india

India April Departures

Day 1	Depart from UK airport
Day 2	Arrive in New Delhi Transfer to excellent Hotel in Delhi Brief orientation of local area.
Day 3	Full day tour of New Delhi India Gate, Mosque, Hindu Temple, Red Fort, Chandi Chowk (Old Delhi)
Day 4	Shatabdi Express train to Amritsar (Punjab) Transfer to hotel and brief orientation. Evening visit to Golden Temple.
Day 5	Full visit of Golden Temple and Sikh memorial Afternoon trip to Waggha Border.
Day 6	Private bus to Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh) Transfer to hotel and Team meeting.
Day 7	Tour of Dharamsala Dalai Lama’s residence, Tibetan Buddhist Temple, Tibetan Museum, Monastery
Day 8	Impact Travel project in local community (details enclosed)
Day 9	Impact Travel project in local community
Day 10	Impact Travel project in local community
Day 11	Impact Travel project in local community
Day 12	Private bus to Agra Transfer to 5 Star hotel
Day 13	Sunrise at Taj Mahal Red Fort
Day 14	Private bus to New Delhi International airport Return to UK
Day 15	Arrive in UK

" We are currently working on a new exciting India itinerary to include a new project in Palanpur near to Dharamsala"

Destinations on Our Itinerary – India

dharamsala pic Dharamsala
Dharamsala sits at 2050m above sea level overlooking the stunning Kangra Valley. Dharamsala is most famous for its Tibetan inhabitants living nearby in exile alongside their spiritual leader, HH The Dalai Lama. Whilst Dharamsala is synonymous with Tibet, it is the small former hill-station 4km further up the valley that is home to the Tibetan Government in Exile. This is McLeod Ganj.

Mcleaod Pic Mcleod Ganj
Mcleod Ganj is home to over 100,000 Tibetans and the number increases daily as people still arrive here in hopes of a life free from oppression that exists in their homeland. A peaceful town where Hindu and Buddhist cultures meet daily. It is a wonderful example of a multi-cultural community that exists in harmony. Here you will be able to rub shoulders with red-robed monks in the town who go about their daily business without any ado. You will visit the amazing Tsuglakhang – the main Tibetan temple complex that is equivalent to the Holiest of Holies that is the Jokhang in Lhasa, Tibet.

One afternoon, you may have the opportunity to watch the Tibetan monks debating finer points of heir philosophy in the very theatrical, ritual debating that takes place in the courtyard. Some previous guests have also been very fortunate to have an audience with the Karmapa Lama, who is also living in exile nearby. Still to this day, the Dalai Lama gives Public Audiences, although these are becoming very rare.

You will get chance to visit the moving Tibetan museum, and understand what the Tibetan people have been through and hear about their hopes for the future. school

Our Projects in Dharamkot
We will be based just outside Bhagsu, which neighbours McLeod Ganj. Clients will have the opportunity to carry out environmental projects or carry out invaluable work in the local school.
[Click here to view our projects]

Amritsar

Amritsar
Amritsar is famous for its crowning jewel of the Golden Temple – a place of Holy Pilgrimage for Sikhs. There is no doubt you will be moved by the sheer beauty and peaceful grandeur of the Temple.

You will have the opportunity to experience the Golden Temple both at night and during the day. At night you can watch the daily ritual of putting the Guru Granth Sahib, their Holy Book to bed –an amazing example of faith in action that will leave you in awe.
By daylight you will be able wander at leisure around a temple that exubes selflessness and you may like to sit with thousands of other Sikh pilgrims and eat a free meal prepared by volunteers each day. Known as the Langkar, it epitomises the generosity and wonder of the Sikh people.

You may also be able to visiting the Waggha Border – a spectacle of Indian and Pakistani drama where both countries close their gates and attempt to out-show each other in what can only be described (in the positive sense) as political farce.. Michael Palin recently visited and compare the atmosphere to that of a local derby!

Agra Agra
Sitting on the Yamuna river, Agra is famous for its beautiful Red Fort and the jewel of India, the Taj Mahal. This is a sight to behold, which will inspire and be forever emblazoned upon your minds. Built by Shah Jahan as an edifice of love to act as a mausoleum for his wife, Mumtaz. There is no other sunrise that you will remember after this one.

New Delhi
You will have a limited time in Delhi but your time here will be memorable. You will be able to visit many historical places and places of worship including:

Lal Qila – the impressive Red Fort built in the 17th century.
Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in Asia.
Lakshmi Narayan Mandir – a wonderful Hind temple.
Bahai temple – an extraordinarily peaceful place shaped as a Lotus that typifies Indian belief about religions.
India Gate – a 42m triumphal arch symbolising India’s capital city.
Gandhi museum – where you can see the everlasting flame and some of the artefacts from his home.
Chandi Chowk – the maze and alleys of the old city that will take you from plastic buckets to gold to saris to spices – a journey on foot that will give you a real introduction to Indian city life.

Our Accommodation

Impact Travel endeavours to find the most appropriate accommodation for its clients – in the major cities we visit, we choose centrally located 5 Star luxury hotels that will create a wonderful haven for your visit to India.

New Delhi
Excellent hotel that will allow you to ease into India at your leisure. Excellent hotel facilities and superb dining options in and around the hotel.

Agra
5 Star hotel where clients can relax after a hectic and challenging journey and unwind. Close at hand for the amazing Taj Mahal. Superb hotel facilities that you would expect from any international luxury accommodation.

Amritsar
Our two nights here are in modest accommodation that is full of Indian character and charm. All the hotels Impact Travel chooses boast a caring staff and pride themselves on clean and well appointed rooms.

Dharamsala
Our main stay in this small town will not disappoint. Impact Travel uses small, friendly hotels where our group can be well looked after. Although India accommodation may not always match Western standards, Impact Travel will make sure your accommodation is clean and comfortable for your stay. You can expect a 2-3 star style of hotel with all mod-cons and a staff that will serve you with a smile.

The Price

Our prices are fully inclusive and include:

Full International return flights to New Delhi from UK airport (these are secured using an ATOL bonded agent.)
Bed and Breakfast accommodation (based on 2 people sharing)

5 Star hotels in New Delhi and Agra
2-3 Star hotels in Amritsar and Dharamsala areas.

Express train tickets between New Delhi and Amritsar
Private bus transfers in India throughout itinerary.
Private and personal tours of Delhi, Amritsar, Dharamsala and Agra.
Pre-departure meetings in a North-West location*
Services of Impact Travel English guide**
Full project costs

Project set-up arrangements and costs.
Project costs whilst in India to include all resources, local payments and fees.
Impact Travel continue to support all projects that are begun, so when we leave you can be assured we will continue to support the community.

Clients are advised that they will need to provide:
1 – Own travel insurance (a copy will be needed prior to departure)
2 – Indian visa (Impact Travel can assist with this process)
3 – Immunisations (Impact Travel can advise on this process)

* The pre-departure meeting will enable the team to meet one another prior to departure and Impact Travel will be able to brief all clients on matters of cultural sensitivity, project outlines and discuss any pre-departure nerves!

** Impact Travel directors will liaise with clients from the moment of booking and will ensure each client has the experience of their lifetime. Each journey is fully escorted from the UK airport until the return.