Hindu Temples, Forts and the Taj Mahal – All that makes India so Memorable 

Staying in 5-Star Hotels

The very land is steeped in spirituality, where many ancient practices were developed and perfected over 5,000 years ago. Simply walking the land can leave a profound and lasting imprint on your soul. To transform your life requires a journey which will change the way you view yourself and the world. This tour maintains all the comforts of home with the profound experience of India, allowing you to absorb the area’s rich spiritual traditions while enjoying safe food, excellent lodging and the guidance of experienced staff.

Highlights of the tour include:

• Visit New Delhi,
• Taj Mahal at dawn in Agra,
• Visit Mumbai,
• English speaking Guides,
• Participation in Hindu and Sikh rituals

India is geographically the size of Europe. There are 17 different languages with their own scripts. As a visit to France is not representative of visiting all of Europe, equally North India is vastly different in all respects to South India. The BBC has listed the Taj Mahal as one of the top ten sites to visit in the world. Your fee includes breakfast daily, comfortable lodging, sacred ceremonies and an English-speaking guide throughout the trip. Besides visiting the great religious and cultural sites, and walking in the footsteps of the Masters, our tour also provides time to shop for museum quality pieces to bazaars, and partake in local customs and ceremonies.  

Jan 14:     Arrive Mumbai

Arrive in Mumbai at 2355 on LH766.  Overnight:  Juhu area hotel, Mumbai.

We welcome you to the commercial capital of India, a vibrant city where people are in a hurry and yet find time for a cup of chai (tea).  Architecture quite different from the what you will see in other cities around India.  While the city hums with a population of all religions from all parts of India, a unique feature of Mumbai is its Judaic history and current population.  Mumbai currently has nine active synagogues and two active Prayer Halls.  We welcome you to its chaos and stability, into its steadfastness and its impatience and into a delightful rainbow of amalgamation, producing a world completely its own. Spiritual Journeys representative will meet you as you exit customs and immigration at Mumbai airport and transfer you to your hotel.  (Your room will be available from 1400 hrs on 14 Jan).

Jan 15:  Mumbai

Drop off at ISKON Temple in Mumbai.  Pick up at night and transfer to hotel. Car & driver available whole day (for 120 km/12 hrs), but no guide.  Overnight:  Juhu area hotel, Mumbai.

Jan 16:  Mumbai

Drop off at ISKON Temple in Mumbai.  Pick up at night and transfer to hotel. Car & driver available whole day (for 120 km/12 hrs), but no guide.  Overnight:  Juhu area hotel, Mumbai.

Jan 17:  Mumbai

Full day of sightseeing.  Overnight:  Juhu area hotel, Mumbai.

After breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Elephanta Caves (closed on Mondays), on way, drive by VT and other sites, and a brief stop at one of the Synagogues.  Elephant Island situated at 10 Kms from Mumbai. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD, and attract more visitors each year than the entire city of Mumbai. No wonder: this place resonates with the spiritual energy of India. The cave complex is a collection of shrines, courtyards, inner cells, grand halls and porticos arranged in the splendid symmetry of Indian rock-cut architecture and filled with exquisite stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.  Spend rest of day sightseeing in Mumbai, including visiting at least one syanagogue.

Jan 18: Mumbai – Pune (by road)
In the morning drive to Pune (4 hrs). Overnight: On own.

On the way visit Godham Eco Village (visit on your own).  Drop off at OSHO Meditation Resort in Pune.  Car & driver available whole day (for 120 km/12 hrs), but no guide.

Jan 19:  Pune

Car & driver available whole day (for 120 km/12 hrs), but no guide.  Overnight:  On own.

Jan 20:  Pune – Ahmedabad (by air)

Fly to Ahmedabad (on 6E-6553, 1555/1715). Upon arrival, you will be met by a representative of SJI and escorted to your hotel, and dropped off.  Car & driver available in Pune (for 120 km/12 hrs), and for transfer in Ahmedabad, but no guide.  Your hotel only serves vegetarian food, but is centrally located allowing you to walk to nearby restaurants for dinner.  Overnight:  Hotel near Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad.

Jan 21:  Ahmedabad

In the morning, escorted to Gandhi Ashram.  In the evening transferred to your hotel.  Car & driver available whole day (for 120 km/12 hrs), but no guide.  Overnight:  Hotel near Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad.

