India Solar Eclipse 22 July 2009 - Golden Triangle and Eclipse - 9 day tour

Next Solar Eclipse in India

Day 1 - Delhi

Thursday. Welcome to India and the start of your holiday! Arrive Delhi and included transfer to hotel. Overnight - Delhi

Day 2 - Old & New Delhi

Delhi - breakfast. This morning, our Welcome Meeting takes place. We’ll then enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Delhi, taking in the impressive Red Fort, Jama Masjid - India’s oldest and largest mosque, Raj Ghat - the site of Gandhi’s cremation and more. Tonight, we enjoy a group Namaste Dinner at a restaurant specialising in classic Indian cuisine. Namaste Dinner and overnight - Delhi

Day 3 - Agra Fort

Delhi - Agra - breakfast. Departing Delhi, we journey to Agra, once India’s Mughal capital. After hotel check in we'll enjoy an afternoon visit to the impressive Agra fort, which boasts some of India’s finest Mughal buildings behind it’s fortified walls. Overnight - Agra

Day 4 - The Taj Mahal

Agra - Varanasi - breakfast. This morning we enjoy a horsecart or rickshaw ride to the legendary Taj Mahal. Built entirely of white marble by Emporer Shah Jahan in loving memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz. The Taj Mahal is described as the most extravagent monument ever built for love and remains India's most enduring symbol. The Taj certainly has no peers. Hotel check out is at noon and the remainder of the day can be spent at leisure, maybe by the hotel swimming pool or further sightseeing before our late evening transfer (23:00) to the train station to board the Magadh Express bound for Varanasi (2nd class air-conditioned sleeper) Overnight - sleeper train

Day 5 - Varanasi

Varanasi - breakfast. Arriving into Varanasi (approx 09:00) we'll enjoy breakfast in our hotel. As rooms become available we will be able to check in, freshen up and make the most of your free time exploring the colourful city at leisure. At sunset consider re-visiting the ghats for the evening pilgramage, remarkably different from the dawn ritual.get ready to make the most of your free time in Varanasi. Perhaps the holiest city in India; Varanasi is also known as Benares or the city of Shiva, is also one of the oldest cities on earth. Sitting on the banks of the holy River Ganges, it has been a centre of learning and civilisation for more than 2000 years and is a place of Hindu pilgrimage. At sunset consider visiting the ghats for the evening pilgramage, remarkably different from the dawn ritual. Overnight – Varanasi

Day 6 - Sunrise on Ganges

Varanasi - breakfast. This morning, we enjoy a sunrise boat ride on the holy Ganges where we’ll view the ancient religious tradition of ritual cleansing that takes place on the many riverbank ghats (riverside steps). Later, we embark on a tour of the colourful, effevescent and ever lively city. Overnight - Varanasi

Day 7 - ECLIPSE on Varanasi

Varanasi - Delhi - breakfast. TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 2009 - Rising early, we travel in a south east direction to a secluded spot of the Ganges. Here, beyond the city limits the Ganges riverbed is flat and wide with little vegetation allowing uninterrupted viewing of the sky. The absence of artificial lighting is also beneficial. Here we wait in awe, at approximately 05:25am the 1st phase of the Total Solar Eclipse will begin, the sky will turn to a shade of deep red then dark purple, cobolt grey and eventually complete darkness will prevail.

After the event we'll travel back to the city and our hotel for breakfast and remains of the day are yours to spend relexing by the pool or further sightseeing. Early evening we return to Delhi by comfortable overnight train (Flight option available, please see details below). Overnight - sleeper train

Day 8: Explore Delhi

Delhi - breakfast. Breakfast upon arrival and hotel check in. Today is a chance to further explore the city at your leisure or a change to pick up those last minute souvenirs. Overnight - Delhi

Day 9: Delhi

Friday. Delhi - breakfast. Hotel check-out and included onward transfer to airport.

Varanasi - Delhi by air

Forsaking the included overnight train journey from Varanasi to Delhi, you may opt to upgrade and travel back to Delhi by air. This option includes an economy flight from Varanasi to Delhi on day 7, airport transfers at both ends and one night's accommodation in Delhi (evening of day 7). Please indicate your preference to travel by air at time of booking.

Nature of the Solar Eclipse

Perfect viewing conditions of the eclipse can not be guaranteed as July marks the official start of India’s wet season. Meteorologists suggest that there is a near 25% chance of cloudless, clear skies though there is a greater chance of cloud cover to some degree. On the days prior to the event all efforts will be made to give you with the most up to date meteorology information, based upon this and if possible we may slightly alter the location of our eclipse site for a more favourable viewing platform.

Tour Highlights

• Delhi - Old Delhi - Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat.
• New Delhi - India Gate, Rajpath, Humayun's Tomb, Qutab Minar, carpet emporium (with demo)
• Agra - Taj Mahal (entrance fee included) and Agra Fort
• Varanasi, Mother India site, local temples & mosque, the holy River Ganges
• TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE OVER VARANASI - 22ND JULY 2009

Solar Eclipse Tour includes

• Breakfast daily, 1 dinner (Namaste Dinner in Delhi)
• 7 nights - 3 - 4 star & heritage hotels (hotel upgrade available in Delhi)
• Horsecart/rickshaw ride to Taj Mahal - Agra
• Airport arrival and departure transfer (if arriving day 1 & departing day 9)
• Touring of Delhi, Agra and Varanasi
• Escorted by an English speaking Indian tour leader
• Specialist guides at local sights
• Entrance fee to the Taj Mahal
• All revelant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles

Solar Eclipse Tour does not include

• International flights, visa and additional entrance fees. For entrance budget approx: USD30
• Tipping kitty - this is an entirely personal gesture
• Laundry, drinks, items of a personal nature

This tour is a 'Guaranteed Departure' tour. This means that it will depart regardless of how many people are booked on to it. Have you considered your visa requirements? Tour Dates Departure Dates Year Dates 2009 Thu 16th July         Tour Prices Tour Prices and Single Supplements for dates starting From To Price SS All Travellers All Dates  £549.00   £149.00  Additional Options Option Prices and Single Supplement GBP Option SS is Mandantory for single passengers Option Price SS Post Tour Accomm - Delhi  £35.00   £24.00  Per Person / Night Pre Tour Accomm - Delhi  £35.00   £24.00  Per Person / Night Make a Reservation Please use our online booking reservation service where available - if you need any further assistance or to book please feel free to call or email us with your booking. Until you have received a receipted invoice (by post fax or email) your reservation has been recorded but not been confirmed. This is similar to an airline wait-listing. This may only affect you if we have had major changes to the tour. Make a Reservation Tour Date [SELECT]Thu 16th July - 2009   Number of People   Single Supplement? (Check only if you require a single room) Payment Type [SELECT] Credit Card Online Bank Transmission Facsimile Credit Card DetailsDebit Card   Optional Extras Post Tour Accomm - Delhi 012345678910 Number of Nights / Person Pre Tour Accomm - Delhi 012345678910 Number of Nights / Person When you click continue, you will be redirected to our secure sever at https://sslrelay.com/iah-holidays.co.uk/