The holy Ganges

Kolkata
Arrival at Kolkata International Airport and check in at the Hotel. Kolkata, is the capital of the state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it is the main commercial, cultural and educational center of East India, and its port is the oldest in the country and the only river port. Calcutta was the capital during British colonialism, for this reason preserves in many buildings the architectural style of that period, which contrasts sharply with the degradation of some urban areas and with the more recent and dynamic suburbs and with the inevitable air-conditioned shopping centers. After a short rest, you will have the opportunity to visit the fair trade cooperative Altromercato, Silence. The main objective of the cooperative is to allow people with disabilities (mainly people with deafness) to obtain technical training, in order to support themselves. You will visit the main workshop in Kolkata and the production of candles, incense and postcards. The guide will briefly explain the sign language and in this way if you want you can communicate with the deaf craftsmen. Lunch will be included in the program. At the end of this visit, you will see the production phase of the jewelry. Overnight in Kolkata (L)

Kolkata – Shantiniketan
Early in the morning, fast train to Shantiniketan, whose name means ‘abode of peace’. It is an authentic nerve center of Bengali art and culture. The Nobel Prize-winning poet and artist Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) founded a school here in 1901. Upon arrival, transfer to the host families. in the evening, baul song show (nomadic tribe). Overnight in Shantiniketan (B, D)

Shantiniketan – Kolkata
In the morning sightseeing tour that includes the Tagore Museum, the art school, the Craft village and a walk in the Santhal tribal village, followed by a cultural program and a traditional lunch. Afternoon return by train to Kolkata. The day ends with a rickshaw ride in the New Market. Overnight in Kolkata. (B, L)

Kolkata-Varanasi
In the morning after breakfast, 3h walk to discover the cultural heritage of the North of Kolkata, which includes the ancient noble palaces and mansions, the potters village in Kumartuli, the lively local shops and the narrow streets and alleys from which the city has evolved in a few centuries. Return to the hotel to have lunch and rest. In the afternoon, visit the Indian Museum, Victoria Memorial hall, St. John’s Church, and Kali Temple. Night train to Varanasi. Overnight by train. (B)

Varanasi
In the morning arrival in Varanasi and transfer to the hotel on the banks of the Ganges for some rest. To follow, guided visit of Varanasi. The lush vegetation on the banks of the river increases the charm of the city. It’s a perfect destination for travelers fascinated by Hindu beliefs, customs, culture and ideas. Here you can live authentic experiences of Hindu life. Overnight in Varanasi. (B)

Varanasi
After breakfast, guided tour of the sacred city with its many attractions, ancient temples such as Kashi Vishwanath, Kal Bhairava, Durga Kund and Annapoorna. Varanasi is also an important center of art, crafts, education and culture. There are the Benares main Ghats, or bleachers leading to the Ganges, many of which are used for ritual ablutions, others for cremations. Often the bleachers are associated with a legend or a mythological episode; others are private. The most important steps for cremations is the Manikarnika Ghat, known as Mahasmasana, included in the sightseeing tour. It is believed that burning bodies in these special places is the right way to achieve Moksha, salvation. In the evening, you will see the famous religious ritual of the Ganga Aarti Puja, which takes place every day at sunset at the Dasaswamedh Ghat, near the Kashi Vishwanath temple and is a very choreographic ceremony. It is performed on a stage by a group of young Pandits, wrapped in saffron tunics, who hold the ceremonial dishes in front of them. Overnight in Varanasi. (B)

Varanasi
After breakfast, time to discover the Ghats (stairways) that dot the Ganges. In the afternoon, visit the Buddhist city of Sarnath, located 13km northeast of Varanasi, near the confluence of the Gomati River in the Ganges in Utta Pradesh. Sarnath Deer Park is the place where Gautama Buddha first taught Dharma. Today it is one of the 4 key points of the Buddhist community (with Bodhgaya, Kushinagar and Lumbini in Nepal) and attracts believers from all over the world, especially on the day of Purnima (or Buddha’s birthday), when life is celebrated, the death and enlightenment of Buddha. Overnight in Varanasi. (B)

