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2009 Tour to India
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Nek Chand Foundation
Tour to North and South India
December 28, 2009- Jan. 12, 2010
An extraordinary adventure to both North
and South India to see Nek Chand’s two Rock Gardens,
and the Taj Mahal, Chandigarh, Kerala, and much more
on this 16 day journey.
DEAR FOLK ART LOVER,
Nek Chand Foundation is pleased to offer an exciting opportunity to see two of Nek Chand’s incredible Rock Gardens. Sit back and enjoy, we will be your private guides through North and South India for an insiders view to see Nek Chand’s masterpieces, Folk Art and the cultures of incredible INDIA.
Thank you for your interest in the upcoming trip to India. (December 28, 2009- Jan. 12, 2010) to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Nek Chand’s Rock Garden, Chandigarh, India, (the city designed by the Swiss architect LeCorbusier) and to see the other famed cities of North India: Delhi and Agra and South India: Kerala and Cochin. It will be an amazing 16 day journey. You will not be disappointed. India awaits you.
Included Features and Highlights:
Private New Year’s Eve party at Nek Chand’s Rock Garden in Chandigarh, behind the scenes tours at Rock Garden, receptions with Indian artists, private visits to the LeCorbusier buildings in Chandigarh. Private meeting with Mr. Nek Chand, Guided tours of the major cities of North India, including Chandigarh, Agra and Delhi, plus the famed Taj Mahal , camel rides and much more. In South India we visit Nek Chand’s Kerala Rock Garden, a private Ayurvedic Health Spa and Clinic, historic Fort Cochin and sail the Backwater Boats of Kerala. Shopping time and visits to local markets. Start your holiday shopping early in India!
Tour schedule:
Day 1, Depart Monday December 28 at night from New York to Delhi or Chicago to Delhi.
Day 2, December 29, Arrive at night in Delhi, India. Transfer to hotel in Delhi. (which has been reserved for us for late arrival) rest and sleep.
Day 3, December 30, At 10 am we leave for Chandigarh by bus ride. Arrive Chandigarh, transfer to Mountview Hotel. Welcome reception at hotel.
Day 4, December 31, Visit to Nek Chand’s Rock Garden, lunch and tea at the garden. Private New Year’s Eve party in the Rock Garden. Meet the staff, local officials, cultural people, artists, museum directors, friends of Nek Chand and meet your student ambassadors. Sleep over at the garden if you wish.
Day 5, January 1, 2010, New Year’s day at the Rock Garden, behind the scenes tour of the garden. Volunteer opportunity to help make mosaics. (Optional day trip to Shimla, in the foothills of the Himalayas to see the English village Hill Station that was the summer capitol of the British Raj, enchanting place. Cost $150 per person) Evening in the Rock Garden under the stars.
Day 6, January 2, 2010, Visits to the major cultural centers and museums of Chandigarh, private reception at the Government Art Gallery to see their amazing collection of ancient Indian Art.
Private visit to see the LeCorbusier designed buildings of Chandigarh including the High Court, College of Architecture, (These buildings are normally not open to the public, but they will be to our international delegation) Lunch on your own. Optional day of shopping with your student Ambassadors in Sector 17.
Day 7, January 3, 2010. Early morning departure by train for Agra via Delhi. Lunch in
Delhi, bus to Agra. Arrive in the evening. Transfer to hotel near the Taj Mahal. Dinner on your own.
Day 8, January 4, Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. (3 hours to look, see and touch this great building) a World Heritage site. Afternoon visit to Agra Fort and the historic palaces of the Mughal emperors who built the Taj. Shopping for souvenirs. Evening group banquet and rest.
Day 9, January 5, Early morning departure for Delhi airport. Flight to Kerala. Transfer by bus to Ayurvedic Health Spa Hotel in Palakkad district. This is an area of palm trees and spice plantations, green and verdant. It’s very restful.
Day 11, January 6. Full day at the Health spa for relaxation, massage, health and clinic seminars. Welcome reception for foundation group, local artists and tourism officials from Palakkad.
Day 12, January 7, Private tour of Nek Chand’s Kerala Rock garden and Malampuzha Gardensand Palakkad. Return to health spa.
Day 13 January 8, Depart by bus for Fort Cochin, transfer to hotel. Visit to antique and Folk Art markets. (Fabrics, textiles, miniature paintings, woodcarving, painting, ceramics, leather craft, etc).
Day 14, January 9, Morning at Fort Cochin and Jewish Quarter for visit to historic sites and shopping. Afternoon, by bus transfer to Backwater Boats for night cruise including dinner, sites and relaxation. This is very magical.
Day 15, January 10, Morning on the backwater boats. Noon transfer to bus for return to
Fort Cochin. Free time for shopping.
