Commonwealth 2010 New Delhi Tours, Travels, Holidays, Tourism India Excursions,

The games are scheduled from 3 October to 14 October, 2010. the temperature during the games will range 22�C (71.5�F), which is the best time to travel in Delhi. Delhi offers monuments like Quitab Minar, Red fort, Lotus temple and Himayun�s Tomb also Laxmi Narayan Temple. Delhi offers worls class shoping malls where you can shop till you drop. The malls are open till late, the food of Delhi is a bonus for travelers it offers world cuisines as well as local delicacies

Delhi is located few hours (210Km) away from the one of the Seven Wonders of the World i.e. Taj Mahal in the city of Agra. Delhi also touches the state Rajasthan also known for world luxury holidays, castles, forts, heritage and dessert. The world�s oldest city (Varanasi) which still prevails is just 2hours away from Delhi by air. The sheer scale and diversity of India offers a range of destinations and experiences found nowhere else in the world: the mystical and breathtaking Himalayas in the north; vast beaches with an exciting range of water sports and other activities; peaceful lagoons and inland waterways; yoga and meditation to lift your spirits; wildlife parks to commune with nature; and ancient heritage sites to remind you of India�s ancient past. Incredible India has it all � waiting to be experienced!

Some Suggested Itinerary After or Before Commonwealth Games 2010

Visiting Taj Mahal

Delhi- Agra- Delhi

Starting From Delhi:- After the successful completion of common wealth games or before the start of the games.

Day 01: Delhi : Lv. at 0845 after b/f for the city tour - Along with an guide visiting to:-
Laxmi Narayan Temple - the temple built by the richest family of India and is the biggest temple in the northern region of India - and the temple is dedicated to Godess Laxmi and Lord Vishnu also called as Narayana.
Qutab Minar - the oldest monument of Delhi - The 73 metre tall minaret started in 1193 AD by Qutab-ud-din Aibak and got completed later by his successors in the 13th centaury and the Iron pillar inside the mosque is a superb example - this pillar has withstood the challenges of passing centuries and still perplexes the scientists by remaining unrusted.
Lotus Temple - shapes like a Lotus flower and is out of pure white italian marble - meant for the BAHAI's or a temple for all the religions - where one can pray under one roof with other religions - its a modern temple which just got built around 2 decades before.
Himayun's Tomb - the first Moghul monument in Delhi and is the memorial of Emperor Himayun is in a garden enclosed by lofty walls with gateway in the north and the west.
Now is the time to proceed back to the hotel passing the 8th city of Delhi also called as "" Lutyens Delhi"" which covers the President house, India Gate, parliament house and the diplomatic enclave.. Evening free for independent activities. O/n in the hotel.

Day 02: Delhi - Agra (204 kms - travelling time 3.30 hrs) :
Leave. in the morning After Breakfast for Agra - Enroute stop for a cup of tea and later proceed to Agra - upon arr. visit :-
Sikandra Tomb - the tomb of Third Mughal Ruler "Akbar " during the early 16th centaury , the five storied building is quite Impressive and is an interesting to place to study the gradual evolution in design that culminated in the Taj Mahal.
Agra Fort - the fort which took 95 years to complete over looking Taj Mahal , and is on the bank of River Yamuna the Important Palaces are Hall for the Common & Private Audience , Palace for Hide & seek game the Library , the palaces of the Daughter of ShahJahan and the palace where the Shahjahan the greatest builder of Taj Mahal got in Prison by his own son and Amar Singh Gate.
Taj mahal - Visit Taj Late afternoon so that you can see Taj in different lights - which looks different any time you see - stay at Taj for about 2.30 hrs and then proceed back to the hotel - Evening free for shopping to see the inlay work being done by the artisans. Dinner and o/n in the Hotel.

Day 03: Agra / Fatehpur Sikri /Agra (38 kms One way) :
Visit Taj Mahal in the morning at sun rise - to see the different phases of Taj - it looks most beautifull at Sun Rise. Later return back to the hotel spending 2 hrs. have breakfast and then proceed to Jaipur and enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri - the deserted city .which got built by the Third Mughal ruler " Akbar " and remained as capital from 1570 until 1585 and due to the water shortage the Mughal ruler Akbar was compelled to shift his capital from Fathepur Sikri to Agra . The Important Features of the fort are Shahi Darwaza ( Kings Gate ) , Tomb Of Sheikh Salim Chisti , Palace of Jodha Bai , Birbal Bhawan , Panch Mahal , Hide and seek Palace , Hall for the Common - Private Audience , spending around three hours at this fort then proceed back to Agra - Upon arr. check in the hotel - Later proceed for the shopping to see the inlay work for which Agra is popular for. Dinner and o/n in the hotel.

