Yoga Festival & Classical India Tour with Nepal - 21 Days
Delhi – Haridwar – Rishikesh - International Yoga Festival - Delhi – Jaipur - Agra – Jhansi - Orchha – Khajuraho - Varanasi – Kathmandu - Delhi
It’s a tour dedicated to spirituality and exploration of ancient India & Nepal, with lots of amazing picturesque location in between! Whether its Taj Mahal of Agra or Hawa Mahal of Jaipur or Mountain ranges of Nepal – you are sure to lose yourself once you witness these with your bare eyes.
Day 1 and 2: Delhi
Our representative will receive you on arrival at the airport in Delhi and will take you to your hotel.
New Delhi the capital of India is one of the most charming & happening place in the world. With thousands of sightseeing places like India Gate, Red fort, Jama Masjid and of course The Connaught Place. This city has been beautifully planned with extra greenery to suite your eyes! Delhi is surely the travelers delight.
Activities: Our full day tour of Delhi will highlight the remarkable contrast between Old and New Delhi. We will visit iconic historical monuments like Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, and the Jama Masjid which is also the largest mosque in Asia. Form the mosque we will take a ride in Rickshaw to absorb the sights and sounds of the famous Chandani Chowk market in the heart of Old Delhi.
We will also visit the Gandhi memorial at Raj Ghat, India Gate, Lotus Temple, Presidents residence, National Museum and modern wonders such as the Akshardham Temple.
Red Fort, Delhi
Day 3 to 10: Delhi – Haridwar – Rishikesh
By road in 5 hr. (210 Km)
Also acknowledged as the 'gateway to the Himalayas', Rishikesh is pleasingly located where the holy river Ganges flows down the lap of Himalayas. It is also well known as "the world capital of yoga".
The famous Four Shrines Sacred Journey of India ideally begins from Rishikesh. Rishikesh is basically a Hindu pilgrimage center with magnificent temple of deities. There is Trivani Ghat – where devotees take holy dip in Ganges water.
For the adventure hungers, there is a lot to soothe their nerve - From White Water Rafting to Rappelling and Kayaking!
Activities: Be a part of the International Yoga Festival, a weeklong event, where yoga followers reveal in comprehensive lectures and demonstrations of wide range of yoga styles and asans along the banks of the sacred river Ganges.
Here is an overview of the biggest yoga festival in world.
FRI / 01 March, 2024 INAUGRATION OF INTERNATIONAL YOG FESTIVAL
0500 h: Rituals and Ganga Aarti
0700 - 0830 h: Inaugural Yoga Asana (Gita Ayenger Yoga)
0830 - 1030 h: Breakfast
1100 - 1300 h: Inaugural Ceremony
1300 - 1400 h: Lunch
1400 - 1745 h: Yoga sessions (Different locations)
1815 - 1900 h: Ganga Aarti and Puja
1930 - 2100 h: Cultural Events
SAT / 02 March, 2024
0500 - 0600 h: Meditation session on the Ganges
0700 - 0830 h: Yoga Asana (Krishnamacharya Yoga)
0830 - 1030 h: Breakfast
0900 - 1030 h: Yoga sessions and Vendanta Lectures
1100 - 1230 h: Ayurveda Lecture (Acharya Balakrishna Yogi)
1230 - 1400 h: Lunch
1400 - 1530 h: Yoga sessions (Different Locations)
1600 - 1730 h: Astanga Yoga (Sri Louise)
1815 - 1900 h: Ganga Aarti and Puja
1930 - 2100 h: Cultural Events
SUN / 03 March, 2024
0500 - 0600 h: Meditation session on the Ganges
0700 - 0830 h: Yoga Asana (Krishnamacharya Yoga)
0830 - 1030 h: Breakfast
0900 - 1030 h: Yoga sessions and Vendanta Lectures
