India Spiritual Tour – IST11
On this Spiritual Tour, you will be charmed by Kolkata, the cultural capital of India. It is a vibrant yet intimate city, full of captivating soul. Experience the Ganges in Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world and the most important spiritually. Rejuvenate your mind and body at a resort near Rishikesh, the yoga capital of the world. Delhi is a place which leads the path towards a journey of religion and spiritualism.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Kolkata
Upon arrival at Kolkata airport you will be and chauffeured to hotel Oberoi Grand Kolkata. The hotel offers the ultimate classical Victorian architecture and charm with state of the art amenities and facilities.
Accommodations: Oberoi Grand Kolkata, Premier Room
Day 2 – Kolkata
Kolkata flowered as the capital of British India during the nineteenth century, the heyday of the Raj. The streets of Kolkata still bear the Victorian imprint with its streets lined with Victorian gothic buildings and churches.
Start your day on a walking tour to the city’s vibrant flower market, synagogues and Dalhousie Square. Take in the Victoria Memorial, followed by a stop at the Jaggu Bazaar and the Balaram Mallick sweet shop, one of the oldest sweet makers in Kolkata. Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral with its exquisite scriptural scenes including Florentine frescos. Embark on a boat cruise up the river Hoogly in a private boat with a ring-side view of the myriad happenings on the river’s ‘Ghats’.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Oberoi Grand Kolkata, Premier Room
Day 3 – Kolkata
Today’s tour takes you to Calcutta Jain Temples. The complex of 4 ornate temples is unique with its shimmering mirrors, ceramic tiles and chandeliers brought from far-away lands..
Continue to The Marble Palace, perhaps the most bizarre of the Bengali mansions of this area. Built in 1835 by Raja Rajendra Mullick, a wealthy Bengali merchant with a passion for collecting works of art. In the grounds find exotic Indian birds including peacocks, hornbills, pelicans and several species of deer. Proceed to the calm, intellectual heart of the Bengali Quarter, and museum of the multi-talented famous Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
In the afternoon visit Kumartul. This unique artisan village dates back 400 years. It is the lifeblood of Bengal’s biggest festival and keeps the Puja fervor alive among Bengali communities in other countries.
Make a stop at Mother Theresa Missionaries of Charity, formed in 1950. Today it consists of over 4,000 nuns providing care and support to the sick and aged, as well as abandoned children.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Oberoi Grand Kolkata, Premier Room
Day 4 – Varanasi
After breakfast, transfer to Kolkata Airport for flight to Varanasi. You will be met and transferred to Hotel Taj Gateway.
Varanasi’s unique culture is associated to the river Ganges, where life and death intermingle. People flock the ghats, praying with the belief that bathing in the waters of the sacred river will result in the remission of their sins. In addition, the ashes of the dead are scattered in the water to break the cycle of reincarnation. The city is considered one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world and one of the holiest in Hinduism.
A sunset boat ride in the evening rewards with the magical sight of the ganga aarti ceremony. Every evening, the Ganges comes alive with the magic of the aarti (worship with fire), as lamps are lit, prayers are offered, and small candles are floated down the river.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Taj Gateway, Executive Room
Day 5 – Varanasi
Arise early for a yoga demonstration at Assi Ghat as the sun rises. If you wish to join in, you may do so. Follow this with a boat trip downstream in the early morning light. Witness the cycle of life on the ghats (steps) of The Ganges.
Return to the hotel for breakfast and proceed on short excursion to Sarnath. This is where Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon about the basic principles of his philosophy which later became Buddhism. The site houses a number of Stupas, excavated ruins of monasteries and a rich collection of sculptures. The city is considered one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world and one of the holiest in Hinduism.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Taj Gateway, Executive Room
Day 6 – Rishikesh
Morning transfer to the Varanasi airport for your flight to Dehradun and road transfer to Taj Rishikesh. The resort sits on the banks of the Ganges. This beautiful property is set in the foothills of the Himalayas and approximately 45 minutes from the famous Spiritual and Yoga capital of Rishikesh.
The property comprises a 20,000 sq feet wellness sanctuary with spa and a yoga pavilion. Two swimming pools (one adult and one children’s) are located close to the spa and overlook the path down to the Ganges. 4 restaurants offer locally sourced organic food. Rejuvenate with morning and evening yoga classes.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Taj Rishikesh, Deluxe Room
Day 7 – Rishikesh
Experience every day one hour of yoga with a private instructor from 0630 Hrs to 0730 Hrs in the morning and then again from 1630 Hrs to 1730 Hrs in the evening. You may wish to opt for some of the various spa therapies at the resort. Attend evening aarti ceremony at bank of Ganges at your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Taj Rishikesh, Deluxe Room
Day 8 – Rishikesh
Today we will take a day trip to the town of Rishikesh. One of India’s seven Hindu holy cities, Rishikesh is home to many ashrams offering spiritual learning, yoga and meditation. It is also known as The Yoga Capital of the World. At sunset, visit Parmarth Ashram to witness the spectacle of Ganga Aarti.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Taj Rishikesh, Deluxe Room
Day 9 – Delhi
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be met and will be chauffeured to your 5 star hotel, The Imperial. The hotel is located in the centre of India’s cosmopolitan capital city.
In the afternoon, take an excursion to visit Sikh Gurudwara. You may watch or participate in the Langar service at a Gurudwara. The Langar kitchen helps to feed the poor and needy. Next, proceed on a walking tour of Salaam Balak Trust. The trust runs 5 shelters for children, two being devoted to girls. These shelters provide the children security and a home.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Imperial Hotel New Delhi, Heritage Room
Day 10 – Delhi
Commence on a private tour of the city. Start with Humayun’s Tomb, the first garden tomb in the Indian subcontinent and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tomb is a complex of buildings built as the Mughal Emperor Humayun’s tomb.
Carry on past Rashtrapati Bhawan (President House), the official residence of the President of India. Next is India Gate, a stone arch of triumph bearing the names of 85,000 Indian Army soldiers who died in the campaigns of WW I and other wars.
Afternoon takes you on a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi. It was once the grandest of markets in India. Even though today Chandni Chowk appears choked with congestion, it retains its historical character. Follow this with Khari Baoli spice market, operating since the 17th century. Make a stop at Jama Masjid, built in 1650 and one of the largest mosques.
Carry on to sample some street food. The flavours of the streets of Delhi are well known, as it is the home of street food.
Late evening departure transfer from the hotel International airport for your flight back home. You will have use of your hotel room until it is time for your departure to the airport. Or it is at your disposal until the next morning.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Imperial Hotel New Delhi, Heritage Room
Day 11 – Depart
If you have no flight to catch during the previous late night or early morning hours, you will have access to your room until 12:00 noon. Subsequently, an airport transfer is provided. End of services.
Meals included: Breakfast