Day 04: Agra-Delhi:
Early morning after breakfast Lv, for Delhi. Arr. Delhi by 1100 hrs and you can also visit :- Red Fort - the fort which got built by Shahjahan during the 17th century and is in good condition - and the important palaces are the Lahori gate, Elephants gate, The hall for the common audience, The ladies palace, The hall for entertainment, The hall for the private audience, The royal bath and the Pearl Mosque.
Jama Masjid - got built by Emperor Shahjahan and at one time 20,000 people can offer there prayer and considered to be one of the best mosque of India.
Walking tour of old city in the narrow lanes to see the culture and the real India. Walking tour is the most interesting feature of Old City.

Connaught Place is the business and tourist centre. It�s a vast traffic circles with architecturally uniform series of colonnaded buildings around the edge � mainly devoted to shops, banks, restaurants, airline offices and the like. It�s spacious but busy.
Sound and light show at Red Fort- and impressive program which is performed everyday in the evening Later proceed to the airport to go back home. Tour Ends

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Delhi to Ganges Tours

Delhi � Rishikesh- Delhi

Starting From Delhi:- After the successful completion of common wealth games or before the start of the games.

Day 01:: Delhi

Have breakfast & enjoy the full day city tour of Delhi & visiting Laxmi Narayan Temple :: is the biggest temple in North India, it was built by richest family of India in 1938. It is dedicated to Lakshmi (goddess of prosperity) and Narayan (god of preserver). Jantar Mantar (Observatory) :: is built by Jai Singh in 1725, its passion for astronomy was more notable. Its main main feature is th measure the position of stars, altitudes and azimuths and calculating eclipses. President House :: is official residence of the President of the Country designed by Luytens. It was the official residence of the Viceroy when the British ruled India. Parliament House :: is a circular building where the Indian Parliament meets and the World's largest Democracy works. India Gate - is a 42 mtrs high stone arch of triumph. Their bear the name of the 85,000 Indian Army Soldiers who died in the campaigns of World War I. Below the arch is the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, India Gate is surrounded by green grass lawns and trees. Lotus Temple (Bahai Temple) :: was designed like a lotus flower. It is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. It is open to all faiths and is an ideal place for meditation and obtaining peace and tranquility. Humayun's Tomb :: is a mausoleum of the Mughal emperor Humayun. Bega Begum also known as Haji Begum, wife of Humayun constructed the mausoleum for her husband. It was designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyuth and built between 1562 and 1572 A.D. Qutab Minar :: is 72.5m tall and takes 379 steps to reach to the top. The construction was started by Qutub-ud-din Aibek and completed by his successor. Back to hotel for over night stay

Day 02:: Delhi to Haridwar (Drive)

Rishikesh - is a very important Hindu pilgrimage site. This is also a cluster of a number of Ashrams and temples giving the entire place a spiritual feeling. The ceaseless flow of the river, regarded as Goddess Ganga adds to the beauty and the purity of the place. Along the river, the area is filled with thick green forests in the all-mountainous region. The entire area falls on the Garhwal region of Northern India. Hordes of sadhus (sages) come to this place every year in search of salvation. Rishikesh is famous for its yoga sessions that are taught here by many yoga experts. There are wonderful scenery and the numerous pilgrimage sites. Rishikesh also makes some of the most popular adventure sport destinations of India. River rafting, trekking, rock climbing, hiking etc are some of the activities one can easily opt for here. Upon arrival, check in the hotel. Evening enjoy the prayer performed on Ghat at Parmnath Ashram. Over night stay in the hotel.

Day 03: Rishikesh to Delhi (drive)

Tour ends

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Golden Triangle with Pushkar

Starting From Delhi:- After the successful completion of common wealth games or before the start of the games..

Day01 :A Full day City Tour of Delhi:
In early morning after breakfast visit for sight seeing tour of the city. The Raj Ghat, Shanti Vana, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk (silver market), India gate (the arch of Triump), Rashtarpati Bhavan, Qutub Minar, Bahai Mandir, Laxmi Narayan Temple. In evening shopping for Connaught Place and Overnight stay in Hotel.

Day02DelhitoJaipur -
Leave after breakfast for Jaipur (Pink city), enroute visit small Villages and Cultivations. On reaching Jaipur transfer to a hotel and over nigh stay in the hotel.

