SPIRITUAL INDIA JOURNEY

Day 01: Arrive Delhi

Day 02: Delhi

Day 03: Delhi - Bodhgaya (Flight)

Day 04: Bodhgaya - Varanasi

Day 05: Varanasi

Day 06: Varanasi - Prayagraj

Day 07: Prayagraj - Ayodhya - Lucknow

Day 08: Lucknow

Day 09: Lucknow - Agra

Day 10: Agra - Mathura & Vrindavan - Delhi

Day 11: Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh

Day 12: Rishikesh - Devprayag - Joshimath

Day 13: Joshimath / Day trip to Badrinath OR Auli

Day 14: Joshimath - Rishikesh

Day 15: Rishikesh - Delhi

Day 16: Delhi / departure

DAY 01: ARRIVE DELHI

In time arrive at Delhi International Airport. Upon arrival, transfer to your pre-booked hotel. Once you complete the check-in formalities, you are free to spend the day in doing the activities of your interest. You can explore the surroundings on foot, can eat the lip-smacking street food or can check-out the popular markets. Stay overnight.

 

DAY 02: SIGHTSEEING IN DELHI

The national capital offers a number of attractions that belonged to both the modern and the ancient era. This makes Delhi one of the best tourist destinations offering endless things to do. Explore the historical sites or have fun at the recreation centers, visit the shopping hubs or try some lip-smacking food in an authentic Dhaba. The attractions you will visit today include Raj Ghat, India Gate, President's House, Humayun's Tomb, Lotus Temple, Qutub Minar, and Red Fort. You can also satiate your hunger at one of the restaurants in Cannaught Place or indulge in shopping there. After the city tour, you will return to your hotel for night stay in Delhi.

 

Rajghat is the memorial of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The black marble platform in the site is the place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. India Gate was designed by Edward Lewton which is a war memorial built in the memory of British Indian soldiers martyred in the first world war. President's House or Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of the president of India. Designed by Edward Lewton this is an architectural marvel nestled on the Raisina Hills in New Delhi. Humayun's Tomb is the first garden-tomb in India designed in the Persian architectural style where the Mughal emperor Humayun was laid in rest. Lotus Temple in Delhi is named so because of its unique lotus-like shape. This is a prayer house open for followers of all religions. Qutub Minar is a 73-meter high brick-made tower built by Qutubudding Aibek of the Mamluk Dynasty. This is a world heritage site in Delhi. Red Fort is a red sandstone made fort built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan. This was the Mughal residence for the longest period of time.

 

DAY 03: DELHI – BODHGAYA (FLIGHT)

Once you have your breakfast, get transferred to the airport to board a flight to Bodhgaya. On arriving, get transferred to your hotel. Post lunch, in the afternoon, leave for visiting the attractions of Bodhgaya. This is one of the 4 most important places in the life of Lord Buddha. This is that place where Buddha had attained enlightenment under the Mahabodhi tree. Visit the Mahabodhi temple that was built during the 7th century but originally by Ashoka during the 3rd century. The afternoon is free for leisure activities. Stay overnight

 

DAY 04: BODHGAYA – VARANASI (250 KMS / 5.5 HRS)

On day 5, have your breakfast and leave for Varanasi by road. On arriving, check- in at your pre-booked hotel. The rest of the day is free for activities of own interest. Explore the surroundings on foot, interact with the locals, visits the ghats or local bazaar. Stay overnight.

 

DAY 05: VARANASI

Enjoy an early morning (at 5 a.m.) boat ride in the holy water of river Ganga. Cruise along the Ghats (stone steps), observe the locals doing their daily chores. Have your breakfast and leave for visiting Sarnath (10 kms). This place contains the park where Lord Buddha, after enlightenment, delivered his first sermon. The Mantra, “Buddham Sharanam Gachham”, owes its origin to this place. The afternoon is for sightseeing in Varanasi, including the Vishwanath Temple the art gallery at Benaras Hindu University, the Dugra Temple, and a marble temple. Stay overnight.

 

DAY 06: VARANASI – PRAYAGRAJ (120 KMS / 2.5 HRS)

Once you have your breakfast, get transported to Prayagraj, earlier known as Allahabad. Once you reach, check- into your hotel. After lunch, leave for visiting Sangam. Known as Triveni Sangam, this place is the meeting point of three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.  It is said that one who takes a dip in this water, washes away all his sins. Later, visit the nearby temples. Stay Overnight.

 

DAY 07: PRAYAGRAJ – AYODHYA (170 KMS / 3.5 HRS) - LUCKNOW (APPROX 2.5 HRS)

After an early breakfast, leave for Ayodhya by road. Ayodhya - birth place of Lord Rama. You can visit attractions such as Sita ki Rasoi, Hanuman Garhi, Treta ka Thakur etc.

 

After visiting all the places, continue your drive to Lucknow for your night stay.

 

DAY 08: LUCKNOW - LOCAL SIGHTSEEING

Explore the city and the attractions it holds, Lucknow is an interesting place with great things to offer. The structures in the city showcase the fine blend of Indo-Islamic and colonial era. Visit some sites like: Dilkusha Garden, Shah Najaf, Ram Krishna Math, Moti Mahal, La Martiniere, Chattra Manzil, also visit the old city in the evening. Spend some time indulging into shopping and trying out some ethnic dishes. Night stay at hotel.

