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North India is a pure delight to mountain lovers and adventure enthusiasts. There are a plenty of picturesque, popular, and off-the-wall hill stations nestled in the Himalayas that make for beautiful holiday destinations.

PLACES COVERED  VARANASI-ALLAHABAD-DELHI-HARIDWAR-DELHI-VRINDAVANA-MATHURA-DELHI
DURATION OF TRIP  8 NIGHTS/9 DAYS
MINIMUM  REQUIRED  2 PAX
 ACCOMMODATION  BUDGET ACCOMMODATION
DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION PICKUP: DELHI/DROP: DELHI
RETURN TIME Approximately 6:30 PM/Depends on onward Journey
WEAR Comfortable athletic clothing,  sunscreen.
BASIC INCLUSION
8 Night Accommodation
Allahabad to Delhi By Flight
Bed and Breakfast
Private Car From arrival till Departure
BASIC EXCLUSION
Entrance Tickets To monuments
Gratuity Recommended
Any meals which is not specified.

 

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1

Day (01):- Arrive in Varanasi (Evening Ganga Aarti Ceremony)

Morning on arrival Varanasi Train Station/Airport  meet and greet our representative later transfer to Hotel afternoon start a sightseeing tour of Varanasi visit:

Annapoorna Devi Temple:-Annapurna or Annapoorna is the Hindu Goddess of nourishment. Anna means food and grains. Purna means full, complete and perfect. She is form of Parvati, the consort of Shiva. The most well-known temple dedicated to Goddess Annapurna is in Varanasi, U.P., India. Adjacent to the Sanctum of the Goddess is the KasiViswanath temple.

AssiGhat:-AssiGhat, the Ghat located at the confluence of Assi River and the holy Ganges, is the southernmost Ghat in Kashi. The Ghat is renowned for a spectacular and large Shiva Lingam placed under a Peepal Tree. This is a favorite spot for Hindu devotees to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva after taking holy dip in the river. This religiously important place got its reference in many puranas, including MatsyaPurana, KurmaPurana, Agni Purana and Padma Purana. Legendary stories describe this Ghat as the place where GoodessDurga thrown out her sword after killing the Asura demons Shumbha- Nishumbha.

DashaswamedhGhat:-DashaswamedhGhat, a much acclaimed religious spot, is a very favorite among the Hindu devotees and is considered as the main Ghat. It is believed that Lord Brahma performed his victorious Dasa_Ashwamedha (ten-horses) sacrifice in this spot. Legends claim that a similar kind of ten horse sacrifice was done here in the second century by Bhara Shiva Naga rulers.

KashiVishwanathTemple :-KashiVishwanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Benaras, the Holiest Place of Hindus (and center of earth in Hindu Cosmology) where at least once in life a Hindu is expected to do pilgrimage and if possible pour the remains (ashes) of cremated ancestors here on the River Ganges.

Evening visit Ganga Aarti. Stay overnight at hotel in Varanasi.

2

Day (02): Varanasi / Bodhgaya (243 km / 6 hrs drive)

Early morning proceed check out hotel and proceed to Bodhgaya. Bodh Gaya is the place of the Buddha’s Enlightenment and spiritual home of Buddhists. It attracts many believers from all over the world. Bodhgaya situated near the river Niranjana, is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centres and in the second place of the four holy sites in Buddhism . On arrival visit Vishnu Temples, Phalguna River & perform the rituals (panda if you wish) for your ancestors. Later transfer to Bodhgaya & visit Mahabodhi Temple and some other Buddhist attraction.

Check-in at Hotel, Overnight stay at Hotel in Bodhgaya.

3

Day (03): Bodhgaya – Allahabad (Prayag) (365km / 09hrs. drive by road

Morning after breakfast proceed to Allahabad. The city’s original name – Prayag, or “place of offerings” – comes from its position at the Sangam (confluence) of the Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati rivers. It is the second-oldest city in India, and plays a central role in Hindu scriptures. Allahabad was originally called Kaushambi (now a separate district) by the Kuru rulers of Hastinapur, who developed it as their capital. Since then, Allahabad has been a political, cultural and administrative centre of the Doab region. Mughal emperor Akbar renamed it Ilahabad, which the British changed to Allahabad.

Upon arrival in Allahabad check-in to the hotel overnight stay.

