Spiritual India Tour
with Haridwar, Rishikesh, Ganges, Badrinath, Himalayas
With Deluxe Accommodation, Exclusive Transport, Sightseeing and
Temple and Ashram Visits, Ganga Arti

Ganga arti in Haridwar.

India has attracted many visitors in search of spiritualism, nirvana or moksha. It has a centuries old tradition of rishis, munis and sadhus travelling up to the Himalayas, to mountain shrines in search of enlightenment. During this sojourn - soul searching / cleansing and leading an ascetic life through prayer, meditation and yoga. For Indians, a pilgrimage to holy places marks many landmarks in their life. In India, in ancient times, many Gods and Goddesses have supposedly come down to Earth, epics are inter-woven around the Himalayan mountains and holy rivers and the peaks (Nanda Devi...) and rivers (Ganga...), to name just a couple, are worshipped as forms of Goddesses.

An exploration of this India and its many interpretations on the philosophy of life, its many ways of worship and its innumerable deities in various forms presents a different experience for each individual. You can be a mere observer, mesmerized; you can be a student participating in a first over-awing lesson; you can be an ardent follower, imbibing the best from what spiritual India has to offer. In this tour we try to take you through a short journey traversing through the holy cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh along the Ganga and Alaknanda rivers, stopping at many holy confluences (Bhagirathi and Alaknanda at Deoprayag from wheron it is known as Ganges; Mandakini coming down from Kedarnath and Alaknanda from Badrinath meeting at Rudraprayag) and the journey finally taking you to Badrinath, the abode of Lord Vishnu, where Rishi Ved Vyas wrote the Mahabharat and the Pandavas passed through on their way to Swargarohini, the Ascent to Heaven.

This itinerary is confined to the Garhwal Himalayas in North India. The legendary valleys and mountains of Garhwal abound with breathtaking natural beauty. Ranging from snowclad Himalayan peaks, deeply forested hill slopes, emerald green alpine meadows, offbeat quaint hamlets, silver streams gurgling down the mountain slopes, furious rivers hurtling down the valleys, sunsets and sunrises a riot of ethereal images. Besides a taste of spiritual and holy India at the hill abodes of the Gods at Badrinath or down in the plains at Rishikesh or Haridwar, it offers sightseeing to river rafting, skiing to snow sports, from long walks and soft treks – this Garhwal region offers it all. Discover the magic of Garhwal with our specially designed tour packages which take you through the enchanting towns of Haridwar, Rishikesh, Deoprayag, Rudraprayag, Auli, Badrinath.

Spiritual India
Duration: 10 Days and 9 Nights
Itinerary: Delhi – Haridwar (2 Nts) - Rudraprayag (1 Nt) - Badrinath (2 Nts) -
Auli (2 Nts) - Rishikesh (2 Nts) – Delhi.
Tour Code: MSI-012

Day 01 Delhi – Haridwar (215 kms / 5 hrs). Leave after an early breakfast to reach the holy city in time for lunch. At 295 m / 975 feet, Hardwar is still in the plains. Haridwar literally means Gateway to the Gods. It is one of the most revered holy towns of India with the sacred Ganga river flowing through Hardwar in all its prisitne glory. To be part of the evening aarti, amongst fervent devotees with devotional songs and music playing, temple bells ringing by the river bank of the Ganges and at dusk hundreds of diyas (lamps of leaf cups) with fluttering golden flames and coloured flowers floating down the river, is an enchanting experience. This takes place at the bathing ghats, Brahmakund or more popularly known as Har Ki Pauri.
Overnight at Haridwar.

Day 02 Haridwar. Other places of holy significance in Haridwar are Mansa Devi Temple, Maya Devi Temple, Sapt Rishi Ashram, Sapt Sarovar and Chandi Devi Temple amongst others. Devotees come to Hardwar for a holy dip in the Ganga as penance, believing and hoping that it will wash away their earlier sins. They also pray here for the salvation of the departed souls of their ancestors.
Overnight at Haridwar.

Day 03 Haridwar - Rudraprayag (163 kms / 5 hrs). Drive along the Ganges upto Deoprayag and then along the Alaknanda to reach Rudraprayag. Named after Lord Shiva (Rudra), Rudraprayag, at 610 m / 2000 feet, is situated at the holy confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers.
Overnight at Rudraprayag.

