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YOGA TOUR TO INDIA DAY
1 : ARRIVE MUMBAI Arrive Mumbai's (formerly known as Bombay) International Airport late this evening. Welcome to India! You are met by your Tour Manager and Airport Representative in the arrival area of the airport after you clear all immigration and customs formalities. Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra and the economic powerhouse of India. The fastest moving, most affluent and most industrialized city in India, Mumbai is an Island connected by bridges to the mainland. Low, swampy areas indicate where it was once divided into several Islands. The principal part of the city is concentrated at the southern end of the Island. Depart for overnight stay at Hotel Best Western Emerald. DAY 2 : MUMBAI to COCHIN via AIR  After
breakfast at the hotel, fly to Cochin. Cochin is also known as 'Queen of
the Arabian Sea' due to its natural harbor being one of the finest. Cochin
is a city made of islands connected to Ernakulum on the mainland by bridges
and ferries. The interesting city of Cochin perfectly reflects the eclecticism
of Kerala. This quaint town has seen historic visits from sea faring traders
in the past from Portugal, China etc bringing to it different cultures that
make up its fabric. Check into the Hotel Grand for 3 night stay. The rest
of the day is free to relax by the pool, enjoy an Ayurvedic massage or explore
your new surrounding in Southern India. Overnight stay at Hotel Grand. DAY 3 : COCHIN Early morning Yoga session at the Hotel Grand (2 hrs). Breakfast at the hotel. This morning visit the Jewish  Synagogue
(of 1568) which is the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth. It is an interesting
little place with hand painted willow pattern floor tiles brought from Canton
in China in the mid 18th century. The synagogue is located in an area called
Jew Town which also is one of the centers of the spice trade in the region.Also visit the ancient Mattancherry (Dutch) Palace built by the Portuguese in 1557. This palace was presented to the ruler of Cochin as a gesture of goodwill. The Palace's alternative name "Dutch Palace" resulted from substantial renovations by the Dutch after 1663. The most important feature of the palace is the astonishing murals that adorn some of the palace rooms, depicting scenes from the Ramayana, the Mahabharta and the Puranic legends connected with Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Kumara and Durga.  Another
stop is made at the St. Francis Church, the oldest European built church
in India. Constructed in 1503 by the Portuguese Franciscan Friars, the expedition
was led by Pedro Alvarez Cabral. He famed Vasco de Gama, the first European
to reach India by sailing around Africa, died in Cochin in 1524 and was
buried here for 14 years before his remains were transferred to Lisbon.
His tombstone can be seen inside the church.Also pay a visit to the amazing Chinese fishing nets operating on principles of physics advanced for their times. This evening learn about Kerala's fascinating art form, Kathakali. The Kathakali performers begin to train for their art at a young age, and their study continues for a lifetime. Today you will enjoy a dance performance. Return to you hotel for an overnight's stay. Overnight stay at Hotel Grand. DAY 4 : COCHIN Morning Yoga session at Hotel Grand (2 hrs). Day is free to relax on the beach or explore. Evening sunset cruise at Cochin. Overnight at Hotel Grand.  DAY
5 : COCHIN to ALLEPPEY Early morning Yoga session at Grand Hotel (2 hrs). After breakfast checkout of hotel and drive to Alleppey. Here embark on a houseboat to proceed for a cruise through Punnamada Lake - visit the Chavar Bhavan, olden wooden house - enjoy the panoramic views of paddy fields, narrow canals and coconut lagoons - visit 400 year - old Champakulam church. (Overnight in an A/C Houseboat on full board basis. The houseboat will not move from 6pm to 6am) DAY 6 : ALLEPPEY back to COCHIN to JAIPUR via AIR Transfer from Alleppey early in the morning to board the flight to Mumbai. From Mumbai connect the flight to Jaipur (once the capital of Rajasthan province - now known as "the abode of rajahs"). Everywhere you will see the monuments of its Rajput rulers. Jaipur is one of the main centers for shopping in India -- especially with regard to textiles, jewellery, stones carpets, etc. On arrival to Jaipur, transfer to the Hotel Nailbagh for a 2 night stay. DAY 7 : JAIPUR Morning
Yoga session at the Hotel Nailabagh (2 hrs). After breakfast depart for
a half day excursion to Amber Fort. 11 Kms. from Jaipur, Amber Fort is a
marvelous example of Rajput architecture with its terraces and ramparts