Day 04 Jaipur - After breakfast we start by full day city tour of Jaipur. Old City (Pink City), City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, and Amber fort. Overnight stay in the hotel

Day05JaipurtoPushkar -
Early morning after taking breakfast Leave for Pushkar,. The Holy city of Hindu's and also famous for Camel & Cattle fair in the Month of November around 300000 Camel Owners come for Trading. Enroute visit Small Villages . On reaching we go to Pushkar Palace, later visit Hindu Temples and in the evening visit evening prayer with oil lamp. Over night stay in a hotel.

Day06Pushkar/FatehpurSikr/Agra-
Early morning after taking breakfast Leave for Agra the TAJ CITY

Day07AGRA
A full day sight seeing tour of the city of Agra

At the time of the Mughals, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of India, and its superb monuments date from that era. Agra has a magnificent fort and the building which many people come to India solely to see- the Taj Mahal.
Situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra, with its crowded alleys and predatory rickshaw riders, is much like any other north Indian city, once you're away from its imposing Mughal monuments. It's possible to take a day trip to Agra from Delhi however, Agra is worth more than a day's visit, particularly if you intend to visit, as you certainly should, the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. In any case, the Taj certainly deserves more than just a single visit if you want to appreciate how its appearance changes under different lights.

Day08Agratodelhi -
After breakfast we visit the TAJ MAHAL in sunrise, and leave for Delhi on arrival transfer to hotel in evening go for shopping in CONNAUGHT PLACE SHOPPING CENTRE Located at the northern end of New Delhi, Connaught Place is the business and tourist center. It�s a vast traffic circles with architecturally uniform series of colonnaded buildings around the edge � mainly devoted to shops, banks, restaurants, airline offices and the like. It�s spacious but busy, and you�re continually approached by people willing to provide you with everything imaginable, from an airline ticket for Timbuktu to having your fortune read. Late night departure to International Airport for your next exciting destination

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Spicy Kerala Tour

Duration: 4 Nights and 5 Days

Destination Covered: Cochin-Kumarakom-Alleppey- Cochin

Starting From Delhi: - After the successful completion of common wealth games or before the start of the games.

Day 01: Delhi to Cochin (Fly)

On arrival at the Cochin airport, you will be met by our representative who will facilitate your transfer to the hotel. Relax at the hotel and enjoy a sumptuous lunch before going across the Cochin Harbour to Fort Cochin. Enjoy a sightseeing tour that would include visits to the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church and Chinese Fishing nets. Return for an overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 02: Cochin - Kumarakom

On day 2 of the Kerala Backwater Holidays tour, enjoy a 3-hour drive to Kumarakom after breakfast. Check in at a hotel / resort and spend the remaining part of the day at leisure. You can also opt for a relaxing Ayurvedic massage at the hotel / resort.

Day 03 : Kumarakom

Enjoy an early morning bird watching tour at the Kumarakom bird sanctuary. Return for a scrumptious breakfast at the resort / hotel and visit some neighboring farm houses. Spend the remaining part of the day at leisure. Overnight stay would be at Kumarakom.

Day 04: Alleppey

Set out for Alleppey. Check in at a houseboat that will take you through the sleepy backwaters of Kerala.

Enjoy nature at its bountiful best as your houseboat passes by charming villages, lush green paddy fields and other scenic delights. Stay overnight in your houseboat besides enjoying the best of traditional food.

Day 05: Cochin

Drive to Cochin and transfer to the airport.

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Delhi �Jaipur- Agra- Orcha- Khajuraho- Varanasi � Umaria- Bandhavgarh- Kanha- Jabalpur- Delhi

Duration � 13 Nights 14 Days

Day01 DelhitoJaipur(Drive) -
Leave after breakfast for Jaipur (Pink city), enroute visit small Villages and Cultivations. On reaching Jaipur transfer to a hotel and over nigh stay in the hotel.

Day 02 Jaipur -
After breakfast we start by full day city tour of Jaipur. Old City (Pink City), City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, and Amber fort. Overnight stay in the hotel

Day 03-4 Jaipur � Agra (Drive)
A full day sight seeing tour of the city of Agra At the time of the Mughals, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of India, and its superb monuments date from that era. Agra has a magnificent fort and the building which many people come to India solely to see- the Taj Mahal. Situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra, with its crowded alleys and predatory rickshaw riders, is much like any other north Indian city, once you're away from its imposing Mughal monuments

Day 05 Agra � Orchha (Train)
Orchha was once the capital city of the Bundelas, Orchha is now just a village, set among a complex of well-preserved palaces and temples. It�s definitely worth a visit. Orchha was founded in 1531 and remained the capital of a powerful Rajput kingdom until 1783, when nearby Tikamgadh become the new capital. Overnight at Orchha.

