India Off The Beaten Path w/ Taj Mahal
Tour starts with the exploration of Rishikesh! Ever since the Beatles spent time at the ashram of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the late ’60s, Rishikesh has been a nest for spiritual seekers, yoga and meditation practitioners. This small town, situated at the feet of the Himalayas gives opportunity to experience Hindu culture and lifestyle; one can truly relax and rejuvenate walking along holy river Ganga shores, visiting ancient temples and ashrams.
Rishikesh is a starting point of most of the Garhwal Himalaya treks. An easy five days mountain adventure can be a great experience for amateurs. Chandrashila top is the place from where one can get a perfect 360 degrees view of the Himalayas, a beautiful lake called DeoriTal gives perfect sightings for the mountain peaks as Choukhamba and Kedarnath. Those are easy hikes full of spectacular views of majestic Himalayas, forests and meadows – a true rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul!
Last part of our India tour will be visiting famous Taj Mahal and Red Fort in Agra city, an unforgettable experience for those seeking to experience history, architectural diversity and more….
For booking contact TREK NATION INDIA
at: info@treknationindia.com, travelnatindia@gmail.com
call: (+1) 929 293 2029, (+1) 646 644 1979
or use the book/inquiry link below:
Day 1
NAMASTE AND WELCOME TO INDIA!
We meet everyone in Delhi International Airport according to arrival times and direct transfer in comfortable cars to Rishikesh. The drive from Delhi to Rishikesh will take approximately 6 hours so we recommend to book flights that arrive in Delhi by 4pm India time on this day, so we would have ample time to get to Rishikesh by midnight in order for you to have good, restful sleep in a hotel. Dinner will be served that day.
Day 2
IN RISHIKESH
Departure: 10am
Today it is time for our Rishikesh! Morning after breakfast we will walk around this shanti little town in the valley of Ganges river. First we will proceed for visiting of famous Ram Jhulla and Lakshman Jhulla suspension bridges, will walk a holy path and Ganga beaches wetting our feet in her cool waters. We will also travel by local rikshaw to the old part of Rishikesh with its busy market, Bharat temple and Triveni Ghat. Last we will take part in Arti, a beautiful evening ceremony honoring Goddess Ganga. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 3
IN RISHIKESH
Departure: 4.30am
Early start to experience the breathtaking sunrise in the Himalayas! We begin our day with a short drive (about 45 min) to get to the highest point of Rishikesh called Kunjapuri, also the sight of a famous Goddess temple for Hindus, at an elevation of 1,990 m (6,528 ft). If the weather is clear, from the top enjoy spectacular views of the snow-capped Himalayas Mountains and admire views of Rishikesh and the Ganges River. We will do a 45 min short hike downhill followed by the drive back to Rishikesh for breakfast. After short break we will proceed for the adventurous activity – white water river rafting! River Ganges – the living Goddess of India, rafting on her waters is certainly an incredible experience. The 1,5 hour of moderate difficulty with clear passages adventure will be followed by lunch and relaxation, enjoying the day with free time according to your needs and desires: shopping, mehendi (famous henna tattoo) or famous Ayurveda treatments (additional costs will apply). Evening final preparation for our mountain adventures. Dinner will be served in a hotel.
Day 4
RISHIKESH / GUPTKASHI – 1400 m (4593 ft)
Departure: 8am
A distance of near about 200 km (125 mi) drive from Rishikesh to Guptkashi will be covered in 7-8hrs. The drive, though long is very scenic as we drive along the Ganga, Alaknanda and Mandakani rivers. Enroute we stop at Deoprayag which is another important Hindu site, well known for the confluence of two rivers: Bhagirathi and Alaknanada, which then flows down as the Ganga. Evening visit beautiful ancient Shiva Kashi Viswanathan temple. Overnight in a hotel in Guptkashi.
