Faith Tour Of North India

Mark Woodrow is a Parish Priest in rural Suffolk and a self-confessed Indophile. Having previously lived and worked in India, he fell in love with the food, the climate, and the vibrancy that India offers. He is now also an experienced group leader, helping both large and small groups meet and discover the vast diversity of people, traditions, faiths, cultures, and geography that the Indian Sub-Continent has to offer. Mark is also an elected Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

India is a country of color, spice, exploration, and diversity – this is reflected in terms of its languages and cultures, but most of all its faiths.

I first traveled to India more than two decades ago, nervous with excitement about traveling into the unknown and unfamiliar. But many years and many trips later it has become a country that I now consider my second home and a place where I have experienced profound moments of faith as I have met with people from a wide range of different beliefs, as well as worshipping alongside other Christians too.

And so I invite you to join me in 2023 as we travel to this land of diversity and explore and experience much of what North India has to share, visiting Old Delhi and the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, visiting a shrine to the Sufi Saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, as well as spending time at the iconic Lotus Temple home to the followers of the Baha’i Faith, with time to worship alongside Christians at the Cathedral of the Redemption. From here we travel on to Bodhgaya and Vaishali, the birthplace of Mahavira the founder of Jainism, and where the Buddha attained nirvana. We make our way by train to Varanasi and the River Ganges, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists, taking in the Aarti prayer rituals. Our faith adventure takes us up into the foothills of the Himalayas and to the home of the Buddhist’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala. Our tour draws to a close in Amritsar where we experience the Golden Temple, the spiritual home of the Sikhs.

Throughout our time together, we will take the time to witness much of the beauty and splendor that North India has to offer using, planes, trains, automobiles, and maybe even the ubiquitous rickshaws.

I look forward to journeying with you.
The Revd Mark Woodrow”

DAY 1 : FRIDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2023 – FLY FROM LONDON HEATHROW TO DELHI

We meet at London Heathrow Terminal 5 ready to board our direct British Airways flight BA257 to Delhi, at 18:50. (Other Regional Departures are available).

DAY 2 : SATURDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2023 – ARRIVE IN DELHI

We arrive just before 9 am at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. After we have cleared immigration, and customs and collected our baggage we transfer to our air-conditioned vehicle for our 45-minute transfer to The Taj Mahal Hotel in central Delhi.

(If any members of the group arriving on different flights at different times, then there will be an additional transfer with an extra cost for each arrival)

After time to freshen up and relax we begin with an afternoon orientation tour of Old Delhi including an exhilarating cycle rickshaw ride to the Jama Masjid through the bustling Chandni Chowk and its back roads. This area was the center of the city of Shah Jehanabad in the Mughal times. Then we will visit the atmospheric shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya in one of the oldest and most magical parts of Delhi. We return to our hotel in time for a drink in the Bar before Dinner.

Overnight in The Taj Mahal Hotel, Delhi

DAY 3 : SUNDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2023 – SERVICE AT CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF THE REDEMPTION & LOTUS TEMPLE AND FLY TO PATNA

This morning we take advantage of our jet lag as we rise early to visit the Anglican Cathedral Church of the Redemption for their morning service in English at 8 am, Also known as the Viceroy Church, it is one of the most famous churches in the capital. It is located between Parliament House, Jaipur Column, and Rashtrapati Bhawan (earlier known as Viceroy House), this church traces its heritage back to British Colonial Rule when the then Viceroy commissioned it to be built by renowned architect Henry Medd.

We return to our hotel for a late breakfast, before checking out. We enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Lotus Temple the magnificent white marble house of worship of the Baha’i faith.

Later, we return to the Airport to check-in and board our Air India flight AI415 to Patna, departing Delhi at 16:45 and arrive Patna at 18:25. On arrival make the short transfer to Hotel Maurya Patna which is to be our home for the next two nights, where we check-in and later enjoy dinner.

Overnight in Maurya Hotel, Patna

DAY 4: MONDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2023 – VAISHALI SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast, we travel the short distance to Vaishali, a historic site for Buddhists as it is the location of the Buddha’s last sermon as well as the Second Buddhist Council. For Jains, it is the birthplace of Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. Notable sights include a stupa containing some relics of the Buddha, the monastery where he frequently stayed when in Vaishali, a coronation tank, and the World Peace Pagoda. We also intend to visit the Sikh Museum which tells of the life, work, and witness of the 10th Guru of the Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh, and other Sikh Gurus (this museum is currently under development but should be ready for the visit by the time we travel). We return to our hotel for Dinner and Evening at leisure.

Overnight in Maurya Hotel, Patna

DAY 5: TUESDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2023 – DRIVE TO BODHGAYA, VISIT NALANDA & RAJGIR ENROUTE

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and take a Morning drive to Bodhgaya.

