1. India

2. Nepal

Tour of Asia

First Stop: India

Land of the Tiger

Food:• Many Vegan dishes • Staples: Bajra (pearl millet),

rice, whole wheat flour and red lentils.

• Most curries cooked in vegetable oil.

• Commonly used spices: chili pepper, black mustard seed, cumin, garlic and coriander.

• Chai is the national drink

- Southern States: coconut, lots of rice, and “bread” (pancakes)

made of rice- Northern: meat eaters, kababs

are popular

Food differs by region:

•Chuski: Flavored Ice•Sweet Lassi: liquefied sweetened yogurt, famous in Goa (beware of Bhang lassi)•Alphonso Mangoes in Mumbai•Indian Kulfi: creamy, rich ice cream flavored with nuts, seasonal fruits and saffron•Common dishes: Samosas, Bhelpuri, Sev, Pav Bhaji•Many of the street foods are deep fried-Be careful about foods that need water

Chuski

Samosas

Sev

Bhelpuri

Street Food:Pav Bhaji

Places To See/ Things To Do :

Golden Temple of Amritsar in Punjab

The temple began construction in 1574 and finished in 1601. Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated the 100 kg of gold added to the exterior. Many are welcomed, but inside one cannot eat meat, drink alcohol , or smoke inside.

Mysore Palace

Palace built by Wodevar kings in the 14th century. It was destroyed and constructed many times. The current palace’s construction began in 1897, and it completed in 1912. Later it was expanded around 1940

New Delhi- Lotus Temple

Religious center, accepts all religions. No musical instruments are allowed inside. Is the most visited building in the world, with 4.5 million visitors a year.

Beaches in Goa

The city of Goa has many European influences due to the Portuguese. Tourists can rent shacks along the beach to live in or the town itself.

Kodaiknal

Established in 1845, Kodaikanal was a refuge from the high temperatures in the plains. 3.2 million tourists come each year. Hiking, boating, and mountain climbing are popular.

Valley of

Flowers

Hiking View Of The Valley Of Flowers

The Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, brown bear and  blue sheep

(goat) are found here. The locals thought it

was the home of fairies. More than 500 species

of plants.

Skiing in Auli Offers skiing and trekking. Best time to

visit is last week of Jan to first week of March for skiing. Has the longest cable car

in Asia.

Jahangir Palace

Built for the wives of Akbar. It is made of red sandstone. Contains the

influence of Persian architecture.

Dedicated to the wife of Shiva, Parvati. 25,00 people visit every

Friday and 15,000 everyday. 33,000 sculptures in the temple.

 Meenakshi Temple

Aerial view of Madurai city

Entertainment:•Casino Royale in Panaji: Floating Casino•Cooking classes in West Bengal•Yoga in Rishikesh•Live music, plays, and traditional dancing at the National Centre of Performing Arts in Mumbai

•Indian Rupee•1 Rupee = 2 American cents, 1USD = about 56 Rupees•Hotel: $60 for a good place per day•Food: $10 for a good meal per day•Travel: $10 taxi and bus together•Total: $80 for a couple, $70 for a person alone-12-15 Rupees for 1 liter of water-T-shirt : 50 Rupees-40 -60 Rupees for 3 hr bus trip- Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant $2.31

Currency:

Expect To…•In the city to use: Tram (Train), Rickshaw ,Taxi-Seatbelts rarely work, hold on to hand rails in buses•In temples, be prepared to take off your shoes or bring slippers with you•Make sure you crush your water bottles when finished •Women do not shake hands with men.•Dress conservatively, no sleeveless shirts, miniskirts, anything see through or tight, dress in local clothes•Negotiate prices•Before going in a taxi, have a set price•Do not accept any drinks on a bus•People are fully clothed at the beach• Police 100, hospital 102 , fire 101

What To Pack:•If staying in the south, dress for humid weather• If in north, dress for cool, breezy weather and chilly in some parts.•Bug spray•Hair gel/hair wax , hair products are limited.•If want to use laptop, bring voltage convertor and plug adaptor•Sneakers/sandals, avoid open footwear•Sleep sac (if not staying in decent hotel)•Toilet paper and hand wipes•Personal documents •Iodine tablets, reusable water bottle

Second Stop: Nepal

PokharaPokara is considered one of the most beautiful places. You can rent a bike for about 100- 200 rupees a day. White water wafting, biking and

paragliding are available.

