india 2016 - Cruise Holidays of Clarkson

18 DAY TOUR
FEBRUARY 9-25, 2016
Delhi - Varanasi - Agra - Jaipur - Udaipur - Cochin
Kumarakom - Cochin - Mumbai
INDIA 2016
CRUISE
HOLIDAYS
OF CLARKSON
BOOK YOUR MEMORIES
WITH US TODAY
CRUISE HOLIDAYS OF CLARKSON
1739 LAKESHORE ROAD WEST, MISSISSAUGA, ON L5J 1J4
905.855.1700 | 1.866.919.2111 | FAX: 905.855.1701
[email protected]
www.clarksontravel.ca
TICO 50015708
To Travel Is To Understand...
With anticipation and excitement we are thrilled to share with you our 2016 India programme. Each year we put
together an assortment of carefully crafted tours and invite you to join us in our “To Travel Is To Understand”
quest…
Discover authentic, inspirational India...
If you’re looking for a taste of India’s world-class highlights but still want to explore some of its hidden gems,
this itinerary serves up a great combination. Stand in awe of the Taj Mahal’s perfection - experience the iconic
highlights of the North before flying South for even more culture.
No matter what your 2016 travel plans are, we want to THANK YOU for being such a special part of our oncein-a lifetime journeys and we look forward to creating new lifetime memories with you…
Sincerely,
Joe and Zaneta Rochemont
Founders of Cruise Holidays of Clarkson
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Welcome to India!
Delhi
- sightseeing excursion, Secretariat buildings, Parliament House, Presidential Palace, India Gate, Qutub Minar Victory Tower, Humayun’s Tomb, Gandhi
Smriti Museum (Mahatma Gandhi), Red Fort palaces, Raj Ghat, welcome
cocktail and dinner
Varanasi
- Ganges River, Sarnath (Buddha’s first sermon), National Museum, Aarti
ceremony, sunrise ceremony
Agra
- Taj Mahal, Agra Fort
Jaipur
- sightseeing tour, City Palace Museum, Jantar Mantar Observatory, special
evening celebrating India’s culture, traditions, music, dance and cuisine, Amber Fort, Amber Palace
Udaipur
- Lake Pichola cruise, fountain gardens of Saheliyon Ki Bari, Jadish Mandir
Temple, City Palace, a demonstration in the art of tying a sari and a turban,
auto-rickshaw ride, spice and vegetable markets, lunch at Deogarh Mahal
Cochin
- cruise tropical inland waterways and a sunset cruise on the Arabian Sea,
performance of the renowned Kathakali Dancers, lecture on southern India’s
unique heritage, Fort Cochin, Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church, private
home of an acclaimed Kerala chef for cooking demonstration and dinner
Kumarakom
- coastal Kerala, dancers performing the classical Indian dance form known
as Mohinittam, cruising Kerala’s canals by houseboat, martial arts demonstration
Mumbai
- Gateway of India, Elephanta Island temples, Mahesamurti - a triple-headed
Shiva statue, farewell cocktail reception
Treasures of India, North and South
FEBRUARY 9-25, 2016
Day 01, 09 Feb, 2016, Tuesday: Arrive Delhi
Welcome to Delhi, India! A monumental city with a vibrant mix of old and new teeming bazaars, stately British
boulevards, powerful Mughal palaces and forts, and intricate, ethereal towers, temples and tombs. Meet our representative and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 02, 10 Feb, 2016, Wednesday: Delhi
Explore India’s capital city with an insider guide; a sightseeing excursion shows you the Secretariat buildings,
Parliament House, Presidential Palace, and India Gate, commemorating Indian and British soldiers. Visit two
UNESCO World Heritage Sites the five-story sandstone Qutub Minar Victory Tower, built over 8 centuries ago,
and Humayun’s Tomb, set in beautiful gardens. This Mughal creation popularized Persian-influenced architecture and was an inspiration for the Taj Mahal. After lunch, stop at the Gandhi Smriti Museum, paying tribute to
the inspiring leader Mahatma Gandhi who forced change through non-violent protest. Join us this evening for
our welcome cocktail and dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Delhi.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 03, 11 Feb, 2016, Thursday: Delhi
Check out the colorful bazaars, sacred temples, 17th-century havelis (mansions) and colonial monuments in the
winding streets of Old Delhi, the capital of Muslim India from the 12th through the 19th centuries. See the
sumptuous Red Fort palaces, the symbol of Indian nationhood, and Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial and
cremation site. Spend the afternoon as you wish and for your dining pleasure this evening, it’s your choice. Dine
à la carte at a selection of fine restaurants in the hotel. Overnight in Delhi.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner.
