Palaces, Forts, Taj Mahal and the Light Festival of Diwali – All that makes India so Memorable

Join the Chasing Bubbles Foundation on a heartfelt pilgrimage to incredible India to retrace the final steps of Captain Alex Rust. This journey will honor his spirit of discovery and service. Participants will embark on an immersive experience exploring the meaning of life, adventure, and purpose. Along the way, we will continue his legacy by helping children in need, just as he did. Come be a part of this profound journey, blending introspection with impactful service, and celebrate a life devoted to adventure and giving back.

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
• Forts and Palaces of Jaipur
• Celebrate the light festival of Diwali
• English speaking Guides
• 4,000 year old city of Varanasi
• 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 Golden Temple and Taj Mahal as two of the top ten sites to visit in the world. Your fee includes breakfast daily, comfortable lodging, sacred ceremonies and English-speaking guides 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.

Following is the Main Tour.  In addition we have a Pre-Tour to Dharamsala and Amritsar, both close to the heart of Alex.  Details of this Pre-Tour are at the end of this page.

MAIN TOUR

November 7:     Arrive Delhi

Arrive in Delhi this evening (or early morning November 2).  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. Spiritual Journeys representative will meet you as you exit customs and immigration at Delhi airport and transfer you to your airport hotel

November 8:  Delhi – Jaipur (road) (Celebrate Diwali in Jaipur)

Spend half a day sightseeing then drive to Jaipur (5 hrs).  Overnight:  Jaipur.

Visit Emperor Humayun’s Tomb 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 Qutub 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.

Compare the city of Old Delhi with the city of Jaipur, a city unique amongst its medieval contemporaries. The streets, palaces, temples, residences, shopping place are all in accordance to the ancient Hindu rules of Vastu Shastra. The pink wash was added in 1853 in honour of the visit of Prince Albert.

In the evening, celebrate Diwali at Diggi Palace, followed by dinner. 

November 9:  Jaipur

Continue your day of sightseeing.  Overnight:  Jaipur.

Perched atop the hill looking down majestically is the Amber fort. We ride up into the palace astride elephants just like the Maharajas of yore. The plain and time worn exteriors belie the exquisite detail with which the interiors were crafted with a gentle breeze which cools the interiors.  In the famed Sheesh Mahal look up and be prepared to feel a surge of color as the optical effect makes you a part of this royal past.  In the city, drive past Hawa Mahal, where again notice the jails. The Maharaja’s City Palace, much of which has been converted into a museum covers almost one-seventh area of the city in a fortified unit. Here the Armoury Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. Become one with the planetary bodies at Jantar Mantar, the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world.  Jaipur is also an interesting place for those interested in jewellery, clothes, carpets and other handicrafts items. The city is a veritable paradise for those seeking souvenirs of the craftsmanship of Rajasthan.

November 10:  Jaipur – Agra (road)

Few hours of sightseeing then drive to Agra (5 hrs).

From the romance of the deserts we move towards the monument of a man’s love for his beloved, the city which treasures a lover’s dream, Agra (5 1/2 hrs)

November 11:  Agra 

Spend the day sightseeing.  Overnight:  Agra.

Before dawn, visit the spectacular Taj Mahal – 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.  Return to your hotel for breakfast.  A short drive away is the Agra Fort where Shah Jehan spent the last years of his life, imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. The most impressive part of the Fort are 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.

November 12:  Agra – Varanasi (train)

Early train to Varanasi. Upon arrival, sightseeing rest of day.  Overnight:  Varanasi.

Depart Agra for Varanasi by an early train.  Upon arrival, immediately depart for Sarnath. There are four important places for Buddhism:  Lumbini (now Nepal) where he was born, Bodhgaya where he gained enlightenment, Sarnath where he gave his first public talk and Kushinager where he left his mortal body.  The main tourist attractions in Sarnath are the Stupas, excavated ruins of monasteries, Ashoka Pillar, Deer Park, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, Dhamekh Stupa, Bodhi tree, Moolgandha Kuti Vihara and Archaeology Museum (closed on Friday).  In the evening, go to the Holy River Ganga and witness an aarti on the bank of this river. 

November 13:  Varanasi – Guwahati (air)

Sightseeing then fly to Gauwahati.  Overnight: Guwahti.

At dawn, go to the Holy River Ganga for your boat ride to welcome the rising sun.  Experience Ganges cruise & watch activities on Ghats – The long string of bathing ghats are the principal attraction in Varanasi. Ghats are the steps which lead down to the river and the best time to visit the ghats is at dawn, when pilgrims take their morning dip. There are over 100 ghats in all. The best way to see the activities on the ghats is to take a boat ride along the ghats. One can see the women bathing discreetly in their saris, the young men going through yoga exercises, the priests offering blessings. Look for the burning ghats where bodies are cremated. Manikarnika and Harishchandra are the main burning ghats. The lingams mark each ghat, for Varanasi is the city of Lord Shiva.  Stroll through narrow lanes of Varanasi bazaar & shop at the tiny shops.  Return to your hotel for breakfast, check-out, spend a few hours sightseeing, and then fly to Gauhati. Representatives of SJI will meet you as you exit Guwahti airport and transfer you to your hotel. Rest of day on your own, with no other services (except hotel) provided by SJI. 

November 14: Guwahati 

Full day on your own, with no services (except hotel) provided by SJI.   Overnight: Guwahti.

