|
JOURNEY
TO THE GANGES
A
World Heritage Sites Tour of India |
 |
India
is a land of spirits and spiritual beliefs. Spirits have
always been felt to emanate from the high and what mire
holier place than the Himalayas. One the other hand the
Ganges River
is the ultimate abode of pilgrimage and nirvana. Following
the Ganges to the Himalayas is a journey through the well
known pilgrimage centres of Rishikesh, Haridwar, Varanasi
and Allahabad – making this 16-day a journey into
spirituality and culture at it’s revere best.
|
Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
|
01
|
Delhi |
|
02
|
Delhi |
| 03 |
Delhi |
|
04
|
Delhi / Haridwar / Rishikesh |
|
05
|
Rishikesh |
|
06
|
Rishikesh / Haridwar / Delhi |
|
07
|
Delhi / Mathura / Agra |
|
08
|
Agra |
|
09
|
Agra / Khajuraho (Train)
Orrcha / Khajuraho (Drive) |
|
10
|
Khajuraho / Varanasi |
|
11
|
Varanasi |
|
12
|
Varanasi / Allahabad |
|
13
|
Allahabad / Lucknow |
| 14 |
Lucknow / Kolkata (Calcutta) |
| 15 |
Kolkata |
| 16 |
Kolkata / Home |
|
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
|
India |
|
Humayun’s Tomb –Delhi
 |
This tomb, built in 1570, is of particular cultural
significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian
subcontinent. It inspired several major architectural innovations,
culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal. |
Qutub
Minar - Delhi
 |
Built
in the early 13th century a few kilometres south of Delhi,
the red sandstone tower of Qutub Minar is 72.5
m high, tapering from 2.75 m in diameter at its peak to 14.32
m at its base, and alternating angular and rounded flutings.
The surrounding archaeological area contains funerary buildings,
notably the magnificent Alai-Darwaza Gate, the masterpiece
of Indo-Muslim art (built in 1311), and two mosques, including
the Quwwatu'l-Islam, the oldest in northern India, built of
materials reused from some 20 Brahman temples. |
Red
Fort – Delhi
 |
The Red Fort Complex was built
as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad - the new capital of
the 5th Mughal Emperor
of India, Shahjahan (1628-58). It gets its name from its massive
enclosing walls of red sandstone. It is adjacent to an older
fort, the Salimgarh, built by Islam Shah Sur in 1546, with
which it forms the Red Fort Complex. The private apartments
consist of a row of pavilions connected by a continuous water
channel, known as the Nahr-i-Behisht, or the Stream of Paradise.
The palace was designed as an imitation of paradise as described
in the Koran; a couplet inscribed in the palace reads, ‘If
there be a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here'. The
Red Fort is considered to represent the zenith of Mughal creativity
which, under the Emperor Shahjahan, was brought to a new level
of refinement. The planning of the palace is based on Islamic
prototypes, but each pavilion reveals architectural elements
typical of Mughal building, reflecting a fusion of Persian,
Timurid and Hindu traditions The Red Fort's innovative planning
and architectural style, including its garden design, strongly
influenced later buildings and gardens in Rajasthan, Delhi,
Agra and further afield. The monument's significance is further
enhanced by the importance of events that happened. Through
its fabric, the complex reflects all phases of Indian history
from the Mughal period to independence. |
Taj Mahal –Agra
 |
An immense mausoleum of white marble, built in
Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah
Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, the Taj Mahal is the
jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired
masterpieces of the world's heritage. |
Agra
Fort –Agra
 |
Near the gardens of the Taj Mahal stands the
important 16th-century Mughal monument known as the Red Fort
of Agra. This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses,
within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of
the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such
as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan;
audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful
mosques. |
Fatehpur Sikri
 |
Built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor
Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (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. |
Khajuraho
Temples –Khajuraho
 |
The temples at Khajuraho were built during
the Chandella dynasty, which reached its apogee between 950
and 1050. Only
about 20 temples remain; they fall into three distinct groups
and belong to two different religions – Hinduism and