Day 04, 12 Feb, 2016, Friday: Delhi - Varanasi by air.
Fly to the ancient city of Varanasi, built on the banks of the sacred River Ganges. Since the 6th century BC,
this city has been a key destination for pilgrims who seek blessing and purification in the river’s holy waters. A
sightseeing tour visits Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon, and the National Museum, home to a priceless collection of sculptures dating back to the 3rd century BC. Tonight, take a journey by boat along the River
Ganges to witness the Aarti ceremony or the ceremony of “putting the river to sleep”, amidst hundreds of lighted
candles and flower offerings. Tonight will be a special highlight of your India tour. Overnight in Varanasi.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 05, 13 Feb, 2016, Saturday: Varanasi - Agra by air.
Our India tour continues as you rise early for a cruise on the River Ganges to view the Varanasi sunrise ceremonies, before flying to Agra. Arrive in Agra, meet the guide and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Agra is home to the world’s most famous and recognizable buildings, the Taj Mahal. An incredible domed
mausoleum complex of white marble, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to memorialize and house the
tomb of his beloved third wife and completed in 1653, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be the
greatest architectural achievement in the whole range of Indo-Islamic architecture. Overnight in Agra.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 06, 14 Feb, 2016, Sunday: Agra
Wonders in Agra include the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Guests who wish may visit the Taj Mahal when the gates
open at sunrise. Late risers may join us a little later than sunrise (but still early morning) for a guided visit to the
spectacular Taj Mahal. Uncover the love story behind the white marble wonder and UNESCO World Heritage
Site, with its unique design and relief work in marble and inlay with precious and semi-precious stones. Your visit also includes time to explore on your own and take photographs. A guided tour of the massive red sandstone
Agra Fort, yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, follows. Inside, you’ll get a very good look at medieval
lifestyles of 16th- and 17th-century Mughal emperors. Following an afternoon spent at leisure, dine as you please
this evening from among a selection of your hotel’s fine restaurants. Overnight in Agra.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 07, 15 Feb, 2016, Monday: Agra - Jaipur by road.
This morning after breakfast travel to Jaipur by road. A sightseeing tour of Jaipur includes the City Palace Museum and the Jantar Mantar Observatory – a collection of architectural astronomical instruments for measuring
time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars in their orbits, figuring out the declinations of planets and determining
the celestial altitudes all built by Maharajah Jai Singh II in the 18th century. Attend a special evening fit for Maharajah royalty tonight, celebrating India’s cultural traditions, music, dance and cuisine. Overnight in Jaipur.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch at hotel & Dinner.
Day 08, 16 Feb, 2016, Tuesday: Jaipur.
A highlight of your India tour, today’s sightseeing includes the many gems of Jaipur, from the massive gateways
and pillared pavilions inside Amber Fort to a tour of Amber Palace, with its magnificent domes, massive ramparts and glittering hall of mirrors. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Jaipur, pursuing what interests you most.
Overnight in Jaipur.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 09, 17 Feb, 2016, Wednesday: Jaipur - Udaipur by road.
Drive today from Jaipur to Udaipur, arriving at your hotel late this afternoon. Udaipur is a Rajasthan city of
palaces and lakes, often called the “Venice of the East” and the “Most Romantic City in India.” Lunch at Deogarh
Mahal and dinner is at your leisure in your hotel, named India’s best hotel by Condé Nast Traveler and 4th in the
world’s top 100 hotels. Overnight in Udaipur.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner, Lunch at Deogarh Mahal.
