Spirit of India

We start by greeting you at Indira Gandhi International Airport and transferring you to your hotel. Should you arrive early we will explore the highlights of Delhi, and you are then free to enjoy an early evening at your hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel we will have a full day of sightseeing. We'll visit the magnificent spiritual complex at Akshardham, Jama Masjid mosque, beautiful marble and stone ISKCON Temple, the inclusive Lotus Temple, Sikh Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, and the ancient Shwethambar Jain Temple in Old Delhi. Of course throughout the day we will also drive by India Gate memorial, bustling Chandni Chowk, and Connaught Place.

Today we head to the Yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh, where we'll take a walking tour of the markets and and have a private astrology reading before checking into your hotel. Just prior to sunset we'll make our way to the evening aarti at the Ganges.

Following optional Yoga class and breakfast we take in the sights of Rishikesh including the Beatles Ashram, Laxman and Ram Jhulas and Kanjapuri Temple. In the afternoon/evening we have the opportunity to join in the schedule of Kirtan and Aarti with the Parmarth Niketan Ashram.

Today we have a full morning tour of Hardiwar including the Shantikunj Ashram, Jain Mandir, Daksha Mahadev Temple and take a cable car ride to the Mansa Devi Temple. In the afternoon you are free to relax, meditate, or stroll the Bara Bazaar. In the evening we will enjoy dinner with a local family.

Today we make our way to the magical city of Agra, stopping en-route at Krishna's birth place in Mathura to visit the Krishna Temple Complex. After checking into your hotel you can enjoy the amenities and relax for the evening.

We have an early start today. A rickshaw will greet us at the hotel and transport us to witness the Taj Mahal at sunrise. We will head back to the hotel for a late breakfast and check out before our rickshaw takes us to the UNESCO World Heritage, Agra Fort. After our busy start to the day we drive to Lucknow and check into your hotel for the evening.

Following a cultural walking tour of the numerous arts and crafts through the streets of Lucknow, we will visit the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple whereby our handwritten notes of problems and desires will be read by priests to Hanuman in order to remove obstacles. The afternoon and evening will be free for you to enjoy as you wish.

This morning we make our way to Ayodhya where we will have an afternoon walk of the ancient city and temples before ending the day with the evening aarti at the ghats. We will then check into our accommodations for the night.

Today we make our way to the spiritual capital of India, Varanasi. On arrival we will check into our accommodation and then spend the afternoon on a walking tour of the city. The evening is yours to spend as you please.

Today we rise early for a sunrise cruise on the Ganges. Following this we'll visit a series of famous temples such as Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple and Tulsi Manas Mandir. In the afternoon we head to Deer Park in Sarnath where Buddha first taught the Dharma. At dusk we enjoy the sacred aarti ceremony in the spiritual heartland before returning to the hotel for the evening.

Today you can choose between a village tour in nearby Daniyalpur or a day of yoga and worship at a local temple. In Daniyalpur we visit a local home for a traditional lunch and cooking demonstration followed by a tour of the mud houses, dairies, and Himalayan salt factory. Or, we will have a free morning before attending a traditional yoga class which begins with 2 hours of Hatha (at your level of practice), followed by pranayama breath techniques and light meditation. The practice ends with ritual worship at the temple.

After checking out of our hotel we make our way to Buddhas place of enlightenment, Bodh Gaya. Upon arrival we tour the expansive Maha Bodhi Temple Complex and the great Buddha statue. We then check into our hotel for last night of our Spirit of India tour and enjoy our final meal together, reminiscing about the experiences shared.

Following breakfast we check out of our hotel and drive you to Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport to make your way home.