The Best of South and the Taj Mahal March 17 - 26, 2017

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India is a land of variety and contrasts. To the north, it is bordered by the world’s highest mountain chain. In the south, plateaus and tropical rain forests are bordered by palm- fringed beaches. You will see some of India’s finest architecture, sculptures and curves, cruise scenic backwaters and enjoy performances of Indian classical dance and music.

Start your journey in (the center of Bollywood), where this vibrant city welcomes you with open arms to see the best of what it has to offer. On this trip, we take you through the state of Kerala, where life moves at a less frantic pace than in the cities, although Mumbai and the great port of Kochi provide ample city excitement and attractions for most. But it is in the backwaters, aboard a beautiful house boat; in Kumarakom. We'll discover the first European foothold in India in Kochi, the Venice of the East. You’ll then take into India’s capital of . Admire the contrast of Old and New Delhi before moving on to Agra and the wonder that is the Taj Mahal.

Journey 17 March Depart Newark, USA 18 March Mumbai 19 March Mumbai – Kumarakom 21 March Kumarakom 22 March Kumarakom – Kochi 23 March Kochi – Delhi 24 March Delhi 25 March Delhi – Agra 26 March Agra – Delhi departure 26th or 27th Arrive Back USA

Accommodations Mumbai – Trident Nariman Point Kumarakom – Coconut Lagoon Kochi – Fragrant Nature Delhi – The Palms Agra – Radisson

Meals As per itinerary

The Best of South India and the Taj Mahal | 2 DETAILED ITINERARY

17 March Depart Newark, USA

18 March Arrive Mumbai After clearing all immigration formalities, you will be met by our Travel Manager and transferred to our hotel.

Mumbai was named by the original inhabitants, the Kolis, after their goddess mother Mumba Devi. Mumbai was once a group of seven islands given to the British as a dowry when Charles II married Catherine of Braganza. The British leased the islands to the East India Company, who in turn began initial development of the city. Today this cosmopolitan city is one of India’s most important centres for industry, commerce, foreign trade and Bollywood. Overnight: Trident Nariman Point

19 March Mumbai This morning depart your Hotel for City tour. Our First stop is . After that you will be escorted for a walking tour of downtown Mumbai, where the amazing sights and architecture will fascinate you. Later drive through the Dhobi Ghat and hanging gardens.

This afternoon visit the Prince of Wales Museum, and Mani Bhawan, the memorial built for Mahatma Gandhi. Later explore local markets.

If time permits we visit a Bollywood Dance Academy to learn steps of “Bollywood Dance.” Overnight: Trident Nariman Point Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Best of South India and the Taj Mahal | 3 20 March Fly Mumbai – Kochi – Drive to Kumarakom Today Morning fly to Kochi. On arrival drive to Kumarakom a cluster of little islands on Vembanad Lake. Kumarakom captures the essence of Kerala in a unique and lovely setting. Conde Nast Traveller rated Kumarakom among the 25 best getaways in the world. The remainder of the day is free.

Your exquisite hotel is constructed from fragments of Keralan palaces, with beautiful carvings and brass work, and is set on an abandoned coconut plantation that can be reached only by boat. Overnight: Coconut Lagoon Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

21 March Kumarakom – House Boat (Alleppey) Morning is free to enjoy at your hotel.

This afternoon, a deluxe Kettuvallam or houseboat is waiting to take you on a journey through tranquil waterways formed by 40-some rivers that flow down to the Arabian Sea from the Cardamom Hills. These have thatched roof covers over wooden hulls. In the Malayalam language "kettu" means "to tie" and “vallam” means boat – the two together make the local name "kettuvallam”. Each houseboat is constructed using the ancient principles and techniques of boat building by the local carpenters using 'Anjili' wood. Coir ropes are used for fastening the wooden planks together.

