homepage - outings - national - brochure - 13730a

The Trip

Once visited, India will get into your heart and won’t leave. You will experience various conflicting emotions; surprise and shock, laughter and tears, ecstasy and despair along with happiness amidst suffering, richness, diversity and poverty. India is a land full of richness and lush beauty where you can nourish your senses with concentrated colors, smells, tastes, and sounds.

A landmass of 3.28 million square kilometers and home to 1.2 billion people practicing almost every religion of the world, it captures diversity beyond belief. With a history spanning to the beginning of civilization, culture, traditions, innumerable regional cuisines, languages and festivals provide us with unique and exciting experiences.

Itinerary

Day 1: Upon arrival you will be met by our representative at the international airport and transferred to the hotel.

Day 2: Today we'll enjoy a sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi was the capital of Mughal rulers before the British Raj. Walking past labyrinth streets in this part of the city, you will come across everything you had imagined India would be and more. We will visit Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque built in the 17th century. Through the once imperial avenue of Chandni Chowk we will walk where the Mughal rulers and their entourage once walked. Our last visit in Old Delhi will be the famous Red Fort built in 1648 where the flag of independence was first hoisted. In New Delhi, we will see the area developed during British rule, which has been expanding ever since. We will visit the India Gate, which was built in memory of soldiers killed during World War I, and see the Indian parliament and Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the President of India. A trip to Jantar Mantar and a walk through Connaught circle concludes our city tour. We will overnight in the hotel.

Day 3: After an early breakfast we will drive to Agra, home to some of the world-amous structures that epitomize skilled craftsmanship and timeless beauty -- the Taj Mahal being the crowning glory, of course. During the Mughal period in the 16thand 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of India. The Agra Fort stands like a crescent on the banks of the Jamuna River, providing us with a good example of the smooth blending of Hindu and Muslim architecture. The Fort houses palaces, courts, mosques, baths, gardens, and gracious pavilions within. We overnight in our hotel.

Day 4: After breakfast we will drive to the Royal City of Jaipur, stopping along the way to visit Fatehpur Sikri, a city planned to be the capital of powerful Mughal rulers. A shortage of water compelled Mughal Emperor Akbar to abandon the city and shift the capital to Lahore. The Mosque is said to be a copy of the one in Mecca and has designs derived from the Persian and Hindu architecture. In the evening, after crossing Uttar Pradesh into Rajasthan, we will reach the Royal City of Jaipur, also know as "Pink City." Upon arrival we will check into our hotel.

Day 5: In Jaipur, after breakfast we will visit several sites starting with the Amber Fort built in the 11th century and filled with historical intricacies. The next site, the City Palace has mostly been developed into a museum but still remains part of the Maharaja’s residence. Continuing on to Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, we will see an elaborate building made of pink sandstone with delicate honeycomb design. This palace is where the ladies of the court once looked onto the main street through overhanging windows without being seen. Our next visit takes us to Jantar Mantar, the royal observatory built to study movement of the sun, moon, and planets. In the evening you will have time to wander through the colorful bazaars where you can watch ancient craft forms before returning to our hotel for the night.

Day 6: After breakfast we will drive back to Delhi, arriving in the afternoon and checking into our hotel. We will have time to visit Delhi Haat, a shopper's paradise with beautiful Indian crafts and a food bazaar. This bazaar showcases culture and crafts practiced in various parts of India. If time permits we will visit the Lotus Temple, which is named after its flower-like shape and serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian Subcontinent. We will arrive in time to get a good night's sleep at our hotel before we catch an early-morning train to the holy city of Haridwar.

Day 7: On arrival in Haridwar we will check into our hotel. After lunch we visit some temples and ashrams. In the evening we visit the banks of the River Ganges at Har ki Pauri and witness the Hindu ritual of aarti, a beautiful and moving ceremony performed at sunset.. There will be time to walk around the city before we return to our hotel to overnight.

Day 8: In the morning after breakfast we will start our journey by bus to the majestic Himalayas. We will pass Devprayag, where we'll be able to see the river Ganges (pronounced Ganga) flowing beside us. We will stay in a hotel on the banks of Alaknanda River at Rudraprayag. In the afternoon we will take a walk along the river or, if you are up for more adventure, kayaking and river rafting can be organized from the hotel. You can alternately just immerse yourself in the quietness and beauty.

Day 9: We will have an early start for Govindghat, which is our staging point for the Valley of the Flowers trek. This World Heritage site is between 10, 826 feet and 11,975 feet. Our drive will take us through small hamlets and towns that are occupied by several interesting hermits and sages who have left worldly pleasures in pursuit of spirituality. Upon arrival in Govindghat we will start an over eight-mile trek along a well-maintained pilgrimage trail with a moderate/steep ascent. You will be free to explore the surroundings and enjoy the fresh air after we arrive in Ghangaria and check into our camp for the night.

