• Individual arrival at Delhi; an Indian visa single entry is required; no vaccinations for India are mandatory
• Individual transfer to the hotel distance: 10 miles (not included)
• Including breakfast

• 10.30am small city tour followed by a lunch (not included) at a panoramic restaurant with view of the city
• Transfer to the airport
• 2.00pm check-in Delhi airport
• Delhi - Agra (Departure 4.10pm; Arrival 5.05pm)
• Kingfisher Airlines flight IT2332 M111
• all economy class flight
• Transfer to the hotel

With more than 38,500 miles of track length, India's rail system, entirely government-owned, is the sixth longest in the world, while in terms of the distance traveled each year by passengers it is exceeded only by that of Russia, Japan, and China. Railway administration is handled through nine regional subsystems. Routes are mainly broad-gauge (5.5 feet), single-track lines, and the remaining meter and narrow-gauge routes are being converted to the broad-gauge standard. There has also been conversion to double-tracked lines, as well as a shift from steam locomotives to diesel-electric or electric power.

City, west-central Uttar Pradesh state, north-central India, on the Yamuna (Jumna) River. Founded by Sikandar Lodi in the early 16th century, it was the Mughal capital during some periods of their empire. In the late 18th century the city fell successively to the Jas, the Marajhas, the Mughals, and the ruler of Gwalior and, finally, to the British in 1803. It was the capital of Agra (later North-Western) province from 1833 to 1868.

Agra is best known as the site of the Taj Mahal (17th century). Other monuments include a 16th-century fort built by the emperor Akbar that contains the 17th-century Pearl Mosque (Moti Masjid), constructed of white marble, and a palace, the Jahangiri Mahal. Also in Agra are the Jami Masjid, or Great Mosque, and an elegant tomb noted for its architectural style. To the northwest, at Sikandra, is the tomb of Akbar.

Agra is a major road and rail junction and a commercial and industrial centre. Agra University (1927) and six of its affiliated colleges are located in the city; the state mental hospital and Dayalbāgh, a colony of the Rādhā Soāmi sect, are in the suburbs.

The region around Agra consists almost entirely of a level plain, with hills in the extreme southwest. The region is watered by the Yamuna River and the Agra Canal; millet, barley, wheat, and cotton are among the crops grown. The deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri is 23 miles southwest of Agra city. Pop. (1981) city, 694,191; metropolitan area, 747,318.

Mon, Oct 19 2009

Visit of Taj Mahal at sunrise
also spelled  Tadj Mahall

Mausoleum complex in Agra, northern India, on the southern bank of the Yamuna (Jumna) River. In its harmonious proportions and its fluid incorporation of decorative elements, the Taj Mahal is distinguished as the finest example of Mughal architecture, a blending of Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles. One of the most beautiful structural compositions in the world, the Taj was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.

It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (reigned 1628–58) to immortalize his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal (“Chosen One of the Palace”). She died in childbirth in 1631, after having been the emperor's inseparable companion since their marriage in 1612. The name Taj Mahal is a corruption of her title. The plans for the complex have been attributed to various architects of the period, although the chief architect was probably Ustad Ahmad Lahawri, an Indian of Persian descent. The five principal elements of the complex main gateway, garden, mosque, jawab (literally “answer”; a building mirroring the mosque), and mausoleum (including its four minarets)—were conceived and designed as a unified entity according to the tenets of Mughal building practice, which allowed no subsequent addition or alteration. Building commenced about 1632. More than 20,000 workers were employed from India, Persia, the Ottoman Empire, and Europe to complete the mausoleum itself by about 1638–39; the adjunct buildings were finished by 1643, and decoration work continued until at least 1647. Construction of the 42-acre (17-hectare) complex spanned 22 years at a cost between four and five million rupees.

Resting in the middle of a wide plinth 23 feet high, the mausoleum proper is of white marble that reflects various hues according to the intensity of sunlight or moonlight. It has four nearly identical facades, each with a wide central arch rising to 108 feet and chamfered (slanted) corners incorporating smaller arches. The majestic central dome, which reaches a height of 240 feet at the tip of its finial, is surrounded by four lesser domes. The acoustics inside the main dome cause the single note of a flute to reverberate five times. The interior of the mausoleum is organized around an octagonal marble chamber ornamented with low-relief carvings and pietra dura; therein are the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Muhal and Shah Jahan. These false tombs are enclosed by a finely wrought filigree marble screen. Beneath the tombs, at garden level, lie the true sarcophagi. Standing gracefully apart from the central building, at each of the four corners of the square plinth, are elegant minarets.