reflected in the Maota Lake below. Go up the fort on the back of a gaily
caparisoned elephant, true to the style of the Maharajas of the past. The
interior of the fort has various royal halls decorated with intricate ivory,
mirror and glass work complemented by exquisite wall paintings. As you move
between the rooms of this magnificent structure, you will feel the history
and visualize the pomp and grandeur of a kingdom never conquered. After your tour return to the hotel or to a city restaurant where you can relax or enjoy a lunch on your own.  At
around 2 p.m. venture back into the city, for the tour of Jaipur. This afternoon
you will visit the City Palace Museum where you can see an imposing blend
of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. The museum is resplendent with
its collection of robes of royal princes, carpets, an armoury of old weapons,
miniature paintings portraying court scenes, battle scenes and processions,
Also visit the awe inspiring Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built
in 1726 AD). Also included is a photo visit at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of
Winds) - a five storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging
windows with latticed screens, domes and spires. This evening there is a special gala dinner with cultural dances for us at Choki Dhani. Overnight again at Hotel Nailabagh. DAY 8 : JAIPUR to AGRA via MINI COACH After breakfast leave the hotel for Agra by road. On the way you will visit Fatehpur Sikri - the deserted red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital. Ponder the mysterious desertion of this capital city that was dramatically abandoned a few years after it was built. It was a veritable fairy tale city and its 'ruins' are still in a pristine condition. It is not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Continue your journey to Agra. On arrival check into the Hotel Yamuna View for an overnight stay. DAY 9 : AGRA  Morning
Yoga session at Hotel Yamuna View (2 hrs). Agra was the capital of the grand
Mughal Empire,at the time of the Mughals in the 16th & 17th centuries,.
During this period the city became a leading centre of art, science, commerce
and culture. Akbar the Great made Agra great. The city's origins are dim
but Akbar's grandfather Babur is credited with Agra's founding. The short
golden age of Agra came to an end with the seventeenth century reign of
Shah Jehan, mastermind of the unforgettable Taj Mahal. This morning pay your first visit to the magnificent monument to love - The Taj Mahal, built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori. Legend has it that once construction was completed, Shah Jehan had Lahori's hands cut off, and blinded, so he would never be able to duplicate the structure. What makes the Taj  Mahal
unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium of construction
and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at
sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible
to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding others than its paradoxical
garden. Paradise, in Islam, is visualized as a lush garden where running
streams flow. When the Mughals brought this concept to India they elevated
it to heights of incomparable artistry. Proceed on a tour of Agra Fort and
the city. At the impressive Agra Fort you are taken through the chambers
of this royal residence. As you drive through the city, witness the local
life and bazaars (markets) and the hustle bustle of everyday India. This
evening transfer to the rail terminal for the overnight train to Varanasi.
Board the Magadh Express (Depart TUNDLA AT 2320 HRS and arrive MUGHAL SARAI
AT 0740 HRS). DAY 10 : ARRIVE VARANASI via OVERNIGHT TRAIN & SARNATH TRIP  Arrive
Varanasi and check into Hotel Hindusthan International for a 3 night stay.
Varanasi is the religious centre of Hindu religion. Situated on the banks
of the holy river Ganges, Varanasi is considered to be among the oldest
living cities of the world and has been a centre of learning and civilization
for centuries. Varanasi holds special significance in the lives of the Indian
people. Every year hundreds of thousands of pilgrims make a long journey
to this vibrant city where you can find the richest of the rich living side
by side with the poorest of the poor. Travel to Varanasi with an open mind
and see what faith can do to people and what their devotion to god leads
them to achieve. Look beyond the poverty into the eyes of the people and
you will see a sense of enlightenment and peace that their belief in a god
has given them. The old city of Varanasi is a maze of small streets and
alleyways hiding in disorderly array no less than 2000 temples and shrines.
