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India Ganges Tour

Delhi - Rishikesh - Train - Lucknow - Allahabad - Camp Gopiganj - Chunar - Varanasi - Khajuraho - Agra - Delhi

Duration: 14 days.

A specialized tour which covers visits to religious monuments combined with an unforgettable experience of boat cruise on the holy river Ganges with overnight in tented accommodation.

Day 01: Arrive Delhi

Arrive Delhi and meet our 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 02: 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 03: 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 04: To Agra

Morning drive for five hours to the City of Taj, enroute visiting the deserted town of Fatehpur Sikri, In the afternoon reach Agra and check in at your hotel. Later proceed for the city sightseeing tour visiting The Taj Mahal, which is entirely made of white marble and its walls are decorated with exquisite pietra dura (stone inlay) work.

Day 05: 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 06: 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 07:To Gopiganj

Cruise from Sirsa to Gopiganj . All meals would be served on board.

Day 08:To Chunar

Cruise along down to Chunar. Upon arrival, check-in at guest house for overnight stay.

Day 09: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 Later in the afternoon visit Zoological Gardens : One among the best designed in Asia - set among woodland, lakes, and well maintained lawns - but some of the animals enclosures. Padmanabhapuram Palace : The palace is superbly constructed of local teak and granite, and stands within massive stone town walls. The architecture is exquisite, with rosewood ceilings carved in floral patterns, windows laid with jewel floral patterns, windows laid with jewel coloured mica, and floors finished to a high polish with a special compound of crushed shells, coconuts egg white an the juices of local plants. Continue your journey to Kovalam - sand beaches, the cool breeze that silently ruffles the coconut lagoons, the lush waves that extend an embracing welcome and the silence that magnifies the zenith of a cool wave - the beach sands of Kovalam, the exotic beach resort down Kerala that has its history blended into the warm sands of time. There are stories of valour, love and suffering wanting to be told in the backyards of history. Overnight.

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.