Jainism. They strike a perfect balance between architecture
and sculpture. The Temple of Kandariya is decorated with a
profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces
of Indian art. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
Day 01: Arrive
Delhi
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands
clapped together. After immigration and custom formalities,
we are assisted and driven through the city to our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Delhi. (3 nights) (D)
Day 02: Delhi: -
The capital of India is a true reflection of the old and new
of India. We start our morning tour with New Delhi and visit
first the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament,
Connaught Place and the Qutb Minar - a perfect minaret towering
102 meters into the sky. New Delhi is a blend of Mughal India,
Hindu India, British India and, certainly, modern independent
India. Rest of the day free to explore the city of Delhi. Our
spiritual experience begins as we visit in the afternoon the
famous Lotus and Iskcon Temples. (B, D)
Day 03: Delhi: -
Today we look at another part of Delhi. Old Delhi houses the
famous Red Fort. Built by Shah Jehan, this was once the most
opulent fort of the Mughal Empire. Next we visit another Mughal
majesty, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, followed
by the Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. We end
our tour with a bazaar experience at Chandni Chawlk, the street
of silver and goldsmiths. Afternoon is free. Evening we enjoy
dinner at a typical restaurant. (B, D)
Day 04: Delhi / Haridwar / Rishikesh: (by Deluxe Train)
Train travel is one of the most preferred way to experience
culture and today we take an early morning deluxe train to
Haridwar where we change to our vehicle for Rishikesh - a very
important Hindu pilgrimage site. Rishikesh is clustered with
Ashrams and temples located on the banks of the goddess Ganga
(Ganges) adding to the beauty and purity of the place. Along
the river, the area is filled with thick green forests in the
all-mountainous region. Rishikesh is famous for yoga. Besides
the sadhus and saints, a mass of tourists too visits this place
every year. Rishikesh is also popular adventure sport destinations,
River rafting, trekking, rock climbing, hiking etc are some
of the activities one can easily opt for here. Evening we stroll
the town and visit the many temples meeting the pundits and
fortune tellers.
Overnight: Ananda In The Himalayas (3 Nights) (B, D)
Day 05: Rishikesh:
Day free at Rishikesh to enjoy Ayurvedic Treatment and Yoga
or join the believers at the temples. (B, D)
Day 06: Rishikesh / Haridwar / Delhi:
Haridwar is an important pilgrimage site for the Hindus. Haridwar
is the first major town on the plains here the Ganges leaves
the mountains and enters the plains. According to Hindus Haridwar
is the place, which has been blessed by the trinity of the
Lords Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. It is also one of the major
Shaktipeeths. Down the ages, Haridwar has purified the mind,
the body and the soul of people not only in spiritual or religious
terms but also as a major learning centre for arts, science
and culture. In evening we attend Aarti Ceremony on Ghats of
Ganges at Haridwar before taking the overnight train to Delhi.
Overnight: Train (1 night) (B, D)
Day 07: Delhi / Mathura / Agra: (Drive 220 km)
Arrive Delhi. After breakfast we drive to Agra. En-route we
visit Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna located on the
western bank of river Yamuna. Mathura is the Athens of India.
The great school of sculpture known as Mathura school of Art
flourished here for 1200 Years. Such prolific creativity and
gushing devotion to novel Art Forms and experiment in sculptures
and clay figurines as found in this school are rare in the
annals of Indian Art History. A survey of this glorious School
of Art can be made in the Government Museum, Mathura.
Overnight: Hotel in Agra (2 Nights) (B, D)
Day 08: Agra: -
Morning we visit historic monument Taj Mahal, best described
as 'poetry in marble' because of its beauty, grace and exquisite
workmanship, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Johan in 1630
as a memorial to his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Surely it
is the greatest monument of love, and THE wonder of the world.
Next we visit Agra Fort, where Shah Jehan, in the later years
of his life, was imprisoned by his son to prevent him from
spending the family fortunes on a black echo of the Taj Mahal.
