Eclipse Expedition to Patna (TSE2009)
Bihar’s antiquity is evident from its name, which is derived from the ancient word "VIHARA" (monastery). It is indeed a land of monasteries. Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim and Sikh shrines abound in this ancient land where India’s first major empires rose and fell. Where the ruins of the worlds’ earliest university slumbers in the void of time. Imagine, soon after sunrise darkness falls again. Birds stop singing. The sun’s corona pops out and shimmers across the sky. For a few strangely-silent minutes, while the moon completely covers the sun, you’re spellbound inside the moon’s cool shadow. Then, suddenly, reluctantly, you’re free again--free for the rest of your life to jet around the world trying to catch another total solar eclipse. Come! Experience the longest eclipse of this century on the 22nd of July 2009. Want to catch another one longer? You might have to wait for a hundred years. Eclipse Chasers Athenaeum, the eclipse sphere of SPACE in association with Cox and Kings (I) Ltd. presents you an opportunity of a lifetime. Join us under the shadow of the moon this July or wait another hundred years for another chance.

21st July 09 : Arrive in Patna
On arrival at airport/railway station in Patna (on your own) get transferred to your hotel of stay. In the afternoon proceed to Patna planetarium and spend time with Space experts on various experiments. Space Technology & Education Pvt. Ltd is working to popularize science amongst masses through astronomy. It is a team of dedicated and eminent Astronomers, Science Communicators and Educators whose aim is to spread science through experimentation and by encouraging rationale questioning by school children. (L, D)

22nd July : Eclipse Day
The day that you have all been anxiously waiting for, amidst much fanfare the eclipse shall follow sunrise in the early hours of the day. You will witness the eclipse from the terrace of the Patna Planetarium. It’s an opportunity to experiment with the team of astronomers on the

study of the movement of the Sun and various phases of the eclipse. Experience the eclipse. Enjoy your time under the lunar shadow. Later proceed on a city tour of Patna visiting the huge beehive-shaped Golghar, built in 1786 as a granary to store surpluses against possible famines. It stands about 25m high and steps wind around the outside to the top where you have a fine view over the town and the Ganges; Shri Krishna Science Centre - Patna’s premier science museum; Patna Museum, containing metal and stone sculptures dating to the Mauryan and Gupta periods, terracotta figures and archaeological finds from various sites in Bihar. It also houses the 16m long and 200 million years old, world’s longest fossilized tree. The museum consists of a fine collection of Chinese paintings and thangkas. (Open between 1030 - 1630 hrs and is closed on Monday). Also visit the Martyrs’ Memorial at the Old Secretariat and Kumhrar, the site of the ancient city of Pataliputra, as Patna was known in the days of the old. Finally visit the Takht Har Mandir Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru of the Sikhs. This is amongst the holiest of the Sikh shrines built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. On the bottom floor of this dome shaped structure there are holy Sikh scriptures and personal belongings of the Guru. Time permitting, shop in the local market (B, L, D)

23rd July : Depart Patna
This morning visit Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, amongst the largest Biological park in India. Within the Park grow more tha n 300 species of trees, herbs and shrubs and has a nursery of medicinal plants, an orchid house, a fern house, a glass house and a rose garden. The zoo within the park has more than 70 species of animals including tiger, lion, leopard, clouded leopard, rhi no, hippo, crocodile, Himalayan bear, lion tailed macaque, leopard cat, hog deer, zebra, emu, white peacock to name a few. The park also houses an aquarium and a snake house. Get transferred to airport/railway station in time for your onward journey. (B, L)

Package price
Hotel Chanakya (Four star)

• Rs. 10,435 per person on a triple sharing basis
• Rs. 12,355 per person on twin sharing basis
• Rs. 16,315 on single occupancy

Hotel Republic (Three star)

• Rs. 7,570 per person on quadruplet sharing basis
• Rs. 7,765 per person on triple sharing basis
• Rs. 8,145 on twin sharing basis

Package cost includes:

• Accommodation for 2 nights & 3 days.
• Arrival and departure transfer from airport/railway station in Patna by air-conditioned coach.
• Sightseeing in Patna as per the itinerary
• Viewing the longest solar eclipse under expert supervision.
• Entrances to all monuments of visit as per the itinerary
• Buffet meal: 2 breakfast, 3 lunch and 2 dinner
• Middday vegetarian snacks on 22nd July
• All currently applicable taxes excluding 2.58% govt. service tax.

Package cost excludes:

• Air, Train or Bus fare from/to your city of stay, unless specified
• Items of personal nature viz, tips, porterage, room service, laundry, mineral water, alcoholic
  or non-alcoholic beverages, phone calls, additional sightseeing tours/excursions not included in
  the itinerary, still or video camera fees etc.
• Any increase in fuel cost, government taxes, entrance fees, intra and interstate taxes etc,
  the tour will be amended in accordance and the same shall be collected from the clients
  Guide charges, wherever applicable
• 2.58% govt. service tax

The train/air fare will be applicable as follows:

Terms & Conditions:
If the event of the traveler/s not being able to participate in the tour resulting in cancellation of services
under any other circumstances then the following cancellation charges will be applicable.

30 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURTURE - 25 % of the tour cost
08 - 15 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE - 50 % of the tour cost
04 - 07 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE - 75 % of the tour cost
THEREAFTER NO REFUND.

The cheque/DD needs to be written in favour of Space Technology & Education Pvt. Ltd.

For details click here