Celebrating International Yoga Day in Rishikesh Tour

On arrival at New Delhi, our representative will meet you at the airport and drive you to the hotel. DELHI, in the physical and allegorical sense, is the gateway to India and has charm to attract large number of guests from across the globe. Delhi can be segregated into parts- New Delhi which is the modern city of 21st century and old Delhi, the walled city. According to the available time, a tour of Akshardham Temple with musical fountain show can be organized. Overnight stay is scheduled in Delhi hotel.

After the breakfast, the tour will commence with an expert of the city. Proceed on a guided tour visit Raj Ghat , a simple monument to Mahatma Gandhi. Tour will pass by the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid by man-pulled rickshaw. Jama Masjid of New Delhi is one of the largest mosques in Asia. The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the Yamuna River, was built during the years 1638-48 when the Mughal rule was at its height.

After visiting medieval Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi which reflects the legacy of the British. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals, respectively. The split in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the split between the lifestyles. The walled city is all tradition where you will be able to pick up lifestyle of past in all its facets, colors and spells.

New Delhi, on the other hand, is a city that tries to live up to the best standards of the 21st century. Imperial Delhi will include the Qutub Minar , the tallest tower in India. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing Indian Gate, Parliament Building and Rastrapathi Bhawan, the president's residence & Humayun's tomb. In the afternoon walk in the Lodhi Garden. Overnight stay will be in Delhi hotel.

Depending upon the availability of time, Lotus Temple, a Bahai temple built in the shape of a lotus flower and Delhi Haat which informally presents a bazaar of folk crafts and the gastronomic art of the country. Overnight stay will be in Delhi hotel.

Early morning, in time, you will be transferred to New Delhi railway station to board Shatabdi Express train to Haridwar. On arrival at Haridwar, you will be received by our representative and from there the car will take you to Rishikesh. You breakfast will be served in the train. On arrival in Rishikesh, your smooth check in at the hotel will be ensured. Rest of the day is free for leisure that you can utilize by exploring local market on the banks of the Ganga and studded with several temples. Overnight stay will be in Rishikesh hotel.

Rishikesh is known as the international capital of Yoga. In the morning, enjoy the rituals and ceremony of Ganges arti. Hereinafter, your Yoga session is scheduled. After Yoga and meditation, your day is free for leisure and exploration. In the evening, worship of Ganga, aptly called Ganga Aarti, is held. It is reverence for the pious river. Attending this ceremony will be a mesmerizing experience. Overnight stay will be in Rishikesh hotel.

Today, in the morning, a session of Yoga and meditation will be held either on the banks of the Ganga or in the “ashrama”. Various ‘asanas’ will be part of your Yoga learning. Surya Namaskar asana will be quite amazing one among them. After, this meditation and ‘asana’ session, return to ‘ashrama’ or hotel to have breakfast. After breakfast, a Yoga session and lectures on Vedanta are scheduled. After this, a session of Ayurveda (science of healthy life) is also organized to explain you about ancient and traditional Hindu way of healthy life with holistic and natural treatment system. Now have lunch and relax a bit. Again, a Yoga session will be held with special emphasis on Ashtang Yoga. In the evening, again participate in Ganga Aarti. Overnight stay will be in Rishikesh hotel.

Have breakfast in the Ashram and take part in various activities of the ‘ashrama’ like meditation, yoga and attending spiritual chanting and practices. Rest of the day is free for Rishikesh exploration. Walk around as a vagabond, observing various aspects of Indian, specially Hindu culture. In the evening, again participate in Ganga Aarti. Overnight stay will be in Rishikesh hotel.

After breakfast in Rishikesh ‘ashrama’ drive for Haridwar. It takes about an hour to reach Haridwar. Haridwar or "gateway to the gods" is one of the seven most sacred places according to Hindu mythology, as it is believed that the gods have left their mark on Haridwar. Haridwar represents the gateway to the Hindu pilgrimages like Badrinath and Kedarnath in the Himalayas. The pilgrimage to Himalayan temples begins only when the sun reaches the zodiacal sign of Aries. Haridwar is also the site of celebration of Kumbha, a religious gathering held once in twelve years, when Jupiter transits the zodiacal sign of Aquarius. The five sacred bath places in Haridwar are Gangadwara, Kankhal, Nila Parvata, Bilwa Theertha and Kusavarta. As legend says that Har Ki Paudi ghat was built by Vikramaditya in memory of his brother Bhartrihari. This ghat is also known as Brahmakund. At night a Maha Aarti is performed at this Ghat. Sapt Rishi in Haridwar is a place where Ganga divides itself into seven small streams. Enjoy watching Maha Aarti of goddess Ganga at Har Ki Paudi. Overnight stay will be in Rishikesh hotel.

