Day 1
Arrive
late night or early morning at Delhi Airport and be transferred to the hotel.
Day 2
Rest and relax at the hotel or take an optional afternoon clothes' shopping
trip. Breakfast and lunch will be available at the Hotel. We will all meet for
dinner and orientation at the hotel. Overnight in
Delhi.
Day 3
After breakfast we'll drive (3-4 hours) South to the Mughal city of Agra. We'll
check into our hotel and rest before our sunset tour of the majestic Taj Mahal.
Overnight in
Agra.
Day 4
We'll return to the
Taj Mahal, this time enjoying its splendor at sunrise
and, after breakfast drive to Mathura, the mythical birthplace of Krishna. Continuing
to Delhi, where we'll overnight.
Day 5
Taking an early morning train (4½hours), we'll arrive at the holy city
of Haridwar, where the River Ganges descends from the Himalayas. We'll visit
the bustling bazaars and attend the evening prayers (Aarti) to the
Ganges.
Overnight in
Haridwar.
Day
6
The morning will be spent visiting some of Haridwar's famous temples. Then it's
a short drive to Rishikesh, to explore this town of ashrams, yogis, sadhus and
pilgrims. Overnight at
Rishikesh.
Day 7
We'll meditate in the cave where the great sage Vasistha stayed and walk along
the banks of the Ganges. We'll visit Rishikesh's ashrams and spiritual centers
and join the evening celebrations at
Parmarth Ashram. Overnight at
Rishikesh.
Day 8
A day to meditate by the Ganges shop and enjoy
Rishikesh before driving
back to
Haridwar and the evening train to Delhi. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 9
Our next destination, Khajuraho is a short 2-hour flight away. We'll explore
the ancient and intricately carved temples that fill this small village and
overnight in
Khajuraho.
Day 10
There'll be further time to relax or enjoy the sublime and erotic beauty of
these Hindu and Jain temples before we catch our flight (I hour) to rejoin Mother
Ganges at Varanasi. Here we'll wander the Ghats (steps leading down to the river)
seeing the most intimate rituals of life and death, taking place as they have
for centuries. Overnight in
Varanasi.
Day
11
We'll begin the day with a boat ride to watch the sun rise over the holy river,
as thousands of devotees take their ceremonial dip. After breakfast we'll visit
the nearby Buddhist community at Sarnath where Buddha preached his first sermon.
In the evening we'll participate in a special ceremony at a temple overlooking
the river.
Day 12
Today we'll visit the temples and sightsee in the narrow lanes, which make up
the bazaars of this "shoppers paradise". Our evening will be filled
with a boat-ride, Vedic chanting and a festive dinner on the ghats. Overnight
in
Varanasi.
Day 13
There'll be time for some last minute sightseeing and shopping before catching
our flight back to Delhi. Overnight in
Delhi.
Day 14
Our final taste of India shopping and sightseeing. After a farewell dinner,
it'll be time to leave for the airport and our homebound flights.
Price for this entire tour not including your travel to and from India, is:
US$ 4230 on single occupancy
US$ 3680 on double occupancy
This tour begins and ends in Delhi. You are required to make your own travel
arrangements to and from Delhi.
