Haridwar during Kumbh Mela

Read about the mistique of the sacred Haridwar written by Anirban Das Mahapatra. Extracted from The Personal Telegraph Calcutta.

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4 Days Siem Reap

DAY1: ARRIVAL - ANGKOR WAT
You will be met at airport by professional tour guide and transferred from airport to hotel. You will then be taken to a local restaurant to taste the local delicacies.

Afternoon, visit Angkor wat, the most balanced, the most harmonious, and the most perfect Khmer temple. It shows Khmer art, which reached the height of it glory in the 12th century. The temple is a temple-mountain and was built by king Suryavrman II.

After angkor we head to Bakheng hill to have bird’s-eye view of sunset, Angkor Wat and western Baray. Dinner at local restaurant before retiring to hotel.

DAY2: BIG & SMALL CIRCUIT
After breakfast, we proceed to visit Prasat Kravan, a brick temple built in 10th century, Srah Srang (royal bath), Banteay Kdei, and a Buddhist monastic complex built in 12th century. Then visit an amazing view of Ta prohm Temple which has been deliberately left as it was discovered. In Ta Prohm kapok trees clasp the sanctuaries in their mighty roots; and Ta Keo - an unfinished state temple for unknown reason. Ta Keo temple was built in early 11th century by King Jayavarman V and dedicated to god Shiva.

Afternoon after lunch at local restaurant, visit Pre Rup temple, a classic example of temple-mountain, and the last without continuous galleries; Eastern Mebon, Ta som, Neak Pean, a unique ancient hospital built in the reign of king Jayavarman VI (1181-1220) which has been seen as a representation of Anavatapta, a miraculous lake in Himalayas that cures all illnesses; and Preah Khan, a large temple built on the site of battle that ended in Ankor’s downfall at the land of the Cham. Preah Khan was also really a kind of university, housing a number of masters and students. Dinner at local restaurant before retiring to hotel.


DAY3: BANTEAY SREI & FLOATING VILLAGE
After breakfast, visit Banteay Srei Temple, a tiny temple complex consider by many visitors to be the highest achievement in art and architecture of the Classic Angkor civilization. The glory of Banteay Srei is the beauty of its sculpture and decoration. The pink sandstone used in its buildings makes this temple more beautiful. On the way back to the town you will visit Banteay Samre, Built in 12th in Angkor wat stile.


After lunch, visit floating village on Tonle Sap Lake, a biggest fresh water lake in south-east Asia. Most people (90%) are fishermen living in their wooden houses built on small boats and rafts. Because of flood during rainy season they move their houses many times a year depending on water level. Evening enjoy your dinner accompanied with the local traditional show. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 4: DEPARTURE 
Breakfast in the hotel. Free at own leisure till time for transfer to Siem Reap airport.

5 Days Land of the Blue Dragon

Places Covered: HO CHI MINH / CU CHI / VUNG TAU / MY THO

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL HO CHI MINH CITY (D)
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport, meet by our representative and transfer to hotel for check-in . A Short sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh City: The Hundred Years Red Cathedral (Notre Dame Cathedral), The Old Post Office and The People’s Committee Hall. Dinner will be served on Saigon River Cruise with show entertainment along the Saigon River at the end of the day.

DAY 2 : HO CHI MINH CITY / CU CHI / VUNG TAU (B/L/D)
After breakfast, a one and half hour drive takes you to Cu Chi where human knowledge has been enriched by experiencing an web-like tunnels system of more than 200km in length which used to be the shelters of guerrillas during the war against American troops. Return to Ho Chi Minh for buffet lunch. After lunch, transfer to Vung Tau, situated 125km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. It is a famous beach resort with long white sandy beaches and warm water whole year round. A sumptuous dinner awaits you at local restaurant.

DAY 3 : VUNG TAU / HO CHI MINH CITY (B/L/D)
After breakfast, take Vung Tau city tour including Christ Hill (St. Jacque Janerio), 18 meters high Goddess of Mercy, Thuy Van beach and Whale Temple dedicated to whales considered as the rescuing gods for Vietnamese fisherman in the east sea. Lunch at local restaurant before returning to Ho Chi Minh city with visit to War Museum, Reunification Palace, lacquerware factory and handicraft center. A sumptuous dinner awaits you at local restaurant.

DAY 4 : HO CHI MINH CITY / MY THO (B/L/D)
After breakfast, a two hour drive to My Tho will expose the colorful outskirt life as well as picturesque rice fields along the journey. Upon arrival, get on a boat trip up Mekong River with islet stop at Thoi Son to taste seasonal fruits, enjoy traditional folk songs. Then, visit the authentic life of the local and challenge your bargaining power at cottage handicraft shops. An adventurous sampan ride in palm shading creeks will be the next experience of the riverside region. Lunch at the Mekong Delta specialty – deep Fried Elephant Ear Fish. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon, visit to China Town and Thien Hau Temple. A sumptuous dinner awaits you at local restaurant.

DAY 5 : DEPARTURE (B)
Free at leisure. Transfer to airport for returning journey.