Early in the morning, you will be transferred to Haridwar railway station to board train for New Delhi. The breakfast will be served onboard. On arrival at New Delhi, you will be received by our representative and driven to Agra, about 4 hours drive from Delhi. Two Mughal rulers, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed a small city of Agra into the capital of the Mughal kingdom - giving the name of Dar-ul-Khilafat {Seat of Muslim Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is engulfed in a world of contrasting buildings of red sandstone and white marble, narrow alleys and quaint buggies, and the irresistible attraction that the favorite city of the Mughals still retains. Not surprisingly, modern Agra still reflects its heritage of the Mughals. On arrival at Agra , you will directly be transferred to Agra hotel to check in, spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay.

Early in the morning, during dawn hours, you will be taken to Taj Mahal to have sunrise view. Taj Mahal (remains closed on Fridays for visitors) is the prime tourist attraction of Agra. There is not much to say about this architectural wonder which is always the reason-of-being soul for all tourist visits to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is a white marble monument. Taj Mahal took 22 years to complete and was designed and planned by the Persian architect, Ustad Isa. Apart from its striking balance of design and perfect symmetry, the Taj Mahal also stands out especially for its elegant domes, carved wooden screens and some of the finest inlay work ever seen.

After visiting Taj Mahal, return to hotel to relax and have breakfast. After breakfast, proceed on for visiting Agra Fort. Built by Akbar in 1565 AD, the Agra Fort is predominantly red sandstone. Inside the fort is the Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction. It is located on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of the city. Akbar built it as his citadel through the years 1563-73 in the best architectural style. It is characterized by its imposing doors and walls of red sandstone and a moat.

After Agra Fort, we will visit Baby Taj or Itmad-ud-Daulah, the interiors of which are considered better than the Taj. One of the most beautiful Mughal era tombs, the Itmad-Ud-Daulah tomb was built by Nur Jahan, the wife of Mughal ruler Jahangir, for her father in 1628 AD. The tomb is a resting place of the powerful Mughal court personality, Itmad-Ud –Daulah, whose life is very interesting. Later return to Agra hotel for overnight stay.

Agra - Fatehpur Sikri – Jaipur – June 26

After enjoying delicious breakfast, depart for Jaipur. On the way to Jaipur, visit Fatehpur Sikri. The deserted city, constructed of red sandstone, was built by Akbar. Fatehpur Sikri served as Mughal capital and Akbar’s palace in the 16th century. It is a true fairy tale and its "ruins" are in perfect condition. It is not difficult to imagine what the life of the court had been like in its heydays. You will also visit Bulland Darwaza, the largest stone-built entrance in the world.

After visiting Fatehpur Sikri, drive to Jaipur. After four hours of drive reach the Pink City of Rajasthan, Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. You will be directly transferred to check in at the hotel.

Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan, a romantic kingdom of resplendent palaces, great fortresses and royal Maharajas which lies in the western desert and forms a unique landscape. Belonging to the proud caste of warriors CHATRÍAS and ferociously independent, the princes of Rajput dreaded their enemies. However, many of them realized that to maintain their wealth and authority in the neighborhood, it was convenient to proclaim loyalty to the central power. In this way, they were able to enjoy a privileged position under the command of the Mughal emperors, as well as during the period of the British Raj that pursued.

This afternoon , visit the Birla Temple to learn more about the fascinating religious life of Jaipur. The marble structure, built in 1985, houses ornamental statues of Lakshmi (goddess of wealth and beauty) and Narayan, dressed in gaudy clothes, representing a Hindu vision of heavenly luxury. Engraved pillars of the temple that support the covered corridors include images of the Hindu pantheon, as well as Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Francis of Assisi. The visit will coincide with the AARTI ceremony. Later return to hotel for overnight stay.

Jaipur sightseeing - June 27

After breakfast, commence your sightseeing tour of Jaipur along with competent tour guide. The first destination will be Amber Fort. Climb the elephant towards Amber Fort. Amber is the classic fort & palace complex of Jaipur. Its construction was initiated by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendant Jai Singh I. Its formidable exteriors hide an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Hindu & Mughal architectural styles finds its maximum expression.

In the afternoon, visit City Palace, Jantar Mantar & Hawa Mahal. A delightful mix of Mughal and traditional Rajasthan architecture, the City Palace of Jaipur spans over a seventh part of the walled city area. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum. Jantar Mantar is the largest and best preserved solar observatory out of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consists of instruments of extraordinary size and still in use. Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a stone-built ornamental façade, is an iconic emblem of the city of Jaipur. It is a five-story, pink sandstone structure inlaid with fine trellis plaster and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Later in the evening, you will attend a Saree-Wearing class of a Hindu girl. Later return to hotel for overnight stay.

Jaipur - Delhi - Departure - June 28

Have leisurely breakfast in the hotel and depart for New Delhi. On arrival at New Delhi, you can visit nearby markets to enjoy last minute shopping. According to the international departure time, you will be in time transferred to the airport to board flight for your onward destination with sweet memories of India.