passport, air tickets, credit cards and cash. Avoid

bringing valuable jewellery with you. Some hotels we use

have safety deposit boxes. A lock and chain are useful for

securing your luggage on overnight train journeys.

Updated on: 9th November 2015

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staying on

If you are staying on in Delhi after the tour, extra

accommodation in Delhi is available at USD80 Single/

Double (or equivalent) per night per room. Again, if you

will require extra accommodation in Delhi, please advise

us as early as possible as rooms tend to get booked out

quickly at peak season times.

what to take

We will be on the move a lot, so try to pack as lightly as

possible. The smaller your bag in India the better, as the

various modes of transport we use tend to have limited

storage space.

India is very conservative and we ask that you dress

accordingly. As a guideline, shoulders and knees should

always be covered. The wearing of shorts is looked

upon by locals as akin to wearing your underwear and

will limit your entry into mosques, temples and other

places of worship. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is

both respectful and cool. Singlets, tank tops and shorts

are not suitable attire for India.

Note that some Indian domestic airlines have recently

reduced their check-in baggage allowance to 15kg. If

you have heavier luggage, you will need to pay the

excess at the airport for your internal flights. Excess

luggage charges range from around Rs250-300 (USD 4-

5) per kilo.

laundry

Inexpensive laundry facilities are offered by most hotels

we use and are generally available wherever we have a

two night stop.

weather

The weather during our journey should be great. Daytime

temperatures will be warm to hot, in the range 20-38

depending on whether we are on the plains, or up in the

mountains. Night time temperatures will be comfortable,

INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS...exotic adventure throughout the Indian Himalayas. First we journey to...

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Transcript of INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS...exotic adventure throughout the Indian Himalayas. First we journey to...