Golf & Cultural Tour

Garlanding on arrival with meeting and assistance at the airport. Our representative will meet to welcome and escort you by a private chauffeur-driven transport to the Hotel. Whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative will also hand over the “Welcome Folder” documents and brief you the tour program. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast full-day City Guided tour of New Delhi, a planned city of imperial splendour and once the grandest outpost of the greatest empire the world has seen. Today, it is the capital of India and a bustling commercial centre. Very few cities in the world, if any at all, are so closely tied to history as the city of Delhi. The metropolis seen today was designed and built by the British in the 1220s; it is a city of wide boulevards, impressive government buildings, and green parks and gardens. You will visit Humayan's Tomb, a forerunner of the ornate Moghul style of architecture later perfected in the Taj Mahal; and the Qutub Minar, a 234-foot high fluted minaret of the 13th century. Then your drive takes you along the ceremonial avenue, Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate and Parliament House to the President's Residence, which was formerly the British Viceroy's palace. End your tour with a drive through Delhi's Diplomatic Enclave. Overnight at Hotel.

Founded in 1950, the course has over a hundred trees, and thousands of flowering shrubs and bushes, providing greenness, as well as sanctuary to over 300 species of birds, the monkey, mongoose and squirrel. Part of the Asian Gold circuit, and venue for the Indian Opens and national amateur championships, the course offers both challenge to a good golfer and pleasure to the casual player by its unique amnience. On the par four, 442 yards, sixth, one can ponder the placing of a drive from the peaceful shade of an arched lantern-covered family tomb. Near the sixth green, monkeys can be seen in the distance, while along Lodhi Road pass turbaned peasants who will perhaps stop their bullock-carts and camel-carts to watch. The sandy loam has produced a rich turf, good for the most exacting fairway wood shot, and greens are true. On the hillock behind the seventh green is a landmark of the 12 Pillars, a splendid ruined mausoleum of the Afghan lodi dynasty. Delhi's outstanding character is its four strong finishing holes, from the par-four, fifteenth, par-three, sixteenth, the long par-five, seventeenth, and tricky par-four, eighteenth, the latter two both dog-legs, placing premiums on accurate driving, the crux of golf technique at Delhi. At sunset the light is caught strongly on the red sandstone, miniature Taj-like mausoleum next to the Clubhouse, tomb of the presumed favourite concubine of Emperor Jahandar Shah. Yet another unique setting for golf : in modern New Delhi amidst the ruins of the past ! Overnight at Hotel.

Morning : Guided tour of Old Delhi. The city's history goes back 5000 years, to an ancient city on the same site, mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharata which tells of a mighty fought on the city's outskirts. History stands still in Delhi's many forts, monuments and ruins, in the shadow of the massive Red Fort which encloses the city, the Street of Silver, Chandni Chowk, still flourishes.
Afternoon: At leisure to relax or explore Delhi on your own or to venture into the city's "bazaars".
Evening: Cocktail reception at the hotel to meet with the city's golf enthusiasts and exchange notes on courses and techniques. Overnight at Hotel.

Arrive Agra and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon: Guided tour of the city of the Taj Mahal. Under the Mughals, Agra shared honours with Delhi as capital of the Empire. Today it is best known as the city of the Taj Mahal, that exquisite poem to immortal love, executed in white marble, at the command of an emperor bereaved. No matter how many times you have seen a picture of the monument, it is still more beautiful than you had imagined. Close by is the Agra Fort, where the emperor was imprisoned by the son who dethroned him. The tour ends with a return visit to the precincts of the Taj Mahal complex to enable you to wander through its gardens at sunset and photograph the monument by the rays of the setting sun. Overnight at Hotel.

Morning: Half-day excursion to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted capital of Emperor Akbar.

Afternoon: Transfer to the airport 1416 hrs. Arrive at Khajuraho and proceed directly to visit the Eastern Group of the temple. At this time of day, the sunlight will be conducive for photography at the Eastern Group of temples. Overnight at Hotel.

Morning: Visit the Western Group of temples.
Khajuraho is the site of a complex of temples, quite remote from any other township, constructed in the 10th & 11th centuries by the Chandela kings. The sculptures on the temple walls are exquisite in their grace and details and range from the sublime to the erotic.
Afternoon: Leave for Varanasi. Arrive in Varanasi and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Early morning; Rise early this morning and take a boat ride on the Ganges as the sun's first rays to light up the three-mile-long stretch of ghasts (steps) leading into the sacred waters of the river Ganges. As you glide along you will witness a scene that is one of the pulsebeats of India, a scene that is as ancient as time itself. Thousands of Hindus come daily to the ghasts to immerse themselves in the river, thereby releasing their souls from the cycle of reincarnation. Further downstream you will see the "burning ghats" where white shrouded bodies await their final release --- cremation on the banks of the Ganges so that their ashes can be dispersed into the river. The entire spectacle is unique, colourful, and often moving.
Return to the hotel for breakfast, then proceed on a tour of Sarnath.
Visit the buried Buddhist City of Sarnath just outside Varanasi; it is as holy to the Buddhists as Varanasi is to the Hindus. Here you will witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine Museum that houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculpture.
Late afternoon: Leave for Calcutta. Arrive in Calcutta and transfer to the hotel.Overnight at Hotel.

