October 30-November 8, 2010

India is far more than a destination. It’s a delightful encounter, one that’s overflowing with dazzling color, wafting aromas, zesty flavors, and exhilarating rhythms. Join a Hermes Tours small group in this thrilling part of the world, and we’ll reveal cities that pulsate with a heady mix of ancient tradition and modern ambition. We’ll venture into the countryside to explore a famed monument to love … a temple of 1,000 columns … a tiny village of age-old environmentalists … and gleaming, hilltop fortresses that recall the days when maharajahs ruled. It’s incredible India!

• Old Delhi, including Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid Mosque, and Chandni Chowk
• New Delhi, including  India Gate, Presidential Palace, and Parliament House, Qutab Minar, and Humayun’s Tomb
• Agra, including Taj Mahal and Agra Fort
• Fatehpur Sikri, including Jama Masjid Mosque, Panch Mahal, and Salim Chisti's
• Amber Fort, including elephant-back transport, Jag Mandir and Sheesh Mahal
• Jaipur, including Jantar Mantar Observatory, City Palace, and Hawa Mahal
• Jodhpur, including Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, and city bazaar
• Bishnoi Village visit
• Ranakpur, including Jain temple
• Udaipur, including City Palace and Lake Pichola boat ride
• Kathmandu, extend your stay and visit this wonderful nation
• Accommodations for 9 nights in 5-star hotels
• Services of a Hermes Tours escort
• Services of an expert, local guide in all cities
• $100 per person savings if you reserve 5 months before departure!

Travel in Style with Hermes Tours as we tour this wonderful country staying in 5 star hotels throughout our stay.

Delhi: Hyatt Regency Delhi 5* (or similar)
Hyatt Regency Delhi, India is a palatial complex that offers travellers a heightened level of luxury, accommodation, dining and entertainment services. Our New Delhi Hotel is located only 15 minutes from the city centre and 25 minutes from the international airport. Our deluxe 7 storey Delhi hotel is in one of the capital's most exclusive residential and commercial districts

Agra: -ITC Mughal Luxury Collection 5*
Exquisite interiors, impeccable service, extraordinary cuisine, and contemporary technology come together to create an experience that is both grand and intimate at ITC Mughal, Agra. Located on 35 acres of enchanting gardens, our hotel is situated near the city centre and in close proximity to the mesmerizing Taj Mahal

Jaipur: -Sheraton Rajputana Luxury Collection 5*
Experience the finest Jaipur has to offer at the Sheraton Rajputana Palace Hotel, Jaipur.  We’re proud to offer the best accommodations in the city with a host of comforts and services in settings that reflect the spirit of Rajasthan and its royalty. Just 15 kilometers from the airport and half a kilometer from the city center our regal-influenced design and gardens echo the city’s history. Retreat to our 218 guest rooms and take in the view from your balcony while enjoying a fresh cup of coffee. You’ll wake up the next morning feeling absolutely refreshed and rejuvenated. Bring a group together for dinner at our restaurants that offer tastes from around the globe.

Jodhpur: - Taj Hari Mahal 5*
Spread over six acres of lush, landscaped gardens, this palace of the 21st century offers luxurious refinement. With its Marwar style architecture and Moghul-inspired domes, enameled murals, slender columns, and grand interiors, this is design that lives up to the fantasy. Located close to the city markets, nearby guests can find much to see and experience.

Udaipur: - The Lalit 5*
The Lalit Laxmi Vilas Palace Udaipur radiates with royal and regal charm of an earlier era. Built by His Highness Maharana Bhupal Singh in 1911, it overlooks the majestic Fateh Sagar Lake, and is surrounded by picturesque hills. This ‘heritage retreat, which sits on a hilltop in the heart of the city is well connected with the national highways and is a comfortable 27 kilometres from the airport and 5km from Railway station. The palace has been carefully restored with special attention being paid to our accommodation options – which amalgamate all modern day luxuries with unique royal splendours

Delhi Airport: - Radisson 5*
Radisson Hotel Delhi is a premium business hotel located less than 5km from the International Airport, and just a short drive from the business hub of Gurgaon. The hotel has large inventory of rooms, all exclusively designed with the business guest in mind. This New Delhi hotel is an ideal sanctuary for business and leisure travelers alike, offering the services you need for an ideal trip.

Kathmandu: Hyatt Regency: 5*
Hyatt Regency Kathmandu is a luxury 5 star city resort hotel situated 10 Km from the city centre of Kathmandu, Nepal, on the road to Boudhanath Stupa - the most holy of Tibetan Buddhist shrines outside Tibet. The hotel is 4 Km from Tribhuvan International Airport and very close to the business district and shopping areas. The Boudhanath Stupa is within ten minutes walking distance from the hotel. The hotel is also host to Club Oasis Spa, a sanctuary of calm in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Included:
Please note that the above cost includes all accommodation in 5 star, gay friendly hotels, with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips and service charges. All activities as outlined in the itinerary; all meals as per itinerary; airport transfers on arrival/departure days; economy class air tickets between cities; the services of a Hermes Tours Escort throughout the trip; all ground transportation as per itinerary; Entrance fees to all sites on itinerary.

Not Included:
International airfare to/from India/Nepal; passport & visa fees if applicable; personal travel and cancellation insurance; meals and activities not specifically included in the itinerary; services of a personal nature like alcohol; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes as well as customary tips to drivers and guides.

Visas:
Both US and Canadian passport holders require visas for India that must be acquired before departure. Visa can be obtained by either visiting their numerous offices in the US (DC, NY, Houston, San Francisco, Chicago) http://www.indianembassy.org/consular/juri.htm or Canada (Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver) or by mailing your application to one of their offices. It is possible to have your visa on the same day if you visit the consulate early morning, whereas applying by mail will take 10 business days. Please make sure your visa to India is a multiple entry if you plan on joining us to Nepal. For further information do not hesitate to contact us or visit the following websites:

Canada: http://www.hciottawa.ca/tourism.html

Cost is $62 CAD for a tourist visa, multiple entry.

US: Embassy of India at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 939-9849 or 939-9806. Website:
http://www.indianembassy.org/consular/visa_guide.htm

Cost is $60 USD for a tourist visa, multiple entry.

Visas for Nepal:
Both Canadian and US passport holders require visas for Nepal which can be obtained on arrival at the airport in Kathmandu. The fee is $30 US and yoou will also require 2 passport sized photos. Please make sure your visa to India is a multiple entry if you plan on joining us to Nepal.

Immunizations & Health
No immunizations are required, but the U.S. Center for Disease Control strongly recommends the following inoculations: tetanus, hepatitis A & B, typhoid, and Japanese encephalitis. Please check out their website http://www.cdc.gov/travel/indianrg.htm for complete details.


Currency and Money Issues:
It is very easy to withdraw money from ATMs located throughout the country as well as to use your Visa or MasterCard. The American Express card is less widely accepted. Travelers checks are also accepted however can carry a heavy commission fee. We recommend to travelers to bring only a small amount of cash and/or travelers checks and to rather use their ATM and credit cards while traveling.

Making a reservation with a deposit will be considered to be consent to the following conditions:
Hermes Tours reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 2 participants. Services of a Hermes Tours escort upon the participation of 8 guests.

Hermes Tours is not responsible for airline cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure. Travel cancellation insurance would cover these costs should the tour be cancelled.

Hermes Tours does not accept responsibility in whole or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness, medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person from whatever cause. All participants are required to sign a standard liability form.