Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Arrive at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airport by flight.
Delhi – the capital of India – The city consists of two parts – Old & New Delhi. Old Delhi was the capital of Muslim India between 17th and 19th century and has many mosques, monuments and forts. New Delhi, the imperial city was created by the British as the capital of India. In 1911, Edwin Lutyens, the most renowned English architect of the day, was chosen to design New Delhi which flaunts a surprising number of impressive monuments related to its conquests by the Mughals, Turks, Persians and ultimately the British.
Meet & Assist: you will be met our representative in the arrival area of the airport after you clear all immigration and customs formalities. Special welcome waits for you at the airport with nice garlands of marigold flowers. You will be transferred to your hotel.
Check-in at your hotel for 2 nights.
Balance day at leisure to relax.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 02 In Delhi
Morning yoga along with a private instructor.
Breakfast at hotel.
Later in the day proceed for combined sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi.
Old Delhi which was the capital of Muslim India between 17th and 19th century and has many mosques, monuments and forts. Begin your day with an exploration of Old Delhi – visit the Jama Masjid, the royal mosque built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in 1656. It is one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world and is constructed in red sandstone and white marble. The main prayer hall has a seating capacity of more than 20,000 worshippers. In the old city of Delhi, walk through the by-lanes of the spice market, the wedding street and the jeweler’s lane to savor the 350 years old culture up-close. There will be great photo opportunities here.
Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk, the spine of Old Delhi. Jahanara Begum, the daughter of Shah Jahan designed this commercial place in 1648. Drive past Red fort, built in red sand stone by Shah Jahan in 1648, this magnificent monument is laid out along the river Yamuna as an irregular octagon.
Return to hotel after the above visits.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 03 Delhi – Jaipur ( Approx. 270 Kms / 5 – 6 Hrs drive)
Post breakfast drive to Jaipur.
Jaipur: The city was first intended to be called ‘Sawai Jaipur’, named after the boy Prince who commissioned it – Maharaja Jai Singh II – a warrior, astronomer and politician who reigned over the Mughals from 1699 to 1743. Today’s Jaipur is pink, visually described as the city shaded with the autumn colors of sunset. Although originally the walls were render set and pigmented the color of red sandstone, Jaipur’s universal coat of pink only came in 1876 to coincide with the visit of the Prince of Wales (King Edward VII). Almost the entire city was given a coat of pink paint, thus giving it the name the ‘Pink City’.
Arrive in Jaipur and check-in at your hotel, where you stay for 02 nights.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 04 In Jaipur
Morning excursion to the magnificent Amber Fort on Elephant back failing by Jeep.
Tour the chambers and hallways of the palace, famous for the excellence of its design and decoration. Within the complex is Ganesh Pol, an imposing gateway painted with the images of the elephant-headed god, Ganesh. The merging of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles is captured in the Sukh Niwas and Jas Mandir apartments, and the Charbagh garden with its perfectly proportioned landscaping. Pierced screen windows offer views from different vantage points & shimmering mirrors encrust walls of Sheesh Mahal.
Later sightseeing tour of Jaipur.
Visit the Jantar-Mantar Observatory. Built in the 1700s but still appears to be futuristic. It houses unique instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens! Continue your visit to City Palace to witness the Maharaja’s private collection of textiles and armory. Culminate the tour with a photo stop at Hawa Mahal also known as the “Palace of the Winds.” This beautiful façade is probably the most-photographed in Jaipur, with its ornately carved windows designed so the ladies of the palace could look out onto the streets unobserved.
Back at hotel after the above visits.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 05 Jaipur – Agra ( Approx. 240 Kms / 4 -5 Hrs drive)
Post breakfast drive to Agra En-route visit Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital and Palace in the late 16th century. It is a veritable fairy tale city and its ruins are in pristine condition. It is not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the former days of its grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, which is the largest gateway in the world.
After visit continue drive to Agra.
Agra: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire. Today, a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices of red sandstone and white marble, narrow lanes and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains.
Situated on the west bank of River Yamuna, Agra is a part of the great Northern Indian plains. The architectural splendor of the city is reflected in the glorious monuments of medieval India built by great Mughals who ruled India for more than 300 years. In the mid-16th century and earlier 17th century Agra witnessed a frenzied building activity and it was during this time when the symbol of love Taj Mahal was built. The buildings made during this era were purely in the contemporary Mughal style and of very high quality, which is still reflected in whatever monuments remain in Agra.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 06 Agra – Varanasi ( Overnight Train)
Morning city tour of Agra.
Taj Mahal – The 17th century Taj Mahal is often called a poem in stone. If so, the mausoleum is a love poem – created by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took 22 years to be completed and was designed and planned by a Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen. (Taj Mahal remains closed on Fridays)
Later visit Agra Fort.
Agra Fort – situated two kilometres towards west of the Taj Mahal on the banks of the river Yamuna. It was built by the third Mughal Emperor, Akbar, and added to by his son Jahangir and grandson Shahjahan. Agra Fort is an imposing structure with walls of red sandstone, almost two miles long and contains palaces, audience halls and mosques built by all the three emperors. The fort presents a good sampling of Islamic and Hindu architectural styles.
Late afternoon transfer to railway station to board train for Varanasi leaving at 2030 Hrs & arriving at 0850 on day 07.
Overnight on board.
Day 07 Arrive Varanasi
Arrive Varanasi at 850 Hrs. You will be met by our representative at the railway station who will later escort you to your hotel, where you stay for 02 nights.