 

DAY 09: LUCKNOW - AGRA (APPROX 5 HRS)

Once you have your breakfast, checkout from the hotel and hit the road to Agra.

Agra is famous the world over as the home of the magnificent Taj Mahal which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The city is also laden with smaller architectural treasures. It is famous for marble carvings, semi-precious stones, and silk embroidery. This charming city never ceases to amaze with its heady mix of history and culture. The drive today is around 5 hours.

Agra Fort Tour: This afternoon visit Agra Fort, built in 1565 by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar and developed later by his successors. The fort was a military structure and later partially became a Palace during the reign of Emperor Shah Jehan. Evening free to explore local markets on your own. Night stay at hotel.

 

DAY 10: TAJ MAHAL TOUR & DRIVE TO DELHI VIA MATHURA & VRINDAVAN

Early morning witness early morning Taj Mahal.

 

Often considered the pinnacle of Mughal art in India, the Taj was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. When declaring it a world heritage site, UNESCO described it as “the jewel of Muslim art in India”. There are few words that can describe the magnificence of this monument. Its beauty is at its best if viewed at sunrise, sunset and on full moon nights.

 

Later after breakfast & checkout from to Delhi. Enroute visit  Mathura & Vrindavan. Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Every nook and corner of this town has tales to tell about the days Shri Krishna spent here.  Visit the well-known temples and sites such as Shri Krishna Janmbhoomi, Rangbhoomi, Dwarkadish Temple. Proceed to Vrindavan later, another famous town where Krishna spent his childhood and a few years of his youth. Visit the Banke Bihari temple and ISKCON temple for Darshan.

 

Continue to Delhi for staying overnight.

 

DAY 11: DELHI – HARIDWAR - RISHIKESH (265 KMS/ 5.5 HRS)

In the morning, after you have your breakfast, leave by road for Rishikesh. On the way, you stop at Haridwar to take a dip in the holy water of river Ganga at Har-ki-Paudi. You can also visit the well-known temples such as Bharat Mata Mandir etc. Attend the mesmerizing evening Aarti and proceed to Rishikesh. Upon arrival, check- in at your hotel for an overnight stay.

 

DAY 12: RISHIKESH - DEVPRAYAG – JOSHIMATH

Once you have your breakfast, begin driving to Devprayag, one of the Panch Prayags and the meeting point of rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi. Visit Sangam and attend the Puja Ceremony.

 

Later continue your drive towards Joshimath. Joshimath is one of the four ‘Mathas’ (Monasteries) that were founded by Adi Shankaracharya. Here, you explore the main attractions of Joshimath including places such as Narasimha Temple- constructed around 1200 years old, this temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, the 4th incarnation of Lord Vishnu that is half-lion and half- man; Shankracharya Cave- placed near Kalpvriksha, this is known to be a sacred cave where Adi Shankaracharya meditated during his stay here; Tapovan- the place is famous for its hot sulfur water springs popular for containing water that has medicinal properties. Night stay at hotel.

 

DAY 13: JOSHIMATH / BADRINATH / JOSHIMATH

Day 13 is set to visit Badrinath Ji Temple, Badrinath is one of the four sites and the most celebrated pilgrimage spots of the country and is situated at the height of 3,133 m with the soaring Neelkanth Peak providing a wonderful backdrop. For the reason that the land is carpeted with the wild berries, the place got the name "Badri van" which means the forest of berries.

 

Upon arrival, visit Badrinath Temple. Before entering the holy place of Lord Vishnu, cleanse yourselves with a dip in the Tapt Kund. It is the natural warm springs on the bank of the river Alaknanda offers water with the medicinal properties. After enjoying the bliss of Badrinarayan Darshan, return to the hotel in Joshimath. Night stay at hotel.

 

DAY 14: JOSHIMATH - RISHIKESH (APPROX 09 HRS)

After breakfast, drive back to Rishikesh: Referred to as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’ and ‘Gateway to the Uttarakhand Himalayas’, Rishikesh allures both peace seekers and adventure enthusiasts. It is home to several ashrams that offer Yoga and meditation sessions under expert’s guidance. It is the city of serenity, Sadhus, and more.

 

Upon arrival check-in at hotel.  In the evening, if time permits, you can attend Ganga Aarti, on the banks of Holy Ganga ghat. Soak-in the spiritual-feel and savor the lovely views. Night stay at hotel.

 

DAY 15: RISHIKESH - DELHI (APPROX 05 HRS)

Post breakfast, checkout from the hotel and explore the temples, ashrams and other attractions of Rishikesh that will include Laxman Jhulla, Ram Jhulla, Triveni Ghat, Bharat Mandir, Shivananda Ashram, Parmarth Ashram.

 

Later in the afternoon drive back to Delhi. Night stay at hotel.

 

DAY 16: DELHI / DEPARTURE

Day free to relax. In time transfer to airport to board your homebound flight with the happy memory of our incredible nation.

 

Note: This is just a suggested itinerary indicative of what could be possible. We tailor holidays for your specific needs. Contact us if you want modifications so that we could tailor a holiday to suit your need for an unforgettable India tour.