Visiting along the way the site of the ancient Buddhist university at Nalanda, founded in the 5th century AD. Nalanda was one of the ancient world’s great universities and an important Buddhist Centre of academic excellence. When Chinese scholar and Traveller Xuan Zang visited sometime between 685 and 762 AD, about 10,000 monks and students lived there, studying theology, astronomy, metaphysics, medicine and philosophy. It’s said that Nalanda’s three libraries were so extensive they burnt for six months when foreign invaders sacked the university in 1193. We also visit Nalanda Archaeological Museum. Our sightseeing today also includes a stop at Rajgir where we will take the cable car up to “Vultures Peak”, the hill where the Buddha preached, and where the first Buddhist council was held after his death. Later we continue driving to Bodhgaya the fascinating site of the Buddha’s enlightenment. We check into the Maya Heritage Hotel with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Overnight in Maya Heritage Hotel, Bodhgaya

DAY 6: WEDNESDAY 1ST MARCH 2023 – BODHGAYA SIGHTSEEING

Today after breakfast we spend the day with our local guide exploring Bodhgaya. Set on the banks of the Niranjana river it is where the Buddha attained nirvana under a Bodhi tree. This small town is now a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists from around the world, and for Hindus who revere the Buddha.

We will visit the Mahabodhi Temple, built on the supposed spot of the Buddha’s nirvana, as well as some of the temples and monasteries built by various Buddhist countries. We will also see the Bodhi Tree and the Great Buddha Statue among other sites. In the afternoon we have the option of either having some free time, or visiting Mahakala (or Dungeshwari) Caves which are about 12 km northeast of Bodhgaya, and are where the Buddha did severe penance that led him to see the futility of extreme asceticism. Realizing that the key to enlightenment was a “middle path” between self-denial and self-indulgence, he walked down to Bodhgaya, where he achieved nirvana. (Please note that this excursion will require a short climb from the base of the impressive cliff.) No self-denial is necessary after we return back to our Hotel for Dinner.

Overnight in Maya Heritage Hotel, Bodhgaya

DAY 7: THURSDAY 2ND MARCH 2023 – TRAIN TO VARANASI

For the early risers among us, we have the option of attending the morning prayer ceremony at Mahabodhi Temple at 5 am. For those who prefer a slightly later start, we are able to spend some free time either relaxing at the hotel or wandering around the local streets and shops. After checking out from the hotel we make our mid-afternoon departure from Gaya Railway Station to board our train to Varanasi arriving at 18:45. Here we transfer to the Taj Ganges, where we freshen up before may be taking the chance to have a drink at the bar before dinner.

Overnight in Taj Ganges Hotel, Varanasi

DAY 8: FRIDAY 3RD MARCH 2023 – AN EXCURSION TO CHUNAR FORT & EVENING ARATI CEREMONY AT RIVER GANGES

After Breakfast, we drive the one and half hours to Chunar Fort, rich in legends and history. Chunar Fort is surrounded by the River Ganges on two sides and there is evidence that there has been a fortified enclosure here since 56 BC. Since then it has duly changed hands from the Afghan and Mughal rulers, all the way through to the British. The first Governor-General of India, Warren Hastings also took shelter here when a rebellion broke out in 1781. His house can still be seen in the fort. The fort is often used as a backdrop for TV shows and Bollywood movies. Secret tunnels and hidden pathways are the highlights of this white bastion. It is not uncommon to find military presence here as this used to be a part of a training center of the army.

We return back to our hotel by late afternoon, before going out as the sun sets to the Ghats (stone steps leading down to the Ganges River). We will view the arati from a boat/ subject to confirmation.

Overnight in Taj Ganges Hotel, Varanasi

DAY 9: SATURDAY 4TH MARCH 2023 – DOWN BOAT RIDE, VISIT SARNATH & FLY TO DELHI

We begin today with a pre-dawn early start so that we can make our way back to the ghats to enjoy a truly magical boat ride on the holy river Ganges, watching the sunrise and witnessing the faithful perform their Morning Prayer rituals by the riverside.

We return to the hotel for breakfast, before checking out and driving the short distance to the holy site of Sarnath, the deer park where the Buddha taught his first sermon, the first turning of the wheel of dharma.

Later we transfer to airport to board our Air Vistara flight UK672 to Delhi arriving in Delhi at 19:50 and making the very short transfer to the Ibis Aerocity Airport Hotel for our overnight stay. A late Dinner before turning in for the night.

Overnight in Ibis New Delhi Aerocity

DAY 10: SUNDAY 5TH MARCH 2023 – FLY TO DHARAMSHALA

We rise early this morning and return to the airport for our 7.15am Air India Flight AI9713 to Dharamshala. We arrive in Dharamshala at 09:10 where we transfer to the Chonor House Hotel, where after a busy morning we have time to catch our breath before our afternoon pilgrimage walk around the Dalai Lama’s residence. We return late afternoon. Dinner and the rest of the evening at Leisure.

Overnight in Chonor House, Dharamshala

DAY 11: MONDAY 6TH MARCH 2023 – DHARAMSHALA SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast, we will spend much of today exploring Dharamsala, a town in the Himalayan foothills that is home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community in exile. We will visit temples, monasteries, the Norbulingka Institute, and have a talk on Buddhism at the Tibetan Library. Dinner and evening at Leisure.

