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India Itinerary March 19th to 31st , 2010 Bernardo Kushala & María Fernanda Gay Day 1: (Arrive Delhi) Arrive Delhi, late evening. After immigration and customs, meet with our representative and transfer to the hotel Taj Palace. Delhi, the Empress of Indian cities has a fascinating history and stimulating present. She has often been sacked and left naked and desolate. But she could not be despoiled of the incomparable situation that marks her for the metropolis of a great empire. The capital of India, Delhi has been the seat of power of a number of dynasties - the Rajputs, the Afghans, the Turks and the Mughals who continued their imperial line until the British. Scattered over are surviving ruins, remnants of mighty edifices, tombs of warriors and saints, which, in an impressive sense of magnificence are memorials not of a single city but of supplanted nations. Overnight at the Taj Palace. India is recognized for its ancient knowledge of Yoga and Ayurveda all
over the world. Yoga is an art of transforming the inert Body to the
level of vibrant Mind in order to unite your Body and Mind into one
with the serenity of the Self or soul. Yoga helps in Rejuvenating your
Mind and Soul and brings out the best in a person. Yoga is now been
practiced all over the World. Our Yoga Tour takes you to Haridwar
-Rishikesh located in the lap of the Mighty Himalayas. Day 2: (Delhi- Haridwar) Early morning transfer to railway station to board the Shatabadi to Haridwar, departing Delhi at 06:55 a.m. On arrival at 11:25a.m.we transfer to Mohyal Ashram. A beautifully build ashram on the Hardwar - Rishikesh Highway, with one of the best Yoga halls in the area. Haridwar is the first town where the holy Ganga River emerges to meet the plains. One of the oldest living cities from the time of Lord Buddha, its mythological character and mystic influence brings to pilgrims a purification of the mind, body and soul. Numerous tanks, bathing ghats (river banks) and temples become bustling sites of ritual Hindu practices performed by pilgrims for the salvation of their ancestors and their own expiation. Little has changed from the past as we take a walk by the riverside bazaar with stalls of small eateries and others selling ritual paraphernalia; mounds of vermilion powder, coconuts wrapped in red and gold cloth .... The banks teem with humanity as the rich and the poor, families and sanyasis dip in the holy water in an effort to achieve purity. After check-in the guests are taken around the Ashram and briefed about
the course followed by lunch (Ayurvedic meals throughout the stay).
After lunch, we begin with an introduction with the Yoga and meditation
teacher followed by an introductory session of Yoga & meditation.
Later in the evening visit Harkipauri for the famous Ganga Aarti & floating of
diyas (lamps with marigold flowers) on the Ganges. Dinner and Overnight. Day 3: (In Haridwar). The day begins at 07:30 a.m. with the morning walk to the River Banks. The first session of yoga at the yoga hall at the ashram led by the
learned yoga instructors, who will explain the benefits of the
different yoga postures & the art of performing for physical & mental
benefits. (If yoga is preferred to be done without a walk, even that is
possible) Breakfast at 09:00 a.m.
Meditation class at 10:30 a.m. In 3 Levels (Basic, Gradual and Advanced, as per Candidates).
Followed by a topic of the day discussion/lecture.
Buffet lunch at 1:00 p.m.
Some time to relax. Later in the day the group can enjoy some optional activities such as:
1. Visit to Patanjali Yog Peeth - Swami Ramdevji.
2. Availability of Ayurvedic therapies for massage by specialized
Ayurvedic physians / masseurs.
3. Reiki under the guidance of Reiki Master.
4. Half-day excursion trip to various temples & ashrams of Hardwar .
Evening at sunset we proceed for the Ganga Aarti at Har ki pauri or Bhajan recitals that are organized at the place of stay or at any ashram.