4

Day (04): Allahabad Temple & Triveni Sangam tour (Prayag) Tour/Delhi (By Fly)

Morning after breakfast, start tour in this city first Enjoy the holy bath in river Ganga and in Sangam (Meeting point) of the three rivers – Ganga, Yamuna & Saraswati. Sangam – overlooked by the eastern ramparts of the fort, wide flood plains and muddy banks protrude towards the sacred Sangam. At the point at which the brown Ganges meets the Greenish Yamuna, pandas (priests) perch on small platforms to perform puja and assist the devout in their ritual ablutions in the shallow waters. Beaches and ghats are littered and various holy rituals will be seen everywhere near ghats.

Later we will cover the other spot in Allahabad like Hanuman Temple, Anand Bhavan – one of the country’s best-running museums in memory of Jawahar Lal Nehru. Later transfer to the airport in Allahabd to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi airport meet & greet our tour representative Delhi airport later transfer to the hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel in Delhi.

5

Day (05): Delhi/ Haridwar – (222 km/5hrs)

Morning Drive to Haridwar. On arrival at Haridwar check into the hotel. Later we will take you for a sightseeing tour of Haridwar. Visit ashram and temples – which includes Mansa Devi temple, Chandi Devi temple, Maya Devi temple, Daksha Mahadev temple, Sapta Rishi temple and Ramanand ashram. Later back to hotel for hot tea and rest, In the evening after sunset will take you to Har ki pauri to attend the famous Ganga Aarti.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

6

Day (06): Haridwar/Rishikesh/Delhi– (248 km/5.5 hrs)

Morning after breakfast drive to Rishikesh on arrival proceed to sightseeing tour of Rishikesh visit Lakshman Jhula, Ram Jhula, Gita Bhawan, Parmarth Niketan. Later drive back to Haridwar take lunch, than return to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi check-in to the hotel overnight stay.

7

Day (07): Delhi/Vrindavana– (185 km/3.5 hrs)

Today after breakfast proceed to Vrindavana. Upon arrival check-in to the hotel. Later in the evening visit to:

Govind Dev Ji Temple: For unknown reasons the Govind Dev Temple is often referred to as being the Govind Dev Temple of Mathura instead of Vrindavan. It is one of the most important temples in Vrindavan and the main deity here is Govind Dev or Lord Krishna. The Idol was brought to this temple by the Rajput king of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.

Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple:A temple by the ISKCON society, the Hare Rama Hare Krishna temple is one of the major temples in Vrindavan. The temple is one of the most peaceful places one can visit and is best visited during Janmashtami.

Later back to the hotel, stay overnight at hotel in Vrindavan.

8

Day (08):- Vrindavana / Mathura / Delhi

Today after breakfast visit to the Temples in Mathura:

Krishna Janma Bhoomi Mandir:-“Krishna Janma Bhoomi Mandir” is known to be the birthplace of the Hindu deity Lord Krishna who was the 8th incarnation of the deity Lord Vishnu. The God king was said to be born in a prison cell and the exact location of the prison cell is now occupied by a temple that is frequented by thousands of tourists each year. The best time to visit is during the festival of Janmashtami and Holi when the festivities are at their prime.

Dwarkadheesh Temple:A fairly new temple in the ancient city of Mathura, the Dwarkadhish Temple was established around 150 years ago by a devotee of Lord Krishna. The temple is known for its amazing swing festival at the start of the monsoons in this region. The Lord Krishna depicted in the idol here is in his “King of Dwarka’ form and is depicted without the peacock feather and the flute.

Kusum Sarovar:Located near Radha Kunj, Kusum Sarovar is 450 feet long and 60 feet deep. The reservoir got its name from Krishna’s famous consorts Radha, who was said to meet Lord Krishna near the tank. The reservoir has a calm and serene environment and can be used by visitors for a swim. The major attraction here is the evening Aarti which is not to be missed and is commonly photographed by the shutterbugs

Radha Kund:The town is considered to be a major pilgrim spot for the Vaishnavites in India and is known to be the place where Lord Krishna slew a Demon Bull. The pool of the Radha Kund is said to be formed by Lord Krishna who struck the earth and the water emerged at this spot. the pool is considered to be the most sacred and the various pilgrims frequent the place in thousands of numbers.

Later after lunch return to Delhi, upon arrival in Delhi, Stay overnight at hotel.

