Day 01 Delhi
Arrive Delhi late PM. On arrival we will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 02 Delhi
We have a morning at leisure to recover from the long flight and adjust to the time difference. For those of us who are feeling lively, there will be a yoga session available in a room especially reserved for us.
There is perhaps no place in India that can compare with Delhi in the number of monuments, dating from the time of the imperial Gupta dynasty 1600 years ago; through the Pathan style Indo Muslim architecture from 1193-1526; and into the Mughal architecture represented most dramatically by the Red Fort. Later architecture represents the British period and a search for synthesis between Indian and western styles. We begin with a visit to the Old City which came into prominence when Shah Jahan moved his capital from Agra to Delhi. The Red Fort which dominates is the landmark of this area. On our walking tour we share space with traffic, people, cows and cycle rickshaws. We visit the narrow lanes of the Chandni Chowk market the noise and crowds a quintessential part of any Indian market; the Jama Masjid the largest mosque in India; walk past street vendors, apothecaries and astrologers; crumbling havelis which still show glimpses of the their past grandeur; stop at the Jain bird hospital and visit a gurudwara, the religious house for the Sikhs.
In the evening we will dine at an up market restaurant where we have our first experience of Indian cuisine and culture. During dinner we will be entertained by a performance of the "Dances of India", which will show case the different dance styles from all over the country.

Day 03 Delhi
The first part of the day today is devoted to Yoga. We will drive to the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Nataraja Center for a session in yoga, meditation and Kirtan and a talk on the philosophy of Yoga and Vedanta by Swami Saradananda, a senior disciple of Swami Vishnu Davananda, founder of the international Sivananda Yoga Vedanta centres. Swami Sardananda is Acharya of Sivananda Centre of London and Delhi.
We will return to the hotel in the afternoon and later will visit the Lakshmi Narayan temple to watch the evening "pooja" service. We will be walked through the rituals by our escort, Arun Acharya. On the way to the temple, Arun will give an introductory talk on the rituals of worship in a Hindu temple.

Day 04 Delhi / Jaipur
Rising early today we drive down to New Delhi railway station and take the Shatabdi Express to Jaipur. Seats have been reserved in the executive air condition chair car compartment. Breakfast will be served on board. We arrive in Jaipur at 1030 hrs and drive to the Raj Vilas, perhaps one of the most luxurious hotels in India today.
It is appropriate on this journey we visit the pink harmonious city of Jaipur. When Sawai Jai Singh II built Jaipur, he did it in accordance with a treatise on town planning and architecture, Shilpa Shastra, that is timely even today. In the afternoon we visit the city of Jaipur. Before arriving at the city palace, we stop at the Govinda Deva Temple. This is an excellent place to appreciate the Hindu atmosphere of Jaipur and the local devotion to Krishna the eighth re incarnation of Vishnu. The central room of the temple is built so that the Maharaja had a direct view of the god and could worship from the comfort of the palace. The city palace itself is a series of open courtyards, simple stables and buildings leading to the richly decorated royal rooms of the Chandra Mahal. We visit the museum housing a fabulous collection of memorabilia from the personal collection of the royal family. We end the afternoon at the Jantar Mantar, a name which literally means "an instrument for measuring the harmony of the heavens". This 17th century marvel accurately reads the time even today; and the colorful market dominated by the pink sandstone façade of the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of the Winds.
We will end the day with yoga and meditation led by our instructors and vedic chanting led by our escort Arun Acharya. Today the session will be outdoors, in the 32 acres of beautiful gardens which surround the hotel Raj Vilas.

Day 05 Jaipur
The morning yoga and meditation session will be led by your instructors followed by chanting led by Arun.
A short drive this morning takes us to the fort palace at Amber. Its forbidding exterior belies a bejewelled interior similar in style to the rich courts of the Mughal emperors. Approaching the gates on elephant back we stop at the Kali Mata Mandir the most sacred of all Kachchwaha family shrines and still the property of the Jaipur royal family. A living temple, inside are green marble pillars carved to imitate palm trees, and drummers and trumpets sound to summon devotees to the puja. We explore the fort with its sumptuous imperial palaces and massive meeting halls, zenana apartments and atmospheric minor palaces.
We continue to the aesthetically beautiful palace at Samode. The frescos, murals, tiles, stained glass and chandeliers - everything is exquisite. We will have lunch here and for those of us who are interested there will be a demonstration of Indian vegetarian cooking and a talk on the use of spices both in cooking and as a curative. Characteristic of all Indian cooking is the inspired use of spices. They are used not only for their flavor, but they are appetite stimulators and digestive. "Heating" condiments for the winter are also used. Great care is taken to ensure that the spices enhance rather than dominate the basic flavor. Each spice is believed to have its particular physical benefit. For those who would like to explore at leisure, a walk around the charming village surrounding the palace can be very rewarding. For the adventurous you may want to try your expertise at riding a camel.
In the evening we will meet with a renowned philosopher and an expert on Hinduism.

Day 06 Jaipur / Agra
Leaving behind the stately forts, places and sartorial brilliance of the desert state of Rajasthan, we drive towards Agra, home of the sublimely beautiful Taj Mahal. We stop for lunch at the charming Chandra Mahal haveli . Tonight you sleep at the Taj View hotel where rooms with a veiw of the Taj Mahal are reserved for you. Depending on our arrival we may have time to visit at the Taj Mahal to watch the sunset. In the evening, we will have yoga and meditation led by our instructors at Taj Khema from where we will get a glimpse of the moonlit dome of the Taj Mahal.