Domes, minarets, pinnacles and towers, and derelict eighteenth century palaces
dominate the sacred left bank of the river. All in the jumble of this fascinating
and spiritual city, you will see marriage processions and funeral processions
and cows grabbing big flower necklaces destined for the gods. Varanasi is
an unique city that vibrates with cosmic forces beyond comprehension.Afternoon proceed for half day excursion to Sarnath, which is around 10 kms from the city centre. Sarnath symbolizes the birth of Buddhism. It was here that Buddha revealed his doctrine and founded his monastic community. The museum at Sarnath is amongst the most important in India and contains carvings representing a whole range of styles - archaic, the Mathura School, Gupta, past Gupta and Medieval - covering work of sculptors from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. Also seen here is the original lions heads from the Asoka Pillar, which form the symbol of the Indian republic. Overnight at Hotel Hindusthan International. DAY 11 : VARANSAI  Morning
Yoga session at Hotel Hindusthan International (2 hrs). Day free to relax
by the pool or explore the city with your new friends. Evening visit Dasaswamedh
Ghat, to winess the evening Aarti at the Ghat, thousands of lamps are immersed
in the waters of the holy ganges and the floating lamps give a divine look
to the river at dusk. Overnight stay at the Hotel Hindusthan International.
DAY 12 : VARANSAI - BOAT RIDE Early this morning leave your hotel around 5:30 am for an early morning sunrise boat excursion on the holy River Ganges. See Varanasi come alive along the banks of the river. See people bathing in the holy water and worshipping the rising sun. Witness the conclusion of life at the river bank holy cremation grounds. It is believed if you die in Varanasi you go straight to heaven. Varanasi will be one of the most extraordinary experiences of your visit to India.  After
the boat ride return to the hotel for breakfast. Proceed on a Varanasi City
Tour driving through the Banaras Hindu University with a visit to the Bharat
Mata (Mother India) Temple. Visit some of the holy temples of the city which
encapsulates the ambience and the spirit of the city. Highlights include
the Durga Temple, better known as the 'monkey temple' on account of the
large number of monkeys residing there and the Temple of Vishwanath (or
Visheshwar, Lord of the Universe). If time permits before returning to the
hotel, visit some of the silk brocade and weaving centers - a specialty
of Varanasi. Afternoon free. Overnight at Hotel Hindusthan International.
DAY 13 : VARANASI to DELHI via AIR Morning free in Varanasi for independent activities. In the afternoon transfer to the airport for the flight to Delhi. On arrival transfer to the Hotel Ajanta for 2 nights stay. Delhi stands as the capital of Modern India. Here you can see the mingling of the Old and New India, the ancient and the modern. Delhi is made up of seven ancient cities, spanning the period from the 11th to 20th centuries. Delhi has seen the rise and fall of many emperors which have left behind a plethora of monuments that commemorate the grandeur and glory of bygone ages. Very few cities in the world can express such a profusion of architectural styles. Overnight at Hotel Ajanta. DAY 14 : DELHI  Morning
Yoga session at Hotel Ajanta (2 hrs). Rest of the morning is free, with
a half day tour of Old and New Delhi in the afternoon. Old Delhi was an
ancient walled city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal
capital from Agra to Delhi. Shah Jehan possessing an exquisite talent, especially
in architecture, created the seventh city and in the process brought about
Delhi's glorious renaissance. Here you will see Red Fort, the most opulent
Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. The fort is Shah Jehan's symbol of
power and elegance, built behind red sandstone walls. Its main gate (Lahore
Gate) faces Chandni Chowk, the perpetually congested avenue heading west
from the Red Fort, is filled with twisting lanes, small streets and crowded
bazaars. If you peer through a portico you may see a man getting shaved,
silver being weighed, or any other conceivable form of intense commerce.Also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; and Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colorful market of the old city. Chandni Chowk was the commercial centre of Delhi in the old time and you will see it come alive in the morning as the trading day starts.  New
Delhi was designed and built by the British in the 1920's - it's a city
of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks and gardens.
In 1911 King George V announced the transfer of the capital from Calcutta
to Delhi. The King's architects, Lutyens and Baker, set in motion the Design
and construction of Delhi's eighth city - New Delhi. Lutyens designed an
"Imperial City" having palatial-sized buildings set amid broad
tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal style gardens, complete with fountains
and shallow pools. It took 20 years to complete this immense undertaking
only to have the British pack up and relinquish the subcontinent in 1947.You will visit two monuments from Delhi's past - Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar. Your drive takes you along the ceremonial avenue, Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate and Parliament House. Also visit the local Bahai temple. Last night in India at Hotel Ajanta. DAY 15 : DELHI TO VANCOUVER After breakfast check out of the hotel. Transfer to the airport for an early afternoon flight home. |
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| American Society of Travel Agents |
International Air Transport Association |
Indian Association of Tour Operators |
Travel Agents Association of India |
Travel Agents Federation of India |
Ministry of Tourism Government of India |