Varanasi – Delhi
In the morning domestic flight to New Delhi, meeting with our operators just out of the terminal and transfer to the hotel for some rest. Later in the morning visit to the poor neighborhood of Paharganj, in Old Delhi, led by the young people of the NGO, which works with street children, educates them and trains them professionally. The paths of City Walk aim to bring to light the tragic reality of street children and to show the world from their perspective. The walk takes place in the Paharganj district and in the areas around the train station, accompanied by a former street child who was helped by the NGO and today has an occupation. You will have the unique opportunity to visit the city with exceptional guides and for them it will be an excellent opportunity to improve their communication skills. Lunch in a typical paraganj restaurant. After lunch visit some of the most important attraction of Old Delhi such as the Red Fort (visit only from outside), a UNESCO World Heritage since 2007, built in 1639 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (the creator of the Taj Mahal), the the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India, where an ancient copy of the holy Quran written on Deer skin is preserved. Visit small lanes of this part of the city such as Chawri Bazar, one of the busiest streets of Old Delhi. Later visit Raj Ghat, the site of Mahatma Ghandi cremation. If more time available later you can visit also the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most prominent Sikh gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship in India, known as the “Sarovar.” Overnight in Delhi (B).

Delhi-Haridwar-Rishikesh
In the early morning, transfer to New Delhi station and travel on the “Dehradun Shatabadi” train to Haridwar. On arrival tour of the city. Here the Ganges leaves the Himalayan mountains and starts its journey through the plains; this place gives a special sacredness of the city. The sightseeing tour includes a visit to the Chandi Devi temple which, located on the top of the Neel Parvat, offers a panoramic view of the city. The temple can be reached with a 3km walk from the Chandi Ghat. The tour also includes the Mayan Devi Temple, which is located east of Har-Ki-Pauri, and the Bhimgoda Dam and Pawan Dham Temple, famous for its glass-decorated Hanuman Mandir. In the evening, you will attend the Aarti ceremony in Har-Ki-Pauri. It’s one of the most important Ghats on the Ganges and an ablution at this point is a must for all devotees. The ritual of the Ganga Aarti that turns every evening is a wonderful sight: thousands of lanterns are floated on the river and the priests recite an evening prayer. In the evening transfer to the hotel in Rishikesh (25km – about 30 min). The spectacle of the Ganges River branching off to the slopes of the Himalayas is wonderful. Overnight in Rishikesh (B)

Rishikesh
Early in the morning, Yoga classes at Yoga Neeketan Ashram. This ancient traditional Indian art is celebrated with the International Yoga Week, which takes place in Rishikesh, on the slopes of the Himalayas and on the banks of the Ganges. The term Yoga comes from the Sanskrit ‘Yuj’ which means to join, bind, unite, subdue, direct and concentrate attention, use and apply. When practicing Yoga, you exercise control over the forces of the body, mind and soul. It is a very useful practice to discipline the intellect, the mind, the emotions and the will; allows you to have a serene approach to life in all its aspects. After class, return to the hotel for breakfast. Next, sightseeing tour of Rishikesh with a visit to the Lakshman Jhoola, a suspended bridge that crosses the Ganges. A pleasant 2km walk leads to Sivanand Jhoola, also known as Ram Jhoola. Beyond this bridge is the Swargashram area, a quiet and serene place filled with Ashrams. The small path that runs along the zora unfolds right next to the river and is full of shops and restaurants on one side and ashram on the other. Swargashram is known for its quiet atmosphere and closeness to the Ganges. Overnight in Rishikesh (B)

Rishikesh-Dehradun
Early in the morning, Yoga class at the Yoga Neeketan Ashram. After the lesson, transfer by car to Dehradun, to the Vandana Shiva center called Navdanya, a participatory research initiative of the Research Foundation for Sciences, Ecology and Ecology (RFSTE). Navdanya means ‘nine seeds’, which constitute India’s source of food security. The aim of the Navdanya biodiversity protection program is to support local farmers, saving and protecting crops and plants at risk of extintion, making them available through direct sales. Nowdays, more than 5000 varieties of crops have been re-established including 100 of rice, 150 of wheat, 150 of beans (rajma), 15 of millet and different varieties of legumes, vegetables and medicinal plants. During the stay it will be possible to have a direct experience of the activities carried out by one of the major centers of biodiversity protection in the world. In the evening return to Rishikesh. Overnight in Rishikesh (B, L)

Rishikesh- Delhi
Transfer by car to Delhi airport (about 5 hours) and departure by international flight