Varanasi is probably the place in India that has the most profound impact on visitors. Formerly known as Benares, it sits on a bend of the Ganges, and its spiritual significance comes from its status as a “crossing place”, where Gods and Goddesses can descend to earth. It has been a pilgrimage site since the sixth century BC; Hindus try to visit at least once in their lifetime to pray and bathe in the holy river. The Old City, a maze of tiny alleys, has several temples, including the Golden Temple – which is only accessible to Hindus – and many cows, which have traffic priority.
Balance day at leisure.
Evening witness a Hindu prayer ceremony `aarthi’ on the Ganges River! You will be escorted to Dhaswashmedh Ghat on bi-cycle rickshaw from where you will embark on a boat to witness the aarti for approximately 20- 30 minutes. En-route, drive past through the local bazaars. The river banks `ghats’ and temples are lit with oil-lamp and candles which create a magical effect. Devotees float the oil lamps in the water as an offering to the holy river.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 08 In Varanasi
Morning yoga along with a private instructor at his place.
Return to hotel for breakfast.
Post breakfast visit the famous Banaras Hindu University. One of the oldest educational centres of India, this university was was founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya in 1917 for the study of Sanskrit, Indian art, culture and music. The university campus extends over five square kms and contains the Bharat Kala Bhavan.
Also visit Bharat Mata Mandir. Opened by Mahatma Gandhi, this temple is dedicated to ‘Mother India. This simple temple has a perfect relief map of India carved out of a Marble.
The tour culminates at Durga Temple. This 18th century Durga Temple is also called the Monkey Temple. It has been built in a common north Indian style with an ornate shikhara, with five segments symbolizing the elements, supported by finely carved columns.
Afternoon visit Sarnath. It is one of the important Buddhist centres where Lord Buddha had preached his first sermon and set in motion the Wheel of Law (Maha-Dharmachakra-Pravartan). Several Buddhist structures were raised at Sarnath between 3rd century BC and 11th century AD. Most of the ancient buildings and structures at Sarnath were damaged or destroyed by the Turks. However, amongst the ruins The Dhamek Stupa is the most distinguished one. It was built in 500 AD to replace an earlier structure commissioned by the great Mauryan king Ashoka in 249 B.C.E., along with several other monuments, to commemorate his pilgrimage there. Also visit the museum which houses a collection of valuable ancient scriptures & artifacts related to Buddhism (Sarnath museum is closed on Friday).
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Hotel
Day 09 Varanasi – Delhi (Flight)
Early morning, enjoy a boat cruise on River Ganges. The ghats – hundreds of stone steps flanking the riverbank – are an incredible sight, particularly at sunrise when thousands of pilgrims bathe in the spiritually cleansing waters. Funeral pyres smoke on the riverbank, which is lined with colorful temples. The boat ride is one of the best ways witness the ceremonies.
Also referred to as “city of temples and learning”, the culture of Varanasi is deeply associated with the river Ganges and the river’s religious importance. The city has been a cultural and religious center in northern India for thousands of years. Walk through the narrow streets and alleys of Varanasi. Wandering through this maze will be fascinating; a great opportunity for photos.
Afternoon transfer to airport to connect flight for Delhi leaving at 1535 Hrs & arriving Delhi at 1700 Hrs.
Meet & assist on arrival & transfer to Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10 Delhi – Rishikesh
Post breakfast drive to Rishikesh.
Situated 24 km. upstream from Haridwar, at the confluence of the Rivers Chandrabhaga and Ganga, Rishikesh has long been a spiritual centre. It is said that the sage Raibhya Rishi did severe penance here and as a reward, God appeared to him in the form of Hrishikesh, hence the name. Rishikesh has numerous ashrams, some of which are internationally recognised as centres of philosophical studies, yoga and meditation. An international yoga week is organised here every year between 2nd and 7th February. For the adventurous, there are opportunities for white water rafting on the River Ganga.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 11 In Rishikesh
Morning participate in Yoga demonstration at Hotel.
Post breakfast proceed for full day tour of Rishikesh & Haridwar
Visit includes Triveni ghat –bathing ghat where every evening an Aarti to river Ganga is performed. Lakshman jhoola -A suspension bridge across the Ganga along the old route to the holy shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. Temples – include Raghunath Temple, Pushkar Temple, Venkateshwsar Temple, Chandra Mauleshwaran Temple, Shatrughan Temple, Bharat Mandir and Lakshman Temple.
Haridwar is situated on the right bank of the holy River Ganga, and is the point where the river spreads over the northern plain. Associated with both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, Haridwar is among the seven sacred cities of India. It is also one of the four venues for the Kumbh Mela, held in its magnitude every twelve years. Essentially a religious centre which holds promise of salvation for devotees, Haridwar is also a centre of herbal medicine, and traditional studies at Gurukul Kangri. There are many places of scenic beauty on the outskirts of the town.
Sightseeing includes visit to Chandi devi – A panoramic view of Haridwar can be enjoyed from the temple of Chandi Devi located on top of Neel Parvat. The temple is a 3 km trek from Chandi Ghat. Legend has it that Chanda-Munda the army chief of the local demon king, Shumbha-Nishumbha, was killed by Goddess Chandi here. Bharat mata temple –is a eight storey building in which the images of cities, heroes and great men are installed. Shanti kunj– is the famous ashram of Gayatri. Followers and pilgrims from far and wide converge here for yoga and natural cures.
Evening visit GANGA Arti at Triveni ghat – this is the most important ghat on the river Ganga, at Rishikesh, where a holy dip is a must for every devotee. The Ganga Aarti performed every evening is a spectacular sight when thousands of lighted lamps are set afloat on the river, after a common evening prayer is said by all the priest from the many thousands of temples.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 12 Rishikesh – Delhi
Morning drive to Delhi international airport to connect flight for home
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