Delhi & Agra Festival

PLEASE JOIN US

FEB 27 – MAR 4, 2017

Agra Delhi

IWFS Asia Pacific invites you to

join us in 2017 for an exciting

three-day festival in vibrant

Delhi, the capital city of India,

with the option to extend your

stay with a further three days in

the majestic city of Agra, home

to the extraordinary Taj Mahal –

one of the New 7 Wonders of the

World.

Colour, culture, history, tradition

– come and immerse yourself in

magnificent India.

Delhi

February 27-March 1

2017

Agra

March 2-

March 4 2017

Delhi & Agra Festival

February 27 - March 4 2017

MONDAY 27 FEBRUARY

OPENING DINNER – AMBIENCE GREEN GOLF COURSE (ADJOINING

THE LEELA GURGAON HOTEL)

(Meet in hotel lobby at 18:30 and arrive by coach for a 19:00 start)

A beautiful and unique evening is planned for our opening event in Delhi.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted at the first hole with fine champagne and

canapes, and a few wonderful surprises. You may then choose to take a

leisurely stroll around this gorgeous golf course or perhaps even take a

buggy. Throughout the evening, we will enjoy traditional Indian

entertainment and a sumptuous traditional Indian barbecue showcasing a

wide range of seafood and meat with traditional accompaniments. Upon

arrival to the hotel, you will be presented with an Indian outfit free of

charge, which you may wear to the opening dinner if you wish.

Dress: Smart casual (Indian ethnic attire optional)

TUESDAY 28 FEBRUARY

SIGHTSEEING OF FAMOUS HISTORICAL SIGHTS

Today we spend some time exploring some of Delhi’s most special and

historical sites including Humayun’s Tomb (tomb of the Mughal Emperor

Humayun built in 1570), India Gate (a spectacular war memorial built to

honour the Indian soldiers of WWI) and Rashtrapati Bhavan (the official

home to the President of India).

INDIAN WINE TASTING FOLLOWED BY LUNCH AT BIKANER HOUSE

In the historic setting of the amazing Bikaner House, we will first enjoy a

tutored wine tasting of the best wines produced in India. One of India’s

top wine makers will be there to tutor us through this very special tasting.

Prepare to be amazed. We will then be served a delicious Pan-Asian lunch

at this beautiful property. Bikaner House is an Art Deco estate that

belonged to the former state of Bikaner in Rajasthan. We are so privileged

to have been given access to this estate.

GALA DINNER – BANQUET ROOM AT LEELA GURGAON

Tonight we are so fortunate to be served a five-course dinner prepared by

“Triple A” chefs; Abhishek Gupta, recently trained under Michelin star chef

René Redzepi at Noma, the world’s most highly acclaimed restaurant, Amit

Wadhera, a well-seasoned and experienced chef in multi cuisines, and

Anurag Barthwal, a specialist in contemporary Indian and Western desserts.

These three speciality chefs are all set to bring magic to your table. And all

these dishes will be perfectly paired with a flight of Premier Cru and Grand

Cru Burgundy wines from Volnay to Chambertin.

Dress: Black tie/National Costume

Delhi Tour Programme MONDAY FEBRUARY 27 – WEDNESDAY MARCH 1

HOSTED BY OUR DELHI BRANCH, LED BY RAJIV KEHR, AND ABLY ASSITED BY OTHER

MEMBERS OF THE BRANCH, AN EXCITING PROGRAMME HAS BEEN PLANNED .

Delhi & Agra Festival

February 27 - March 4 2017

WEDNESDAY 1 MARCH

VISIT TO RED FORT

After breakfast, we will head to the Red Fort, which was home to the

Mughal emperor from 1648 to 1857. This fascinating red sandstone

structure is home to many museums and provides much to explore.

LUNCH AT BUKHARA

Following our tour of the Red Fort, we are so very lucky to have been given

access to the iconic Bukhara restaurant. Bukhara has earned worldwide

acclaim, appearing on Asia’s Top 50 restaurants list. Now in its 35th year of

operation, this restaurant’s expertise in tandoori cooking, includes

signature dishes such as Dal Bukhara, Sikandri Raan, Murgh Malai Kebabs,

Tandoori Jhinga and the popular Naan Bukhara at almost 4 feet diameter!

FREE EVENING

An evening to spend at your leisure, either visit one of Delhi’s exquisite

restaurants or relax and unwind before our visit to Agra the following day.

Delhi Tour Programme continued… .

For those who would like to take advantage of their unscheduled time and use their

free evening to explore some of the many outstanding Delhi restaurants that cannot

cater to the larger group, may we suggest:

Indian Accent – Modern Indian cuisine and the most highly acclaimed

restaurant in India, listed in the World’s Top 50 restaurants and high on the

List of Asia’s Top 50 Restaurants.

