Great Faiths of India

HIGHLIGHTS

Visit the Historic Capital of India- New Delhi

Attend the Palki Ceremony at Golden Temple Amritsar

Join the Langar (free meal) for lunch at Golden Temple

Explore Mathura - birthplace of Lord Krishna (Hindu God)

Witness an iconic monument of love -Taj Mahal Agra

Devote yourself to a deeply spiritual city-Varanasi

Visit Bodhgaya where Buddha attained enlightenment and discover your inner soul

Delhi – Amritsar – Mathura – Bharatpur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Varanasi – Sarnath – Bodhgaya – Delhi

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the itinerary

This is an extraordinary journey of discovery – a spiritual holiday that takes you around some of the important religious sites of India to interact with the faithful, gain an insight into the essence of Indian religions, and experience pilgrimage in its Indian context. Whether you are a religious studies student or just someone interested in discovering these rich traditions, this tour brings you close to some of India's most important sacred sites and communities – Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist.

Meals B: Breakfast, L: Lunch & D: Dinner

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Day 01 - Fly to Delhi

Fly from your home country to Delhi.

Day 02 - Arrive in Delhi

We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Spend the day relaxing, or venture out to explore Delhi – a melting pot of diverse Indian religions and cultures and the perfect starting point to any religious and spiritual tour of India. In the words of the mystical Sufi poet Mirza Ghalib,” I asked my soul: What is Delhi? She replied: the world is the body, and Delhi its soul”.

Overnight in hotel The Suryaa New Delhi. B

Day 03 - Delhi Sightseeing

This morning our knowledgeable local guide will take you on a tour of Old Delhi with its many spiritual and religious sites – Jain and Hindu temples, Sikh gurudwaras, the largest mosque in India, and the interfaith community at Shri Gobind Sadan. Later continue your tour of Delhi’s spiritual life as we visit the Lotus Temple, the magnificent white marble house of worship of the Baha’i faith.

Overnight in hotel The Suryaa New Delhi. B

Day 04 - Delhi Sightseeing & Train to Amritsar

In the morning, we take you on a tour of the atmospheric shrine of the Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya in one of the oldest and most magical parts of Delhi. This mystical branch of Islam advocates a personal spiritual relationship with God through renunciation and service to humanity. Performances of religious devotional music with the faithful entering into trances are commonplace at the shrine, and it is one of India’s most fascinating sacred sites. We also take you to the nearby Humayun’s Tomb, the magnificent sandstone forerunner of the Taj Mahal.

In the late afternoon, transfer to the railway station to board the Amritsar Shatabdi train to Amritsar in an Executive class (departs at 16:30 and arrives at 22:35).

Our representative will meet you at the railway station and transfer you to the hotel.

Overnight in hotel Hyatt Regency, Amritsar. B

Day 05 - Amritsar Sightseeing

Take off your shoes, cover your head, and step into the magnificent Golden Temple – the holiest shrine of Sikhism, one of India's most important religious pilgrimage sites. Later visit the poignant Jallianwala Bagh and the border of India and Pakistan at Wagah for the fascinating lowering of the flag’s ceremony.

Overnight in hotel Hyatt Regency Amritsar. B

Day 06 - AN EXCURSION TO TARN TARAN AND GOINDWAL AND TRAIN TO MATHURA

In the morning, our local guide takes you on tour to nearby Tarn Taran Sahib, a town rich in spiritual traditions with its many historical gurudwaras and shrines, and Goindwal, the first-ever Sikh pilgrimage site.

Transfer to the railway station to board your overnight train “Golden Temple Mail” in a 1-tier air-conditioned sleeper class to Mathura in the evening.

Overnight on train. BD (packed dinner)

Day 07 - Visit to Gokul and Govardhan

Today visit the nearby village of Gokul, where Krishna spent his childhood, brought up in secret by his foster mother, Yashoda. Later move on to Govardhan, where (provided you have sufficient energy to spare) you can walk the 21km “parikrama” pilgrimage procession around Govardhan hill and devotees from all over India.

Overnight in hotel Sarovar Portico Nidhivan, Mathura. B

Day 08 - Drive to Bharatpur

Morning drive to the Bharatpur bird sanctuary and for a tour around the wooded park amongst over 300 species of birds. It’s a beautiful serene place for peace, quiet, and rejuvenation.

Overnight in hotel Laxmi Vilas Palace, Bharatpur. B

Day 09 - TO AGRA VIA FATEHPUR SIKRI

On today’s drive to Agra, we stop at the ghost town of Fatehpur Sikri, where the Mughal emperor Akbar held the world’s first interfaith debates between Portuguese Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims in the 16th century. Then on to the incredible Taj Mahal, the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the finest sights in the world. Our knowledgeable local guide will give you the juicy history and stories about this remarkable building. This marble mausoleum has practically become a pilgrimage site for visitors to India. Also, visit the Agra Fort and the tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah, the “Baby Taj.”

