Kumaon & Garhwal - The Abode of Gods

The Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayas are famous for their panoramic views through thick vegetation, with maximum travel in areas yet untouched by too many tourists. There is a lot of opportunity to interact with Locals, who are not at all influenced by urban life. Truly this program is for people who are looking for an insight in the rural life of India with a great view of the lower Himalayas and beautiful temples. This trip does not cater five star hotels, because there aren't any in this region, but we are in the lap of nature, living in clean, well-maintained accommodation. Its a great place to relax, away from big cities with their share of noise and pollution.

Day 1- Arrive Delhi - Met at Airport and transfer into the Hotel Rooms pre-booked for you. After lunch half day sight seeing tour of New Delhi.

Day 2 - Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Drive to Haridwar - 215 Km - Haridwar is an important pilgrimage town for Hindus with many ashrams and temples. The famous pop group Beatles lived in the Meditation Centre here for some time in the 1960s. People come to Haridwar to perform the last rites of their loved ones and to offer prayers in memory of their forefathers. Visit temples and attend prayers at Har Ki Paudi in the evening amidst the chanting of the mantras & sermons of the priest. Drive on to Rishikesh - 25 Km - another place famous for many temples and ashrams in the lap of the Himalayas. Overnight Hotel

Day 3 - At leisure at Rishikesh - Visit Ashrams & Insight into the Hindu culture.

Day 4 - Rishikesh - Karnaprayag - 205 Km - We are in the region of the Garhwal Himalayas - a storehouse of antiquity and a Mecca for devout Hindus. The valleys of Garhwal abound in natural beauty and also offer a distinct style of hill temple architecture and delightful handicrafts. Drive to Karnaprayag famous again for ashrams and temples. En route visit Deoprayag and Rudraprayag temples. Overnight Hotel

Day 5 - Karnaprayag - Chaukori - 170 Km - Today we will move into the Kumaon Himalayas, just west of the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. It is a peaceful area, famous for scenic beauty and often called the abode of Gods. Drive to Chaukori. En route visit a lake at Gwaldham. Sightseeing of Chaukori - including magnificent view of many mountain peaks. Chaukori offers a 30 Km wide view of the Nanda Devi group of mountains. Overnight Hotel

Day 6 - Chaukori - Patal Bhuvaneshwar - Jageshwar - 160 Km - Early morning have an insight on the Sunrise & the amazing reflections on the Satellite of Snow covered peaks. Visit Cave temples at Patal Bhuvaneshwar - the Underground Cave Temples of Patal Bhuvaneshwar. These dark and mysterious caves have natural features eroded in limestone. It's a long descent into the caves over a natural staircase. According to popular belief various important events from Indian mythology, like the Holy Ganges flowing out of the tresses of Lord Shiva, the original head of Lord Ganesha - the God with an elephant's head, the mountain abodes of important Deities and all thirty three hundred million Hindu Gods & Goddesses are immortalised in the fascinating shapes of the rocks. Drive from Patal Bhuvaneshwar - via Bageshwar temples - Bageshwar is the sacred confluence point of the Gomti and Saryu rivers. There are several temples and two sacred pools here.

Day 7 - Jageshwar - Almora - Mukteshwar - Nainital - 150 Km - Drive to Jageshwar Temples - a Cluster of ancient temples constructed between 4th and 11th century AD. After sightseeing drive to Almora. The Almora district of Kumaon is definitely the cultural capital of the region. The town of Almora is believed to have come up on the Kashaya Hill, believed to have been the scenic abode of Lord Vishnu. Almora is very famous for its woollen shawls and brass products. Drive to Mukteshwar after lunch. The drive today is through a thickly wooded forest with a majestic view of the Himalayas - A tranquil place for relaxing and driving. On a moonlit night you can catch a glimpse of the sparkling town of Almora flanked by snow clad peaks. After sightseeing drive to Nainital. Nainital is a picturesque hill station situated in the heart of Kumaon Himalayas. The town gets its name from the Goddess Naina Devi, who is the presiding Goddess of Lakes in the region. Nainital is set around the shores of a willow-fringed lake with tiny villages perched on the hillside. Overnight Hotel

Day 8 - Nainital - Delhi - 330 Km - Today we say goodbye to the beautiful Kumaon Himalayas and drive back to the plains of Delhi. Overnight Hotel.

