The Ganga Tour - Nov 2016

Tracing the Ganges from the Himalayas to the Sunderbans

Dates: 1-8 Nov 2016 (Ex-Delhi)

Rishikesh-Haridwar-Varanasi-Bodh Gaya-Kolkata (Dakshineshwar/Belur Math)

Day 1

Arrive Delhi

You will be received by our representative at the Terminal 3 of IGI Delhi Airport and transfer by AC Car to Hotel IBIS 4*.
Dinner and Overnight stay at the hotel.
Date : 01 Nov

Day 2

Delhi – Haridwar/Rishikesh

After early breakfast at 0800 hrs, our English speaking guide will meet the group and take you for half day tour of Delhi. Drive past the diplomatic Enclave, India Gate, Parliament House, stop for photo at the Presidents House. Visit the Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial at Rajghat. Drive past Red Fort and visit the Sikh Temple at Sheeshganj Gurudwara. If time permits we will organize cycle rickshaw ride to see the vibrant market in Kinari Bazar at Chandni Chowk. Later visit the Birla Krishna Temple & The Shakti Temple at Jhandewalan. At 1400 hrs, transfer to Airport to take Indigo flight to Dehradun at 1640 hrs. The Delhi Airport has a vibrant food court. Arrive Dehradun at 1735 hrs. We will receive the group and transfer to Hotel Orkos 4*. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.
Date : 02 Nov

Day 3

Rishikesh – Aurovalley – Haridwar – Rishikesh

After breakfast at 0800 hrs, our spiritual guide will meet the group for full day sightseeing in Haridwar and Rishikesh. Visit “Har Ki Paudi” for a dip in the Holy River Ganges. This is where the River Ganga starts its journey to rest of the North and East India. We will organize visit to Mansa Devi Shakti Temple by Cable car. At 1100 hrs, we will take you to Swami Brahmdev’s Satsang at the World Temple of Human Unity at Aurovalley. Return to hotel for rest. At 1600 hrs drive to Rishikesh and visit Ram Jhula, Lakshman Jhula, Geeta Bhavan and walk to Parmarth Ashram for evening Ganga Arti where the young priests of the Ashram chant in the praise of Mother Ganga. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.
Date : 03 Nov

Day 4

Haridwar/Dehradun/Varanasi

Early morning at 05 AM, our representative will meet the group at the hotel. We will organize packed breakfast. Transfer to Dehradun Airport to take Jet Airways flight to Delhi at 0740 hrs. Arrive Delhi at 0845 hrs. Move to the transfer desk and take connecting Jet Airways flight to Varanasi at 1050 hrs. Arrive Varanasi at 1210 hrs. Our English speaking guide will receive the group and take them for visit to the Buddhist Shrine at Sarnath (World Heritage Site) where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Check in to Hotel Surya Palace 3*. After some rest at the hotel, at 1700 hrs, our English speaking guide will meet the group for spiritual tour of Varanasi. We will organize boat ride on the River Ganges at Sunset to see the immortal funeral burning ghats and participate in the Ganga Arti. It is in this old city of Varanasi that you can experience the celebration of Life and Death all year around 24 hours a day. Also visit the Annapurna Devi Shakti Temple, Lahiri Mahasayas Home associated with Swami Yogananda. Walk in the vibrant bazaars spread over 100 of narrow lane of this 3,000 year old living city. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Date : 04 Nov

Day 5

Varanasi – Bodhgaya

Early morning at 05 AM, our English speaking guide will meet the group and take you by cycle rickshaw to the banks of Holy River to experience the spiritual vibrancy of Varanasi at Sunrise. For many travelers to India the boat ride on River Ganges is one of the top highlights of the India Tour. After breakfast at 0900 hrs our escort will meet the group and transfer to Bodhgaya by AC Coach (05 hrs drive). On arrival check in at Hotel Anand International 4*. After some rest at the hotel, at 1600 hrs our English speaking guide will meet the group at Hotel and take you for half day sightseeing in Bodghaya. visit to the sacred Bodhi Tree,, the 05th descendant of the original tree where Gautam Budhha finally attained enlightenment. Also visit the beautiful Mahabodhi Templee (World Heritage Site) which is the essence of peace and serenity, Japanese Temple and Daijokyo Monasteries. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Date : 05 Nov

