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The High Life
 The Himalaya Classic Rally 2007
March 9th 2007 9th to April
The Himalayas is the most famous range of mountains in the world with scenery and history to match. Join us in following this great range of mountain from Amritsar in the west, through Nepal to Darjeeling, then into the little known kingdom of Bhutan before heading south through Assam and Bangladesh before finishing in Calcutta.
March 9-12. Udaipur
We start in the beautiful city of Udaipur which stands on Lake Pichola
Hotel: The Lake Palace
March 12. (Flag off 11.00am by His Highness Arvind Singh the Maharana of Udaipur)
From Udaipur we go to town of Jodhpur, famous for those riding britches.
Hotel: Umaid Bahwan
March 13. Bikaner
Sitting on the edge of the desert Bikaner offers one of the most tranquil locations in Rajasthan.
Hotel: Gajner Palace
March 14. Amritsar
The home of the Golden Temple, the holiest of holies for the Sikhs.
Hotel Ritz Plaza
March 15. Dharamsala
The home of the exiled Dalai Llama and the Tibetan Government in Exile. We stay close to McLeod Ganj, some 4km above the town of Dharamsala.
Hotel: Asia Health Resorts.
March 16. Shimla
"Discovered" by the British in 1819 it soon became the favourite summer retreat of the Government, becoming the "Summer Capital" in 1864. One of the highest golf clubs in the world is at Shimla.
Hotel: Wildflower Hall
March 17. Rest day in Shimla.
March 18. Mussoorie
Splendid town, established by the British as a Hill Station in 1823. The in-place to have an affair in those days it is still popular with honey-mooners.
Hotel: Kasmanda
March 19. Rishikesh
The place where the Beatles found enlightenment and George found the Sitar. Still magical, our hotel is perched high above the old town with views across the Ganges.
Hotel: Ananda Spa
March 20. Nainital
At 1938 metres high Nainital was once the summer capital of Uttar Pradesh. Set round a lake Nainital took off when Mr Barron, a sugar-trader, had his yacht carried up here in 1840!
Hotel: Manu Maharani
>NEPAL
March 21. Royal Bardia National Park
Royal Bardia National Park is the largest park in the lowland Terai covering an area of 968 sq. km. The park situated in Nepal’s Western Terai was established to protect representative ecosystems and conserve tiger and its prey species.
Hotel: Tiger Tops
March 22. Rest day. Tiger Safari
March 23. Pokhara
With views of the seven peaks of Anapurna, Pokhara is one of the most tranquil and enervating places on the journey. The hotel is only accessible by punt.
Hotel: Fishtail Lodge
March 24. Kathmandu
The fascinating capital of Nepal and an equally fascinating hotel welcomes the rally.
Hotel: Hotel L'Annapurna
March 25. Rest day.
March 26. Everest Point
The perfect viewing point for Mount Everest and the Himalayas
Hotel: Everest Point
March 27. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
The second chance to see Tigers in the wild.
Hotel: Koshi Tappu Camp
>INDIA
March 28. Siliguri
Back onto the plains we rest at the junction town of Siliguri.
Hotel: Hotel Cindrella
March 29. Phuntsholing.
Hotel Hotel Druk
March 30. Paro
The Aman Resorts are the most luxurious lodges in Bhutan. Amankora Paro is a spa resort set in an incredible beautiful location. The Paro valley is believed to have been one of the first valleys to have embraced Buddhism in the Eastern Himalayas.
Hotel: Amankora
March 31. Thimpu
At an altitude of 2,350m, Bhutan's capital city lies in a steep valley surrounded by richly forested mountains. The only world capital without traffic lights Thimpu is home to many attractions.
Hotel: Druk Hotel
April 1. Punakha day trip
April 2. Thimpu
April 3. Buxa
Buxa Tiger reserve offers a second chance to see the elusive Tiger as well as other rare species.
Hotel: Buxa Lodges
April 4. Guwahati.
Sitting on the Brahamaputra is the largest town in Assam and is home to some of the best temple complexes in the region.
Hotel: Brahamaputra Ashok
April 5. Shillong
Often referred to as the Scotland of the East, Shillong is situated 1500 metres above sea level. It derives its name from Leishyllong - the Superpower or God who is believed to reside in the Shillong peaks overlooking the city. It grew under British rule when it was the summer capital of Eastern Bengal.
Hotel: Hotel Polo Towers
April 6. Sylhet
A major attraction in Bangladesh Sylhet refers to itself as the home of Saints and Tea Gardens. Certainly it has plenty of tea gardens but saints are harder to find.
Hotel: Hotel Holy Side
April 7. Mymensingh
Mymensingh was formerly known as Nasirabad and has a treasure trove of Mughal buildings. The palace of Mymensingh Rajbari, built between 1905 and 1911 alongside the Brahamputra, is an architectural landmark.
Hotel: Amir International
April 8. Jessore
Narrow winding streets overcrowded with shops and activity give Jessore a bizzare bazaar feeling. It was the centre of a decisive event in the Liberation war of 1971 when the Pakistani army gave up with little resistance. The alternative would have been a blood bath.
Hotel: Hasan International
April 9 Calcutta
One of the greatest cities of India, Calcutta buzzes with activity and history. the capital city for the East India Company, then the British Raj, Calcutta has some of the most extraordinary buildings of India.
Hotel: Oberoi Grand
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