Haridwar – Rishikesh – Shivpuri – Rishikesh – Delhi
• Start with blessings from evening aarti of holy river Ganga at Haridwar
• Visit the nomadic Gujjar tribe in Rajaji National Park
• Morning Yoga session in Rishikesh and around
• Cycling along the ganges
• Rafting on the Ganges crossing over upto grade 4 rapids
Arrive Haridwar by air or train from New Delhi. We transfer to our hotel the Hari Ganga Haveli.
Haridwar seen to be the gateway of the Gods and one of the holiest pilgrimage spots in the world for Hindus as the river Ganges descends to the flatlands here. The bathing ghats are lined with sadhus, temples and ashrams . Our hotel is located overlooking the river , with its own private bathing ghat!
This evening we walk through the bustling bazaars to attend the evening prayer (Aarti) to the Goddess Ganges at the Har-ki.Pauri ghat. It is a spectacle of sound and colour with the pealing of temple bells and blowing of conch shells . The ritual starts at dusk with the priests lighting lamps and reaches a crescendo lasting nearly half an hour. Hymns and mantras echo across the banks of the Ganges. Devotees chant along with the clash of cymbals and chiming bells. The reflection of golden hues of floating floral “diyas”-floating candles in the river Ganga is an inspirational sight . This is one of the most magical moments in India, a time when one is in communion with both God and Nature. An auspicious beginning and blessings as we begin our adventure.
Overnight at Haridwar
Accommodation: Haveli Hari Ganga
Meals: Dinner
Transfer: 1 hr flight from Delhi to Dehradun / 40kms/24mi – 1 hr Dehradun Airport to Haridwar
Activity: 1 hr aarti ceremony
Early morning we head out in open jeeps into Chila Wildlife Sanctuary,an area of pristine beauty and rich biodiversity for a wild life safari . It has 23 speciesof mammals and 315 fauna species. We hope to come across a herd of elephants or may even catch a glimpse of the elusive tiger or a leopard. Other wildlife o to be found are jungle cat, Himalayan yellow throated marten, samber, cheetal, barking dear, wild boar, langur, ghural, sloth bear, reptiles and a large variety of birds. We end our safari at a Van Gujjar Village. They are a nomadic tribe of the Himalayas. In the winter season, these pastorals used to migrate with their herds to the Shiwalik foothills, and in summer, they migrated higher into the Himalayas and spend their summer months in the wilderness with their cattle. They sold milk to the nearby villages in exchange for money and other life sustaining goods. Due to restricted movement into the wildlife parks, their movements into the forest has been curtailed. They now have semi-permanent settlements on the periphery of the jungle.
Making a living from the milk of buffaloes and cows these Gujjars are surprisingly vegetarians. A visit to the village provides an insight into their daily lives.
Return to Hari Ganga Haveli in the afternoon. This evening we will conduct a private ceremony invoking the blessings Mother Ganges on the hotel private ghat.
Dinner and Overnight at Hotel Hari Ganga.
Accommodation: Haveli Hari Ganga
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Activity: 2 hr Game drive/1 hr Village walk and interaction with Nomadic Tribals
Early rise for a morning session of yoga and meditation. After breakfast we put on cycling gear and cycle 24 km along an extremely picturesque route ,along the Ganga canal on a bund ,with the jungle on your right and the Ganges river below to your left to the Beatles Ashram . Visit the Ashram where Ringo, John, Paul and George came in 1968 and spent a few months in the Ashram of Maharishi Yogi and composed over 40 songs during their stay here.
Vegeterian lunch will be arranged at a ashram in Rishikesh. We cycle on another 10km upstream the right bank of the river Ganges. Transfer on to vehicles and drive 5km to the Himalayan Hideaway hotel for the night located on a hillside over looking the river.
Dinner and Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation: Himalayan Hideway
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Activity: 1 hr Yoga session / 34 Kms-21mi cycling
Early rise for a morning session of yoga and meditation.
After breakfast drive to Kaudiyala for the the whitewater challenge. Raft on the best rapids as we take on the ‘biggies’ like ‘Daniel’s Dip’ and The Wall rapid, a solid big water Class 4. Later the sneaky ‘Three Blind Mice’ and ‘Crossfire’ rapids all add to the adrenalin mix of exciting white water rounding off our expedition
Return back to hotel for lunch.
Late afternoon we drive into the temple town of Rishikesh, we explore the town and at sunset witness the age old tradition of the “Ganga Arti”. With this farewell arti we say goodbye to the mystic river Ganges and the Himalayas.
Return to lodge for farewell dinner. Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation: Himalayan Hideway
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer: 36 Kms/23 mi – 1 hr
Activity: 1 hr Yoga session / 3 hrs whitewater rafting / 1 hr arti ceremony
After breakfast, on time you will be picked up from hotel and transferred to Airport to board flight for Delhi from where you will be taking your onward flight journey.
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