Overnight in hotel Ekaa Villa Agra. B

Day 10 - Sunrise Taj Mahal visit & Overnight train to Varanasi

Be mesmerised by a sunrise visit to the iconic Taj Mahal. Spend the day relaxing and exploring Agra. In the evening, transfer to the railway station to board your overnight train Magadh Express in first-class journey departure from Agra at 23:25.

Overnight onboard train. BD (packed dinner)

Day 11 - SARNATH VISIT & EVENING ARATI CEREMONY AT RIVER GANGES

Arrive at Varanasi at 0725 hrs and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon visit Sarnath, the deer park where the Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining nirvana, with its the stupas, temples, and pillar of the ancient emperor Ashoka.

As the sun sets, we will drive to the Ghats (stone steps leading down to the Ganges River) and enjoy the spectacular riverside aarti prayer rituals.

Overnight in hotel Ganges View, Varanasi. B

Day 12 - VARANASI SIGHTSEEING

Today is a very early start. We wake up before the sun, drive to the ghats, and enjoy a magical sunrise boat ride on the holy river Ganges, witnessing the faithful perform their Morning Prayer rituals by the riverside. After breakfast, visit the city sights of Varanasi, including Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple & Aurangzeb’s Mosque. Evening enjoys rickshaw ride on the ghat.

Overnight in hotel Ganges View, Varanasi. B

Day 13 - TRAIN TO BODHGAYA

Morning at leisure to explore this spiritual city on your own. Afternoon transfer to the railway station to board your train to Bodhgaya YNRK HWH SPL AC 2 Tier (2A) (03010) departs Varanasi at 16:15- Arrives Gaya at 2045. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight in hotel The School, Bodhgaya. B

Day 14 - BODHGAYA TEMPLE VISIT

Today explore Bodhgaya with our local guide to visit the Mahabodhi Temple, the Bodhi Tree, and the Great Buddha Statue; the rest of the day at leisure or an optional visit to Mahakala (or Dungeshwari) Caves is about 12 km northeast of Bodhgaya, where Buddha did the severe penance that led him to see the futility of extreme asceticism. Realizing that the key to enlightenment was a “middle path” between self-denial and self-indulgence, he walked down to Bodhgaya, where he achieved nirvana. A short climb from the base of the impressive cliff. This visit will be at an additional cost.

Bodh Gaya is where the Buddha attained nirvana sitting under a bodhi tree 2500 years ago. Despite being the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site globally, it retains a relatively peaceful atmosphere, perfect for reflection. There is still the bodhi tree under which it is claimed the Buddha was sitting when he attained nirvana, and many surrounding temples were built by all the Buddhist nations of the world.

Overnight in hotel The School, Bodhgaya. B

Day 15 - Fly to Delhi & International Departure

Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to airport to board your flight to Delhi (IndiGo 6E-2185 departs Gaya at 14:00 hrs and arrives Delhi at 15:50 hrs). On arrival in Delhi, transfer to the international terminal to board your homebound flight. Depending on your International departure flight time from Delhi, accommodation can be booked at Holiday Inn Express Hotel or smart Hotel at Delhi airport at an additional cost.

The Cost

Per Person sharing a twin or double room: $2350*

Single Room Supplement: $748

*This cost is valid from October 2022 to March 2023. December peak period supplements may apply.

Cost Includes:

All train journeys are in air-conditioned class (Delhi to Amritsar on an executive class, Amritsar to Mathura and Agra to Varanasi on a first-class & Varanasi to Bodhgaya on the second class.
11 night’s accommodation in hotels as per itinerary, sharing a twin or double room with en-suite facilities (Check-in is 1400 hrs and checkout noon. Early check-in late checkouts are subject to availability).
Daily breakfast at all hotels.
03 packed dinner while train journeys.
All arrival, departure transfers, long drives, and sightseeing by a chauffeur-driven private air-conditioned Innova car.
Services of a local English-speaking representative for all arrival and departure transfers to assist you at the airports and railway stations.
Services of English-speaking guides during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
Entrance fees to all monuments during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
Complimentary Mineral water while traveling & sightseeing.

Cost Does not Include:

International airfare.
Any meals other than specified in the itinerary.
India Visa Fee: E- Tourist visa facility is now available for India for citizens of most countries. We will send you a step-by-step guide for an E-Tourist visa on the booking confirmation.
Any expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, beverages, etc.
Camera fees at monuments and other places of interest.
Travel Insurance: It is essential to have adequate insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health, and destination you are visiting.
Tips and gratuities.

Notes:

Lotus Temple, Delhi remains closed on Mondays
Ranjit Singh Museum, Amritsar remains closed on Mondays.
Sarnath Museum, Varanasi remains closed every Friday
Taj Mahal, Agra remains closed on Fridays
Please remove your shoes & cover your head before entering the Golden Temple complex Amritsar, temples, and Mosque.
At Wagah, the ceremony begins at 4 PM. Bags, drugs, tobacco, power bank, extra charger batteries are not allowed for security reasons

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