India, Bhutan, Nepal & Tibet Group Tours

EXCELLENCE INTRAVEL

indiabhutan, nepal &tibet

over

35 years of travel

experienceH

HH

Escorted GroupsSmall personable groups

4 or 5-star, fully-escorted

All guaranteed to depart

www.incatours.net

india, bhuta with inca australia’s small g

includessome of thebest propertiesInca Tours uses some of the finest hotels, trains and cruising vessels in the world.Where possible we utilise properties with local charm,style and character, avoidingthe big foreign chains with their generic decor and international design style.

includesall sightseeingInca Tours includes all sightseeing with expert localguides so you do not have topay extra when you get there. If it is worth doing or seeing, we include it for everyone in our small groups. This way you do not have to choose between various options.

includes all tipping & porterage

all inclusiveJourneys

No hidden extras, alltipping, all porterage,all entrance fees and alltransfers are included.

all inclusiveof flightsIncludes all the flights

described in our itineraries.

2 inca tours - excellence in travel

Inca Tours is a member of the Council of Australian

Tour Operators (CATO)and the Australian

Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA).

includesfine diningYou may be surprised with Indian Cuisine, as much of it is enjoyed as shared plates. Our special event dinners included to enhance your tour,are sure to impress. Just as important are free choice mealsas you may not want to eat national foods all of the time.

includesall activitiesInca Tours has chosen the very best sights and activities soyou can simply sit back, relaxand enjoy the exclusive and pampered India,Bhutan,Nepalexperience. When it comes toincluding sights and activitiesin our tours, it’s our attentionto detail that sets us apart.

100% of ourdepartures areguaranteed

an & nepal tours

group specialists

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contentsexperience the regionwith inca tours, thesmall group specialists

luxury-class INDIA, bhutan, nepal 30

short tours & extensions 54

superior-class india, bhutan, nepal 42

india, bhutan & nepal gold tour 34first part of gold tour 40second part of gold tour 41

india, bhutan, nepal sensations tour 46india part of sensations tour 52bhutan & nepal part of sensations 53

highlights of tibet tour 54the best of tibet tour 55south india cultural tour 56delhi & the north tours 58sri lankan highlights tour 60wildlife & BEACH tour (sri lanka) 61tour enhancers 62combining tours 63


Page

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over 35years of travel

experience!


inca tours willshow you the realindia,bhutan & nepal

India, Bhutan, Nepal & Tibet are asurprise & mystery. From the Gangesto the Himalayas, from the colourfulGolden Triangle to Tiger inhabitednational parks, from monasteries topalaces, the region offers it all.

INDIAIndia is a culturally rich and exotic place—from the famous “Golden Triangle” and the majestic palacesand forts of Rajasthan in the West, to the lush backwaters of Kerala in the South; from its monsoonforests, home to the elusive Tiger in the East to the temples of the North. Majestic mountains andtropical seas, red deserts and sacred rivers, old customs and new ways, modern cities and traditionalcrafts, they all call India home! This region is the birthplace of Hinduism and Buddhism, with theirmany temples, both old and new, dedicated to the worship of mountains and rivers, especially theSacred Ganges, which has been cleansing the faithful since the religion’s birth.

Visitors to India are always overwhelmed by the vibrant colours. Reds, oranges, yellows, blues andgreens, they are to be seen everywhere in the clothes, the food, the buildings and the landscape. Thisexplosion of colour is further enhanced by the vast array of scents and smells encountered as one passesthrough the street and markets. Candles, lamps, incense sticks, herbs, spices and last but not least, foodbeing prepared. They all contribute to bringing you the complete India experience. For a brief timeyou can be part of this incredible country, sharing in its cultures, colours and scents.

bhutan, nepal & tibetBhutan, Nepal& Tibet have had many influences shape them, including Mother Nature. Onceconnected to Africa, the Indian Subcontinent drifted north and collided with Asia and threw up the mighty Himalayas, which cover the northern part of India. Here, bordering India we find thelandlocked Kingdom of Bhutan, the Democratic Republic of Nepal and the autonomous region of Tibet.

The Kingdom of Bhutan offers a most pristine experience, as it only recently opened up to visitors, yet has retained its traditional way of life. Additionally, the Bhutanese have been rated the happiest people in Asia! Nepal is more developed but a must see as it is home to Everest and many other scenicand cultural treasures. Tibet is a plateau, north-east of the Himalayas. It is also the highest region onearth, with an average elevation of 4,900 metres! Tibet is definitely a part of the world which conjuresup images of the exotic, from people and scenery to palaces and temples, yet Tibet, like Bhutan, Nepaland indeed India, are all excellent value destinations.

includesunique faunaas well assome of the moststunningscenery inall of india,bhutan, nepal& tibet.

includescontactwith aunique blend of cultures,religions &some of thefriendliestof peoples.

cultures at their most

unique!

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with inca tours, you are in very good hands

Inca Tours, a destination specialist, is very proud to have over 35 yearsexperience organising small groupjourneys to various parts of theworld. Just imagine what we can do for you!

we have done all the planning for youIn planning a visit to a diverse region, one not only has to decide what to see and how much time tospend in each location but just as importantly, what to avoid. Tours must be planned to satisfy specialinterests, whether they be the majestic scenery, dynamic cities, the monuments of past civilisations, thecolourful people who call it home, meeting new friends or just having a good time! We do all this andmore. Our tours are planned and operated by people who know and above all, love the region.

your tour leader is there for youEach component of your Gold Tour or Sensations Tour is hosted by one of our experienced tourleaders. They are in turn, assisted by our expert English-speaking local guides, drivers and groundhandlers to ensure your journey is as seamless as possible and you get to remember it for all the rightreasons. As our group sizes are small, you have regular access to your tour leader and your local guides.This usually occurs on a one-on-one basis, so you get the absolute most from your holiday.

guaranteed departures & group sizes allow you to book with confidenceUnfortunately today, many tour companies have in their fine print that the tour may be cancelled or may not be fully escorted without a minimum number of clients. We know this uncertainty causesmany problems for travellers, so for all Sensations Tours and Gold Tours, we guarantee that the tourswill operate and that they will be fully escorted with two or more guests.

In the same way that we guarantee our departures and tour leader, we also place a cap of only eighteenguests on each of our Sensations Tours and Gold Tours. For financial reasons, most other tourcompanies do not do this. We believe your tour should give you the opportunity to connect with thepeople and places you visit and enable your tour leader to get to know you personally, not just by aname tag. This is only possible if travelling in a small group, not in the large crowds often seen in other tour groups.

Inca Tours’personalisedgroups (a Maximumof only 18)means youare not justanother face in thecrowd.

your tour leader, with assistancefrom our english-speakinglocal guideswill ensure a seamlessjourney.

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whychoose

incatours?• Superior-class& Luxury-classhotels, trains and vessels.• A luxury overnight houseboatstay on the Kerala Backwaters.• Palace Hotel stays.• Dedicated tour leader andexpert specialist local guides.• Most dining is included.• Special dining events.• All cultural& historical activities are included.• All city& sightseeing tours and entrance fees are included.• All flights as outlined in ouritineraries are included.• All private airport transfers.• All porterage is included.• All tipping and gratuities.• If after booking your tour weoffer any discounts, we will reduce your cost accordingly.

australian owned & operated


with inca tours’small groups, youwon’t miss a thing

We were one of the pioneers in smallgroup travel, boasting more than 35years of continuous service. You arein very good hands when you chooseto travel with us, as our small groupsmean you won’t miss out on a thing.

inca tours has led the way & still doesFor many destinations, we were the first or one of the first to take small group journeys into what wasconsidered “out of the way” places. Our tour leaders and office staff regularly visit these destinations, as well as new ones, which ensures that our destination knowledge is always up-to-date and second tonone. Because of this we are able to plan and execute the very best itineraries, many of which are nowemulated by those who have followed our lead. Regular destination updates also mean we are equippedto make changes if any aspect of the journey has changed or if better options have become available.

no gimmicks!Because of our extensive knowledge, we do not have the “free choice” gimmicks that others offer. If it’s worth doing or seeing, we simply include it for all!

no need for headsetsUp to forty people on a tour is not a small group! With a maximum of only18 guests and normallyless, our groups are intimate and small which means there is no need for clumsy and uncomfortableheadsets to allow you to hear what the local guide or tour leader is saying. With us you hear it directlyfrom “the horse’s mouth” as they say. Our small group sizes also mean that it is much easier for you toask questions and be heard and more importantly, answered.

inca tours’ free choice mealsWherever possible, we arrange for included lunches and dinners to be enjoyed at local restaurants. Indian, Nepali and Bhutanese Cuisine lends itself to shared plate menus. However, where possible you will have free choice of international cuisine. Many of our restaurants are chosen because of theirlocation and/or because of their quality and style, which turns the dining experience into a highlight in itself. Only touring with small groups provides the flexibility in this area and subsequently, greatlyenhances your India, Bhutan and Nepal experience.

witha maximum of only 18guests, youare assuredof the most personalisedservice onyour indiaregion tour.

withdailyone on one interactionwith yourtour leaderand guides,you will havethe greatest experiencepossible.

with inca,you won’t miss

a thing!

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inca tours’extraordinary experiences

There is a big difference between visiting a destination and truly experiencing it. There are numerousevents built into our journeys so thatyou experience the region in all itsmany colours and contrasts.

Stroll Fort Cochin’s streets, reflecting an unusual blend of medieval Portuguese, Dutch and English country life.

relax aboard a luxury houseboat on Kerala’s Backwaters.

immerse yourself in the spirituality of the Aarti Ceremony.

enjoy a bicycle rickshaw ride through the colourful, chaotic, vibrant market areas of India’s old cities.

observe a spectacular sunrise over the majestic Himalayas.

explore some of Nepal’s World Heritage Listed Sites, including Bhaktapur, Patan and the Kathmandu Valley.

marvel at the beauty and magnificence of Mount Everest.

wonder at the noise, sights, sounds and smells of India.

feel the overwhelming peace and happiness of Bhutan.

stare in awe at the perfection of the famous Taj Mahal.

one day Experience a Kathakaliperformance(music, dance,& drama), thenext delightin mumbai’sgateway ofindia.

whether exploringudaipur orwatchingthe sun riseover everest,experiencethe very bestwith incatours.

once in alifetime

experiences

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spectacular hotelsin really stunninglocations

Most hotels used by us have been inspected and stayed in by membersof the Inca Tours’ team. They arechosen for their location, history,character or ambiance, so you’ll experience only the very best.

River escape luxury houseboat, Kerala, India.

the taj mahal palace & tower,Mumbai, India.

dwarika’s hotel,Kathmandu, Nepal.

taj tashi hotel,Thimphu, Bhutan.

oberoi hotel,Delhi, India.

oberoi amervilas, Agra, India.

Nahargarh Fort Hotel, Ranthambore NP, India.

taj rambagh palace hotel, Jaipur, India.

Deogarh Mahal Hotel, Deogarh, India.

taj lake palace hotel, Udaipur, India.

trulyspectacularhotels,in the moststunning locations to be foundin india,bhutan& nepal.

follow in the footsteps ofindia’s royalfamilies, asyou stay insome very famouspalace hotels.

the region’sfinest

properties

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THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE & RAJASTHAN

The Golden Triangle is a famous circuit encompassing Agra, Jaipurand Delhi. It houses many of India’sgreat cultural gems. Combined withRajasthan it offers a wide spectrum ofIndia’s varied and diverse landscape.

the golden triangleIndia’s most renowned and most visited destination, this triangle has been dubbed “golden” for theextraordinary wealth of cultural and historical highlights on offer. The Golden Triangle contains one of the “New seven Wonders of the World”, the Taj Mahal in Agra. Commissioned in 1632 by theMughal Emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his third wife, the Taj Mahal stands proudly on the banks of the Yamuna River. Agra is also home to the much visited and impressive Agra Fort.

There is also the magnificent Amber Fort, stunningly situated on a hilltop overlooking Maota Lake on Jaipur’s outskirts. Also known as the “Pink City” Jaipur is home to the unusual Hawa Mahal or“Palace of the Winds” located within the old city walls. Nearby Jantar Mantar, meaning “instrument of calculation”, is an observatory built in1728 and added to India’s list of World Heritage Sites in 2010.

Delhi forms the third part of the Golden Triangle and is a contrast of old and new. Its chief sights are itsstreet life and teeming bazaars. Home to the British built New Delhi with its government buildings andembassies, it is also home to Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. A Bahai Temple, Gandhi’s Memorialand several Christian churches and Hindu temples provide a cross section of Indian religions and society.

