"INCREDIBLE INDIA"
OSSN 2007 Spring International Conference

OSSN Members will arrive into India in late evening of May 2nd. If you have elected to use the very special OSSN group airfares on Air Inida, you will be met directly after clearing Immigration and customs formalities, by our Tour Managers who will accompany you to the Taj Palace hotel. OSSN air schedules on Air India can be found on the "Reservation form page" of this agenda.

A traditional welcome awaits the group as they arrive at the Taj Palace, their lovely "5-Star" Taj Hotel in New Delhi. As you arrive at the main entrance of the hotel, ladies dressed in traditional attire greet and welcome you with garlands of fresh flowers. Flower petals will shower you when you enter, as part of the traditional Aarti ceremony.

Delhi, India’s capital and political hub is an ancient city that has something for everyone. Settled seven times over the centuries, this city has grown in a way that reflects its past, while retaining its cosmopolitan flavor. Delhi is India’s showcase, be it architecture, religion, shopping, culture – All of the treasures of India are available here – waiting to be discovered!

This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, OSSN members will proceed for a guided tour of Old and New Delhi, commencing with a visit with drive past the - Red Fort and Jama Masjid (Asia’s largest mosque). We will drive through Lutyens Delhi past India Gate (World War I memorial), the President’s Palace, Parliament house and then on to the mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor Humayun - a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture. Then go on to see the marvelous 12th Century Qutab Minar – a 234 ft. tall beautifully carved victory tower that stands as a sentinel to Delhi even today.

Dinner this evening is on your own, and the Taj Palace has some incredible options for you to explore!

For all those who think that light, healthy Indian food is an oxymoron, Masala Art is the answer. A show kitchen, contemporary décor, and a superb menu is the recipe that makes Masala Art a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

At Masala Art, authentic spices are used judiciously to complement, rather than to overshadow the other ingredients. The show kitchen is interactive, a feature usually associated with western cuisines. Guests can actually tell the chef exactly how they like their meals. Indian breads too, are baked on a griddle atop a unique trolley. While most of the menu comprises old favourites, a few, like doodiya murg, have been specially created for Masala Art.

You may want to try the fabulous Orient Express also located in the Taj Palace! The Orient Express captures the mystique of the legendary train, the Orient Express, which has been traversing Europe for over a century. The dining area successfully recreates a carriage in the train, and with it, the ambience of a bygone era.

The day begins early with breakfast being served at a designated area for the whole group. This morning it is time to meet some of the executives that have worked with OSSN to arrange this fabulous Educational Conference! The OSSN Educational Spring conference in Inida will include executives from India Tourism who will help us discover the many opportunities to promote "Incredible India!" This half day educational seminar begins right after breakfast and will conclude at lunch, with a coffee break in the middle.

This same afternoon, OSSN will board our coaches and drive to Agra! Our group will be met upon arrival at the hotel, the Trident Hilton Agra. We will be assisted with checking in at a special hospitality desk and handed over the keys to their pre-designated rooms while our tour managers co-ordinate the baggage. Some time is left over to relax and get ready for the evening.

This evening, a unique Kathak dance performance precedes our OSSN group dinner. Kathak was a traditional north Indian dance which was used to recount the life and trysts of Lord Krishna, but with the coming of Mughals this became more entertaining rather then religious in content. And remember, we are up early in the morning for one of the most fabulous views of the entire journey…the Taj Majal at sunrise!

Agra is renowned the world over due to the fabulous Taj Mahal and is situated on the right bank of the river Yamuna. Agra is a city with a glorious past and has the distinction of being the capital of various ruling dynasties.

Early this morning at sunrise, OSSN Members will visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World – The Taj Mahal. Built by Emperor Shah Jehan as a tribute to his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal, this is the ultimate tribute to love ever transcribed in stone. This great monument, completed in 1653, took almost 22 years and 20,000 workers to build. Contrary to popular belief the Taj Mahal is not built of Marble but of the more common red sand stone with marble acting only as the outer layer. It was supposed to have been etched with the finest precious and semi-precious stone available, but today the Naqqashi or the intricate etching is studded with colored glass.

