Itinerary

Day 1 Delhi

Delhi is a city of dramatic contrasts, and is the most popular starting point for any tour of India. A tour to Old Delhi includes the Red Fort and the mosque of Jama Masjid with a stroll through the bazaars of Chandni Chowk ("Moonlit Square"). A New Delhi travel includes the Humayun's Tomb, in many ways the precursor of the Taj Mahal, the India Gate, a memorial dedicated to the unknown soldiers who laid their lives in the World War I, the President's House, and the Parliament House.

Relax and enjoy an airport transfer in a private vehicle, with driver, and English-speaking assistant.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

The Claridges is a centrally located, elegant property close to the Rashtrapati Bhawan and the city's business and shopping districts. The hotel is situated near the New Delhi Train Station, domestic airport and the international airport. The hotel offers 162 comfortable and spacious guestrooms that are complete with a range of modern amenities. Dine in elegance at any of the onsite restaurants, serving a variety of delicious dishes. The bar provides the ideal setting for you to relax with a refreshing cocktail. Leisure facilities include a health club, swimming pool, tennis court and shopping arcade.

Overnight at The Claridges (City Center).

Day 2 Rishikesh

Rishikesh is a holy city for Hindus and a famous centre of pilgrimage. It is known as the gateway to the Himalayas and is located 25 km away from Haridwar. Rishikesh is the starting point for traveling to the sites that form the Char Dham pilgrimage — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. The sacred river Ganga flows through the city. In fact, it is here that the river leaves the Shivalik mountains Himalayas, and flows out into the plains of northern India. Several temples can be found along the banks of the Ganges. Sometimes nicknamed "the world-capital of Yoga", it has numerous yoga centres.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Rishikesh. Morning drive to Rishikesh 222 kms about six hours via the holy city of Haridwar is considered the starting point for traveling to the sites that form the Char Dham pilgrimage - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.

Yoga Niketan Trust was founded by Swami Yogeshwaranand Paramahans. He was the master of Raj Yoga and he is the only Indian so far who has been granted Honorary Presidentship of International League of Yoga under UNESCO.

Overnight at Yoga Niketan Ashram.

Day 3 Rishikesh

Enjoy Morning & Afternoon Yoga classes. The education is based totally in Patanjali yoga shastra. The main activity of the Ashram is to train and provide guidance in the practice of Patanjali's eight fold paths. This includes physical, mental and spiritual training.

Overnight at Yoga Niketan Ashram.
    
Day 4 Rishikesh

Enjoy Morning & Afternoon Yoga classes. The education is based totally in Patanjali yoga shastra. The main activity of the Ashram is to train and provide guidance in the practice of Patanjali's eight fold paths. This includes physical, mental and spiritual training.

Overnight at Yoga Niketan Ashram.
    
Day 5 Rishikesh

Enjoy Morning & Afternoon Yoga classes. The education is based totally in Patanjali yoga shastra. The main activity of the Ashram is to train and provide guidance in the practice of Patanjali's eight fold paths. This includes physical, mental and spiritual training.

Overnight at Yoga Niketan Ashram.
    
Day 6 Rishikesh

Enjoy Morning & Afternoon Yoga classes. The education is based totally in Patanjali yoga shastra. The main activity of the Ashram is to train and provide guidance in the practice of Patanjali's eight fold paths. This includes physical, mental and spiritual training.

Overnight at Yoga Niketan Ashram.
    
Day 7 Rishikesh

Enjoy Morning & Afternoon Yoga classes. The education is based totally in Patanjali yoga shastra. The main activity of the Ashram is to train and provide guidance in the practice of Patanjali's eight fold paths. This includes physical, mental and spiritual training.

Overnight at Yoga Niketan Ashram.
    
Day 8 Rishikesh

Enjoy Morning & Afternoon Yoga classes. The education is based totally in Patanjali yoga shastra. The main activity of the Ashram is to train and provide guidance in the practice of Patanjali's eight fold paths. This includes physical, mental and spiritual training.

Overnight at Yoga Niketan Ashram.
    
Day 9 Rishikesh

Enjoy Morning & Afternoon Yoga classes. The education is based totally in Patanjali yoga shastra. The main activity of the Ashram is to train and provide guidance in the practice of Patanjali's eight fold paths. This includes physical, mental and spiritual training.

Overnight at Yoga Niketan Ashram.
    
Day 10 Rishikesh

Enjoy Morning & Afternoon Yoga classes. The education is based totally in Patanjali yoga shastra. The main activity of the Ashram is to train and provide guidance in the practice of Patanjali's eight fold paths. This includes physical, mental and spiritual training.

Overnight at Yoga Niketan Ashram.
    
Day 11 Rishikesh

Enjoy Morning & Afternoon Yoga classes. The education is based totally in Patanjali yoga shastra. The main activity of the Ashram is to train and provide guidance in the practice of Patanjali's eight fold paths. This includes physical, mental and spiritual training.

Overnight at Yoga Niketan Ashram.
    
Day 12 Rishikesh

Enjoy Morning & Afternoon Yoga classes. The education is based totally in Patanjali yoga shastra. The main activity of the Ashram is to train and provide guidance in the practice of Patanjali's eight fold paths. This includes physical, mental and spiritual training.

