North India Spiritual Journey – 14 Days

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive Kolkata –Days of the British Raj

One of India’s most historic and cosmopolitan cities, Kolkata , once the capital of the British Raj, has been at the centre of activity of various civilizations. Large populations of Chinese, Armenian, Jewish, and other immigrant communities have all called Kolkata home, and the city’s stunning architecture pays testament to its social, political, and cultural richness.

• Evening Group arrival at Kolkata International airport
• Tour leader to meet and greet and transfer group to hotel in downtown Kolkata
• Evening supper at hotel (included meal)

Day 2 – Kolkata

• Morning breakfast and orientation meeting with Tour Director
• At approx. 11am sightseeing of Kolkata, including Mother Theresa Memorial, and Orphanage, Queen Victoria Memorial, Indian museum and the famous Flower & Spice Markets
• Lunch  at traditional local restaurant
• Afternoon relax free time and evening visit to local tmeple

Stay 2 nights Kolkata

Day 3 – Bodhgaya – Buddhism

The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient, Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, under the Bodhi tree 2500 years ago

• Depart at approx. 7:30am for transfer to Bodhgaya, the spiritual heartland of Buddhism
• Lunch provided in hotel on arrival
• Evening prayer and ceremony at Mahabodhi Buddhist Stupa with local monks and worshipers

Day 4 – Bodhgaya

• Sunrise group meditation and yoga class at hotel grounds
• Sightseeing in/around Bodhgaya, including the Big Buddha
• Afternoon local bicycle ride to visit the Tibetan markets
• Evening meditation session at the famous Root Institute of Wisdom
• Dinner provided at hotel

Stay 2 nights in Bodhgaya

Day 5 – Varanasi – The Holy Hindu City

Varanasi, also known as Benares or Kashi, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the spiritual capital of North India. Located on the Ganges River, Hindu pilgrims from around the country believe to die in Varanasi ensures an end to the circle of re-birth or re-incarnation.

• Depart at 07:30am for a scenic rural drive to Varanasi, the spiritual heartland of Hinduism
• Arrive by lunch. Check into hotel. Afternoon rest/free time
• Sunset guided walk along the famous “ghats” on the  Ganges River to witness the Burning Ghats
• Dinner provided at local restaurant

Day 6 – Varanasi – Kashi Vishwanath Temple – Private Group entry

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples  in North India dedicated to Lord Shiva.  Normally sacred to devout Hindu’s only, our guide is able to take a few people each time into the inner sanctum of this incredible holy site.

The opportunity to experience the energy of this temple is unlike any other experience in India.

• Sunrise entry to the Holy Vishwanath Hindu “Golden Temple” which houses the worlds oldest “Shiva lingam” devoted to Lord Shiva
• Return to hotel for group breakfast
• Meet in reception at 10:30am for further sightseeing tour in/around Varanasi
• Sunset boat ride to witness Holy Hindu Arti ceremony on Ganges. Arti is a fire ceremony ritual devotion conducted by Hindu priest in worship to Mother Ganga

Day 7 – Varanasi

• Either Golden Temple visit or Sunrise boat trip on Ganges River to witness the local bathing and morning puja and prayers and Burning ghats
• The burning Ghats in Varanasi cremate approx. 300 bodies per day. Hindus and pilgrims from all over India travel to spend their remaining days in Varanasi.
• Group breakfast back hotel
• After lunch sightseeing excursion to Sarnath, where Buddha first preached the 4 Noble Truths to his disciples in the 5^th Century B.C. after reaching Enlightenment in Bodhgaya
• Afternoon FREE time & dinner at local restaurant

Stay 3 nights in Varanasi

Day 8 – Rishikesh – The home of Yoga & Spirituality

• After breakfast , check out of hotel and transfer to Varanasi airport for flight to Rishikesh
• Taxi pickup and transfer to resort overlooking the Ganges, relax, FREE time

• sunset yoga & meditation class and/or Ayurvedic treatment |massage
• Dinner at resort, followed by evening sightseeing of town and Ganges River

Days 9 & 10 – Rishikesh

• Sunrise visit  to Rishikesh Ashram home to Sadhu and Holy men
• Walk back to hotel for breakfast
• Today we go on an excursion to visit the Beatles Ashram
• In Feb 1968, the English rock band the Beatles travelled to Rishikesh to take part in a Transcendental Meditation (TM) training course at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The visit followed the group’s denunciation of drugs in favour of TM and received widespread media attention, today it is beautiful artistic museum

3 nights in Rishikesh

Days 11 & 12 – New Delhi – The Nation’s Capital

• Checkout of hotel and transfer to airport for morning flight back to Delhi
• Airport pickup and transfer to hotel
• Rest of day local sightseeing in and around Old & New Delhi, including a visit to Mahatma Ghandi tomb and the glorious Jama Masjid mosque
• Evening visit and chanting time at a glorious Sikh Gurdwara Temple

Stay 2 nights Delhi

 

Day 13 – Agra |Taj Mahal – The temple of Love

The Taj Mahal is an enormous mausoleum complex commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his beloved wife.

• Early departure in group bus Delhi to Agra (approx. 3hrs)
• Check into hotel for lunch and rest
• Evening easy walk along the Agra riverside to view the Taj from a unique angle in a local village.
• Optional Boat ride on the Yamuna River
• Evening visit a cultural music emporium for shopping of artifacts, gemstones and carpets

Stay 1 night in Agra

 

Day 14  – Agra | Delhi | Fly back to Australia

• Sunrise entry into Taj Mahal to witness the beautiful sunrise hue shinning on the marble
• Back to hotel for breakfast and checkout
• En-route back to Delhi, we shall stop to see Agra Fort and then continue to Delhi airport to connect with international flights back to Australia.

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Package Tour Includes:

• Group pickup & transfer at international airports
• All private group transport in local vehicles /mini buses for entire tour
• All sightseeing entrance fees
• All 4* hotels based with breakfast included
• Meals – 1 main vegetarian meal per day (either lunch or dinner guided by tour leader)
• Sightseeing excursions with Tour Director and/or local guides as per itinerary
• Domestic Economy flights for group from Varanasi to Rishikesh then to Delhi
• yoga classes with local Indian yoga teachers
• All bottled mineral water provided at whilst travelling in vehicles
• Tipping – for the drivers and tour leader
• Tour Director full duration of tour

Tour Package cost excludes:

• International Flights
• Local Payment – $20 per person
• Indian Tourist eVisas
• Travel insurance (compulsory)
• Any shopping or items of personal nature
• Any drinks, including bottled mineral water, soft drinks, tea/coffee or alcohol
• Any expenses/costs caused by factors beyond Tiwari Travel control such as tour or flight cancellations