Day 1: Depart from London Heathrow on the Jet Airways flight to Delhi
Day 2: Arrival in Delhi, coach trip to central Delhi for check in at the hotel, where you will stay for 6 nights
Day 3: Today will be an orientation and acclimatization day with English speaking guide. You will visit Old and New Delhi with lunch in one of the restaurants in the city.
Day 4,5,6 & 7: Today you will have a vehicle at your disposal for interaction and community and project work with Loreto Convent. Details of the programme to be decided with Loreto Convent.
Day 8: You will be met early in the morning and taken to the railway station for your train to Haridwar, where you will be met and driven the short distance (approx 1 hour) to Rishikesh. On arrival at Rishikesh you will check-in at Ganga Nature camp where you can enjoy an evening Yoga session on the bank of the Ganges. Spend the rest of the evening at the camp fire followed by dinner.
Day 9: In the morning you will be driven to Joshimath (approx 9-10 hours); en-route you will visit Deoprayag, Rudraprayag and Karnprayag. On arrival at Joshimath you will check-in to your hotel.
Day 10: You will be driven to Govindghat (approx 2 hour). On arrival at Govindghat you will meet your trek team to start the trek to Ghangaria. The trek should take about 4 hours to an altitude of 3000 metres. Situated in the midst of a pine grove, Ghangharia serves as a base from which to visit the Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahib. Ghangharia is the last human habitation in the valley. Today you will camp a short way before Ghangharia. Overnight in tents or at a hotel in triple share rooms on a full board basis. Accommodation option dependent on weather conditions.
Day 11: Today’s trek will take 2 hours both ways. You will set out to visit the Valley of Flowers. After crossing a log bridge over the Laxman Ganga (approx 3 kilometres from Ghangharia); the route of the Valley of Flowers separates from that going to Hemkund Sahib. The Laxman Ganga joins the Pushpawati river 400 metres downstream. The trek continues along Pushpawati.
Day 12: Today’s trek should take about 4 hours each way. After breakfast you will trek to Hemkund Sahib. The entire trek is a gradual ascent until you reach the Hemkund Lake. You will have the chance to explore the ancient Laxman temple and visit the Gurudwara. Later you retrace your steps to Ghangaria for final night.
Day 13: Early this morning you will begin your trek down to Govindghat, this will take about 4 hours. On arrival in Govindghat, you will be met by your coach and driven back to Joshimath, which will take another 4 hours. On arrival at Joshimath you will check-in at your hotel.
Day14: After breakfast you will be driven to Rishikesh via Rudraprayag, taking about 9 hours. On arrival at Rishikesh you will check-in at your nature camp on the riverside. In the evening you will be taken for an Aarti ceremony on the River Ganges!
Day 15: You will be met early in the morning and taken to the railway station for your train to Agra. On arrival at Agra station you will be met and taken for a sunset visit to the Taj Mahal or the Agra fort, depending on the time.
Day 16: In case you were not able to visit the Taj Mahal or Agra Fort yesterday, you will have a chance to visit the monuments today. Later you will also visit the Mother Teresa orphanage. A short drive brings you to Fatehpur Sikri, the forgotten empire of Akbar. Later you will have lunch at the Abhaneri step well. You continue on to Jaipur, a 4 hour drive. In the evening you will be taken for dinner at a small restaurant where you will be entertained with an interactive lecture session by Prof Atul Vyas on Indian art and culture.
Day 17: This morning you will be taken to Amber Fort. After visiting the fort, you will be taken a city tour, visiting the City Palace and Jantar Mantar (the astronomical observatory). You will also enjoy an elephant ride in Jaipur after which you will be taken for lunch at the Surabhi restaurant. The Turban Museum will be visited after lunch. Later in the afternoon, around 4pm, you will be driven to nearby Dera Amer.
Day 18: This morning you will be driven to Ajmer, a journey of about 3 hours. In Ajmer you will be staying in the dormitories of one of the most prestigious girls’ schools in India, the Mayo College Girls’ School. You will spend the day interacting with the students at the school, participating in cultural events and activities.
Day 19: Today you will take part in a friendly hockey match with the Mayo College Girls’ School. After the match you will board the coach and travel to a small hamlet in the western part of Rajasthan. In the evening you can enjoy a jeep safari through the Bishnoi villages.
Day 20: After an early rise the group can spend time riding the Marwari horses of Rohetgarh. In the evening, visit the majestic Mehrangarh fort, perched on a high hill, the most formidable and magnificent fort in Rajasthan. Farewell Dinner.
Day 21: This morning you will have time at leisure. After lunch you will be driven back to Jodhpur where you will have time to shop at some of the colourful bazaars, pavement stalls and handloom houses before boarding your overnight train to Delhi at 19:30 hours. Overnight on board the train.
Day 22: Delhi - The train arrives in Delhi at 06:25 hours when you will be met and transferred to the airport for your flight home.