Spiritual tour of India

Welcome to India! As you arrive at Delhi’s International Airport you will be met and transferred to The Taj Mahal Hotel for two nights.

Delhi has of late emerged as one of India’s gateways to a whole new world of spiritualism. People may often confuse spiritualism with religion; however, these are two completely different set of ideologies and Delhi welcomes both with open arms. It is a place which leads the path towards a journey of religion and spiritualism and the areas around Delhi have seen hundreds of thousands of people travel the lands in search of spiritualism.

This morning you commence your private guided tour of Old Delhi, starting with rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, which was once the grandest of markets in India. During the tour of Old Delhi, you will visit the famous religious shrines belonging to different religions that coexist on one street.

After lunch you will be driven through Lutyen’s Delhi, driving past Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate and the Old Secretariat followed by a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Humayun’s Tomb, which was the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent.

Early this morning you will be transferred to the Delhi railway station for your train to Haridwar. The Shatabdi Express Train departs at 6:50am and arrives in Haridwar at 11:25am. You will be met and transferred to the Hotel Haveli Hari Ganga where you will spend two nights.

After lunch you will commence your tour by visiting the Chandi Devi Temple. This temple is one of the most ancient temples of India. You will continue on to a visit to Hari-Ki-Puri Ghatto witness the Ganga aarti.

You will end your day with a visit to a local market and then later walk back to your hotel.

This morning you will visit Laxmi’s Ashram and participate in a meditation / reflection and discussion session. Afterwards, lunch will be served at the Ashram.

After lunch, you are transferred by road to Rishikesh. In Rishikesh visit Ghat of Ganges to witness the Ganga aarti. The most well-known Ganga aarti in Rishikesh is held on the banks of the river at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram. Instead of being performed by pandits (local priests), the Ganga aarti at Parmarth Niketan is organized and performed by ashram residents, particularly the children who are studying the Vedas there. After the aarti ceremony you will return to your hotel.

Today you will be transferred to the Dehradun airport (approx. one- hour drive) for your flight to Delhi. You will be met at the Delhi airport and transferred to your hotel for the evening.

Your journey continues today as you are transferred back to the Delhi airport for your flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival in Varanasi you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Taj Gateway Ganges.

Once settled into your hotel, you will the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the late afternoon. In the evening, head to Dashashwamedh ghat for Ganga aarti, which differs from the aartis at Haridwar and Rishikesh.

This morning you will set out for a day excursion to Jaunpur, located northwest of Varanasi. After the visit return to Varanasi for a late lunch. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

This morning you are on your own to enjoy any independent activities before you fly to Kolkata in the afternoon. Kolkata has grown into the cultural capital of India. It’s a vibrant yet intimate city with a captivating soul. In addition, Kolkata is only city in India to have a tram car network, which adds to its old-world charm.

Upon arrival at Kolkata, you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Taj Bengal for three nights.

This morning you proceed on a city tour of Kolkatta starting with the visit to Parshwanath Jain Temple. After lunch you will visit the Victoria Memorial. At end of the tour visit St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Indo-Gothic designed cathedral took eight years to build and was completed in 1847. It was the first Episcopal Church of the Orient.

On your final day in Kolkata you will visit the Dakshineswar Kali Temple. Later visit Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, a branch of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture at Golpark. The Institute is well known for its philanthropic, educational and cultural activities. You will wrap up your day with a visit to Kumartuli, a traditionally potters’ quarter in northern Kolkata.

Today you will be transferred to the Kolkata airport for your flight to Delhi where you will connect your international flight home.