Day 07 Agra / Varanasi
The Taj Mahal is best seen at different times of the day when the white marble reflects the nuances of the changing light. Rising early we watch the sunrise and return to our hotel for our morning yoga, meditation and chanting.
The Taj Mahal is described as "A tear on the face of eternity" by the poet laureate Tagore, and is an enduring monument to love. Built by a grieving Shah Jahan in eternal memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal, built of glistening marble, fabulously decorated in a mosaic of semi precious stones, is a stunning mausoleum. Set amidst the typical manicured Mughal charbagh garden, the building is an exact image of the Muslim day of Judgement. The design, symbolism, and architecture and the chapter from the Koran called Al-Fajr which ends "O Soul that art at rest. Return to the Lord, at peace with Him and He at peace with you. So enter as one of His servants and enter into His garden", all reflect this theme Later in the day we transfer to the airport for our flight to Varanasi. Overnight at the Taj Ganges.

Day 08 Varanasi
We have another early start today. A contemporary of Nineveh and Thebes, Varanasi today, is the oldest living city in the world. One of India's most sacred cities, a devout Hindu believes to die and be cremated in Varanasi is to gain "moksha" or release from the eternal cycle of rebirth. A visit to Varanasi reveals the spiritual heart of India, and the best way to experience this is to tour the Ganges in a country boat at sunrise. Pilgrims, yogis and mystics flock to the ghats (steps) which lie along the banks of the Ganges, to take a cleansing dip in India's holiest river, practice yoga, meditate, or to complete mundane earthly chores such as washing clothes and vessels. Early morning life in this city revolves around the ghats and we join the crowds on the steps for yoga and meditation along with our escort Arun Acharya...
The morning we spend at the Yoga and Meditation Institute attached to the Bharat Hindu University of Varanasi. Under the guidance of a qualified guru you will practice yoga and study Japa - observance of silence and meditation
Hinduism is a very lively and ritualistic religion which is revealed when we visit the Old city. It is a very rewarding experience with every corner buzzing with activity, shrines, lingams, pilgrims and priests jostling for space with stalls selling offerings to the faithful. We will mingle with the devotees, do puja and seek the blessings of Shiva at the Gyan Kup (Well of Knowledge) where the water in the well is said to "indicate the highest spiritual illumination".
In the evening we return to the ghats to watch the "aarti" or river worship ceremony at the ghats. As the sun sets, the priests chant prayers accompanied by the sound of drums and cymbals and the local people float lamps in the river. We will join in this ritual which we witness outside the Maharaja of Jaipur's palace on the steps of the ghats. We continue down the river, past the cremation grounds, and disembark at the palace used by the royal family of Puna. Here we have a simple vegetarian meal and a watch a performance of the classical Bharat Natyam, thought to be the oldest form of classical dance in India.

Day 09 Varanasi / Delhi
We start the day once again with yoga and meditation led by our instructors and vedic chanting with Arun. On the way to the airport we will visit the archeological site and deer park at Sarnath where Buddha gave his first sermon in 500 BC. The very spot is marked by the Dhamekha stupa. On arrival in Delhi we have free day to explore at leisure.

Day 10 Delhi / Rishikesh
In complete contrast to the bustling crowds of the cities we have visited this far, we travel by train to the quiet pilgrim town of Rishikesh. Cradled by the forested slopes of the Shivalik hills, it is in Rishikesh that the Ganges ends its turbulent journey through the mountains and begins its sedate voyage across the vast and dusty plains of India. You arrive in Haridwar one of the seven holy cities in India. You drive to Rishikesh and we stay at the deluxe Ananda, a spa and resort, once the residence of the Maharaja of Tehri Garwhal. We have the afternoon free to use the Spa, have an Ayurvedic massage and in the evening we will join the instructors of the resort for yogic asanas and pranayama.

Day 11 Rishikesh
For those of us who want to start the day very early, we will rise at 4 AM and join the pilgrims at the Sivananda Ashram for a reading of the Bhagvad Gita and kirtan. For those who would like to join later, at 0600 AM we will join in kirtan and chanting of Om Nama Shiva at the Visvanath Temple followed by yoga and Shanti Path..
We will return to the resort for breakfast before exploring the town on a walking tour.
This town of ashrams and sadhus is the home of Yoga and is the location for the Yoga Week usually held in February. We will walk across the Lakshman Jhula which bridges the river and join the pilgrims for lunch at Chotiwalla which is famous for its vegetarian thalis. We return to the Ananda Resort where you may want to take advantage of the spa. At sunset we join the pilgrims at Gurudev Kutir for evening Bhavan, Kirtan and the Ganga Aarti.

Day 12 Rishikesh / Delhi
On the pritine beach outside our resort, by the banks of the Ganges we will have our private daily yoga and meditation session. Later Arun will lead you in the changing of OM Namo Narayana Vishnu (the 1000 names of Vishnu). We have a morning free to take use the facilities of the spa or return to the Sivananda Ashram for our last day of yoga and meditation in India. After an early lunch, we will drive to Delhi stopping for dinner at a local restaurant. We will transfer directly to the international airport on arrival for our onward flight

Day 13
Our flight departs in the early hours of the morning. We arrive home the same day.