1100 - 1230 h: Ayurveda Lecture (Dr.Durga Prasad)
1230 - 1400 h: Lunch
1400 - 1530 h: Yoga sessions (Different Locations)
1600 - 1730 h: Asana Class (Pedro Kupfer)
1815 - 1900 h: Ganga Aarti and Puja
1930 - 2100 h: Cultural Events
MON / 04 March, 2024
0500 - 0600 h: Meditation session on the Ganges
0700 - 0830 h: Yoga Asana (Iyenger Yoga)
0830 - 1030 h: Breakfast
0900 - 1030 h: Yoga sessions and Vendanta Lectures
1100 - 1230 h: Ayurveda Lecture (Sri. Mahadeven)
1230 - 1400 h: Lunch
1400 - 1530 h: Yoga sessions (Different Locations)
1600 - 1730 h: Asana Class (Baba Ramdev)
1815 - 1900 h: Ganga Aarti and Puja
1930 - 2100 h: Cultural Event
TUE / 05 March, 2024
0500 - 0600 h: Meditation session on the Ganges
0700 - 0830 h: Yoga Asana (Kriya Yoga)
0830 - 1030 h: Breakfast
0900 - 1030 h: Yoga sessions and Vendanta Lectures
1100 - 1230 h: Nadi Vijan and Pain Relief Yoga (Dr. Lakshi N Joshi)
1230 - 1400 h: Lunch
1400 - 1530 h: Yoga sessions (Different Locations)
1600 - 1730 h: Asana Class (swami Poornapragnananda)
1930 - 2100 h: Cultural Events
WED / 06 March, 2024
0500 - 0600 h: Meditation session on the Ganges
0700 - 0830 h: Yoga Asana for Advanced People (Iyenger Yoga) 0830 - 1030 h: Breakfast
0900 - 1200 h: Yoga sessions (Different Locations)
1230 - 1400 h: Lunch
1400 - 1730 h: Yoga sessions (Different Locations)
1930 - 2100 h: Cultural Events
THRU / 07 March, 2024
0500 - 0600 h: Meditation session on the Ganges
0700 - 0830 h: Asana session
0830 - 1030 h: Breakfast
1000 - 1130 h: Share your experience
1230 - 1400 h: Lunch
1430 - 1500 h: Photo Session
1500 - 1730 h: Yoga Content results & Soverigns
1930 - 2100 h: Cultural Events
International Yoga Festival 2024 in Rishikesh
Day 11: Rishikesh – Haridwar – Delhi
By road in 5 hr. (210 Km)
After breakfast we will checkout and drive to New Delhi. Spend the evening at leisure and relax at your hotel.
Overnight in Delhi.
Day 12 and 13: Delhi – Jaipur
By road in 5 hr. (240 Km)
Jaipur the largest city in the state of Rajasthan is rich in heritage, culture and architecture with splendid forts, palaces, temples and beautiful quiet havelis. Apart from these captivating attractions, Jaipur also shows exquisite craftsmanship and stunning jewelry. These intricate artworks give life and color to the uniqueness of this Pink City. In addition, the serenity of lush gardens and floral variety gives us fabulous scenery.
Activities: We will begin our Jaipur excursion with a ride on decorated elephants to visit the Amber Fort Palace, a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu style of architecture. Later, back in the city we will visit the City Palace, Hawa Mahal (the Palace of the Winds), Jantar Mantar – world’s largest stone observatory and the Birla Temple. In the evening, explore the Old City of Jaipur and visit Choki Dhani to enjoy an exuberant Folk Dance performance and a puppet show.
Hawa Mahal - The Palace of the Winds
Day 14 and 15: Jaipur – Agra
By road in 5 hr. (255 Km)
Agra “the love city”, “the wonder city” or the “Taj city” whatever you call- it mean the same, the wonder of the world – The great Taj Mahal, which is perhaps the world’s largest token for love. Visit the massive structure master piece to explore the white marble mausoleum which is the pinnacle of architecture. Apart from Taj Mahal, Agra also has some other place of attraction like Agra Fort and Buland Darwaja.
