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India:
Encountering Religions, 28 July - 13 August 2008
Led by Pamela Craycott. £2095 from London
This
visit is a must for those with an interest in the great religions
of India. It will provide an opportunity to experience first hand
the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of India, and to reflect on
the diversity of religions practised here. It will also offer ample
opportunity for RE teachers to deepen their knowledge and understanding,
and of course to take photographs and buy artefacts.
Our
visit begins in Delhi where we start to acclimatise to the excitement
and contrasts of this interesting city, and encounter Islam, Christianity,
the Baha'i faith, and of course Hinduism. We will spend some time
in the footsteps of the great Mahatma Gandhi, including making a
visit to the important Raj Ghat memorial.
Then
on to the historic city of Amritsar, in the Punjab, where we will
immerse ourselves in the calm and spiritual culture of Sikhism.
From Amritsar to Mathura for a whistle stop tour (Mathura, birthplace
of Lord Krishna, is claimed to be the oldest continuously inhabited
city in the world) en route to Agra. No visit to India would be
complete without sight of the world's most famous building, the
Taj Mahal at Agra, our next stop before the teeming and sacred city
of Varanasi on the
banks of the holy Ganga.
After
Varanasi our focus changes, from Hinduism to Buddhism, and we visit
both Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon, and Kushinagar,
where Lord Buddha gave his last teaching and departed this earth.
Stopping
briefly in Patna, birthplace of the tenth Sikh guru, Gobind Singh,
our tour ends in the great and magical city of Calcutta, the city
of Kali and Mother Teresa.
Pamela
Draycott is widely experienced in the field of Religious Education;
she worked for RE Today for many years, and is now Curriculum
Adviser for RE and Citizenship for Kent CC, and is also an experienced
tour and pilgrimage leader. This is an opportunity not to be missed!
Mon
28 July 2008
1700
departure from Heathrow on direct British Airways flight.
Tues
29 July
0605
arrival in Delhi . Stay at Claridges Hotel
(4*). Visit the Jama Masjid, Red Fort, and the Raj Ghat Gandhi
memorial.
Wed
30 July
Visit
the Baha'i Lotus Temple and Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque (Qutb Minar).
Thur
31 July
0720
departure on Shatabdi Express to Amritsar ,
arriving 1305. Stay at Mohan International Hotel (4*).
Fri
1 Aug
All
day visit to Jallianwala Bagh and Golden Temple.
Sat
2 Aug
All
day visit to nearby Sikh centre of Gowindwal.
2130 departure on overnight sleeper train.
Sun
3 Aug
1025
arrival in Mathura , birthplace of Lord
Krishna. V isit temples and ghats of Mathura, and onward drive
to Agra . Stay at Howard Park Plaza (4*).
Mon
4 Aug
Visit
the world's most famous building, the Taj Mahal, and Agra
Fort. 2115 departure on overnight sleeper.
Tues
5 Aug
0930
arrival in
Varanasi .
Stay at Best Western Hotel (4*). Optional evening arti ceremony
by the river Ganges.
Wed
6 Aug
Dawn
boat ride on the Ganges. Afternoon visit to nearby Sarnath,
where the Buddha began to spread his message.
Thur
7 Aug
1230
departure by train to Kushinagar, arriving
1810. Stay at the Lotus Nikko Hotel (4*).
Fri
8 Aug
Visit
Buddhist temples and stupas at the site of the Buddha's mahaparinirvana.
Sat
9 Aug
Drive
to Patna. Stay at Maurya Patna Hotel (5*).
Visit Patna Museum, or Patna Saheb Gurdwara.
Sun
10 Aug
1425
flight to Calcutta, arriving 1520. Stay at
Park Hotel (5*).
Mon
11 Aug
Full
day of visits in Calcutta, including the Kali temple at Kalighat,
and Mother Teresa's Home for the Destitute and Dying.
Tues
12 Aug
Free
day in Caluctta.
Wed
13 Aug
0735
departure on direct British Airways flight, arriving Heathrow
1400.
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Cost,
and all the small print
Price
per person sharing Twin / Double room -
£2095.00*
Single
Room supplement -
£342.00
*Please
contact us for details of payment in other currencies. Payment can
be made by credit card for a 2% supplement.
The
price includes:
•
International
flights
•
Accommodation
& meals on half board basis
•
All group
travel, entrance and guide fees
•
UK and India
airport departure taxes.
•
Full ATOL bonding
Items
that are NOT included: -
•
All personal
incidentals & expenses.
•
Tips & gratuities
to drivers, guides, etc.
•
Donations at
religious sites.
Note:
1.
Similar class hotel will be substituted if the above
hotels are not available
2.
All
visits to religious places are subject to confirmation.
If
you would like to talk to us about any aspect of the itinerary,
please contact Kenneth Wilson, +44 1902 561485, kw@cityvillage.co.uk
To
make a booking, please use the form, or contact Indus Tours and
Travel Ltd., +44 208 901 7320, shawn@industours.co.uk
Booking
form
Booking
conditions
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