SPIRITUALITY in HIMALAYAS and REACH YOUR BEST SELF through a SPIRITUAL TOUR of INDIA, EXPLORING INSPIRING DESTINATIONS

Delhi, Amritsar, McLeod Ganj, Chandigarh, Rishikesh, Delhi (9 nights / 10 days)

Every year, travellers come to the Indian sub-continent to experience the divine, to seek blessings from the Almighty and to explore an untouched aspect of life. The force that still keeps going through all odds and difficulties is the power of the spiritual knowledge. The sacred destinations of India offer a blissful experience to the traveller so that they can look within and experience their selves and get to know the real religious wealth of India. The festivals bring together the much-needed charm and cultural attachment between religion and spirituality. Whether it’s the multi-cultural Bahaism temple called Lotus Temple of Delhi or the sacred ghats of the River Ganges in Rishikesh, every time you come to India on a spiritual tour, the perspective improves. The experience of life and living gets better as the mystique existence of self and the world around becomes more acceptable and less bothering. This spiritual tour will take you through the amazing aspects of India.

Highlights of this unique tour include the following attractions and options –

• A detailed look at the spiritual essence of the national capital of India
• A soul-wrenching journey through the Buddhist temples in McLeod Ganj
• The magnificence of Hinduism and the sacred River Ganges on the ghats of Rishikesh
• The opportunity to dive deeper into the pious prayers and to taste kadha Prasad at the Golden Temple of Amritsar

All touring will be on a private basis with your own driver / guide. All ranges of accommodation would be available from 3* hotels upwards and to include deluxe 5* hotels and palaces as well as boutique-style / heritage properties. Just indicate your preference and budget and leave the rest to us and our expert ground handlers in India!

DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI by FLIGHT

Your tour begins on reaching New Delhi. You will be met at the airport by our local representatives before you are transferred to your hotel where you will start to feel India’s comforting vibes.

Delhi – The Spiritual Centre of India

The perfect mix of all religions can be found in the capital of India – Delhi. Where there are temples devoted to Hinduism, there are opportunities to sing shabad at the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara. The magnificence of the Laxminarayan Temple, Kaalkaji and Chhatarpur Shaktipeeth leaves pilgrims spell-bound with the devotion for the Almighty. The exploration doesn’t seem to end here. The vivacious chanting of hymns at the famous Jhandewala Temple and the sight of large hanuman statues reignite the passion for the brave deity and reinforces the firm belief in his powers. The row of visitors in front of the famous lotus temple shows that there are enough followers of the universal religion – the religion of love and the spiritual language of humanity. The day-bound tour of Delhi reminds one of the good old days, when the city was carefree and life was a fun-filled ride.

The Sight-seeing Experience 

The hymns and verses of Gurbani shower the Almighty’s blessings on you inside the comprehensive premises of sacred Bangla Sahib Gurudwara. Flocked by Sikhs and multi- religious pilgrims, it provides plenty of reasons to come back again and again. The Akshardhaam Temple reminds you of the deeper meaning of life and about the secret to strengthen your inner will-power. Its magnificence and the larger than life ‘light and sound’ show will mesmerise you with the grandeur of its marvellous architecture. You can seek blessings of the Lord at the Jhandewala Hanuman Temple and the Jhandewala Mata Mandir. The Divinity blesses your soul when you witness the charisma of the Iscon Temple. The sacred qawwali sung at the Nizamuddin Chishti’s Dargah quench the thirst for soul upliftment. Other noted locales include the Kaalkaji Temple, famous for its old-style temple premises and the unusual offering of liquor as the prasadam.

You take a night’s rest at your hotel.

DAY 2: DELHI – AMRITSAR by  TRAIN 12029 (SWARNA SHATABDI) @ 07h20 – 13h45

This day starts with train travel towards Amritsar - the famous city where food, culture and tradition prevail all-round the year. A train named ‘Swarna Shatabdi’ will transfer you to this magnificent travel destination after a journey of around 5 to 6 hours.

Amritsar – The City of the ‘Golden Temple’

Amritsar is the city of pride for Sikhs and is the city where the sacred guru Granth Sahib is situated. The holy book of Sikhs lies inside the golden premises of the Golden Temple. Very famous for its early-morning prbhat feri and the shabad kirtan, the Golden Temple attracts maximum footfall to the city from India and around the world. Taking a dip in the holy waters and seeking the Almighty’s blessings make the days auspicious. Important ceremonies observed throughout the year bring much-needed flavour to its glory. The Durgiana Temple, located near the railway station, offers to the divine a sneak peek into the sacred Aarti and the mouth-watering chhappan bhog, made fresh to offer to Lord Vishnu and Devi Lakshmi in the temple premises. Built around a small lake, this too is similar in architecture to the Golden Temple. Lal Mata Mandir deserves a visit because of the replica of the famous Vaishno Devi Cave.

DAY 3: AMRITSAR

The Sight-seeing Experience

Today’s half-day tour of this city is more than enough to get a taste of its vibrancy. The divinity seeks varied forms in the pious waters of the Harminder Sahib or the Golden Temple. Pilgrims wearing scarves and providing their services to the travellers are a common sight here. Apart from shabad kirtan and Gurbani, the taste of kadha Prasad and the cleanliness of this place will inspire you. The famous Durgiana Temple is a divine manifestation of the religious vibes of the local people. The smell of chhappan bhog lets you cherish the flavours of life at this unique temple.

The Lal Mata Mandir is also famous for its sacred pujas and the availability of a variety of prasadam that makes travellers flock here all through the year. Noted locales like Wagah Border encourage you to feel inspired for mother India and a visit to the Jalliawala Bagh reminds one of the numerous sacrifices given by India’s ancestors for the freedom of their nation.