Day-06 Orchha-Khajuraho:- (185 km)
Morning drive to Khajuraho ,The temple of Khajuraho are India�s unique gift to the world, representing a paean to life, love and joy; perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Life, in every form and mood, has been captured here in stone testifying to the craftsman�s artistry and the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs full day Sight sign & overnight at hotel.

Day 07/8 Khajuraho � Varanasi (Fly)
This early morning sunrise boat cruise at holy river Ganges visiting Ghats and seeing people taking holy dip and worshiping, followed by city tour of Varanasi, visiting Monkey temple, Kashi Vishwanath temple, Bharat Mata Mandir and the famous Hindu University. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09 Varanasi- Umaria- Bandhavgarh National park (Train)
Drive to Wild Life sanctuary- Bandhavgarh. On arrival check into the Jungle Lodge for overnight stay.

Day 10 Bandhavgarh
Full day for Jungle activities. Overnight at the Lodge

Day 11 Bandhavgarh to Kanha (Tiger Preserve) (Drive)
Transfer to Kanha National Park (Tiger reserve). Afternoon free at leisure. Overnight at Jungle lodge.

Day 12 Kanha National Park
Full day jungle activities seeing, spotted deer's, leopard, chital, jackals, Indian Tigers and many kind of birds. Overnight at Jungle Lodge.

Day 13 Kanha National Park to Jabalpur
Early morning drive to Jabalpur, after noon after reaching visit Naramada falls and evening boat ride while watching marble cliffs. Morning flight to Delhi.OR Drive back from Kanha and evening flight from jabalpur to Delhi.

Tour Ends

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South India�s Retreat to ancient India

Delhi- Mumbai - Cochin - Kumarakom - Periyar - Madurai - Trichy - Tanjore - Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Chennai � Mumbai/Delhi

Starting From Delhi/ Mumbai: - After the successful completion of common wealth games or before the start of the games. If starting from Delhi den fly to Mumbai on very first day.

Day 01 :: Mumbai - Cochin (Fly) ::
Meet & greet upon arrival and have a small city tour of Bombay visiting : - Gateway Of India Mumbai's most famous landmark, The Gateway of India, is situated at Apollo Bunder. It was designed by George Wikket.It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911. Through this magnificent monument, numerous viceroys and governors were welcomed to India as they disembarked from their steamers, hence the name. Haji Ali Haji Ali mosque, and the tomb of a Muslim saint, is located off shore, in the Arabian sea opposite Mahalaxmi temple. Flora Fountain (Hutatma Chowk) The fountain has a figure of "Flora", the Roman Goddess of Flowers at the top. Evening flight for Cochin.

Day 02 :: Cochin ::
In the morning upon arrival in Cochin, transfer to the hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing of Cochin & visit :- Dutch Palace, Mattancherry The Palace, originally built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin raja Veera Kerala Varma in 1555, acquired its present name after 1663 when the Dutch carried out some extensive repairs. Santa Cruz Basilica originally built by the Portuguese, this church was elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. The church was totally demolished by the British who took over Cochin in 1795. Later Bishop Dom Gomez Ferreira commissioned a new building in 1887. Santa Cruz was finally proclaimed a Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984. The basilica, situated close to the St. Francis Church, has some beautiful paintings. Cherai Beach Located 25 kms from Ernakulam in a typical village ambience is this lovely unspoilt stretch of sand, ideal for swimming. But if the sea and sand still do not whet your appetite, there're any number of food outlets and ice-cream parlours to do so. At Cherai, life guards are always on the look out for the over adventurous. Dolphins are also commonly seen in the waters.

Day 03 :: Cochin - Alleppey (Drive 53 Kms 01 Hr) - Kumarakom (A/C Houseboat) ::
After b/fast leave for Alleppey. On arrival board a Houseboat. It passes through forests, palm - shaded backwaters and canals enjoying the magnificent scenery along with the waterways and stopping to admire what history and religion have left along with the way. Enjoy the full day and o/n on the houseboat.

Day 04 :: Kumarakom ::
Morning on arrival to Kumarakom transfer to the hotel. Rest of the time is free for your own movements or you can have an ayurvedic treatment also, if you wish to. o/n stay in the hotel.

