North India Pilgrimage Tour

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
This tour is centered on two of the most important and ancient places which make up India's sacred geography. This tour takes you to Buddhist sites, erotic temples, Ashrams, river banks and asia’s best bird sanctuary and Taj Mahal – the Monument of love


Day 01 : Arrival Delhi
Arrive at New Delhi’s International Airport and transfer to hotel. 
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 : Delhi
Today you will visit various temples, a mosque and yoga ashrams.  Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 : Dehli / Patna / Bodh Gaya
On the morning, take an early morning flight southeast from Delhi to Patna, then transfer to our luxury coach for a drive south   through rural central Bihar State to Bodh Gaya. Bodh Gaya is the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment, and the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in the world. After hotel check-in, you will have a full-day guided tour of the area as we follow in the steps of the Buddha. In this large working Buddhist center, you will see the descendant of the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha sat, as well as numerous international Buddhist monasteries built in their respective country’s styles.  
Overnight at Hotel

Day 04 : Bodh Gaya / Varanasi
After breakfast, drive west from   Bodhi Gaya into Uttar Pradesh state and to Hinduism’s holiest pilgrimage city, Varanasi, the "City of   Light." Also known as Bewares or Kashi, Varanasi is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the   world. It is here that all Hindus aspire to come once in their lifetimes to bathe in the Ganges River from the ghats, or landings, all along the river. This act of worship releases the soul from earthly samsara, or the cycle of life, death and rebirth, caused by ignorance. We will have the opportunity   to perform this ritual release as we take a holy dip in the Ganges River. We will also enjoy an   inspiring sunrise boat ride along the river’s edge to view the temples and the ancient rituals of the   thousands of pilgrims who worship here daily. Free time will be given to roam this ancient city independently.
Afternoon you will also have the opportunity to visit the Buddhist   sacred site of Sarnath, where the Buddha taught his first sermon about the Four Noble Truths in   Deer Park. During our evenings in Benares, we will meet with scholars in fields such as Sanskrit, Ideology, Buddhism and Tantra. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 05 : Varanasi
Day in Varanasi to explore the city and temples. Overnight at hotel Day 06 : Varanasi / Khajuraho
On the afternoon take a short flight westward to the world-famous temple city of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh state. The erotic sculptures of   these 22 temples date back to the Chandela Dynasty of the 10th century AD. They have been   linked to everything from Tantric cults to Kama Sutra instruction to a carved depiction of the   marriage party of Shiva and Parvati. Regardless of their origins, they depict a joyful ode to the source of all life, and are India’s unique gift to the world. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 07 : Khajaraho / Agra / Mathura
Morning free for independent activities.  In the afternoon, take a short flight to the city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh state to visit the legendary Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This tastefully ornate and architecturally perfect mausoleum   was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and is said to be   the most extravagant monument ever built for love. In addition to the Taj, we will visit Agra Fort, the   Old City, and the nearby city of Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 08 : Mathura
Day to visit the temples.

Day 09 : Mathura / Agra / Fatehpur Sikri / Bharatpur
In the morning leave for the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, Built between 1569 and 1585  by the great Moghuls emperor Akbar, this unusual ghost city fuses both Hindu and Muslim artistic   traditions, in reflection of the unique tolerance of this Muslim emperor. It was abandoned after 16  years due to a shortage of water. In the afternoon, continue a short distance west into Rajasthan   state to arrive in the traditional town of Bharatpur, where we will stay in a beautiful heritage hotel, formerly owned by a royal family of Jaipur. This small town is also home to the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, a World Heritage site, and one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world. In the evening, walk down to the town to visit with the village inhabitants as they create hand-woven carpets.   Overnight at Hotel 

Day 10 : Bharatpur / Jaipur
At dawn on the morning of Day 10, enjoy a cycle rickshaw safari/boat ride in the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary. The 29 square kilometers of swamps and lakes here constitute one of the most important heronries in the world, with such species as the dazzling purple heron, the common grey and the tiny brown pond heron. Other species include orange-headed painted storks, snake-like darters, spoonbills, white ibis, egrets, coots, shovelers, widgeons, kingfishers, and grey pelicans. From October to March, the 120 species of Indian birds who live in the park year-round are joined by another 130 species from as far afield as the Russian steppes and Central Asia, including the rare Siberian crane, only 125 of which are estimated to   survive in the entire world. Along with birds, other species present include wild boar, mongoose, spotted deer, blue bulls, antelope, jungle cats, hyenas, jackal’s otters, pythons and Indian black buck. This is definitely a sanctuary that even non-birders will enjoy!
Day 11 : Jaipur / Delhi
In the morning, take a guided excursion through the Amber Fort and Raj Mahal Palace complex. Built by Raja Man Singh beginning in 1592, this ancient capital is a   superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake, which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Enjoy a sturdy uphill ride to the palace atop a   colorfully decorated elephant. In the palace, visit the Shila Mata Temple, dedicated to Goddess   Kali in her aspect as the Goddess of War. Later in the afternoon, drive back to Delhi in Uttar   Pradesh state, and check into hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 : Delhi / Haridwar / Rishikesh
Early on the morning travel north to   Haridwar, population 190,000, stopping along the way for lunch.  Haridwar is one of   the most important Hindu pilgrimage cities, and is filled with temples, ashrams, bathing ghats, ancient Indian study centers and sadhus residing there today. The name of the city literally means   "Gateway to the Gods," since it is situated at the base of the Shivalik Hills, where the River Ganges   comes down from the high abode of the Gods in the Himalayas, then passes through a gorge and   makes its way slowly across the plains to the Bay of Bengal. In Haridwar, visit the Mansa   Devi Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Shakti Durga, as well as the Goddess Mayadevi Temple, the Bharat Mata Temple and several ashrams. In the evening, participate in the Ganga arti   puja, a ritual ceremony combining the elements of fire and water. Later in evening, drive to nearby   Rishikesh. Overnight in the modern, clean and simple hotel/ Ashram.  

Day 13 : Rishikesh
"City of Sages." This holy Hindu pilgrimage city is oftentimes referred to as the   "Yoga Capital of the World, " and many seekers, including the Beatles, have come here over the   years to receive ancient wisdom. Early in the morning, take a holy dip in the Ganges River, and then   participate in classes on yoga, meditation and Hinduism. In the afternoon, visit the oldest temple in   Rishikesh, Bharat Mandir, as well as Nilkanth Mahadev Temple, situated on a hillside overlooking   the town, and Hanuman Mandir Temple, dedicated to the monkey god Hanuman. In the evening, enjoy a discourse from a scholar on Yoga. Overnight at hotel / Ashram.
Day 14 : Rishekesh – Delhi Airport
Morning free in Rishekesh, afternoon drive to Delhi international airport for flight to onward destinations