Morning: Guided tour of Calcutta. The seat of Bengali intellectual culture, Calcutta was the capital of British India until the building of New Delhi. A major attraction is the Victoria Memorial, a repository of relics and memorabilia of the British Raj. In fact Calcutta is virtually an open-air museum of old British India. Though much-maligned it is a city of distinction. Sightseeing tour of Calcutta, a city which took shape with the British Empire in India and its public buildings reflect that style. The Victoria Memorial is the best introduction to that era. St. Paul's Cathedral, Fort William, Raj Bhavan, the High Court all strongly British in character. The Indian Museum has some priceless relics of ancient civilizations.
Afternoon: In today's world, Calcutta's claim to international repute stems from a fact far removed from its history. It is the city of Mother Teresa. She has embraced the city which in turn claims her as one of its own. Recognised world over as a living saint, she and her fellow sisters have toiled for decades to uplift the living conditions of the poorest of the poor in areas of Calcutta which are reminiscent of a western industrial metropolis in the days of the Industrial Revolution. This afternoon's tour will be to the Ashram of Mother Teresa, where, in simple surroundings, there takes place every day, pure and simple actions of faith and compassion --- humanitarian acts of dimensions encompassing the sick and the suffering, anywhere in the world. Overnight at Hotel.

TWO FULL DAYS FOR GOLFING AT THE ROYAL CALCUTTA GOLF CLUB.

Founded in 1829, the club was conferred in 1911 the sobriquet "Royal" by King George V at the time of the fabled Delhi Durbar. The countryside over which the course was laid was originally paddy fields; consequently, it is flat. Over more than 100 years, successive committees have built mounds and planted thousands of trees, but Royal's conspicuous features are its numerous lotus filled tanks, natural water hazards, strategically located. The most significant are the two large tanks across the 10th fairway, a 457 yard, par 4. From the tee, the tiger line is over the first tank and must carry all of 230 yards; the safer route to the right leaves a very long second shot over the second tank, a good 100 yards wide, to a small undulating green wickedly trapped all around. The out-of-bounds boundary wall dangerously hugs the entire left flank of this hole. Greens are small by modern standards but undulations make them tricky, and there is a little nap. But its strength lies in its par fours, and to score requires good long and medium irons. Second shot irons pay off at Royal Calcutta. Overnight at Hotel.

TWO FULL DAYS FOR GOLFING AT THE ROYAL CALCUTTA GOLF CLUB.

Founded in 1829, the club was conferred in 1911 the sobriquet "Royal" by King George V at the time of the fabled Delhi Durbar. The countryside over which the course was laid was originally paddy fields; consequently, it is flat. Over more than 100 years, successive committees have built mounds and planted thousands of trees, but Royal's conspicuous features are its numerous lotus filled tanks, natural water hazards, strategically located. The most significant are the two large tanks across the 10th fairway, a 457 yard, par 4. From the tee, the tiger line is over the first tank and must carry all of 230 yards; the safer route to the right leaves a very long second shot over the second tank, a good 100 yards wide, to a small undulating green wickedly trapped all around. The out-of-bounds boundary wall dangerously hugs the entire left flank of this hole. Greens are small by modern standards but undulations make them tricky, and there is a little nap. But its strength lies in its par fours, and to score requires good long and medium irons. Second shot irons pay off at Royal Calcutta. Overnight at Hotel.

Morning: At leisure to relax at the hotel's swimming pool or explore Calcutta on your own or to catch up on shopping. A visit to the National Museum in Calcutta can be a very rewarding experience.
Late afternoon: Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Morning: OPTIONAL MOUNT EVEREST FLIGHT.
This morning weather permitting, take what promises to be one of the most thrilling flights of your life --- the Himalayan Mountain Flight. During a one hour flight, the plane flies at close range along the Himalayas - the world's highest and most majestic peaks, and your view from the plane window is spectacular, especially when you finally see Mt. Everest, the highest mountain on earth.
Afternoon: Sightseeing tour of this unique and fascinating capital of the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. First visit the imposing 2,000-year-old stupa at Swayambhunath, majestically set high on a hill overlooking the valley. Then drive to Central Durbar Square where you will see fine examples of Nepalese architecture in Kathmandu's palaces and pagodas. Also visit Ason Tole, a typical Nepalese marketplace. Overnight at Hotel.

Morning: Yet another opportunity to experience the Mountain Flight over the Himalayas, just in case the weather gods were not in your favour yesterday.
Afternoon: Visit Bhadgaon, the ancient capital of Nepal. Here you will witness such treasures as the palace of 55 windows, the Golden Gate, the 5-storeyed Nyatapola Temple (a marvellous example of the pervasive pagoda architecture), and the small but excellent museum. Visit Bodhnath, the largest stupa in all of Nepal, and Pashupatinath, the large gilded-roofed temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is an important pilgrimage centre.Overnight at Hotel.

Morning: An OPTIONAL game of Golf in the capital's course located near the Kathmandu airport. Though small, this course has its unusual location in the shadows of the Himalayan peaks, in the heart of the Kathmandu valley.
Afternoon: At leisure. You may wish to take it easy or visit some more of Kathmandu's unique monuments or stock up from the veritable treasure trove of souvenirs in the city's sidewalks and stores. Evening: Transfer to the airport. Leave by a flight of Royal Nepal Airlines or Indian Airlines. Arrive in Delhi and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

In time transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.