DEOGARHOne of16 feudal estates privileged to serve the Maharana of Udaipur, Deogarh is a village surrounded bybeautiful countryside. Perched on top of the Aravalli Hills,120 kms from Udaipur, Deogarh Mahal is a17th Century Palace with glittering mirror work and murals. It impresses with its marvellous courtyardand its array of battlements, domes, turrets, jharokhas and gateways. It was restored by the ChundawatFamily, who still inhabit areas of the building and are justly proud of their authentic heritage hotel.

udaipurUdaipur is often referred to as the “Lake City” or “City of Lakes” and for good reason! Apart from itshistory, culture and scenery, Udaipur is also well regarded for its Rajput-era Palaces. The Lake Palace,for instance, covers an entire island in Pichola Lake and is now a luxury Taj Hotel. Udaipur’s LakePichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, Udai Sagar and Swaroop Sagar are considered the most beautiful lakes in India.

one day sit and gaze atthe taj mahalfrom thelounge ofyour agrahotel, thenext explore deogarh’sforts & desert.

udaipur,home tosome of india’s most beautifullakesisknown asthe “lake city”& “the veniceof the east”.

a “new sevenwonders ofthe world”

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the kingdom of bhutan, nepal & tibet

The independent Kingdom of Bhutan,as well as Nepal and Tibet all lie to the north of India and share the Himalaya Mountain Range. MountEverest, the highest point on earthcan be found along its vast length.

The kingdom of bhutanThe Kingdom of Bhutan is a small landlocked country. It is located at the eastern end of theHimalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by India and to the north by China. Bhutan isseparated from Nepal to the west by the Indian state of Sikkim. Its landscape ranges from subtropicalplains in the south to the sub-alpine Himalayas in the north. The Kingdom of Bhutan offers a mostpristine experience, as it only recently opened up to visitors, yet has retained its traditional way of life.Additionally, the Bhutanese have been rated as the happiest people in Asia and the eighth-happiestpeople in the world!

nepalOnce connected to Africa, India drifted north and collided with Asia and threw up the mightyHimalayas. Here we find Nepal, another landlocked country bordering China to the north and Indiato the south, east and west. Nepal has a rich geography, with its north home to eight of the world’s tentallest mountains, including the majestic Mount Everest. Nepal is a must see being home to Everestand many other scenic and cultural treasures including thirteen World Heritage Sites.

tibetTibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas and it is also the highest region on earth,with an average elevation of 4,900 metres! Lhasa, its capital city is situated at 3,650 metres above sealevel. Tibet is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan People, as well as other ethnic groups such asMonpas, Qiang and Lhobas. It is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui People.There are over 800 small settlements in Tibet. Lhasa is Tibet’s traditional capital and a city well worthvisiting. It contains two World Heritage Sites—the Potala Palace and Norbulingka, which were theresidences of the Dalai Lama. Lhasa also boasts a number of beautiful and significant temples andmonasteries including Jokhang and Ramoche Temple.

PATAN DURBARSQUARE ISONLY ONE OF thirteenunescoWORLDHERITAGE listed SITES IN NEPAL.

paro sits in a beautiful valley, whichencapsulatesscenic beauty,the richestof cultures & hundredsof myths & legends.

exotic & culturally

diverse

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southern & western india and Mumbai

From Chennai in the south to Mumbai in the West, these citiesand the many destinations in between are famous for their natural beauty, history, culture, cuisine and unique ways of life.

southern & western indiaFrom Mumbai in the Northwest to Chennai in the Southeast and taking in the main cities ofBengaluru (formerly “Bangalore”), Kochi and Madurai, this is the tropical heartland of India. Thisregion boasts numerous cultural experiences, the comfort of a Kerala Backwaters cruise on a luxuryhouseboat, the hustle and bustle of Mumbai and the exotic and pristine beaches of Goa. If you arelooking for a relaxed beach holiday or a diverse and fulfilling journey through an area renowned for itswealth, culture and food, you will not be disappointed with the Southern or Western parts of India.

mumbaiMumbai is the wealthiest city in India and the financial, commercial and entertainment capital of thecountry. Mumbai is home to a major port on the Arabian Sea. The city also houses India’s “Bollywood”film and television industry. Mumbai is a truly cosmopolitan melting pot of many communities, faiths and cultures. It is one of the great cities of the world that never sleep.

Some of the many highlights of Mumbai include the historic landmark, the Gateway of India; theHanging Gardens and Mani Bhawan, the house where the “Father of the Nation”, Gandhi, stayed onhis early visits to the city. Mumbai boasts approximately 5,000 “dabba” or “tiffin wallahs”, hand delivering some 200,000 hot meals to doorsteps across the city each and every day. Mumbai is alsohome to India’s largest outdoor laundry, certainly a sight to behold!

Kerala stateproducessome of thefinest tea inindia & alsoboasts one of the verybest natural harbours inthe world.

from ornatejain temple devotees to youngschool children inthe streets,you will beimpressed bypeoples’ dress.

history at its most

grand

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khajuraho& the tiger reserves

After spending time at Khajuraho,home to largest group of medievalHindu and Jain Temples in India,you travel to Ranthambore NationalPark, where you undertake a number of Tiger viewing safaris.

khajuraho group of templesThe group of monuments in Khajuraho, a town in the state of Madhya Pradesh, is one of the mostincredible yet least visited tourist attractions in India. Khajuraho has the largest group of medievalHindu and Jain temples, famous for their erotic sculptures.

Between 950 and1100 AD, the Chandela Monarchs built these temples when the Tantric traditionmay have been accepted. In the days before the Mughal conquests, when boys lived in hermitages, following brahmacharya until they became men, they could learn about the world and prepare themselves to become householders through examining these sculptures and the worldly desires theydepicted.

The Khajuraho Group of Temples were built together but were dedicated to two schools of Hinduismand to Jainism, suggesting a tradition of acceptance and respect for diverse religious views among Hindus and Jainshe. The Khajuraho Monuments have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are considered to be one of the “Seven Wonders of India”.

the tiger reservesRanthambore National Park is one of the largest national parks in Northern India. It is known for itsTiger population and is a good place in India to see these majestic predators. Tiger and other wildlifecan be seen during the day time and a good time to visit is from November to May when the drydeciduous forests make sightings more common. Please note tiger reserves are closed during themonsoon months. While staying at Ranthambore National Park you undertake both morning and afternoon safari drives with time at leisure during the heat of the day.

author JamesMcConnachiedescribed the sexual-themed Khajurahosculptures as “theapogee oferotic art”.

The Bengaltiger’s coat is yellow to light orange, with stripes rangingfrom darkbrown todeep black.

one of theseven wonders

of india

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sri lanka& the maldiveislands

A trip to Sri Lanka or the Maldives,both tropical islands, will leave yourefreshed and relaxed. These trulydelightful destinations have much to offer and their local inhabitantsare warm and welcoming.

sri lankaSri Lanka lies off the southern coast of the Indian Subcontinent.This South Asian island nation wasknown as“Ceylon” during the period of British rule until1972. Sri Lanka is surrounded by the IndianOcean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies to the north-east of the Maldives. Sri Lanka iswell known for its beach holidays. Bentota is one of the best beach locations in Sri Lanka and is locatedclose to Colombo. Sri Lanka’s most widely known export, ‘Ceylon Tea’, is considered the cleanest tea in the world in terms of pesticide residues. Sri Lanka is the world's second largest exporter of tea.

Legend as well as history record that Sri Lanka has always delighted visitors to its shores. For countlesscenturies Sri Lanka’s fragrant spices, beauty, sublime culture and friendly people captivated the attention of visitors. As a result, Middle Eastern, Portuguese and Dutch influences and practices arefound in Sri Lankan cuisine. Today too, this small island nation with its elevated central highlands and World Heritage listed sites, has so much to offer. All this natural beauty and history makes it easy to combine prime resort beaches with wildlife encounters and cultural experiences to create amemorable holiday which is both relaxing and adventurous at the same time!

the maldivesThe Maldives Islands are situated in-between the trading routes of the Indian Ocean. Thus settlers, and visitors from neighbouring regions and around the world have come in contact with the islands for as long as history has been recorded. Such is the to-and-fro flow of people and their cultures, that a marked effect has been left in the Maldivian people, the language, beliefs, arts, and attitudes.

Maldivians are quite open to adaptation and are generally welcoming to outside inspiration. The culture has always continued to evolve with the times. Locals still eat fish and fishermen still spenddays out at sea, but tourism now is important to the local economy. Most Maldivians still believe inupholding unity and oneness in faith but recent waves of reform in the country have created a wholenew culture of ideas and attitudes. The effects of the modern world are now embraced, while still striving to uphold the peoples’ identity, traditions and beliefs.

elephants &tea are whatmost peopleassociatewith srilanka but infact it offersmore: ruins,temples and exotic food.

The Maldivesis an islandnation in the ArabianSea & IndianOcean area,consistingof a doublechain of 26small atolls!

observe the sri lankan

elephant

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the mighty himalayamountain range & northernindia

The Himalayas and India’s Northoffer much in terms of magnificentlandscapes and a diversity of culture,religion and lifestyle. Less exploredthan other parts of the region, it certainly won’t disappoint.

the himalaya mountainsThe mighty Himalaya (meaning “abode of the snow”) Mountain Range was formed millions of yearsago when India broke away from the African Continent and collided with what we now know as Asia.The Himalaya Mountains are home to nine of the ten highest peaks on earth, including the highest,Mount Everest. They have profoundly shaped the cultures of South Asia and many Himalayan Peaksare sacred in both the Buddhist and Hindu Religions.

The Himalayas span five countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Pakistan, with India, Nepal andBhutan having sovereignty over most of this vast mountain range. Three of the world's major rivers,the Indus, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra, arise in the Himalayas. Their combined drainage basin is home to a staggering 600 million people!

northern indiaThe north, northeast and northwest of India are by far the least visited and unknown parts of thecountry, yet they have much to offer the visitor. If you are happy to be accommodated in more basichotels at times, these areas will reward you with some very unique experiences.

In the north you will be delighted with Shimla, the former Summer Capital of India and a greatspringboard for exploring the surrounding mountains. Shimla offers a full range of accommodationoptions. There are also a number of health spas scattered throughout the ranges near Shimla, alloffering very different experiences.

In the northeast you can attend the Hornbill Festival, when all of the local hill tribes congregate for a week long event involving much festivity and dance.

The northwest offers Jammu and Kashmir; the magnificent Golden Temple at Amritsar; and the pomp and pageantry of the ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony at the Wagah Border between India andneighbouring Pakistan. This border closing ritual is a daily military practice which the security forces of India and Pakistan have jointly followed since1959. The travel writer Michael Palin described it as a daily display of “carefully choreographed contempt”.


the himalayashave shapedthe localcultures &many Peaksare sacred in both theBuddhistand HinduReligions.

sunrise overthe mightyhimalayas is a truly spectacularexperience, as is the scenic flightaround themountains.

india’scolourful

north

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useful check list when comparing alternative tours

It is difficult to compare tours whendescriptions in brochures look thesame but differ when experienceddue to subtle differences. This checklist should help you cut through some of the hype!

over

35 years of travel

experience�

��

Escorted GroupsSmall personable groups



www.incatours.net

issues to consider Inca other otherwhen comparing tours tour? tour?• Is the tour guaranteed to depart with only two guests? (As unlikely as this scenario is.) YES _________ _________

• Is the tour guaranteed to have a tour leaderregardless of minimum guest numbers? YES _________ _________

• Does the tour price include all airfares, surcharges and taxes or are they extra? (This can be a substantial additional cost.) ALL included _________ _________

• Are all activities / excursions included or doyou have to choose between alternatives? ALL included _________ _________

• Is everything described included or are there optional extras at additional cost ifyou choose to undertake them? ALL included _________ _________

• Does the tour operator have over 35 years of experience organising small group tours? YES _________ _________

• Do you need to use headsets to hear what is being said by the guide as the groups are so large? (Normally more than 20 guests.) NO _________ _________

• Are there excessive claims of EXCLUSIVEwhen in reality most are not exclusive but widely available and used on different tours? NO _________ _________

memories arenot based on what youdid not do!you haveworkedhard and deserve agreat experience.

book your future memoriesnow withinca tours, so you do not regret missing out later.

life longfriendshipsare formed

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the pinnacle of opulence & serviceInca Tours has forged a reputation for opulence and outstanding service based on over 35 continuousyears of travel experience. The Gold Tour is our ultimate luxury tour including most of the highlightsof India, Bhutan and Nepal and staying in some of the best hotels in the regions. It is led by anexperienced tour leader and includes expert English-speaking guides during all excursions and tours.

guaranteed departures with 2 or moreYou have the confidence to book with Inca Tours knowing that the Gold Tour of India, Bhutan andNepal is guaranteed to operate and won’t be cancelled due to insufficient numbers at the last minute, as often happens with other tour operators. On all Gold Tours, we guarantee that your tour willoperate with only two or more guests.

ultimate small groups with a max of 18In the same way that we guarantee our departures and tour leader, we also place a cap of only eighteenguests on each of our Gold Tours of India, Bhutan and Nepal. This way you receive personalisedattention all the way. For financial reasons, most other tour companies operate much larger groups.

stay in some of the very best propertiesWe select hotels, trains and vessels which retain the charm and character of region. We avoid wherepossible, the chrome and glass hotels of major international chains, preferring to experience the cultureand lifestyle first hand in properties with local flavour. Often our hotels in India, Bhutan, Nepal andTibet are destinations in themselves! You have worked hard all your life, so you deserve it.

the inca gold tourthe ultimate luxury-class tour of india, bhutan & nepal

reside insome of thebest hotelsand vessels,combinedwith the ultimate inclusions,as well asfine dining.

guaranteed max of18guests eachtour, with a dedicatedtour leader& expert english-speakinglocal guides.

the finest hotels & vessels

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luxury-classhotels& vessels

gold tour

It is envisaged that you will be our guest in the following exquisite establishments during your Gold Tour of a lifetime.

indiaTaj malabarhotel,kochi

River EscapeHouseboat,kerala

The Taj MahalPalace & tower,Mumbai

gateway ganges hotel,Varanasi

Dwarika’sHotel,Kathmandu

hotel club himalaya,nagarkot

nepal

bhutan

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Taj Tashi Hotel,Thimphu

uma punakhahotel,punakha

naksel boutique resort & spa,Paro

oberoi hotel,delhi

Oberoi Amervilashotel,Agra

Nahargarhfort hotel,Ranthamborenational park

Taj Rambagh Palace hotel,Jaipur

deogarh mahal hotel,deogarh

Taj Lake Palace hotel,Udaipur

world classhotels & facilities

Please note: the interior hotel room photos on these two pages are for general information purposes only. The specific room you are accommodated in on tour may differ in terms of room type, standard and configuration.

india


includedhighlights• Experienced senior tour leader throughout the tour, from beginning to end.