Day 10, 18 Feb, 2016, Thursday: Udaipur
Lake Pichola cruise and Udaipur’s temples and palaces. A leisurely cruise on Lake Pichola sets the stage for an
Udaipur sightseeing tour with our local guide. Visit the 18th-century fountain gardens of Saheliyon Ki Bari, and
the Jagdish Mandir Temple. View the City Palace, a labyrinth of richly decorated courtyards, frescoed galleries,
and marble temples that was once home to the Maharajah of Udaipur. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, then
join us for a demonstration in the art of tying a sari and a turban before dinner à la carte at the hotel. Overnight
in Udaipur.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner. Lunch at Fateh Prakash Palace.
Day 11, 19 Feb, 2016, Friday: Udaipur
Optional balloon ride, and Udaipur’s markets. As your India tour continues, early risers may choose to soar over
amazing Udaipur on an optional hot air balloon ride at dawn. Then, today’s sightseeing begins in Udaipur with
an auto-rickshaw ride around the city’s bustling spice and vegetable markets, for an insightful glimpse into everyday life in Udaipur. In the vegetable markets, women in brightly colored saris sit amongst the stalls, surrounded
by baskets brimming with their fresh and equally colorful produce, while burlap bags or metal pans entice with a
kaleidoscopic array of curries and spices. The rest of the day and evening are free to explore more of this “City of
Lakes” as you wish. Due to its many picturesque locations, Udaipur has supplied scenic backdrops to many a film
or television show over the years; portions of movies including Darjeeling Limited, Opening Night, Heat and
Dust, Octopussy and Gandhi, plus the TV miniseries The Jewel in the Crown, were filmed here. Enjoy dinner at
the hotel tonight. Overnight in Udaipur.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner.
Day 12, 20 Feb, 2016, Saturday: Udaipur - Mumbai - Cochin by flight
Fly via Mumbai to Kochi (known as Cochin during colonial times) in the state of Kerala, on the southern tip of
India, home to coconut groves, paddy fields and wide beaches. Cruise its tropical inland waterways before setting
off on a spectacular sunset cruise on the Arabian Sea. Enjoy a performance of the renowned Kathakali Dancers
prior to dinner tonight at your hotel. Overnight in Cochin.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner.
Day 13, 21 Feb, 2016, Sunday: Cochin
Traditional cuisine and more in historic Kochi (Cochin). Kochi (Cochin) dates back to the 15th century, boasting myriad historic sites reflecting its founding by the Portugese, as well as the influence of Dutch and British
settlers. After a lecture on southern India’s unique heritage and cultural diversity, Kochi sightseeing includes Fort
Cochin, the oldest European settlement in India, the Dutch Palace and the 16th-century St. Francis Church.
Later, visit the private home of an acclaimed Kerala chef for a cooking demonstration and dinner this evening.
Lively conversation, lively spices and delectable dishes await! Overnight in Cochin.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch at hotel & Cooking demonstration with Dinner.
Day 14, 22 Feb, 2016, Monday: Cochin - Kumarakom by road.
Explore the small villages of coastal Kerala as you make your way to the picturesque island of Kumarakom in
Lake Vembanad to continue your tour. Tonight you’ll be treated to a program featuring dancers performing the
classical Indian dance form known as Mohiniattam, dating to the 16th century. Overnight in Kumarakom.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 15, 23 Feb, 2016, Tuesday: Kumarakom.
Cruising Kerala’s canals by houseboat. Board a thatched-roof rice boat for a cruise through Kerala’s palm-fringed
canals; this region is often referred to as another “Venice of the East.” Spend the afternoon enjoying the activities
and amenities offered by your lakefront resort. An unforgettable martial arts demonstration this evening is both
educational and entertaining; there is no other ancient martial practice in the world that can compete with its
training system and application techniques. Overnight in Kumarakom. .
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch.
Day 16, 24 Feb, 2016, Wednesday: Kumarakom - Cochin by road & Cochin - Mumbai by flight.
Fly to the “City of Gold,” Mumbai (known in earlier times as Bombay), surrounded on three sides by the Arabian
Sea. Upon arrival, an introductory sightseeing tour maps out the city and its landmark sites for you. Overnight in
Mumbai.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 17, 25 Feb, 2016, Thursday: Mumbai.
