Spiritual North India
Uncover India’s ancient spirituality on this eleven-day trip to its most holy sites, gaining a unique insight into the country’s beautiful blend of belief systems, and perhaps yourself. Begin your awakening by taking it slow in the foothills of the Himalayas at a stunning retreat overlooking Rishikesh, before venturing to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, then returning to the banks of Ganga, this time in Varanasi. Your final stop is the international metropolis of Delhi.
Trip highlights
- Stay at the peaceful Ananda resort in Rishikesh
- Take a boat trip along the River Ganges
- Enjoy a Golden Temple evening tour
- Visit Sarnath where Buddha preached his first sermon
- Watch the Wagah Border ceremony
- In Delhi, meet with a local Buddhist practitioner
Bespoke trips with Jacada
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1–5
Retreat to Rishikesh
Check in to your room at the Ananda in the Himalayas by Rishikesh. Strung along the sacred upper reaches of the Ganges, Rishikesh is a place famous for being the home of yoga, a magnet for Indian sadhus as well as soul searchers and seekers from around the world. Enjoy your four nights at the Ananda, perhaps India’s finest wellbeing resort, with a plethora of guided wellness experiences such as daily yoga and meditation classes, nature walks in the surrounding forested hills, spa treatments, wonderful food and fitness activities. During your time here you might also take some time to learn about Ayurveda treatments and practices and their importance in India and beyond.
Where you could stay
Make it mine
Prayer ceremony
Himalayas hike
Ganga Aarti evening prayer experience
In the evening, take the winding road into Rishikesh to explore this deeply spiritual town, ending with witnessing the daily evening prayer ceremony on the Ganges river known as Ganga Aarti. This is a devotional ritual that uses fire as an offering to the Goddess Ganga, made in the form of a lit lamp, on a small diya with a candle and flowers that’s floated down the river.
Guided hike through the Himalayas
Follow a hiking trail with an experienced guide, taking time to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of nature. At a certain point you’ll have the opportunity to be guided to a deep meditative experience. The walk ends with a ginger/lemon tea and a relaxed soak in the pool, spa or sauna.
Days 5–7
Two nights in Amritsar
With balance restored, venture west to Amritsar in the Punjab. A centre for the Sikh faith, it is a thriving city and something of a showpiece for the region’s wealth. At it’s heart is the great Golden Temple (also known as Harmandir Sahib) founded by Guru Ravidas in 1547 – the holiest Gurdwara of Sikhism. The temple is reflected in a serene pool of holy water from which the city takes its name. This is a site of pilgrimage for devout Sikhs, who travel here to take a purifying dip.
Spend the first of two nights here soaking up the atmosphere of the evening’s Palki Sahib, a breathtaking ritual where the holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, is carried in a heavy palanquin in a procession and put away for the night. See more of the city and learn about its history the next day, then head to the border with Pakistan to witness the bizarre but grand border closing ceremony.
Where you could stay
Make it mine
Temple
city tour
History
Golden Temple evening tour
Visit the Golden Temple in the evening to soak up the atmosphere. If you wish, you can stay on for the for the Palki Sahib ceremony. In this ceremony the holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, is carried in a heavy palanquin in a procession and put to ‘bed’. Visitors and pilgrims participate in this by helping carry the palanquin. The temple is fully illuminated and is quite breathtaking to view, with the lights reflecting in the waters of the holy pool.
Tour Amritsar and the Golden Temple
Your private guide will pick you up in the morning for a sightseeing tour of Amritsar starting with a visit to the Golden Temple in the morning light. The Sikh temple houses the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book, which is considered to be the eternal Guru. Although it was built in 1601, its present gilded decoration and marble work is from the 19th century. The temple is surrounded by a large pool of holy water and can be approached from all four sides by causeways.
You will also visit the Langar or community kitchen, where at least 80,000 people are fed every day. Regardless of class, caste, sex or faith anyone can eat a wholesome vegetarian meal here as a community service.
Finally, head to Jallianwala Bagh, the site of a memorial to commemorate the victims of the infamous massacre carried out by the British in 1919.