Day 6

Bodhgaya – Kolkata (by Rajdhani Train)

Early morning at 0330 AM, our escort will meet the group and transfer by AC Coach to Gaya Railway Station to take Rajdhani Train to Kolkata at 0404 AM. We will book two tier sleeper berths and the cabin attendant will provide bed linen. Tea/Coffee , breakfast will be served complimentary. The group can catch up on their sleep in this nice convenient train. Arrive Kolkata at 0955 AM. You will be received by our English speaking guide. We will stop at Hotel Pipal Tree for Tea and use of rest rooms. The guide will first take you for visit to The Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Rama Krishna Mission at Belur Math. You have an option of booking simple vegetarian lunch at the Belur Math. Later transfer to Hotel Regenta Orkos 4*. After some rest, at 1500 hrs, our guide will take you for Kolkata sightseeing which includes Mother Teressa’s Home, Victoria Memorial, Jain Temple, Swami Yogananda’s Boyhood home. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Date : 06 Nov

Day 7

In Kolkata (Full day trip to Sunderban)

Early morning at 05 AM, our English speaking guide will meet the group and take you by cycle rickshaw to the banks of Holy River to experience the spiritual vibrancy of Varanasi at Sunrise. For many travelers to India the boat ride on River Ganges is one of the top highlights of the India Tour. After breakfast at 0900 hrs our escort will meet the group and transfer to Bodhgaya by AC Coach (05 hrs drive). On arrival check in at Hotel Anand International 4*. After some rest at the hotel, at 1600 hrs our English speaking guide will meet the group at Hotel and take you for half day sightseeing in Bodghaya. visit to the sacred Bodhi Tree,, the 05th descendant of the original tree where Gautam Budhha finally attained enlightenment. Also visit the beautiful Mahabodhi Templee (World Heritage Site) which is the essence of peace and serenity, Japanese Temple and Daijokyo Monasteries. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Date : 07 Nov

Day 8

Kolkata Delhi – Depart (or take extension/post tours)

After a relaxed breakfast time at leisure to sit by the pool or to organize packing. At 1400 hrs our representative will meet the group and transfer to Kolkata Airport to take Indigo flight to Delhi at 1650 hrs. Arrive Delhi at 1910 hrs. Our representative will meet the group and we will organize transfer to International Airport to take onward flight to USA.
Date : 08 Nov

Tour Price Per Person on twin sharing : USD 995 for 08 days

Extra cost for Single room : USD 325.
 Air fare for 04 flights : USD 295 (average fare subject to availability).

Tour Price includes:
  • Accommodation in carefully selected 3* & 4* hotels as mentioned in itinerary or similar.
  • Daily breakfast and dinner at the hotels
  • Transportation by Air condition coach inclusive of all taxes/parking/toll fee/fuel charges etc
  • Services of our escort and English speaking guide as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entrance fee to the places as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Cycle rickshaw ride in Delhi and Varanasi
  • 03 Boat rides in Varanasi & Kolkata
  • Train ticket for Gaya to Kolkata by Rajdhani Express (AC Two/Three tier sleeper berths – subject to availability). Booking starts 04 months in advance. We need names /age & gender to book the train tickets before booking opens.
  • Two bottles of mineral water everyday
  • Fruits/chips/juices & cookies during intercity bus rides and full day tours
  • All applicable taxes Tour does not include
  • Lunch and meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Tips to drivers/escorts/guides and expenses of personal nature like phone calls, portage, internet usage, etc.
  • Medical Insurance
  • Airfares as mentioned separately