Day 1- Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi and meet the SITA representative at the arrival
hall. In the afternoon proceed on a tour of the capital
city. In the tour of the Old city visit Red Fort built by
Emperor Shah Jahan; see Jama Masjid, one of the largest
mosque in India, Raj Ghat- the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi
and Shanti Van; walk along Chandni Chowk, the silver street
of Delhi bustling with activity
Day 2- To Rishikesh
Leave early and drive 5 hours to Rishikesh- an important
point for beginning trips to Himalayan shrines Yamunotri,
Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. A tour of this place
will take you to Bharat Mandir the oldest temple; Nilkanth
Mahadev believed to be the place where Lord Shiva drank
the poison churned out of the cosmic ocean; Raghunath Mandir
and Triveni Ghat generally regarded as the most important
places for religious ceremonies in Rishikesh. Also visit
Chandreshwar Temple, Someshwar Temple, Lakshman and Shatrughan
temples, if time permits. Some better known Ashrams are
Sivanand Ashram started by Swami Sivanand, it has today
grown into the Divine Life Society with branches in India
and abroad; Yoga Niketan, an important meditation and Raja
Yoga center; Swargashram, Geeta Bhavan
Day 3- To Lucknow
Drive 35kms to Haridwar for Har-Ki-Pauri, the sacred ghat
constructed by King Vikramaditya in the memory of his brother
Bhartrihari. The temple of Chandi Devi atop the Neel Parvat
on the other bank of river Ganges was constructed in AD
1929 by Suchat Singh, the then King of Kashmir. The Vaishno
Devi Temple here is newly constructed and a true replica
of the original Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu. The Gurukul
Kangadi University is a center of learning where education
is imparted in the traditional Indian way. In the evening
connect an overnight train to Lucknow. Overnight onboard
Day 4- Arrive Lucknow
Arrive Lucknow in the wee hours. Transfer to hotel. In the
afternoon explore the city which was abode of the Nawabs
of Avadh. Visit great Imambara built in the 18th century.
Also visit The Lucknow Residency where the British Residents
lived
Day 5- To Allahabad
Travel to Allahabad by road. It has been a holy pilgrimage
for Indians for thousands of years. Renowned for its University
too, Allahabad has been responsible for giving the country
some of its national political leaders and many scholars.
Visit Sangam and Allahabad Fort with other attractions like
Patalipuri Temple and Ashok Pillar etc.
Day 6- To Sirsa
Early morning transfer to Sangam and switch over to your
boat for a half day cruise to Sisar. All meals would be
served on board the boat. On arrival in Sisar you will be
transferred to your hotel/ camp
Day 7- To Gopiganj
Cruise from Sirsa to Gopiganj . All meals would be served
on board
Day 8- To Chunar
Cruise along down to Chunar. Upon arrival, check-in at
guest house for overnight stay
Day 9- To Varanasi
Cruise from Chunar to Varanasi enroute visiting Fort Ramnagar
Palace. On arrival check-in at hotel for overnight stay.
During the course of the day you can visit Sarnath, an important
Buddhist pilgrimage point. Lord Buddha traveled to Sarnath
to preach his first sermon. It has many Stupas, Monastries
and temples. Overnight at the hotel
Day 10- In Varanasi
Enjoy a boat ride on River Ganges. The most important facet
of this holy city is the river and the Ghats lining its
southern bank in the city. From dawn to dusk the Ghats are
thronged by thousands of devotees, who perform their holy
rituals in the hope of attaining eternal salvation, the
‘Nirvana’. Also visit temples like Kashi Vishwanath dedicated
to Lord Shiva; Bharat Mata Mandir dedicated to Mother India;
Durga Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Durga; Alamgir Mosque-
originally a temple dedicated to Vishnu but now an odd mixture
of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles
Day 11- To Khajuraho
Travel by flight to Khajuraho today. In the afternoon proceed
on a city tour of Khajuraho. This city is renowned for its
magnificent temples built by the Chandela Kings. They are
divided into three- eastern, western and southern group
of Temples. Other noteworthy temples are Devi Jagadambe
Temple, Chitragupta, Ishwanat, Lakshmana, Varaha and Matangeshwara
Temple.
Day 12- To Agra
In time transfer to airport enable board flight for Agra.
Met and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Afternoon
visit the Taj Mahal. 20,00 workmen worked for 22 years to
complete this poetry in marble built by the Moghul Emperor
Shahjehan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine
her mortal remains; Visit Agra Fort, a blend of architectural
styles used during the reign of three emperors
Day 13- To Delhi
Morning depart for Delhi by road. A distance of 220kms will
be covered in four hours. In the afternoon proceed on tour
of the capital city. In the New city visit Qutab Minar,
the tallest stone tower in India, Humayun’s Tomb built in
the Indo Persian style and a predecessor to The Taj Mahal
in Agra, India Gate – A War Memorial Arch; Lakshmi Narayan
- a Hindu temple. Also drive past the Presidents house,
Parliament house, Government secretariat buildings and Connaught
place - the heart of New Delhi a busy shopping center
Day 14- Leave Delhi
In time transfer to airport enable board flight for onward
destination