Flanking the mausoleum near the northwestern and northeastern edges of the garden, respectively, are two symmetrically identical buildings—the mosque, which faces east, and its jawab, which faces west and provides aesthetic balance. Built of red Sikri sandstone with marble-necked domes and architraves, they contrast in both colour and texture with the mausoleum's white marble.

The garden is set out along classical Mughal lines—a square quartered by long watercourses (pools)—with walking paths, fountains, and ornamental trees. Enclosed by the walls and structures of the complex, it provides a striking approach to the mausoleum, which can be seen reflected in the garden's central pools.
The southern end of the complex is graced by a wide red sandstone gateway with a recessed central arch two stories high. White marble paneling around the arch is inlaid with black Qurʾānic lettering and floral designs. The main arch is flanked by two pairs of smaller arches. Crowning the northern and southern facades of the gateway are matching rows of white cupola-like chattris (chhattris), 11 to each facade, accompanied by thin ornamental minarets that rise to some 98 feet. At the four corners of the structure are octagonal towers capped with larger chattris.

Two notable decorative features are repeated throughout the complex: pietra dura and Arabic calligraphy. As embodied in the Mughal craft, pietra dura incorporates the inlay of semiprecious stones of various colours, such as lapis lazuli, jade, crystal, turquoise, and amethyst, in highly formalized and intertwining geometric and floral designs. The colours serve to moderate the dazzling expanse of the white Makrana marble. Under the direction of Amanat Khan al-Shirazi, Qurʾānic verses were inscribed across numerous sections of the Taj Mahal in calligraphy, the centre of Islamic artistic tradition. One of the inscriptions in the sandstone gateway is known as Daybreak (89:28–30) and invites the faithful to enter paradise. Calligraphy also encircles the soaring arched entrances to the mausoleum proper. To ensure its uniform appearance from the vantage point of the terrace, the lettering increases in size according to its relative height and distance from the viewer.

A tradition relates that Shah Jahan had originally intended to build another mausoleum across the river to house his own remains, the two structures to be connected by a bridge. He was deposed by his son Aurangzeb, however, and imprisoned for the rest of his life in Agra Fort, on the right bank of the Yamuna River 1 mile west of the Taj Mahal.

Over the centuries the Taj Mahal has been subject to neglect and decay. A major restoration was carried out at the beginning of the 20th century under the direction of Lord Curzon, then the British viceroy of India. More recently, air pollution caused by emissions from foundries and other nearby factories and exhaust from motor vehicles has damaged the mausoleum, notably its marble facade. A number of steps have been taken to reduce the threat to the monument, among them the closing of some foundries and the installation of pollution-control equipment at others, the creation of a parkland buffer zone around the complex, and the banning of nearby vehicular traffic. A restoration and research program for the Taj Mahal was initiated in 1998. Progress in improving environmental conditions around the monument, however, has been slow.

The Taj Mahal has come increasingly to be seen as an Indian cultural symbol. Some Hindu nationalist groups have attempted to diminish the importance of the Muslim influence in accounting for the origins and design of the Taj Mahal.

• 12.00n lunch (not included) in the hotel
• 1.15 pm transfer to the train station
• Agra Cantonment AGC
• dp 1.45pm M118
• Delhi Haz. Nizamuddin Station ar 4.40pm

Samta-Express Train 2807
best available class seats air condition including express surcharge
www.indianrail.gov.in
www.irctc.co.in
With more than 38,500 miles (62,000 kilometres) of track length, India's rail system, entirely government-owned, is the sixth longest in the world, while in terms of the distance traveled each year by passengers it is exceeded only by that of Russia, Japan, and China. Railway administration is handled through nine regional subsystems. Routes are mainly broad-gauge (5.5 feet, or 1.68 metres), single-track lines, and the remaining meter and narrow-gauge routes are being converted to the broad-gauge standard. There has also been conversion to double-tracked lines, as well as a shift from steam locomotives to diesel-electric or electric power.