Activities: Here we will enjoy the visit (at sunrise and sunset) to the legendary Taj Mahal, built as a memorial to the wife of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. We will also see the Red Fort, where Shah Jahan spent the last few years of his life after being imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb and Itmad-ud-daulah, at times also known as the “Baby Taj”. People also say that the interiors of this tomb are better than that of Taj Mahal.
While driving from Agra to Jaipur, we will visit Fatehpur Sikri which is also one of the best preserved collections of Mughal architecture in India. The finest example is the Buland darwaja which is stupendously made entrance gate to a mosque. We can also visit the Tomb of Salim Chisti which is a white marble encased tomb of Sufi saint Salim Chisti.
Baby Taj, Agra
Day 16: Agra – Jhansi
By train
Jhansi – Orchha – Khajuraho
By road in 4 hr. (175 Km)
En route visit to Orchha where we can witness the magnificence of the ancient India. We will visit Ram Raja Temple, Jahangir Mahal and Chaturbhuja Temple which makes Orchha noteworthy.
Khajuraho: Its name comes from the word Kajur in Hindi language which means "date palm". Here we can see the largest set of Hindu temples of the country, famous for their erotic sculptures (famously known as Kama Sutra). The entire area is walled, with eight doors that allow the entrance to the complex. Each one of these doors is flanked by two palm trees. Originally there were about 80 temples of the remaining 22 in a good state of preservation.
The temples were built in a space of time of about a hundred years, between the 950 and the 1050 and are considered by UNESCO as World Heritage Site.
Activities: We will visit the Western and Eastern group of temples which contains sculptures of lovers and women playing various musical instruments or performing actions such as make-up or bathing, temples decorated with erotic sculptures. See a giant statue of Lord Vishnu at the Chaturbhuja Temple.
In the evening we will enjoy the Light and Sound Show in the temple complex.
Wall of Khajuraho Temple
Day 17 and 18: Khajuraho – Varanasi
By flight
One of the most ancient cities of the world often referred to as the ‘Spiritual Capital of India’, Varanasi is just abode of Gods. Located on the bank of holy river Ganga, religious souls from all over the globe gather here to take a holy dip into its sacred water. There are hundreds of ‘Ghats’ (embankments) there on which rituals are performed every evening. The mystifying spiritual essence in the air will surely make your mind pious and afresh.
Activities: We will enjoy an early morning boat ride on the Ganges following with visits to various temples on the Ghats. Later we will visit the BHU (the biggest university campus in Asia) and Bharat Kala Bhawan.
In the afternoon we will visit Sarnath, the place where the legendary Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma. You can also call it a “monument city”, as from the periphery to the center, Sarnath is full of magnificent architectural masterpieces. Murals [wall paintings] are just visual treats!
River Ganges, Varansi
Day 19-20: Varanasi – Kathmandu
By flight
Kathmandu is the capital and one of the most beautiful place of Nepal! It is basically conglomeration of cities like Patan, Kritipus and Thimi. Surrounded on all sides by major mountain ranges Kathmandu is a visual delight for hill lovers. Also Buddhist and Hindu Pilgrims from all over the world visit Kathmandu's religious sites such as Pasupathinath and Baudhnath.
The whole of Kathmandu offers a lively and unique atmosphere with myriad cultural treasures waiting to be discovered.
Activities: We will the visit the Durbar Square, the centerpiece, where temples, palaces and golden gates create a magical outdoor theatre; Baudhnath Temple, Swayambhunath Temple & Pasupathinath Temple. We will also visit Bhaktapur - best preserved Palace courtyards in old city center in Nepal and is listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO for its culture, temples and wood, metal and stone work; and Patan – famous for the Golden Temple monastery.
Durbar Square, Kathmandu
Day 21: Kathmandu – Delhi
By flight
On our arrival in Delhi we will visit the famous Dilli Haat, an exotic and very picturesque bazaar with big variety of art & crafts from different parts of the country all together at one place. Here you will get a variety of things ranging from carved sandalwood, handlooms, jewelry, craft metals etc. If you have forgotten to take some souvenir from India for any of your friends or family, then this is the place.
As per your international flight schedule you will be transferred to airport for flight back home.
Tour ends!!