• Expert private English-speaking local guides on all tours and excursions.

• All tipping, porterage and departure taxes throughout the tour.

• A relaxing luxury houseboat stay as it cruises the placid and tranquil Kerala Backwaters.

• Two nights in the historic Fort Cochin area of Kochi, with its superb natural harbour.

• A traditional South Indian cooking class in Kochi.

• A comprehensive sightseeing tour of Kochi, followed by a Kathakali Dance Performance.

• Two nights in bustling Mumbai, known as “Bombay” during the British period.

• A fabulous Mumbai City Tour, including a visit to Mani Bhawan, Gandhi’s former house.

• A bicycle rickshaw ride through the colourful and vibrant market area of Varanasi.

• The deeply spiritual Aarti Collective Prayer Ceremony, on the Ganges River in Varanasi.

• A picturesque drive from Kathmandu to Nagarkot, a small hill station east of the capital.

• Two nights in exotic Kathmandu, the capital of the ancient and mountainous Nepal.

• A scenic flight around the Himalayas, with views of Mount Everest and other peaks.

• An authentic and traditional Royal Nepalese Dinner in the medieval feeling Kathmandu.

• A luxury stay in the heart of Thimphu, in Bhutan’s beautiful Paro Valley.

• A relaxing two-night stay in Punakha, located in the lovely Punakha Valley of Bhutan.

• Two nights in Paro and a hike to the “Tiger’s Nest”, one of Bhutan’s most venerated sites.

• A two-night stay in vibrant Delhi, including a complete Old & New Delhi City Tour.

• Two leisurely nights in Agra, including visits to the beautiful Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort.

• A relaxed two nights at Ranthambore National Park, home to the majestic Indian Tiger.

• Two opulent nights in Jaipur, the “Pink City”, as it is fondly known.

• Time at Jaipur’s ornately decorated Amber Fort and a visit to the “Palace of Winds”.

• An exotic two-nights in Udaipur, known as the “Lake City”or “The Venice of the East”.

• A romantic sunset cruise on beautiful Lake Pichola and a visit to the famous City Palace.

• A fabulous celebratory End of Tour Dinner in Udaipur.

includedfine dining• Most meals are included, with the exception of those during leisure time.This allows you to do what you want and eat where you like in your free time.Our experienced tour leader will makerecommendations about where to dine.

• Where possible, lunches& dinners areat local restaurants. You may be a littlesurprised at the extensive nature of Indian Cuisine, as much of it is enjoyed as shared plates. Just as important however, is free choicemeals, as we know you may not wantto eat national foods all of the time.

• 57 meals are included: 26 breakfasts,15 lunches &16 dinners, some ofwhich are tour highlights. In addition,a number of meals are served on flights.

exclusive india,bhutan & nepalgold tour

28 daysNEPAL

INDIA

BHUTAN

Alleppy

Agra

UdaipurDeogarh

RanthamboreNP

Varanasi

Thimphu

Paro

Punakha

Mumbai

JaipurNew Delhi

Kochi

Kathmandu

incatours.net 35

golden Buddha

taj mahal palace hotel, mumbai

DAY 1 Sunday depart australia / Kochi

This morning you make your own way to

your nearest capital city airport for your flight

to India. We arrive in India late this evening

after a plane change enroute. After clearing

Customs and Immigration in Kochi we are

met and taken to our hotel for the night.

(Meals in flight)

DAY2 Monday Kochi / House Boat

We start our day with a very informative Tour

Orientation Meeting in which we get to know

each other better and outline the important

aspects of the day-to-day operation of the

Gold Tour of India, Bhutan & Nepal.

After the meeting we are driven to Alleppy

where we board our luxury houseboat

comprising fully furnished bedrooms with

ensuite bathrooms, a sundeck, an open lounge

and a full crew. Fringing the coast of Kerala

and winding far inland is a vast network of

lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals. We enjoy

a leisurely exploration cruise of the Kerala

Backwaters, floating through these placid waters

passing palm fringed canals, lakes and villages

as we observe the locals going about their daily

lives. We have our meals aboard the boat as we

meander through this fascinating area. It’s a

very nice way to recover from jetlag! (BLD)

DAY3 Tuesday Houseboat / Kochi

This morning we enjoy breakfast on board

as we continue our cruise and exploration of

the Kerala Backwaters. We then disembark

our houseboat and travel back to Kochi.

Lunch today is a special event: a cooking

class at the conclusion of which we get to

sample the local delicacies we have prepared.

We then check in to our hotel

located in the Fort Cochin Area

where we have two relaxing nights.

Set on a cluster of islands and a

narrow peninsula, Kochi is Kerala’s

major port city boasting one of

the finest natural harbours in the

world. (BL)

DAY4 Wednesday Kochi

We begin the day with a visit to the Fort Cochin

area where we see the famous Chinese fishing

nets and may encounter the morning catch

being auctioned on the beach. We take a walk

through the Old Town around Mattancherry

Jetty, visit St Francis Church of Kochi and

tour Mattancherry Palace, also known as the

“Dutch Palace”. We then stroll through Jew

Town where the oldest synagogue in India is

located. You have the afternoon at leisure for

some shopping or to enjoy our hotel.

This evening we experience a Kathakali Dance

Performance. Kathakali is a synthesis of dance,

drama and music which will amaze you with

its colour and grace. We then enjoy a dinner

of Kochi’s famous fresh seafood. (BD)

DAY 5 Thursday Kochi / MumbaiToday we fly to Mumbai or “Bombay”, as it

was previously known, for a fabulous two-night

stay. On arrival we are taken

to our luxurious hotel located

next the Gateway of India,

one of Mumbai’s most famous

landmarks. The structure was

erected to commemorate the

landing of King George V when

he visited in1911. The Gateway

was later the ceremonial entrance

to India. You have some time this

afternoon to tour the Palace Hotel

surrounds or explore nearby Chor Bazaar, one

of the largest flea markets in India!

Tonight we enjoy dinner at the Khyber

Restaurant. Khyber welcomes us with its

rugged frontier charm, old oil lanterns and

frost weathered woodwork. Entering through

a wooden door decorated with Urdu couplets,

we sit surrounded by huge urns and ancient

Mughal Royalties adorning the walls. We enjoy

dinner while thumris and ghazals play softly

in the background. (BD)

india, bhutan & nepal goldtour itinerary

I thoroughly enjoyedeverything on tour.Veewas wonderful andinitiated some specialsurprises. Although wehave travelled in Indiaseveral times before,this trip was superb!

Mrs Helen Irani NSW

never morethan 18 in aninca group!


DAY6 Friday Mumbai

Our city tour includes the Gateway of India,

the grand Victorian Gothic buildings from the

British Raj Era and Mani Bhawan, the house

where the “Father of the Nation”, Gandhi,

stayed on his early visits to the city. We may

encounter one of Mumbai’s 5,000 “dabba” or

“tiffin wallahs” hand delivering 200,000 hot

meals to doorsteps across the city. We also visit

India’s largest outdoor laundry which is a sight

to behold! We drive up Malabar Hill to the

Hanging Gardens and Kamla Nehru Park,

from where you will have a wonderful view of

Mumbai and the Arabian Sea. The Towers of

Silence from the Parsi Culture are also located

nearby. (B)

DAY 7 Saturday Mumbai / VaranasiToday we fly to Varanasi for a deeply spiritual

experience. Located on the west side of the

Holy Ganges, Varanasi has been the centre of

the Hindu Religion, learning and civilisation

for over 3,000 years, thus making it one of the

oldest living cities in India. In the evening we

take bicycle rickshaws through the colourful,

chaotic, vibrant market area to reach the banks

of the Ganges where the temples will be lit with

oil-lamps and candles. This light, combined

with the aromas of incense sticks, oil lamps

and flowers filling the air, makes the experience

magical as we watch hundreds of little lamps

float out onto the Ganges River as offerings

during the Aarti Ceremony (collective prayer).

We return to our hotel for the night. (BD)

DAY8 Sunday Varanasi / NagarkotEarly this morning we return to the Ganges

to witness the incredible scene as thousands of

pilgrims immerse themselves in its holy waters.

We return to our hotel for breakfast before

flying to Kathmandu, the capital of ancient

and mountainous Nepal. On arrival we are

driven to Nagarkot, a small hill station east of

Kathmandu. Here we check into our hotel with

its spectacular views of the Himalayas. (BD)

DAY9 Monday Nagarkot / KathmanduWe rise early to watch the sunrise before

departing for Kathmandu, enroute visiting

Bhaktapur City or the “City of Devotees”,

as it is sometimes called. It is shaped like a

conch shell and was the setting for the major

Hollywood production The Little Buddha.

Kathmandu has the air of a medieval city;

narrow streets, wooden temples and beautiful

palaces. Its markets are a rich blend of colours

and aromas and you often hear the gentle sound

of jangling cymbals. Only in the1950s was

Nepal opened to visitors and today the contrast

between 21st Century technology and tradition

help make Kathmandu one of the world’s most

fascinating cities. Later we visit Boudhanath,

possibly the world’s largest Buddhist Stupa.

Around the stupa a number of monasteries

of different Tibetan Buddhism sects have been

established including one housing an enormous,

seated statue of Maitreya Buddha. Tonight we

enjoy a cultural dance and dinner. (BLD)taj mahal palace hotel (left) & the gateway of india (right), mumbai

varanasi & the ganges river

incatours.net 37

DAY 10 Tuesday Kathmandu

An early rise sees us on a scenic flight around

the Himalayan Mountains. During the flight we

should see, among others Mt Everest reaching

up 8,848 metres into the sky. Returning to our

hotel for breakfast, we later visit the fabulous

Buddhist Stupa of Swayambhunath, said to be

over 2,000 years old and popularly known as

“Monkey Temple”.

In the afternoon we visit Patan City, known

as the “City of Fine Arts” where we visit Patan

Durbar Square, situated in the heart of the

city. Tonight we experience a traditional

Royal Nepalese Dinner. (BLD)

DAY 11 Wednesday Kathmandu / Thimphu

We fly to Paro in Bhutan. Located in the

beautiful Paro Valley, the clear mountain air,

forested ridges, imposing monasteries and

welcoming Bhutanese people in their striking

national dress, provide a breath-taking first

impression. On arrival we are driven to our

luxury hotel located in the heart of Thimphu.

Later we visit Tashichhodzong, the “Fortress of

the Glorious Religion”. It is a majestic fortress in

all its grandeur and serves as the seat of Bhutan’s

government. The Dzong houses the secretariat,

the throne room, the offices of His Majesty the

King and the Ministries of Home Affairs and

Finance. The fortress was initially erected in

1641 and later rebuilt in the1960s by the

Third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. (BLD)

DAY 12 Thursday Thimphu / Punakha.Our day starts at the National Memorial

Chorten. Built in1974 in memory of the Third

King of Bhutan, it showcases an extraordinary

depiction of Buddhist teachings in the form of

works of art. Also visited is the Folk Heritage

Museum, built in 2001 it provides a glimpse of

Bhutanese life a century ago. This afternoon we

travel to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan,

via the Dochu La Pass. As we reach the highest

point we encounter thousands of fluttering

prayer flags and108 miniature chortens! On a

clear day one has awe-inspiring glimpses of the

Himalayan Peaks. We then descend gradually

into the Punakha Valley. On arrival in Punakha

we check into our luxury hotel, with spectacular

views of the valley, for two fabulous nights. (BL)

DAY 13 Friday PunakhaToday we visit the Punakha Dzong. Placed

strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and

Mo Chu Rivers, the dzong was built in1637

by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve

as a religious and administrative seat. It was

here that the dual system of government was

introduced in the17th Century and in1907,

the 1st King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck was

enthroned here. Damaged over the centuries

by catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the

dzong has been fully restored in recent years

by the 4th King. Highlights include the massive

Kuenray, the Coronation Hall for all Bhutanese

Kings, the Dzongchung at the entrance to the

dzong and the cantilever bridge over the Mo

Chu River, also recently renovated.

patan durbar square interior, nepal

a young monk, bhutan


Later we take a walk through the local farming

area to Lobesa Village, where we visit Chimi

Lhakhang. This fertility temple is dedicated

to the famous teacher, Drukpa Kinley, also

known as the “Divine Madman”. The Divine

Madman sits there (albeit in statue form) with

the master’s deeds painted on the walls. (BL)

DAY 14 Saturday Punakha / Paro.

