Day 01 - Arrival Delhi
Meeting and greet on arrival and transfer to the hotel
Delhi - the capital city of modern India has behind it centuries of history, which has enriched its culture. Nowhere has tradition blended with modernity on a scale as evident in Delhi. Age-old monuments stand side by side with ultra modern high-rise buildings. Delhi has been the seat of power for centuries. Today the old and new city combine to present a harmonious whole offering the traveller elegant shops, broad laburnum-lined avenues, sun warmed elegant forts and mosques that were once stronghold of Mughal powers and colourful bazaars.
Day at leisure
Overnight at The Residence or The Muse
Day 02 – In Delhi
Breakfast at hotel
Morning: In Old Delhi visit the Jama Masjid and Red Fort. Also drive past Chandni Chowk. Later visit Raj Ghat & Shanti Vana the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
Afternoon: The New Delhi sightseeing will comprise of a visit to the Qutab Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial), Lakshminarayan temple (modern Hindu temple), drive past the President’s house, Parliament house and Secretariat buildings.
Overnight at The Residence or The Muse
Day 03 – Delhi – Haridwar – Parmarth Niketan
Morning: Shatabdi Express Train to Haridwar (breakfast on train)
Arrive Haridwar meet and visit the town
To experience Haridwar is to know that beyond the superficial sophistry of politically correct contemporary Hinduism lies a faith as simple as the contours of a lily in full bloom, as old as the abode of the Gods amidst the northern snows. Called the “Gateway to the Gods” Haridwar is situated at the base of the Shivalik hills of Uttar Pradesh. An aura of divinity surrounds this sacred town where the Ganga is believed to wash away the sins of millions who take a dip in its holy waters. Tradition traces the origins of the town to the great penance performed by King Shweta, Lord Shiva’s father-in-law. Daksha Prajapati also performed a yagna here. Again, it is here that the Devas brought the pitcher of nectar to foil the designs of the Rakshasas. Besides being an important pilgrim centre of the Hindus, Haridwar is a major adventure sports circuit offering possibilities for river rafting, tracking and mountaineering. It is also known world over for its herbal remedies and Ayurveda (the ancient Indian science of medicine).
Drive onto Rishikesh (40 kms / 1 hr) – situated at the confluence of the Chandrabagha and the Ganges rivers, the holy city of Rishikesh marks the starting point of the holy Hindu pilgrim route. Muni-ki Reti or literally “Sand of the Sages” is said to be a blessed site since the ancient sages meditated at this spot. Rishikesh has several famous ashrams including the Shivananda Ashram, the Shanti Kunj Ashram and Parmarth Niketan, which offer courses in India’s ancient knowledge systems.
The ancient system of holistic healing called Yoga is a Sanskrit word derived from the Sanskrit root “yuj” which means to connect, join or balance. Over 2,000 years ago, the sage Patanjali known as the “Father of Yoga” formulated a series of physical postures called “asanas” which along with controlled breathing and meditation “pranayama” were meant to set the individual on the path to self- realisation. Ever since then, yoga has been practiced widely by ascetic and non- ascetics alike. It calms and focuses the mind and helps to combat the stress of daily life by stimulating blood circulation and relaxing nerves & muscles.
Yoga became popular in the West in the late 1960s when the Beatles paid a visit to the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Ashram in Rishikesh. Today, with its plethora of yoga ashrams, Rishikesh is widely referred to as the yoga capital of the world.
An international Yoga week is held here every February and arrangements can be made to attend the Yoga festival for which advance bookings must be done.
Overnight: Parmarth Niketan Ashram – Rishikesh
Day 04 – 07 Parmarth Niketan
In the Yoga Ashram
Situated on the banks of the river Ganges and surrounded by beautiful gardens, the Parmarth Niketan is one of the most well-renowned yoga ashrams of Rishikesh. It has a separate section dedicated to the practice of yoga and holds classes for beginners, advanced practitioners as well as training for teachers. There are classes in Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, and lectures on Patanjali’s “yogic sutras”.
Other daily activities include universal morning prayers, meditation classes, chanting and hymns, lectures, cultural programs and the famous Ganga arti ceremony at sunset on the river.
Visitors will discover ashram life and also the holy city of Rishikesh with its numerous temples and colourful markets. Meals will be simple, nutritious, vegetarian and no alcohol.
Overnight: Parmarth Niketan Ashram – Rishikesh
Day 08 – 10 Himalayan Hideway / Glass House on Ganges
After this enriching experience and cultural immersion, drive 23 kms north of Rishikesh, for a quiet retreat in the forested hills above the Ganga river. Stay at the charming Himalayan Hideway or the Glass House on the Ganges.
Nestled among the Himalyan foothills with the Ganga for company and surrounded by forests of Sal is The Himalayan Hideaway. A unique lodge comprising of 10 rooms, offers deluxe accommodation with cottages and rooms scattered over a sloping acre of Sal forest and 150 metres above the sacred river Ganges. It offers a peaceful and quiet retreat in the forest. The Chakra Abode offers massages and ancient rejuvenation therapies to soothe your body, mind and soul and also makes for a perfect yoga retreat.
The Glass House on the Ganges is set among the lychees and mango orchard of the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal with a garden of tropical plants, rare birds and butterflies. With a sand beach of its own, this secluded property has six cottages overlooking the Ganga. The Glass House offers reading, leisure, log-fires and barbeques as well as being the perfect personal yoga retreat.
Mornings & Evenings: daily yoga & meditation self – practice. (It may be possible to arrange a personal yoga instructor each morning at extra cost)
Day time at leisure to explore the surroundings. Experts will take you on hikes and gentle walks into the forest, on bird-watching trips, for kayaking, angling, and rafting on the Ganga. (There is the possibility to stay one night in a luxury camp in a pristine river setting on silver sands of the Ganges).
Overnight: The Himalayan Hideaway or The Glass House on the Ganges
Day 11 – Rishikesh – Haridwar – Delhi
After breakfast, say good-bye to the serene forests of Rishikesh and drive down to Haridwar to take the Shatbadi Express Train back to Delhi leaving at 1830 hrs.
On arrival Delhi – meet and transfer to a Delhi hotel.
Overnight: The Residence or The Muse
Day 12 – Depart Delhi
Free day in Delhi for shopping, visit to the museums, art galleries….
Late evening transfer to airport for return flight.
Price should be from €1900.00 per person Single supplement from €550.00.
Price includes
Meeting & Assistance on arrival / departure at Airport / Hotel
Arrival / Departure transfers using AC Transportation as mentioned above
Services of English speaking guide during the necessary visits with entrances in Delhi
Accommodation for total 11 nights on twin sharing basis with daily breakfast in Delhi & Full Board basis in Rishikesh
Train Fare Delhi – Haridwar – Delhi in AC Chair Car Class
All presently applicable taxes including service tax
International airfares
Excudes
Any services other than the ones mentioned above
Visa charges
Any extras like table drinks, telephone calls, any tips, laundry etc or any other items of personal nature
Still camera or video camera fees
Any tips to drive /guide /escort
Any tips to guide / driver
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