INDIAN ART & CULTURE (15 Nights/16 Days)

In Indian mythology it is said that any tour that starts with a dip in the holy ganges at Haridwar will be very sucessful. This tour takes us to the holy city of Haridwar, the rafting camp at Rishekesh, Nawabi city of India Lucknow, Allahabad the city of confluence of the two holiest rivers of India Ganga & Yamuna. The oldest city of the world Varanasi. Sarnath the city of Buddhist Stupas & monasteries, the Forts & Palaces of central India, the sculptures of Khajurao, Cenotaphs of Kings of Orcha the monument of love the Taj Mahal. Wildlife at Panna National park. This tour is one of the most exhaustive tour which showcases the mystic & splendor of India.

Arrive Delhi. On arrival will be met at the airport by our representative who will accompany you to your hotel. In the afternoon a fter a short break we embark on our first journey to discover India. Our introduction to India will be by a " Rickshaw" a mode of transport used in small towns and in Old Delhi. We head for a guided city tour to the most interesting sights of the city that is the Red Fort a fort made of red sand stone which once housed the world famous PEACOCK throne and the Jama Masjid mosque. Welcome Dinner at the old Hauz Khas village complex overnight stay at the hotel.

We take the early morning superfast train Shatabadi for Haridwar. D eparts New Delhi Railway station at  0700 hrs. Arrives Haridwar at 1125 hrs. Drive 1 hr 30 mins from Haridwar  to the rafting Camp. Settle into Camp, Evening meeting and discourse with the teacher. Time to explore the camp & suroundings. Dinner & overnight in camp.

Morning first lessons in yoga start on the banks of the ganges. After breakfast lessons in white water rafting with few rapids thrown in. After lunch day at lesisure to visit nearby villages. Evening drive to Haridwar to see the magnificant Aarti at Har Ki Pauri the most sacred place for the Hindus. ( Aarti is the prayer offered at the end of the day with lit oil lamp accompanied by hypnotic music from the temple orchestra. These lamps are then released in the river as an offering presenting a sight as if stars from heaven had descended on to the River. Overnight at camp.

Lessons in Yoga continue we take on the rapids from 12 km above the camp down to Rishikesh. Lunch at the end of the trail. Later half of the day at leisure to explore the bazaars of Haridwar. Evening board the train to Lucknow, overnight train.

Arrive Lucknow the city of Nawabs. Check into hotel. After breakfast we take a tonga (horse drawn cart) just like the Nawabs of Avadh visit Bara Imambara built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula during the famine of 1784 ranks as a great architectural achievement of the muslim period. Then there is the Chota Imambara built as a tomb with glittering chandeliers, mirrors colourful stuccos and houses the kings throne. The Residency built in 1780 for the British Resident was the scene of fiercest battle of 1857 freedom movement. Apart from the architectural marvel and the lucknowi courtesy Lucknow is also famous world over for its traditional craftsmanship. The most famous art form is chikan work i.e. embroidery on cloth and zardozi.

Morning at leisure. Evening take the train to Allahabad. Arrive Allahabad at night transfer to hotel.

Early morning go to the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga Yamuna & mythological Sarswati. Take a boat to the confluence ( Sangam). You will see the hindu devotee offering prayer to these holy rivers & the sun god. Sangam is where every 12 years the Kumbh festival is staged. A lesser event is the yearly Magh Mela ( Jan/Feb) which is also no less. These festivals are a photographers delight with Sadhus (Ascetic) smoking their chillums. Allabhad Fort built by Akbar has many interesting tales to tell. The Patalpuri temple near the fort is one of the oldest temples. Hieun Tsang the Chinese traveler visited it in 7 th century. Allabhad museum has 18 gallieries displaying items from the 3 rd century BC. Evening to explore the bazaar. Overnight hotel.

Morning at leisure. Afternoon drive to Varanasi the holy city. Driving time 2 ½ hrs. Evening check into hotel. Sunset visit the ghats on the ganga to experience the evening arti just like we did it at Haridwar. Overnight at hotel.

Before sunrise again visit the ghats take a boat ride witness the hindu devotee offering water to the first rays of sun. Experience the hues of life on the banks of the ganga with a boat ride down the river. Return for breakfast to hotel. After breakfast visit the most revered Kashi Vishwanath temple. Alamgir Mosque a mix of Hindu & Mughal Styles of architecture. Benarus Hindu university probably the largestresidential campus of Asia. Ramnagar Fort the palace of the former Maharaja. Of special interest here are the Darbar Hall & Museum which houses an antique collection of palanquins, elephant saddles, arms etc: Evening at leisure.

Visit Saranath where Budha preached his first sermon. Chaukhandi Stupa where Budha met his first five disciples. Dhamek Stupa which has exquisite carvings from top to bottom built in Gupta style of architecture. This is where Budha instructed his five disciples. Archaeolgical museum which houses the statues excavted at Saranath. Varanasi is famous world over for its Benarsi work & Mirzapur carpets therefore evening will be at leisure to explore the bazaar of Kashi.

Flight to Khajurao the city of temples & sculptures. Arrive in the afternoon check in to hotel. Evening explore the temples. Overnight hotel.

Drive to Panna national park lunch on a tree top resturant on the banks of the river outside the national park . We will also try and visit the Panna Diamond mines . On return we take another trip to the other temple complex. Overnight at the hotel in khajurao.

Depart for Jhansi to take the train for Agra. Enroute stop over at Orcha. V isit the temple complex of Orcha and the centophas of the maharajas of Orcha evening catch train for Agra from Jhansi. Arrive Agra check in hotel. Overnight Agra.

Visit Sikandra the mouseleum of the greatest Mughal ruler Akbar. Later on visit Agra Fort a massive complex with exquisite work on pillars and ceiling. Emperor Shajahan the builder of Taj was held captive here by his son Emperor Aurangzeb who usurped the throne. It was from here that Emperor Shahjahn would view the Taj. From the fort we proceed to the Taj a monument of Love.

Drive back to Delhi. Enroute visit Vrindaband the land of Hindu god Krishna. Overnight Delhi hotel.

Day at leisure till its time to catch the flight back home.


Alternative Option
2 days trip to Jaipur