FAITHS AND MODERN INDIA
Delhi – Rishikesh – Haridwar – Amritsar – Dharamshala – Delh
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Discover the secrets of the bazaars of Old Delhi including India’s largest mosque, the Jama Masjid
- Enjoy witnessing the noisy and colourful aarti on the banks of the Gangs in the holy city of Haridwar
- Take a yoga or meditation class beside the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh, the Yoga capital of the world
- Explore the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of Sikhism in Amritsar
- Explore Dharamsala, in the Himalayan foothills and capital of the Tibetan Government in exile
- Enjoy the delicious cuisines influenced by these different religions and cultures
Begin your journey from the bustling capital of India, with its rich culture, archeology and great steet food! Travel to the foothills of the Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand – discover Rishikesh, the yoga capital of the world, and enjoy the spectacle of the evening aarti in Haridwar, one of India’s holiest cities. Amristar in the state of Punjab, you’ll visit the holiest of Sikh temples, the Golden Temple, with its 24 our community kitchen, while the Himalayn town of Dharamsala, is rich in Buddhism with the establishment of the Tibetan Government in exile and the home of the Dalai Lama, the pine clad mountains flutter with colourful prayer flags.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
Day |
Activity |
City |
Accommodation type |
|
1 |
On arrival at Delhi airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. |
Delhi |
Luxury / Boutique / Heritage |
|
2 |
Morning at leisure. Afternoon visit Gandhi Smriti, the location of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination. was martyred, and is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. Visit the National Museum and the wonderful Crafts Museum followed by drive through Lutyen’s Delhi |
Delhi |
Luxury / Boutique / Heritage |
|
3 |
Morning tour of Old Delhi – visit the busy bazaars and spice market, take a cycle rickshaw, try some mouth watering street food visit the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque |
Delhi |
Luxury / Boutique / Heritage |
|
4 |
After breakfast, transfer to airport to board flight for Dehradun then drive to Rishikesh. Afternoon walk along the Ganges, returning by boat. |
Rishikesh |
Standard / Moderate |
|
5 |
Begin the day with a morning yoga or meditation session on the banks of the river. After breakfast, drive through the sacred confluence of the two major rivers that form the Ganges at Devprayag & visit the Raghunath temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Ram. In the evening join worshipers at the Ganges evening ‘aarti’. |
Rishikesh |
Standard / Moderate |
|
6 |
Morning meditation beside the banks of the Ganges then meet Hindus scholars where you can discuss their beliefs and practices in more depth. After lunch drive to Haridwar, which is one of the 7 holiest cities of Hindusim, and evening witness a very different evening aarti – one of the most authentic and un-touristy – which takes place with thousands of pilgrims every evening and is worth the journey. |
Haridwar |
Standard / Moderate |
|
7 |
This morning take a walk along the Har ki Pauri, on the banks of the Ganges. After lunch board Jan Shatabdi Express train to Amritsar. Met upon arrival in Amritsar and transfer to your hotel for check-in. |
Amritsar |
Luxury / Standard / Moderate |
|
8 |
Visit the Jallianwala Bagh, the site of a horrific massacre by British soldiers of innocent bystanders, followed by a visit to the beautiful Golden Temple, where you can enjoy a lunch in the free community kitchen. |
Amritsar |
Luxury / Standard / Moderate |
|
9 |
This morning drive to Dharamsala. Upon arrival check-in the hotel. Afternoon at leisure. |
Dharamsala |
Standard / Moderate |
|
10 |
After breakfast, visit the Temple of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in McLeod Ganj. Walk through the town and the market established and run by Tibetan refugees. After lunch, visit the Tibetan Children’s Village. |
Dharamshala |
Standard / Moderate |
|
11 |
This morning after breakfast at hotel, drive to lower Dharamshala and visit the quaint market, the handicrafts center at the Norbulingka Institute, the library archives and the monasteries around Dharamshala. See artisans at work including Tangkha painters and makers of sacred objects. |
Dharamshala |
Standard / Moderate |
|
12 |
Transfer to Kangra Airport to board flight to Delhi, transfer to hotel for check-in. |
Delhi |
Luxury / Boutique / Heritage |
|
13 |
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home |
Travel home |
|