Jan 22:  Ahmedabad

In the morning, escorted to Gandhi Ashram.  In the afternoon, half day of sightseeing (with guide), and then transferred to your hotel.  Overnight:  Hotel near Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad.

Jan 23:  Ahmedabad – Vrindavan (air and road)

Fly to Delhi (on AI-2946 at 0950/1135 hrs), then immediately drive to the ISKON Temple at Vrindavan (3 hours).  Later, transfer to your hotel.   Overnight:  Vrindavan.

Jan 24:  Vrindavan

In the morning, escorted to the ISKON Temple.  Later, drive to Govardhan Hill for Parikarma (by rickshaw). Car & driver available whole day (for 120 km/12 hrs), but no guide.  In evening transfer to your hotel.   Overnight:  Vrindavan.

Jan 25:  Vrindavan – Agra (road).

Depart at leisure and drive to Agra (1 1/2hrs).  Sightseeing.  Overnight:  Agra.

Before entering the main city, you will stop to visit Sikandra Fort (Akbar’s Tomb), located about 10 km from Agra city center and meet your guide.  Sikandra is the mausoleum of Emperor Akbar the Great, one of the most powerful Mughal rulers. Construction of the tomb was started by Akbar himself in 1605 and completed by his son Jahangir in 1613. The monument is an impressive blend of Hindu, Islamic, Persian, and Christian architectural styles, reflecting Akbar’s vision of unity and inclusiveness. Set amidst vast, beautifully laid-out gardens with fountains and ornamental gateways, the four red sandstone gateways are decorated with intricate marble inlay work.

Visit Agra Fort where Shah Jehan spent the last years of his life, imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. The most impressive part of the Fort is the Dewan-eAm, Hall of Public Audience where the emperor met officials and listened to petitioners, and the Dewan-e-Khas Hall of Private Audience where he received foreign dignitaries. The Peacock throne (now in Iran) was in this fort, before being moved to Delhi by Emperor Aurangzeb.

Jan 26:  Agra – Delhi (by road)

At dawn visit the Taj Mahal (closed Fridays).  Return to your hotel for breakfast.  Check out and drive to Delhi (4 hrs) accompanied by same guide.  Arrive Delhi and spend a few hours sightseeing.  Overnight:  Delhi.

The Taj Mahal  is perhaps the most extravagant monument ever built for love. On the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, Moghul Emperor Shah Jehan built her this memorial over which 20,000 men laboured for 22 years to create a masterpiece in white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones; the art is called pietra dura.  Stroll down the ornamental gardens laid out along the classical Mughal charbagh lines. This garden is separated by a long watercourse, which reflects the monument in perfect symmetry.

Jan 27:  Delhi.

Spend the day on a sightseeing tour of North Delhi with same guide. Overnight:  Delhi.

We welcome you in the capital city of India, for a journey across the fascinating history-markers of medieval north India. Wars were fought and rulers changed in Delhi but ordinary lives were lived in relative continuity. Glimpses of these can be seen even today as the character of the city underwent massive changes in the last decades. In the land to have been seven capital cities, signs of the old are continuously jostling with the new, presenting an ever-fascinating panorama. We welcome you to its chaos and stability, into its steadfastness and its impatience and into a delightful rainbow of amalgamation, producing a world completely its own. 

We will visit Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India with a capacity of 20,000 people, situated a quarter of a mile from the Red Fort, designed as Emperor Shahjahan’s principal mosque. Construction lasted six years, ending in 1644. The structure was placed on a high platform so that it’s magnificent facade would be visible from all the adjoining areas. It’s an austere yet beautiful building in red sandstone with white marble being used extensively. The pulpit is one of its best features, being carved out of a single block of marble. The Emperor used to arrive here every Friday and on Id. Spend a little time at Rajghat where Gandhi was cremated. Drive past the Red Fort.  Embark on a cycle rickshaw into the inner lanes of Chandni Chowk.   In the evening sample street food in Chandni Chowk area (you may either walk through the lanes or take a Rickshaw ride). In the evening visit Connaught Place for shopping/dinner (on direct payment basis).

