The Trail of The Ganges

The Trail of the Ganges (Tour Code: IN/003) – We take you through the journey of the holiest river, ‘The Ganges’. Follow the trail from its origin till it amalgamates in the Bay of Bengal. Try out journey in the train, by road and of course cruise on the Ganges. You discover and re-discover India through ages in this tour of 20/21 days while traveling to Gaumukh, Gangotri, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Allahabad, Varanasi, Gaya, Patna and Ganga Sagar. Of course Delhi and Kolkata too are included as a gateway and exit destination in India.

 Itinerary

Day 01  Arrival Day in Delhi

On arrival in Delhi, our representative will meet, assist and transfer you to the hotel. Later in the day we set out for a sightseeing tour of Delhi that may include India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Qutab Minar, Red Fort and Chandni Chowk Late evening back to the hotel, welcome dinner along with a briefing session at the hotel and overnight at the hotel in Delhi.

Day 02  Delhi / Haridwar

Early morning check out from the hotel and transfer to Railway station in time to connect your early morning train to Haridwar (265 kms / 4.5 hrs). Breakfast on board. Reach Haridwar by the afternoon and you will be transferred to your hotel. Check in at the hotel. Later in the evening you can visit “Hari Ki Pauri” to witness the arti ceremony at ghats. Later back to hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Haridwar.

DAY 03  Haridwar / Uttarkashi

Breakfast at hotel. Post breakfast drive to Uttarkashi (180 km / 6 hrs). Packed lunch will be served en route. We may make a comfort stop at Gangnani hot water springs. As an option we take a quick refreshing bath in the pool / shower. Continue to Uttarkashi. Upon arrival check-in at hotel. Evening you have an option to visit Vishwanath Temple. Overnight at the hotel in Uttarkashi.

Day 04  Uttarkashi / (Harsil) Gangotri

This morning after our breakfast we drive to Harsil (Gangotri is 20 km from Harsil  and 100 kms / 4 hrs from Uttarkashi).  Arrive Harsil and check-in at the hotel. Later visit Gangotri temple for evening prayers dedicated to goddess Ganga. Back to hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Harsil (Gangotri).

DAY 05  Gangotri / Bhojbasa

Morning after an early breakfast we trek to Bhojbasa via Chirbasa (This trek, up and down is for 6-7 Hrs). The entire 6 hours trek today is along the roaring river – Bhagirathi. Arrive Bhojbasa and camp here. Enjoy an excellent sunset over the Bhagirathi group of peaks. Dinner and overnight in the camp in Bhojbasa.

DAY 06  Bhojbasa – Gaumukh – Bhojbasa

This morning post breakfast we trek to Gaumukh, the origin of the river Ganges (this would be an hour’s trek uphill). Rest of this day is free to explore the picturesque surroundings of Bhojbasa or after Gaumokh you may continue further uphill on another one hour trek to Tapovan, which is one of the highest altitude alpine meadows in this area. Overnight at the camp in Bhojbasa.

DAY 07  Bhojbasa / Gangotri / Uttarkashi

Breakfast at camp and post breakfast we check-out and trek back to Gangotri (5-6 hours of trek). We will then get our car here to drive down to Uttarkashi (100 km / 4 hrs). Arrive and check-in at the hotel for an overnight stay in Uttarkashi.

Day 08  Uttarkashi / Rishikesh

Post breakfast we drive to Rishikesh (150 kms / 6 hrs). Arrive Rishikesh by lunch. This evening we witness the evening Aarti ceremony at Parmarth Niketan. Back to hotel and overnight at the hotel in Rishikesh.

Day 09 Rishikesh

Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast you can visit Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula. You may opt for River Rafting in the Ganges at Rishikesh. Lunch will be served at the local restaurant during your city tour. Post lunch visit Neelkanth Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva (25 kms /1 hr). Back to hotel and overnight at hotel in Rishikesh.

DAY 10  Rishikesh / Haridwar / Lucknow

Breakfast at the hotel and post breakfast check out from the hotel and you will take a guided tour of Haridwar visiting Bharat Mata Mandir, Shaanti Kunj and Sati Kund. Lunch will be served during your city tour. In the evening you can visit “Hari Ki Pauri” to feel the essence of Hindu Culture. Later dinner at a local restaurant and post dinner you will be transferred to Railway Station in time to connect your overnight train to Lucknow (500 kms / 9 hrs). Overnight on board.

DAY 11  Lucknow

Arrive Lucknow in the morning and transfer to hotel. Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast you take a city tour of Lucknow visiting Bada Imambada, Husainabad Imambada, La Martiniere and The British Residency. Back to hotel by dinner. Overnight at the hotel in Lucknow.

