VARANASI - RISHIKESH
6N/7D
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Fly Delhi - Varanasi
Arrive Delhi to further connect flight for Varanasi. On arrival, assistance at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Known to the devout as `Kashi’, is said to have been founded by Shiva, Lord of the Universe. One of the oldest living ciBes in the world, as also one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India, Varanasi is a major tourist aFracBon. Situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges, the city has been a centre of learning and civilizaBon for over 2000 years.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 In Varanasi
Morning visit Durga temple to witness Navratri puja,
Later tour to Sarnath, 10-Kms away from Varanasi is the fabled place, which bears tesBmony to its great past where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples, expounding the principles of Buddhism. The remains date back to as far as the3rd-Century BC when Emperor Ashoka founded various insBtuBons, stupas, monasteries and pillar Edicts. Visit the art collecBon at the Archaeological Museum. The main aFracBon is the superb Capital from Ashokan Pillar – the Ashokan symbol of four back-to-back Lions which has been adopted as the state symbol Independent India. Also visit the Mahabodhi’ Buddha temple and walk around the Deer Park. Later see the Monastery ruins area, Dhameka Stupa.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 In Varanasi
Morning boat ride on river Ganges. The western banks of Ganges has a string of Ghats – the chain of stone steps, all built with pavilions, palaces and terraces, most of which are mainly used as Dharamsalas where the pilgrims stay during their visit to the holy city. At dawn, the Ghats are abuzz with acBvity of the devotees performing their abluBons in the river or offering prayers to the rising sun and performing other religious rituals. A boat ride along the Ghats gives you vantage views of this acBvity. The sunrise on the Ganges is a soul-liZing experience.
Return to the hotel for breakfast. Morning at leisure.
Evening tour to downtown area in a rickshaw. Experience Varanasi inBmately when you go on a leisurely rickshaw, ride through the narrow streets and alleys of Varanasi. In the evening the Ghats and temples are lit with oil-lamp lights or candles. ParBcipate in an AarB Ceremony (collecBve prayer) and watch the floaBng Diyas (lamps) on the river Ganges.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 4 Fly Varanasi - Lucknow Fly Lucknow - Dehradun Drive Dehradun - Rishikesh
Morning in Bme assisted departure transfer to the airport to connect flight for Delhi to further connect flight for Dehradun. On arrival, assistance at the airport and drive to Rishikesh. On arrival check in at the hotel.
Rishikesh is one of the major centres in India & popular all over the word for yoga, meditaBon, and spiritual growth. A large number of tourists come to this holy place every year in search of peace and tranquility. They enroll in various Ashrams to learn yoga and spiritualism.
Evening visit the Ghat’s s to encounter evening Ghat life as well as special AarB “The Prayer dedicated to Goddess Ganges” ” the town of ashrams and temples,
Ghats and pilgrims, mountains and the holy Ganges. When global orange sun suspended, waits low amid the red/yellow streaked horizon, then all these combine to give this town 4 a very special evening. The temple bells roar, priests enchant mantras. Immersed in sublimaBon stand the pilgrims. Cupped leaves, with saffron marigold petals and a small candle flame, flickering ride
the current of water of wisdom. Suddenly the sky darkens, spreading a blanket of sBllness. Everything stops, except the sound of current, which has just sunk the Bny flames of cupped leaves, few minutes back. AZer experiencing above we trace ours steps back to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 In Rishikesh
Morning walking tour of Rishikesh followed by visiBng:
Lakshman Jhula
This suspended bridge running from one bank of Ganga to other is a treat to watch. As per the legend Lakshman, the brother of Lord Rama, crossed a bridge made of jute ropes here on river Ganga. Standing on the bridge with Ganges flowing below and calm environment with mountains all around gives a panoramic view. Ram Jhula, a similar structure to Lakshman Jhula is a more recent addiBon to the city.
Triveni Ghat
It is the main bathing Ghat in Rishikesh and every morning one can see several devotees bathing in the holy Ganga. It is a firm belief that by taking bath in river Ganges one gets rid of all the sins and gets purified. At this place River Ganga takes a complete right angle turn. Evening AarB at Triveni Ghat is another unique experience which is spelled bounding. This places is full of devotees to witness the ceremony where in the rituals are performed amidst
chanBng of Vedic mantras. Scores of lamps are lightened and offered to river Ganges by floaBng them on the river. The whole environment becomes so spiritual that you are leZ spell bound.
Bharat Temple
This is the oldest temple in Rishikesh built by Adiguru Shankaracharya in 12th century. Dedicated to Bharat, younger brother of Lord Ram, it is situated in the old town near Triveni Ghat. Details about temple are available in ancient records of Kearkhand. The original temple was destroyed by Tamur during his invasion in 1398. However, many important things are well preserved Bll date here. In the inner sanctum there is an idol of Lord Vishnu carved out of a single Saligram (the divine stone of Mahavishnu).
Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 In Rishikesh
Morning excursion to Vashishtha Gufa, The Vashishtha Gufa (Cave) is situated 22 kms from Rishikesh on the route to Badrinath. This is the cave in which sage Vashistha, guru of Lord Rama, performed austeriBes (Tapas) for hundreds of years.
Evening is free to visit the city on your own.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 Drive Rishikesh - Dehradun Fly Dehradun - Delhi Leave Delhi
Morning in Bme drive to Dehradun, on arrival assisted departure transfer to the airport to connect flight for Dehradun. On arrival, assistance at the airport and vehicle at disposal.
Later in Bme assisted departure transfer to the internaBonal airport to connect flight for onwards journey.