November 15: Guwahati – Delhi (air) – Departure

SJI rep will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Delhi this morning. Fly to Delhi, and stay at airport. SJI representative will assist you on arrival and departure for your onward journey. Overnight: On board your flight.

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

COSTS: US $ 2,995.00 per person 2-people sharing one twin share room or US$ 4,150.00 per person in a single room, with minimum of fifteen paying guests all arriving, traveling and departing together.  A non-refundable deposit is due now to confirm your space.  All payments due on or before Friday 7 August 2026.

HOTELS ENVISAGED, or Similar:

COST INCLUDES: 

• Hotel accommodation as above on double/twin-sharing room,
• Daily buffet breakfast at hotels, 
• Domestic flights for sectors:  Varanasi / Guwahati and Guwahati / Delhi,
• Morning Boat Ride on River Ganges,
• Evening Aarti ceremony on Ganges Ghat,
• Rickshaw Ride in Varanasi,
• Diwali celebration followed by dinner at Diggi Palace Hotel,
• English speaking local guides for sightseeing in all places as per program (except Guwahati),
• All applicable taxes including mandatory government service tax,
• Entrances fee for entry into monuments as per the itinerary,
• All transfers and sightseeing/excursion in an air-conditioned vehicle of an appropriate size for the group,
• The services of a SJI representative at all airport and hotel transfers, and,
• Chair Car train Agra to Varanasi.

COST DOES 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,
• Any/all meals except breakfasts,
• 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,
• International Air,
• Any international air fare,
• Visa fee for India,

• Travel & health insurance,

• 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.

PRE-TOUR

Dharamsala and Amritsar

Itinerary

November 2:  Arrive Delhi

You will be met on arrival in Delhi and transferred to your hotel.  Your room will be available at 14:00 hrs on November 2.  Rest of the day will be free (no vehicle).  Overnight: Delhi.

November 3:  Delhi – Dharamsala (air)

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Delhi airport to board your flight to Dharamshala.  Arrive Dharamshala and transfer to your hotel. Half day sightseeing of Dharamshala, if time permits.  Overnight: Dharamsala.

November 4:  Dharamsala

Spend the day wandering around the small town which is the home of the Tibetan government in exile, and an important Buddhist center.  Overnight: Dharamsala.

November 5:  Dharamshala – Amritsar (road)

Drive to Amritsar and sightseeing.  Overnight: Amritsar.

After breakfast, you will be driven to Amritsar (4.5 hours). Amritsar is located in the north western part of India 32 kms east of Lahore, Pakistan and is one of the major cities of the Punjab state in India. It is home to Harimandir Sahib, also known as The Golden Temple, the spiritual and cultural center of the Sikh religion. Amritsar, important to Sikh history, is also known for the incident Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in 1919 under British Rule and Operation Bluestar in 1984 under the late Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi.

In the evening you will be taken to visit Golden Temple to see the Palki ceremony – the sacred Sikh sanctuary spread out in a vast complex around a huge water tank in the midst of which stands a marble sanctum where the holy book of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth is reverently placed. The roof of the sanctum is gold-leafed. The community kitchen provides free meals to upto 100,000 pilgrims or visitors in a day. 

November 6:  Amritsar

Full day of sightseeing.  Overnight: Amritsar.

At dawn, go to Harimandir Sahib aka the Golden Temple to wake up the Guru. Take a dip in the holy waters that surround Harimandir Sahib. Visit all 3 levels of the Golden Temple. Have Langar for breakfast. Mid-day, tour behind-the-scenes in the kitchens of the Harimandir Sahib where 100,000 people are fed free of charge each and every day. Enjoy browsing the small shops surrounding the Golden Temple for souvenirs.

Return to your hotel, and later proceed to visit the historic Jallianwalah Bagh – where the British General, Dyer’s bullets killed hundreds of innocent Indians. Later visit the Durgiana Hindu – temple which looks like a replica of the golden temple. Durgiana temple is the main centre of pilgrimage for Hindus devotees. This temple is surrounded by a beautiful tank and the temple is mainly dedicated to the goddess Durga. Also walk by the busy bazaars of the city.

Later in the day you will be taken for an excursion to Wagha Border, about 1-hr drive from Amritsar.  This is the border station of Atari and the Wagah checkpost between India and Pakistan, and the only overland opening between the two countries, which have continued to have hostile relations ever since independence from the British in 1947. The checkpost has now become a popular site for tourists, who come to see the change of guards and retreat of troops at sundown. The drill, choreographed with aggressive posturing and sabre-rattling, draws loud cheers from spectators on both sides. Experience the sunset during the ‘Beating of the Retreat’ ceremony. 

November 7:  Amritsar – Delhi (flight)

After breakfast you will be transferred to Amritsar airport to board your flight to Delhi.  You will be received on arrival in Delhi and transferred to your hotel to meet your fellow guests of the main tour.  Overnight: Delhi.

COSTS: For BOTH Tours:  US $ 4,215.00 per person 2-people sharing one twin share room or US$

5,780.00 per person in a single room

A non-refundable deposit is due now to confirm your space.  All payments due on or before Friday 7 August 2026.

HOTELS ENVISAGED OR SIMILAR

COST INCLUDES: 

• As above for Main Tour, and,
• Domestic flights for sectors:  Delhi / Amritsar and Amritsar / Delhi.

COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• As above for Main Tour.

THE TOUR(S) IN GENERAL

• Total Number of Nights: eight / thirteen nights.
• 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

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