Day 12  Lucknow / Allahabad

After an early breakfast transfer to railway station in time to connect your morning train to Allahabad (200 kms / 4 hrs). Upon arrival you will be transferred to hotel in Allahabad. You then take a city tour of Allahabad city that was born at the confluence of three sacred rivers, The Ganges, Yamuna & Saraswati (imaginary river) – Sangam (a point of confluence). Back to hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Allahabad.

Day 13  Allahabad / Varanasi

Breakfast at the hotel and post breakfast and drive to Chunar, visiting The Chunar Fort and later board an exclusive boat that will sail you through the Ganges to Varanasi, enjoy the most spectacular view of the river as it bends leisurely on the sandy banks and flows towards the most holiest cities of the Hindus. Enjoy the playful site of the Ganges Dolphin while the river passes through the beautiful mustard and wheat fields. Lunch will be served on the boat during this tour. Also visit Ramnagar Fort and the Museum after which you reach Varanasi, ending your river cruise. From the banks of the Ganges you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Varanasi.

Day 14  Varanasi

Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast you will visit the oldest and holiest Hindu city (according to Hindu mythology) including various Ghats of Ganges like Dashashwamedh Ghat, Harish Chandra Ghat, Assi Ghats, etc. Later you can visit Kashi Vishvanath Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. You have an option to visit new Kashi Vishvanath Temple (Birla Temple) which is the replica of Old Kshi Vishwanath Temple. Back to hotel. In the evening you can witness the colourful Aarti at the pious ghats of Varanasi. Later back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Varanasi.

Day 15  Varanasi

Pre-breakfast you take a take a boat cruise on the Ganges visiting all the ghats of Varanasi. Back to hotel for breakfast. Post breakfast we will visit Sarnath (10 kms) – a place where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment and revealed the eight fold path of the Buddhist doctrine. Here we Visit Chaukhandi Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, Dhamek Stupa, Dharamika Stupa and the Archaeological Museum. Back to hotel by evening. Overnight at the hotel in Varanasi.

Day 16  Varanasi / Bodhgaya

Breakfast at hotel and post breakfast you check-out and drive to Gaya (250 km / 5 hrs) – a place that is visited by Hindus to perform ‘Pinda’ (obligations) for the salvation of the soul of their ancestors. It is also famous for being the place where Buddha attained salvation. Check-in at hotel and day up to lunch at leisure. Post lunch you will visit Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree, the Tibetian Monastery and the Great Buddha Statue. Later back to hotel and overnight at the hotel in Bodhgaya.

Day 17  Bodhgaya / Nalanda / Rajgir / Patna

After an early breakfast you drive to Patna (125 km / 2.5 Hrs). En route visiting Rajgir – the first Buddhist Council, Rajgir is a very scenic place. The small hill grit town is covered with lush green forest which adds to the beauty of the place. In the afternoon we will visit Nalanda – the great Buddhist University and the Great Stupa, also visit the Archaeological Museum. Reach Patna by the evening and check in at the hotel in Patna. Overnight at the hotel in Patna.

Day 18  Patna / Kolkata

Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast check out from the hotel and transfer to airport in time to connect your morning flight to Kolkata (1.5 hrs). Arrive Kolkata and you will be transferred to your hotel. Check in at the hotel and day up to lunch at leisure. Post lunch you visit The Victoria Memorial and other colonial places that still make Calcutta a city of joy. You also have an option to experience the Tram ride or for that matter the hand-pulled rickshaws. Back to hotel by evening. Overnight at the hotel in Kolkata.

Day 19  Kolkata – Ganga Sagar – Kolkata

After breakfast check out from the hotel and we will drive to reach Ganga Sagar (120 kms / 2.5 hrs). Upon arrival we will board a boat for a 40 min journey, later we again drive to reach the confluence point (total time from Kolkota to Ganga Sagar, approx 4 hrs, including by road and water way). It is the place where Ganges ends its long journey and meets its final destination to merge in the Bay of Bengal. This amalgamation will hold you spell bound. How true it is then that nothing is forever – even the Ganges ends here. We will enjoy our lunch here and after spending a few hours return to Kolkata the same way. Reach Kolkota by dinner and Overnight at the hotel in Kolkota.

Day 20  Kolkata / HOME

After breakfast at the camp and post breakfast you drive to Kolkata. Either fly to your home from Kolkata International airport or fly home via Delhi.

 Tour Highlight

In this tour you will board an exclusive boat that will sail you through the Ganges from Chunar to Varanasi, enjoy the most spectacular view of the river as it blends leisurely with the sandy banks and flows towards the most holiest city of the Hindus. Enjoy the playful sight of the Ganges Dolphin while the river passes through beautiful mustard and wheat fields. You also enjoy the lunch on your boat or on the banks of the river Ganges.

Evening Aarti at Rishikesh, Haridwar and Varanasi exemplifies the river Ganges that is a revered Hindu Goddess.

Morning chanting of the ‘Shlokas’ on banks of river Ganges in Varanasi along with interpretations. Evening exclusive musical performance on the Ghat of river Ganges.