Goddess Travels​

What's Included:

 

Meals

 Daily breakfast 

 

Transport

Personal Driver

A private vehicle with AC

 

Accommodation

4-5 Star Hotel Accommodations 

 

Included activities

• Mahabalipuram - Walking Tour of Shore Temple and Cave Temples

• Pondicherry -Visit the flower, fruit and fish markets, Temples, and Ashrams

• Auroville - Visit the inner chamber of the Matramandir, Shopping and Walking Tour

• Gingee-Walking Tour of Stone Forts and Temples

• Jaipur-Wind Palace, City Palace Walking Tour

• Jaipur-Ride elephants into Amer Fort

• Jaipur - Enjoy shopping for textiles, jewelry, and handicrafts

• Jaipur-Experience the kite festival of Makar Sankranti

• Varanasi-Private boat rides to witness the sunset and sunrise pujas

• Varanasi-Visit Sarnath, the place of Buddhas first sermon

• Varanasi-Stay at the magical Brijama Palace on the shore of the Ganges River

• Agra - Witness the Taj Mahal at sunset and sunrise

• Agra - Visit the spectacular Red Fort 

• Tiruvannamalai-Full Moon Walk around the sacred mountain Arunachala

• Tiruvannamalai-Visit sacred caves on the slopes of Arunachala

• Tiruvannamalai-Evening tour at the Fire Temple and private celebration

 

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North and South Indian Goddess Tour Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1: Chennai

Arrival into India and transfer from airport to Hotel. Settle into Hotel. 

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Day 1: Chennai-Tiruvannamalai

Welcome to India. After breakfast, we will drive overland to Tiruvannamalai. 

Tiruvannamalai is a world-renowned pilgrim center. Lord Shiva and his consort Parvathi are the two deities that are worshipped here at Arunachaleeswar temple. This temple is believed to be the largest temple complex in the world dedicated to Shiva.

Optional: Girivalam full moon walk-16 kilometers around the base of the sacred mountain Arunachala after dinner. Visit the temples by moonlight and pilgrimage with thousands around the mountain.

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Day 2: Tiruvannamalai

After breakfast, visit Sikander Ashram, a short journey up the base of the sacred mountain Arunachala for a scenic overlook of the whole city and vast temple complex.

We will have time for mindfulness in several sacred caves along the mountainside. Bask in the bliss and serenity of these ancient spiritual places.

Evening visit to the fire temple and one of the most significant temples in India.

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Day 3: Tiruvannamalai via Gingee to Auroville

Gingee Fort is known as an impregnable fortress believed to be built in the 9th century by Cholas and later modified by the successive rulers, known as the “Troy of the East.” Wander through the Fort and surrounding Temple Complex.

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Day 4: Auroville

Visit the city of Dawn, Auroville. Auroville's original charter aimed at creating a city of the future where people from India and abroad could live and work together in a spiritual environment.

Enjoy the exquisite  Matramandir. Visit the botanical gardens, where the unique flora and fauna have actually changed the environment. 

Shop at the beautiful boutiques along with a visit to delicious bakeries and a gelato shop featuring scrumptious exotic flavors.

Afternoon ride through the rural countryside, villages, and temples.

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Day 5: Pondicherry

Pondicherry was colonized by the French and still retains heavy French influence. Pondicherry is famous for the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. 

Visit the market, enjoy the color array of spices and fruits and vegetables, flowers and textiles.

After lunch enjoy a shopping extravaganza in the vibrant city

Late afternoon visit to the Ashram and Elephant Temple and walk along the Promenade.

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Day 6: Pondicherry to Mahabalipuram to Chennai

Drive to Mahabalipuram, an ancient port for the Pallava kings during the 7th and 8th centuries whose shore temple and rock carvings are now a World Heritage site. Mahabalipuram has some of the most important buildings in Indian architectural history. The tradition of carving continues today with the presence of stone sculptors all over the city.  

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Day 7: Chennai-Jaipur

Fly from Chennai to Jaipur. Early evening visit to the Jal Mahal promenade to view the Kite festival and lantern lighting for the festival of Makar Sankranti.

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Day 8: Jaipur

Morning excursion to Amer Fort.  Amer is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Built in the 16th century by Raja Mansingh in red sandstone and white marble, the palace complex is broken into spectacular compartments such as the Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Niwas, Ganesh Pol and the Temple of Kali. Afternoon visit Nahargarh Fort stands on the edge of the Aravalli Hills, overlooking the pink city of Jaipur. Along with Amber Fort and Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh once formed a strong defense ring for the city. The fort was originally named Sudarshangarh, but it became known as Nahargarh, which means 'abode of tigers'. Unfortunately, no tigers remain in the hills these days, but plenty of monkeys and the occasional leopard.