9

Day (09):- Delhi Departure transfer

Today after breakfast proceed Delhi airport to catch the flight for onward destination.

PRICES BASED ON BUDGET ACCOMMODATION FOR UPGRADE PLEASE EMAIL

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Services are included in the price:-

  • A safe and comfortable air-conditioned Car with driver, all inclusive. (Fuel, road and state taxes, toll fees, parking fees, Insurance for Customer & Driver and driver’s food and lodging).
  • The car will be with you from your arrival to departure with as many stops to sight see as you want.
  • A Driver with excellent skills and record, a good knowledge of the area you are visiting and sufficient English to communicate.
  • Transfers and land transportation according to itinerary.
  • Accommodation Double or Twin rooms with Bed and Breakfast at all hotels.
  • Sightseeing Tours in All Cities as per the above tour plan.
  • Evening Ganga Aarti Ceremony in Varanasi
  • Allahabad / Delhi By Flight
  • Arrival and Departure in Delhi

PRICES BASED ON BUDGET ACCOMMODATION FOR UPGRADE PLEASE EMAIL

Services are not included in the prices:-

  • Tips, laundry, telephone bills, luggage handling and Beverages.
  • Meals unless specified
  • Entrances tickets to Monuments if apply
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VISA INFORMATION

OVERVIEW

All foreign nationals entering India are required to possess a valid international travel document in the form of a national passport with a valid visa obtained from an Indian Mission or Post abroad.

All Individual visa seekers are requested to apply for the Indian Visa through Online application link , in order to make an application for getting the Indian visa.

The duly signed physical copy of the application form completed in all respect and submitted successfully, is to be submitted at the concerned Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) or directly to Indian Mission/ Post, on the scheduled date of interview along with the requisite supporting documents. The instructions for filling the form and scheduling the appointment can be seen at Instructions for Online Visa Application. Important technical information for filling online Indian visa application can be referred at Technical Instructions.

The applicants are also requested to visit website of the Indian Mission concerned for detailed information about Indian visa.

ONLINE VISA APPLICATION

All Individual visa seekers are requested to apply for the Indian Visa through online application link. Or can apply by typing the URL: http://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/ in the address bar of web browser, in order to make an application for getting the Indian visa. In either case, no hand written application form will be accepted by any of the Indian Mission/ Post, where-ever online Visa facility has been implemented. The application form completed in all respect and submitted succesfully, is to be submitted at the concerned Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) or directly to Indian Mission/ Post in absence of IVAC, on the scheduled date of interview along with the requisite supporting documents. The instructions for filling the form and scheduling the appointment can be refered at Instructions for Online Visa Application. Important technical information for filling online Indian visa application can be referred at Technical Instructions. If you have already applied online for Indian Visa online and want to know the status of your application,

VISA CATEGORIES

Government of India issues the following visas: Business Visa, Conference Visa, Diplomatic Visa, Employment Visa, Emergency Visa, Entry Visa, Journalist Visa, Medical Visa, Missionaries Visa, Permit to re-enter within 2 months, Research Visa, Student Visa, Tourist Visa, Transit Visa. Please follow the link for details on Visa Provision and supporting documents

VISA PROCESSING TIME

Upon receipt of the Visa Application through Indian Visa Application Center or directly, the Indian Mission/ Post requires a minimum of three working days to process the case and issue a visa depending upon the nationality and excluding special cases.

PHOTO REQUIREMENTS

Online India Visa Application allows the Applicant to upload a digital photograph of self to complete the online visa application.

Guidelines/procedure to upload a digital photograph

The digital photograph to be uploaded along with the Visa application should meet the following requirements:

Format – JPEG

Size

Minimum 10 KB

Maximum 300 KB

The height and width of the Photo must be equal.

Photo should present Full face, front view, eyes open.

Center head within frame and present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin.

Background should be plain light colored or white background.

No shadows on the face or on the background.

Without borders.

Make sure that photo presents full head from top of hair to bottom of chin. Head should measure 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25mm to 35mm). Make sure eye height is between 1-1/8 inches to 1-3.