Elephanta Island temples and other treasures of Mumbai. Explore Mumbai today, including the Gateway of India erected by the British to commemorate the landing of the King and Queen in 1911 and a cruise to Elephanta
Island, a UNESCCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at the rock-cut cave temples with sculptured interiors dating
back to the 6th century; a highlight is the Mahesamurti, a triple-headed Shiva statue. Following lunch in Mumbai and an afternoon spent as you please at the hotel, join us this evening for a farewell cocktail reception as your
India tour comes to an end. Overnight in Mumbai.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 18, 25 Feb, 2016, Friday: Departure Mumbai.
In time transfer to the airport to board your return flight.
********End of Tour********
HOTELS
Delhi
La Meridien
3 Nights
Varanasi
Taj Gateway Ganges
1 Nights
Agra
ITC Mughal
2 Nights
Jaipur
ITC Rajputana
2 Nights
Udaipur
Devigarh by Lebua
3 Nights
Cochin
Vivanta by Taj Malabar
2 Nights
Check In time is 14:00 & Check
Out time is 11:00 at all hotels.
Kumarakom
Kumarakom by Taj Malabar
2 Nights
Mumbai
Trident Nariman Point
2 Nights
THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES
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Accommodations, meals and fully guided tours as per itinerary
Domestic air & airport transfers to/from hotel
Complimentary home to airport limo ride, within the Toronto area (up to $60)
India visa processing fee
Tips for drivers and local guides
Porterage of two pieces of luggage at all hotels
Park and entrance fees
Hotel taxes
Services of Cruise Holidays of Clarkson host with minimum of 10 guests
Non-alcoholic beverages and 1 glass of wine or beer with all meals
Two bottles of water per day
THIS PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE
»» Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages other than at welcome and farewell cocktails and two bottles of water per day
»» International airfare
»» Additional excursions and meals other than those indicated
»» Other entrance fee to sites
»» Travel insurance
»» Cost of optional balloon ride
»» Items not mentioned above
PRICING
Double occupancy: $7,990 CAD pp
Single occupancy: $11,190 CAD
PAYMENTS
Deposit: $1,000 pp
Final payment date: Nov 1, 2015
Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.
CANCELATION POLICY
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From time of booking to Oct 31:
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Nov 1 to Dec 10:
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Dec 11 to Jan 11:
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Jan 12 to departure:
$400 pp
30% of total fare
75% of total tour cost
100% of total cost
GUARANTEED DEPARTURE
This group journey is guaranteed with a minimum of 10 guests. In the event where this minimum number is not reached,
deposit payments will be fully refunded. Once minimum number is reached, the journey will operate except only in cases
of force majeure, which by nature could affect the safety of guests, and affect international travel patterns or other circumstances beyond Cruise Holidays of Clarkson.
TOUR BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Travellers must report any disability that would require special attention while on tour at the time the reservation is made.
CH Clarkson is not responsible for any denial of services by air carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other suppliers as a result to
such disability. A qualified and physically able companion must accompany travellers who need such assistance and must
assume full responsibility for their well being. Travellers accept by virtue of this booking, that Cruise Holidays of Clarkson
has the right and authority to accept or reject any tour participant and to remove such participant if in the judgement of CH
Clarkson the participant’s behaviour interferes with the well being and enjoyment by the other participants. Cruise Holidays
of Clarkson will not refund or cover any cost or expenses incurred for such termination of vacation arrangements.
The tour participant agrees that Cruise Holidays of Clarkson shall not be liable for any damage, loss (including personal injury, death, and property loss), or expenses occasioned by any act or omission of any supplier providing services. Cruise Holidays of Clarkson shall not be responsible for any changes to the itinerary as outlined in the brochure by the tour suppliers.
Cruise Holidays of Clarkson will escort this group with a minimum of 10 guests.
CRUISE HOLIDAYS OF CLARKSON
1739 LAKESHORE ROAD WEST, MISSISSAUGA, ON L5J 1J4
905.855.1700 | 1.866.919.2111 | FAX: 905.855.1701
email: [email protected]
www.clarksontravel.ca