Day 16, January 11, Flight from Cochin to Delhi, Night flight to USA. Arrive USA on Tuesday January 12. End of tour.
The cost of the trip, includes all land and air based travel within India, including transportation in air conditioned coach buses, transfers, 15 breakfasts, 4 group banquet meals, all meals and teas and parties at Rock Gardens, deluxe first class hotels in all cities (based upon double occupancy), admissions, bottled water, materials, professional guide services for the 16 day journey is $3,850. The trip does NOT include international airfare. Single room supplement is $1200.
You will also have the option of having a Student Ambassador in Chandigarh for 5 days to help you with your stay, such as phone calls, taxis, shopping, etc. The Ambassadors are young men and women from the Chandigarh School of Hotel Management and speak English. The Nek Chand Foundation promotes educational exchanges. Cost for the valet is $60 for 5 days per person. A real bargain.
We are limiting the number of people to guarantee personal attention and maintain quality throughout. This is a once-in-lifetime incredible journey to both North and South India. North India will be cool, even cold. South India will be warm, hot and humid.
Not included in the cost of the trip is your airfare to India. Nor medical shots,
Some lunch and dinners are on your own. All of the hotels have restaurants and bars. All hotels have been personally visited by NCF trustee Tony Rajer. They have been chosen with your comfort and security in mind. All have 24 hour security within an enclosed hotel compound. Please join us on this trip to India. You won’t be disappointed. Contact us soon for further details. Tony Rajer, Nek Chand Foundation Trustee with accompany you on the tour of India.
Payment Schedule:
To reserve your place on this extraordinary journey to India please complete the attached form and send a check for $250 made out to the Nek Chand Foundation and send to NCF offices in the USA. Please indicate if you wish to go on the day trip on January 1, 2010 to Shimla in the Himalayas and ride the toy train, cost for side trip is $150. Also indicate if you require a Student Ambassador in Chandigarh., the cost is $60 total for 5 days.
Payment Schedule Calendar:
1. Deposit of $250 to guarantee your place on the trip. Send with application.
2. Second payment of $2,000 due by April 15, 2009.
3. Final payment of $1,600 due by July 15, 2009.
Upon receipt of your deposit a checklist of items related to the trip will be sent to you along with your confirmation. India requires a valid passport and tourist visa for all foreign citizens.
Professional Standards:
From the design to the operation of our travel experience, Nek Chand Foundation is committed to provide you with an enjoyable and memorable journey to India. The trip is of exceptional value both in the cost and variety of experiences offered. We have the personal support of Mr. Nek Chand and the Chandigarh Administration and government of Kerala to assure success of this amazing opportunity. We offer this travel experience to you as a friend and art lover. The journey is designed to offer you a safe, fulfilling and memorable trip.
Travel Documents will be mailed to you 21 days before departure and will be processed only after full payment has been made.
Hotel Information: Working closely with the Chandigarh Department of Tourism we have selected high quality hotels. The services are good and meet first class international standards of excellence. Tips, telephone calls, laundry service, passport and visa fees and other miscellaneous charges are not included in the price of the trip.
Prices: All prices are based of tariffs and currency exchange rates in effect at date of printing of this brochure (January 2009) and are subject to change without notice. Personal travel insurance is suggested for the peace of mind of the traveler.
Cancellation and Refunds: See web site for details.
Health and Disabilities: Your health is a concern to us. India can be a challenge for the traveler.
It is your responsibility to bring any required medications with you. Western trained doctors are available in all the cities we visit.
Limitation of Liability: By making a booking, you acknowledge that in all events, Nek Chand Foundation and agents shall not be liable for incidental or consequential damages and that the sole extent of liability shall never exceed the amount actually paid by you for the tour. Acts of God and terrorist acts, weather conditions are beyond the control of Nek Chand Foundation.
Nek Chand Foundation is a non-for-profit charity registered in England, with an American branch that supports the completion, preservation and promotion of Mr. Nek Chand’s Rock Garden in Chandigarh, India. Founded in 1997 by John Maizels the foundation supports an active volunteer program at the garden. We have sent over 100 artists to work with Mr. Nek Chand. Please join us on this amazing journey.
Nek Chand Foundation Tour to India December 28, 2009- Jan. 12, 2010
Base price for the North and South India trip is $ 3,850
Day trip to Shimla in the Himalayas $150
Personal valet for 5 days in Chandigarh $60
Single room supplement $1200
Total:
Registration form:
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Other contact information:
Traveling companion:
Deposit check for $250 included in US dollars:
Please make check out to Nek Chand Foundation
Mail to:
Tony Rajer-administrator
Nek Chand Foundation
P.O. box 567
Madison, Wisconsin, USA 53701
Further Tour details on our web site:
or rajert@gdinet.com
or nekchand.com
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HEALTH. All participants must be in good health. This program involves long touring days, walking over uneven surfaces, climbing stairs at monuments and other locations not handicapped accessible, and climbing in and out of various conveyances. Any condition that may require assistance or special medical attention must be reported at the time of your reservation.