Lunch will be prepared and served on board. Overnight: Coconut Lagoon Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Best of South India and the Taj Mahal | 4 22 March Kumarakom – Kochi Today you will drive to Kochi. Kochi (Cochin), also known as Ernakulam, the commercial capital of Kerala. The district took its form on 1st April 1958, by carving out the areas of Travancore, Kochi and Malabar kingdoms. The word Ernakulam was derived from a Tamil word Erayanarkulam which means “Lord Shiva's abode.”

This afternoon you will take a tour of Kochi, beginning with St. Francis Church. Located at Kochi, this Protestant church was originally built by the Portuguese in 1510 AD and is believed to be the oldest church built by the Europeans in India.

A trip through the Dutch Palace provides a view of 17th century frescoes, court attire and other artifacts. It is also known as Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Kochi in 1555 A.D. It acquired the present name after 1663 when the Dutch carried out extensions and repairs in the palace. It is interesting to note that at no time did the Portuguese or Dutch actually stay here. Its interiors are decorated with murals from the Ramayana and there are some lively displays of royal costumes and palanquins.

Later visit the Chinese fishing net area and witness the spectacular Kathakali dance drama, a unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance. Dancer wear extraordinary makeup, headdresses, and costumes meant to raise the participants above the level of mere mortals, allowing them to transport the audience to a world of wonders. Overnight: Fragrant Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Best of South India and the Taj Mahal | 5 23 March Fly Kochi – Delhi Today you will fly to Delhi. Delhi, the capital and the third largest city of India, is a fusion of the ancient and the modern. Standing along the West end of the Gangetic Plain, the capital city paints a picture rich with culture, architecture and human diversity, deep in history, monuments, museums, galleries, and gardens. Upon arrival in Delhi you will be taken directly to the hotel. Overnight: The Palms Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

24 March Delhi Today morning we will start our tour from Old Delhi. We travel by rickshaw through the winding streets of Old Delhi, the capital of Muslim India from the 12th through the 19th centuries. Narrating the city's Mughal past, Old Delhi takes us through the labyrinthine streets passing formidable mosques, monuments and forts. We will also discover lively and colourful bazaars that carry all sorts of goods amidst an atmosphere of barely controlled chaos. We will visit India’s largest mosque, the white marble Jama Masjid, with its marble domes and splendid minarets.

New Delhi was designed and built by the British in the 1920s. city displays well-composed and spacious streets under the shade of beautiful trees and imposing government buildings. We will visit Humayun's Tomb, which was built by the wife of Mughal Emperor Humayun, Haji Begum in the mid-16th century. This red sandstone structure is considered to be the predecessor of Taj Mahal. The structure is one of the best examples of Mughal architecture. Humayun's wife is also buried in the tomb, which is built of red and white sandstone and black and yellow marble.

From here we will drive towards Hotel, stopping at India Gate for photo opportunities. India Gate, standing like a pride of Delhi at the centre of New Delhi, is a 42-metre high archway in the middle of a crossroad. Similar to its French counterpart, the Arc-de- Triomphe, it commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I. The memorial also bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919. Overnight: The Palms Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Best of South India and the Taj Mahal | 6 25 March Delhi – Agra This morning we will drive to Agra.

Afternoon visit Agra Fort. The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1565 A.D., although additions were made until the time of his grandson, Shah Jehan. The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise. The fort is crescent shaped, flattened on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing the river. It has a total perimeter of 2.4 kilometres, and is ringed by double castellated ramparts of red sandstone punctuated at regular intervals by bastions. A 9-metre wide and 10-metre deep moat surrounds the outer wall.

In the evening enjoy the grand live performance “Mohabbat-e-Taj”, based on the love story of Taj Mahal. Overnight: Radission Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

26 March Agra – Delhi Departure Early morning explore Shah Jehan’s monument to love – the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor as the final resting place for his favorite Queen, Mumtaz. This perfectly symmetrical monument took 22 years (1630-1652 A.D) of hard labor and 20,000 workers, masons and jewellers to build. It was designed by the Persian architect, Ustad Isa. The verses of Holy Quran are inscribed on it and at the top of the gate’s 22 small domes, signifying the number of years the monument took to built. The elegant dome of the Taj has a diameter of 60 feet, and directly under the dome is the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. Fantastic inlay work, using semi-precious stones, decorates the exterior and interior.

