Source of Ganges with Taj Mahal

Arrive Delhi in the early hours. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Later after breakfast we shall proceed for the full day sightseeing of Old and New Delhi. Delhi, the capital city of India has always attracted people towards it. It was the desired destination for many of the kings from different parts of the world. The city has a very rich and 5000 years old history. It was made the capital of the nation by the British. Delhi has been ruled by different kinds of the rulers that belong to different regions and thus follow their own tradition. This is the reason that the capital city of India has vast variety of the traditions and the culture with a different faith in every nook and corner of the city. New Delhi has been acting as host of different types of the cultural programmers and this attracts more tourists towards this charming city.
Later in the evening after dinner transfer to the railway station to board the overnight train. Overnight in the train. (Air-conditioned sleeper class)
Overnight train
Meals : B

Arrive Haridwar in the morning. Upon arrival 45 minutes drive bring us to Rishikesh.
Rishikesh is a celebrated spiritual center and has been a venue of many international personalities including the Beatles who came to Rishikesh early sixties in order to learn Yoga. The holy city is situated on the right Bank of river Ganges. Saints and sages lived in caves and meditated here in ancient days. Comfortable Ashrams have now been set up by learned saints. Prominent among such Ashrams are Shivanand Ashram (run by Divine life Society), Kailash Ashram and Parmarth Niketan. On the left Bank of Ganga are Gita Bhawan, Swargashram and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Meditation centre. Devotees come to these ashrams to meditate and listen to the religious discourses of learned saints. Devotees come to these ashrams to meditate and listen to the religious discourses of learned saints. Rishikesh is a very interesting place to those who may want to know about Hinduism. Other places in Rishikesh are the ghats (bathing places in the Ganga) and several temples.
In Rishikesh we shall be visiting Ashram and temple and in the evening witness the Ganges prayer at Triveni Ghat.
Overnight at the hotel
Meals: B

Today we make a early start. After having breakfast we drive 06 hours to Uttarkashi. Uttarkashi which is known as “Shiva Town” as Shiva is the main deity and is worshipped in the ancient temple of Lord Vishwanath.
Upon arrival transfer to lodge.
Overnight in a Lodge.
Meals: B-L-D

After breakfast, 3 hours drive to Gangotri following the valley of the Bhagirathi. Garhwal is a land of living legend and from now on every town, river and temple is a part of the great Hindu mythology. The road to Gangotri clings to the precipitous sides of the valley, and as we progress deeper into the mountains it becomes increasingly spectacular. Gangotri is a small village housing one of Hinduism's most charming temples, which sits astride beautiful waterfalls beneath towering cliffs and snow tipped peaks. Worship takes place in the temple but most people hold ceremonies at the river side and bathes in the icy waters to cleanse them of their sins. The scene is a colorful and fascinating one and the setting is indeed fit for the Gods.
Overnight in a simple guest house.
Meals: B -L -D

Leaving Gangotri behind, we set off walking on the well paved pilgrim trail along the Bhagirathi River towards the Source of the Ganges. As we progress the valley broadens and the trees gradually decrease until we are in a valley entirely composed of glacial debris deep in the mountains. The scenery is magnificent, the views changing at every step. The trail is well made and easy, and today is quite a leisurely walk with plenty of time to take in the grandeur of the scenery. We camp by the banks of Bhagirathi River at Chirbas.
Overnight Camping.
Meals: B -L -D

04 hours walk takes us to Bhojbasa, where there a small ashram and a government run simple tourist accommodation. The Source of the Ganges is visible from Bhojbasa. The Source of Ganges "Gaumukh" is another 2 hours from Bhojbas and it can be seen from some distance as we cross boulder fields left by the retreat of the glacier. Soon we are face to face with a huge wall of ice that blocks the whole of the valley and from under which the Ganges emerges. Gaumukh is spectacularly beautiful place. All around are the great peaks of the garhwal: Meru, vasuki, Shivling, Bhagirathi group of peaks (I, II, III), Kharchkund, Mandha and many a dozen peaks all over. The most distinctive peak is Shivling (6543m), its cream colored rocks blending into the snows.
Overnight Camping.
Meals: B -L-D

We set off again to Gangotri glacier, which fills the valley ahead. Its foremost point is known as Gaumukh (3896 mts) and it can be seen from some distance we cross boulder fields. It is possible to sit at the very point where a gush from crevasses is and look up at the strangely sculpted ice towering over you. Gaumukh is a spectacularly beautiful place where the power of nature is very apparent. We climb up the ramparts at the side of the glacier heading towards Tapovan (4250 mts) which means meditating ground. All around are great peaks of the Garhwal - Meru (6660 meters), Bhagirathi - I (6856 meters), Bhagirathi II (6512 meters), Bhagirathi III (6454 meters), Sumeru (6350 meters), Kharchakund (6450 meters), Vasuki, Kedardome (6530 meters), and Shivling (6543 meters). The most distinctive is Shivling, its cream coloured rocks blending into the shows. By the time we reach the lush meadows of Tapovan, we are directly beneath it and we walk to the base camp used by climbing expeditions.
Overnight Camping.
Meals: B -L -D