We will return to the hotel for breakfast and we will be moving on to our next great adventure in India……traveling this afternoon to Jaipur!

On arrival in Jaipur, the group will check-in at their special hospitality desk, and the same procedure is followed for the baggage.

Dinner this evening is on your own. The Trident Hilton offers a multi-cuisine restaurant ‘Jalmahal’. The restaurant has a view of swimming pool, with a relaxed and friendly ambience. The ethnicity of Jaipur surrounds you in a simple and elegant manner. The buffet and a la-carte menu in Indian and Continental cuisine have been designed keeping the international traveler in mind.

Also very renowed in Jaipur, as its oldest restaurant is Niros. Awarded many times of the quality of food it is a regular stop for any visitor to Jaipur and of course for all locals. It is listed in all the world’s leading travel guides from Lonely Planet, Fodor’s, Cadogan, The Penguin Food Lovers Guide etc. The restaurant offers a plethora of cuisines from European, Chinese, Mughlai and local Rajasthani cuisine.

Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City, was founded in 1727 AD by one of the greatest rulers of the Kachhawaha Dynasty - the astronomer King Sawai Jai Singh. It is the capital of the colorful state of Rajasthan and a jewel which forms one point of the golden triangle.

This morning takes you to the Amber Fort which is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace, with its rugged, time-ravaged walls and fascinating palaces inside. The Amber Fort (pronounced Amer) set on a cliff face, is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by Sawai Jai Singh I the fort is made of red sand stone and white marble. The rugged forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise with a beautiful fusion of art and architecture. Amber is the classic and romantic fort- palace with a magnificent aura. The interior walls of the palace depict expressive painting and carvings, precious stones and mirror settings. In the foreground is the Maota Lake that provides a breathtaking view.

The afternoon is left free for shopping and roaming the ancient streets of Jaipur.

Dinner today will be arranged at the hotel.

Today OSSN will tour Jaipur! We'll visit the City Palace and the Royal Observatory. The City Palace of Jaipur is supposed to be a large palace covering almost a seventh in area of the old city of Jaipur. Most of the Palace is not open to visitors, which include the private residence of the current royal family, but there are still vast areas and a marvelous Armory Museum that make it a must see. The large silver Urns which adorn the entrance are listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest silver objects. See these and many more awe-inspiring artifacts at the City Palace. After the City Palace the group is taken to Jantar Mantar – the Royal observatory – Sawai Jai Singh II the founding father of Jaipur was a noted astronomer and he commissioned five observatories during his era, the first being of course in Jaipur. There are seventeen large stone and masonry instruments, several of which are still in working condition.

Return to the hotel

The evening holds a special treat - an Elephant Polo Match followed by dinner is organized specially for the group. In the land of Maharajas & Princes, Palaces & Forts, the game of Elephant Polo was one of the ultimate Royal As in yesteryears, the arrival of the guests is accompanied by the beating of "Nagadas" (Huge Indian drums) and a tableau of horses and camels along with ladies attired in traditional costumes and a welcome drink is served to complete the royal welcome, before the start of the game. Folk artistes regale the audience with music and dance during the changeover. The match, played as a regular horse polo match, but with elephants is very exciting and guests are invited to participate. The match is followed by international cuisine dinner.

This morning you can relax and enjoy a leisurely breakfast as we prepare to depart for Delhi for our final trip back to Delhi in early afternoon. On arrival in Delhi, we will again check into our former home, the "Taj Palace" to prepare for our final evening dinner together in fabulous India!

We will relax and enjoy "A night to bid adieu to India" and get together one last time before the whole group go their separate ways –departing early morning for their flights out of the country.

This morning is an early departure from Delhi back to the US! We'll say good-by to our fabulous guides, drivers and escorts. Thanks to Eastbound Tours and special thanks to India Tourism for a wonderful experience! OSSN is so glad that you joined us to explore "Incredible India" together!

OSSN Proudly Presents Eastbound Tours As Our Destination Management Company

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