Afternoon that you will drive back to Delhi. After change and wash you will be transfer to International airport to catch your flight back home.

The Best of South India and the Taj Mahal | 7 Accommodations

Mumbai – Trident Nariman Point

CR 2 Nariman Point, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Mumbai, 40002, India Tel: +91-226 632 4343 Website: http://www.tridenthotels.com/hotels-in-mumbai-nariman-point

Kumarakom – Coconut Lagoon

Kumarakom, Kottayam, Kerala 686563, India Tel: +91- 484 301 1711 Website: http://www.cghearth.com/coconut-lagoon

Kochi – Fragrant Nature

Near SBI Calvathy Calvathy Ernakulam, Bazaar Rd, Mattancherry, Fort Kochi, Kerala 682001, India Tel: +91- 484 221 3600 Website: http://www.fragrantnature.com/HotelsKochi

Delhi – The Palms

B Block, Sushant Lok, Phase I, - 122001, India Tel: +91-124 419 9900 Website: http://www.thepalms.in

The Best of South India and the Taj Mahal | 8 Agra – Radisson Blu

Taj East Gate Road, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India Tel: 011-91-562 405 5555 Website: http://www.radissonblu.com/hotel-agra

The Best of South India and the Taj Mahal | 9 TOUR PRICES & OTHER INFORMATION

Trip cost includes round trip international flights (Minimum of 10 people traveling) Per Person Twin-Share USD 4,399 Single Room Supplement (Additional for staying in Single room) USD 1,000

Trip cost without international flights (Minimum of 10 people traveling) Per Person Twin-Share USD 2,999 Single Room Supplement (Additional for staying in Single room) USD 1,000

COST INCLUDES  Twin sharing accommodation  All arrival and departure transfers  All sightseeing and excursions  International Round trip flight (From the gateway city as determined by WWA)  Two Internal flights: Mumbai/Kochi; Kochi/Delhi  Meals as specified in the itinerary  Houseboat day cruise in Kumarakom  Kathakali Dance Drama  Rickshaw ride in Delhi  Sunset cruise at Kochi Harbour

COST DOES NOT INCLUDE  Meals not mentioned in the itinerary  Beverages other than bottled water  Additional activities not outlined in the detailed itinerary  Personal Expenses  Gratuities

The Best of South India and the Taj Mahal | 10 Terms & Conditions

HOW TO BOOK Complete, sign and return the booking form with your deposit and send to Worldwide Adventures.

DEPOSIT & SUGGESTED PAYMENT INFORMATION*

(Applicable for all-inclusive package includes round-trip flights) Initial Deposit: US$ 500 – Due at the time of registration First Payment US$ 2000 – Due on 25th Oct Final Payment US$ 1899 – Due on 70 days prior to departure Single room supplement should be paid if applicable

(Applicable for all-inclusive package without round-trip flights) Initial Deposit: US$ 500 – Due at the time of registration Final Payment US$ 2499 – Due on 70 days prior to departure Single room supplement should be paid if applicable

PAYMENT INFORMATION Payments are accepted by check made payable to: Worldwide Adventures India

Mail to: Worldwide Adventures India Towne Place at Garden State Park 923 Haddonfield Road - Suite 300 Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 USA OR

Give to: Professor John Quinesso, Jr. Rowan University James Hall - Suite 3068 PH: 609- 922-6385 or 856-324-8245 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

CANCELLATION POLICY a) Cancellation by You - Cancellation charges will be applied as shown below, calculated from the day written notification is received by Worldwide Adventures. In addition to cancellation fees for tours operated by Worldwide Adventures as shown below, airlines, hotels and other third parties may impose up to 100% cancellation charges.