DAY 4: AMRITSAR – McLEOD GANJ by SURFACE (214 kms. / 4½ hours)

Today, you gear up for a rejoicing journey into the lands of the famous Buddhist Guru - the Dalai Lama – at the place known as McLeod Ganj. Apart from the excellent climatic conditions, this place is known for its spiritual significance and the close look of the Tibetan culture in its air. You relax overnight in your hotel after reaching here.

DAY 5: IN McLEOD GANJ – The Spiritual window TO Buddhism

Being an awesome place for its hilly adventures, McLeod Ganj is a traveller’s delight. The main positive things about this place are its fantastic climate and the local Tibetan culture. The street food and the local market all create the unique mix of endeavours required for a blissful travelling experience.

The Dalai Lama Temple invites pilgrims to experience the ideology behind one of the most popular religions of Asia – Buddhism. The daily rituals and the meditation sessions practiced by monks represent a whole new world that lies inside every one of us. The ancient Shiva Temple is a blissful place built in the old Tibetan-style architecture. It is the home for many old people in the town who religiously come to its doors to offer prayers to the Almighty. The local streets are filled with popular cuisines, coffee shops, old book stalls and the most talked- about local fashion shops, where bargaining comes naturally.

The Sight-seeing Experience 

Situated near the upper regions of Dharamshala, McLeod Ganj is a delightful mix of authentic lifestyle, street food, spiritual wealth and fantastic climatic conditions. You can experience the freshness of the mountain air when you come to this heavenly abode on Earth. Calm and peace embrace you inside the Dalai Lama Temple and the slow hymns make you believe all the more in the divine powers. The ancient Shiva Temple or Bhagsunag Temple is a beautiful place, where the idol of Lord Shiva is offered prayers by the locals as well as tourists. You will cherish a tour of the Kangra State Museum in the daytime, followed by the Norbulingka Institute tour. The rich historical and traditional wealth of the region can be witnessed here in the form of clothes, arts and crafts. Norbulingka is a famous place where 1,173 Lord Buddha idols are placed amidst the Japanese-style garden. The evening is meant for some road roaming and the local shopping experience.

DAY 6: McLEOD GANJ - CHANDIGARH by SURFACE (260 kms. / 8 hours)

Today marks your travel to the amazing locales of Chandigarh. After a flexible journey to this place by road, you can finally rest in the hotel after eight hours.

Chandigarh – The City of Gardens

Chandigarh is the joint capital of the states of Punjab and Haryana. Being the union territory governed itself by central government, this city is well-planned. It came into existence in 1950, when the famous Swiss architect Le Corbusier planned a city map with self-containing sectors in it. Giving equal importance to the lakes, gardens and parks, he made sure that the ratio of concrete buildings and natural scenarios remains genuine. Each and every sector in this city is well-planned having all the necessary amenities for the smooth running of one’s day to day life. In the parks, monuments and shops, everything has been carved with a common material –  reinforced concrete. The main tourist numbers can be seen in Sector 17 and Sector 22 where there is a good availability of local restaurants, shops and hotels. Famous gardens like Rock Garden, Rose Garden and Pinjore Garden remain the centre of attraction for visitors.

The Sight-seeing Experience 

The amazing architecture and the clean look of this city welcome you with arms wide-open. The reinforced concrete gives this place the amazing gift of strength. The plush gardens and pristine lakes paint a picture of the developed India that is ready to embrace the cosmopolitan lifestyle. A visit to the Rock Garden will delight you as numerous rock statues give a sense of artistic pleasure to your eyes. The Rose Garden and Pinjore Garden are delightful visitor treats.

The ride through the lanes of this city will represent a picture of calm and will allow you to appreciate the hard work done by the Swiss architect Le Corbusier. The shopping and dining delights can be easily found in Sector 17. Numerous comfortable hotels are located in Sector 22. After exploring  the local market in the evening all by yourself, you can then get proper rest in your hotel room.

DAY 7: CHANDIGARH - RISHIKESH by SURFACE (210 kms. / approx. 5½ hours)

The journey towards Rishikesh starts on day seven of this amazing spiritual tour. The voyage will consume around six hours of your time before you reach the pious place called Rishikesh. Get yourself some rest in your hotel and spend the rest of the day preparing for next day’s Rishikesh tour. An amazing spiritual experience awaits you the following day.

DAY 8: Rishikesh – The Sacred Land of Lord Vishnu

Deriving its name from the preserver Lord - the great Vishnu, this peaceful and inspiring place is located on the pious banks of the River Ganges. According to mythological tales, Saint Bhargava made Vishnu reincarnate as the Lord Rishikesh on Earth. This place has a mix of culture, colour and vivaciousness that is unique in itself. From small roadside shops selling Pooja offerings to large showrooms, this place has plenty of possibilities for inside and outside experiences. The ghats of the sacred River Ganges remain a promising sight for observing traveller crowds and the peaceful Sandhya Aarti in the evening close to Parmarth Niketan Aashram. The awesome temple called Bharat Mata Mandir seems attractive because of its unique architecture and the multi-storey building.

The experience of walking on Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula bridges enchants your soul from inside. Some travellers do offer dough balls to fishes thriving in the River Ganges’ waters.

You have a second night’s rest in your hotel room.

DAY 9: RISHIKESH - DELHI by SURFACE (242 kms. / approx. 6 hours)

After breakfast, you gear up to move to the next destination i.e. back to Delhi. On reaching the city, you can relax for the day in your hotel room before taking a final night’s rest here too.

DAY 10: LEAVE DELHI by FLIGHT

After taking breakfast, you leave for the airport in good time to board your flight back home or to your next travel destination.

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