Day 5
GUPTKASHI / KALIMATH / GUPTKASHI / 3 – 4 hours easy hike
Departure: 10 am
This day 7-8 km (4-5mi) easy hike through the agriculture fields, forests, river and mountain villages leads to an ancient Goddess Kali temple named Kalimath at an altitude of around 6,000 feet (1,800 m) on the river Sarasvati in the Garhwal Himalayas. In temple enjoy mythological stories and ancient rituals performed by the local priest. Car will be waiting here to take us back to Guptkashi hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6
GUPTKASHI / TRIYUGINARAYAN (2000m)/ GUPTKASHI / 2 hours easy hike
Departure: 9am
After breakfast we will start our drive for Triyuginarayan. The distance of 39km could be covered in about 2 hours. Triyuginarayan village is situated at an elevation of 2000m. This is a wedding destination of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and offers panoramic views of mountains. We will visit ancient Lord Vishnu Temple. Later we start 7km downhill hike. The trail is very pleasant and gentle as it is passing through Himalayan villages, forest and natural streams. After 2 hours easy hike we will reach Sone Prayag where our vehicle will be waiting. We will drive back from SonePrayag to Guptkashi which may take 1:30 hours for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7
GUPTKASHI / DEORIA TAL (lake) / GUPTKASHI – 2438 m (7999 ft) / 3 hours easy hike
Departure: 6am
One hour drive to village Sari, then 3 km (1.6mi) gentle hike uphill to the beautiful Himalayan lake called DEORIA TAL famous for its views of Himalayan peaks like Mt Chaukhamba 7120m, Mt. Kedardome 6900m, Mt.Kharchkund 6800m and many more unnamed peaks. Enjoy packed lunch and explore the surroundings. Afternoon come back by car to Guptkashi same hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8
GUPTKASHI / CHANDRASHILA PEAK / GUPTKASHI – 4000 m (13123 ft) / 5-6 hours easy to moderate difficulty hike
Departure 4.30am
Very early departure to get the best Himalayas views! Day starts with two hours’ drive to get to Chopta 2900m (8,858ft), the starting point of gentle uphill 6km (3.7mi) hike to Chandrashila Top. The trek is mostly a gradual ascent through the dwarf rhododendron bushes. At the summit one can enjoy the unforgettable view of the peaks surrounding from all directions. Almost every prominent peak of the Garhwal Himalayas can be spotted from here. To one side is Nanda Devi 7,816m (25,643ft) – the highest peak of Indian Himalayas, the other side is Mt. Kedarnath 6,940m (22,770ft), Mt. Trishul 7,120m (23,360ft), Mt. Bandarpunch 6,316m (20,722ft) and many more! One can feel as sitting in the ocean of mountain peaks. Enjoy your lunch, explore the area and then easily trace your steps back to Chopta where the car will be waiting to take us back to Guptkashi. During hike we will visit a thousands year’s old Tungnath Shiva temple the second highest located Shiva temple in the world. Evening back to Guptkashi for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9
GUPTKASHI / RISHIKESH / 7 – 8 hours drive
Departure: 9am
Drive back to Rishikesh on the way visiting Vasistha cave for deep meditation. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Rishikesh.
Day 10
IN RISHIKESH
Free Day! ☺ Today there are no activities provided. This day you will have sufficient of personal time for relaxation, shopping for gifts, exploring surroundings, walking on the Ganges beaches, Ayurvedic massage and treatments (additional cost will apply), feeling the energy of ancient places of Rishikesh! Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Rishikesh.
Day 11
RISHIKESH / AGRA – 8-9 hours drive
Departure: 8am
Early morning after breakfast check out from the hotel in Rishikesh and proceed for Agra, the city in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh state, the home of iconic Taj Mahal. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Agra.
Day 12
AGRA (Taj Mahal) / DELHI – approximately 4 hours drive
Departure: 6am
Early in the morning we will proceed for Taj Mahal sightseeing at the sunrise time! The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz. The ivory-white marble mausoleum took over 22 years to finish, between 1630 AD to 1652 AD. After spending sufficient time at the iconic monument we will go back to the hotel for breakfast, short rest and check out from the hotel to proceed for Delhi. But before leaving Agra we will stop at another famous monument – the Agra Red Fort, a massive structure on the bank of Yamuna River built by famous emperor Akbar in 1565 AD. After drive back to Delhi for dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Day 13
DELHI / INDIA DEPARTURE
Today there are no group activities. The only services provided is breakfast and mid-day checking out from the hotel followed by transfer to Delhi International Airport or Domestic Airport. Whatever your plans are, our representative will help you get on the right track.
Inclusive:
- Accommodations in double sharing on MAP basis – bed, breakfast and dinner in *2 and *3 hotels or equivalent in Delhi, Agra and Rishikesh.
- Accommodations in double sharing on AP basis – bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner in simple mountain hotel in Guptkashi.
- Transportation by car or minibus for all transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary.
- English speaking tour escort/guide throughout the tour.
- Permits and entrance fees to all monuments and national parks.
- Two bottles of good drinking water per person per day.
- Monument guides charges.
- White water river rafting in Rishikesh.
- Assistance on arrival and departure.
Rate does not include:
International airfare (starting at $750), Indian visa fee, insurance fees, lunches (except 6 days Guptkashi Himalayan section), tips, any alcoholic beverages, any other beverages besides tea and coffee, laundry, camera entrance fee, video making fees, pony/horse ride, Ayurveda and medical treatments, donations in temples or ashrams, personal expenses, expenses incurred beyond our control such as bad weather, flight cancellation, road closures, landslides, political disturbances, etc.
