YOGA AND MEDITATION TOUR IN HARIDWAR

Rishikesh, also spelled Hrishikesh, Rushikesh, or Hrushikesh, is a city and a municipal board in Dehradun district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is located in the foothills of the Himalaya in northern India and attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year, from within India, as well as from other countries. Rishikesh is also known as "Teerth Nagri" or "Yog Nagri", that is City of Temples, Yoga and Meditation. It is also known as the gateway to the Himalayas

Location : In the state of Uttranchal in the northern part of India.
Time to Visit : Any Time of the year. Rishikesh hosts an International Yoga Festival, which is held every year in the first week of February.
Weather : Temperate.
Known For : The Pilgrimage Centers and Yoga & Meditation Centre.

Rishikesh
Rishikesh is the Gateway to the Himalayas in the Tehri-Garhwal region of Uttranchal India. Rishikesh blossoms in natural splendour. The charm of the Ganga gushing through the Himalayan foothills is a spectacular sight. Several temples stands on the banks of the river Ganga at Rishikesh. This place is considered as the entry point to the three other pilgrim places of Badrinath - Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri the four great places which combine to make Chardham .

Located at a height of about 1360 ft from sea level, Rishikesh has been an abode of several yogis and sages since time immemorial, who lived and practised penance here. Rishikesh represents the place where Vishnu vanquished the demon Madhu. Rishikesh is also world famous for ashrams teaching Yoga & Meditation. Rishikesh is not only attracts pilgrims but also the foreign nationals, who want to know about Hinduism, who want to spend some time close to the Lord, people who love rafting come here to conquer the rapids of Ganga. Rishikesh is also an ideal base camp for trekking in the nearby Himalayas.

Yoga & Meditation in Rishikesh
Rishikesh is home to many ashrams, and most major Indian ashram, including Vivekenanda, Sivananda, Osho, Bihar school of yoga, have an office there. If you want to experience the classical Indian Yoga & Meditation, then this is the place for you. The slow and spiritual atmosphere of Rishikesh makes its an idealistic place to begin discovering what India has to offer. Rishikesh is slow and less intense as compared to other parts of India, probably because people have religion in their minds.

The pilgrims gather in Rishikesh to bathe in the sanctified waters of the Ganges, as Hindus believe this can remove layers of sin. This peaceful ashram centre here is certainly one of the most atmospheric places in India. Right from the dawn to the dusk, the entire ambience of Rishikesh is filled with a divine aura. The air of Rishikesh allows the chimes of the temple bells and religious chants float through out the city, creating a celestial synergy, where God and Man seems to unify, without any caste or creed discrimination. The day starts at 4 am in Rishikesh, from then onwards various religious activities are performed till the night arrives.


Whitewater Rafting in Rishikesh

Reaching Rishikesh
Air : Nearest airport is at New Delhi. Take a bus or taxi from here to reach Rishikesh.

Rail : Nearest railhead is at Haridwar in Uttranchal. From here you can take a bus or taxi to reach Rishikesh.

Road : Rishikesh is about 250 km from Delhi. Buses depart regularly throughout the day from near the ISBT. You can also take a bus from Haridwar.

Yoga, Taj Mahal and Wildlife Tour Itieneary

11 Nights / 12 Days
Delhi - Rishikesh - Corbett - Kuchesar - Agra - Jaipur

Day 1 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrival Delhi – meet and transfer to hotel. Overnight : Hotel in Delhi

Day 2 : DELHI – HARIDWAR – RISHIKESH
After Breakfast transfer to Railway Station. 0730 hrs : Depart by Shatabdi to Haridwar 1100 hrs : Arrive Haridwar - Haridwar, located in the foothills of the Himalayas, represents the point where the Ganga reaches the plains. The water is clean and people prefer taking bath on the numerous ghats built on the river shores. It is said that taking bath here purifies the soul and opens the way for the ultimate freedom, Nirvana. Haridwar is an ancient pilgrimage site, held in reverence for centuries. Several temples and ashrams dot this town and a visit to Haridwar is like stepping into a totally different world. Haridwar has come up as a major learning centre for arts, science and culture. It has since ages been a source of Ayurvedic medicines and has been providing herbal remedies. Haridwar is also the site of celebration of the Kumbha Mela, once in twelve years. In the afternoon drive to Rishikesh - 24 kms from Haridwar, is considered to be sacred as it is believed that meditation at this place leads to attainment of salvation. Arrive & check into the hotel. In the evening visit the ghat for Ganga Aarti which is celebrated at 7 pm each evening, is a spectacular sight, when the aarti ceremony is performed at all temples in Haridwar at the same instant. Hundreds throng to the ghats at Hari-ki-Pauri to participate in this festival. Offerings of lamps and flowers are made to the river immediately following this ceremony and it is a moving sight to watch hundreds of miniature lamps float along the river. Overnight : Hotel in Rishikesh

