26
DAYS

 Full day Ciy Tour in Delhi visiting the Birla Temple, Jama Mosque, Red Fort, RajGhat, Gandhi Museum, Humayun Tomb, Qutub Minar, drive through India Gate and also visit the President House and the Parliament House. From Delhi a visit to Rishikesh on the banks of the Ganges (India's most sacred town, known around the world as a center for the Hindu religion and spirituality). Visit the Mansa Devi temple on a hilltop, via cable car. Visit the Laxmanjullah over the Ganges River and feel the ambiance of this ancient town. Spend your first night in the lap of the Himalayas. From this region departure to reach Joshimath (1890 Mts. asl). Ride alongside the mighty peaks of India's highest and longest rope to reach Auli (ski resort, 2500 Mts. asl ).
Walk uphill to Ghanghria or reach on muleback and stay in a permanent tent colony there. Visit the Valley of Flowers (3658 Mts. asl), 5kms away. Spend the day in the valley exploring the beauty of the myriad varieties of flowers. From the Valley of Flowers visit Hemkud Shahib (4320 Mts. asl), 5kms away. A dip in the still, icy lake is considered very sacred! Dipping your fingers in the water is an easier, often preferred alternative.  The still waters of the lake reflect the images of the snow-capped peaks that surround it. It is said that no place of pilgrimage is equal to Badri at 3133 Mts., Asl., considered to be the holiest of the four main shrines of Uttrakhand.  Visit the temple . Also, a dip in hot sulfur springs below the temple is considered both holy and refreshing to body and soul. Be awestruck by the towering Neelkanth Mountain that bears the image of the elephant God, Ganesha. A photograph of the golden glow of the mountain in early sunlight, just outside your hotel could be the picture of a lifetime, treasured long after the vacation is over. Enjoy the thrill of white water rafting down the chilly waters of the Ganges known around the world for its ideal rafting conditions. From Rishikesh make a drive towards Agra. In Agra visit the markets and take a sightseeing tour to the Taj Mahal, the world-famous Monument of love built by Shahjahan in the loving memory of his beloved wife Mumtazmahal. Also visit the Red Fort built by the third Mughul Emperor Akbar the Great. From Agra visit Ghost City of Fatehpur Sikri built by Akbar the Great. On arrival in Jaipur visit the Palace of Wind, followed by an elephant ride at Amber Fort. Later visit City Palace, Museum and the Observatory. On the way visit Ajmer shrief darghah, this is the very holy place for Hindu and Muslim peoples. After visiting the Dargah, proceed for Pushkar and visit Brahma Temple and the holy lake. Drive to Delhi, and evening free at Delhi. 
The following day, board a train for Allahabad and proceed to Kalighat the starting point of sailing for 4 days on the Ganges. Allahabad is known for the confluence, "sangam" of three rivers: Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati. Start sailing eastwards to Varanasi, reach Usmanpur, Murdaghat Vindhyachal, known for a temple dedicated to the Goddess of the Vindhyachal mountain ranges. It is approached through lane markets typical to Mirzapur. The last destination of sailing will be Varanasi, Enroute visit Chunar Fort at Mirzapur and Ramnagar. An early morning boat ride on the Ganges. Later proceed to Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon and a new religion was born. Evening transfer to railway Station to leave by train for Delhi. Overnight on board.  In Delhi, rest of the day free till transferred to the airport to board flight for homeward destination.

INTINERARY

DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Today, on arrival, meeting and assistance at the airport and escorted transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

DAY 02: DELHI
Today you will take a full-day City Tour of Delhi, visiting Birla Temple, Jama Mosque, Red Fort, RajGhat, Gandhi Museum, Humayun Tomb, Qutub Minar, a drive through India Gate and also a visit to the President House and the Parliament House. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 03: DELHI-RISHIKESH
Today you will drive to Rishikesh. Leave for Rishikesh in a deluxe coach (6 hrs). Lunch en route.  Reach the hotel in Rishikesh on the banks of the Ganges. Do local sightseeing in India's most sacred town, known around the world as a center of Hindu religion and spirituality. Visit the Mansa Devi temple on a hilltop via cable car, then see Laxmanjullah on the Ganges River, feel the ambiance of this ancient town. Spend your first night in the lap of the Himalayas.

DAY 04: JOSHIMATH
Early morning departure by bus to reach Joshimath (1890 Mts. asl), 250 kms away. Lunch en route. Ride alongside the mighty peaks of India's highest and longest rope way (subject to operational condition) to reach Auli (2500 Mts. asl ), Indian most advanced ski resort. Night halt in log huts which overlook the beautiful valley. The radiant opulence of Auli by night will remain etched in your memory forever.

DAY 05: JOSHIMATH/GOVINDGHAT
Today you will leave for Govindghat (22kms away). Time to work up those lazy muscles. Walk uphill to Ghanghria (4hrs) or reach it on muleback. Stay in a permanent tent colony there. A unique experience of life beyond four walls, with all the comforts in a scenically splendid spot.

DAY 06: VALLEY OF FLOWERS
Visit the Valley of Flowers (3658 Mts. asl), 5kms away.  Spend the day in the valley exploring the beauty of the myriad varieties of flowers. Return by late noon to Ghanghria after packed lunch.

DAY 07: HEMKUD SHAHIB
Visit Hemkud Shahib (4320 Mts. asl), 5kms away. A dip in the still icy lake is considered very sacred! Dipping your fingers in the water is an easier, often preferred alternative. The still waters of the lake reflect the images of the snow-capped peaks that surround it. After packed lunch return back to Ghanghria.