Day 05 :: Kumarakom - Periyar (Drive 108 Kms 02 Hrs) ::
Leave after b/fast for Periyar. On arrival c/in to the hotel & after a couple of hours go ahead for city tour of Periyar visiting :- Chellarkovil This sleepy little village slops to the famous grapes, coconut, cotton and vegetable growing areas of Tamil Nadu. Abundant scenic beauty and a silver cascade add to the charm of the place. Murukady Tea, Coffee, Cardamom, Pepper, Vanilla growing areas. A walk through the spice plantations of these areas can be a memorable experience. Wagamon The cool mountain air, mist, grass-covered hills, velvet lawns etc amek Wagamon a perfect holiday resort. The chain of three hills Thangal Hills (Muslim name) Murugan Hills (Hindu name) and Kurisumala (Christian name) isa mark of religious harmony. Mount Velvet lawns and the cool pleasant non-polluted continuous breeze make the sojourn on the mount a memorable experience to the tourist. From its top one can enjoy the green beauty of the Periyar Tiger Reserve with the lake on the one side and vast tea plantations on the other side. Return to the hotel for o/n stay.

Day 06 :: Periyar - Madurai (Drive 137 Kms 03 Hrs) ::
After b/fast drive towards the city of temples Madurai. Upon arrival in Madurai c/in to the hotel & rest of the day have leisure time. O/n stay in the hotel.

Day 07 :: Madurai ::
Have b/fast & proceed to full day city tour of Madurai visiting: - Sree Meenakshi Temple is one of the most prominent among the temples of Madurai. Gandhi Museum This is the most distinguished among the tourist attractions in Madurai and is a living memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Thirupparankunram Tirupparankundram is famous for the Pandyan rock-cut shrines that date back to the 8th century that later came to be known as the Nayaka Hindu temple. You will find a wide range of Hindu deities carved on the walls on your visit to this temple. Located on the top a hill, people believe that it is one of six abodes of Lord Subramanya. Mariamman Teppakulam is one of the most popular places of interest in Madurai. Later return to the hotel for o/n stay.

Day 08 :: Madurai - Trichy (Drive 126 Kms 02:45 Hrs) ::
Leave after b/fast for Trichiy. On arrival transfer to the hotel then move for city tour of Trichy visiting :- Ranganathaswamy Temple A little away from Trichy, this is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Trichy. Sri Jambukeswara Temple The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati his consort. Rock Fort Temple The impressive temple is built upon an 83meters high rocky outcrop. A long and steep series of steps lead to the temple. Viralimalai Sanctuary Only 30kms away from Trichy, the sanctuary is located centring round the Murugan temple. A considerable population of wild peacocks roams in the sanctuary is one of the important tourist attractions in Trichy. Return back to the hotel for o/n stay.

Day 09 :: Trichy - Tanjore (Drive 54 Kms 01 Hr) ::
Leave after b/fast for Tanjore. On arrival c/in to the hotel & after a short recess move for the city tour of Tanjore visit :- Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple The temple is of the biggest tourist attractions in Tanjore, Built in 10th century AD by the Chola King Rajaraja I. The historical site of Papanasham close to the city of Tanjore, is also one of the tourist attractions in Tanjore. Two temples and a granary built in 1600 - 1634 AD by the Nayaks feature among the tourist attractions in Tanjore. Art Gallery The Art Gallery is another place that should not be missed while at Tanjore. It has a collection of around 250 Chola bronze statues and 150 stone statues dating back to the 9th and 12th century and belonging to the many groups like the Bhairava, Umasahita Shiva, Kali and Rama Lakshmana. It also has some Tamil treatises on medicine and commentaries from the Sangam period. The nearby museum houses some interesting exhibits like the Ramayana written on a palm leaf. o/n stay in the hotel.

Day 10 :: Tanjore - Pondicherry (Drive 167 Kms 03� Hrs) ::
After having b/fast drive towards Pondicherry. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel & after a short time leave for city tour of Pondicherry visiting :- Botanical garden The botanical garden is a famous spot covered by most tours of Puducherry. Government Square, this used to be the headquarters of the French administration. Several important government buildings used to be the center of French administration in the colonial era. Today this area is one of the tourist attractions of Puducherry as well as center of governance of the Union territory. Auroville, this unique venture is a city located close to Puducherry and is considered to be among the tourist spots in Puducherry. It was started in 1968 under the supervision of �mother�. It has been visualized as a universal town where people from all cast, creed and community will live in peace and harmony. Chunnambar Resort This place is known for its fantastic beach and the water sports opportunities. This is one of the most popular tourist spots in Pondicherry. Arikamedu One of the must visit places in Pondicherry is Arikamedu. Arikamedu is a great tourist spot as it has a lot of historical relevance. A lot of students arrive here on study tours periodically. This place is remembered as a trade centre of the Romans a number of centuries back. Later return to the hotel for o/n stay.