Ayurvedic dinner at 08:30 p.m. Overnight at the Ashram. Day 4: (Haridwar - Rishikesh). In morning, after breakfast we drive to Rishikesh (approx 24 kms- 45 mins drive). On arrival check-in to Hotel Vasundhra. The Day is free to practice Yoga/Meditation on your own. Rishikesh, full of ashrams and holy men, temples bells and chanting priests. At dusk, we head down to the banks (Triveni Ghat) Hindu ceremonial ritual known as Aarti, conducted by Brahmin priests every sun set Aarti is a Sanskrit word which stands for homage or devotion. The aarti or offering of the lamps is observed at prescribed hours of the day and night to invoke the gods. It is believed that the gods physically present themselves before devotees at this ceremony. The lamps are revolved before the idols in a clockwise manner along with the chanting of hymns. This recitation is accompanied by drums, blowing of the conch-shell and tolling of the temple bells. At the end of the `aarti', the priest takes a handful of water which he revolves around the god's idol. This is to pacify `agni' (the fire God), who is pressed into service in the form of the wick lamp. The lamps themselves are charged with this "Presence" and thus after the ceremony devotees collect the fumes and smear their faces with its aroma. Overnight in Rishikesh. Day 5, 6 & 7 (In Rishikesh) The day begins at 07:30 a.m. with the morning walk to the River Ganges. The first session of yoga at the Holy river Ganga banks / yoga hall at
the place of stay (depending on the weather) led by the learned yoga
instructors. (If yoga is preferred to be done without walks, even
that is possible) Breakfast at 08:30 a.m.
Meditation class at 10:30 a.m. Delivering in 3 Levels (Basic, Gradual and Advanced, as per Candidates).
Followed by a topic of the day discussion/lecture.
Buffet lunch at 1:00 p.m. Some optional Activities to be enjoyed whilst the stay in Rishikesh along with Yoga and meditation:
1. Availability of Ayurvedic therapies for massage by specialized
Ayurvedic physians / masseurs.
2. Reiki under the guidance of Reiki Master.
3. Half-day excursion trip to various temples & ashrams of Rishikesh.
4. Half-day excursion to Vashisht Cave for meditation -The entire drive (36 kms) is along the river Ganges towards the source for about an hour. Arrive and explore vashistha cave, where famous Indian saint Vasistha, meditated. A perfect place for transcendental meditation. 5: Trek half a day to the sacred Kunjapuri temple dedicated to the goddess Sati, consort of Lord Shiva. Spectacular scenery along pathways pioneered by sages on pilgrimage in ancient India. Picnic baskets and local `pathfinders' come along. (at sunrise on a clear day). 6. One can take rafting trip or can do a waterfall trek for half a day.
Yoga & meditation at 5:00 p.m. for two hours.
Evening at sunset we proceed for the Ganga Aarti at Trevini Ghat /
Parmarth Niketan or Bhajan recitals organized at the place of stay.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Day 8 (Haridwar-Delhi - Jaipur) An early morning transfer to the railway station to board the Shatabadi departing for Delhi at 06:00 a.m. On arrival in Delhi at 10:30 a.m. drive to Jaipur (approximately a 5 hours drive). Jaipur is where the enduring charisma of the past blends with the throbbing vitality of today. Where a colorful cast of characters - from painters and potters to artists and antique dealers - present a fascinating picture of a city that is alive to both tradition and change. Raja Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur was no ordinary man. He was a scholar and an astronomer, keenly sensitive to beauty, a formidable general, who tempered power with wisdom. In building Jaipur, Jai Singh's vision took him beyond architectural beauty, for in the sprawling, barren plains beneath Amer, the former capital; he gave India its first planned city, which has remained unique in two and a half centuries. Jai Singh made Jaipur a haven and a center of commerce and religion. Today, Jaipur has spread far beyond the pink crenellated walls that once defined its boundaries. It presents a fascinating picture of a city where growth, evolution and change are sustained by tradition. On arrival transfer and check-in to Jai Mahal Palace. Overnight in Jaipur. Day 9 (In Jaipur) After breakfast, encompass the highlights of Jaipur city as we drive to visit the open air royal observatory "Jantar Mantar" stopping en route to see the "Hawa Mahal" or the Palace of Winds. Maharaja Jai Singh, the creator of Jaipur loved mathematics and science, sending emissaries to the court of Mirza Beg in Samarkand who had built an observatory in 1425. Spending much of his time studying astronomy, he constructed masonry observatories at Delhi, Varanasi, Ujjain, Mathura and most impressively the `Jantar Mantar' at Jaipur, built between 1728 and 1734. Next to the Observatory is the City Palace and Museum with its fine collection of textiles. The City Palace occupies the center of Jaipur, covering one seventh of its area and is surrounded by a high wall. It differs from conventional Rajput