Overnight in Chonor House, Dharamshala

DAY 12: TUESDAY 5TH MARCH 2023 – DRIVE TO AMRITSAR

After breakfast, we enjoy the beautiful (albeit fairly long – 4-5hr) drive down the mountains to Amritsar – the holy city of Sikhs. It is intimately linked with the colorful history of this martial race, its agricultural prudence, woolens, spices, and dry fruits. It is also the showpiece of prosperity and of the wealth of Punjab. On arrival at the Hyatt Amritsar we enjoy a few hours to relax before dinner, and then an evening visit to the world-famous Golden Temple to be part of the Sukh Aasan Ceremony. This is when the Holy Book — Guru Granth — is put to rest for the night with prayers and a Prayer incanted to invoke Jot – the living light of the Guru to manifest in the Granth.

Overnight in Hyatt Regency Hotel, Amritsar

DAY 13: WEDNESDAY 8TH MARCH 2023 – AMRITSAR SIGHTSEEING

This morning after breakfast we continue our exploration of Amritsar visiting Jallianwala Bagh and Durgiana temple before returning to the Golden Temple where we can enjoy the peace and tranquillity which is on offer.

Later in the afternoon we travel to the India Pakistan border crossing at Wagah to witness this truly unique and electrifying ‘Changing of the Guard Ceremony’ but nothing like you have ever witnessed outside Buckingham Palace in London!

We return in time for a drink at the Bar before Dinner.

Overnight in Hyatt Regency Hotel, Amritsar

DAY 14: THURSDAY 9TH MARCH 2023 – VISIT PARTITION MUSUEM

After a leisurely breakfast, we spend this morning visiting the Partition Museum. The museum keeps the various important documents, story materials, and other things related to the partition of India and Pakistan with a view to remembering all those who were affected by the India-Pakistan partition. The Arts and Cultural Heritage Trust of the United Kingdom helped the Punjab Government to establish the museum. After the visit, we will go to Golden temple as a volunteer in the lunger-free kitchen and have a simple meal.

Afternoon free for shopping or leisure.

This evening we enjoy our final group meal together, to share highlights, and who knows began to think about where in India we might all meet together again.

Overnight in Hyatt Regency Hotel, Amritsar

DAY 15: FRIDAY 10TH MARCH 2023 – FLY TO DELHI & FLY TO LONDON HEATHROW

Early morning transfer to Amritsar airport to board Air India Flight AI 454, departing Amritsar at 06:50 and arriving at Delhi at 07:55. On arrival in Delhi connect for your British Airways flight BA 256 departing at 10:50 and arriving London Heathrow at 15:20 where we say our farewells and travelling back to our own homes.

TOUR COST

The cost per person sharing a twin or double room

£2965.00

Single room supplement

£680.00

Email: enquiries@soulofindia.com | Call Us: 020 8901 7630

To book this tour, please complete the booking form, sign and e-mail it to us. A non-refundable deposit of £500.00 per person is needed at the time of booking. Balance payments will be due 8 weeks before departure. You can make the deposit payment by debit card or electronic transfer to our bank. Our Bank details are on the booking form. Bookings are confirmed on a first-come first-served basis. When the tour is full we will take about 5 additional names on the waiting list to replace their booking with any cancellations etc.
If you wish to join the tour and fly from any country other than United Kingdom please contact us for land only arrangements.

Read our Booking Terms and Conditions

Email: enquiries@soulofindia.com | Call Us: 020 8901 7630

It is essential to have adequate insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.
Make sure it includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover.
Make sure it provides cover for your whole trip (whether one day or over a year).
Make sure it covers you for all activities.
Disclose pre-existing medical conditions.
Take your policy number and the 24-hour emergency contact numbers with you.

If you have any doubts about your cover, check with your insurer. Please note Covid-19 cover is now available. For a competitive quotation please visit: https://www.indusexperiences.co.uk/insurance

Cost Includes

International airfare on British Airways flights in economy class inclusive of all taxes.
Internal flights in economy class from Delhi to Patna, Varanasi to Delhi, and Amritsar to Delhi with 23 Kgs check-in baggage and Delhi to Dharamshala with 15 kgs baggage. Extra baggage for the Delhi-Dharamshala flight will be booked on departure at extra cost.
Train tickets from Gaya to Varanasi in AC 1st class carriage
13 night’s accommodation as per itinerary, sharing a twin or double room with en-suite facilities (Check-in is 1400 hrs and checkout 12 noon. Early check-in and late checkouts are subject to availability).
Services of a local English-speaking representative for all arrival and departure transfers to assist you at the airports and railway stations.
Services of English-speaking guides and local specialists during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
Entrance fees to all monuments during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
Services of Revd. Mark Woodrow as a trip leader.
Complimentary mineral water while traveling and sightseeing.
100% protection of your payment by our ATOL & ABTA licenses.