Day 11 :: Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram (Drive 94 Kms 01� Hrs) ::
Leave after b/fast towards Mahabalipuram, on arrival c/in to the hotel & proceed for the city tour of Mahabalipuram visiting :- Shore Temple This charming temple located on the shore is the most famous among the tourist attractions in Mahabalipuram. Pancha Pandava Rathas These splendid structures dating back to the 7th century are located in the southern end of Mahabalipuram. Arjuna's Penance It is a massive bas-relief replete with meticulous carvings that include a family of elephants and monkeys. The carvings on the bas-relief are the stories from the legends of India and the Panchatantra . You will also encounter the Krishna Mandapa nearby, which is a bas-relief of enthralling architectural brilliance. O/n stay in the hotel.

Day 12 :: Mahabalipuram ::
After having b/fast leave for full day city tour of Mahabalipuram visiting :- Caves The caves in Mahabalipuram are among some of the most sought-after Mahabalipuram tourist attractions. The Varaha cave is one such cave which is actually a rock-cut mandapam (hall) and features two incarnations of Vishnu which are Varaha (boar) and Vamana (dwarf). There is also a seventh century Dharmaraja Cave and consists of three empty shrines. The other caves located here are Mahisasurmardini Cave and Tiger cave. Krishna Mandapam One of the earliest rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram, its walls depict scenes of Krishna's pastoral life. One of them depicts Krishna lifting the Govardhan Parvat on his little finger to protect his people from wrath of the Rain God, Indra. Krishna's Butterball This is a huge natural rock perched on a hillside and the precarious way in which it is balanced simply startles its onlookers. Moreover, Mahabalipuram is also an ideal point for indulging in various adventure activities such as bike trips, boat rides, fishing trips, trekking and wind surfing. Afternoon is free. O/n stay in the hotel.

Day 13 :: Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (Drive 122 Kms 02 hrs) ::
After b/fast drive towards Kanchipuram & visit :- Ekambaranathar Temple Dedicated to Lord Shiva. Vaikuntha Perumal Temple Dating back to the 8th century, Vaikuntha temple was built by Nandivarma Pallava and dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There are scenes from battle carved on the panels encircling the main parikrama of this Vaishnavite temple. These scenes depict the bravery of Pallava kings. Kailasanathar Temple The Pallava kings constructed the Kailasanathar Temple in the 8th century AD. It has a captivating panel portraying Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in the midst of one of their many dance competitions. The architecture of this temple resembles the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram. Kamakshi Amman Temple Dedicated to goddess Parvati in her incarnation as Kamakshi, the goddess of Love, this is one of the three holy places of Shakti worship in India. The other two are in Madurai and Varanasi. The Cholas built the temple in its present form, during the 14th century AD. In the evening return to the hotel in Mahabalipuram for the o/n stay.

Day 14 :: Mahabalipuram - Chennai (Drive 55 Kms 01 hrs) ::
After having b/fast proceed towards Chennai & visit: - Government Museum Once British Society in Chennai used to meet in the Pantheon. Its 18th century buildings and grounds have over the years since then been developed into the Connemara Library, one of the country's three National Libraries, the national Art Gallery, a beautiful building of Jaipur- Mughal architecture. Fort St. George occupies a place of pride and prominence in Chennai. Valluvar Kottam The memorial to the poet-saint Tiruvalluvar is shaped like a temple chariot and is, in fact, the replica of the temple chariot in Thiruvarur. A life-size statue of the saint has been installed in the chariot which is 33m. tall. Sri Kapaleeswar Temple Not far from Triplicane, in Mylapore, there is yet another 8th century Pallava temple. The Marina Beach Stretching two miles, from the Coovum River's mouth, south of the Fort, till the northern boundaries of the 16th century Portuguese town of San Thome, is this magnificent beach drive and promenade. Birla Planetarium, the Birla Planetarium at Kotturpuram, between Adyar and Guindy, is the most modern planetarium in the country. Guindy National Park Once this was all part of Governor's Estate. Now it is fragmented and the major part is a thickly forested game sanctuary where the spotted deer and the black buck roam about and a wealth of smaller fauna thrive. Later in the evening transfer you to the Domestic airport as per your schedule to fly back to Bombay or Delhi.

