Divine India

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a morning exploring Old Delhi, visiting some of the capital's most important historical and cultural attractions. Next, visit Raj Ghat, a moving monument commemorating Gandhi's life. Continue with a tour of the Rashtrapati Bhavan district, home to all the important government buildings and the national parliament, as well as India Gate — all grand examples of the political power at the height of the British Empire in India — and the Salt March monument. Also, visit the famous Connaught Place, the capital's commercial hub. Later, visit the wonderful Sikh temple, Bangla Sahib, where you will feel peace and a connection with yourself. We finish with the Swaminarayan temple, known as the Akshardham Temple, the largest in the world.

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. NEW DELHI – JAIPUR (256 km) We depart by road for Jaipur. Along the way, we continue to enjoy ourselves, learning more about the people, the country, and its culture. The stories and meanings of each ritual can be freely discussed with your guide during the trip. Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan, a romantic kingdom of resplendent palaces, great fortresses, and royal maharajahs that lies in the Western Desert and forms a landscape unique in all of India. The bustling capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur, owes its name to its revered founder Jai Singh II, who was granted the title of Maharaja Sawai by the Mughals. The literal translation of this title is “one and a quarter,” suggesting that the Mughal emperor considered him more valuable than just “one.” Jaipur is known as the “Pink City” in reference to the distinctive color of its buildings. This peculiarity, however, was not part of the original plan; it dates back to 1856, when it was decided to paint the city's buildings pink in honor of the state visit of Prince Albert. Arrival in Jaipur, check-in at hotel, rest.

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, we attended a Hawan ceremony, a Hindu ritual performed to bring positive energy into the body and release negative energy. Afterwards, we will visit Amber Fort. Once inside, we will tour the Jagmandir Palace, Jai Mahal, and the Temple of Kali with its gardens. Amber Fort, overlooking Lake Maotha, is reputed to have been the treasure house of the Kacchwaha rulers. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by his descendant Jai Singh I. Its formidable exterior hides an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion between Mughal and Hindu styles finds its maximum expression. At the foot of the hill, you can ride an equipped elephant to begin the slow but steady climb to the main gate, making your entrance in the purest style of honorable times. The fort, completed at the beginning of the 18th century, took 100 years to build and today, although abandoned, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Mughal families. In the afternoon, we visit the typical markets, go shopping, and visit the textile factories, where traditional clothing with original Jaipur designs is made. Then, we will visit Birla Temple during the Aarti ceremony. The Birla Temple is very ancient and famous for its grand and sacred ceremony. It has a peaceful seating area to spend time in reflection. Later, we will enjoy a dinner accompanied by the wonderful traditional dances of Jaipur.

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. JAIPUR – AGRA (236 KM) Depart by road for Agra. En route, visit Abhaneri. An expression of the love he felt for his beautiful wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal was designed by the Persian architect Ustad Isa. It took 22 years to complete and has become one of the wonders of the world. It features an imposing design, perfect symmetry, elegantly carved domes, and, among other brilliant elements, the finest inlay work ever seen. After the visit, we arrive in Agra. In the afternoon, we visit the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). The Taj Mahal is an architectural marvel that always becomes the soul of every tourist visit to Agra. A monument to love, the Taj Mahal is defined as impressive for the beauty of its white marble architecture. Shah Jahan ordered its construction as an eternal tribute to his beloved wife. Check-in at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the train station to board the Shatabdi Express at 8:10 a.m., arriving in Jhansi at 10:45 a.m. Next, transfer to Orchha, a monumental town. This small town boasts a vast heritage, with attractions such as the impressive palace-fortress island, the Chhatris, and several Hindu temples. Explore the village's rustic streets, discovering the hidden beauty of the crumbling monuments built by the Bundela Rajputs over more than four centuries.

After breakfast, we will drive to the hotel in Khajuraho. We will then attend an Aarti ceremony, a Hindu ritual.

Have breakfast at the hotel before visiting the erotic temples that have made the town of Khajuraho famous. The complex, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consists of approximately 20 temples with over a thousand years of history. The temples feature thousands of relief sculptures depicting various sexual and religious positions. Visit the temples of Chausath Yogini, Kandariya Mahadeva, Chitragupta, Vishwanath, Lakshmana, and Vishnu Garuda. In the afternoon, we will attend Tantra classes and rituals. Later, visit a Hindu family in the village, take a cooking class, and learn about the caste system.

Breakfast at the hotel, then drive to Varanasi, the 'holy city' of the Hindus. Upon arrival, you will be assisted and transferred to the hotel. In the afternoon, transfer to the banks of the Ganges at sunset for a boat ride. We will participate in a beautiful Aarti ritual on the banks of the Ganges—one of the most important rituals in Varanasi, connecting faith with the river. Watch from the boat as ritual purification ceremonies and the pilgrims' holy baths take place at the ghats. Enjoy the rising murmur as the decibels grow with the arrival of more and more worshippers performing their ritual ablutions in the sacred river. End the day with a rickshaw ride along the ghats (steps used for Hindu rituals).

Early in the morning, take a boat ride along the sacred Ganges River to see the "ghats," or ritual bathing steps, and cremation grounds. Watching believers bathe and worship the river at the ghats is one of the most extraordinary experiences a traveler can enjoy in India. Millions of pilgrims flock here to purify themselves in the river’s waters, attend ancient rites, consult astrologers, and expel negative karma. We will walk through the alleys of the old town to witness the depth of the Hindu religion in people's daily lives. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Later, take an excursion to Sarnath, the buried Buddhist city where Buddha gave his first sermon. Sarnath was a renowned center of learning from the 6th century BC to the 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple, and the museum.

After breakfast, we will depart by road for Bodhgaya, a journey of at least 6 hours. Enjoy your time in Bodhgaya by visiting the Mahabodhi Temple and other nearby temples.

After breakfast, we'll head to the airport for Delhi. Arrival at Delhi Airport. Transfer to the hotel, check-in, and rest.

We are involved in the following activities: Meditation and yoga on the banks of the Ganges River, including bathing in the holy river, offering water to the sun and to Shiva (a Hindu ritual), and concluding with the offering of a candle with flowers to the river. Visiting ashrams and meeting Gurus during their readings or Aarti ceremonies (depending on their availability on those days). Attending the Ganges River Aarti ceremony at Triveni Ghat. After the ceremony, we celebrate our love for the River Ganges through emotional expressions of dance and singing. On another day, we will attend the Aarti ceremony at Parmarth Ashram. Visiting Ram Jhula and exploring the typical markets of Rishikesh. After a delicious breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for your flight to Dehradun. Then, we’ll drive to Rishikesh, a 45-minute journey. Upon arrival in Rishikesh, we will check into our hotel.

After breakfast, we depart by road for Delhi. Later, we transfer as scheduled for your international flight. After a long journey, the day has come to bid farewell to this incredible country—but take its love and memories with you.

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