Slowly Down The Ganges

Destination: Delhi - Allahabad - Chunar - Varanasi - Agra. Duration :12 Nights / 13 Days

Day 01:

Arrive Delhi. You will met upon arrival & transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is spent relaxing.

Day 02:

Today is spent sightseeing in both Old and New Delhi. New Delhi was laid our and built during the days of the Raj as the administrative center of British India and on the tour we will see the Rajpath, India gate and the main Government buildings. In total contrast is the bustle of Old Delhi, its busy bazaars and old monuments testifying to the long and diverse history of India, such as the huge Mogul Red Fort and the Jama Masjid Mosque. In the evening you transfer to the Central Station to catch the air-con sleeper train to Allahabad.

Day 03:

Upon arrival you will be met & transferred to the hotel for breakfast. Allahabad is known for the confluence, the Sangam, of three major rivers including the sacred Ganges. Here you board your boat and cast off into the mainstream, traveling at the speed of the river through the countryside and towns of the Indian Plains. Lunch is served on board and when you reach the small town of Sirsa, you will disembark to overnight at the camp/guest house.

Day 04:

After breakfast you rejoin your boat and set sail for Sita Dham via Lakhiya. Overnight stay at the camp / guest house.

Day 05:

Sailing towards Mirzapur in the morning you stop at Vindhyachal. Known for its temple dedicated to the goddess of the Vindhyachal mountain ranges there is time to explore. Overnight at the camp / guest house.

Day 06:

After breakfast you start sailing towards Chunar & upon arrival visit the fort and another 17th century fortification nearby. This is our last day on the river, watching the local farmers working in their fields and irrigating their land, and local fishermen throwing their nets from small boats.

Day 07:

After breakfast there is sightseeing of the Chunar heritage zone before rejoining the boat to sail down to our destination of Varanasi. We will arrive at dusk, in time to see the sacred Ghats at twilight as pilgrims from all over India perform their sacred rites and launch small flames onto the river. You say farewell to your crew and transfer to the hotel.

Day 08:

An early start to witness the enchanting sunrises over the River Ganges at one of its most sacred spots. There is then a sightseeing tour of the golden temple at Shiva, the main deity of Varanasi & the Mother India Temple. Later in the day you will visit another sacred place but this time to the Buddhist faith; sarnath, It was here that the Lord Buddha gave his first sermon and therefore gave rise to the new religion.

Day 09:

Varanasi : Full free day for your own exploration. You can revisit the Ghats, go shopping in the colourful bazaars or simply relax at your hotel.

Day 10:

Another day to explore the city and its surrounding temples and shrines. As one of the most sacred Cities in India Varanasi can boast not only some of the richest and most decorative monuments in the sub-continent, but also some of the most exotic and unusual sadus and holy men. We take an overnight train from Varanasi to Agra.

Day 11:

You will be met on arrival in Agra & transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is spent touring the main sights of Agra. Its most famous monument is of course the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most famous and beautiful building in the world, but there is more to see as well including a huge Mogul Red Fort, once the capital of this powerful Empire.

Day 12:

A morning departure by car for Delhi, a drive of some 200 km that takes 5 hours. Back in Delhi you check into your hotel and have time for some last minute shopping at the bazaar.

Day 13:

Transfer to the airport in time for your flight back to the Italy.