Golden Triangle Rishikesh

Day 1: Departure

Arrival in Delhi (by flight)

Upon arrival at the airport of New Delhi, you will be met and greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2

Delhi

After Breakfast. Full Day visit Old and New Delhi:

We will begin our first visit to the magical country of India, we will begin touring New Delhi and its main monuments, among others:

Qutab Minar, a monument begun in 1193, marks the first place where the first Muslim kingdom was established in North India. This five-seater tower of victory was started by Qutbuddin Aibak and completed by his successor Iltutmish. It was built to symbolize the supremacy of Islam; Humayun’s Tomb, built by the eldest of his widows and mother of Emperor Akbar. This is the earliest example of Mughal architecture in India. It is believed that this mausoleum was what inspired Shah Jahan to build the Taj Mahal.

New Delhi shines with its splendor, like a lone sentinel guarding the outpost of a bygone empire. It is a wealthy city, with ceremonious gardens, the magnificent Parliament Building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the President of India.

The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls of the monument. Its construction was completed in 1931. Since 1971, an eternal flame, known as Amar Jawan Jyoti (the flame of the immortal warrior), has been under the monument since 1971, marking the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” and is dedicated to honoring the unknown soldiers killed in the clashes between India and Pakistan that took place that same year.

Old Delhi came into prominence when Shah Jahan moved his capital from Agra to Delhi. We visited the 300 year old Chandni Chowk Market which is a maze of alleyways lined with shops selling an extraordinary variety of items, food, noise and crowds are an essential part of any Indian market. We walk through this market by cycle rickshaw.

From here we will continue to the Jama Masjid or Friday Mosque. This is the largest mosque in India designed by Shah Jahan, and was his last architectural legacy, it was originally called Masjid-i-Jahanuma, which means “commanding a world view mosque”.

In complete contrast to the noise and The Raj ghat (royal courtyard) is a memorial to the Hindu Mahatma Gandhi, the main architect of India’s independence.

We then walk through the Red Fort, built in the mid 17th century, also by Shah Jahan, which was sacked by Nadir Shah’s marauding army and later by British soldiers. Overnight at hotel.

We then visit the India Gate, originally called the All Indian Wars Memorial is a monument built by architect Edwin Lutyens to commemorate Indian soldiers who died in World War I and the 1919 Afghan Wars. It was laid on February 10, 1921 by the Duke of Connaught.

Day 3

Delhi- Jaipur (265 kilometres / 5 hours)

After Breakfast transfer by road to Jaipur. Upon arrival tranfer to Hotel.

Jaipur– The pink city of Rajasthan. Jaipur is perhaps one of the most picturesque cities in the world. It was built according to the canons of the Shilpa Shastra, the ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. Divided into seven rectangular sectors, with well-drawn streets, right angles, its planning is a marvel of 18th century urbanism, when a similar systematization did not even exist in Europe. Surrounded by steep hills at three of its cardial points, the city is guarded by a powerful fortified wall, with seven gates.   Overnight at hotel.

Day 4

Jaipur – Amber Fort – Jaipur

After Breakfast At 0700 hours you will be picked up at the hotel to visit Amber Fort (you will go up  and down in a Jeep).

climb to the top of the hill where the Amber fort and its walls are located. From there you will appreciate the historic city of the kings of Amber next to Maota Lake, we are sure that this place will be one of the many great experiences of your trip to India, the place contains all the secrets of the life of the Mahrajas. The majestic Amber Fort (pronounced “Amer”), a wonderful example of Rajput architecture, rises high above a rocky mountainside located about 11 km north of Jaipur. Amber was once the capital of the state of Jaipur. The construction of the fort was started in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh, the Raput commander of the army of Akbar, the Mongol emperor. Later it was enlarged by the Jai Singh (I and II) before moving the capital to Jaipur.

En route you will have a brief stop to take the traditional photograph of Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). The five-storey palace was built in 1799 and is one of the best examples of Rajput artistry, who built it so that the ladies of the court could entertain themselves by watching the

bustle of the city. Today it is still an excellent place to observe the bustle of the city. From the rooftop you can admire stunning views of the jantar Mantar and the city palace on one side, and the siredeori bazaar on the other. Its construction was commissioned by Maharaja Sawaj Pratap Singh, and it is part of the city palace complex.