Varq – Modern Indian cuisine

Akira Back (JW Marriott), near Leela Gurgaon – Authentic Japanese cuisine

with a Korean accent

Artusi Ristorante e Bar – Italian fine dining and recipient of the Wine Spectator

Award for Excellence

Pluck (Hotel Pullman) – fine dining seasonal cuisine with “farm to fork”

principles

Le Cirque (Leela Palace downtown Delhi) – refined French cuisine

“Bukhara has pioneered unmatched culinary legends over the decades. The

success lies in our consistency and expertise in tandoori cooking. It takes years

for a Chef to master this art - one has to keep a hawk-eye on the tandoor and

adjust temperature, while maintaining precise proportions. Testament to the

perfection of our original recipes is that Bukhara’s menu has never changed

since its inception.” – Chef JP Singh

Delhi & Agra Festival

February 27 - March 4 2017

THURSDAY 2 MARCH

DEPART DELHI TO AGRA.

(Depart Delhi 09:00 by coach for Agra. Check-in Jaypee Palace Hotel, Agra

around 14:00)

After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and head to Agra by coach. A

picnic lunch will be provided as we sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery.

TAJ MAHAL

(Depart hotel at 15:30, return by 18:00)

Undoubtedly a highlight of the trip will be this sunset visit to the truly

magnificent Taj Mahal, one the of the New 7 Wonders of the World and

declared as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being "the jewel of

Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the

world's heritage". Our sunset viewing will undoubtedly be an afternoon to

savour as we take in this mesmerising 17th century white marble monument,

built in memory of the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan’s favourite wife,

Arjumand Banu Begum. We will be escorted from the coach to the Taj in

horse drawn carriages.

DINNER AT THE OBEROI AMARVILAS

(Depart hotel at 19:00, for dinner at 19:30. Return to Jaypee Palace hotel by

23:00)

Tonight’s dinner will be held at the most exclusive hotel in Agra and one of

the top 100 Hotels and Resorts in the World as voted by readers of Conde

Nast Traveler. We will be cooked a delicious array of food featuring one of

India’s regional cuisines and served some very special wines.

FRIDAY 3 MARCH

FATEHPUR SIKRI TOUR

(Depart hotel at 08:30, and return to hotel for lunch at 13:30)

After breakfast we depart for the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur

Sikri is a city in the Agra District of Uttar Pradesh, India, founded in 1569 by

the Emperor Akbar. This city, well known for the red sandstone buildings

that adorn its centre, served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571

to 1585.

Agra Tour Programme THURSDAY MARCH 2 – SATURDAY MARCH 4

ARUN VARMA TOGETHER WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE DELHI BRANCH INVITES YOU TO

JOIN US ON A POST TOUR TO THE MAJESTIC CITY OF AGRA – HOME OF THE TAJ MAHAL.

Delhi & Agra Festival

February 27 - March 4 2017

FRIDAY 3 MARCH continued…

VISIT TO ‘M/S KOHINOOR JEWELLERS’, MUSEUM OF ZARI EXCLUSIVE

PANELS AND LUNCH

(Return to hotel at 13:00. Lunch at 13:30)

On the way back from Fatehpur Sikri, we will visit ‘M/s Kohinoor Jewellers’

and the museum of Zari exclusive panels. Kohinoor Jewellers is home to the

Good Shepherd, an embroidery masterpiece which took 18 years to

complete. Upon arrival at the hotel, it will be time to sit back and enjoy a

relaxing lunch.

RED FORT/AGRA FORT TOUR

(Depart hotel at 15:30. Return to hotel by 18:00)

This tour will take us to this 11th century UNESCO World Heritage site, that

was once home to the Mughal Dynasty. Agra Fort is a beautiful red stone

fortress which wraps around a former imperial city of Mughal rulers. Behind

its walls, you will find several stunning palaces and mosques.

DINNER AT THE OBEROI AMARVILAS

(Depart hotel at 19:00, for dinner at 19:30. Return to by 23:00)

With stunning views of the Taj Mahal, and being one of the best hotels in

India and the world, we return to the Oberoi Amarvilas for another stunning

dinner, but this time we focus on a different regional Indian cuisine.

SATURDAY 4 MARCH

TAJ MAHAL AT SUNRISE (OPTIONAL)

(Depart 07.00am (snacks provided), return to hotel at 08.30am for breakfast)

For those keen to take their fill of the Taj Mahal, a visit at sunrise is very

special. This is not only a magical experience but is also very less crowded.

Snacks will be provided prior to departure, with breakfast available upon our

return.

RETURN TO DELHI

(Depart hotel at 10:00am, arrive at Taj Mahal Hotel and ITC Mauyra Sheraton

Hotel in downtown Delhi by 14.30)

We will depart for downtown Delhi at 10am. Two drop off points (as above)

are available. If you are flying out that evening, you will need to make your

own way to the airport. Or you may choose to book a night at a fabulous

downtown Delhi hotel and take the opportunity to visit one of Delhi’s

outstanding restaurants. May we suggest Varq or Indian Accent or any of the

restaurants suggested on Page Three.

Agra Tour Programme continued… .

Accommodation Delhi

Our festival hotel for Delhi will be the prestigious Leela

Ambience Gurgaon Hotel & Residences. This luxurious hotel

overlooks the Rajorki Nature Reserve and offers outstanding

facilities to allow you to relax and unwind in-between events.