On our drive back to Paro, we stop at Tachog

Lhakhang Viewpoint. Built by the architect

Thangtong Gyalpoin in the14th Century, the

Lhakang is located across the Paro River but

can only be reached by an iron chain bridge

spanning the river. We enjoy lunch in Paro and

take a walk through the town before checking

in to our hotel for two nights. (BL)

DAY 15 Sunday Paro – Tiger’s NestA drive to Satsam Chorten sees us commence

our hike to Taktshang Goemba. Taktshang

meaning the “Tiger’s Nest”, is one of Bhutan’s

most venerated sites. According to legend,

Guru Rinpoche miraculously flew there on the

back of a tigress, meditated in a cave for three

months and converted the whole of the Paro

Valley to Buddhism. Resting at an altitude of

900 metres above the valley, Taktshang is an

architectural wonder and the spectacular four

hour walk may be your most overwhelming

experience ever. Though the climb is steep, the

journey is worthwhile on account of the superb

views experienced enroute. On our return we

make a short visit to Kichu Temple, the oldest

in Bhutan, built during the 7th Century. (BLD)

DAY 16 Monday Paro / DelhiToday we fly to Delhi, India for two nights. (B)

DAY 17 Tuesday DelhiOur day includes a half day tour of Old and

New Delhi including India Gate; the Houses

of Parliament; Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s

largest mosques and Humayun’s Tomb. This

tomb, built in1570, is of particular cultural

significance as it was the first garden-tomb on

the Indian Subcontinent. It inspired several

major architectural innovations, culminating in

the construction of the Taj Mahal. We then take

a rickshaw ride through the narrow streets and

colourful alleys of the Old Delhi Markets. (BL)

DAY 18 Wednesday Delhi / Agra We travel by road to Agra where we visit the

spectacular Agra Fort. Later we visit a marble

factory to see the craftsmen using traditional

methods to form tiny mosaic tiles. (BL)

DAY 19 Thursday Agra Early today we visit one of the absolute tour

highlights: the Taj Mahal, built in memory

of his beloved empress, Mumtaz Mahal, by

Emperor Shah Jahan. This marble mausoleum

is the greatest gesture of love known to mankind.

Timed to correspond with the sunrise, we have

ample time to explore the memorial before

returning to our hotel for a leisurely breakfast.

The remainder of your day is at leisure. (BD)the taj mahal, agra

taktsang monastery (“Tigers nest”), bhutan

incatours.net 39

DAY20 Friday Agra / Ranthambore NP

We drive to Ranthambore National Park, one of

the largest in northern India. It is known for its

tigers and is a good place to see these majestic

predators. We enjoy an afternoon safari. (BLD)

DAY21 Saturday Ranthambore NP

Both morning and afternoon safaris take us

in search of Tiger and the other interesting

wildlife found in the national park. (BLD)

DAY22 Sunday Ranthambore NP / Jaipur

Our final safari is enjoyed before being taken

to Jaipur, the Capital of Rajasthan and often

referred to as the “Pink City”. Here we spend

two nights staying in royal opulence! (BL)

DAY23 Monday Jaipur

This morning we visit the ornately decorated

Amber Fort, located just outside the city. This

is followed by a brief city tour visiting the

highlights of Jaipur which include the Hawa

Mahal or “Palace of Winds” and the Jantar

Mantar, an astronomical observatory. The

remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy our

Palace Hotel and its plush surroundings. (BD)

DAY24 Tuesday Jaipur / Deogarh

Today we depart by road for Deogarh. Deogarh

Mahal is a17th Century Palace perched on a hill

and offering panoramic views of the Aravalli

the lake palace hotel, udaipur

Mountain Range and the numerous lakes spread

throughout the countryside. With its majestic

domes, turrets, jharokhas and huge gateways,

it is a spellbinding sight from below. (BL)

DAY25 Wednesday Deogarh / UdaipurWe continue to Udaipur, known as the “Lake

City”, where we check in to our luxury hotel

for an exotic two-night stay. This evening we

undertake a sunset cruise on Lake Pichola. (BD)

DAY26 Thursday UdaipurOur day starts with a visit to the famous City

Palace. It is actually a collection of palaces

surrounded by the royal palace walls which

stretch for over a mile on the eastern side of the

lake. We also visit Jagdish Temple, built in1651

and the largest in Udaipur.The spire of the main

temple is 26 metres high and festooned with

sculptures of dancers, elephants, horsemen and

musicians, making it a sight to behold.The rest

of the day is at leisure to enjoy our magnificent

hotel, to shop or to explore the market place.

Tonight we host an End of Tour Dinner. (BD)

DAY27 Friday Udaipur / DelhiThe morning is at leisure before flying to

Delhi where we enjoy dinner. We depart on

our flight home later tonight. (BD)

DAY28 Saturday arrive AustraliaAfter changing planes enroute, you arrive into

Australia this evening. (Meals inflight)

Welcome home!

tour Dates for india, bhutan & nepal Gold Tour

Departing 6th November 2016 Returning 3rd December 2016

Departing 5th November 2017 Returning 2nd December 2017

costs for india, bhutan & nepal Gold Tour

$28,990 Per person twin-share ex-Brisbane, Melb, Sydney, Adelaide, Darwin, Perth

$27,790 Per person twin-share starting in Kochi & ending in Delhi

$8,907 Single room supplement for solo travellers not wishing to share rooms

$5,10 0 Business-class upgrade for long-haul international sectors

Tour extensionsPlease consider our Highlights of Tibet Tour or The Best of Tibet Tour on pages54 and 55. They work very well after the India, Bhutan & Nepal Gold Tour.

Terms & conditions apply. Tour costs may change prior to receipt of full payment due to circumstances beyond our control.


young lions

includedhighlights• Experienced senior tour leader.

• Expert local guides in each location.

• All tipping, porterage& departure taxes.

• A Kerala Backwaters houseboat stay.

• Two nights in historic Fort Cochin.

• Traditional South India cooking lesson.

• A sightseeing tour of Kochi, followedby a Kathakali Dance Performance.

• Two nights in bustling Mumbai.

• A bicycle rickshaw ride in Varanasi.

• The deeply spiritual Aarti Ceremony.

• A drive from Kathmandu to Nagarkot.

• Two nights in Nepal’s Kathmandu.

• A scenic flight around the Himalayas.

• A traditional Royal Nepalese Dinner.

• A two-night stay in Thimphu, Bhutan.

• Two nights in Paro and “Tiger’s Nest”.

includedfine dining• Most meals are included, with the exception of those during leisure time.

• 33 meals are included:15 breakfasts,9 lunches& 9 dinners.

first part ofindia, bhutan & nepal gold tour

DAY 1 TODAY 15 australia / paroThe itinerary of the Gold Tour First Part is thesame as that from Day1 to Day15. Please seepages 35 to 38 for the detailed itinerary.

DAY 16 monday paro / kathmandu Today you are taken to Paro Airport for yourflight to Kathmandu, where on arrival youconnect with your flight home. (B)

DAY 17 tuesday arrive australiaAfter changing planes enroute, you arrive intoAustralia this evening. (Meals inflight)Welcome home!

17 days of history, culture, food, sights and scenery comprise the First Part of theGold Tour. Travel from Kerala State to cosmopolitan Mumbai, then to the Hinducity of Varanasi in India. Nepal then captivates with its Himalayas and people. Wecontinue and explore the heritage of Bhutan’s monasteries, monks and mountains.

We fly to Kochi in Kerala and explore the Dutch Palace, India’s first European Church andIndia’s oldest synagogue. We relax overnight on houseboats cruising Alappuzha’s backwatersbefore flying to Mumbai: India’s commercial and excitement capital. A city tour opens oureyes to the British influence, evident in the architecture and cricket pitches. It’s then toVaranasi, with a Ganges River boat ride and an exploration of the famous ghats.

A flight to Kathmandu settles us in Nepal. First stop is Nagarkot, at sunrise it mesmeriseswith views of mountains from Everest to Annapurna. Patan and Bhaktapur, both heritagecities with wooden temples and beautiful decorated palaces are visited.View Everest on a scenic flight.Then explore Thimphu, the Bhutanese Capital and trek to Tigers NestMonastery, outside of Paro.

NEPAL

INDIA

BHUTAN

Alleppy

Varanasi

Thimphu

Paro

Punakha

Mumbai

Kochi

Kathmandu

kerala backwaters

17 daysfirst part ofgold tour

first part of tour Dates

Departing 6th November 2016 Returning 22nd November 2016

Departing 5th November 2017 Returning 21st November 2017

First part of tour costs

$17,990 Per person twin-share

$16,790 Per person twin-sharestarting in Kochi & ending in Paro

$3,278 Single supplement

$5,10 0 Business-class upgrade

incatours.net 41

agra fort, agra

includedfine dining• Most meals are included, with the exception of those during leisure time.

• 44 meals are included: 20 breakfasts,13 lunches& 11dinners.

DAY 1 saturday Australia / kathmanduYou depart Australia with an enroute planechange to Kathmandu. On arrival you aretaken to your hotel for tonight. (Meals Inflight)

DAY2 Sunday kathmandu/ NagarkotYour morning is at leisure. Later today youmeet the other members of the Gold Tour andare driven to Nagarkot, east of Kathmandu. (B)

DAY3 TODAY22 Nagarkot/ australiaThe itinerary of the Gold Tour Second Part isthe same as that from Day 9 to Day 28. Pleasesee pages 36 to 39 for the detailed itinerary.

NEPAL

INDIA

BHUTANAgra

UdaipurDeogarh

RanthamboreNP

Thimphu

Paro

PunakhaJaipurNew Delhi Kathmandu

22 dayssecond part

• Experienced senior tour leader.



• Two nights in Nepal’s Kathmandu.

• A scenic flight around the Himalayas.

• A traditional Royal Nepalese Dinner.

• Bhutan’s beautiful Paro Valley.

• A relaxing two-night stay in Punakha.

• Two nights in Paro and “Tiger’s Nest”.

• An Old&New Delhi City Tour.

• The Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.

• Safaris in a Tiger Reserve.

• Two nights in Jaipur, the “Pink City”.

• Jaipur’s Amber Fort& Palace of Winds.

• Two nights in Udaipur, the “Lake City”.

• Lake Pichola Cruise& the City Palace.

• Tour’s End Dinner in romantic Udaipur.

includedhighlights

second part ofindia, bhutan & nepal gold tourNepal, Bhutan and India manage to take 5-star to a whole new level of exoticism andyou experience this on the Second Part of our Gold Tour. In 22 days luxury is combinedwith diversity as we travel from the Himalayan foothills to the Kathmandu Valley.

We explore the culture and heritage of Bhutan with its monks, monasteries and mountains.Marvel at majestic tigers in India’s Ranthambore National Park. Sleep like royalty inMaharajas Palaces in Rajasthan. A highlight for many is the Taj Mahal visit at dawn!

Our first stop is Nagarkot, at sunrise it mesmerises with views of the mountains from Everestto Annapurna. Patan and Bhaktapur, both heritage cities, with their mazes of narrow streets,wooden temples and beautifully decorated palaces are visited from Kathmandu. View MountEverest on a scenic flight. We then explore Thimphu, the tiny Bhutanese capital and trek toTigers Nest Monastery outside Paro. We continue to Agra where its fort fascinates many asmuch as the Taj Mahal. Two nights of royal indulgence and the Amber Fort make Jaipuranother highlight. Then overnight in the17th Century Deogarh Mahal before finishing up atUdaipur’s mystical Lake Pichola, a fitting end to our Gold Tour.

second part tour Dates

Departing 12th November 2016 Returning 3rd December 2016

Departing 11th November 2017 Returning 2nd December 2017

second part tour costs


$23,790 Per person twin-sharestarting Kathmandu & ending Delhi

$7,18 3 Single supplement

$5,10 0 Business-class upgrade


india, nepal& bhutansensationsthe ultimate superior-class tourthe highlights in a shorter period

The Sensations Tour of India, Bhutan and Nepal includes most of the highlights of the countries but over a shorter duration and at a more moderate level than the luxury Gold Tour. This is our moremodestly priced Superior-class tour, designed for the more budget conscious guest. It too visits most of the highlights and is escorted by an experienced tour leader with assistance from our expert English-speaking local guides. It utilises less extravagant hotels than the Gold Tour but the properties are very welllocated, of a very high standard and exhibit all the charm and character of these three exotic countries.

guaranteed departures with 2 or moreYou have the confidence to book with Inca Tours knowing that the Sensations Tour is guaranteed tooperate and won’t be cancelled due to low numbers at the last minute, as often happens with other touroperators. On all Sensations Tours, we guarantee that your tour will operate with only two or more.

ultimate small groups with a max of 18In the same way that we guarantee our departures and tour leader, we also place a cap of only eighteenguests on each Sensations Tour. This way you receive personalised attention all the way. For financialreasons, most other tour companies do not do this and book as many people as they can on each tour.

stay in the very best locationsWhy go all that way only to stay near the places you want to see? We select hotels which retain thecharm and character of the countries and are located at the places of interest. We avoid the internationalchains, preferring to experience the culture and lifestyle first hand in properties with local flavour andstyle. You have worked hard during your life, you deserve it!

great hotels& lodges inthe very best locations,combinedwith must see & do inclusions, as well as fine dining.

guaranteed max 18 guestseach tour,with tour leader & expert localguides meansan extremelypersonalisedexperience.

incatours.net 43

superiorclass hotels

& vessels


superior-class hotels, trains& vessels

sensations

It is envisaged that you will be our guest in the followingsuperb properties during your sensational Sensation Tour.

indiacasino hotel,kochi*

River EscapeHouseboat,kerala*

Fariyas Hotel, Mumbai

Udai Kothihotel,Udaipur

ShahpuraHouse,Jaipur

DeogarhMahal hotel,Deogarh

*Optional *3-night Kerala Stopover

*Optional *3-night Kerala Stopover

incatours.net 45

the finest properties to be a guest in

Please note: the interior hotel room photos on these two pages are for general information purposes only. The specific room you are accommodated in on tour may differ in terms of room type, standard and configuration.

