GREAVES TOURS UNVEILS NEW 'HEART & SOUL" OF INDIA TOUR

Ideal for first-time travelers to India
-- Covers the varied splendors of India that "enlighten the heart and inspire
the soul. "
-- For intimate groups of 2-8 travelers.


Chicago, IL ...May 20, 2008 ... Greaves Tours has created a new comprehensive "Heart and Soul of India" program, designed for first-time travelers to India, who want to experience the major cultural and historic
sights in-depth and personally.

The tour is aimed at a unique group of no-more-than eight participants, and as Greaves Tours' President, Carole Cambata explains, "this is the perfect way to experience the 'Heart & Soul of India,' either on a private tour exclusively with family or friends, or by joining a pre-existing group of like-minded travelers."  Each group of four to eight travelers* is accompanied by two multi-lingual escorts - a local guide who knows his or her city intimately and can provide a hands-on interpersonal perspective and a trained Greaves
tour manager who is both accustomed to the special needs of international clients and intuitively versed in the bigger picture of India in the global economic world. (*Groups of 2 or 3 travelers will only have a local guide.)


Palaces, Rivers, Forts, and Temples ...
The tour includes: a spectacle of Mughal monuments in Delhi explored by private car and rickshaw; the sacred city of Varanasi with evening and morning boat rides on the River Ganges to witness the aarti ceremony and
bathing and worshipping at the ghats (river steps); the flourishing commercial city of Mumbai with its contemporary and Victorian architecture; the temples
and palaces of the Maharajas in Udaipur; the historic hilltop village of Amber, reached by journey on elephant-back,  just one of the princely splendors of
Jaipur; a final farewell at the Imperial city of Agra with its awe-inspiring Taj Mahal, which was recently named the 7th most endangered place in the world
by Concierge.com, and is number 10 on the BBC's list of "50 Places to See Before You Die!"


Christmas at the Taj Mahal ...

Five departures are planned from Mid-Autumn 2008 through the Winter into
Early Spring 2009, including a December 13th departure, which will allow
travelers to spend Christmas at the Taj Mahal!              


The Pushkar Mela ... 

All tours are 14-days, except for the November 1st departure (17 days),
which additionally includes a special visit to the Pushkar Mela or Fair, in the
small valley town of Pushkar in eastern Rajasthan state, a 3-hour drive from
Jaipur.  This is the world's largest camel fair, but it is also a Hindu religious
festival, celebrating the sanctity and richness of the place. During the
festival, Pushkar's population swells from 14,000 to 200,000, while 50,000
camels are sold, decorated, shaved, raced, and performed.  Travelers can
join in the cultural competitions and also enjoy shopping for bargains on
traditional clothing, woolen blankets, beaded jewelry, brassware, textiles, and
other locally-made items.


Tour Cost and Features ...

Prices lead in at US$9,515.00 per person double occupancy, inclusive of:

* domestic airfare (3 flights for the November tour, and 4 for the
other departures).

* ground excursions and transfers in private air-conditioned cars,

* two boat excursions,

* luxury hotels,

* sightseeing, entrance fees, photo permissions,

* daily breakfast, two lunches, three dinners,

* local guide in each region and an additional tour escort for groups of
4 to 8 travelers.

* porterage at hotels and airports


Prices exclude international round-trip airfare; Indian visa fee (US $65.00 per
person, subject to change); meals except where noted on the itinerary;
personal items, e.g. telephone, laundry, gratuities, travel insurance, and any
changes travelers may choose to make during the trip.


Departure dates ...

November 1 - 17, 2008 (special itinerary featuring Pushkar Fair)
December 13 - 26, 2008                   
January 16 - 29, 2009
February 6 - 19, 2009            
March 13 - 26, 2009 

Reservations: www.greavesindia.com; tel: 800-318-7801.


About Greaves Tours:
For 30 years, Greaves Tours has been the leading family-owned specialist in
customized luxury itineraries and bespoke tours to India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri
Lanka and the Indian Ocean. Greaves' exclusive focus on these destinations,
coupled with in-depth knowledge of their complex cultures, ensures an
unforgettable journey through one of the world's oldest civilizations. Greaves
Tours may be explored at www.greavesindia.com; tel: 800-318-7801.


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