India: the Birth of Eastern Religions and Sacred Traditions
1st day, depart for Delhi:
Departure from the US to London, where you will take a connecting flight to Delhi.
2nd day, Delhi:
Arrival at Delhi airport. After going through customs and baggage claim, our representative will transfer us to our hotel and time to rest.
3rd Day, in Delhi:
After breakfast, a meeting with our Representative to go over the details and answer questions for the next days of sacred places pilgrimages and touring. Then we start our tour of Old Delhi including the Jama Masjid Mosque build in 650 AD, the Gandhi Memorial Museum, the Red Fort built by the Emperor Shah Jehan and the the Ashoka Pillar where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. In the late afternoon time to relax or shop before a welcome dinner and cultural dance at the Bistro and the Hauz Khas village where local elders still stroll about in colorful traditional dress. Walk among the peacocks and cows that amble through open courtyards.
4th Day, Delhi-Neemrana:
It’s up early as we depart for the Bahai Temple for independent meditation. This lotus shaped structure is considered one of the “Modern Wonders of the World” and the Bahai are perhaps the oldest “New Thought” religions of the planet. Return for breakfast and then proceed to your tour of New Delhi Including the a visit to the Iron Pillar, standing for over 1,500 years without rusting. See the Houses of Parliament and one of the world’s most perfect minaret, the Qutub Minor. After lunch on your own, depart for the Neemrana Fort Palace, India’s oldest heritage resort that was built in 1464. Overnight at the hotel.
5th Day, Neemrana-Jaipur:
Sunrise meditation on the private balconies overlooking the Aravalli range, followed by a special lecture on the Discords and Harmony of Religions in India. After lunch, we depart for Jaipur, the “Pink City” and to your reserved accommodations at the Hotel. Jaipur is considered one of the most well planned cities of the world. and the capital of Rajasthan. Dinner this evening at our hotel.
6th Day, in Jaipur:
After breakfast, depart for our tour to the Amber Fort and the deserted city of Amber, once the capital of ancient city of the Rajput empire. Here we will have a lecture on Ayurvedic and Alternative Medicine. Highlight of the journey will be our transportation to the fort on Elephants (or a jeep) , the same way ancient Rajpuds made their royal trips. Return to our hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, it’s a sightseeing tour of the “Pink City”. Visit the City Palace, which houses a museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings and an armory. Then to the oldest and largest outdoor Astronomical Laboratory & Observatory (built by Maharaja Jai Singh, a famous astronomer in 1721), that features a 90 foot tall sun-dial. There we will have a lecture by our astronomy and astrology expert. This is followed by a drive past the Palace of the Winds, made of pink sandstone and the landmark of Jaipur. Dinner at our hotel.
7th Day, Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikhri-Agra:
Early departure for Agra. Along the way,we will have a boxed lunch and tour of the National Bird Sanctuary. Continue to the deserted of Fatehpur Sikhri. This is India’s Pompei and built to Akbar the Great. This site is considered India’s “sleeping beauty”, with its glorious courtyards and palaces and conjures up dreams of the mysterious past Buland Darwaza. It has changed little since its heyday as the capital of the Moghul Empire. Here you will see the tomb of Shaik Salim Chisti, who predicted the birth of Akbar’s son, as well as a strange building which resembles a Buddhist Temple. Onto Agra for our overnight & dinner at the hotel.
8th Day, in Agra
Early this morning your escort will take you to the magnificent Taj Mahal for a sunrise meditation and quiet time on your own. After coming back to the hotel for breakfast, you will return to the Taj Mahal for a complete tour of the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world and learn more about this “Dream of Marble” built as the world’s most exquisite monument of love. After this vision of beauty, almost everything else may seem anticlimactic. But there is more to Agra, as we continue to Agra Fort. The fort is as rugged as the Taj is ethereal. It is a perfectly proportioned Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque). In the evening, dinner and relaxing time at your hotel where you will meet with an Indian Astrologer for a talk and lecture, and also have time for Optional palm readings.
9th Day, Agra-Varanasi
Morning departure to the airport for your flight to Varanasi, the city that was flourishing over 2,000 years ago located on the sacred site of the Ganges River and the most important religious center for Hindu Pilgrims. After checking into our hotel, we will have a sightseeing tour of Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon to his five-close disciples in 528BC. This was Buddha’s first stop after receiving his enlightenment. We will visit the Dhamek Stupa, which marks the location of a once resplendent monastery. The first monk communities probably settled here in the 3rd century BC. Accommodations and dinner at the hotel.
10th Day, Varanasi-Delhi:
Early this morning we will board our launch for a boat ride on the Ganges River were we will witness hundreds of Pilgrims lining the banks of the river performing sacred rituals and “cleansing away their sins”. It is also a favored dying place, as to die or be cremated next to the Ganges River and have one’s ashes floated downstream is said to break the eternal circle or birth and re-birth, leaving one the ability to remain in the afterlife. Return to our hotel for breakfast, lunch and a lecture on the Vedas at the Benares Hindu University. This is followed by a city tour that is the center of Hindu faith as you view the principal temples and shrines including Vishwanath and Durga Temples. Afternoon transfer to the airport for our flight to Delhi. Check into our hotel. Dinner on your own tonight. Try one of the nearby exciting local Indian restaurants.
11th Day, in Dehli:
A full day at leisure for independent activities, shopping and exploring on your own. In the evening, our farewell dinner and special Mystical Journey’s event.
12th Day, depart for USA
Assistance with an early morning departure to the Delhi Airport for our return flights home.
NOTE: This is a sample itinerary for group tour leaders. For more information about how to form a group and travel free, please visit: https://bodymindspiritjourneys.com/form-a-group-and-travel-free