fort palaces in its separation of the palace from its fortifications, perhaps modeled on the Mughal architectural style with its main building scattered in "a fortified campus". The Royal family occupies a portion of this Palace, with other areas converted to museums, displaying their vast collection of textiles and costumes, an array of armory, miniature paintings and carpets, the finest of which was displayed at the "Flowers Underfoot - Indian carpets of the Mughal Era" exhibition ,1997/98 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The rest of the day is to explore the colorful markets of Jaipur and the bustling bazaars laden with souvenirs, carpets, world famous gems and jewelry, textiles, the specialty being the traditional hand block printed fabric, antique textiles and handicrafts. The vehicle and guide is at your disposal for the afternoon. Overnight at the Jai Mahal Palace. Day 10 (Jaipur) After breakfast, trace Jaipur's history at the Amber fort, the former seat of the Rajput rulers of Jaipur. Ascending the fortress seated by jeep, wander around the beautiful palaces and visit the Shiladevi temple (which continues to be the private temple of the Royal family) with its exquisite marble carvings and silver door. Jaipur has a variety of attractions, many best explored individually. You may wish to return to the hotel or may choose to further explore the Jaipur markets of blue pottery, gems, textiles and the hustle and bustle. Overnight at the Jai Mahal Palace in Jaipur. Day 11 (Jaipur - Agra) After breakfast, proceed to Agra, en route visit Fatehpur Sikri, the red sandstone former capital of the Mughal empire. According to legend, Emperor Akbar, having no male heir made a pilgrimage to the town of Sikri to seek the blessings of the revered saint Shaikh Salim Chishti. The saint assured Akbar he would have three sons and when his prophecy was fulfilled the king was so overwhelmed that he built a city at Sikri. Politically astute and remarkably broadminded for his time, India's greatest emperor successfully addressed the Hindu-Moslem divide by marrying a Hindu princess whilst also combining their distinctive architectural styles finely exampled at this World Heritage Site. The city lived between A.D. 1571 up to 1585 and then became a ghost town, abandoned, possibly due to complexities with the water systems. After visiting Fatehpur Sikri, drive a short distance to `The Bagh' for lunch. Post lunch, continue to Agra which is about an hours drive. Agra, the city of Taj Mahal which was one of the grand cities of South Asia. With the arrival of the Mughals in 1526 led by Babur, Agra entered a completely new era during the reign of emperors Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. Akbar made it a great center for learning, art, commerce and culture. It is therefore not surprising that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously in its monuments. On arrival check-in to the hotel Taj View. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. Day 12 (In Agra) After breakfast, explore Agra with a drive up to the Agra Fort, a World Heritage Site credited to Emperor Akbar, India's great visionary. His son, Jehangir and grandson Shah Jehan added to this imposing structure situated by the banks of the Yamuna River. The astonishing palaces, mosques and audience halls contained within its massive walls of red sandstone became once more a monumental mission of the Mughal empire embellished by the artistic fusion of Islamic and Hindu tradition. Onward visit Itmad-Ud-Daulah, which became the first Mughal structure totally built from marble and pioneering the extensive use of `pietra dura', the inlay work of marble, which became so characteristic of the Taj Mahal. This mausoleum is small and squat when compared to the soaring Taj, but the smaller, more human scale has its own attraction, and the beautiful patterned surface of the tomb is exquisite. Return to the hotel for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure. The Marble Inlay factories steeped in this decorative art culture are also a specialty of Agra. In the late afternoon, visit the Taj Mahal, with its incredible lacy white grandeur, perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world. To the poet Tagore it was a `tear on the face of eternity'. In memory of his wife, the great Mughal emperor Shah Jehan planned this most extravagant and incomparable monument built for love. Amazingly graceful from any angle, it is the close up detail, which is really astounding. At sunset, the monument appears to change its hue, tinted by the glow of the setting sun. (Taj Mahal is closed on fridays) We will return to Delhi to spend the night. Day 13 At night we will be transferred to the International Airport to fly back home. We recommend arriving to India a couple of days ahead to be able to overcome the jetlag. The hotel accommodation for these days will not be included on the tours total cost.
*Hotels are subject to availability, hotel category will be maintained.
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