JOURNEY TO THE GANGES
A cultural tour of India

India is a land of spirits and spiritual beliefs. Spirits have always been felt to emanate from the high and what more holier 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 01-03 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	Incredible !ndia

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)

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 (2 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. (B, D)

Day 09: Agra / Khajuraho (Train) Orrcha / Khajuraho (Drive 172Kms/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 (2 nights) (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)

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Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Jan 16, Feb 20, Mar 19, Apr 16, May 14, Jun 11, Jul 09, Aug 20, Sep 10, Oct 08, Nov 12 & Dec 10
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation on twin-share basis in hotels as selected. International airfare & Airport tax Daily buffet breakfast as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, D=Dinner) Visas / Insurance Domestic Air Fare for Khajuraho/Varanasi & Lucknow/Kolkata sectors Liability for change in itinerary due to reasons beyond our control like change in schedule / cancellation of flights / trains / political disturbances, natural phenomenon etc. All transfers and sightseeing on air-conditioned vehicles Tips / Gratuities 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
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Hotel Category Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement HIGH SEASON VALID FROM OCT 01, 2011 TO APR 15, 2012 Option 1 US $ 4375 US $ 1550 Option 2 US $ 4875 US $ 1775 Hotels City Option 1 Option 2 Delhi (3 Nights) Jaypee Siddharth – 5 Star (Superior Room) Taj Palace Hotel 5 Star Deluxe Superior Room Rishikesh (2 Nights) Ananda In The Himalayas (Deluxe Palace View Room) Ananda In The Himalayas (Deluxe Palace View Room) Train (1 Night) Mussoorie Exp. (Ist A.C Sleeper) Mussoorie Exp. (Ist A.C Sleeper) 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) The Gateway Hotel Ganges 5 Star Deluxe (Standard 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) Hindustan International 5 Star (Standard Room Taj Bengal -5 Star Deluxe (Superior Room)
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1600 USA - West Coast US $ 1400 Canada - East Coast US $ 1200 USA - East Coast US $ 1000
Participants
This tour operates with a minimum of 2 participants.
Notes - General Conditions
The price are on Per Person basis - All prices are subject to any revision of tax and tariff structure.
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.