India: A Journey of Yoga, Sacred Rivers and Spiritual Discovery

Your Journey, Day by Day

1. 1
   Day 1

   Delhi: Your Indian Journey Begins

   Arrive in Delhi, where your journey into India begins. After the formalities at the airport, your driver will meet you and take you to your hotel.

   India's capital is a city of many layers, where centuries of history sit alongside the energy of modern life. Ancient monuments, bustling markets, and grand avenues tell the stories of empires, traditions, and people who have shaped the country.

   Settle in and enjoy the remainder of the day at your own pace.

   Overnight in Delhi.

2. 2
   Day 2

   Delhi: Stories, Fragrance and Old-World Charm

   Today, discover a more intimate side of Delhi.

   Begin at Humayun's Tomb, a magnificent Mughal monument whose elegant design helped inspire later masterpieces of Indian architecture. Visit a heritage craft workshop run by an all-women NGO, celebrating traditional skills and the people keeping them alive.

   Then enter the fascinating lanes of Old Delhi. A rickshaw ride through Shahjahanabad and Chandni Chowk reveals a world of bustling shops, street food, colourful stalls, and everyday life unfolding around you.

   One particularly memorable stop is an eighth-generation ittar studio, where traditional perfumes are still crafted with care. Here, you can smell and blend your own fragrance, even giving it a name of your choosing.

   After sampling Delhi's street-food culture, find a moment of calm at Jama Masjid and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, where Sikh devotional music accompanies a profound sense of welcome and community.

   Later, enjoy a meal at a contemporary Indian restaurant before passing through New Delhi's broad, British-era avenues on the return to your hotel.

   Overnight in Delhi.

3. 3
   Day 3

   Delhi to Rishikesh: From the City to the Himalayas

   After breakfast, transfer to the railway station for your train to Haridwar, followed by a short drive to Rishikesh.

   The change of pace is part of the experience. The bustle of the capital gives way to the foothills of the Himalayas, where the Ganges flows through a landscape of wooded hills, temples, and ashrams.

   Rishikesh has long attracted pilgrims, yoga practitioners, and travellers seeking a deeper connection with India's spiritual traditions. Its ashrams, including Parmarth Niketan and the famous Beatles Ashram, have welcomed generations of seekers.

   Check in to your hotel and enjoy a relaxed afternoon.

   Overnight in Rishikesh.

4. 4
   Day 4

   Rishikesh: Yoga, Ashrams and the Evening Aarti

   Your first Rishikesh morning begins at 05:00 with a one-hour yoga session led by an instructor. Return to the hotel for breakfast before setting out to explore the town.

   Walk across the iconic Ram Jhula suspension bridge, visit Parmarth Niketan Ashram, and discover Trayambakeshwar Temple, rising above the river.

   As daylight fades, make your way to Triveni Ghat for the Ganga Aarti. Priests raise flaming lamps, bells ring, and the riverbank fills with music and prayer. For a moment, the ordinary world seems to fall away, replaced by the timeless rhythm of a sacred ritual.

   Overnight in Rishikesh.

5. 5
   Day 5

   The Beatles Ashram and Himalayan Vistas

   Begin with your morning yoga session before breakfast.

   Visit the Beatles Ashram, also known as Chaurasi Kutia, a once-quiet retreat made famous when the Beatles came to Rishikesh in 1968. Today, its meditation halls, weathered structures, and colourful artwork create a fascinating place to wander and reflect.

   Later, travel into the hills to Kunjapuri Temple, perched at approximately 5,500 feet. The mountain air, sweeping views of the Himalayan range and the Doon Valley, and the peaceful setting offer a striking contrast to the busy streets of Delhi.

   Return to Rishikesh for a free afternoon.

   Overnight in Rishikesh.

6. 6
   Day 6

   Neelkanth Mahadev and the Light of Prayer

   After your early yoga session and breakfast, journey through the hills to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, an important pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva.

   Set amid forested slopes, the temple offers a glimpse into the enduring devotion that draws pilgrims to these mountains. Take time to absorb the atmosphere before returning to Rishikesh.

   The afternoon is yours to rest, explore the local market, or enjoy the quieter corners of the ashram district.

   In the evening, attend the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan. Vedic chants, devotional music, and the glow of ceremonial flames create a moving riverside experience.

   Overnight in Rishikesh.

7. 7
   Day 7

   Devprayag: Where Two Rivers Become One

   This morning, after yoga and breakfast, travel through the Himalayan foothills to Devprayag, one of Uttarakhand's most significant pilgrimage sites.

   Here, the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers meet in a dramatic confluence, their waters joining to form the Ganges. It is a place of remarkable natural beauty and deep spiritual significance.

   Spend time overlooking the meeting of the rivers and visit Raghunathji Temple, dedicated to Lord Rama.

   After lunch at your leisure, return to Rishikesh, carrying with you the memory of one of northern India's most extraordinary landscapes.

   Overnight in Rishikesh.

8. 8
   Day 8

   Haridwar: The Gateway to the Gods

   After your final early-morning yoga session, travel to Haridwar, an ancient pilgrimage city where faith and tradition remain part of everyday life.

   Ride the Udan Khatola ropeway to the hilltop temples of Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi, enjoying views across the city and the Ganges. Continue to Shantikunj and Daksh Temple before making your way to Har Ki Pauri.

   As evening approaches, find a place along the riverbank for one of India's great spiritual spectacles. At the Ganga Aarti, priests offer fire and prayers to the river as bells, chants, and the voices of the gathered crowds fill the air.

   It is a fitting finale to your days in the Himalayan foothills.

   Return to Rishikesh for the night.

9. 9
   Day 9

   Rishikesh to Delhi: A Gentle Return

   After breakfast, transfer to Haridwar railway station for your train back to Delhi.

   On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax, revisit a favourite corner of the city, or simply reflect on the journey.

   Overnight in Delhi.

10. 10
    Day 10

    Delhi: Farewell to India

    After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

    You leave with memories of ancient streets, Himalayan horizons, the quiet discipline of morning yoga, and the flickering lamps of the Ganges. Perhaps, too, with a different appreciation of a country whose spiritual traditions continue to shape everyday life.

Frequently Asked Questions