Jan 28:  Delhi – Departure

Spend the day on a sightseeing tour of South Delhi with same guide, then transfer to airport for your onward flight on Lufthansa LH0763 departing at 0155 on Jan 29. Overnight:  On board your flight.

While there are many noteworthy Gurudwaras (places of worship for the Sikhs), we will visit the lovely Gurudwara Bangla Sahib where Guru Har Krishan, the eighth Sikh Guru went to Delhi and stayed as the honored guest of Raja Jai Singh.  Visit Emperor Humayun’s Tomb one of the great Emperors of the Islamic period, built by Haji Begum, the widow of the second Mughal Emperor Humayun nine years after his death and took eight years to complete. It is designed by the Persian architect Misak Mirza Ghiyaz. Octagonal in shape, raised on a plinth, with double domes, high arches, laid in the centre of a large walled enclosure, the monument is an imposing structure.   The Qutab Minar, Delhi’s landmark, 73 mtr. tall victory tower was started by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler in 1193 but could finish only the 1st storey of sand stones. Iltutmish succeeding him added 2nd & 3rd floor in sand stone and later in 1368 Firoz Shah Tughlak constructed 4th& 5th storey in both sand stone and marble. Delhi’s most curious antique, the uncorroded Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD.  The Lotus Temple of the Bahais.  Akshardham Temple, a modern but goregeous Hindu Temple.  Drive past India Gate + Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

* * *  End of Services offered by Spiritual Journeys, LLC  * * *

COSTS:

For TWO people:  US $ 3,985.00 per person with 2-people sharing one twin share room.

With both guests arriving, traveling and departing together.  Full payment has been received, and nothing is due.

HOTELS CONFIRMED:

COSTS INCLUDE: 

• Hotel accommodation as above in double/twin-sharing rooms,
• Daily buffet breakfast at hotels,
• English speaking accompanying guide for sightseeing in Mumbai (for half day Elephanta caves), Vrindavan (1 day), Agra and Delhi all places as per program,
• All applicable taxes including mandatory government service tax,
• All transfers and sightseeing/excursion in an air-conditioned Innova Crysta type vehicle,
• Monument fees in Mumbai, Delhi and Agra as per itinerary, 
• Rickshaw ride in Govardham Hill for parikarma,
• Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi during sightseeing,
• The services of a SJI representative at all airport and hotel transfers, and,
• Economy Class air from Pune to Ahmedabad, and Ahmedabad to Delhi.

COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE:

• Beverages, mineral water, alcohol, laundry, telephone calls; or other items of personal nature,
• Any tips and gratuities,
• Increases in Airfares or Government imposed taxes or entrance fees,
• Still camera or video camera fees at the various monuments and museums,
• Services not specifically stated in the itinerary,
• Personal or travel insurance, departure Taxes or Visa Handling Fees,
• Any changes you may choose to make during your tour,
• Any international air fare,
• Entrance fees (as applicable) to ISKON Temples + Ashrams,

• Visa fee for India,
• Travel & health insurance,

• Increase in airport taxes and fuel surcharges, which are subject to change without notice.
• Any meals (other than breakfast), drinks, tips, expenses of personal nature, and,

• Anything not mentioned in the “Cost Includes” column.

THE TOUR IN GENERAL

• Total number of nights: Thirteen.
• Any early check-in or late check-out will be charged additional as per the hotel policy.
• Standard Check-in at all the hotel is 1400 hour. Room requests before standard check-in time i.e. @ 1400 hour have to be pre-booked (One-night charge applicable).
• Standard Check-out at all the hotel is 1200 hour (noon). Room requests after standard check-out time i.e. @ 1200 hour (noon) have to be pre-booked (One-night charge applicable).
• All safety, hygiene & social distancing norms to be followed by our guests as per government guidelines.
• Hotel/Travel Company reserve all rights to change/modify tariff or package cost without prior notice during fair/festivals, national or international events, government meetings/conferences, any trade fair, marriages or main event. In case hotel tariff is affected by any unforeseen event then revised tariff will be applicable.
• The prices are subject to change in case of any variation of tax, currency and tariff structure.

Additional information:

E-mail: Deepak@SpiritualJourneys.net

Address: Spiritual Journeys, LLC, 262 Upland Road, Cambridge, MA 02140. USA

Call: Deepak at +1-508-358-4267