In the afternoon, visit the palace city of Jaipur. Maharaja’s Palace (also known as City Palace), a former royal residence turned museum, a small portion is still used by the Jaipur royal family.

One of its main attractions is the Armory, with an impressive variety of weapons-pistols, swords, daggers and rifles etc. Which the Royal family of Jaipur ever used throughout history.

On the first floor is the Textile museum, which is a fine example of textiles and costumes from all over India.The palace covers almost the seventh part in the area of the city. The main entrance leads to the central courtyard, which is the Mubarak Mahal.

You will continue with the visit of the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest Observatory in the world, built in stone and marble by Jai Singh from 1728 to 1734. Located near the city gate, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them they still in perfect working order. Later we enjoy a Rickshaw ride through the local market before returning to our hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5

Jaipur – Abhaneri – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra (275 kilometres / 6 hours)

After Breakfast Transfer by road to Jaipur en-rout visit Abhaneri & Fathepur Sikri

Abhaneri is a small village in Dausa Shire in northern Rajasthan; which is located 131 km from Fatehpur Sikri. The present name of the village, ‘Abhaneri’, is believed to be a mispronunciation of ‘Abha Nagri’ or the ‘city of glitter’. This ancient Rajasthan village is famous for its post-Gupta or early medieval monuments, Chand Baori and Harshat Mata temple.We visit Abhaneri village, Chand Baori Chand Baori, enriched on all sides, is one of the largest stairwells in India.Another attraction is Harshat Mata temple symbolizing 10th century architecture.

Later visit Fathepur Sikri It was erected by Emperor Akbar between 1571 and 1585 in honor of the Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chisti who blessed Akbar and the birth of three sons. Its architecture, a fusion of Hindu and Islamic styles, reflects Akbar’s secular vision and his way of ruling. The scarcity of water was the factor in the abandonment of this ghost town, where the elegant buildings speak of the beauty and splendor of the Mughal empire.

After visit, continue drive to Agra. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6:

Agra – Delhi (210 kilometres / 05 hours).

Afer breakfast We will visit The Taj Mahal (Closed on friday), Agra Fort and  Itimad al –Daulah.

The unique Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died in 1631. This costly majestic mausoleum combines elements of Islamic, Persian, Indian and even Turkish architecture. It is estimated that around 20,000 workers from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy worked on it and it took 17 years to complete this Love Poem in Marble.

Later we will visit Agra Fort, built by Emperor Akbar between 1565 and 1573, it reveals the Mughal talent for combining defensive architecture with beauty and design. This palace fortress was started by Akbar as a purely defensive citadel and later completed by two successive generations, delicate marble mosaic and magnificent palaces were added. The fort is the history of Mughal Agra and offers a magical view of the Taj Mahal.

Our last stop today is Itimad al –Daulah, the exquisite tomb of Mizra Ghiyas Beg is not to be missed. This Persian nobleman was the vizier of Emperor Yahangir. His daughter Nur Yahan, then the emperor’s wife, built the tomb between 1622 and 1628. It was the first Mongolian structure built entirely of marble and the first to make extensive use of hard pitera.

After visit transfer by road to Delhi. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 7:

Haridwar (235 Kilometers / 05 hours approx) Aurovalley Ashrama.

After Breakfast In the morning drive towards Haridwar. On arrival transfer to Aurovalley Ashrama in Rishikesh.

The Aurovalley Ashrama runs a daily routine of activities for everyone who stays, such as meditation, kirtan (mantra chanting) and Satsang (question/answer sessions with Swami Brahmdev, founder of the ashram). These activities are intended to support spiritual work. The discipline is as follows:

Every day activities with schedule:

At 06:00 in the morning Meditation

At 07:00 in the morning the Yoga Asanas.

