Spiritual India-Yoga Tour

3N.-Delhi- 2N. Taragarh- 2N. Dharamsala- 1N. Amritsar- 1N. Haridwar-
1N. Rishikesh- 2N. Varanasi – 1N. Kahjuraho- 2N. Agra– 2N. Jaipur

Day 1: Departure
International departure to Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi
Welcome to India! Upon arrival in Delhi you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

Day 3: Delhi
Spend the day exploring the sights and sounds of Old and New Delhi. In the morning, visit the Jama Masjid- known as the largest mosque in India. After the visit, enjoy a thrilling rickshaw ride through the bustling Chandni Chowk area to the Red Fort. In the afternoon, off to New Delhi with a stop to visit the Raj Ghat – the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, the Qutub Minar and the beautiful Lakshminarayan Temple. In the evening participate in a hatha yoga class at the Shivananda Yoga Center. B/D

Day 4: Delhi – Kangra – Taragarh
In the morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Kangra and drive to the Taragarh Palace. Taragarh Palace was built in 1931 by Nawab of Bahawalpur,at the age of twenty-seven, as a large European-style summer residence. Now the palace is run as a hotel by a royal family. In the evening, visit Baijnath Temple, a Shiva temple dedicated to Shiva Vaidyanatha. It is supposed to be the temple where Ravana worshipped Shiva to gain immortality. B/D

Day 5: Taragarh
In the morning enjoy a class of yoga/meditation (optional). After breakfast, head out to Sherabilling Monastery, one of the world’s largest Buddhist teaching centers. The monks received a Grammy for their Sacred Buddhist Chanting. In the afternoon, attend the monks’ prayer and chanting session. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure to explore. (B/D)

Day 6: Taragarh -Dharamsala
In the morning, head to the Norbulinka Institute, a major centre for Buddhist teaching and practical work. Named after the summer residence of the Seventh Dalai Lama, it was set up to ensure the survival of the Tibetan Buddhism cultural heritage. Afterwards we will continue our journey to the headquarters of Tibet in Exile: Dharamsala. After checking into our hotel we will enjoy a short walking tour of the town, visit the main prayer wheel, and a nunnery. If the Dalai Lama is in Dharamshala he leads the prayers on special occasions. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure to explore. (B/D)

Day 7: Dharamsala
In the early morning enjoy a walk to the Namgyal Monastery (Dalai Lama’s monastery) to witness the monks chanting / meditating. Join the locals for a walk circumambulating the monastery complex. The walk will take 20-30 minutes. After breakfast, visit the Offices of the Tibet Government in Exile and the Museum of Buddhist Artifacts, Medicine and Astrology. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure to explore. (B/D)

Day 8: Dharamsala-Amritsar
Early morning departure to Amritsar. Upon arrival witness the religious traditions of the Sikhs at the Golden Temple. The temple complex is a community where pilgrims travel for days from all over and are offered shelter and food for free. The whole operation is run by volunteers and is truly amazing to witness the efficiency by which thousands are fed each day. There are opportunities to volunteer in the kitchen (Karma Yoga). Return to the hotel for dinner. (B/D)

Day 9: Amritsar – Haridwar
Departure by train to Haridwar. Spend the day visiting various sites including the Neel Parvat Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Chandi Devi (Durga), which is on top of a hill overlooking the Ganges. Witness local Indian women performing devotional rituals to the goddess. At sunset attend the prayer ceremony to witness aarti (ceremony of lights) at the Ganges. (B/D)

Day 10: Haridwar – Rishikesh
In the morning head to Rishikesh to visit The Sivananda Ashram and then cross the Ram Jhula on the Ganga to visit several ashrams and temples: Gita Bhawan, Gita Ashram, Swargashram and Parmarth Ashram. Enjoy browsing the many shops stocked with spiritual books, music, clothes, and articles of devotional nature. At Parmarth Ashram participate in the unforgettable Homa
ceremony and Ganga Aarti (chanting, bhajan, kirtan). (B/D)

Day 11: Rishikesh – Delhi
Wake-up to participate in yoga class (optional). Spend the day exploring all Rishikesh has to offer before departure to Delhi. (B/D)

Day 12: Delhi – Varanasi
After breakfast transfer to airport for your flight to Varanasi. Enjoy a visit by rickshaw through the old city of Varanasi giving a fascinating insight into the rituals of Hindu spirituality. Every temple is well attended and every street corner has roadside shrines and vendors selling garlands, incense sticks and other items used in worship. In the evening attend a beautiful aarti (light ceremony) on the banks of the Ganges. (B/D)

Day 13: Varanasi
A visit to Varanasi reveals the spiritual heart of India, and the best way to experience this is to tour the Ganges in a country boat at sunrise. Pilgrims, yogis and mystics flock to the ghats (steps) which lie along the banks of the Ganges, to take a cleansing dip in India’s holiest river, to practice yoga, to meditate, or to complete mundane earthly chores such as washing clothes and vessels. After the boat ride, walk through the narrow alleys of the old city sharing space with cows, scooters, cycle rickshaws, shops and people. Enjoy a visit to Sarnath, the spiritual center of Buddhism (where Buddha gave his first sermon). The ancient ruins are fascinating, including the Dhamekh Stupa where it is believed to mark the spot where Buddha preached his famous sermon. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure to explore. (B/D)

Day 14: Varanasi – Khajuraho
Morning transfer to the airport for a flight to Khajuraho. Upon arrival visit the Classical Temples from Chandella Style of the 9th- 11th century, illustrated with remarkable sculptures of the classical erotic literature, the KAMA SUTRA. (B/D)

Day 15: Kahjuraho – Orchha – Agra
Drive to Orchhawhich was the capital of the kingdom of the Bundella Rajputs from 1531 to 1783. Visit Jahangir Mahal Palace, an Indo-Persian style palace of the Mughul period and the Ram Raja Temple, built in the 17th century Afterwards drive to Jhansi to board Shatabdi Express to Agra, the home of the awe inspiring Taj Mahal. (B/D)

Day 16: Agra
Enjoy a visit to the famous Taj Mahal by tonga ride to experience its beauty at sunrise and learn about its romantic history. Return to hotel for breakfast. Then enjoy an excursion to Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna, and Vrindavan, where Krishna spent his childhood. Drive to Vrindavan to visit Radha Raman, Madan Mohan, Govinda Mandir, Raga Ji Ashram to witness the religious ceremonies of music and chanting at a temple devoted to Krishna (B/D).

Day 17: Agra-Fatephur Sikri-Jaipur
Journey to Jaipur with a stop in Fatepur Sikri. Built in 1571, Fatehpur Sikri is one of the world’s most perfect ghost cities and a marvel of design and construction. It is a synthesis of the flourishing styles of the Persian courts and the prevailing Hindu-Islamic trends. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. Participate in a cooking class to learn (optional) B/D

Day 18: Jaipur
Spend the morning with a visit to the renowned Amber Fort and experience a grand elephant ride. In the afternoon, enter the pink city to view the popular Hawa Mahal, (Palace of Winds), the Jantar Mantar Astronomical Observatory, Ram Niwas Gardens, and the Maharaja’s City Palace. Enjoy a cultural evening with dinner and unforgettable show. B/D

Day 19: Delhi-Departure
Return to Delhi for International flight home. Once in Delhi have the chance to do last minute shopping at the best markets before your trip home. Some rooms will be reserved to freshen up before departure to airport. B/L/D