Later we drive to Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital built
in 1640 by the Mughal King, Akbar the Great. The city was later
abandoned for lack of water. A superb example of Mughal architecture,
it stands perfectly preserved in the desert. We also visit
the artistically designed mausoleum of Salim Chisty who is
reputed to have prayed for a son for Akbar leading to the birth
of Salim Jehangir, builder of the Taj.
Day 09: Agra / Khajuraho (Train) Orrcha / Khajuraho (Drive
172 Kms/3 hours)
Today we board the famous Shatabdi Express Train to Jhansi
then continue by coach to visit Orchha, an amazing medieval
fortress-city located on the shores of the Betwa River. After
our exploration of Orchha, we proceed to Khajuraho, home of
splendid temples.
Overnight: Hotel in Khajuraho (1 night) (B, D)
Day 10: Khajuraho / Varanasi (Flight)
Our Khajuraho visit starts with the temples a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. The temples were built during the apogee of
the Chandella dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD. Today only 20
temples remain and they fall into three distinct groups belonging
to two different religions - Hinduism and Jainism. Theses beautiful
temples strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture.
The Kandariya is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that
are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art. Later we
take a flight to the mecca of spiritual experience in India
- Varanasi. Evening, an interesting cultural experience as
we witness the Aarti Ceremony on Ghats of the Ganges.
Overnight: Hotel in Varanasi (1 night) (B, D)
Day 11: Varanasi:
Early morning a serene experience begins as we take a sunrise
cruise on the River Ganges. One of the cardinal principles
of Hinduism is the belief in the holiness of the Ganges. Every
morning, scores of pilgrim and priests fill the riverbanks
performing the holy dip and various other rituals. This is
a site that has to be seen and experienced as it is so different
from anything else seen anywhere in the world. Later we leave
for Sarnath the site of Lord Buddha's first sermon after attaining
enlightenment where we meet many Buddhist monks and followers
followed by a visit of the Bharat Mata Temple which houses
a big relief map of India made from marble. Varanasi is famous
for its many temples and we proceed to the Durga temple, the
Tulsi Manas Mandir, the Banaras Hindu University and the Mosque
of Moghul Emperor, Aurangazeb. The city is famous also for
its Banarasi silk sarees and we visit some of the houses where
such silk sarees are still being weaved. (B, D)
Day 12: Varanasi / Allahabad (Drive: - 160 km)
A scenic drive gets us to Allahabad. On arrival, we check in
to hotel. Later we take a city tour of Allahabad, in which
we visit the Allahabad Fort, Allahabad Museum, Anand Bhawan
and the Swaraj Bhawan. We also visit the Sangam the place where
the muddy brown Ganga meets the blue Yamuna and the mystical
Saraswati confluence. Devotees come for ritual bathing in the
holy waters at the Sangam and priests or pandas perform special
rites of worship to help them in their quest for salvation.
The old name of the city is Prayag and this is where the famous
Kumbh Mela is held.
Overnight: Hotel in Allahabad (1 Night) (B, D)
Day 13: Allahabad / Lucknow (Drive)
Another highlight today as we reach to the romantic of capital
India, Lucknow. Lucknow is also famous for its gold and silver
brocades, silverware, clay figurines and pottery. We visit
Bara Imambara - built in the year 1784 by the champion of charity
Nawab Asaf ud Daula. We visit the beautiful clock tower, constructed
in 1887, is the tallest Clock Tower in India and one of the
finest examples of British Architecture in India. This is followed
by the Jama Masjid. This splendid mosque built in the typical
Mughal style lies to the west of the Hussainabad Imambara.
Overnight: Hotel in Lucknow (1 Night) (B, D)
Day 14: Lucknow / Kolkata (Calcutta): - Flight
Free time at Lucknow till our departure by air to Calcutta – or
as its now known as Kolkata – the capital city of Bengal..
