Arrive at Delhi International Airport for your India Yoga tour with Varanasi. Transfer to the hotel by our representative. The rest of the time is at leisure. Evening proceed to Red Fort and enjoy a light and sound show programme. Have dinner and stay overnight.
Delhi, the national capital city of India has a plethora of travel attractions, from old heritage to museums. Geographically there are two parts in Delhi-Old Delhi and New Delhi. Old Delhi is home to Shahjahanabad, the capital city of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The Mughal buildings are Red Fort, Jama Masjid and the Chandi Chowk market. New Delhi is the creation of Lord Lutyen, the British architect who designed the architecture of the new capital. Visit both Old Delhi and New Delhi. Explore the colorful markets of Delhi and pick up souvenirs. Lunch and dinner would be served at exotic restaurants.
Drive to Agra. It will take 4 hours. On arrival check in at a hotel and take a rest for a while. Then set out your sightseeing in Agra. This city was once a capital of the Mughals. Housing the One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Agra draws millions of tourists from across the globe. This city still has a medieval charm with its Mughal buildings, shops of curios.
First visit the giant Agra Fort, once served as the main residential and administrative hub of the Mughal capital. The architecture of the fort has some Hindu elements. The Durbar halls, the residential palace of the king, gardens, and Meena Bazaar are worth seeing. Then proceed to Taj Mahal. Sunset is the best time to have a view of the Taj Mahal as the Taj looks beautiful at the sunset time. Your Agra visit would be incomplete if you miss a Mughlai dining. Agra has some royal hereditary chefs. Savor a Mughlai dish. After dinner, stay overnight.
Early in the morning, take the train to Delhi. Upon arrival you will drive to Haridwar. On arrival check in at a hotel. Haridwar is located on the bank of the River Ganges with many temples and Ghats. This is one of the sites of Kumbh Mela, a great religious festival held once in twelve years. Har Ki Pauri is the main river Ghat where the evening aarti ceremony looks spectacular. In the evening visit the Ghat and have a glimpse of the aarti. See how a river becomes a deity of worship for Hinduism and how a society is formed throughout it.
Rishikesh is just 30 kms away from Haridwar. After having breakfast, drive to Rishikesh and on arrival check in at a hotel or yoga ashram. The rest of the time is at leisure. Overnight stay. Rishikesh is the site of meditation of Gods, hence known as Tapo Bhumi. There are several legends related to Rishikesh. It is the site of the sage Raibhya Rishi’s penance. It is said in myth that the demon Madhu was defeated by Lord Vishnu here. The Laxman temple located on the other side of the bank is related to Laxman and the myth says Laxman did penance here. Also another legend says that Lord Shiva drinks the venom that comes out during Samudra manthan (churning of the ocean) at the site of Neelkanth Mahadev temple.
Each day you will attend yoga & meditation class at the ashram. You would come to know about the roots of Yoga and meditation, and correct postures. The yoga experts will explain to you the ancient tradition of yoga and how it has been proved as a modern stress-buster. Learn about the benefits of yoga. The ambience of the ashram will soothe your weary mind. Visit the temples and Ghats of Rishikesh. Explore the Laxman Jhulla And Ram Jhula Bridge.
On the 9th day of India yoga and meditation tour, drive to Delhi. Upon arrival check in at a hotel. The rest of the time is at leisure.
Take the flight to Varanasi city, the holy city located on the bank of the River Ganga. This city is claimed as one of the oldest surviving cities in the world. A quintessential city with lots of temples and Ghats, curio shops, Varanasi could be called a microcosm of India. You see here the Indian sadhus and devotees doing daily rituals on the bank of Ganga and offer prayers to Ganga.
Early morning take a boat cruise along the Ghats of Ganges to have a morning view, how devotees perform rituals and offer prayers to Ganga Maya. Then return to the hotel and have breakfast. Drive to Sarnath, a Buddhist pilgrimage site located in close proximity to Varanasi. This city houses Buddhist temples and monasteries. It is said that Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism delivered his first sermon at Sarnath. Then drive to Banaras Hindu University to explore the Art Gallery. Reach Varanasi hotel. Visit the temples and bazaars. Overnight stay.
Your India Yoga and meditation tour comes to an end. Take the flight to Delhi and then your onward flight.