Spiritual India with Haridwar, Rishikesh, Ganga, Badrinath.

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 the Caravan’s specially designed tour packages which take you through the enchanting towns of Haridwar, Rishikesh, Deoprayag, Rudraprayag, Auli, Badrinath.

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 - Rafting Camp between Shivpuri / Kaudiyala (225 km / 6.5 hrs). These are basic camps situated on the Ganges River Beach in very picturesque locations. Surrounded by wooded, verdant hills the white sand beaches are very serene and tranquil.
Overnight at Beach Camp.

Day 09 Ganga Beach Rafting Camp. Today is the day to experience Ganges on the river while paddling downstream on a raft and hitting exciting rapids on the way. The rafting trip ends near the temples and ashrams of Rishikesh.
Overnight at Beach Camp.
(If you don't want to stay at Camps you can increase your stay at the other destinations instead).

Day 10 Ganga Beach Rafting Camp - Rishikesh. (35 kms / 1 hour). 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 11 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 12 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 !

Package Category	Cost For 2 Persons in 1 Room	Remarks
Silver	Rs.1,20,000/-	Temple and Trekking Guides, Porters, Ponies, Cable Car Rides, Skiing, Yoga / Meditation Sessions: At extra cost.
Note: >> You can also give us your budget and itinerary and we can customise the tour package to match the same. >> Stay in Delhi and extension tour to Agra (Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri) from Delhi on request at additional cost. >> The above prices are valid upto 31st March, 2009 and are in INR (Indian Rupees). For a price quote in your currency, please ask us.
Package Cost Includes: Silver Package - Accommodation in deluxe resorts on twin sharing in well appointed rooms with bathrooms (except in the rafting camps); Meals: breakfast, dinner; surface transport by exclusive, chauffeur driven vehicle, local sightseeing, taxes. Package Bonuses: Surprise Freebies and Discounts for Resort Facilities, Flexibility of planning your own itinerary for local sightseeing. The above costs are in INR and are extendable on pro-rata. For details on our fleet of vehicles click here.

Testimonials from our customers E-Mail: info@caravantraveltalk.com Contact Us for Booking

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

Spiritual India	Himalayan Odyssey	Kumaon Karnival	Offbeat Kumaon	Uttarakhand Utopia	Uttarakhand Extravaganza
For a comfortable holiday package tour, the perfectly planned itinerary with a well maintained deluxe vehicle and a courteous driver to take you around (or the choice of doing it in your own car) and accommodation in luxury or deluxe resorts pre-arranged, leave it to professionals like us who have traversed the Himalayas in North India. Who have enjoyed the fantasy and joy of the mountains in Uttarakhand. Who would design a holiday package which would be relaxed and take you thru' the destinations and the local sightseeing circuit of Kumaon and Garhwal at a leisurely pace. For your vacation, we can also stitch together a tailor-made itinerary and customise a tour if you let us know: (i) Number of days ex-Delhi. (ii) Destinations interested in visiting. (iii) Expected highlights of the vacation. (iv) Target cost and number of travellers.

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TOURS IN UTTARAKHAND: Corbett Tiger Reserve and Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayas.
(Covering Nainital, Bhimtal, Sattal, Ranikhet, Mukteshwar, Almora, Binsar, Kausani, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mussoorie, Auli, Badrinath).
TOURS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH: Shimla, Manali, Rohtang, Dalhousie, Dharamsala.
(And also covering Chail, Naldehra, Narkanda, Solang Valley, Mcleodganj, Khajjiar).
TOURS IN LADAkH: Covering Leh, Khardungla, Nubra Valley, CHANGLA, Pangong, Tso Moriri, ALCHI, ULLEYTOKPO, DHA HANU, DROKPA VALLEY, INDUS AND ZANSKAR RIVERS SANGAM.
TOURS IN RAJASTHAN: Covering Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer.
(With Camel Safaris and stays in Palaces, Forts and Havelis).
GOLDEN TRIANGLE TOUR AND EXTENSIONS: Covering Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal), Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur, Ranthambhore.
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ADVENTURE: CAMPING & TREKKING | RIVER RAFTING | WILDLIFE, BIRDING, ANGLING, ELEPHANT & HORSE SAFARIS |
HIGH ALTITUDE JEEP SAFARIS | SKIING AND SNOW-SPORTS | PARAGLIDING | QUAD BIKING |
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Testimonials from our customers E-Mail: info@caravantraveltalk.com Contact Us for Booking
	Spiritual India Duration: 12 Days and 11 Nights Itinerary: Delhi – Haridwar (2 Nts) - Rudraprayag (1 Nt) - Badrinath (2 Nts) - Auli (2 Nts) - Rafting at Shivpuri (2 Nts) - Rishikesh (2 Nts) – Delhi. Tour Code: CSI-012 (Stay in Delhi and extension tour to Agra (Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri) from Delhi on request at additional cost)

Spiritual India Tour with Haridwar, Rishikesh, Ganges, Badrinath, Himalayas With Deluxe Accommodation, Exclusive Transport, Sightseeing and Temple Visits, Ganga Arti, Yoga, Meditation (Optional - Skiing, River Rafting, Treks)

Spiritual India Tour
with Haridwar, Rishikesh, Ganges, Badrinath, Himalayas
With Deluxe Accommodation, Exclusive Transport, Sightseeing and
Temple Visits, Ganga Arti, Yoga, Meditation
(Optional - Skiing, River Rafting, Treks)