Arrive Kolkata the final destination of Ganges before it merges
into the Bay of Bangle.
Overnight: Hotel in Calcutta (2 Nights) (B, D)
Day 15: Kolkata:
A city of love and warmth, sorrow and despair, dreams and hopes,
poverty and squalor, grandeur and glory, Kolkata is compelling,
effervescent, teeming with life and traditions a medley of
moods, styles, cultures, politics, industry and commerce. For
250 years British Calcutta was part of the British Empire.
The Victoria Memorial, St. Paul's Cathedral, Fort William,
Raj Bhawan and the High Court are Highlight's of the tour.
We also see the famous teahouses where Bengali academics sit
debate and discuss. (B, D)
Day 16: Kolkata / Home: -
After what will have been an interesting and revere spiritual
experience, we are transferred to the airport for our departure
flight. (B) |
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
|
|
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|
Departure Dates |
|
2010
Jan
11, Feb 8, Mar 8, Apr
12, May 10, Jun 7, Jul
5, Aug 9 Sep 6, Oct
4, Nov 8 & Dec 6
|
| Prices |
| Hotel
Category |
Tour
Price US$ |
Single
Sup US$ |
| First
Class |
4540 |
1575 |
| Deluxe |
5175 |
1825 |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
- Accommodation
on twin-share basis in hotels as
selected.
- Daily
buffet breakfast and dinner as per the itinerary
(B=Breakfast, D=Dinner)
- Domestic Air Fare for Khajuraho/Varanasi & Lucknow/Kolkata
sectors.
- All transfers and sightseeing on air-conditioned
vehicles
- Entrance fees to sites and museum as per the
itinerary
- Train Fare in Executive Class
- Services of local English speaking guide for
the sight-seeing as per the itinerary at each
city
- Assistance on arrival / departure and Porter's
fee at the airport and railway station only
|
- International
Airfare & Airport Taxes
- Travel
Insurances
- Liability for change in itinerary due to reasons
beyond our control like change in schedule /
cancellation of flights / trains / political
disturbances, natural phenomenon etc.
- Visas
- Beverages
/ Gratuities
|
| Domestic
/ Regional Airfare INCLUDED in Tour Price (Subject
To Change) |
Chennai
/ Madurai and Chennai / Goa
|
|
City
|
First
Class
|
Deluxe
|
Delhi
(3 Nights)
|
Jaypee
Siddharth – 5 Star
(Superior Room)
|
The
Park -5 Star Deluxe
(Luxury Room)
|
Rishikesh
(2 Nights)
|
Ananda
In The Himalayas
(Deluxe Palace View Room)
|
Ananda
In The Himalayas
|
Train
(1 Night)
|
Mussoorie
Exp.
(Executive Class)
|
Mussoorie
Exp.
(Executive Class)
|
Agra
(2 Nights)
|
Clarks
Shiraz
(Standard Room)
|
Jaypee
Palace -5 Star Deluxe
(Standard Room)
|
Khajuraho
(1 Night)
|
Radisson
Jass Hotel -5 Star
(Standard Room)
|
Taj
Chandela –5 Star Deluxe
(Superior Room)
|
Varanasi
(2 Nights)
|
Radisson
Hotel -5 Star
(Standard Room)
|
Taj
Ganges -5 star Deluxe
(Superior Room)
|
Allahabad
(1 Night)
|
Kanha
Shyam -4 star
(Standard Room)
|
Kanha
Shyam -4 star
(Standard Room)
|
Lucknow
(1 Night)
|
Clarks
Avadh -5 Star
(Standard Room)
|
Taj
Residency -5 star
(Standard Room)
|
Kolkata
(2 Nights)
|
Taj
Bengal -5 Star Deluxe
(Superior Room)
|
Taj
Bengal -5 Star Deluxe
(Superior Room)
|
|
|
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US
$ 1395 |
| West
Coast |
US
$ 1495 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of N/a
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
30
years in small group journeys
|
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Site
updated Jun 01, 2009
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