Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in New Delhi
You'll land at New Delhi Airport on June 20th where a Learning Journeys representative will be waiting to meet you. After that, you'll transfer to your hotel and get settled in for the night. This gives you time to rest up before the week ahead.
- Day 2
New Delhi
Breakfast comes first, followed by an orientation session focused on mindfulness. Then you'll head to ISKCON Temple to learn about Krishna Consciousness before having vegetarian lunch at the temple restaurant. The afternoon takes you through Old Delhi's historic lanes by rickshaw, passing through colorful markets and stopping at Raj Ghat, the site of Gandhi's cremation. Dinner wraps up the day at an Indian Specialty Restaurant serving North Indian dishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Pure vegetarian lunch at ISKCON Temple restaurant), Dinner (Dinner at Indian Specialty Restaurant featuring North Indian and Punjabi cuisine)
Included Activities
- Orientation session on mindfulness
- Visit ISKCON Temple (Vedic Cultural Centre)
- Cycle rickshaw ride through Old Delhi lanes
- Visit Raj Ghat (Gandhi's cremation site)
- Visit Gandhi Museum
Landmarks ISKCON Temple Raj Ghat Gandhi Museum - Day 3
Delhi to Agra to Delhi
You'll catch the Shatabdi Express train early in the morning to Agra. Once there, the Taj Mahal awaits you, a UNESCO monument that combines Mughal, Persian, and Indian architectural elements. You'll have time to photograph the white marble structure and walk around the grounds. After lunch, you'll see Agra Fort, a UNESCO-listed red sandstone fortress from the 16th century. By evening, you're back on the Gatiman Express heading to Delhi, where dinner at your hotel finishes the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Relaxed dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Taj Mahal (UNESCO monument)
- Visit Agra Fort (UNESCO monument, 16th century)
Landmarks Taj Mahal Agra Fort - Day 4
Delhi to Rishikesh
The Shatabdi Express takes you to Haridwar in the morning with lunch during the journey. From Haridwar, it's about a one-hour drive to Rishikesh in the Himalayan foothills along the Ganges River. You'll cross Laxman Jhula, an iron suspension bridge built in 1939, and visit Geeta Bhawan to see its wall paintings depicting Hindu epics. Later, you'll check out the ashram where the Beatles stayed back in 1968. Evening brings you to Triveni Ghat for the Ganga Aarti ceremony, a spiritual ritual with bhajans, lit lamps, and flower offerings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch stop enroute), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Laxman Jhula (iron suspension bridge)
- Visit Geeta Bhawan
- Visit Beatles Ashram
- Attend Ganga Aarti ceremony at Triveni Ghat
Landmarks Laxman Jhula Geeta Bhawan Beatles Ashram Triveni Ghat - Day 5
Rishikesh
Your morning starts with yoga at the hotel. Then you'll visit Vashistha Gufa, an ancient cave where yogis and sadhus once practiced meditation. A chef at a local hotel teaches you about Indian spices and cooking techniques, and you'll have lunch there. In the evening, you meet with an astrologer to explore Indian astrology and its cultural significance. You'll return to the hotel for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local hotel during cooking class), Dinner (Dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- AM yoga session
- Visit Vashistha Gufa (ancient cave)
- Indian cooking and spices class with lunch
- Meeting with an astrologer
Landmarks Vashistha Gufa - Day 6
Rishikesh
After a yoga session and breakfast, you'll drive about two hours to Purukal Stree Shakti, a community organization in the Himalayan foothills. There you'll meet students and learn about their free education, nutrition, and healthcare programs. You'll also discover how the NGO teaches traditional crafts like applique, patchwork, hand embroidery, and quilting to underprivileged women. Lunch is at a local restaurant before you head back to Rishikesh. Your evening is free to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant), Dinner
Included Activities
- AM yoga session
- Visit Purukal Stree Shakti community organization (NGO)
Landmarks Purukal Stree Shakti - Day 7
Rishikesh to Haridwar and back
After a yoga session, you'll take a full day trip to Haridwar where the sacred Ganges exits the Himalayas. You'll visit Shantikunj Ashram to observe spiritual activities and pay respects at a Hindu temple. A nearby cremation ground explains the sacred cremation ritual. Matranchal Orphanage for Girls is next, an organization providing shelter and education to underprivileged girls. Lunch is shared with a local Indian family, giving you genuine hospitality and connection. The day ends at centuries-old Har-ki-Pauri ghats where pilgrims bathe and you'll join a prayer ceremony with a local priest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with local Indian family), Dinner (Dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- AM yoga session
- Visit Shantikunj Ashram
- Visit Hindu temple and cremation ground
- Visit Matranchal Orphanage for Girls
- Lunch with local Indian family
- Prayer ceremony at Har-ki-Pauri ghats
Landmarks Shantikunj Ashram Matranchal Orphanage for Girls Har-ki-Pauri Ghats - Day 8
Rishikesh
You'll start with yoga, then after breakfast, trek up 150 steep steps to Kunjapuri Temple at 1,645 meters elevation. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Shakti, and you'll get Himalayan views as your reward. On the way back down, you'll visit a local village to meet residents. Lunch happens at a local restaurant. Your afternoon is free to explore the hotel or walk along the Ganga ghats. Dinner is back at the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant), Dinner (Dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- AM yoga session
- Trek to Kunjapuri Temple (1,645 meters)
- Visit local village
Landmarks Kunjapuri Temple - Day 9
Rishikesh to Delhi and Departure
The morning begins with yoga at the hotel, followed by breakfast. You'll have free time before transferring to Dehradun Airport for an afternoon flight back to Delhi. Once you arrive, you'll check in at your Delhi hotel and have dinner. Later, you'll transfer to the airport for your flight home, which departs either late night or the next morning.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- AM yoga session
- Day 10
Departure
Hotel rooms are available until noon. You'll depart according to your flight schedule.