Prior to 90 days Only International Ticket Cancellation Fee 89 to 70 days USD 250 + International Ticket Cancellation fee 69 to 31 days 20% of tour cost 30 to 15 days 70% of tour cost Less than 14 days 100% of tour cost

International Flight Cancellation Charges USD 550

The Best of South India and the Taj Mahal | 11 In addition to the above, cancellation charges may apply for additional arrangements booked by Worldwide Adventures, such as air tickets, hotels. If the reason for cancellation is covered by your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. b) Cancellation by Us - We reserve the right to cancel a tour for any reason (such as failure to reach minimum tour participant numbers). Except for force majeure, we will not cancel a tour less than 60 days before departure. No further compensation will be paid in the event of cancellation by Worldwide Adventures. A full refund of monies paid for tour costs will be the full extent of our liability.

Cancellation and/or amendment fees may apply for additional travel arrangements booked by Worldwide Adventures.

PASSPORTS, VISAS & VACCINATIONS All travelers must be in a possession of a valid passport – most countries require a 6-month validity from your date of entry or exit. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the valid visa. You are also responsible for obtaining all necessary inoculations and preventative medicines as may be required for the duration of the tour.

TOUR PRICES Prices quoted in our tour information are based on exchange rates, cost of services and applicable taxes at the time of publication. Prices may be subject to change in the event of significant currency fluctuations or the introduction of new taxes, up until final payment is received. In the event of a price increase, whether because of a currency fluctuation, increase in taxes or a correction in advertised prices, we will advise you and you have the option of accepting the amended prices, inclusions and booking conditions or withdrawing from the tour and receiving a full refund of all monies paid.

Once final payment is received, all prices will be guaranteed and no surcharges will apply.

FITNESS AND PARTICIPATION Most of our tours require a MODERATE level of fitness. If you (or we) have any doubts about your level of fitness, you may be required to have a doctor’s appraisal. This would require your doctor to read the itinerary of your chosen tour, including the fitness level, and provide you (and us) with a written confirmation of your ability to participate.

MODERATE For the overall benefit of the group, all tour members must possess a moderate level of mobility, including the ability to:

• negotiate airports without wheelchair assistance • use combined shower/bath facilities (it is impossible to guarantee walk-in shower facilities) • undertake walking tour of 1-2 hours duration, including using stairs, walking over cobblestones and other uneven surfaces • stand for long periods in museums and other sites • embark/disembark coaches, trains and other methods of transportation without assistance • handle your own luggage

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Payments and Booking Form

Please send your completed booking form to: Worldwide Adventures India P Ltd Worldwide Adventures India Towne Place at Garden State Park 923 Haddonfield Road - Suite 300 Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 USA Ph: 856 - 324 - 8245

Attention: John J. Quinesso, Jr. Email: [email protected]

**PASSPORT INFORMATION **

Passport #: ……...... Nationality: …...... ….

Issued At: ...... Issue Date (mm/dd/yy): ......

Passport Name: ...... Expiry Date (mm/dd/yy): ……….…………..

Date of Birth: ...... Email: …………………………………………… Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the expected date of your return home. I do not yet have a passport, but will be applying for one.

In completing this form, I affirm that I am in general good health, capable of performing the required exercise to participate, and that I have not recently been treated for, nor am I aware of, any condition that would jeopardize myself or other members of this tour. I accept as my personal risk the hazards of such participation, and will not hold Worldwide Adventures India or its representatives responsible. I hereby release and forever discharge Worldwide Adventures, its officers, directors, servants and agents from any liability whatsoever arising as a result of my participation in this trip, and I declare this release is binding upon me, my heirs, executors and assigns. I agree that this agreement shall be governed in all aspects by, and interpreted in accordance with, the law of TRIVANDRUM, INDIA.

I have read the Terms & Conditions as outlined above. I also understand that the unique nature of this type of travel involves accommodations, transport, safety and medical facilities not found on a conventional vacation.

SIGNATURE: ______DATE: ______

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