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Tour Ends

Birding and Tiger tour of Rajasthan
Best time to visit - 11 nights & 12 days (October to April)

Visit :: Bharatpur, Agra, Ranthambore, Sonkhaliya, Jaipur, Delhi

This tour to Rajasthan combines the world famous Bharatpur, with its huge numbers of wintering birds, with the spectacular Ranthambhor reserve, home to a completely different avifauna and Tigers! You will also have the opportunity to visit the Taj Mahal, Agra and Jaipur and have a chance to look for the rare and declining Indian Bustard.

Starting From Delhi: - After the successful completion of common wealth games or before the start of the games.

Day 01 Arrive in Delhi and transfer to Hotel in Bharatpur for a five-night stay. En route, we will see our first common Indian birds which may include Black (Black-eared) Kite, Common and Bank Mynas, Black Drongo, Laughing Dove, Pied Bushchat, Indian Robin, Little Swift and Rose-ringed Parakeet.

Days 2-5 Bharatpur is world famous for its wildlife, and justifiably so. It was once the preserve of the Maharajas for hunting and, ironically, this is the reason that it has survived in such pristine condition. It is possible to see over 100 bird species in a day in this 29 square kilometre reserve using cycle-rickshaw or by foot. As we arrive early in the morning, we will see hoards of Bar-headed and Greylag Geese flying in to feed alongside Sarus Cranes. If Siberian Cranes have returned, we will make a special effort to locate them. There are many walks to follow around the "Bounds" and the habitat varies from shallow lakes to flooded forest and dry savannah. Storks are particularly conspicuous and we should see Asian Openbill and Black-necked, Painted and Woolly-necked Storks, whilst other fish-eaters include Little Cormorant, Indian Shag, Oriental Darter, Black-headed Ibis and Black Bittern. Ducks are numerous and may include Lesser Whistling-duck, Comb, Ferruginous and Spot-billed Ducks, Red-crested Pochard, Ruddy Shelduck and Cotton Pygmy-goose.
Other water-dependent birds commonly found include Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, Purple Swamphen and White-breasted Waterhen. Waders are plentiful and as well as the common Palearctic migrants we may see White-tailed, Red-wattled and Yellow-wattled Lapwings, the enigmatic Indian Courser and with a great deal of luck, Sociable Lapwing.
There are also plenty of land-birds, which may include Orange-headed Ground-thrush, Greenish, Hume's, Smoky, Thick-billed and Yellow-browed Warblers, Small Minivet, Common Wood Shrike, Brahminy Starling, the virtually endemic Marshall's Iora, Bluethroat and the spectacular Siberian Rubythroat. Grey Francolins are commonly heard and are relatively easy to see but Black Francolin are much more difficult. Birds of prey are numerous and omni-present. Up to ten species of eagle include Bonelli's, Crested Serpent, Eastern Imperial, Great Spotted, Indian Spotted, Steppe and Tawny, while the most regular vulture is now Red-headed. Most species of owl and nightjar can be seen at their daytime roosts and target species include Dusky Eagle-owl, Indian Scops-owl, Brown Hawk Owl and Spotted Owlet as well as Large-tailed Nightjar.
During our stay at Bharatpur we will make a half-day visit to both the spectacular Taj Mahal and Red Fort in Agra. Nearby, on the River Yamuna, we will look for River Lapwing and Great Black-headed Gull, whilst at the fort we may see Dusky Crag-martin.
Another day we will visit Bund Barita, a reservoir which is one of the few reliable spots for Indian Skimmer in the area. The reservoir holds huge numbers of wildfowl and other waterbirds and we may also see Black-bellied, River and Whiskered Terns. At an old hunting lodge nearby we will look for Barred Buttonquail, Sulphur-bellied Warbler and Indian Chat, whilst at a nearby government house, we will look at the large colony of Indian Flying-foxes. On the way back to Bharatpur we will stop at a breeding colony of Long-billed Vultures, a very rare bird in India these days. At the end of our stay at Bharatpur we should have seen over 200 species together with a few mammals including Nilgai, Sambar and Spotted Deer and Golden Jackal.

Day 6 We transfer to Ranthanbhor for a three-night stay at the Hotel. This is another former hunting preserve, especially for Tigers, of the Maharajas of Jaipur. We have a good chance of seeing a Tiger during our stay, much better than either Leopard or Sloth Bear. This is a spectacular reserve comprising deep ravines and steep cliffs with thorn and dry deciduous forests all overlooked by an impressive eleventh century fortress. We will make a series of morning and afternoon visits to the reserve in either canters (22-seat open trucks) or gypsies (6-seat open jeeps).