MansinghPalace,Agra

clarks hotel,Khajuraho

HindusthanInternational,Varanasi

Hotel Yak &Yeti,Kathmandu

Fishtail Lodge,Pokhara

Heritage hotel,Bhaktapur

nepal bhutannamgey heritage hotel,thimphu

Drubchu Resort,Punakha

tenzinlingresort,Paro


includedhighlights• Experienced tour leader throughout the tour, from beginning to end.

• Expert private English-speaking local guides on all tours and excursions.

• All tipping, porterage and departure taxes throughout the tour.

• Two nights in bustling Mumbai, known as “Bombay”during the British period.

• A fabulous Mumbai City Tour, including a visit to Mani Bhawan, Gandhi’s former house.

• An exotic two-night stay in picturesque Udaipur, also known as the “Lake City”.

• A visit to the famous City Palace and a romantic sunset cruise on beautiful Lake Pichola.

• A night in Deogarh, staying in a17th Century Palace, sensitively converted into a hotel.

• Two fantastic nights in Jaipur, the “Pink City”, where we enjoy dinner with a local family.

• Time at Jaipur’s ornately decorated Amber Fort and a visit to the “Palace of Winds”.

• Two leisurely nights in Agra, including visits to the beautiful Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort.

• The Shatabdi Express Train from Agra to Jhansi, a service frequented by locals as well.

• An overnight in Khajuraho and a comprehensive tour of the Western Group of Temples.

• A night in Varanasi, the centre of the Hindu Religion and located on the Holy Ganges.

• A bicycle rickshaw ride through the colourful and vibrant market area of Varanasi.

• The deeply spiritual Aarti Collective Prayer Ceremony, on the Ganges River in Varanasi.

• Three amazing nights in Kathmandu, the capital of the ancient and mountainous Nepal.

• A traditional Nepalese cultural dance& dinner in the medieval feeling Kathmandu.

• Visits to Boudhanath and Patan City, also known as the “City of Fine Arts”.

• Overnight in Pokhara, from where three of the world’s ten highest mountains can be seen.

• Two nights in the heritage town of Bhaktapur, the “City of Devotees” as it is also known.

• An overnight stay and typical Bhutanese dinner in Thimphu, in the beautiful Paro Valley.

• An exhilarating drive over the Dochu La Pass and a brief stop at the108 chorten stupas.

• A relaxing two nights in Punakha, located in Bhutan’s lovely Punakha Valley.

• Two nights in Paro and a hike to the “Tiger’s Nest”, one of Bhutan’s most venerated sites.

• A fantastic celebratory End of Tour Dinner in fabulous Kathmandu.

includedfine dining• Many meals are included, with the exception of those during leisure time.This allows you to do what you want and eat where you like in your free time.Our experienced tour leader will makerecommendations about where to dine.

• Where possible, lunches& dinners areat local restaurants. You may be a littlesurprised at the extensive nature of Indian Cuisine, as much of it is enjoyed as shared plates. Just as important however, is free choicemeals, as we know you may not wantto eat national foods all of the time.

• 42 meals are included: 22breakfasts,9 lunches& 11dinners, some of whichare tour highlights. In addition, a number of meals are served on flights.

NEPAL

INDIA

BHUTAN

Khajuraho

Agra

Udaipur

DeogarhVaranasi

Thimphu

Paro

PunakhaPokhara

Mumbai

Jaipur Kathmanduindia, bhutan &nepal’s best on asensations tour

24 days

incatours.net 47

monks in prayer

DAY 1 monday Australia / Mumbai

Today you depart your capital city bound for

India. After a plane change enroute you arrive

in Mumbai, where you are met and taken to

our hotel for two nights. (Meals inflight)

DAY2 tuesday Mumbai

We have time at leisure to recover from our

flights of the previous day before holding a

very informative Tour Orientation Meeting.

Here we get to know each other better and

outline the important aspects of the day-to-

day operation of the Sensations Tour.

After the meeting we proceed on our city tour

of Mumbai, or Bombay as it was previously

known. Mumbai is one of the great port cities

with its Victorian Gothic buildings from the

British Raj Era mingling with the modern.

The tour includes the Gateway of India

overlooking the Harbour; Mani Bhawan,

the house where the “Father of the Nation”,

Gandhi, stayed on his early visits to the city;

Marine Drive; the Colaba Causeway, the

commercial heart of Bombay; and the Dhobi

Ghat, the unique and colourful outdoor

‘laundry’. We drive up Malabar Hill to the

Hanging Gardens and Kamla Nehru Park,

from where you have a wonderful view of

Mumbai and the Arabian Sea.

This evening we host our Welcome Dinner atKhyber, one of Mumbai’s best dining spots anda favourite with locals and visitors alike. PaulMcCartney, Goldie Hawn and Richard Gerehave all dined here! It’s Afghan-inspired interiorsets off mouth-watering dishes of authenticIndian Cuisine which can only be described as “Ambrosia” or food of the Gods. Tonight’sfeast serves as a gateway to India’s rich heritageinfused with modern day comforts. (BD)

DAY3 wednesday Mumbai / Udaipur Following time at leisure we fly toUdaipur, set amidst the AravalliRanges of Rajasthan. We have twonights in Udaipur, also called the“City of Lakes”. The elevated hillsand beautiful lakes make a pictureperfect backdrop to the city. (B)

DAY4 thursday Udaipur Our day starts with a visit to thefamous City Palace, a majestic architecturalmarvel towering over the lake. A conglomerationof courtyards, pavilions, terraces, hanginggardens, corridors and rooms, it is actually acollection of palaces surrounded by the royalpalace walls which stretch over a mile on thelake’s eastern side. Later we visit the crystalgallery, a most lustrous attraction showcasingrare and precious crystal from the royal treasure.

We also visit the Jagdish Temple, built in1651

by Maharana Jagat Singh. This Indo-Aryan

temple is the largest and the most beautiful

temple of Udaipur.

Later we enjoy a sunset boat cruise on the

beautiful and placid Lake Pichola. The lake

is surrounded by hills, palaces including the

amazing city palace, temples, bathing ghats

and embankments. There are two island

palaces, the Jagmandir and the Jagniwas, as

well as the most beautiful Lake Palace, which

sits on an island in the lake. (B)

DAY5 fridayUdaipur/Deogarh

Today we drive to Deogarh for

the night, visiting Nagda Temple

enroute. The Deogarh Mahal is

a17th Century Palace atop a hill

offering panoramic views of the

Aravalli Mountain Range and the

numerous lakes, spread throughout

the surrounding countryside.

With its majestic domes, turrets, jharokhas and

huge gateways, it is a spellbinding sight from

the town below. The palace has been sensitively

converted into a hotel, by the present owner

Rawal-Nahar Singh.

Just walking through this small town is a step

back in time and a most authentic local

experience. (BL)

india, bhutan & nepal sensationstour itinerary

We have just returned

from India, Bhutan &

Nepal and we write to

say how wonderful it

was, due in part to the

very professional service

from Vee Waterston.J Overton & S Kennedy NSW

never morethan 18 in aninca group!“bollywood” billboard, agra


DAY6 saturday Deogarh / Jaipur

Our morning is at leisure to enjoy our hotel and

surroundings. Later we depart for Jaipur where

we stay for two nights. This evening we watch

(or participate in if you choose), the age old art

of Mehendi application. Traditionally only for

women, Mehendi is the art of using henna to

apply tattoos and intricate designs on the body.

It has always been an integral part of functions,

wedding ceremonies and religious events. (BD)

DAY 7 sunday Jaipur

Today we visit Amber Fort, located on a hill

just outside the city. It was the seat of power

of the former state of Jaipur until1728. It has

halls for public and private audiences, a Sheesh

Mahal (hall of mirrors), as well as various

marble palaces which are marvellous examples

of ancient Rajput Architecture.

Later we visit Jantar Mantar, an astrological and

astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Jai

Singh in the18th Century and renowned for

the accuracy of its instruments, even in present

times. We also view the Hawa Mahal, known

popularly as the “Palace of Winds”, which is

actually a facade built for the ladies of the royal

household in the19th Century. Tonight we

enjoy dinner with a local family. (BD)

DAY8 monday Jaipur / Agra

We travel to Agra, visiting Abhaneri Step Wells

and Harshat Mata Temple enroute. On arrival

we check in to our hotel for two nights. (BL)

DAY9 tuesday AgraEarly this morning we visit what is one of the

absolute highlights of the tour: the Taj Mahal.

Built in memory of his beloved empress,

Mumtaz Mahal, by Emperor Shah Jahan, this

marble mausoleum is the greatest gesture of

love known to mankind. It is breathtakingly

beautiful with many precious stones to be

found in its inlays.

Timed to correspond with the sunrise, we have

ample time to explore this superb memorial

before returning to our hotel for a late and

leisurely breakfast.

Later we continue with sightseeing in Agra,

firstly visiting Agra Fort. We also visit a marble

factory where we see craftsmen at work using

traditional methods to form the tiny mosaic

tiles from semi-precious and precious stones.

Here we learn how the traditional delicate

marble inlaying is crafted. (B)

DAY 10 wednesday Agra /KhajurahoToday we board the Shatabdi Express Train to

Jhansi, where on arrival we are met and taken

by road to Khajuraho for the night. (BL)

DAY 11 thursday Khajuraho / VaranasiWe undertake a sightseeing tour of the

Western Group of Temples with the largest

temple being Kandariya Mahadeo. Perfectly

symmetrical, it soars 31metres high and its

main shrine has an exquisitely carved entrancethe “palace of winds”, jaipur

the taj mahal at sunrise, agra

incatours.net 49

arch with a multitude of themes: celestial

beings, lovers, serenading musicians with their

movement captured in stone and frozen in

time, yet retaining the warmth of pulsating life.

Later we fly to Varanasi which is located on

the west side of the Ganges River. It has been

the centre of the Hindu Religion, learning and

civilisation for over 3,000 years, thus making

it one of the oldest living cities in India.

Late this afternoon we take local rickshaw

taxis through the busy streets of Mumbai’s

markets until we reach the Holy Ganges. Here

we witness the deeply spiritual Aarti Ceremony,

a collective prayer gathering where hundreds

of worshippers place offerings, in the form

of small lanterns, onto the waters of the

river. The surrounding Hindu Temples are

illuminated with candles and lamps and as the

light fuses with the surrounding scent of flowers

and incense, we feel the magic of the night. (B)

DAY 12 friday Varanasi / Kathmandu

Early this morning we return to the Ganges

River for a boat ride. During this we have the

privilege of witnessing the incredible scene

as thousands of pilgrims and other devotees

immerse themselves in the holy water of the

Ganges to pay homage to the revered sun god.

We return to our hotel for breakfast before

flying to the fabled Kathmandu for two nights.

Kathmandu is the capital of the ancient and

mountainous Nepal and has the air of a

medieval city with its maze of narrow streets,

wooden temples and beautifully decorated

palaces. In the background there is often

the gentle sound of jangling cymbals and

the markets are a rich blend of colours and

aromas. Only in the1950s was Nepal opened

up to visitors and today the contrast between

21st Century technology and traditional

lifestyles help to make Kathmandu one of the

world’s most fascinating cities. This evening

we enjoy a cultural dance and dinner. (BD)

DAY 13 saturday Kathmandu

Our day starts with a visit to Boudhanath

which is possibly the world’s largest Buddhist

stupa and a site of great veneration for

Buddhists. Around the stupa, a number of

monasteries of the different sects of Tibetan

Buddhism have been established which include

one that houses an enormous, splendidly

adorned, seated statue of Maitreya Buddha.

