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Pilgrimage to India November 1 – 21, 2010 21 Days Ex-New Delhi |
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Read about a previous last Pilgrimage to India HERE
| Trip Factfile | |
| Length | 21 Days Ex-New Delhi |
| Start Point: | New Delhi, November 1, 2010 |
| End Point | Bangalore, November 21, 2010 |
| Maximum # | 25 Travellers |
| Host | Drolkar Buddhist Centre in Conjunction with Himalayan Exposure |
| Dossier | Download it here (PDF Version) |
| Price | On Application |
Welcome to the Himalayan Exposure way of travel. We are determined to show you a fantastic experience in a truly magical part of the world. Himalayan Exposure trips have been developed to provide quality, passionate and fun trips for those with a desire to explore wonderful cultures and destinations. During this Pilgrimage to India we will accompany the venerable Geshe La of the Drolkar Buddhist Centre to some of the spiritual centres of Northern and Southern India. We’ll explore the Mughal splendours of Agra and Delhi, visit the Holy Centres of Varanasi and Bodh Gaya, and visit Sera Je Monastery in Bylakkuppe in southern India near the IT capital of Bangalore where we will complete our journey.
We have designed an itinerary to suit many types of travellers. There are plenty of activities to keep those with itchy feet busy, but we have scheduled plenty of free time throughout the trip. All the included activities are optional so if it is all getting a bit much, just take it easy and relax. There’s only one compulsion on this trip…to enjoy yourself!
Itinerary Detail
Day 1 Arrival – New Delhi
We’ll arrive late in the evening in the capital of India, New Delhi, where we will transfer through the sleepy streets of the suburbs to our comfortable hotel in Karol Bagh, just east of the city centre.
Day 2 New Delhi
India's capital is a colourful, busy, chaotic city packed with museums, art galleries, historical sites, shops and bazaars. On our first full day we’ll head out to the streets of Old Delhi where we’ll take a guided visit through the Red Fort and see how the Emperors once ruled their Empire. From the Red Fort we’ll abandon our transport and travel like the locals, by bicycle rickshaw, the short distance to the largest mosque in India, the Jama Masjid. We’ll take a wander in the crowded bazaars and spice markets to really get a feel of daily city life among the noise, life and smells of the narrow alleyways. It will be a crowded affair and you may get lost, but that is part of the fun when travelling in India. We’ll finish our excursion on Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi’s busiest thoroughfare before returning to New Delhi. The afternoon will be free to explore some of the city at your leisure, lunch at one of Delhi luxury hotels, or try and simple Indian dish at one of the many colourful restaurants.
Day 3 New Delhi, Afternoon transfer to Agra |
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Day 4 Agra, Taj Mahal, Overnight train to Varanasi
After breakfast we’ll head out to explore some of the beautiful historical Mughal monuments in Agra. Agra is home to one of the world's most instantly recognisable monuments, the majestic Taj Mahal. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife, this 'teardrop on the face of eternity', as Rabindranath Tagore described it, lives up to all expectations. We’ll visit this magnificent monument. We’ll also take some time out to visit a local carpet weaving factory, something India generally, and this region in particular is famous for. We’ll see how they are made and have the opportunity to buy one, or more as you please. For anyone who is interested there may be the chance to organise a visit to a marble inlay factory also, something Agra is also famous for. (Please note that only one entry to the Taj is included as part of your tour cost. If you choose to go again please allow 750INR/A$20 for the entry ticket)
In the afternoon we’ll have the chance to visit Agra’s Red Fort, the Mughal capital during their reign in the late 17th Century before moving their capital to Delhi.
As part of the local government’s fight against pollution that is damaging monuments like the Taj Mahal, most vehicles are banned within close proximity to the Taj Mahal. Therefore during our explorations of Agra we’ll be travelling around using either electric tuk-tuks or cycle rickshaws and in the process reducing our carbon footprint. J
This evening we will be travelling by overnight air-conditioned train to Varanasi. We will check out of our rooms some time in the morning in between our excursions before transferring to the train station late afternoon.
Day 5 – 7 Varanasi
Arriving early in the morning we’ll transfer to our hotel, The Hotel Meradan Grand, in Varanasi. We’ll have three days to enjoy this very special, spiritual city, known as one of the world’s oldest living cities. The Ganga or Ganges River, which normally follows a south-eastern course, changes its path here briefly and flows north for a while, through the city. This is considered very auspicious. Shiva is said to have poured the river Ganga down from the Himalayas. Buddha gave his first sermon just outside the city in the town of Sarnath, and 3 tirthankars (holy men) of the Jain religion were born here. It is the holiest of the 7 sacred cities of Hinduism. To die here is to receive an instant passport to heaven. There are more than 2,000 temples and shrines.
