Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival / Delhi
Meeting and assistance upon arrival as our representatives welcome you and escort you to your car.
Whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would introduce the tour to you and hand over the documents to you.
Welcome to India, or as we say ‘atithi Devo bhava’ (the guest is an incarnation of God). Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you.
Overnight at Jaypee Siddhartha (Deluxe Room)
Day 2 : Delhi / Varanasi (Shiv Ganga Express – 1855 / 0650 Hrs)
cycle rickshaws
Now these are 3-wheel cycles with a sofa seat at the back. The Rickshawalla (Rickshaw driver) sits on a small cushion in the front and two passengers on the sofa seat behind. This is a remarkable way to explore and picture the hustle and bustle as well as the colour of the narrow winding streets bursting with people and pavement shops selling wares of all description - including a laughing set of dentures. The ride would be accompanied by peals of laughter both from the passengers as well as the onlookers.
Old Delhi
Old Delhi is one of the best places to observe the great colossal of cultural and social convergence of old and new. This itinerary is packed with visits to the Jamma Mosque (1650) and a drive through the fabled area of Chandni Chowk (aptly translates to Moonlight Square) where the throngs of shoppers and vendors meet in the oldest area of Delhi. Visit the Raj Ghat and nearby ghats where the founder of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi and thereafter Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were cremated.
The highlight of this tour would be a ride on cycle rickshaws. Now these are 3-wheel cycles with a sofa seat at the back. The Rickshawala (Rickshaw driver) sits on a small cushion in the front and two passengers on the sofa seat behind. This is a remarkable way to explore and picture the hustle and bustle as well as the color of the narrow winding streets bursting with people and pavement shops selling wares of all description - including a laughing set of dentures. The ride would be accompanied by peals of laughter both from the passengers as well as the onlookers. (Please do expect some shops closed on Sundays)
Varanasi
The city got its name from the two Rivers - Varuna and Assi - which meets here and happens to be the tributaries of the River Ganges. However, mention of Ganga is incomplete without the mention of the Spirituality of Varanasi where we witness the performance of rituals that define the very essence of a devout Hindu's life. These rituals have been performed and retained over centuries. Water is offered to the rising Sun, a dip in the Ganges for self-purification is undertaken, food to the departed souls are offered, head shaving, the sacred thread ceremony happens on the banks of Mother Ganges. The city also reflects the ultimate culmination of man's material existence. When the journey of life is achieved, the final and the most auspicious send-off to the other world happens from the Manikarnika Ghats (banks).
Following breakfast, we proceed on a guided tour of New Delhi
Later, we cross the city and into the walled gates of the Old City for a guided tour of Old Delhi.
The highlight of this tour would be a ride on cycle rickshaws.
Later, transfer to the train station to board your overnight train to Varanasi - as we feel the essence of real India.
Overnight Train.
Day 3 : Varanasi
Varanasi
The city got its name from the two Rivers - Varuna and Assi - which meets here and happens to be the tributaries of the River Ganges. However, mention of Ganga is incomplete without the mention of the Spirituality of Varanasi where we witness the performance of rituals that define the very essence of a devout Hindu's life. These rituals have been performed and retained over centuries. Water is offered to the rising Sun, a dip in the Ganges for self-purification is undertaken, food to the departed souls are offered, head shaving, the sacred thread ceremony happens on the banks of Mother Ganges. The city also reflects the ultimate culmination of man's material existence. When the journey of life is achieved, the final and the most auspicious send-off to the other world happens from the Manikarnika Ghats (banks).
performance of Ganges Aarti
We enjoy a special evening cruise on the Ganges. See the Hindu devotees performing the "Puja" with lighted lamps. The view is very mesmerizing and the ambiance is spectacular in the backdrop of the beating of cymbals and bells as well as the incessant chantings.
Meeting & assistance upon arrival in Varanasi, and later transfer to your hotel.
After wash & change, we will visit several temples and the Hindu University at Benares.
Evening, we visit the ghats of Varanasi to witness the performance of Ganges Aarti.