Days 7-8 The different habitat at Ranthanbhor ensures that we will see plenty of new species. These may include Common Peafowl, Painted Spurfowl, Jungle Bushquail, Great Thick-knee, Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Common Hawk-cuckoo, Yellow-legged Green Pigeon, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-lark, Rufous-tailed Lark, Bay-backed Shrike, White-bellied Drongo, Large Cuckoo-shrike, Rufous Treepie, Tickell's Blue and Asian Paradise-flycatchers, Indian Roller, Indian Grey Hornbill and Greater Coucal. Birds of prey are again present in good numbers and may include Crested Honey-buzzard, White-eyed Buzzard, White-backed Vulture and Black Eagle whilst Shikra sit inconspicuously close to the tracks. We may find a roosting Brown Fish-owl here and will also make an effort to see Savannah Nightjar one evening. Nearby are some lakes and arid areas and here we may find Chestnut-bellied and Painted Sandgrouse.

Day 9 Leaving Ranthanbhor, we will transfer to Sonkhaliya to stay at Juniya for two nights.
Day 10 Today is a very special one as we will look for the rare and spectacular Indian Bustard. Other birds that can be found in the area include Stoloczka's Bushchat and White-naped Tit. It can be extremely dusty in the jeeps however but it is well worth a little discomfort for this opportunity. As we look for the Indian Bustard we may see Desert, Isabelline and Variable Wheatears and huge numbers of Greater Short-toed Larks together with the occasional Bimaculated Lark. This is also a good site for Rock Eagle-owl and in 2004 we saw no less than seven of these spectacular birds.

Day 11 We will return to Delhi via Jaipur, bird watching and sightseeing en route.
General Information Days are warm but early mornings and late evenings can be chilly. Rain is unlikely. The pace is easy. On most days, we will take a break in the middle of the day when it is hot and bird activity is low. There are a number of health requirements and you must consult your GP in this respect. Insects are not a major problem at this time of year but you must take precautions to avoid other health risks. Accommodation is in good-standard hotels all with private facilities.

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Birding Plus Tiger Tour

Jabalpur � Kanha � Bandhavgarh � Jabalpur
Starting From Delhi: - After the successful completion of common wealth games or before the start of the games.
Delhi to Jabalpur (Fly) or Train

Day 01: Jabalpur airport/railway station � Kanha National Park (105 Km/ 3 Hours)
Drive early morning to Kanha National Park which will takes approx 3 Hours. Check into the hotel/lodge. Take the afternoon safari and evening for rest. Overnight at the lodge/hotel.

Day 02: Kanha National Park
Morning safari for game viewing. Drive to Bandhavgarh (240 Km/5 Hours). Overnight at the lodge/ hotel.

Day 03: Bandhavgarh National Park
Morning � safari for game viewing. In the afternoon proceed for nature walk around national park to see life around sanctuary and for bird watching. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Bandhavgarh drive to Jabalpur (190 Km/ 4Hours)
Take the morning safari. Then drive to Jabalpur which will take 4 Hours and catch the flight or train to onward destination.

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�Taj� Short Birding Tour

Starting From Delhi: - After the successful completion of common wealth games or before the start of the games.
Delhi � National Chambal Sanctuary �Agra- Bharatpur- Delhi

Day 01 Delhi - National Chambal Sanctuary
Transfer to Chambal early in the morning. Morning boat cruise with a guide to see Indian skimmer, black-bellied tern, large flocks of migratory waterfowl, cranes such as common, demoiselle and Saras; fish-eating crocodile and marsh mugger; Gangetic dolphin; turtles etc. Return by 1500 hours to Agra. Afternoon visit to the Taj Mahal

Day 02National Chambal Sanctuary � Agra � Bharatpur
Morning after breakfast, visit Taj Mahal, then drive to Bharatpur en route for a visit to Fatehpur Sikri. Arrive in Bharatpur. Rest of the day birding with a guide in wetlands of keoladio national park. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03 Bharatpur
Full day of birding in Keoladeo Ghana National Park on foot and cycle rickshaws with a birding guide. Note: one boat ride will be arranged subject to availability. Keoladeo National Park has some of the finest wetlands in the world and is the world heritage site. Over 400 species of birds find a refuge in the 29 square kilometers of shallow lakes & woodland of the park. A third of them are winter migrants which breed as far as Siberia & Central Asia.

Day 04 Bharatpur � Delhi
Morning after breakfast, birding till noon. Then drive to Delhi, catch your flight to onwards destination.

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