Transfer to the hotel

Hotel BB Palace
www.hotelbbpalace.com
including breakfast

Delhi dp 12.55pm Kathmandu KTM ar 2.45pm
Jet Airways flight 9W262 (617mi)
flight in economy class
Visa on arrival $ 30 for single entry visa 1 photo
Visa on arrival $ 55 for double entry visa 2 photos
Transfer to hotel

Yak and Yeti Hotel, Kathmandu
including breakfast
www.yakandyeti.com

Hotel Nylamu including breakfast

Nepali Himalaya great mountain system of Asia forming a barrier between the Tibetan Plateau to the north and the alluvial plains of the Indian subcontinent to the south. The Himalayas include the highest mountains in the world, with more than 110 peaks rising to elevations of 24,000 feet or more above sea level. One of these peaks is Mount Everest (Tibetan: Chomolungma; Chinese [Wade-Giles romanization]: Chu-mu-lang-ma Feng; Nepālī: Sāgarmāthā), the world's highest, which reaches a height of 29,035 feet. The great heights of the mountains rise above the line of perpetual snow.

Early morning drive (Approx. 5 hours) from Kathmandu to Kodari (6150ft). The capital of Kāthmāndu is connected to Pokharā by a highway through Kodari Pass gives Nepal access to Lhasa in Tibet. After completing immigration and custom formalities drive up hill to Zhangmu (7550ft). This is Tibetan border town. The Tibetan Guide will meet the Group on arrival at the check post and we drive further road climbs and climbs to Nyalam for overnight. On the way you will see fantastic view of deep valley with some overflowing waterfalls.

Visit of the famous Milarepa Cave:

• The Saint Vajrayana Mahasiddha Milarepa (1052-1135) was one of the most famous figures of Tibetan history. In his youth he was a magician, but he saw the futility of that pursuit and became a yogi. He was guided by Marpa of Lhobrag (1012-1097).
• Milarepa went into the mountains to live as a cave-dwelling hermit, and became a wise teacher attracting students who later also founded important lineages. He is also known as a singer of many dohas, songs of devotion and wisdom.
• Today the cave where he supposedly lived has become an important place of worshipping. From the outside looking like a normal building or church, there is a natural cave inside. It is more or less just an overhanging rock, which was used as a shelter by the saint. This place is a stop on many organized travels to Tibet.
• The cave is part of the monastery Nyelam Pelgye Ling. During the 1960s more than 70 monks lived here, but the monastery was destroyed when China invaded Tibet. But both cave and monastery were restored during the 1970s and so today again seven monks live in the monastery, two of them are guarding the cave.

Drive (Approx. 5-6 hours) to Tingri crossing two spectacular passes. Nyalam pass (12470ft) and Lalung La pass (16680ft). This drive provides fabulous view of the high mountains including, Mount Everest (29035ft) Jugal Himal, Mt. Makalu (27770ft) and more. Overnight in Tingri.

Hotel Snow Leopard, Lo
including breakfast

Everest View Hotel
including breakfast

Approx. 2 hr. trek from The Rongbuk Monastery will lead you to the base of the highest peak on earth - The North Face of Mount Everest (29035ft). Or Mount Quomolangma in Tibetan. Explore the Base Camp and The Rongphu glacier. Retreat to lodge. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensate for this. It is a truly awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above you. No tour vehicles, apart from expeditions and trekking, are allowed beyond Rongbuk so you can walk or take a horse cart.

Controversy over the exact elevation of the summit developed because of variations in snow level, gravity deviation, and light refraction. The figure 29,028 feet (8,848 metres), plus or minus a fraction, was established by the Survey of India between 1952 and 1954 and became widely accepted. This value was used by most researchers, mapping agencies, and publishers until 1999.

Attempts were subsequently made to remeasure the mountain's height. A Chinese survey in 1975 obtained the figure of 29,029.24 feet (8,848.11 metres), and an Italian survey, using satellite surveying techniques, obtained a value of 29,108 feet (8,872 metres) in 1987, but questions arose about the methods used. In 1992 another Italian survey, using the Global Positioning System (GPS) and laser measurement technology, yielded the figure 29,023 feet (8,846 metres) by subtracting from the measured height 6.5 feet (2 metres) of ice and snow on the summit, but the methodology used was again called into question.

In 1999 an American survey, sponsored by the (U.S.) National Geographic Society and others, took precise measurements using GPS equipment. Their finding of 29,035 feet (8,850 metres), plus or minus 6.5 feet (2 metres), was accepted by the society and by various specialists in the fields of geodesy and cartography.