Later we visit Patan City, also known as the

“City of Fine Arts” with Durbar Square situated

at its heart. It consists of three main chowks or

courtyards, the central Mul Chowk, Sundari

Chowk and Keshav Chowk. We then visit the

fabulous Buddhist Stupa of Swayambhunath,

also known as “Monkey Temple” and said to

be over 2,000 years old. (BL)

DAY 14 sunday Kathmandu / Pokhara

Today we fly to Pokhara. Located on the shores

of tranquil Lake Phewa and only 827 metres

above sea level, Pokhara’s skyline is dominated

by three of the ten highest mountains in the

patan durbar square, nepal

the ganges river, varanasi


world. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu

mountains are all over 8,000 metres high and

on a clear day can be seen from the city and

our hotel. Machhapuchare Mountain (known

as “Fishtail”) with an elevation of 6,993 metres

is the closest to the city and casts a beautiful

reflection onto the lake.

On arrival in Pokhara we are taken to Sarangkot

for a sensational view of the Himalayas.

From here we experience the best views of

the Annapurna Range and its surrounding

countryside. There is no other place on earth

with a 7,000 metre vertical view. You sit in

the tropics and gaze upwards at towering

mountains—a simply superb experience!

Later today we enjoy a relaxing boat ride

on Lake Phewa. (BL)

DAY 15 monday Pokhara / Bhaktapur

We return to Sarangkot for a spectacular

sunrise over the Himalayas before having

breakfast at our hotel.

Later we fly back to Kathmandu and are taken

to the nearby heritage town of Bhaktapur for

a two-night stay. Bhaktapur, or the “City of

Devotees” as it is sometimes called, is one of

the three old capital cities in the Kathmandu

Valley. It is considered to be one of the best

preserved and impressive heritage cities

recognised by UNESCO. It is shaped like a

conch shell and was the setting for the major

Hollywood production The Little Buddha.

Pottery and weavings are its traditional

industries. (BD)

DAY 16 tuesday Bhaktapur

Today we undertake a guided walk through the

maze of streets in Bhaktapur as we marvel at the

300 year old temples, pagodas and courtyards.

Wandering the streets allows us to see the real

life of Bhaktapur. You then have free time to

enjoy the hotel or explore this typical town. (BD)

DAY 17 wednesday Bhaktapur / Thimphu

We fly to Paro in Bhutan and are then driven

to Thimphu, the capital. Exquisitely beautiful

and brimming with traditional Bhutanese art,

architecture and culture, this tiny capital of

Bhutan is nothing less than Shangri-La.

Later we take a walk through ‘downtown’

Thimphu, a cultural immersion and a step

back in time, before driving past Trashi Chhoe

Dzong erected in1641. It is a majestic fortress

in all its grandeur and serves as the seat of

Bhutan’s Government. Tonight enjoy a

typical Bhutanese dinner. (BLD)

DAY 18 thursday Thimphu / Punakha

We start the day with a visit the National

Memorial Chorten. Built in1974 in memory

of the late Third Druk Gyalpo (King) of

Bhutan, here we find an extraordinary

depiction of Buddhist teachings in the form

of paintings and sculptures. We also visit the

Folk Heritage Museum. Built in 2001, the

Folk Heritage Museum provides a glimpse of

life in a Bhutanese village a hundred years ago. paro valley, bhutan

tranquil lake phewa, nepal

incatours.net 51

Later we drive over the Dochu La Pass, where

we stop briefly to admire the 108 chorten

stupas, a mani wall (prayer slate covered stone

wall) and prayer flags which decorate the

highest point on the road. If the skies are clear

you will be able to see many of the high peaks

which surround the area including Gangkar

Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497

metres. We then continue down through the

valley to Punakha for a two-night stay. (B)

DAY 19 friday Punakha We explore the Punakha Valley, a sub-tropical

area where grains, vegetables and fruits grow in

abundance and which is home to some major

sights. The first is Punakha Dzong which was

built in1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel

and is one of the most spectacular dzongs in

Bhutan. Following lunch at a local restaurant

we take a walk through the village before

visiting Chimi Lhakhang, known as the

“Temple of Fertility”, at Lobesa. (BLD)

DAY20 saturday Punakha / Paro We return to Paro where we visit Kichu Temple,

the oldest temple in Bhutan built during 7th

Century by the Tibetan King Songtsen. If time

permits we also visit Paro Rinpung Dzong

or the “Fortress of the Heap of Jewels”, built

in1646.Today the Dzong is the seat of the local

district administration, as well as the home for

a monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of

the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one

of the most beautiful in the nation. (BLD)

the himalayas, nepal

DAY21 sunday Paro – Tigers NestToday we drive to Satsam Chorten and from

there commence our hike to Taktsang Goempa

or “Tigers Nest”. The hike is the highlight of

the trip for many, as it is breathtaking. It is

believed that during the early 7th Century,

Guru Padma Sambhavav, known as Guru

Rimpoche in Bhutan, flew here on the back of

a tigress and meditated in a cave for over three

months to subdue the demons and also spread

Buddhism in the region. Later they built the

Taktsang Monastery over this cave. The hike

is quite a steep uphill climb and may take up

to 2½ hours each way. Ponies can be hired for

about $30 but will only take you one way (up).

Even if you only make it to the lunch spot,

you still gain great views of the monastery.

After seeing the monastery we enjoy lunch at the

Taktsang cafeteria before walking back. (BLD)

DAY22 monday Paro / Kathmandu

We fly back to Kathmandu this morning

and have the remainder of the day at leisure.

Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner. (BD)

DAY23 tuesday Kathmandu

We have a leisurely morning before being

taken to the airport for our flight home

to Australia. (B & Meals inflight)

DAY24 wednesday Arrive AUSTRALIA.

You arrive in your capital city today where

your tour comes to an end. Welcome home!

tour Dates for india, bhutan & nepal sensations Tour

Departing 16th November 2015 Returning 9th December 2015

Departing 21st March 2016 Returning 12th April 2016

costs for india, bhutan & nepal sensations Tour

$14,990 Per person twin-share ex-Brisbane, Melb, Sydney, Adelaide, Darwin, Perth

$13,740 Per person twin-share starting in Mumbai & ending in Kathmandu

$1,948 Single room supplement for solo travellers not wishing to share rooms

$5,10 0 Business-class upgrade for long-haul international sectors

Tour extensionsPlease consider our Highlights of Tibet Tour or The Best of Tibet Tour on pages 54 and 55. They work very well after the India, Bhutan &Nepal Sensations Tour.

Terms & conditions apply. Tour costs may change prior to receipt of full payment due to circumstances beyond our control.

INDIA

Khajuraho

Agra

Udaipur

DeogarhVaranasi

Mumbai

JaipurNew Delhi


varanasi, on the ganges river

13 daysindia part sensations

includedhighlights• Experienced tour leader throughout.



• Two nights in bustling Mumbai.

• Mani Bhawan, Gandhi’s former house.

• Exotic Udaipur, the “Lake City”.

• A visit to Udaipur’s famous City Palace.

• Deogarh, staying in17th Century palace.

• Two nights in Jaipur, the “Pink City”.

• Jaipur’s ornately decorated Amber Fort.

• Two nights in Agra and the Taj Mahal.

• Shatabdi Express Train, Agra to Jhansi.

• The superb Western Group of Temples.

• A night in Varanasi on the Holy Ganges.

• The deeply spiritual Aarti Ceremony.

includedfine dining• Many meals are included, with the exception of those during leisure time.This allows you to do what you want and eat where you like in your free time.

• 17meals are included:11breakfasts,3 lunches& 3 dinners.

DAY 1 TODAY 11 australia / varanasiThe itinerary for the First Part of Sensations isthe same as the Sensations Tour from Day1 toDay11. Please see pages 47& 48 for the itinerary.

DAY 12 friday varanasi / delhi Today you are transferred to Varanasi Airportfor your flight to Delhi, where on arrival you connect with your onward flight. (B)

DAY 13 saturday arrive australiaAfter a plane change enroute, you fly on toAustralia, arriving later today. (Meals Inflight)Welcome Home!

India’s astounding diversity of religions, languages and cultures is unique andunparalleled. This is highlighted in the broad range of experiences you encounter in only 13 days on this vast and welcoming subcontinent.

From cosmopolitan Mumbai to the forts and palaces steeped in history in the royal state ofRajasthan; the architecturally perfect Taj Mahal, in contrast to beautifully carved and explicitfigures depicting battle and love scenes at Khajuraho; finishing in Varanasi, the most ancientliving city in India, be prepared for what India is always described as, “an assault on the senses”.

Mumbai is India’s commercial capital, a city of entrepreneurs, towers, discos, cricket, and“Bollywood”. A city tour opens our eyes to the British influence and the teachings of Gandhi.We then fly to the City of Lakes, Udaipur. Marble palaces, beautiful gardens and many lakesmake Udaipur feel like a peaceful dream. It’s then to Deogarh, where we spend the night in a17th Century palace before continuing to Jaipur, the Pink City. A unique Inca Tours’ experience isdining with a family in their own home. Agra is our next stop, home to the famous Taj Mahal.We then train to Khajuraho before flying to Varanasi, considered the holiest of Hindu cities.

first part ofindia, bhutan & nepal sensations

first part of tour Dates

Departing 16th November 2015Returning 28th November 2015

Departing 21st March 2016 Returning 2nd April 2016

First part of tour costs


$6,780 Per person twin-sharestarting Mumbai & ending Varanasi

$861 Single supplement

$5,100 Business-class upgrade

incatours.net 53

includedhighlights• Experienced tour leader throughout.



• Three nights in Kathmandu, the capitalof the ancient and mountainous Nepal.

• A traditional Nepalese dance& dinner.

• Visits to Boudhanath and Patan City.

• An overnight in picturesque Pokhara.

• Two nights in the “City of Devotees”.

• Overnight in Thimphu, Paro Valley.

• Exhilarating drive over Dochu La Pass.

• A relaxing two nights in Punakha.

• Two nights in Paro& the “Tiger’s Nest”.

• A fantastic celebratory End of TourDinner in fabulous Kathmandu.

includedfine dining• Many meals are included, with the exception of those during leisure time.This allows you to do what you want and eat where you like in your free time.

• 27 meals are included:13 breakfasts, 6 lunches& 8 dinners.

“tigers nest” monastery, bhutan

DAY 1 thursday australia / kathmanduToday you depart Australia for Kathmandu,

with a plane change enroute. On arrival you

are met and taken to your hotel where you

have three relaxing nights. Tomorrow the other

members of your Sensations Tour will arrive in

Kathmandu. (Meals Inflight)

DAY2 TODAY 14 kathmandu/australiaThe itinerary for the Sensations Tour Second

Part is the same as the Sensations Tour from

Day12 (in Kathmandu) to Day 24. Please see

pages 49 to 51 for the detailed itinerary.

Joining the Second Part of the Sensations Tour in Kathmandu, you will be struck bythe majestic mountains and vast valleys of the Himalayas. Experience the hospitalityof the Nepalese; become submerged in Buddhist Culture in Bhutan; and learn aboutthe complex history of these tiny mountainous countries.

Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site is hometo Patan and Bhaktapur, with their Durbar Squares laid out with palaces, temples and publicspaces. Monkey Temple offers a beautiful view of Kathmandu Valley and Boudhanath is Nepal’slargest stupa. We overnight in the bewitching lakeside town of Pokhara and take in a stunningsunrise view of Annapurna Range. Three of the worlds ten highest mountains can be seen here.

After a relaxing five nights in Nepal we fly across the Himalayan Range, with views of Mount Everest if the day is clear, to Paro in Bhutan. Here we explore the Punakha Valley, the highlight being the spectacular Punakha Dzong. We then travel over the Dochu La Pass to Thimphu, the capital city often described as Shrangri-la! Our last stop is in Paro, where we visit Kichu, the oldest temple in Bhutan and a highlight for many, Tigers Nest Monastery.

NEPAL

BHUTANThimphu

Paro

PunakhaPokharaKathmandu

14 daysbhutan &nepal part

second part ofindia, bhutan & nepal sensations

second part tour Dates

Departing 26th November 2015Returning 9th December 2015

Departing 31st March 2016 Returning 12th April 2016

second part tour costs


$7,990 Per person twin-sharestarting & ending in Kathmandu

$1,090 Single supplement

$5,100 Business-class upgrade

TIBET

Lhasa


potala palace, lhasa

5 dayshighlightsof tibet

Drepung (meaning “Rice Heap”) Monastery

was the biggest and the richest of all the

monasteries in Tibet. Said to be the largest

Monastery in the world, at its peak it housed

over10,000 monks and governed 7,700 subsidiary

monasteries. Built in1416, the second, third and

fourth Dalai Lama lived and were entombed

here. Today only about 400 monks live there.

Bharkhor Bazaar is the largest and oldest market

in Tibet. As you walk through the heart of Old

Lhasa with its narrow streets, white-washed

stone homes, windows framed in black and

brightly painted woodwork, you notice that

almost everyone has something to sell. (BD)

DAY 3 LhasaToday you visit the Sera Monastery, Jolkhang

Temple and Norbulingkha Palace.

Sera Monastery, situated to the north of Central

Lhasa, is Tibet’s second largest monastery. This

famous monastery was named after the wild

roses growing around it when it was founded

in1419. At its peak it housed over 7,000 monks

and was famous for its warrior monks known

as the “Dob-Doa”.