Day 9 - At leisure Delhi - Before Lunch at leisure. Afternoon drive to Old Delhi and visit Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk & Red Fort. In the evening you can attend the sound &light show at Red Fort. O/Nt Hotel or transfer to International airport for flight home.

Options and Extensions

Day 10 - Delhi - Jaipur - 210 Km - Early morning drive to Jaipur. En route visit Samode Palace. Later on drive to Amer fort. Drive to Hotel and Check in. Sight Seeing of City Palace Museum /Jantar Mantar /Hawa Mahal. Evening & dinner at Chauki ki Dhani. It is a model Rajasthan Village where the reflection of Valour & Triumph can be absorbed by the guests amidst the Songs & the dances sung by Rajasthani local people in their Colourful dresses. These are mostly gypsy tunes. O/Nt Hotel.

Day 11 - Jaipur - Agra - Drive to Fateh Pur Sikri - The deserted Ghost City built by the Emperor Akbar to commemorate his victory & a new Capital. It was hardly inhabited due to lack of water and abandoned soon. Its Salim Chisti Mosque in Marble, five-tiered Panch Mahal with Majestic palaces are of interest. Later on drive to Agra. No visit to India is complete with out paying a visit to Epitome of Love Taj Mahal. Visit Agra fort. O/Nt Hotel.

Day 12 - Agra - Varanasi - Drive to Airport. [Flight on - Mon / Wed / Fri.] Fly Agra / Varanasi. Arr. transfer - Varanasi & drive to Hotel. Afternoon sight seeing of the city. · PM - Amidst the evening boat ride participate in the Earthen Lamp floating ceremony in the river Ganges. O/Nt Hotel.

Day 13 - At leisure Varanasi - Varanasi is the religious capital of the Hinduism, since time immemorial, its existence is mentioned some 3,000 Yr. back & is probably one of the oldest living city in India. You can opt for a Sunrise Boat ride amidst the Bathing Ghats of Varanasi & visit the Temples En route Participate in the morning prayers. Visit Kashi - Vishwanath Temple. This is the most sacred of the shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva (The Destroyer), the Patron deity of Varanasi city. Reconstructed in the 18th Century, its gold plated Tops is the gift of the King Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Drive back to hotel. After B' fast Visit Banaras Hindu University. This is one of the biggest residential university covering an area of 2,000 acres. Later drive to Sarnath, 12 Km away from city. Its here Lord Buddha, after attaining Enlightenment preached his first Sermon & eight-fold path of Buddhist doctrine. Most important is the Ashoka Pillar with its four guardian Lions that has been part of Indian heritage & is today the National emblem of India. it must be visited for tranquility that is the hallmark of the trip & set the Wheel of Dharma moving .

Day 14 - Varanasi - Kathmandu - Drive to airport. Immigration & Security Clearance for flight Varanasi / Kathmandu. Arrive at Kathmandu airport and drive to Hotel. Visit Kathmandu City for Half - Day Sight seeing. O/Nt Hotel.

Day 15 - Kathmandu - Nagarkote - Kathmandu - Drive to Nagarkote for a scenic view of many mountain ranges including the Mount Everest. Drive back in the evening to spend at leisure in Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 16 - Kathmandu - Delhi - Connecting Flight Home. - Before Noon - day at Leisure to buy Souvenirs & local Shopping. After Lunch drive to Airport to Catch on the evening flight. Immigration & Security Clearance to Fly Kathmandu / Delhi. In Transit at Delhi International Airport. Connecting flight home.