DAY 08: GOVINDGHAT
Descend to Govindghat. Lunch. Take bus to Badrinath. (3133 Mts. asl),20 kms away. It is said that no place of pilgrimage is equal to Badri. Considered to be the holiest of the four main shrines of Uttrakhand.  A visit to the temple follows. Also, a dip in hot sulfur springs below the temple is considered both holy and refreshing to body and soul. Be awestruck by the towering Neelkanth Mountain that bears the image of the elephant God, Ganesha. A photograph of the golden glow of the mountain in early sunlight, just outside your hotel, could be the picture of a lifetime, treasured long after the vacation is over. Night halt in hotel.

DAY 09: RISHIKESH
Bus to Rishikesh. Lunch enroute. Night halt in a tent colony by the river Ganges. Dinner in the open by the flowing waters. Listen to the sound of the mighty river as it rushes to the plains while you lie and listen in silence.

DAY 10: RISHIKESH
Enjoy the thrill of white water rafting down the chilly waters of the Ganges, known around the world for its ideal rafting conditions. A sport for all ages is made safe by an appropriate selection of rapids, life jackets, and helmets and experienced staff. Have your meals beside the river. Plays volleyball in the evening.

 Day 11 RISHIKESH–AGRA
Today you will take a drive towards Agra. Upon arrival visitors can enjoy themselves by visiting Markets. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 12: AGRA
Today you will take a sightseeing tour of Agra, visiting Taj Mahal, the world famous monument of love built by Shahjahan in the loving memory of his beloved wife Mumtazmahal. Also visit the Red Fort built by the third Mughul Emperor, Akbar the Great. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 13: AGRA/BHARATPUR
Today you will take a drive to Bharatpur. Upon arrival you will enjoy watching the many bird and other wildlife. Overnight at Bharatpur Jungle Lodge.

Day 14: BHARATPUR/JAIPUR (Temp of Jaipur )
Today in the early morning drive to Jaipur.  Enroute visit the Ghost City of Fatehpur Sikri built by Akbar the great. On arrival in Jaipur visit Palace of Wind, followed by an elephant ride at Amber Fort. Later visit City Palace, Museum and Observatory.

DAY 15: Jaipur/Ajmer ( Pushkar ) 138 KM, 4Hour drive
Today you will take a drive towards Ajmer. On the way, visit Ajmer Shrief Darghah. This is the very holy place for Hindu and Muslim peoples. After visiting the Dargah proceed for Pushkar. Transfer to Heritage hotel; after half an hour rest visit Brahma Temple and holy lake. Back to hotel.

DAY 16: AJMER/DELHI DRIVE
Today, a morning drives to Delhi and a free evening at Delhi

DAY 17: Delhi/Allahabad Train
Morning at leisure. Afternoon a half-day combined tour of old and New Delhi covering the red fort, government buildings, Qutub Minars etc. Evening transfer to railway station to board train for Allahabad.

DAY 18: Allahabad/Lakhiya Boat
Arrive Allahabad. Met upon arrival and transfer to the hotel for breakfast. Later proceed to Kalighat, the starting point of sailing on the Ganges. Allahabad is known for the confluence, "sangam”, of three rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati. Start sailing eastwards to Varanasi. Lunch will be served on board. After 25/kms/6 hr. by river, reach Lakhiya in the evening. Camp overnight on the banks.

DAY 19: Lakhiya/Usmanpur Boat
After breakfast set sail to reach Usmanpur, covering approx. 35 kms by river. Stop at a convenient point for lunch enroute. Due to the turns and bends of the river the distance is greater than by road way. This adds thrills to the sailing. Reach Usmanpur in the evening. Overnight stay in tents.

DAY 20: Usmanpur/Murdaghat Boat
After breakfast sail to Murdaghat, a distance of about 45 kms. /09 hr. by river, 35 kms by road. Reach the camping spot by dusk. Lunch on board and dinner at the campsite.

DAY 21: Murdaghat/Mirzapur Boat
Sail to Mirzapur in the morning. After 4-hr, stop at Vindhyachal, known for a temple dedicated to the Goddess of the Vindhyachal mountain ranges. It is approached through markets typical of Mirzapur and Varanasi. After sightseeing and lunch sail a little further to camping spot (4 hr.).

DAY 22: Mirzapur/Varanasi Boat
Morning after breakfast, start sailing towards Varanasi, the last destination of sail, Enroute visit Chunar Fort at Mirzapur, and Ramnagar Fort which is a 17th century fort with an interesting museum. Arrive at Assi Ghat at the beginning of the innumerable ghats on the river Ganges (5 hr.). Transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

DAY 23: VARANASI
An early morning boat rides on the Ganges. Later proceed to Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon and a new religion was born. Evening transfer to railway station to leave by train for Delhi. Overnight on board

DAY 24: Delhi-Final Destination
Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free till transferred to the airport to board flight for homeward destination.

 

TERRESTRIAL TOUR ONLY: $.00 (DOES NOT INCLUDE AIR TICKET)

Trip Date (Air Fare Included)

Code

Miami

Code

Puerto Rico/Dom. Rep.

May  26 to June 20

IN02

$4,295

IN01

$4,295

June 09  to July 04

IN04$4,295IN03$4,295
June 23  to July 18IN06$4,295IN05$4,295
July 07 to August 01IN08$4,295IN07$4,295
July  14  to August 08IN10$4,295IN09$4,295
July 21 to August 15IN12$4,295IN11$4,295

Includes international flight from San Juan/Santo Domingo* or Miami*,  private land transportation, bilingual tour guide, all breakfasts, lunches and dinners, all the activities described in the program. Double and triple accommodation at all hotels.

*Cost of international flights could change after March 15.