Day 3 : RISHIKESH
Early morning YOGA – enhances the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual qualities. In the afternoon visit Rishikesh, There are many temples-some ancient, some new along the river Ganges. The River side is dotted by the ashrams of Sadhus and sages. Laxman Jhula – this Hanging Bridge across Ganga is about 5 Kms from Rishikesh, it was originally a jute rope bridge without pillars and was rebuilt with iron ropes in 1889. Overnight : Hotel in Rishikesh

Day 4 : RISHIKESH – CORBETT
After breakfast, drive from Rishikesh to Corbett National Park. (6 hrs) Named after the legendary hunter-naturalist Jim Corbett, who hunted man-eating tigers in the surrounding Kumaon hills, Corbett National Park is one of India's finest wildlife areas. Established in 1935 it covers an area of 520 sq km. Situated in the Siwalik Hills, with the Ramganga river flowing through the valley, the park has a thick tangle of Sal forest on the hills, and on the plains Simal trees and elephant grass. Principal fauna includes Elephant, Sambar, Chital, Hog Deer, Barking Deer, Goral, Chausinga (Four–horned Antelope), Nilgai, Wild Boar, Ratel, Langur, Rhesus, Tiger, Leopard, Hyena, and Dhole. Its rivers have Gharial and Marsh crocodiles, Otter, Gangetic Dolphin, and the Mahseer, a fighting fish. Corbett is best visited between November and May and with over 500 species of birds, is a birdwatchers' paradise. Overnight : Hotel in Corbett

Day 5 : CORBETT
Morning & Afternoon Game drives in the National Park. Overnight: Hotel in Corbett

Day 6 : CORBETT – KUCHESAR – MUD FORT
After breakfast to village Kuchesar. ( 4 – 5 hrs ) The heritage hotel of Kuchesar, Mud fort Kuchesar will offer you the 18th century lifestyle with a modern touch. The Mud fort of Kuchesar was captured in 1763 but was recovered by the Jat rulers by 1782 and it remained in the family since than and was granted lease by the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam in 1790 and then by the British in 1807. This fort was built with seven turrets as an anti cannon attack from Britishers. Overnight : Hotel Mud Fort Kuchesar

Day 7 : KUCHESAR – AGRA
After Breakfast, drive to Agra ( 5 – 6 hrs )
Arrive & Check-in at hotel. In the afternoon visit Taj Mahal a monument of love built by Moguls, an incredible 20,000 workman´s labored on it, day and night, for over 20 years. Therafter visit the Red Fort built by three generations of Mughal Emperors between 1565 and 1573. Overnight : Hotel in Agra

Day 8 : AGRA - FATEHPUR SIKRI – JAIPUR
After breakfast drive to Jaipur. (6 to 7 hours) Enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri – the extraordinary city built by Akbar the Great, deserted 14 years later, but which, during its brief span, exceeded London in both grandeur and population. Arrive & Check into the hotel. Overnight : Hotel in Jaipur

Day 9 : JAIPUR
After breakfast depart for Amber Fort (12 kms) – Visit the imposing Amber fort on the outskirts of the Pink City. Therafter tour of Pink City – visiting the imposing City Palace now a museum, the ancient Observatory, the Palace of Winds and the picturesque bazaars of the walled city. Overnight : Hotel in Jaipur

Day 10 : JAIPUR – DELHI
After Breakfast drive to Delhi (5 Hrs.) Arrive & Check into the Hotel. Overnight : Hotel in Delhi

Day 11 : DELHI
After breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing tour of Delhi Start the tour with OLD DELHI – visiting the Raj Ghat, Red Fort, and the Jama Masjid. At the Chandni Chowk board cycle rickshaws and see the sights & sounds of this busy street with its quaint shops & ancient gateways. Therafter tour of NEW DELHI – drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyen´s, including the Indian Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful Humayun´s tomb of the Mughal era & thereafter visit the towering minaret of Qutab Minar. Overnight : Hotel in Delhi

Day 12 : DEPARTURE DELHI
Transfer to the International airport for flight back home