Wagah Border ceremony
Visit the Wagah Border for the evening “lowering of the flags” ceremony, a daily military practice performed by the Indian Border Security Force and the Pakistan Rangers since 1959. Held before sunset, this ceremony features a coordinated parade by soldiers from both sides, culminating in the lowering and folding of the flags as the border gate opens.
The event concludes with a retreat and a handshake between the soldiers, attracting numerous visitors and tourists from around the world.
Days 7–9
The ultimate pilgrimage to Varanasi
An ancient settlement on the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi is India’s spiritual capital and important among numerous faiths.
Varanasi’s 84 ghats – stone embankments that step down into the river- are its most iconic sight. Most are crowded with pilgrims performing ritual ablutions in the river waters while a few are used solely for cremation – funeral pyres with their smoke drifting out over the sacred river, are perhaps some of the most spiritually evocative sights in the world.
The rest of city is home to some 23,000 temples, the sandstone Ramnagar Fort and numerous centres of education, philosophy, music and art. Small-scale industries and household production employ most of Varanasi’s residents and its winding alleyways are one of the best places to find fine silks, carpets and crafts: explore the old city’s winding back alleys and bazaars with your guide.
Sublime and sometimes overwhelming for visitors, Varanasi is utterly unforgettable.
Where you could stay
Make it mine
By evening
By day
Evening aarti prayer ceremony
Take a boat out onto the Ganges to experience the evening aarti prayer, one of the most important and popular ceremonies of the Hindu faith sometimes called the ‘ceremony of light’ that involves waving lighted wicks before the sacred images to infuse the flames with the deities’ love, energy and blessings. You will also float your own lamps down the river.
Ganges boat ride and old city walking tour
This morning you will be taken for a boat ride on the River Ganges. After the boat ride you will meet a local expert on the ghats who will lead you on a private walking tour in the old city. On this walk you will see the back alleys, old havelis, temples, labyrinth of streets, street vendors and pilgrims that line the banks of the Ganges.
A tour of Sarnath
Head out of Varanasi to visit the sacred site of Sarnath. It is here that Buddha is believed to have set in motion what Buddhists call the Wheel of Dharma by delivering his first sermon to the five companions with whom he had sought enlightenment. Together with him, they formed the first sangha, or company of Buddhist monks. You’ll explore the ancient stupas and make a visit to the small but excellent museum at the site.
Days 9–11
Two nights exploring Delhi
India’s capital, Delhi, will be your host for the last two nights. With a population of over 18 million, Delhi is perhaps daunting at first sight, but a little exploration soon reveals a rich, diverse and fascinating culture. Throughout most of its history, it has served as the capital of various kingdoms and empires, captured and rebuilt time and time again. Every dynasty left its mark and as you start to explore, you’ll discover reminders and relics from this colossal game of pass the parcel.
As well as centuries worth of history to explore, Delhi is also one of the best places in India to shop, try many different styles of food and experience the buzz of a city where its millions of inhabitants are going about their daily business. And if weaving your way in and out of the rickshaws and cyclists ever starts to get too much, turn the corner and you’ll find a tranquil garden or a quiet enclave in which to stop, gather your thoughts and recharge.
Where you could stay
Meet a local Buddhist practitioner
Spend a day consolidating your knowledge and experiences with Shantum Seth, an ordained Buddhist practitioner and inter-faith cultural tour leader. Explore a diverse array of places of worship, including the Lotus Temple, and gain insights into faith in modern India.
Start at the stunning Lotus Temple with its 27 white marble petals, then move to the serene Sacred Heart Cathedral. After lunch, visit the Bodhi Temple to learn about the Buddha’s life and teachings. Experience the vibrant contrast at Laxminarayan Temple, known for its inclusivity and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. Conclude your journey at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a key site for Sikh worship.
Jacada planned a glorious 11-day trip to northern India--and kept us safe and healthy! We are in our 70s, and unafraid to travel with Jacada. (Jacada also took us on a marvelous trip to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos a year ago.) First, we had an unimaginably excellent India guide--Mangit. He is incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful, caring, and funny. I use…
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive Impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