Address

National Highway 8, Ambience Island, Gurgaon, Haryana

Room Rate

We have negotiated a discounted rate at Leela Ambience

Gurgaon Hotel & Residences.

Room rates per night (inclusive of taxes, breakfast, internet and

complimentary use of several other services):

Club room – INR16,065 (approx. AU$352)

Executive suite – INR19,635 (approx. AU$430)

Hotel Bookings We have booked a block of rooms at the Leela Ambience

Gurgaon Hotel & Residences. To book your room at the

discounted rates, please use the following instructions:

Go on the website www.theleela.com

Select the hotel “The Leela Ambience Gurgaon Hotel and

Residences”

Enter your check in and out dates

Select “Adults/Room”

Select “Group” in the option “Select Code”

Please type the Group Code as “IW&FS270217”

Proceed to book the room

You must book by December 1 to be guaranteed a room

Agra

The hotel for the Agra tour will be the lovely Jaypee Palace

Hotel. Please note that the Agra tour fee INCLUDES

ACCOMMODATION and will be booked on your behalf.

However, you must book this post tour before December 1 to

be guaranteed a room.

Delhi – Post Agra

If you would like to extend your stay after the festival and stay

at a beautiful downtown Delhi hotel, we recommend either the

Taj Mahal Hotel (not the Taj Palace) or the ITC Maurya Sheraton.

You can book these yourself online via Expedia or other online

hotel booking services for a very competitive price. Currently,

best price we can see at the Sheraton is about AU$200 and price

at the Taj is about AU$310. But it is up to you – these are simply

today’s online prices which are way below the rack rates for

these luxury hotels.

The Cost WE RECOMMEND YOU TAKE THE WHOLE PACKAGE,

INCLUDING BOTH THE DELHI AND AGRA TOURS, BUT

YOU CAN CHOOSE TO DO EITHER TOUR AS A STAND

ALONE IF YOU WISH.

DELHI TOUR INCLUDES:

Monday dinner at Ambience Green Golf Course

Tuesday events includ ing tours to Humayun's

Tomb, Ind ia Gate and Rashtrapat i Bhavan , lunch ,

Tutored Indian wine tas t ing and Gala d inner

Wednesday v is i t to Red Fort and lunch

AGRA TOUR INCLUDES:

Accommodat ion

Thursday lunch, d inner and v is i t to Ta j Mahal

Friday v is i t to Fateh-Pur S ik r i , Red Fort , lunch and

dinner

Saturday sunr ise v iewing of the Ta j Mahal

Coach t ransfers to and from Delh i

COST:

Must be paid to reach our account by December 15

2016 or you wi l l lose your place and it wi l l be offered

to those on the wait l is t :

Delhi Tour

(Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday , excludes

accommodation )

AU$1600 per IWFS member

(Non-Member/Guest – AU$1760)

Agra Tour

( Inc ludes accommodation (guaranteed only i f

booked before December 1) , t ravel to and

from Delh i and Thursday/Friday events )

AU$1600 per IWFS s ing le

(Non-Member/Guest – AU$1760)

AU$1450 per IWFS person shar ing a room

(Non-Member/Guest – AU$1595)

Delhi -Post Agra

I t is up to you to book and pay for your

accommodation on return f rom Agra . See

notes at left under Delhi -Post Agra. We

recommend the Taj Mahal Hote l or the ITC

Maurya Sheraton . These are the two drop off

points at the conclus ion of the Agra Tour .

-

Delhi & Agra Festival February 27- March 4 2017

HOW TO REGISTER

Please email APZ’s Administration Manager, Amber Dowling, at apz@iwfs.org and indicate:

• The events you wish to attend

• Your full names

• Your email address and phone contact

• Your IWFS Branch

HOW TO PAY

Please note that you must pay by December 15, 2016 or you will lose your place and it will be offered to those

on the wait-list. Please pay net of all fees to:

Account Name: IWFS Asia Pacific Address: 71 Caroline Street, South Yarra, Victoria, 3141, Australia

Bank: ANZ Banking Group Limited, Melbourne, Australia

Swift Address: ANZ BAU 3M

Branch Address: 219 Smith Street, Collingwood, Victoria 3066, Australia

BSB: 013 275

Account Number: 292791595

Please ensure that your bank remits sufficient funds in AU$ to cover their and any correspondent bank

fees so that our bank receives the total amount due. Please also confirm to apz@iwfs.org when you have made

your payment.

HOW TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION

Once you have received confirmation of your booking, please book your accommodation for Delhi using the link

provided under accommodation. You must do this by December 1 to be guaranteed a room. For Agra, we will

book your accommodation on your behalf once your place is confirmed.

CANCELLATION FEES

Cancellations before January 23 will be subject to a non-refundable amount of AU$400. Cancellations after

January 23 are non-refundable.

CLOSING NOTE

We are looking forward to seeing you in February/March in Delhi and Agra. Please note that you will need a visa

to enter India. You need to arrange for this as soon as possible.

Warmest wishes to you all,

Yvonne Wallis

Chair - IWFS Asia Pacific