INSURANCE. TRIP CANCELLATION / EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVACUATION / BAGGAGE / ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE PROTECTION IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. CANCELLATION PENALTIES ARE STRICTLY ENFORCED.
CHANGES IN ITINERARY & COSTS. The itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the Nek Chand Foundation and forces beyond our control. All prices quoted are based on prevailing fuel prices, airfares and currency exchange rates in effect as of May 2007 and are subject to change without notice. Deviations from the scheduled itinerary are at the expense of the individual.
RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE. The participation of the Nek Chand Foundation is limited to educational sponsorship of the program described in this brochure (The Program). The Nek Chand Foundation acts only as an agent for the participant with respect to transportation, accommodations and all other services, relating to The Program. The Nek Chand Foundation and/or their agents assume no responsibility or liability for any act, error or omission, or for any injury, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of any defect in any aircraft, ship, train, bus or other carrier, or through neglect or default of any subcontractor or other third party, which may be used wholly or in part in the performance of their duty to the participants of The Program.
The passage ticket issued by the carrier is the sole contract between the participant and the carrier. Nor will the Nek Chand Foundation and/or their agents be responsible for loss, injury, damages or expenses to persons or property, due to illness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature or other such causes in connection with The Program or anything beyond their reasonable control.
The Nek Chand Foundation is not responsible for transportation or other program delays and changes, nor additional expenses or loss of time that may be incurred. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort or well-being of the participants, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter the itinerary at any time, without notice to the participants, such alterations will be made without penalty to The Nek Chand Foundation. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the participants.
Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the participant at all times. The Nek Chand Foundation reserves the right to accept or decline any person as a participant at any time, or to require any participant to withdraw from The Program at their own expense when such an action is determined by the Nek Chand Foundation to be in the best interest of the participant’s health and safety, or the general welfare of the other participants.
CANCELLATION POLICY. The Nek Chand Foundation must strictly adhere to its cancellation policy to offset costs incurred prior to the commencement of The Program, which may include but are not limited to: advance payments to land operators; ship charters; communication expenses; development/ promotional expenses and the loss of time that might have permitted resale of reserved space. All cancellations must be made in writing to the Nek Chand Foundation and are subject to a $200 non-refundable administrative fee. All refunds are limited to amounts actually received by the Nek Chand Foundation and are the sole responsibility of the Nek Chand Foundation;
the Nek Chand Foundation shall have no liability for refunds. At the time the Nek Chand Foundation receives written notification of cancellation, the following cancellation charges will apply: cancellations received between 120 and 91 days prior to departure, $1,500 per person; those received between 90 and 61 days before departure, $,500 per person; no refunds will be given for cancellations received within 60 days of departure. No refunds are given for cancellation on or after the day of departure, or for unused portions of the tour, for any reason. Air cancellation charges, if any, will be assessed in accordance with airline regulations. All group fare tickets must be issued no less than 30 days prior to departure.
NOTE: The Nek Chand Foundation shall not be liable for any airline cancellation penalties incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable ticket. In the case of a cancellation due to shortage of participants, the Nek Chand Foundation will attempt to notify all participants at least 45 days prior to departure. However, the Nek Chand Foundation reserves the right to cancel The Program prior to departure for any reason and, in such case, reimbursement of refundable costs of the trip by the Nek Chand Foundation shall constitute full settlement with the participant. In the unlikely event that a dispute arises between a participant and the Nek Chand Foundation, the following conditions will apply: (a) the dispute will be settled by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association; (b) the dispute will be governed by Law; (c) the maximum amount of recovery to which a participant shall be entitled under any and all circumstances will be the sum of all monies actually received from the participant by the Nek Chand Foundation. The participant agrees that this is a fair and reasonable limitation on the damages, of any sort whatsoever, that a participant may suffer. Upon payment of the deposit to the Nek Chand Foundation, the participant agrees to be bound by the above terms and conditions.
Thank you for your patience. Prices in India is beyond the control of the Nek Chand Foundation. We
are working as best as possible to keep the prices as close to original cost as possible, despite increases and currency changes.
Copyright © 2007 Nek Chand Foundation
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Nek Chand Foundation
c/o Anton Rajer
P. O. Box 567
Madison, WI 53701-0567
(608) 249-7042 tel. (920) 246-1407 cell
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