Pokhara

Trek Muktinath Temple3749 meters above sea level.

Trek Muktinath Temple is a holy place for Hindus and Buddhists. Flight from Kagbeni is 6-8 hours, hiking

from Pokhara is 8 days

Janaki Temple The birthplace of the Goddess Sita and place of her marriage

to the God Ram. The building is over 500 years old. Population

of 90,000.

Bhaktapur

A 1934 earthquake severely damaged the city ($13 fee).

Commonly called Living Heritage. No taxis or rickshaws in the city.

Pashupatinath in Kathmandu

Hindu temple to Shiva in the form of Lord of

Animals. Cashmere is notably cheap here, local crafts/clothes. Famous

spa and massage classes.

Boudhanath Stupa

Built during the 5th century AD. Tale says that old woman tricked king into building it. Make sure you walk clockwise. Many locals

walk three times around and chant 'Om Mani Padme Hum‘.

PatanCheck out the handicrafts.

Traditional paintings (Thanka) are done here. Taxis are more expensive here, best to walk

on foot.

Chitwan: A National Park

Established in 1973, this park has everything. Ride around on elephants or an ox cart. Tigers, rhinos, crocodiles, monkeys and more can be found.

 Nagarkot

Himalayan views are boasted by the city. Mountain biking and trekking are popular in Nagarkot. Can get there by

bus but within, walking is the best way to go.

 Mount Everest. The tallest mountain in

the world, 29,029 ft. Many guides are

available to climb the mountain. You need a $25,000 permit to even

attempt the trip.

Currency:• Nepalese Rupee•1 Nepalese Rupee = 1 American cent•1 American dollar= 84 Nepalese Rupees•$10 will be enough for all your daily expenses on drinking and dining. •Loaf of Fresh White Bread $0.44 •Taxi (Normal Tariff)$0.22 •Cinema, 1 Seat $4.31 •Basic (Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)$22.35 •Eggs (12) $1.17

Entertainment:•Kathmandu is the center for nightlife• Stores, restaurants in towns begin to close around 10:30, 11:00 pm •Bars stay open until midnight and later.•In the evening, folk dancing and music occurs (locals dance with same gender)•Kathmandu has many movie theaters, watch Bollywood and Hollywood movies• Four casinos in Kathmandu

Food•National dish: Daal Bhaat Tarkaari (lentil soup, curried vegetables with rice).•A set meal will usually include rice, dhal (lentils) vegetable/meat curry, a vegetable dish, chutney and curd•Chutney (spicy sauce), lemons, limes and chili peppers are common condiments •Local cuisines vary with weather and ingredients available

Street Food:

•Many of the foods offered are deep fried •Momos (40 Rs, 10 pieces), (dumplings)•Samosa (10 Rs each) (potato filled pastry) • Fried noodles (50 Rs)•Sekuwa- bbq meat•Makkai and Badam: corn and peanuts, roasted

What To Pack:

• Jacket/Parka•Sneakers/ Hiking boots•Gloves•Hat•Lots of socks•Lots of undergarments•Toilet paper•Hand wipes/lotion•Slippers •Flash light with batteries•Iodine tablets•Reusable water bottle

What To Expect:

•Do not eat with your left hand•Power cuts in the summer•Winter months have better views of the mountains than the summer•Walking is most of the time the best way to get around•Rickshaws and taxis available •Have a set price before getting a ride•Have a lot of Nepalese Rupees with you, not many have change for USD