Day 04 Rudraprayag - Badrinath (170 kms / 6.5. hrs). You climb upto about 3133 m / 10330 feet, driving through spectacular mountain roads, the Alaknanda river hurtling across in the valleys and gorges down below, mesmerized by the beautiful views of terraced fields, small hamlets, forests and Himalayan peaks in the distance.
The temple at Badrinath is open from May to October. During winters it is generally snow-bound. Legend has it, when the Ganga was requested to descent to earth to help suffering humanity, the Earth was unable to withstand the force of its descent. Therefore the mighty Ganga was split into 12 holy channels. Alaknanda was one of them, the source of which later became the abode of Lord Vishnu or Badrinath (Preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer). The temple of Shri Badrinathji on the banks of the Alaknanda River dates back to the Vedic era.
Badrinath is the most important of the four sites in India's Char Dham pilgrimage. The town lies between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges and in the shadow of Neelkantha peak (6560m).
Overnight at Badrinath.

Day 05 Badrinath.The mountains around Badrinath are mentioned in the Mahabharata, where the Pandavas are said to have attained eternal samadhi by ascending the slopes of a peak in western Garhwal called Swargarohini - literally, the 'Ascent to Heaven'. Local legend has it that the Pandavas passed through Badrinath and the town of Mana, 4 km north of Badrinath, on their way to Swargarohini. There is also a cave in Mana where Ved Vyas, according to legend, wrote the Mahabharata.
Overnight at Badrinath.

Day 06 Badrinath - Auli (60 kms / 3 hrs). Come down to Joshimath and then take the diversion to Auli either by cable car or by a jeepable road. One of the most picturesque destinations you get to stay at during the whole tour.
Auli: 16 Kms ahead of Joshimath, Auli surroundded by oak and deodar forests offers a panoramic view of Himalayan peaks like the Nanda Devi (7817m), Kamet (7756m), Mana Parvat (7273m) and Dunagiri (7066m).
Overnight at Auli.

Day 07 Auli. In summers, when the snow gives way to carpets of grass and flowers, hikers and trekkers will find numerous marked walks and mountain bike trails. A short trek takes you to Gorson (Bugiyal) Reserve Forest (part of the Nanda Devi National Park) where you can revel in the magnificent sunrise and views. A short walk in the dense alpine forest takes you to Chhatrakund, a frozen lake. You can soothe your tired muscles after a trek to Tapovan by bathing in the hot springs there.
Overnight at Auli.

Day 08 Auli - Rishikesh (258 km / 8.5 hrs)
The Ganga flattens and opens out at Rishikesh, from here flowing into the plains. Rishikesh is also known as the "the world-capital of Yoga", has numerous yoga and meditation centres that also attract tourists. It is believed that meditation in Rishikesh brings one closer to attainment of moksha, as does a dip in the holy river that flows through it. The Ganga Arati performed at dusk at the Triveni Ghat is an enthralling spectacle.

Overnight at Rishikesh.

Day 09 Rishikesh. Rishikesh is home to the more than century old Kailas Ashram Brahmavidyapeetham, an institution dedicated to preserve and promote the traditional Vedantic Studies. Prominent personalities such as Swami Vivekananda, Swami Rama Tirtha and Swami Shivananda have studied in this institution. Rishikesh is known world over for its Yoga and Meditation ashrams. The ashrams in Rishikesh generate an unparalled sense of ascetism. Some of the well known ashrams are Paramarth Niketan, Sivanand Ashram, Swaragashram. Lakshman Jhula, a suspension bridge over the river, is a major landmark of Rishikesh.
Overnight at Rishikesh.

Day 10 Rishikesh - Delhi (240 kms / 6 hrs). With experiences and memories of the past days and evenings still lingering fresh in the mind, return to the Cosmopolis, feeling blessed for the stolen moments of spiritual bliss. Leave Rishikesh to reach Delhi by evening.
Tour ends...but memories remain !