FEE FOR INDIAN VISA

The visa fee depends upon the type of applied for and duration of visa. Visa fee is divided into various types depending upon the case viz; Basic fee, special fee, processing fee by out-sourcing agency. During the online registration process, at the end of the process the basic fee shall be displayed. However, this fee shall be indicative only and final fee shall be charged while submitting the application at the respective counters Fee once received are non-refundable even if the visa application is withdrawn, the visa is not granted, or if visa issued is of shorter duration of period than applied for or otherwise issued or returned at a time or on terms and conditions that may vary from those sought by the applicant. For further information on this, please check with local embassy office or Indian Visa Application center office or websites for information on applicable fee and payment methods.

 VISA PROVISION

Sl. No. Type of Visa Period for which granted Entry – Single (S), Multiple (M), Double Documents required with application Extendable in India
1 Tourist 180 days M No
2 Transit 15 days S/ Double Return/ onward journey ticket No
3 Business 5 years M Documents to prove bonafide purpose (Company’s letter etc.) Yes
4 Employment 1 year/ period of contract M Proof of employment (appointment document), terms and conditions Yes
5 Student Period of course/ 5 years M Proof of admission in Indian Institution Yes
6 Foreigners of Indian Origin 5 years M Proof of being of Indian Origin Yes

INSTRUCTIONS 

  1. Online application form:

This application form is meant for those foreigners who are applying for visa from outside India.

Each online application form is meant for one person only. Separate application has to be filed for each applicant.

Furnish information exactly in the manner asked for in the forms, especially the names, address and date of birth.

Applicants are required to verify the application details before submitting the online application. They have an option to save the online application form, in case it is not to be submitted.

Once the online application form is submitted by the applicant, then further modifications are not allowed. Hence applicants are requested to check and validate the details before submitting the online application form.

Applicants are requested to keep the Application Id (generated automatically after the submission of online form) for further communications.

  1. Appointment Scheduling:

Applicant can schedule the appointment as per his/ her convenience with the concerned Indian Mission.

Each applicant to schedule a separate appointment with the Indian Mission

  1. Process for filling up online application form:

Applicant shall access the Visa Application system online through the following link: http://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/.

Applicant visits the above mentioned web link and selects the Indian Mission from where he intends to apply for the Visa from the tab “Select Mission”.

Applicant fills the application on-line as per the forms standardized by the Ministry.

After filling the form and submitting it, the system shall automatically generate a Application Id. Applicants are requested to keep this Application Id for further communications with the concerned Indian Mission.

System will automatically ask the Applicant for the following confirmation: “Select ‘Yes’ if the applicant want to seek appointment and make payment online or ‘No’ if the applicant just want to print the submitted application form.”

If the applicant response is “No”, then it is requested by the applicant to take the print out of the submitted online application form and approach the concerned Indian Mission for submission of the online form along with supporting documents.

If the response from applicant is “yes” then the system automatically takes the link to perform the following:

Selection of Date and Time of appointment at the concerned Indian Mission

Calculation of Visa fee, service charge, VAT etc. as applicable according to the Visa type

E Payment using service provider’s payment system

In case the facility of Appointment Scheduling and e-Payment is not available for the concerned Indian mission, then applicant has to take the printout of the online application form and visit the concerned Indian Mission to submit the same along with supporting documents and make the payment.

Indian Culture: Traditions and Customs of India

India’s culture is among the world,s oldest; civilization in India began about 4,500 years ago. Many sources describe it as “Sa Prathama Sanskrati Vishvavara” — the first and the supreme culture in the world, according to the All World Gayatri Pariwar (AWGP) organization.

Western societies did not always see the culture of India very favorably, according to Christina De Rossi, an anthropologist at Barnet and Southgate College in London. Early anthropologists once considered culture as an evolutionary process, and ”every aspect of human development was seen as driven by evolution,” she told Live Science. “In this view, societies outside of Europe or North America, or societies that did not follow the European or Western way of life, were considered primitive and culturally inferior.  Essentially this included all the colonized countries and people, such as African countries, India, and the Far East.”.

However, Indians made significant advances in architecture (Taj Mahal), mathematics (the invention of zero) and medicine (Ayurveda). Today, India is a very diverse country, with more than 1.2 billion people, according to the CIA World Factbook, making it the second most populous nation after China. Different regions have their own distinct cultures. Language, religion, food and the arts are just some of the various aspects of Indian culture. Here is a brief overview of the culture of India.