Overnight at Yoga Niketan Ashram.
    
Day 13 Rishikesh

Rishikesh is a small town in the northern state of Uttarakhand in India. Scenically located where the Ganges River comes down from the Himalayas, Rishikesh catapulted to Western fame when the Beatles dropped by for a visit to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram (now closed), and the town is still known as the World Capital of Yoga. Rishikesh is the gateway and the starting point for pilgrim routes to the four dhams of Uttarakhand -- Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The whole place is considered to be sacred as it is believed that meditation at this place leads to attainment of salvation. There are many temples-some ancient, some new along the river Ganges. The River side is dotted by the ashrams of Sadhus and sages.

Enjoy Morning & Afternoon Yoga classes. The education is based totally in Patanjali yoga shastra. The main activity of the Ashram is to train and provide guidance in the practice of Patanjali's eight fold paths. This includes physical, mental and spiritual training.

Overnight at Yoga Niketan Ashram.
    
Day 14 Delhi

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Delhi.

The Claridges is a centrally located, elegant property close to the Rashtrapati Bhawan and the city's business and shopping districts. The hotel is situated near the New Delhi Train Station, domestic airport and the international airport. The hotel offers 162 comfortable and spacious guestrooms that are complete with a range of modern amenities. Dine in elegance at any of the onsite restaurants, serving a variety of delicious dishes. The bar provides the ideal setting for you to relax with a refreshing cocktail. Leisure facilities include a health club, swimming pool, tennis court and shopping arcade.

Overnight at The Claridges (City Center).
    
Day 15 Delhi

Private guided tour of Taj Mahal, the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife and queen Mumtaz Mahal. Also visit ancient ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, the "City of Victory" was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years. The complex of monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style, includes one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid.

Overnight at The Claridges (City Center).

Day 16 Varanasi

Varanasi is set at the left bank of the mighty river Ganges, this immensely chaotic place of pilgrimage is known for its ritual burnings. A dawn boat ride down the river is a fascinating and unforgettable spectacle. The city is sacred to Hindus and also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. In many ways Varanasi epitomizes the very best and worst aspects of India, and it can be a little overwhelming. However, the scene of pilgrims doing their devotions in the River Ganges at sunrise set against the back drop of the centuries old temples is probably one of the most impressive sights in the world - definitely a must see destination on any trip to northern India.

Relax and enjoy an airport transfer in a private vehicle, with driver, and English-speaking assistant.

Enjoy your flight from Delhi to Varanasi. The flight duration is approximately two hours.

From your hotel, a private vehicle, with driver, and English speaking guide, will transfer you to the airport for your flight.

Private guided tour of Sarnath, located 5 miles from Varanasi, the site is a deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma after his enlightenment. Sarnath is one of four holy Buddhist sites sanctioned by the Buddha himself for pilgrimage. Amongst the ruins is the Dharmekh Stupa is impressive at 128 feet high, and 93 in diameters. This dates back to 200 BC and is the sport where the Buddha is said to have preached his first sermon.  Within the deer park complex is the large Dhamekha Stupa, constructed by the Emperor Ashoka in 249 BCE, and several other Buddhist structures that were added between the 3rd and the 11th century BC.

The Radisson Hotel Varanasi is a five star hotel conveniently located in the heart of the main business district. With its modern architecture, warm hospitality and topnotch services, the hotel is sure to please business and leisure travelers alike.

Overnight at Radisson .

Day 17 Varanasi

Winding through the streets and popping out onto the riverside will give you an insider’s look at the symbiotic life of the riverside people of Varanasi. Eventually, as you tour through the city you will end up on Bengali Tola, the street of the Bengalis, where you will be visiting the hidden Mother Goddess Kali shrines, and the vistas of life along the riverside. The tour continues to the historic ritual bathing site called Dashaswamedh, or the ten-horse sacrifice Ghat, the perfect way to conclude this walking city tour.

This evening Aarti Ceremony is an absolutely wonderful sight seen from the Gange river.  This tour includes a boat ride to experience the magic of the river during this spectacular event.

Overnight at Radisson .

Day 18 Varanasi

"One can survive everything nowadays, except death." Dying is accepted as a part of life, and when one dies, there are a multitude of rituals and ceremonies that need to be performed. – “Oscar Wilde” The Irish poet this experience takes you to the Manikarnika Ghat to take a look at the various death rituals passage that the Hindus perform. Hindus, who perform a myriad of rituals in their lifetime, believe that humans are reborn according to their karma and hence, perform many death rituals to ensure that the soul rests in peace. According to Hindu beliefs, when a person dies, his soul lingers around near the relatives, the body, and his materialistic possessions. Often, we wonder why Hindus burn or cremate the body, instead of burying it. The answer lies in the belief, Here our tour guide will introduce you to the history and mythology associated with this Ghat. You will get to understand the rites being performed and see the inner workings of this unique place.  This experience is expected to last approximately 4 hours including travel time.

From your hotel, a private vehicle, with driver, and English speaking guide, will transfer you to the airport for your flight.

Enjoy your flight from Varanasi to Delhi today. The flight duration is approximately 90 minutes.

Depart Varanasi- end of itinerary

Overnight at Depart.

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