A 9 day adventure travelling north from Delhi to the revered pilgrimage centre of Haridwar, where the Holy Ganges river finally leaves the Himalayas on its way to the sea and home of the legendary Aarty ceremony. Meet with Gujjar villagers, go whitewater rafting, take an elephant safari and visit the Taj Mahal...
We had a fabulous time in India, made extra special by S who was the perfect, charming host. It was evident we were lucky enough to experience things that many don't when visiting India. We especially loved Haridwar, S's camp, the white water rafting and the national parks... We did have a truly superb time, please feel free to recommend us for a reference...
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Day 1 - DELHI
Meet your group in the reception area of your hotel and enjoy
an introductory talk over dinner.
Day 2 - HARIDWAR
Early morning board the Shatabdi Express for HARIDWAR. Arriving
late morning and transferring our hotel. After lunch visit
Mansa Devi - a hill top temple - via cable car, for a bird's
eye view of the city & its beautiful surrounding landscape.
In the evening visit Harki Pauri for the famous Ganga Aarti
where oil lamps are set on the water to drift downstream as
priests perform elaborate rituals - an unforgettable sight.
Day 3 - RISHIKESH
After breakfast, travel to Rishikesh which was made famous
by the Beatles after visiting their Guru in the 1960's. Today
it is a peaceful centre for spiritual learning, nestled around
the Ganga as it runs swiftly through the last hills of the
Himalayas. Those feeling adventurous may choose to raft down
the river - a fairly easy trip with some rapids but plenty
of time in between to relax on the still water and watch the
life along the banks. Alternatively, perhaps you'd prefer
a yoga lesson or an Ayurvedic massage at one of the Ashrams
in the area. Visit the suspension bridges of Lakshman Jhulla
and Ram Jhulla - a picturesque area with wonderful views,
waterfalls and secluded beaches along the river. Return to
Haridwar in the late afternoon.
Day 4 - GUJJAR VILLAGE
Rising early we travel to Rajaji National Park where we take
an elephant safari into the Park before enjoying a late breakfast
in the park lodge. Then travel by mountain bike (or vehicle)
to the outlying areas of Rajiji, riding parallel to the Ganga
canal which overlooks the forest, the Ganga river below and
the mighty Himalayan peaks. We visit the Vindyavasani Temple
and then arrive at a silver sand beach on the River Ganga
where there is time to relax in the sun and to take a swim.
(Cycle ride is on roads with little traffic, the total distance
covered is about 14 km.)
After a picnic lunch we travel to our Gujjar village for an overnight stay. The Gujjar people live a simple life tending to their buffalo in the forest. They are one of the few tribes which have resisted changes enforced by the 21st century. Our overnight stay will be rustic, sleeping communally in simple huts and sharing our meals with these friendly people. The privilege of this experience should compensate for any discomfort.
Day 5 - CORBETT NATIONAL PARK
Travel by local bus through lush mango orchards and farmland
to the entry point for Corbett National Park. Here our comfortable
lodge is beautifully situated in the foothills of the Himalayas
beside the Ramnager river. After lunch, take a walking tour.
This area is famous for its paddy fields where Basmati rice
is grown. There should be an opportunity to talk with local
farmers, gain a unique insight into rural India and learn
about the traditional methods of agriculture. Commonly seen
wildlife includes wild elephant, langur monkeys, several types
of deer and the elusive tiger. In the evening we enjoy a barbecue
dinner.
Day 6 - CORBETT/OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO DELHI
An early morning jungle safari by jeep or elephant into the
park, returning for breakfast. Relax at the Lodge during the
day or swim in the swimming pool / Kosi river beside the Lodge,
watching the Elephants being bathed, catch up on your diary
or spend some time animal /bird spotting (580 species) around
your lodge. In the evening we drive to Ramnagar town to board
the train to Delhi arriving early the next morning.
Day 7 - TAJ MAHAL/DELHI
Arriving in Delhi in the morning, we catch the train to Agra
enjoying breakfast en route. After freshening up at our hotel,
we visit the most famous image of all India, the Taj Mahal
where you too will understand that the stories about its legendary
beauty are indeed true. Bicycle rickshaws are the ideal way
to see Agra and they take us to Agra's Red Fort. After lunch,
visit a carpet manufacturer before spending the rest of the
day at leisure - not forgetting to see the Taj at sunset.
We will also provide information and directions plus suggest
some suitable restaurants for dinner.
Day 8 - DELHI
If you wish, get up early to see the Taj at sunrise before
breakfast at the hotel followed by an optional visit to Fatipur
Sikri, the perfectly preserved ghost city that was once the
capital of the Moghul emperor, Akbar. Return to Delhi in the
late afternoon with time for some last minute shopping before
enjoying a farewell dinner.
Day 9 - DELHI
Our trip ends with a farewell buffet breakfast at the impressive
Imperial Hotel in New Delhi before transferring to the airport
for your onward flight. For those departing later, late check-outs
or extra nights accommodation and further sightseeing can
be arranged at an additional cost.
Small group departures of this itinerary run throughout the year and it can also be run as a tailor-made trip to suit your requirements.
Price: From GBP 849 on twin sharing basis
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