Day 10: After an early breakfast we will trek approximately six miles to and six miles from the Valley of Flowers. This valley is simply exquisite, with enchanting waterfalls and an impressive array of wilflowers that will mesmerize you. In this 54-square-mile valley, there are 520 species of flowering plants.This ecologically sensitive area does not allow for overnighting, so we will trek back to our camp in Ghangaria for dinner and another overnight stay.

Day 11: We will trek back to Govindghat after breakfast where our transport will be waiting to take us to the small village of Nauti. This village is where the holy Raj Jat Yatra (Royal journey) begins. In the evening after checking into our campsite, we will take part in the evening ceremony and experience the local rituals and customs. Afterward, we'll eat dinner and stay at the campsite.

Day 12: After breakfast we will take part in the morning procession and see the ceremonies. In the afternoon we drive along the Pindar River Valley. Along the way we will visit Adi Badri, a beautiful 10th-century cluster of 16 temples. The main temple is distinguished by a raised platform in a pyramid form holding a black stone idol of Lord Vishnu. Next we visit Chandpurgarhi Fort from the 12th century, which was the seat of Kamak Pal, the actual founder of present Garhwal. In the evening we will stay at a hotel in Karanprayag.

Day 13: After breakfast we will drive to the holy city of Rishikesh, which is considered the Yoga capital of the world by many. The Beatles made this city well known after a visit in the 1960s. There are numerous yoga ashrams and ayurvedic massage centers sprinkled around the city. Dinner and stay in the hotel at Rishikesh.

Day 14: In the morning after breakfast we will drive to Jollygrant airport, located in Dehradun, where we catch our flight back to Delhi. We will be transported to our hotel, where we will have our dreaded farewell dinner and stay the night in our hotel.

Day 15: After breakfast transfers will be arranged to the international airport for those returning home.

Getting There

We will be flying into and out of New Delhi airport. You will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. Contact the leader if you would like to arrange for extra days -- either before or after the trip -- at the same hotel.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying at hotels and a few campsites designed to comfortably accommodate western tourists. The food provided is plentiful and usually with enough variety to accommodate both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is suitable for adults (including young adults) of any age who are comfortable trekking at least 10 miles with moderate to steep ascents. You must also be comfortable in altitudes that range from 11,000 feet to 12,000 feet. There will be long days walking and exploring temples, cities, forts and historical sites on uneven ground.

Equipment and Clothing

You will need to obtain a visa for entry into India in advance through one of the Indian Consulates in the U.S. prior to flying. Once you have registered for this trip and have received leader approval, the leader will assist you in getting the necessary visa. The trip leader will also provide all trip members with a detailed list of suggested equipment.

References

• Kolanad, Gitanjali, CultureShock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette.
• Viharini, J.D., Enjoying India: The Essential Handbook.
• Mistry, Rohinton and Sudha Bhuchar, A Fine Balance.

Conservation

During the course of our outing, we will have opportunities to witness how over-population and poverty affect not only the human species but the entire natural world. Perhaps nowhere else on the planet can one readily observe the outcome of human influence on a large-scale ecosystem dynamics. In India, as in most of the world, conservation can only work if culture, socioeconomic realities, and the human psyche are taken into account. There are plenty of interesting topics to discuss while visiting one of the most fascinating and complex countries in the world.

Trip Price

This trip requires a $200 per-person deposit. An additional payment of $300 per person is due six months prior to trip departure. International trip prices are subject to change and are based on double-occupancy or group accommodations as described above. Single rooms may not be available or may cost more than the listed price. If you have any questions regarding double occupancy, please contact the trip leader.

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

The Sierra Club accurately and fairly budgets and prices our trips. However, unforeseen costs such as devaluation of the dollar compared to other currencies and fuel surcharges assessed by our international providers may necessitate adjustment in trip price. We will make every effort to mitigate and absorb these fees. If a price increase is necessary, however, you will have 14 days after announcement to cancel without penalty.

Staff

Ellen Stein continues on her quest for new and exciting travel experiences. As a San Francisco Firefighter/EMT she enjoys the challenges of running into unique and unpredictable situations, but prefers leading groups into exotic locations. She finds travel similarly inspiring on the Darwinistic shores of the Galapagos, the tiger-laden hills of India, and the heights of the Nepal Himalaya. Her hobbies include almost every sport -- excluding those which require minimal activity. After her last trip to India, she has gained a new passion for birds.

E-mail: sfskyway@hotmail.com

---

General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback