Day 1: Arrival at Delhi
Delhi is the starting point of the tour. It is the capital of India and has been a part of a focal point of diverse cultures – from the Kuru dynasty to the Mughal dynasty to the British Raj.
We will start this program from Delhi. We will meet up with our tour representative at the Delhi airport. The tour representative will help us check in to the designated hotel. Once we unpack, we will relax and get to know the details of the program.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 2: Delhi – Haridwar
When the Ganges starts from its source at the Gangotri and enters the Indo-Gangetic plains in the North India, it first enters the city of Haridwar. This also why Haridwar has come be known as Gangadwar. Haridwar is known to be one of the seven holiest places of India. It is known to be one of the places where, as per the mythological belief, the drops of nectar fell on earth dropped during the legendary Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). Haridwar is one of the locations that host the Kumbh Mela, the greatest holy pilgrimage in Hindu religion.
After breakfast, we will move to Haridwar, where we take a holy dip in the Ganges at Hari-ki-paudi. Then we will visit the temples like Mansa Devi Temple, Bharat Mata Mandir, Chandi Devi Temple, Anandmai Ashram, Bilkeshwar Mahadev, Pawan Dham, Daksha Mahadev Temple, Bhooma Niketan. We will return to our hotel and prepare for the next day.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Haridwar – Rishikesh
Rishikesh, also known as the gateway to Garhwal Himalayas, is a part of the Kedarkhand. As per Ramayana, the legendry Hindu epic, this is where Lord Rama paid his penance for vanquishing Ravana. Rishikesh is also known as the Garhwal Gateway to the Himalayas. To add to the honour, Rishikesh is the home to the 133-year old Kailash Ashram Brahmavidyapeetham, an institution dedicated to Vedantic studies. The holy temple sections of Rishikesh include Ram Jhula, Lakshman Jhula and the Triveni Ghat.
After breakfast at Haridwar, we will move on to Rishikesh and reach by lunchtime. After lunch, we will explore the various interesting points of Rishikesh, namely Laskhman Jhula, Sivananda Ashram, Ram Jhula, Triveni Ghat, Paramarth Ashram, and Bharat Mandir. We will also visit the Beatles Ashram, where Beatles stayed during their visit to Rishikesh. Besides spiritual enlightenment, many visit the place to experience its great scenery and fantastic artwork. In the evening we will visit the Ganges to experience the famous Ganga Aarti.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Rishikesh
Rishikesh is known as the Yoga Capital of India. There is a strong belief that if you meditate in Rishikesh, it is almost as good as taking a dip in the Holy Ganges. Rishikesh has many ashrams including the Sivananda Ashram and the Divine Life Society founded by Swami Sivananda. These ashrams have contributed to making Rishikesh the Yoga Capital of the World, where students from all over the world come to learn yoga and science behind it. Over the years, Rishikesh has expanded its scope from just yoga to include Ayurveda too.
We will start our day early – at 5 am – and prepare ourselves for a two-hour yoga session by 6 am. After the yoga session, we will be free by 8.30 am. After breakfast, we will be free to explore Rishikesh at our own. We will gather again at the hotel at 4 pm for another meditation session.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Rishikesh – Corbett National Park
Corbett National Park is one of the oldest national park in India. It is one of the first national parks to be introduced in the Project Tiger to save the national animal from extinction. The Corbett National Park is a prime destination for ecotourism, with numerous species of flora and fauna, besides the prime attraction of the Royal Bengal Tiger.
After breakfast, we will move on to Corbett National Park. After lunch, we will embark upon a safari in the national park to explore the fauna and flora of the national park and, of course, spot the Royal Bengal Tiger.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Corbett National Park
The Jim Corbett National Park is located in the state of Uttarakhand and spans over an area of 520 sq kms. It is named after Jim Corbett, a British hunter and conservationist, who played a key role in its establishment and wildlife conservation in this area.
We will leave for an early morning jeep safari to explore the national park nature at its best. After the safari, we will return to the resort for a scrumptious breakfast. We will then be able to spend our time to explore the resort and relax. After lunch, we will go on a sightseeing excursion to Garjiya Temple and the Corbett Museum. In the evening, we will be back to the resort for a wildlife film or relax.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Corbett National Park – Delhi
We will briefly stop over at Delhi for on the way to Mathura. Delhi is a center of culture and spirituality, dotted with locations such as Jama Masjid, Jantar Mantar, Red Fort, and the Qutub Minar.
After breakfast at the Corbett National Park resort, we will check out from the resort and move on to Delhi. We will check in to the hotel at Delhi and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Delhi – Mathura
Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, has a special place in everyone’s hearts. Just like Haridwar, Mathura is also considered to be a holy place which received the drop of nectar from the heavens above during the Samudra manthan. The twin city of Mathura is Vrindavan, which is known to be as the place Lord Krishna was brought up by his foster parents, Nand and Yashoda. As a result, there are many temples dedicated to Lord Krishna in this area.
After breakfast at Delhi, we will drive to Mathura, which is a three-hour long drive. We will then visit many temples in Mathura, including the location where Lord Krishna was born. If we are at Mathura during the festive season, we may be lucky enough to visit the Dwarkadheesh temple. We will also explore the Sri Krishna Janma Bhoomi, which includes the Gita Mandir and Radha Kund. After a day’s exploration, we will return to the hotel and retire for the day.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Mathura – Agra
Agra has the major heritage sites: the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan after the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, this white marble mausoleum is considered a monument to eternal love. Once the seat of the Mughal dynasty, the Agra Fort is constructed in red stone over generations by different rulers and today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the morning, we will arrive at Agra and check in to our hotel. In the afternoon, we will embark on a half-day tour of Agra, visiting the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. By evening, we will return to the hotel and relax after a dinner.
On a full moon night the Taj Mahal can also be viewed at night. The sight of the massive white marble mausoleum lit up by a full moon is truly unforgettable. If we happen to be in Agra on the full moon night and weather permitting, we can also arrange an evening trip to the Taj Mahal.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Agra – Delhi
We will leave Agra after breakfast and our representative will drop you to the Delhi International Airport.
Meals: Breakfast