Chinese (Wade-Giles) Jih-k'a-tse , Pinyin Xigazê city in the south-central part of the Tibet autonomous ch'ü (region), China. Situated on a well-defended height (elevation 12,800 feet) overlooking the confluence of two rivers in one of the most fertile valley areas of Tibet, it is the traditional capital of the area known as Hou-tsang on the Nepal border. It was formerly a small town near one of the largest monasteries in Tibet, the Tashilhunpo, traditional seat of the Paṇchen Lama. The area was brought under the control of Lhasa, capital of Tibet, in the 1920s, when the Paṇchen Lama fled to China after a disagreement with the Dalai Lama. Since 1951 the area around the city has been intensively cultivated (wheat and barley), and communications have been improved. Pop. (mid-1980s est.) 10,000–50,000.

Utse Hotel, Xigatse including breakfast

Hotel Gyantse
including breakfast

The drive to Lhasa takes 08 hours, crossing 2 passes The Karo La (16440ft) and Kamba La (15730ft) pass and lake Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake). You will cross the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahamaputra) river and see the distant views of the Potala Palace. O/nt. in Lhasa.

Wade-Giles romanization T'ang-ku-la Shan, Pinyin Tanggula Shan, mountain range in the Tibetan Autonomous Region, China. On the southeastern high plateau south of the mountains, there are many large salt lakes. In its eastern part the range forms the boundary between Tibet and Tsinghai province. Although many peaks are higher than 19,000 feet, and the tallest, Basudan Ula, reaches 20,000 feet, the mountains do not appear to be particularly high, since the surrounding plateau averages little less than 16,500 feet above sea level. The range is rather rounded in contour in the west; the most rugged and deeply incised section is in the east, where there are considerable areas of permanent snow.

The northern flank of the mountains is drained by various headwaters of the T'ung-t'ien River, a tributary of the Yangtze River. The southeastern flank drains into the Nu River, the headwater of the Salween River; and the Mekong River rises at the eastern end of the range. The range is crossed by the important T'ang-ku-la Pass, which carries the main route from Lhasa (capital of Tibet) and the southern Tibetan region to the Tsaidam Basin and beyond, to Sinkiang province to the north and west. Mineral surveys have revealed deposits of iron ore, hard coal, graphite, and asbestos in the range.

Wade-Giles romanization La-sa , Pinyin Lhasa capital of the Tibetan autonomous ch'ü (region) of the People's Republic of China. It is located at an elevation of 11,975 feet in the Tibetan Himalayas near the Lhasa River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra.

Lhasa had been designated as the capital of Tibet by the 9th century AD. National power was decentralized following the assassination of the Tibetan king in 842, and Lhasa lost its position as the country's capital, though it gained in religious importance in succeeding centuries. It served as the national religious centre of Tibet, and much of its population was composed of Buddhist monks and laymen. In 1642 Lhasa was again the seat of the central government, a position it held into the 20th century. Although Lhasa and Tibet came under Chinese occupation in 1951, the city and the country remained under the Tibetan government until 1959, when direct Chinese administration was imposed.

The centre of the city is occupied by a four-story temple of Gtsug-lag-khang, built in the mid-7th century AD and considered the holiest in Tibet. It was temporarily converted into a guesthouse by the Chinese after 1951, but restoration of its artistic and architectural heritage began in 1972–75, and its religious functions were restored in 1979. Other city landmarks include the temple of Klu-khang; the Potala Palace, once the winter residence of the Dalai Lama; and the former summer palace of the Dalai Lama, the Nor-bu-gling-ka (Jewel Palace), which is now the People's Pleasure Park. The monasteries of 'Bras-spungs (Drepung) and Se-ra, two of the largest in Tibet, have received renovation.
Before the Chinese occupation, the city's economy was based on the historic trade routes that converged on Lhasa from China, India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Except for handicrafts, the only industries were those of the ammunitions factory and mint. The Chinese administration reopened Lhasa to foreign trade in the 1980s and has established experimental farms outside the city and encouraged the scientific breeding of livestock. Small-scale industries include chemical production, electric-motor manufacturing, tanning, wool processing, pharmaceutical and fertilizer production, motor-vehicle maintenance and repair, tractor assembly, rug and carpet making, and cement production. The city has a teacher-training college and an airport. Roads connect Lhasa with the major cities in the Chinese provinces of Szechwan and Tsinghai and the autonomous region of Sinkiang. Pop. (1988 est.) 106,000.

Holiday Inn Hotel, Lhasa
Including breakfast

or transfer to airport departure
Lhasa LXA by air dp 11.40am or 1.35pm

Lhasa LXA dp 11.40am Kathmandu KTM ar 10.45pm
China Airways flight CA407 (375mi)

Lhasa LXA dp 1.35pm Guangzhou CAN ar 6.05pm
China Southern flight CZ3418 (1439mi)
and onwards to any destination