India – Golden Triangle – Varanasi

Meet at the airport and fly via a stopover to the capital of India, Delhi, a multicultural city with a special atmosphere and centuries-old history. Between the Yamuna River and the last northern spurs of the Aravalli range, Old and New Delhi form a vast residential area, stretching from north to south for about 40 km. Essentially, Old and New Delhi are two separate cities.Old Delhi consists of narrow busy streets in which a jumble of cars, motorbikes, tricycles, bicycles, horse-drawn carriages, etc. moves or tries to move – and even “backwards”, like the English – New Delhi, on the contrary, has huge boulevards , beautiful buildings and well-kept parks. The visitor discovers a multitude of unique monuments, temples, mosques, castles, wonderful museums and colorful markets in this vast, chaotic city, where the heart of India beats.

Arrival in Delhi, meeting with our local representative and departure for Agra. During our route we will make a stop at the birthplace of the beloved god Krishna (eighth incarnation of Vishnu), Mathura, one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus, as well as one of the oldest cities in the world.The famous School of Mathura had a decisive influence on Indian sculpture – indeed, in contrast to the slightly earlier School of Gandhara, which dealt exclusively with Buddhist themes, in the school of Mathura we also find secular art (nude and semi-nude female figures – the spirits of the trees Yakshinis/Yakshinis and the celestial nymphs Apsaras).The city is dotted with temples of various periods, while the 25 ghats (ghats) located along the holy river Yamuna are where devotees flock for their daily rituals. We continue to Vrindavan, the city where Krishna spent his childhood. Having now been introduced to the dominant religion of the country, Hinduism, we depart for Agra. Check in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight

Agra, the “Pearl of Hindustan”, is strategically located on the banks of the Yamuna River. It reached the height of its glory when the great emperor Akbar of the Mughal dynasty moved his capital there. Then the city was adorned with mosques, palaces and beautiful gardens. During our today’s tour we will visit the most famous monument not only of the city,but also of the entire country, the famous Taj Mahal mausoleum, one of the wonders of the world, built in 1632 by Emperor Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. We continue to the stunning Red Fort of Agra, where Shah Jahan spent the last years of his life, imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

Departure for the “Pink City”, Jaipur. During today’s route we will first visit Fatehpur Sikri (“City of Victory”), a city that was abandoned 14 years after it was founded in 1569 by Emperor Akbar. Next is a stop at the small village of Abaneri to see the special architectural water reservoir (baori) with its gradually decreasing steps. We continue to the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur.The city owes its name, foundation and planning to a great astronomer and warrior, Maharaja Jai ​​Singh II (1699-1743). Its designation as “Pink City” is due to the color with which the buildings in its old walled part are painted. There are many theories as to why. According to one theory, pink was chosen by Maharaja Jai ​​Singh II to honor the god Shiva, who is believed to be his favorite color.Another theory, supported by the British, is that the city was painted this color to welcome the British Prince of Wales Albert Edward VII and later King of Great Britain (and therefore Emperor of India) in 1876, as the pink color in Rajasthan symbolizes hospitality. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight

This morning we will visit the fortress of Abert, which until 1728 was the headquarters of the province. It is located on the hill of the same name and is approached on the back of elephants! Our tour will continue to Jaipur itself where we will visit the Jandar Mandar palace and observatory and admire the facade of the Hawa Mahal- a palace of unusual architecture with numerous windows, built in 1799 so that the women of the royal family could observe everyday life without being noticed. This is followed by a rickshaw/cycle ride, while in the late afternoon we will have the opportunity to witness the ancient rite of Aarti, one of the most important ceremonies of Hinduism. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight

Morning departure for Delhi. On arrival we will visit the temple of Akshardham, the “new abode of god”, an impressive Hindu site of eternal devotion and a spiritual campus dedicated to harmony and learning. Check in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

A mix of visits between New and Old Delhi is our tour today, during which we will experience the well-planned boulevards of the New, but also the charm of the bygone days of the Old, with its marble palaces, mosques and bazaars.We will pass by the Red Fort (1639-1648), see the Great Mosque (Jama Masjid), visit the unnecessary cremation monument of Mahatma Gandhi (Raj Ghat), the historic colorful market Chandni Chowk, the impressive mausoleum of the Mongol emperor Humayun , the Laxmi Narayan Temple, the Rashtrapati Bhavan Presidential Palace, the India Gate, built to honor the fallen Indian soldiers of World War I, the Bahai or Lotus Temple with its 27 marble “petals”, as well as the India’s oldest Islamic monument, the Qutub Minar.

Transfer to the airport and board the flight to Varanasi or Benares. The city is built on the west bank of the river Ganges and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It is considered the spiritual capital of India and is sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains – Hindus believe that anyone who dies in Varanasi and is cremated on the banks of the Ganges will break the eternal cycle of reincarnation and their soul will be freed. Funeral pyres burn continuously on the stone steps/ghats, leading to the sacred river.Arrival and check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon we will attend the Aarti ceremony, in honor of the great god Shiva. Bells, shells, incense and flowers are part of this mystery-filled ceremony. All the people (pilgrims and tourists) sing or clap their hands to participate in the ritual, until its climax. You, the spectators in this setting, will experience an unrepeatable mystique experience! Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

The boat ride early this morning, at the time the bells are tolling, will introduce you to the special secrets of the holy river Ganges. Hundreds of devotees perform the morning rituals of purification, wash, wash their colorful clothes, face, teeth, do yoga, pray, offer rice to the ash-stained saints, expecting solutions and advice to their problems.An etiquette that will really amaze you. We return to the hotel for breakfast and then depart for the Buddhist city of Sarnath, with a first visit to the temple with its frescoes depicting the life of the Buddha up to his supreme enlightenment and his first discourse 2,500 years ago. Then we visit the ruins of the first monastery in Alsos ton Elafia.There we will learn about the Buddha’s first discourse and his great spiritual revelation, his references to the four truths surrounding suffering, as well as the Noble Eightfold Path, which leads to liberation and the elimination of suffering and pain. Return to the hotel and afternoon free to explore the city’s colorful market. Dinner. Overnight.

Transfer to the airport and board the flight to Delhi. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

Transfer to the airport and boarding the flight to Athens with a stopover. Same day arrival