Jokhang Temple sits in the heart of Old Lhasa,

and is the most sacred and oldest temple in

Lhasa. According to tradition, the temple was

built for the two brides of the king, one from

the Chinese Tang Dynasty and the other from

Nepal. Both wives are said to have brought

DAY 1 Arrive LhasaOn arrival at Lhasa Airport you are met

and taken to your hotel where you have

accommodation for four nights. The

remainder of your day is at leisure. (D)

DAY2 LhasaThis morning you are taken on a comprehensive

tour visiting the Potala Palace, the Drepung

Monastery and Bharkhor Bazaar.

Potala Palace is probably the best known of

Tibet’s landmarks, consisting of13 stories and

1,000 rooms! Previously the winter palace of

the Dalai Lama, it is now a museum. It can be

seen and photographed from anywhere in Lhasa.

young Tibetan & his Mum, lhasa

important Buddhist statues and images from

China and Nepal to Tibet as part of their

dowries and they were housed here.

Norbulinkha Palace or the “Jewel Park”, as it is

known was built in the18th Century by the 7th

Dalai Lama and served as the summer palace

of the13th and14th Dalai Lamas. It is a mixture

of religious and modern elements and features

a garden landscape which was the site of picnics

and gatherings. The palace is richly decorated,

creating an atmosphere of peaceful repose. (BD)

DAY4 LhasaYour tour today takes you out of the city to the

Gandan Monastery. Meaning “Joyful”, Gandan

Monastery is located on Wangbur Mountain

and has commanding views of the Kich Valley

below. (BD)

DAY 5 Depart LhasaFollowing breakfast you are taken to the

airport where your tour comes to an end. (B)

Luxury to basic hotel options are available.

highlights of tibet tourfour intriguing days in lhasa

tour extension costs$2,559 pp sharing Superior-class

$3,249 pp sharing Luxury-class

combine & do it after1 After the Gold Tour on page 34 or the Sensations Tour on page 46.

NEPAL

TIBET

ZangmuXegar

ShigatseGyangtse

Lhasa

Kathmandu

incatours.net 55

typical urban street scene, tibet

8daysthe best of tibet

norbulinkha palace, lhasa

DAY4 Shigatse / GyangtseThis morning you visit TashilhunpoMonastery (“Heap of Glory”) which wasfounded by the first Dalai Lama in1447. This afternoon you are driven to Gyangtse, at 3,950 metres, where you visit PalkhurChoide Monastery and Kumbum Stupa. (BD)

DAY 5 Gyangtse / LhasaYou complete the drive to Lhasa, at 3,650metres. Although not far the drive takes mostof the day. You cross the Karo La Pass and thentravel around Yamdrok Lake, also known asthe “Turquoise Lake”, before crossing KhambaLa Pass at 4,794 metres. On arrival in Lhasayou check in to your hotel for three nights. (BD)

DAY6 LhasaToday you undertake visits to Potala Palace,Drepung Monastery and Bharkhor Bazaar.

Potala Palace is probably the best knownlandmark in Tibet, consisting of13 stories and1,000 rooms! Previously the winter palace ofthe Dalai Lama, it is now a museum. Drepung(“Rice Heap”) Monastery was the biggest and the richest of all the monasteries in Tibet.Founded in1416, it was said to be the world’slargest monastery and once housed10,000monks. Today 400 monks live there. BharkhorBazaar is the largest and oldest of Tibet’smarkets. As you walk through Old Lhasa with its narrow streets, you will notice thatalmost everyone is selling something. (BD)

DAY 1 Kathmandu / ZangmuThis morning you are driven to the “FriendshipBridge” at Kodari. On reaching it you cross overto China and meet your Tibetan guide. You arethen driven to Zangmu, at 2,500 metres. (D)

DAY2 Zangmu / XegarToday you travel to Xegar, at 4,350 metres.You cross Nyalam Tong La Pass and Lalung LaPass offering spectacular views of the Himalayasand if the weather is clear, Mount Everest. (BD)

DAY3 Xegar / ShigatseYou set off for Shigatse, at 3,900 metres. Thefirst part of the drive crosses plains and provides apanoramic view of Everest and other peaks. (BD)

DAY 7 LhasaYou visit Sera Monastery, Jolkhang Temple

and Norbulingkha Palace. Sera Monastery is

situated to the north of Central Lhasa and is

Tibet’s second largest. This famous monastery

was named after the wild roses growing around

it when it was founded in1419. It was famous

for its warrior monks known as the “Dob-Doa”.

Jokhang Temple in the heart of Old Lhasa is

the most sacred and oldest temple in the city.

According to tradition, it was built for the

two brides of the king, one from the Chinese

Tang Dynasty and the other from Nepal.

Norbulinkha Palace or “Jewel Park”was built

in the18th Century by the 7th Dalai Lama and

served as the summer palace of the13th and14th

Dalai Lamas. It is richly decorated, creating

an atmosphere of peaceful repose. (BD)

DAY8 Depart Lhasa This morning you are taken to Lhasa Airport

where your tour comes to an end. (B) With the

exception of Lhasa, hotels are of a budget standard.

the best of tibet tourrenowned for its culture & scenery

tour extension costs$3,567 pp sharing Budget-classSuperior or Luxury-class not available

combine & do it after1 After the Gold Tour on page 34 or the Sensations Tour on page 46.

INDIA

ThekkadyAlleppy MaduraiKochi

ChennaiMahabalipuramPondicherryThanjavur

Trichy


meenakshi temples, madurai

13 dayssouthindiacultural

south india cultural tourenjoy before your group tour starts7th and 8th Centuries. It is known especially

for its rathas (temples in the form of chariots),

mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air

reliefs such as the famous “Descent of the

Ganges” and the Temple of Rivage, with

thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva.

You are returned to your hotel for tonight. (B)

DAY3 Mahabalipuram/ PuducherryYour day starts with a drive to Puducherry.

With its seafront promenade, wide boul evards,

enduring pockets of French Culture and

architecture and a popular ashram, charming

Puducherry (whose name officially changed

from “Pondicherry” in October 2006) is unlike

anywhere else in South India. The former

French Colony was settled in the early

18th Century as a colonial enclave and it

still retains a mildly Gallic air, superimposed

on to a typical Indian background.

In the afternoon you undertake a tour of

Puducherry, which includes a visit to the

Aurobindo Ashram. Tonight you may like to

enjoy one of the cities alluring restaurants, many

serving a local version of French Cuisine. (B)

DAY4 Puducherry / Thanjavur (Tanjore)Today you are taken to Thanjavur, with stops

to visit Chidambaram and Kumbakonam

along the way. (B)meenakshi sundareswarer temple

DAY 5 Thanjavur Following breakfast you undertake a morning

tour of Thanjavur, an important centre of

South Indian religion, art and architecture.

Most of the “Great Living Chola Temples”,

which are UNESCO World Heritage Listed

monuments, are located in and around

Thanjavur. The foremost among these,

the Brihadeeswara Temple, is located in the

centre of the city. Thanjavur is also home to

Tanjore painting, a style unique to the region.

The afternoon is at leisure to relax or to

explore at your own pace. (B)

DAY6 Thanjavur / TrichyYou start the day with a relatively short drive

to Tiruchirappalli, also called “Tiruchi” or

“Trichy”. In the afternoon you visit the town as

well as the Ranganatha Temple at Srirangam.

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is a

Hindu Temple dedicated to Ranganatha.

This beautifully sculpted temple occupies

an area of 63 hectares making it the largest

temple in India and one of the largest

religious complexes in the world. (B)

DAY 7 Trichy / MaduraiAfter breakfast you are taken to Madurai

by road. Known as the “Athens of the East”,

Madurai is more than 2,000 years old and is

believed to have been built by the Pandyan

King Kulasekara in the 6th Century BC.

DAY 1 Arrive Chennai / Mahabalipuram Your tour begins on arrival in Chennai

where you are met and taken to your hotel in

Mahabalipuram for a two-night stay. Situated

on the beach this is a very pleasant way to

start your tour.

DAY2 MahabalipuramYour morning is at leisure to recover from

yesterday’s flights. Later today you are taken

to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of

Mahabalipuram. This group of sanctuaries,

founded by the Pallava Kings, was carved out

of rock along the Coromandel Coast in the

incatours.net 57

indian sculpture

waters passing palm fringed canals, lakes and

villages as you observe the locals going about

their daily lives. You have your meals onboard

the boat as you meander through this

fascinating area. (BLD)

DAY 11 Houseboat / KochiAfter breakfast you disembark and are taken to

your hotel in Kochi, where your day is at leisure.

This evening you are taken out to experience a

Kathakali Dance performance, having originated

in the state of Kerala during the17th Century.

Kathakali is a stylised classical Indian synthesis

of dance, drama and music which will amaze

you with its colour and grace. (B)

In the afternoon you visit the Meenakshi

Temple. Designed in1560 it covers an area

of six hectares and has four main entrances,

twelve towers and 985 richly carved pillars! (B)

DAY8 Madurai / ThekkadyNote, it is possible to join the Gold Tour today.This morning you are driven to Thekkady,

during which you gain an insight into the

life of the locals as you travel past rice paddies

and pass through several small villages. As

you climb up the escarpment to the village of

Thekkady, famous for its spices, you will notice

a change in climate and a change in vegetation.

Kerala, the “Spice Capital of the World”, was

wholly dependent until recent times on its

spice trade, as traders came from far and wide

to purchase these precious commodities. (B)

DAY9 ThekkadyThis morning you visit the Periyar Wildlife

Sanctuary before going to a spice plantation

for an interesting afternoon tour. (B)

DAY 10 Thekkady / HouseboatToday you are driven to Alleppy where you

board your houseboat comprising fully

furnished bedrooms, a sundeck, an open

lounge and a full crew. Fringing the coast of

Kerala and winding far inland is a vast network

of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals. You enjoy

a leisurely exploration cruise of the Kerala

Backwaters, floating through these placid

DAY 12 Kochi Known as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea”,

Kochi was an important spice trading centre

on India’s West Coast from the14th Century

and remained the centre of India’s worldwide

spice trade for many centuries to come.

This morning you undertake a tour of the Fort

Cochin area during which you see the famous

Chinese fishing nets and may also encounter

the day’s catch being auctioned on the beach.

You walk through the Old Town around

Mattancherry Jetty, you visit St Francis

Church of Kochi and tour the Mattancherry

Palace (also known as the “Dutch Palace”). You

then stroll through Jew Town where the oldest

synagogue in India is located. Your afternoon is

at leisure to further explore the Old Town. (B)

DAY 13 Depart KochiThis morning you are transferred to Kochi

Airport where your tour comes to an end. (B)

Please note, it is possible to lengthen or shortenthis itinerary to suit your requirements.

houseboat, kerala backwaters

traditional indian drama



ending day 8, in madurai$1,540 pp sharing Superior-class


INDIA

AmritsarShimla

Dharamashala

HardiwarRishikeshChandigarh

New Delhi


the golden temple & amrit sarovar lake, amritsar

4 to11daysDelhi & the North

from around the world. It has always been a

holy town for its location on the Ganges and is

now famous as a “Yoga Capital” of the world.

This afternoon you undertake a sightseeing

tour of Rishikesh visiting Lakshman Jhula and

Lakshman Temple, Bharat Mandir, Ram Jhula,

Gita Bhawan and Swarg Ashram. This evening

you witness the famous Ganges Aarti Ceremony.

DAY2 Rishikesh –HaridwarToday you visit Haridwar, which literally

means “Gateway to God”. It is one of the

most famous holy cities in India and is widely

visited as Hindus from all around the world

try to visit Haridwar once in their lifetime.

Har Ki Pauri is the major attraction where

in the evening people perform worship to the

Goddess Ganga with earthen lamps, flowers

and incense sticks. Your tour of Haridwar

includes Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi Temple,

Maya Devi Temple and finally the local markets.

This evening you are returned to Rishikesh. (B)

DAY3 Rishikesh / DelhiYour day is at leisure. This afternoon you are

driven to the rail station for the Delhi bound

Shatabdi Express. On arrival you are taken to

your hotel for tonight. (B) Alternatively, you cango directly to Chandigarh on the next tour package.

DAY4 Depart delhi Your tour comes to an end this morning. (B)

part 1Delhi, Haridwar, Rishikesh

DAY 1 Delhi / RishikeshEarly this morning you are taken from your

hotel to New Delhi Railway Station to board

the Shatabdi Express. On arrival in Haridwar

you are met and taken to your hotel in

Rishikesh for two nights.

Rishikesh has an exquisite setting at the

confluence of the Ganges and Chandrabhaga

Rivers, surrounded by low forested mountains

of the Himalayas. In ancient times and even

more so since the1960s when the Beatles

visited, Rishikesh has attracted spiritual seekers

holy man, haridwar

part 2Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla & Dharamsala

DAY 1 Delhi / ChandigarhThis morning you are driven to Chandigarh. On

arrival you check in to your hotel for tonight.

Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab and Haryana,

was designed by Le Corbusier, the famous

French architect. It is unlike any city in India,

with modern buildings, broad boulevards, parks

and an overall air of prosperity. This afternoon

you visit Sukhna Lake and Rock Garden. (B)

DAY2 Chandigarh / ShimlaToday you are driven to Shimla for a relaxing

two-night stay.

