Sacred Rishikesh on the banks of the Ganges River and the city of love Agra

This tour gives you the opportunity to visit noisy and contrasting Delhi, see the “pearl of India” Taj Mahal in magnificent Agra, and then relax and meditate in quiet Rishikesh at the foot of the Himalayas, whose beauty is breathtaking.

A sacred place on the banks of the river Ganges, surrounded by untouched nature - the city of Rishikesh. Translated from Sanskrit "City of the Sages". It is considered the world capital of yoga. It is interesting that the legendary Beatles lived here for a while!

Day 00: Delhi

Meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel, accommodation, rest.

Twenty million metropolis is divided into new and old city. In New Delhi, the most important administrative structures are concentrated. Most of the local nobility lives here. And in Old Delhi, life boils according to the laws of the multimillion-dollar jungle and medieval exoticism. Narrow streets, low houses, and very near modern high-rises and wide avenues ... You have to see it!! Truly a city of contrasts!!!

Overnight in Delhi.

Day 1: Delhi

Breakfast at the hotel. After that, we will visit the most beautiful and famous places of this amazing city: the temple of Aksharhdam is the most majestic Hindu temple in the world, which is listed in the Guinness Book of Records, it really impresses with its size, luxury and beauty; the temple of Lakshmi Narayan is one of the most sacred places, pilgrims come here from all over the country; unusual, but certainly incredibly beautiful snow-white temple of Lotus (the temple of all religions), as well as the laundry Dhobi Ghat, where to this day is washed according to the old method. We will see the most ancient place of the city, the minaret of Qutub Minar that has survived to this day (it is here that the ancient column, which does not rust, is located, this architectural monument is more than 1500 years old).

On the same day, we will have a sightseeing tour of the streets of Delhi: Red Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque, Old Town, Thieves Market and Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Park, India Gate and Presidential Palace.

And then we'll move to Agra. Just a couple of hours in the car, and we are in the capital of the Mughals or in the city of eternal love, as it is also called because of the unique Taj Mahal.

Overnight in Agra

Day 2: Agra

Early morning after breakfast visit the Taj Mahal mausoleum.

It was built by Shah Jahan, one of the most powerful Mughals. Its construction began in 1632 and it was erected by the monarch in memory of his deceased wife, Empress Mumtaz Mahal. According to the plan of Shah Jahan, Taj should become a symbol of the fabulous beauty of his deceased wife. And he succeeded. Truly majestic, divine, radiant and, despite its height, such a light and airy Taj Mahal is rightly considered “the pearl of Mughal architecture”. The complex was built for 22 years by hands of more than 20 thousand masters.

Then we will visit the ancient Red Fort. The Red Fort in Agra is the story of three generations of the Mughals, a story of brutal wars, stunning love, the struggle for power and the fall of a great Empire. White marble palaces with elements of precious stones and gold.

And of course, we will visit the very first marble structure of the Mughals – the tomb of Itimad-Ud-Daula, better known as Baby Taj. The marble walls of this monument are inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones. This unique technology of working with stone, which was used in the construction of the mausoleum of the Taj Mahal and has not changed for 400 years, if desired, we can see in the “marble factory”. The traditions and secrets of this skill are strictly guarded and passed down from generation to generation exclusively along the male line.

After that, we will return to the highway in Delhi.

Overnight in Delhi.

Day 3: Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh.

Early in the morning after breakfast at the hotel, we head to one of the most sacred places in India, where religious Hindus from all over the world flock to plunge into the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Moving from Delhi to Rishikesh is 235 km.

On the way, Haridwar is one of the seven sacred cities of India. It is also called the “Abode of the Gods” (translated Hari – God and Dvar – Gate). The city has long been the abode of sages, served as a center for the development of art, science and culture, it is not surprising that this is a center of pilgrimage for Hindus.

The main attraction of Haridwar is the ghat Hari Ki Pauri (translated as "the foot of the Lord"), built in the first century BC, it serves as the most sacred place for swimming.

And we will definitely visit the temples of Mansa Devi and Chanda Devi, located on the top of the hill, where we will climb by cable car. The temple grounds offer a delightful view of the whole city and its surroundings. 200 meters from the temples is another sanctuary - the Temple of Anjani Devi, in honor of the mother of the monkey king God Hanuman.

We will finish our tour in the ancient temple of the city of Mayadevi – the Temple of the Mother Goddess. It was built in the 11th century and is the abode for three deities: the goddesses Maya, Kamakhya and Kali. And then we go to Rishikesh...

Overnight at the Rishikesh hotel with wonderful mountain views.

Day 4: Rishikesh

Rishikesh is located in the state of Uttarkand. Sacred by the Hindus, the city is remarkable primarily because here is the place where the great river Ganges descends from the mountains and carries its waters further along the plains of India. Its streams here are especially powerful and crystal clear. (If you wish, you can go by boat.)

This city is not like other cities. There is yoga and meditation everywhere, no one is in a hurry.

We will visit temples and ashrams, walk along the Ram and Lakshman suspension bridges, see the place where the Beatles musicians lived and studied meditation (they say here they wrote about 40 songs).

In the evening we will witness an amazingly beautiful ceremony on the banks of the Ganges River. Every evening, Hindu priests perform the Ganga Arati ritual. Crowds of people gather on both banks of the Ganges River, sing songs, recite prayers. The priests hold large bowls of fire in their hands, gongs begin to sound in the tempests, the air is filled with the sounds of chants. After the ceremony, the faithful let down the river basket-ships with flowers, lit candles and incense. It's a spectacular sight!!! Wishings made in this holy place must be fulfilled.

Overnight in Rishikesh.

Day 5:

After breakfast at the hotel, we return to Delhi.

Hinduism is not the only religion in India, there are others like Sikhism. You will immediately recognize Sikhs by the turf on your head. It is a young religion and I want you to know it.

Therefore, upon arrival, we will visit the largest Sikh temple in Delhi Gurudwar Bangla Sahb. The main building is made entirely of marble and decorated with golden domes, similar to the domes of Christian temples. Inside the temple, the main sanctuary is completely gilded. At the temple there is a dining room, where the ministers of the temple invite everyone to share a meal with them. Another interesting place on the territory of the temple is the pond-pool "Sarovar", according to legend, thanks to this water in the 17th century, the city was saved from the plague. Sihki still believes that pool water has healing power. It is a real temple of love and mercy.

After the tour, you can relax in the hotel or spend time in leisurely walks around the city, make the last purchases on the road.

You can arrange accommodation in hotels as 3 * - 4 *, and 5 * on request. All transfers from the airport, to the airport and along the route in comfortable air-conditioned cars. And I, a Russian-speaking guide, will accompany you along the route and help organize your vacation.

The program can be changed according to your wishes.