Temples, Ganges & Ghats

Visit India's most holy sites and the mighty River Ganges - the mother of India - in this spiritual visit.

Fully escorted, private tour by

air conditioned vehicle and private driver.

from

$2,995

TEMPLES GANGES & GHATS

"She (India) has left indelible imprints on one fourth of the human race in the course of a long succession of centuries. She has the right to reclaim ... her place amongst the great nations summarizing and symbolizing the spirit of humanity. From Persia to the Chinese sea, from the icy regions of Siberia to Islands of Java and Borneo, India has propagated her beliefs, her tales, and her civilization!" - Sylvia Levi (French Scholar)

Temples, Ganges & Ghats by private car & driver

10 days | 9 nights | from $2995 USD

TOUR OVERVIEW

Make a spiritual pilgrimage to India where religion is deep-rooted and plays an integral part in daily life.

From the architecture and great monuments, to the hustle and bustle of daily life, you will be surrounded by the devotional influence of the world's major religions. Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Judaism, as well as communities of Jain and Parsi adherents are all represented in India. Western interest in Indian spirituality, Ayurvedic practice and yoga were born from this long sacred history and continue to fascinate us today.

This tour explores the devout cities and temples of North India and Varanasi. Join us, as we visit a holy Ashram in Rishikesh. Participate in morning yoga classes in Dehradun. Experience the Aarti ceremony in Hardiwar. Relax with private Ayurvedic treatments and have a early morning tour on the Ganges by boat.

Day 1 Arrive Delhi

Pick-up at airport and transfer to your New Delhi hotel.

Optional relaxing or sightseeing.

Car available on disposal.

Day 2 Sightseeing Delhi

Breakfast in your hotel. Starting in Delhi, we'll visit Ayurvedic Hindu Temple, The Lotus Temple, Qutb Minar and Jama Masjid. Late afternoon wind-down walk through Lodi Gardens. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Delhi.

Day 3 Delhi to Shimla

Connecting flight to Chandigarh. Driver pick-up from Chandigarh airport and transfer to your hotel. Sightseeing and dinner - Unesco site of the Capitol Complex built by French-Swiss architect Le Corbusier and visit to Rock Garden - artistic statuary site. Overnight Chandigarh.

Day 4 Shimla

After breakfast take a morning tour of the Lake area and then leave for Shimla - approx. 4 hours. On the way you will see stunning scenic vistas with many spots to stop for photos as you drive through the mountains. Lots of

restaurants en-route that your driver can stop at for your convenience.

Arrive Shimla and check in to your guesthouse. Walking tour of the Mall area. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Shimla.

Day 5 Rishikesh

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple; is a Hindu temple situated at a height of 1330 meters and is located about 32 km from Rishikesh.

The suspension Iron Bridge Lakshman Jhula was built in 1929. This is where Rama's brother Lakshman is said to have crossed the river on jute ropes. One can enjoy the spectacular surroundings & the cool breeze from the River while standing on the bridge.

Ram Jhula; another suspended bridge close to Lakshman Jhula is the Ram Jhula- This suspended bridge was recently built between Shivanand & Sawarg Ashram.

Geeta Bhavan; famous for its attractive paintings and statues from the Hindu mythology. Situated just across the Lakshman Jhula.

Day 6 Rishikesh

Breakfast in your hotel. Drive to Manali - stunning lakes, scenery and lookouts on the way during your full day journey. Arrive Manali and check-in to your hotel. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Manali.

Day 7 Hardiwar

Guided visit of Mansa Devi temple. The temple of Goddess Mansa Devi is situated at the top of Bilwa Parwat. The rope-way with its brightly colored cable cars, takes devotees to the old hilltop of Mansa Devi.

Witness spectacular view of evening (Aarti) at Har Ki Pauri.

This sacred bathing ghat is also known as Brahmakund.

Day 8 Varanasi

Breakfast in your hotel. Visit to the holy temples and hot springs in Manikaran Gurudwara where the water is hot enough to cook in! Bathing in the waters has special restorative powers and is recommended. On your way back to Manali stop at the fabulous Sanjha Chulha restaurant at the Himalayan Village Resort in the Kasol Valley. Beautiful outdoor setting above the Parvati river with excellent food and service. Overnight Manali.

Day 9 Varanasi

We start our day with an early morning boat ride on the sacred River Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and important religions. At sunrise the sight unfolds before us, thousands of faithful come daily to the banks to bathe and pray while in the background, temples and palaces rise in tiers from the water's edge.

After the boat ride, we visit the Golden Temple and walk through the narrow lanes of Varanasi. We will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Benares Hindu University, an internationally reputed temple of learning in Varanasi. This creative and innovative university was founded by the great nationalist leader, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya in 1916. It played a stellar role in the independence movement and has developed into the greatest center of learning in India. It has produced many great freedom fighters and builders of modern India and has contributed immensely to the progress of the nation through a large number of renowned scholars, artists, scientists and technologists who have graced its portals. Here will meet some of the students and faculty and a short lecture on the Hindu Religion.

Day 10 Varanasi to Delhi

Suitable for: The spiritual seeker. Culture, Ayurvedic and yoga buff.