Visit the old city of Jaipur, surrounded by large fortress walls.  This magnificent city was strategically planned and built by Maharaja Jai Sing, the notable astronomer.

Afternoon visit the City Palace, the home of the royal family, along with the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds built in 1799. Jaipur is home to the finest jewelers in the world and renowned for textiles. No trip to the city is complete without roaming the beautiful alleyways and exploring the markets and shops. Afternoon leisure time for shopping.

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Day 9: Jaipur

Morning visit to Galta Temple, an ancient temple complex famous for its seven bathing pools and unique bathing pool just for monkeys. Hike through the complex and up to the Sun Temple for a panoramic view of Jaipur.

After lunch, day at leisure for exploring the old city, shopping, and markets.

Optional meeting with an astrologer.

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Day 10: Jaipur-Agra

After breakfast overland to Jaipur.

Late afternoon visit to Mehtab Bagh where you will have the opportunity for your first glimpse of the Taj Mahal during sunset.

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Day 11: Agra

Today, visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Agra Fort and the immortal Taj Mahal. The Taj is flawless in its proportions and breath-taking in its beauty — a vision of unrivaled magnificence. Pay your first visit to the masterpiece this morning with the rising sun. Continue to the impressive Agra Fort. Built of red sandstone and marble, Agra Fort presents a formidable exterior and a graceful interior.

Enjoy an optional late afternoon Ayurvedic spa treatment at Rajasthan’s premier spa Kaya Kalpa.

 

Day 12: Agra to Varanasi

Catch a flight to Varanasi, a city of more than a thousand temples and shrines, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists. Varanasi is the epi-center of Hinduism and a well-traveled pilgrimage site. The Hindus believe that if you bring your dead to bathe in the Ganges, they will be liberated from the cycle of life and death.

Check into hotel and optional evening viewing of the Ganga Aarti.

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Day 13: Varanasi

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a walking tour of the old city of Benares exploring the temples, Ghats and slender alleyways that wind like a maze to the sacred river Ganges. 

After lunch leisure time to explore the ghats on your own and enjoy the rich diversity of life on the river.

At dusk, we will float, by boat on the Ganges river, down to the cremation ghat. Afterward, we will witness the Aarti ceremony. Chanted prayers and rhythmic drumming fill the air as you watch lantern-bearing priests bid the gods and goddesses a restful slumber.

 

Day 14: Varanasi

Rise early for a sunrise cruise on the Ganges River to observe activity along the ghats.

After Breakfast, we’ll drive to Sarnath, one of the most sacred places for Buddhists. This is where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.

Late afternoon fly to Delhi. Arrive in Delhi and transfer onward for international flights or to the hotel for late-night or following day departure.

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Note:  Most international departures leave very late at night or early morning).  If you’re interested in staying another night, we can help with booking additional nights accommodations and flights back to the departure city.

 

All Tours include:

• Arrival and Departure Transfers

• Private Air-conditioned  Vehicle

• Personal Driver

• English speaking accompanying guide

• Entrance fees at monuments 

• Hotel accommodations

• All meals as stated in the itinerary

• All excursions as per itinerary with bottled water provided

• All taxes

• Comprehensive pre-departure information, including suggested reading guide, travel guide, and packing list.

 

RATES DO NOT INCLUDE:

• International airfare

• Domestic flights unless included in the itinerary

• Passport and visa fees; inoculation fees

• Airport fees and departure taxes

• Cost of personal items 

• Trip cancellation and baggage insurance

• Transportation of excess baggage

• Meals other than those listed in the itinerary 

• Personal tips;

• Items of a personal nature, such as laundry; alcoholic or other beverages; taxi, telephone,  fax, and internet charges

• Optional excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour

 

PAYMENT:

Deposit of 50% due at time of booking, full payment due 90 days before departure. A confirmation receipt will be sent to you.

Payments should be made by check to:

Goddess Travels c/o Rohini Grace

4145 Lonetree Ct,

Boulder, CO, 80301

All tours are limited to ten women per tour. Minimum of five bookings required. Registration on a first come first serve basis.

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CANCELLATION POLICY:

All requests for cancellations must be received in writing.

Cancellation charges:

More than 90 days prior to departure $500 per person.

61 to 90 days prior to departure $1000

60 to 31 days prior to departure 50% of the price of the tour.

30 days prior to departure 100% of the price of the tour. 

For this and other reasons, participants are strongly encouraged to purchase trip cancellation insurance. 

 

TRIP INSURANCE:

Recommended Trip insurance through World Nomads

 

Prices and itinerary are subject to change.

 

Cost is based on double occupancy, single supplement available.

 

Contact Goddess Travels today to book your reservation.