Tour Cost	Bronze Package	Silver Package	This Uttarakhand Tour Cost includes:
For 02 Adults in 1 room and One Exclusive Vehicle	Rs.81,400/- (Rs.40,700/- per person).	Rs.92,200/- (Rs.46,100/- per person).	Accommodation. Meals: 1) Morning Tea and Breakfast at Haridwar. 2) No meals at Rudraprayag. 3) Morning Tea, Breakfast and Dinner at Badrinath, Auli and Rishikesh. Surface Transport: By an exclusive (non-shared) chauffeur driven vehicle ex-Delhi all inclusive - fuel, driver and his daily allowance, state tax, toll tax, parking, sightseeing as per itinerary, airport / railway station transfers in Delhi.
For 04 Adults in 2 rooms and One Exclusive Car	Rs.1,22,700/- (Rs.30,675/- per person).	Rs.1,45,000/- (Rs.36,250/- per person).
For 06 Adults in 3 rooms and One Exclusive Vehicle	Rs.1,64,900/- (Rs.27,480/- per person).	Rs.1,98,500/- (Rs.33,100/- per person).
Hotel Offered in Haridwar	Hotel Brinjal	Haveli Hari Ganga
Hotel Offered in Rudraprayag	Monal Resort	Monal Resort
Hotel Offered in Badrinath	Narayan Palace	Narayan Palace / Sarovar Portico
Hotel Offered in Auli	Clifftop Club Resort	Clifftop Club Resort
Hotel Offered in Rishikesh	Pure Inn, Narayana Palace	Narayana Palace
Vehicle Offered (A/c operational only in plains)	A/c Toyota Innova	A/c Toyota Innova

Note:
1) Cost for extra adult / child sharing room available on request.
2) Service Tax @ 3.09% extra.

Packages are valid upto 31st March, 2013.

Not Included:
# Airfare, insurance, personal items like mineral water, laundry etc.,extra meals / room services / bottled beverages, monument entry fees, camera fees, adventure activites, anything not explicitly mentioned under Inclusions.
# Temple and Trekking Guides, Porters, Ponies, Cable Car Rides, Skiing, River Rafting, Yoga / Meditation Sessions.

Testimonials from our customers

LASTING IMPRESSIONS !

We loved the Himalayas, it was so peaceful and pretty and driving around there was lovely. The rafting camp was great, the kids absolutely loved it. They swam, built sandcastles and went rappelling! We met some really nice people there and sang Abba round the campfire which was very funny. The rafting was good too, Steve did the longer trip and me and the kids joined him for the float bit down to Rishikesh. Haridwar was my favourite. I loved the aarti: the music, the bells, the fire swinging, the lights floating down the river - it was amazing. The hotel was lovely too and we had nice massages and delicious food. We got the ropeway up to the temple. So, a great trip. Thank you both very much for organising it, we know what a lot of work it was! And thank you for meeting us at the airport, it was really nice! Everything went very smoothly, all the hotels were lovely, Bhoop was a fantastic driver and we liked him very much. We are hoping to come back when we can, until then, thanks again. It really was a wonderful trip. Very best wishes. ~ Ros (and Steve, Lucas and Isabelle), U.K.

Alaknanda river - viewed from Badrinath.

KUMAON AND GARHWALTOUR PACKAGES
Kumaon Karnival - 7 Days and 6 Nights Delhi - Corbett - Ranikhet - Nainital or Bhimtal - Delhi	Himalayan Odyssey - 8 Days and 7 Nights Delhi - Nainital or Bhimtal - Kausani - Almora / Binsar - Ranikhet - Delhi	Spiritual India - 10 Days and 9 Nights Delhi – Haridwar - Rudraprayag - Badrinath - Auli - Rishikesh - Delhi
Uttarakhand Utopia - 10 Days and 9 Nights Delhi - Mussoorie - Haridwar or Rishikesh - Corbett - Kausani or Ranikhet - Nainital - Delhi	Uttarakhand Extravaganza - 14 Days and 13 Nights Delhi - Mussoorie - Rudraprayag - Auli - Kausani - Nainital - Corbett - Delhi

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TOURS IN UTTARAKHAND: Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayas.
(Covering Nainital, CORBETT, Bhimtal, Sattal, Ranikhet, Mukteshwar, Almora, Binsar, Kausani, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mussoorie, Auli, Badrinath).

TOURS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH: Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie, Dharamsala.
(covering Chail, KUFRI, Narkanda, Solang Valley, Rohtang, MANIKARAN, Mcleodganj, Khajjiar).

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This webpage showcases tours to Uttarakhand with a taste of Spiritual India - Haridwar, Rishikesh, Ganges, Badrinath, Himalayas.

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Spiritual India Tour with Haridwar, Rishikesh, Ganges, Badrinath, Himalayas With Deluxe Accommodation, Exclusive Transport, Sightseeing and Temple and Ashram Visits, Ganga Arti

Spiritual India Tour
with Haridwar, Rishikesh, Ganges, Badrinath, Himalayas
With Deluxe Accommodation, Exclusive Transport, Sightseeing and
Temple and Ashram Visits, Ganga Arti