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| EVENTS |
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ASIAN Geographic PASSPORT World Religions 2010 - India
A trip to the heart of India
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| HIGHLIGHTS |
All of the worlds major religions find their origins in Asia from the Indian Sub-Continent and the Middle-East. This trip to the heart of India is a journey to the holiest places of Buddhism and Hinduism. |
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| DATE |
14-22 February 2010
HURRY! SIGN UP NOW! ONLY LIMITED SLOTS AVAILABLE! |
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| 14 |
February 2010
Depart Singapore/Arrive Delhi
Meet at Changi International Airport for departure.
Participants ex-Delhi should plan to arrive in Delhi today. |
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| 15 |
February 2010
Arrive Delhi – Patna
Arrive at Delhi International airport at 02.20. After clearing immigration and customs, transfer to the Silver Ferns Hotel for check-in; rest of the morning is at leisure to rest.
Check-out at 11 am, and after lunch visit the Swaminarayan Akshardam. This huge complex was built in only 5 years, and open in November 2005. Its giant, intricately carved pink and white stone mandir was built without steel, a testament to the epic service of 11,000 volunteers.
Later transfer to the airport for flight 9W727, departing at 19.25 and arrive in Patna at 20.55. On arrival, transfer to the Chankaya Hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight. |
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| 16 |
February 2010
Patna – Bodhgaya
Morning check-out and drive to visit Nalanda, site of an important Buddhist centre and one of the world’s great universities, founded in the 5th century BC. When the Chinese monk Xuan Zhang arrived here after his epic journey around 700 AD, there were around 10,000 monks and students residing here. Extensive ruins remain. Continue to Rajgir, where the Buddha tamed an elephant set upon him by Devadatta; it is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site as Buddha spent 12 years here, and the first Buddhist council was convened here. It is also an important place for the Jain religion, and was mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
Proceed to Bodhgaya, and check-in to the Royal Residency Hotel for 2 nights. |
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| 17 |
February 2010
Bodhgaya
We spend today in Bodhgaya, the most important of the Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Here Buddha meditated under a Bodhi Tree and attained enlightenment. A descendent of the original tree stands beside the Mahabodhi Temple, originally erected by the Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century BC. We also visit nearby Gaya, a centre for Hindu pilgrims. Vishnu is said to have given Gaya the power to absolve sinners, and the centre of the town is the Vishnupad temple constructed in 1787. |
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| 18 |
February 2010
Bodhgaya - Varanasi
Morning depart Bodhgaya to drive to Varanasi. On arrival, check-in to the Taj Ganges. Varanasi, the city of Shiva on the bank of the sacred river Ganges, claims to be one of the oldest cities in the world, and is the holiest of the seven sacred Hindu cities. Hindu pilgrims come to the city to bathe in the river’s waters, a ritual that washes away all sins, and the city is also an auspicious place to die. A string of ghats that line the western bank of the river, used for bathing and also for cremating bodies. |
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| 19 |
February 2010
Varanasi
Our day in Varanasi begins early, with a boat ride on the river at dawn, when the ghats are softly lit and pilgrims come to perform puja to the sun. We also visit the Vishwanath Temple, the most sacred in Varanasi.
Then drive to Sarnath, where Buddha began to preach his message after his enlightenment, the exact spot marked by the Dhamekh Stupa. We see the remains of the pillar raised by the Emperor Ashoka and the Archaeological Museum, as well as the modern temples built by Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Burmese Buddhists, before returning to Varanasi. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the fascinating warren of alleyways of the Old City, on your own or with your escorts. |
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| 20 |
February 2010
Varanasi – Khajuraho
After a leisurely morning, transfer to the airport for your flight 9W723 departing at 1220 an arriving in Khajuraho at 1255. Once a great capital of the Chandela Empire, the temples of Khajuraho remain as one of India’s major attractions. For sheer beauty and size, this group of temples built between 950 and 1050 are unmatched examples of Indo Aryan architecture, famous for their intricate decorations depicting gods, goddesses, warriors, musicians, animals, and especially women and sex. This afternoon, after we check-in to the Jass Radisson Hotel, visit the main temples in the western group. |
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| 21 |
February 2010
Khajuraho – Delhi
Continue your exploration of the temples this morning, before returning to check-out and transfer to the airport for our flight 9W724 departing at 1325 and arriving in Delhi at 1600. Transfer to the Silver Ferns Hotel for your last night in India. |
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| 22 |
February 2010
Delhi - Singapore
Morning transfer to the airport for departure, back to Singapore. |
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| TOUR COSTS |
Tour Cost per person
Ex-Delhi: US$1,850 (twin-sharing)
Single-room supplement: US$300
EXCLUSIVE FOR XPLORER MEMBERS
• SILVER Xplorer members will receive a 5% discount
• GOLD Xplorer members will receive a 10% discount
• DIAMOND Xplorer members will receive a 15% discount
• PLATINUM Xplorer members will receive a 20% discount
Not an XPlorer member?
Subscribe to ASIAN Geographic NOW and enjoy our Xplorer membership benefits! – Subscribe online at www.asiangeo.com
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| PRICE INCLUDES |
• Twin-share accommodation at hotels indicated or similar
• All meals
• Transfers and tours in deluxe coach
• English-speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees |
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| EXCLUDES |
• Any international flights
• Personal expenses including drinks, telephone, laundry and tips
• Personal travel insurance
• India visa application and fees |
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| SIGN UP |
To join, please download application form, and fax it to Sharon at
(+65) 6291 2068, or email it to trips@asiangeo.com.
*Slots are limited and are on a first-come-first-serve basis.
For reservations and more information on the expedition,
please contact Sharon at: Tel (+65) 6298 3241;
Email: trips@asiangeo.com |
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Co-Organised by
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Sponsored by
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