At 08:00 in the morning breakfast

At 09:00 a.m. Karma Yoga / Study Period

At 11:30 a.m. Satsang

At 01:00 in the afternoon Lunch

At 3:00 p.m. Tea

At 3:30 p.m. Practice / Karma Yoga / Study Period

At 18:00 pm Meditation / Kirtan

At 07:00 pm Dinner

At 20:00 in the afternoon program in the library

Day 8:

Ashrama Aurovalley (PC)

After breakfast we will drive to Rishikesh. We leave for the visit of Lakshman Jhula, Ram Jhula, Raghunath Mandir, Triveni Ghat, Bharat Mandir, Gita Bhavan and Ashrams.

Lakshman Jhula: The bridge has been a big draw among tourists to Rishikesh. The iron suspension bridge Lakshman Jhula was built in 1929. This is where Rama Lakshman’s brother is said to have crossed the river on jute ropes.

Ram Jhula: Another bridge close to Lakshman Jhula is the Ram Jhula, this suspension bridge was recently built between Shivanand Ashram and Sawarg Ashram. It is similar to the Lakshman Jhula.

Raghunath Mandir: It is the most important place for religious ceremonies in Rishikesh. It is believed that the Ganga is joined here by the Yamuna and the Saraswati Rivers. Geographically, however, the Yamuna joins the Ganga at Allahabad.

Gita Bhavan: This newly built building is famous for its attractive paintings and statues from Hindu mythology.

Bharat Mandir: It is the oldest temple in Rishikesh. The image installed here has a distinctive Himalayan cast of features. Although the temple is dedicated to Lord Mahavishnu type, it has a number of images normally associated with the worship of Lord Shiva.

Ashrams: There are many important ashrams in Rishikesh. Most ashrams are centers for spiritual studies which are also called disciplines. Some ashrams, however, are monasteries.

Later transfer to the bank of the Ganges river to witness collective prayer.

The Aarti (collective prayer) ceremony in the Ganges river (sacred river in India) is impressive, the darkness of the night contrasting with the river, ghats and temples, illuminated with lamps and candles while people perform their prayers.

Dinner and Overnight at Aurovally Ashrama.

Day 9:

Ashrama Aurovalley (PC)

Every day activities with schedule:

At 06:00 in the morning Meditation

At 07:00 in the morning the Yoga Asanas.

At 08:00 in the morning breakfast

At 09:00 a.m. Karma Yoga / Study Period

At 11:30 a.m. Satsang

At 01:00 in the afternoon Lunch

At 3:00 p.m. Tea

At 3:30 p.m. Practice / Karma Yoga / Study Period

At 18:00 pm Meditation / Kirtan

At 07:00 pm Dinner

At 20:00 in the afternoon program in the library. Overnight in Ashram.

Day 10:

Ashrama Aurovalley (PC)

Every day activities with schedule:

At 06:00 in the morning Meditation

At 07:00 in the morning the Yoga Asanas.

At 08:00 in the morning breakfast

At 09:00 a.m. Karma Yoga / Study Period

At 11:30 a.m. Satsang

At 01:00 in the afternoon Lunch

At 3:00 p.m. Tea

At 3:30 p.m. Practice / Karma Yoga / Study Period

At 18:00 p.m. Meditation / Kirtan

At 07:00 p.m. Dinner

At 20:00 in the afternoon program in the library.  Overnight in Ashram.

Day 11:

Ashrama Aurovalley (PC)

Every day activities with schedule:

At 06:00 in the morning Meditation

At 07:00 in the morning the Yoga Asanas.

At 08:00 in the morning breakfast

At 09:00 a.m. Karma Yoga / Study Period

At 11:30 a.m. Satsang

At 01:00 in the afternoon Lunch

At 3:00 p.m. Tea

At 3:30 p.m. Practice / Karma Yoga / Study Period

At 18:00 p.m. Meditation / Kirtan

At 07:00 p.m. Dinner

At 20:00 in the afternoon program in the library. Overnight in Ashram.

Day 12:

Ashrama Aurovalley – Haridwar  – Delhi (260 Kilometres / 06 hours)

Afer Breakfast Transfer by road to Delhi. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13:

Delhi – Final Departure  (by flight).

After Breakfast Transfer to the Delhi International airport to take the flight for final Destination.