The British called Shimla the “Queen of Hill

Stations”. Situated in the Northwest Himalayas,

Shimla, at 2,170 metres above sea level was the

summer capital of India before independence

and is now the capital of Himachal Pradesh.

Shimla derives its name from “Shyamala” (the

Goddess Kali), whose temple existed in the

dense forest that covered Jakhu Hill in the early

19th Century. Surrounded by heavily wooded

forest including oak and rhododendron, Shimla

is one of Indian’s most popular hill stations.

Your evening is at leisure to relax at your hotel

or take a walk along The Mall, an Old English-

style village with numerous shops selling all

sorts of wares, old and new. (B)

three delhi & the north tours undertake 1 or combine 2 or all 3 parts

incatours.net 59

DAY 5 Dharamsala You commence a full day tour of Dharamsala.

You visit McLeodganj, originally home to the

semi-nomadic Gaddi Tribe and now home

to His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. This mid

19th Century palace was developed as a British

garrison but is now the headquarters of the

exiled Tibetan Government. The monastery

has larger than life size images of Buddha. (B)

DAY6 Dharamsala / Delhi After breakfast you fly on to Delhi where you

are met and taken to your hotel for tonight. (B)

Alternatively, you can continue on with Day 3 ofthe next tour package.

DAY 7 Depart delhi On check out this morning your tour ends. (B)

part 3Delhi, Dharamsala, Amritsar

DAY 1 Delhi / DharamsalaThis morning you fly to Dharamsala. On

arrival you check in to your hotel for two nights.

DAY2 DharamsalaToday you undertake a full day tour of

Dharamsala. You visit McLeodganj, originally

home to the semi-nomadic Gaddi Tribe and

now the residence of His Holiness, the Dalai

Lama. This mid19th Century palace was

developed as a British garrison and was an

important administrative point for the whole

Kangra Valley. Today it is the headquarters of

the exiled Tibetan Government.

DAY3 Shimla Today you undertake a sightseeing excursion to

Kufri and Chail.

Kufri, at 2,633 metres above sea level is derived

from the word “Kufer”, which literally means

pond. It is a beautiful hill station famous

for its ski slopes and great views of the deep

valleys and forests which rise towards the lofty

Himalayas. Kufri is surrounded by cedar woods

through which you can walk to Mahasu Peak,

the highest in Kufri.

Chail is 2,444 metres in elevation and is

considered a hiker’s paradise. It is also very well

known for The Chail Palace, built as a summer

retreat by the Maharaja of Patiala during the

British Raj. It is also home to the world’s

highest cricket ground! (B)

DAY4 Shimla / DharamsalaYour leisurely drive to Dharamsala will take

most of the day. On arrival you check in to your

hotel for two nights.

Dharamsala is a hill station lying on the

spur of the Dhauladhar Range. It is wooded

with oak and conifer trees and snow-capped

mountains enfold three sides of the town while

the valley stretches in front. The snowline is

perhaps more easily accessible at Dharamsala

than at any other hill resort, so it is possible to

make a day’s trek to a snow-point. Dharamsala

is the headquarters of the Kangra District. (B)

The impressive monastery has larger than life

size images of Buddha, Padmasambhava and

Avaloketeshwara. You also visit the Dalai Lama

Temple, monasteries, Bhagsunath Temple, the

Tibetan Children’s Village and local markets. (B)

DAY3 Dharamsala / Amritsar Today you are driven to Amritsar in the

state of Punjab. Amritsar is one of the most

important pilgrimage centres for India’s Sikhs

and is characterised by religious and historical,

as well as contemporary sites of importance. On

arrival you check in to your hotel for two nights.

This evening you visit the Golden Temple to

witness the glittering ceremony as the Holy

Book “Guru Granth Sahib” is returned,

according to time honoured rituals, to the Akal

Takhta (Sikh Parliament) for the night. (BL)

DAY4 AmritsarThis morning you undertake a tour of Amritsar,

the “Holy City of the Sikhs”. The highlight of

the tour is a return to the Golden Temple

(Harmander Sahib) for a daytime viewing.

Famous for its full golden dome, built with

approximately 400 kg of gold leaf, the temple is

one of the most sacred pilgrim sites for Sikhs.

This afternoon you visit the Wagah Border: the

international border between India and Pakistan.

The pomp and pageantry of the “Beating

Retreat” and the Changing of the Guard within

handshaking distance of Indian and Pakistani

Forces makes for a most unique spectacle. (B)

DAY 5 Amritsar / DelhiAfter breakfast you are taken to the airport for

your flight for Delhi. (There is also the option of

training to Delhi.) On arrival you are met and

taken to your hotel for tonight. (B)

DAY6 Depart delhi On check out this morning your tour ends. (B)

near shimla

hindu festival

tour part 1 cost$743 pp sharing Superior-class

tour part 2 cost$1,559 pp sharing Superior-class

tour part 3 cost$1,363 pp sharing Superior-class


sri lankan highlights tourexperience this indian ocean jewel DAY3 DambullaToday you visit Sigiriya. This 5th Century rock

fortress, known as “Lion Rock”, is a citadel of

unusual beauty rising 200 metres above the

jungle. A World Heritage Site, it boasts a moat, a

rampart and water gardens. Later you visit the

ancient city of Polonnaruwa.Declared the capital

in1070, today it is a World Heritage Site. (B)

DAY4 Dambulla / KandyThis morning you visit the Dambulla Rock

Temple. Built in the1st Century BC, it is the

most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples.

This World Heritage Site is a complex of five

caves with over 2,000 square metres of painted

walls and ceilings, the largest area of paintings

found in the world! It contains over150 images

of the Buddha, the largest spanning14 metres.

You drive on to Kandy, visiting a spice garden

enroute to see various spices for which Sri Lanka

is famous. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri

Lankan Kings and is also a World Heritage Site.

Its highlight is the Temple of the Tooth Relic. (B)

DAY 5 Kandy / Nuwara Eliya During the drive to Nuwara Eliya you visit

Peradeniya. This beautiful garden was first

built by a Sinhala King and then expanded by

the British. It now covers close to147 acres.

You continue to Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka’s

premier hill station and the heart of its tea

industry. The best tea in the world is grown here!

DAY 1 Arrive Colombo / negombo On arrival at Colombo Airport you are met

and driven to your beachfront resort.

DAY2 Negombo / DambullaAfter breakfast you are met and taken to

Dambulla, with a visit to Pinnawala enroute.

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage offers the

best chance to see a large number of elephants

at close range. Established in1975 with seven

orphaned elephants, Pinnawala commenced a

successful breeding program and its first calf

was born in1984. Later you are taken to

Dambulla and your hotel for two nights. (B)

sri lankan elephant

You visit one of the local tea farms and learn

how this beverage is grown and produced. (B)

DAY6 Nuwara Eliya / ColomboYou are taken to Nanuoya Railway Station to

train to Colombo. On arrival you are taken to

your hotel for the night. (B) Alternatively, you

can continue with Day 3 of the next tour package.

DAY 7 depart ColomboToday you are taken on a tour of Colombo.

Colombo is fast changing its face. Almost

overnight, skyscrapers rise from where old

buildings stood. Yet in some parts, the old

world charm is retained and still obvious, such

as the100 year old clock tower and several

Colonial buildings. Other places of interest

include Pettah Bazaar, Hindu and Buddhist

Temples and the Bandaranaike Memorial

International Conference Hall, a gift from the

People’s Republic of China. On completion of

the tour you are returned to your hotel. Later

you are taken to the airport. (B)

SRI LANKA

Kandy

DambullaSigiriya

Polonnaruwa

NegomboPinnawala

Nuwara EliyaColombo

7 dayssri lankanhighlights

tea plantation



do it BEFORE or after1 Before the Gold Tour on page 34

2 After the Sensations Tour on page 46

incatours.net 61

DAY3 Nuwara Eliya / Yala National ParkIt is possible to join the tour here from Day 6 of theprevious tour package. Today you are driven to

Yala where you check in to your accommodation

for two nights. This afternoon you undertake

your first safari in fabulous Yala National Park.

Yala National Park is approximately1,260 square

kilometres and is the largest and most popular

in Sri Lanka. It is located in the south eastern

corner of the island and it has the added bonus

of a scenic ocean frontage. Yala is home to

elephants, wild boars, buffaloes, leopards,

bears, deer and crocodiles. Flocks of migratory

and indigenous birds are also found here. (B)

DAY4 Yala National ParkBoth early morning and afternoon safaris are

undertaken in Yala National Park. (B)

DAY 5 Yala / GalleYour touring takes you along the Coastal

Route, arriving in Galle late this morning.

Here you stay for two relaxing nights.

Galle, a town rich in history, was once Ceylon’s

chief port. It was the centre of the Dutch

Regime in the17th Century and the majestic

Galle Fort (spanning 90 acres) bears testimony

to this. Galle is one of the best preserved

Colonial-era cities in Southeast Asia and a World

Heritage Site. The Dutch Museum and the

Dutch Church are two famous attractions. (B)

DAY 1 Arrive ColomboOn arrival in Colombo you are met and taken

to your hotel for tonight.

DAY2 Colombo / Nuwara EliyaAfter breakfast you are taken to Colombo Rail

Station to board the train to Nuwara Eliya.

Nuwara Eliya, due to its invigorating mountain

climate and scenery, is Sri Lanka’s premier hill

station and the heart of its tea production. The

world’s best tea is produced here! You visit a tea

plantation and learn how this familiar beverage

is produced and graded. Mount Pidurutalagala,

at 2,670 metres, is located here. (B)

DAY6 GalleToday you undertake a Galle Walking Tour and

Culinary Cooking Class. During the tour you

learn about the history of Galle and taste some

traditional Sri Lankan favourites.

You discover the secrets of “Fort Food” while

exploring the fort, sampling the very best of

Sri Lankan street food. Your cooking class

teaches you how to make some traditional

Sri Lankan favourites, including pol (coconut)

sambol and fish curry, which you get to eat at

the end of the tour. During the tour you also

learn about the medicinal uses of spice tea.

Today’s walking tour and cooking class will

allow you to experience the living history that

makes this the most exciting fort in Asia. (BL)

Day 7 Galle / ColomboThis morning you depart for Colombo where

you undertake a comprehensive city and

sightseeing tour. After this you are taken to

Colombo Airport where your tour ends. (B)

wildlife & beach tourwith a hill country train ride

SRI LANKA

Nuwara Eliya

Yala National ParkGalle

Colombo

galle fort

7 dayswildlife & beach

stilt fishermen, galle beach



do it BEFORE or after1 Before the Gold Tour on page 34

2 After the Sensations Tour on page 46


Mohabbat The Taj show, Agra Menchu hot stone bath, Bhutan

in deogarh, pokhara, jaipur, agra, bhutan & at mt everest

tour enhancers

You can choose to add the following activities to your tour atour special rates, please enquire for the current cost.

Balloon ride at Amber Fort, JaipurThe “RURAL RAMBLE”, Deogarh Microlight flight, Pokhara

Mount Everest flight, nepal

incatours.net 63

popular gold tour combos

combining tours

popular sensations combos

days Tour & extensions pages33 gold TOUR +highlights of tibet tour 34 & 5436 gold TOUR +the best of tibet tour 34 & 5541 south india cultural tour +gold TOUR 56 & 3432+ gold tour +delhi & the north tour 34 & 5835 sri lankan highlights tour +gold tour 60 & 3435 wildlife & beach tour +gold tour 61 & 34

days tour & extensions pages27 *3-night kerala stopover+ sensations TOUR 35 & 4629 sensations TOUR +highlights of tibet tour 46 & 5432 sensations TOUR +the best of tibet tour 46 & 5537 south india cultural tour + sensations TOUR 56 & 4628+ sensations TOUR +delhi & the north tour 46 & 5831 sensations tour + sri lankan highlights tour 46 & 6031 sensations TOUR +wildlife & beach tour 46 & 61

*For details of the optional 3-night Kerala Stopover, please see Day 2 to Day 4 on page 35.

INCA TOURS 68 Pacific Highway, Wyong NSW 2259

Tel (02) 4351 2133 Fax (02) 4351 2526

Toll free from within Australia1800 024 955

Email [email protected]

Web www.incatours.net

Licenced Travel Agent No 2TA5698 ABN 28 112 971 838

Please contact

Inca Tours or your

travel agent for

any of the above

brochures

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& tibet

IncaTailor-madeTravelIndividual Tailor-made Tour

Packages, Safaris,Treks &

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Over

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Experience

EXCELLENCE INTRAVEL

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southamericaTake the holiday you deserve

over

35 years of travel

experience�

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Private non-group travel

Inca Tours also specialises in designing tailor-made, private travel to India, Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet and SriLanka for couples, individuals, families and groups offriends. If the Gold Tour or the Sensations Tour describedin this brochure does not suit you, just tell us whatplaces you would like to visit, when you want to traveland we’ll design a personalised itinerary to reflect yourinterests and your budget.

Additionally, for brochures on our tours and travel toAfrica, Egypt, South& Central America, Cuba, Mexico,Antarctica, Myanmar, Cambodia or Laos, please call tollfree on1800 024 955 or email: [email protected]

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