Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure
Your international flight departs today heading to Kolkata. Depending on your flight plan, you'll route through one of several hub cities like Delhi, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, or Istanbul. Settle in for the journey and you'll arrive in India within the next day or so.
- Day 2
Kolkata
You'll land in Kolkata and get a warm welcome at the airport. After transferring to your hotel, you'll have time to rest and recover from the flight. Later, depending on when you arrive, you can start exploring the City of Joy by checking out Parashnath Temple, walking through Maidan Park, and browsing the colorful New Market.
Included Activities
- Visit Parashnath Temple (Jain Temple)
- Walk through Maidan Park
- Stroll through New Market
Landmarks Parashnath Temple Maidan Park New Market - Day 3
Kolkata
After breakfast, head to the Ganges River and take a boat from Millennium Jetty where you'll see Hindu pilgrims at the sacred ghats. You'll travel by boat to Dakshineshwar Temple and Belur Math, then walk through the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden. See the Howrah Bridge and the flower market before heading back by metro.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat journey on the Ganges River from Millennium Jetty
- Observe Hindu rituals at the sacred ghats
- Visit Dakshineshwar Temple
- Visit Belur Math
- Visit Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden
- Visit Howrah Bridge
- Visit flower market and observe flower preparation for sale
Optional Activities
- Browse Indian spices at the flower market
Landmarks Ganges River Millennium Jetty Dakshineshwar Temple Belur Math Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden Howrah Bridge Howrah Flower Market - Day 4
Kolkata to Bodh Gaya
The morning is yours to do as you like, or you can visit Mother Teresa's House and the adjacent Kailghat Temple to observe Hindu religious rituals. In the afternoon, you'll transfer to one of India's largest train stations and board a train for about 6 hours heading to Bodh Gaya.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Transfer to train station
Optional Activities
- Visit Mother Teresa's House
- Visit Kailghat Temple and observe Hindu religious rituals
Landmarks Mother Teresa's House Kailghat Temple - Day 5
Bodh Gaya
You've arrived at one of Buddhism's holiest sites. Explore the impressive Mahabodhi Temple and its park, where Buddha reached enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. Check out teaching centers from Thai, Japanese, and Tibetan Buddhist traditions, and you'll have free time for meditation and reflection.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Mahabodhi Temple
- Explore temple park and meditate near the Bodhi Tree
- Visit Thai Buddhist teaching center
- Visit Japanese Buddhist teaching center
- Visit Tibetan Buddhist teaching center
Landmarks Mahabodhi Temple Bodhi Tree - Day 6
Bodh Gaya
This day is all yours to pursue what interests you most. If you want to venture out, you can take an optional trip to Rajgir to see caves and fortress ruins plus Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim shrines. From there, head to the ancient ruins of Nalanda University, which once held 10,000 monks and students back in the 5th century BC.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Rajgir caves and fortress ruins
- Optional visit to Rajgir Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim shrines
- Optional visit to Nalanda University ruins (5th century BC site)
Landmarks Rajgir Nalanda University - Day 7
Bodh Gaya to Varanasi
After breakfast, you'll drive to Varanasi, one of Earth's oldest cities and a major hub for Indian culture and philosophy. Once you reach your hotel and freshen up, head to the Ganges to watch the Ganga Aarti ceremony at sunset. It's a beautiful evening ritual with candles and lanterns honoring the sacred river.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to Varanasi
- Attend Ganga Aarti ceremony at sunset on the Ganges
Landmarks Ganges River Varanasi - Day 8
Varanasi and Sarnath
Start before dawn at 5:30 am for a boat journey on the Ganges where you'll see pilgrims bathing and witness traditional cremation ceremonies at the ghats. After breakfast, travel to Sarnath where Buddha gave his first sermon to see well-preserved monasteries, stupas, and museums. Later, ride through Varanasi's colorful center in a traditional rickshaw, learn about chai and sari-wrapping, and visit the Durga Temple.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning boat journey on the Ganges at dawn (approximately 5:30 am)
- Observe pilgrims at sacred ghats during holy bathing rituals
- Witness cremation ceremonies and funeral rituals at the ghats
- Travel to Sarnath
- Visit Sarnath monasteries
- Visit Sarnath stupas
- Visit Sarnath museums
- Rickshaw tour through Varanasi city center
- Stop to learn chai preparation secrets
- Stop to learn sari-wrapping traditions
- Visit Durga Temple
Landmarks Ganges River Ghats Sarnath Durga Temple - Day 9
Varanasi to Haridwar
You'll board the Doon Express train at 10:30 am for an overnight journey in an air-conditioned sleeper compartment. Travel through villages, fields, and plantations as you make your way through Indian landscapes. You'll arrive in Haridwar the next morning. If train tickets aren't available, the alternative route takes you by car to Lucknow, then a domestic flight to Dehradun and a transfer to Rishikesh.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Board Doon Express train at 10:30 am
- Overnight train journey to Haridwar
Landmarks Haridwar Rishikesh - Day 10
Haridwar to Rishikesh
You'll arrive in Haridwar by train at 4:55 am and transfer to nearby Rishikesh. Check into your hotel, rest, and freshen up. Then walk around Rishikesh, a spiritual hub known for gurus, meditation caves, and ashrams. Head along the Ganges to Laxman Jhula bridge, grab cake and coffee at a German bakery, and see yogis on their spiritual paths. In the evening, attend the Ganga Aarti, a moving ceremony with floating candles and community prayers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer from Haridwar to Rishikesh
- Tour to Laxman Jhula bridge along the Ganges River
- Visit German bakery at Laxman Jhula
- Attend Ganga Aarti ceremony in the evening
Optional Activities
- Browse ashrams and meditation centers
- Interact with yogis and sadhus
Landmarks Rishikesh Laxman Jhula Ganges River - Day 11
Rishikesh
You have the full day to follow your own interests here in Rishikesh. Browse bookshops, stroll through markets and shops looking for souvenirs, or get active on the Ganges if that appeals to you. Your tour guide can offer tips on how to spend your time in this spiritual town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Browse bookshops
- Stroll through markets and shops for souvenirs
- Activities on the Ganges River
- Day 12
Rishikesh to Haridwar
Spend the morning in Rishikesh, then drive 20 kilometers to Haridwar, the Gateway to the Gods. Visit the Mansa Devi Temple sitting on a small hill with views over the city. Walk through bustling bazaar streets and have a traditional lassi to refresh yourself. Return to the Ganges for the evening lighting ceremony, then head back to your hotel for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to Haridwar
- Visit Mansa Devi Temple with city views
- Walk through Haridwar bazaar streets
- Sample traditional lassi
- Attend Ganga Aarti evening lighting ceremony
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks Haridwar Mansa Devi Temple Ganges River - Day 13
Haridwar to Delhi
After an early breakfast, board a train heading to Delhi, India's capital. Spend half the day on a sightseeing tour covering the great mosque Jama Masjid and its narrow surrounding streets in Old Delhi, the Sikh temple Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, and the historic Qutub Minar. Transfer to your hotel to rest before your return flight in the evening, or arrange a tour extension if you prefer.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Train journey to Delhi
- Visit Jama Masjid (great mosque)
- Explore narrow streets of Old Delhi
- Visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib (Sikh temple)
- Visit Qutub Minar
Optional Activities
- Individual tour extensions in Delhi
Landmarks Jama Masjid Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Qutub Minar - Day 14
Return Home
You depart Delhi today on your return flight home, taking with you many unforgettable impressions and memories from your journey through India.