Later return to the hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel Rivatas By Ideal (Deluxe Room)
Day 4 : Varanasi
Varanasi
The city got its name from the two Rivers - Varuna and Assi - which meets here and happens to be the tributaries of the River Ganges. However, mention of Ganga is incomplete without the mention of the Spirituality of Varanasi where we witness the performance of rituals that define the very essence of a devout Hindu's life. These rituals have been performed and retained over centuries. Water is offered to the rising Sun, a dip in the Ganges for self-purification is undertaken, food to the departed souls are offered, head shaving, the sacred thread ceremony happens on the banks of Mother Ganges. The city also reflects the ultimate culmination of man's material existence. When the journey of life is achieved, the final and the most auspicious send-off to the other world happens from the Manikarnika Ghats (banks).
sacred Ganges for a boat ride
Every morning at dawn hundreds of worshippers can be seen bathing in the sacred waters of the Ganges. The great river banks are lined with an endless chain of stone steps—the Ghats—that stretch from one end of the city to the other. These Ghats form an impressive part of the religious landscape of the city. Proceeding downstream at a leisurely pace, you would be pointed out the significant temples and buildings as well as the changing architectural style. Life and death go hand in hand in Varanasi. While young people seek prosperity and protection from harmful influences, the older generation comes to Varanasi to cleanse their souls in the forgiving waters in preparation for their ultimate dissolution. Believing that anyone who dies in the river of life in Varanasi gains freedom from the cycle of birth and death, the City of Light has become a haven for the sick and aged waiting out their final days. The smoke that billows from the crematoriums on the edge of the river gives testimony to their final release from life’s earthly confines. We would dock our boat at Manikarnika (Cremation) Ghat. On any given day, anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred corpses are cremated here; the Ghat is assiduous with activity as the cremated bodies threw up smoke and fire.
set off on foot to explore the inner city
Through a twisted maze of narrow alleys, home to numerous shrines and pilgrim shops, we walk back a few centuries. Life here has stood still for years. The homes, the shops and even the cattle have not changed over the centuries. It is a brilliant nostalgic experience of timelessness!
Widows Ashram
We will have a different view of life at Widows Ashram, and how it can be so unfair to some. Since Varanasi is a religious city many Widow Ashrams are constructed by people who want to make charity, NGOs and government to give shelter to dying, helpless and old widows. Reason of such a big number of Widow Ashrams is also that widows are abandoned in Varanasi to die as it is believed that one who dies in Varanasi gets salvation. What will surprise you after meeting these widows is that they are not all from poor families. Some of them are from good middle class families who have been sent to Varanasi because of social beliefs related to the death of a women’s husband. The widows here have been rehabilitated, and are offered training in various crafts and skills. Hence, they have a feeling of worth and all is not lost.
Matri Bhawan
Matri Bhawan is the place where people arrive to die. People often take the “last train to Varanasi”. When people are old, sick or about to die, they arrive on their last leg on a train to Varanasi. Here, there are volunteers and NGOs who collect them at the station, and , bring them to places as Matri Bhawan. Matri means “Mother” and, Bhawan means “Home”. The old arrive at their Mother’s Home awaiting acceptance to paradise. This should be a unique aspect to your India tour.
At dawn, we visit the sacred Ganges for a boat ride.
Following the boat ride, we set off on foot to explore the inner city of Varanasi.
Evening, we will also visit Matri Bhawan and Widows Ashram.
Overnight at the Hotel Rivatas By Ideal (Deluxe Room)
Day 5 : Varanasi / Bodhgaya (245 Kms) (05 Hrs Drive)
Bodhgaya is the spiritual home of Buddhists
Bodhgaya situated near the river Niranjana is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centers since it was here that Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
After breakfast, we will drive to Bodhgaya.
Upon arrival check in to your Hotel
Bodhgaya - As the place of the Buddha's Enlightenment, Bodhgaya is the spiritual home of Buddhists.
Overnight at Royal Residency (Delux Room)