After a rest we’ll take a walk along the ghats, the famous bathing steps that front the river Ganges. The rest of the afternoon will be free to explore and enjoy this wonderful city. On Day 5 we’ll take an early morning boat cruise to see the city at the best time of the day. After breakfast there is the option to visit the holy city of Sarnath, 12kms out of Varanasi where the Buddha gave his first sermon. During our visit we’ll also have the opportunity to visit the Tibetan institute and library. One evening we’ll take to the Holy River for sunset for a flower ceremony with musicians. There’s the Maharaja’s palace across the holy Ganges to visit if you are in for adventure or find a step to sit on and watch the river, and the colour that surrounds it, flow by.
Day 8 Bodh Gaya
On day 8, we leave Varanasi after breakfast and travel by air-conditioned bus or cars across the plains of Uttar Pradesh (240kms, 5-6 hours) to the state of Bihar and the holy site of Bodhgaya. The drive will take us through farmland and fields along bumpy roads and back streets to the oasis that is Bodhgaya.
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Day 9 – 12 Bodh Gaya Bodhgaya is a small, lively village and especially in November it will be swarming with people from all over the world. The main focus is the Mahabodhi Temple (www.mahabodhi.com), which we will visit with a guide on our first day there. |
The temple sits amongst pleasant grounds beside the bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. You will want to visit yourself more than once as activities vary at different times of the day and year. Entrance to the temple is free but there is a daily camera fee (20rs) or video camera fee (500rs).
Throughout Bodhgaya there are a number of temples built by Buddhist organisations from around the world. You’ll have plenty of time to visit them at your leisure. There are also numerous institutions offering meditation and yoga and other related activities. The Root Institute is a Socially Engaged Buddhist Meditation Centre which provides an ideal location for the study and practice of Buddhist meditation and philosophy (www.rootinstitute.com). Another organisation doing good work for local village people is Muskan Viklang Trust or “Let the disabled smile” (www.muskanviklangtrust.org). MVT tries to help the great amount of handicapped people in Bihar, the poorest and most underdeveloped State of India. You may be able to join them for some village visits depending on their schedule at that time.
In Bodhgaya one of the other popular day trips is to Rajgir and Nalanda, an important part of the Buddhist history of the region. It is a long day to Vulture’s Peak in Rajgir but a thoroughly enjoyable one that can be arranged for anyone interested in making the journey.
In Bodhgaya we will be staying at the Sujata Hotel located walking distance from the main attractions and close enough to the Mahabodhi temple where much of your time will be spent.
Day 13 Fly Bodhgaya to Bangalore via Kolkata
Our transfer to the south is a bit of a long trip transferring early morning to Gaya airport for our flight to Bangalore. We leave Gaya around 7.30am stopping in Kolkata for a lengthy wait (between 6 – 8 hours) before continuing onto to Bangalore. On Day 13 we’ll overnight in Bangalore.
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Day 14 Transfer to Kushal Nagar, Bylakuppe From Bangalore we’ll make the 5 hour drive to Kushal Nagar, the closest town to the Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe and Sera Jey Monastery. Day 15 – 17 Kushal Nagar, Bylakuppe Kushal Nagar is located a short 6 kms from Bylakuppe and the monastery settlement where we will spend some of our time. The Golden Temple is the main temple in the settlement and a sight to behold. Some recent visitors elaborated on their experience there… “We sat and listened to the monks chant their Mantra's while others played long hornpipes and Conch shell. Huge drums beat hypnotic beats to the chanting. It is a sound and experience we will never forget.” |
Day 18 – 19 Mysore
After our time in Bylakkuppe we’ll make the short 2-hour drive to the city of Mysore. Mysore is the Karnataka’s second biggest city. The city has recorded history dating back a thousand years and a mythical history. We’ll have a day and a half to enjoy the magic of this ancient city.
The Mysore Palace is well worth a visit with its intricately carved rosewood doors and ceilings some with inlaid ivory work, marble figurines, collections of caskets, paintings of the members of the royal family and other objects of personal use exhibiting such opulence, though age has worn them out a little.
For those with a bit more energy you could climb Chamundi Hills overlooking Mysore starting early in the morning to get a good view of the city as it rises from slumber while getting good exercise at the same time. You can also take nice early morning or late evening strolls at either Kukkarahalli lake or Karanji lake, though the latter is recommended, since the entrance has a fee and thus will reduce any potential nuisance in the form of beggars or vendors that might come and disturb your stroll. Karanji lake also has a butterfly park worth checking out. We stay in Mysore for 2 nights.
Day 20 Bangalore
Bangalore is known as the IT capital of the East but is a cosmopolitan centre. We’ll have the night here to enjoy the delights of this modern town before our pilgrimage to India comes to a regrettable end.
Day 21 Depart Bangalore
Departure day. The day is free to do some last minute exploring in this vibrant Indian city before an evening transfer to airport.