Day to explore the beautiful surrounding.
Overnight Camping.
Meals: B -L -D

We walk down to Gaumukh, and rejoin the pilgrim trail, spending the night at Chirbas by the banks of Ganges.
Overnight Camping.
Meals: B -L -D

An easy walk back to Gangotri, where we join our transport and travel back down to Uttarkashi in the evening after 4 hours of the drive. Uttarkashi situated at the altitude of 1158 meters. Uttarkashi is the district headquarters bustling with activity on the right bank of the Bhagirathi. Uttarkashi a town chokeful of temples, historical monuments, 'ashrams' and 'dharamsalas' is a Shiva town populated by over 30000 people. Shiva is the presiding deity and is worshipped every morning, noon and night in the ancient temple of Lord Vishwanath. The evening song evokes an atmosphere of beauty in religion as the music of chantíng bells mingles with the chants of the priests.
Overnight in a simple lodge.
Meals: B- L -D

After breakfast we drive 04 hours to Sursinghdhar. It is situated at an altitude of about 2000 meters and is almost unknown destination for the tourists. This is an upcoming hill station and in fact villagers from some of the villages from Tehri district have settled down about 5 km distance from this place as the Old Tehri town is submerged with water because Asia's biggest Hydroelectricity Dam has been built at the junction of river Ganges and river Bhilangna where the old town was!!. Now there is a big lake at this place. From the Lodge we have magnificent 180º panoramic views of the high Himalayas. The massive lake which is nearly 48 km in length is also visible to some extent. The scenery, the snow clad mountains, the local villages, local people, their terraced fields everything makes a very glorious combinations.
Overnight in a Mountain Lodge.
Meals: B -L -D

After leisurely breakfast 3 hours drive brings us to Haridwar
Hardwar which is the gateway to our four holy Shrines (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri). Hardwar situated on the right bank of river Ganges at the foot of the Shivalik Mountain. Hardwar is one of the four pilgrim center where the Kumbh is held every twelve year. According to mythological belief Hindus take holy dip in the scared river Ganga, to get rid off from their sins. In Haridwar we shall be visiting Har-ki-Pauri which is one of the most sacred ghats (bathing place). A walk through the typical pilgrims market is a life time experience. There are several temples here and every temple has its own significance. Devotees after making a wish tie threads on a sacred tree in the temple and after the fulfillment of their wishes they visit again to untie the threads!!
We shall be doing the sightseeing of Haridwar visiting the Ghats and Local Market. Later in the evening we witness the evening prayers by the banks of River Ganges at the main sacred place “Har Ki pauri” which is attended by thousands of pilgrims, local people and simply the tourist like us!! This is a moment when for few minutes everyone is standstill no matter of what religion and offer the prayers and the respects towards the almighty.
Overnight at the Hotel
Meals: B

We take a morning train for Delhi which leaves around 6 A.M and arrives Delhi at 12.00 pm. The train journey is very exciting as you truly see India by the train. In India literally every 50 km the language, the people, the customs and the culture changes and this can be seen only by travelling on our trains. The experience of being on our train platforms truly depicts the word “Indian subcontinent” where you can see people from all parts of the country with different languages and different eating habits.
Upon arrival in Delhi drive another 4 hours to Agra. Rest of the day free at leisure.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Meals: B

Today we are in Agra. We shall be visiting Agra fort. The fort is built on the western bank of the River Yamuna; Akbar’s magnificent fort dominates the center of the city. The site was originally used by the son of Sher Shah a Mughal Emperor, but the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first building inside.
Agra is the home of the Taj Mahal – The city of Agra, the quintessence of the grand Mughal era, reigns to this day in the public mind as the embodiment of royal grace, imposing architecture and power. The Taj Mahal mausoleum for Empress Mumtaz Mahal, built by her beloved husband shah Jahan, the Taj Mahal is often described as a ‘dream in marble’.
Overnight Hotel.
Meals: B

We shall spend the whole forenoon exploring the market areas.
Shopping in Agra: The city was the capital of the mighty Moguls for decades and hence the city has been home to the handicraft industry for centuries. Agra is known for its fabulous marble-made handicrafts and soft stone inlay work. The Mughal were great patrons of arts and crafts. Marble work is another draw in Agra. The miniatures that include souvenirs and images of Hindu deities make a good buy. The travel to Agra is, frankly, incomplete without buying a small but beautiful marble replica of Taj. Agra is also a major center for leather wares as well.
Later in the afternoon, 4 hours drive brings us to Delhi. Upon arrival check-in to the Hotel where few rooms (3 persons sharing a room) shall be booked for wash and change. After Dinner transfer directly to the International airport.
Meals: B -D