Language

India has 28 states and seven territories, according to the World Health Organization. There is no official language in India, according to a Gujarat High Court ruling in 2010. Many people living in India also write in Devanagari script. In fact, it is a misconception that the majority of people in India speak Hindi. Though many people speak Hindi in India, 59 percent of India residents speak something other than Hindi, according to The Times of India. Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil and Urdu are some other languages spoken in the country.

Religion

India is identified as the birthplace of Hinduism and Buddhism, the third and fourth largest religions. About 84 percent of the population identifies as Hindu, according to the “Handbook of Research on Development and Religion” Edited by Matthew Clarke (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2013). There are many variations of Hinduism, and four predominant sects — Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shakteya and Smarta.

About 13 percent of Indians are Muslim, making it one of the largest Islamic nations in the world. Christians and Sikhs make up a small percentage of the population, and there are even fewer Buddhists and Jains, according to the “Handbook.”

Food

When the Moghul Empire invaded during the sixteenth century, they left a significant mark on the Indian cuisine, according to Texas A&M University. Indian cuisine is also influenced by many other countries. It is known for its large assortment of dishes and its liberal use of herbs and spices. Cooking styles vary from region to region.

Wheat, Basmati rice and pulses with chana (Bengal gram) are important staples of the Indian diet. The food is rich with curries and spices, including ginger, coriander, cardamom, turmeric, dried hot peppers, and cinnamon, among others. Chutneys — thick condiments and spreads made from assorted fruits and vegetables such as tamarind and tomatoes and mint, cilantro and other herbs — are used generously in Indian cooking.

Many Hindus are vegetarians, but lamb and chicken are common in main dishes for non-vegetarians. The Guardian reports that between 20 percent and 40 percent of India’s population is vegetarian.

Much of Indian food is eaten with fingers or bread used as utensils. There is a wide array of breads served with meals, including naan, a leavened, oven-baked flatbread, and bhatoora, a fried, fluffy flatbread common in North India and eaten with chickpea curry.

Architecture and art

The most well-known example of Indian architecture is the Taj Mahal, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to honor his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It combines elements from Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian architectural styles. India also has many ancient temples.

India is well known for its film industry, which is often referred to as Bollywood. The country’s movie history began in 1896 when the Lumière brothers demonstrated the art of cinema in Mumbai, according to the Golden Globes. Today, the films are known for their elaborate singing and dancing.

Indian dance, music and theater traditions span back more than 2,000 years, according to Nilima Bhadbhade, author of “Contract Law in India” (Kluwer Law International, 2010). The major classical dance traditions — Bharata Natyam, Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam and Kathakali — draw on themes from mythology and literature and have rigid presentation rules.

Clothing

Indian clothing is closely identified with the colorful silk saris worn by many of the country’s women. The traditional clothing for men is the dhoti, an unstitched piece of cloth that is tied around the waist and legs. Men also wear a kurta, a loose shirt that is worn about knee-length. For special occasions, men wear a sherwani, which is a long coat that is buttoned up to the collar and down to the knees. The Nehru jacket is a shorter version of a sherwani.

Customs and celebrations

The country celebrates Republic Day (Jan. 26), Independence Day (Aug. 15) and Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday (Oct. 2). Diwali is the largest and most important holiday to India, according to National Geographic. It is a five-day festival known as the festival of lights because of the lights lit during the celebration to symbolize the inner light that protects them from spiritual darkness. Holi, the festival of colors, also called the festival of love, is popular in the spring.

Weather

India is situated in Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan.
The climate in India varies from a tropical monsoon climate in the south to a temperate climate in the north. If you are thinking of Visiting Delhi (the capital of India) then best to visit it in October, November, February and March. That’s when the nights are cool and the days are filled with a little sunshine. May, June and July are very hot with temperatures over 45 degrees (113 Fahrenheit). It is a dry heat and is sometimes accompanied by dusty desert winds. Most of the rain falls between July and September but they are not the tropical rains you’ll experience in India’s coastal cities.

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  • International flights are not included and need to be purchased separately.
  • Domestic flights are included as noted in the itinerary & their inclusions.
  • Tipping and gratuities (Guides/Driver) are not included in the package and are at your own discretion (as a guide, approx. US$5-10 per person, per day is the industry. standard).
  • The check-in baggage limit for domestic flights is 15 kgs and the cabin baggage limit for domestic flights is 7 kgs. Excess baggage, if any, is not included in the package.