India Maha Kumbh Mela Festival Adventure - India

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi

Arrive at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi where you are met and transferred to your hotel. Once the capital of the Moghul Empire, today Delhi is a sprawling metropolis - a fascinating blend of past and the present- which is an apt introduction to the composite culture of the entire sub-continent.

Accommodations: The Oberoi Maidens Hotel

Day 2: Explore Old and New Delhi

Your expert guide weaves you in and out of Old and New Delhi. Catch a rickshaw into the old walled city and walk through the bustling and crowded market of Chandi Chowk. Walk to the nearby Friday Mosque, Jama Masjid, which is the largest mosque in India, and pass by the Red Fort - once the most opulent fortified palace of the Moghul Empire. Drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, with the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence, to see the famous Tomb of Humayun, who was the second Moghul Emperor. Welcome dinner.

Accommodations: The Oberoi Maidens Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Delhi - Varanasi

Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Varanasi. The city of Varanasi is known to devout Hindus as ‘Kashi’, said to have been founded by Shiva, Lord of the Universe at the beginning of time. One of the oldest living cities in the world, Varanasi is also one of the most important pilgrimage destinations today. Located on the banks of the sacred Goddess Ganga (Ganges River), a goddess herself, Varanasi has been a center of learning and civilization for over 2000 years. Mostly by foot, tour some of the city’s temples including the Bharat Mata, with its relief map of India in marble, the Durga temple, and the mosque of Aurangzeb, a Moghul Emperor. In late afternoon, ride bicycle rickshaws in town and walk amidst the crowded local market of Beniabagh famous for spices, shops, cloths and daily vendors selling fruits, pickles and vegetables. At Dashaswamedh Ghat, board a small row boat on the Ganges to watch a glittering “Aarti” ceremony: huge lamps are set ablaze amid a multitude of chants and hymns. Maintaining a respectful distance from the shore you can observe the cremation Ghats burning in the night, a living tradition of one of the world's oldest and most important religions.

Accommodations: Gateway Ganges

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Sunrise on the Ganges - Sarnath

Early in the morning, venture by rickshaw and on foot back to Dashaswamedh Ghat. Push off your private boat into the slow current on the Ganges River passing by smoldering cremation Ghats. As dawn breaks the rising sun imparts a glow to the city, unveiling its buildings, temples, and courtyards. In this place at this moment you will witness the spiritual reaffirmation of the light after darkness, life after death, and hope after despondency. Capture the holy images of devotees offering prayers and seeking blessings of their beloved deities. Step out onto the streets again to the unfurling of bazaars passing by the Kashi Vishwanath Temple on return to the hotel.

Visit Sarnath where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, today the most sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists. Time and interest permitting pass by Dhamaekha Stupa, Moolgandha Kuti Vihar and the famous Sarnath Museum. Go into the heart of Varanasi's streets to visit a traditional music school run by a family who will demonstrate and describe their traditional instrument such as the sitar and tabla.

Accommodations: Gateway Ganges

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Varanasi - Allahabad

Drive west to Allahabad (125 km/2-3 hrs) to join in one of the largest gatherings of humanity held every 12 years at the “Sangam”, the confluence of the 3 holiest rivers in India, the Ganges, the Yamuna and the unseen Saraswati.

Kumbh Mela derives its name from the immortal Pot of Nectar described in ancient Hindu mythology. It literally means festival of the pot or a festival celebrating the appearance of the pot of nectar after the gods churned the ocean for 1000 years. When Asuras (demons), tried to forcibly take the pot, four Gods fought with them for 12 days and nights, equivalent to 12 human years. During this battle, the Gods hid the pot in four places: Nashik, Prayag (Allahabad), Ujjain and Haridwar. Now the Kumbh Mela is held in a rotation of these cities every 3 years.

During the festival, Hindus consider Allahabad as India's religious capital and more than ten million people dip into the holy Ganga, in order to purify body, mind and soul and wash off their sins. On the eve of such a bathing day, the mela site vibrates in hectic religious fever of pilgrims mingling with the sadhus, or wandering monks, belonging to dozens of Hindu sects.

The experience of staying in the heart of the Mela is unparalleled – you can wander openly from camp to camp taking in devotional singing, religious discussions, processions and mass feedings of simple, healthy food. Not to mention the holy bathing and activity by the river.

On arrival, settle into your private camp with time to relax or wander before a briefing on the days ahead.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 6 - 8: Kumbh Mela Festival

Spend 3 more days in the heart of the Mela grounds, to give time to experience the meaning, rituals and lie in this make-shift city. Your guide will take you among the different camps to see first-hand the breadth of Hindu beliefs and rituals. Go along with the pilgrims to the river on one of the auspicious bathing days when it is said that you can wash away your sins in the river.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Allahabad - Khajuraho Temples

Drive to Khajuraho (270km/6 hrs). In the afternoon, tour one group of the magnificent Jain and Hindu temples and intricate stone sculptures dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva and Kali. Known as the erotic temples, the craftsmanship exhibits images of gods and goddesses, celestial maidens and dancers, animals and musicians, all frozen in stone, many in the act of love. Khajuraho is a UNESCO World Heritage Site to preserve this collective glorification of life, love, and joy, and reflect the spirit of creativity and human relationships of the Chandela period (9^th & 10^th century CE). The Eastern group of temples include the Parasvanath Temple - the only Jain Temple surviving at Khajuraho with excellent sculptures on the outer walls of the Sanctum, the Javeri Temple dedicated to Vishnu, and other temples dedicated to Brahma, the Goddess Kali, the Visha Temple of Shiva, and the Bharatji Temple with a lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu.

Accommodations: Taj Chandela Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Khajuraho - Orchha - Agra

Wake early to tour the second group of temples in Khajuraho. Then, drive to Jhansi (180 km/5 hours), stopping en-route to visit Orchha, a medieval city built in the 16th and 17th centuries by the Bundela rulers. View the vibrant murals depicting religious and secular scenes. Board your train in Jhansi for the 2 ½ hour ride to Agra. Upon arrival, you will be met at your train and taken to your hotel.

Accommodations: ITC Mughal: Luxury Collection

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11: Agra and Taj Mahal

Badal Singh first established Agra in 1475 soon to be defeated by Babur, king of Afghanistan, who developed the city as the seat of the Mughal Empire. Visit the Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site with massive 70-foot high walls 1.5-mile long, encompassing an astounding collection of well preserved buildings, many of them completed during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan (who built the Taj). Cross the river to view the Taj Mahal across the river from the Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb. Visit the Jami Masjid, “Friday Mosque”, and the nearby Kinari market.

After lunch and a rest, tour the Taj Mahal, a building that needs little introduction: The Taj is probably the most famous building on earth and unquestionably the most beautiful. It is an architectural wonder inspired by love - a white marble memorial to Mumtaz Mahal, wife of the great Shah Jahan, fifth Moghul Emperor and architect extraordinaire. Designed and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa, it took 22 years to complete and features stunning balance and symmetry, elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever produced.

Accommodations: ITC Mughal: Luxury Collection

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12: Dawn at the Taj - Delhi for Departure

This morning rise at dawn and make your way to the Taj Mahal for its opening to contemplate and photograph at our individual leisure in the early light with few other visitors. Return to the hotel for breakfast, and then depart for Delhi (205 km/5 hrs). Check in to a day room at Radisson Blu near the airport. Later, you will transfer to the Delhi airport for your international departure.

Accommodations: Radisson Blu Plaza, Delhi

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch