UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON STUDENT TRIP TO INDIA
Delhi | Varanasi | Khajuraho | Orchha | Agra | Amritsar | Hyderabad | Prashanti Kuttiram
December 26, 2015 – January 14, 2016
TOUR INCLUSIONS
ITINERARY
• Accommodations for fourteen (14)
nights at 7 hotels in India (basic 3/4
star rating)
Saturday, December 26 | DEPART HOUSTON | Air France Flight #639
Arrive | Check in 1:30 p.m. to Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Depart Houston 4:30 p.m.
• Accomodations for three (3) nights at
Prashanti Kuttiram
Sunday, December 27 | ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi 11:15 p.m. | Meeting & assistance on arrival at the airport and transfer to hotel
Overnight in Delhi
• Seventeen (17) breakfasts at the hotel
• Seventeen (17) lunches
• Seventeen (17) dinners
• Meeting and assistance on arrival &
departure
• Deluxe mini coach transfers, including
group airport transfers
• Local English speaking guide
throughout the trip, per the itinerary
• Group excursions and all entrance fees
involved, per the itinerary
• Airfare in economy class for five (5)
domestic flights
• Roundtrip airfare in economy class for
international flight
• Trip & gratuities except for Prashanti
Kuttiram
Monday, December 28 | DELHI
Breakfast at hotel
Morning | Sightseeing tour of Old Delhi
Begin your day with a visit to Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, and Jama Masjid, one
of Asia’s largest mosques. Then enjoy a rickshaw ride through the narrow streets and colourful
alleys of Old Delhi’s market.
Afternoon | Sightseeing tour of New Delhi
Visit Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar and government buildings, and drive through the majestic
Rajpath to the India Gate.
Overnight in Delhi
Tuesday, December 29 | DELHI – VARANASI | Flight #9w-2423 10:30 – 11:55 a.m.
Breakfast at hotel
Depart to airport to board flight to Varanasi
Assistance on arrival at airport and transfer to hotel
Evening | Visit Ghats
In the evening you will visit the “Ghats” to witness devotees performing the “Ganga Arti” or the
special prayer to the Ganga, which culminates in placing tiny lamps or ‘diyas’ on fragile leaves
and floating them in the shimmering waters of the Ganga.
Overnight in Varanasi
For more information,
please contact Lori Nowak at
574-344-2131 or
[email protected]
Wednesday, December 30 | VARANASI
Early morning | River Ganges Boat Excursion
As you float past the bathing ghats and steps leading down to the river you can see pilgrims
taking a ritual dip, chanting prayers and offering flowers in worship to the holy river.
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON STUDENT TRIP TO INDIA
Delhi | Varanasi | Khajuraho | Orchha | Agra | Amritsar | Hyderabad | Prashanti Kuttiram
December 26, 2015 – January 14, 2016
Breakfast at hotel
Sightseeing tour of Banaras City
After breakfast tour Banaras City where you will explore many beautiful, ancient temples. You will then visit
Sarnath, the famous Buddhist pilgrimage where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon.
Overnight in Varanasi
Thursday, December 31 | VARANASI – ALLAHABAD – VARANASI | approximately 3 hours drive each way
Breakfast at hotel
Allahabad day trip
The city of Allahabad is located 85 miles west of Varanasi on the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers.
It is an ancient, sacred site for Hindus and attracts thousands of pilgrims every January – February for the
Magh-Mela festival. Every twelve years millions of pilgrims converge here to bathe in the holy waters during the
Kumbh Mela.
Then experience a sightseeing tour that includes a typical Mughal garden, Khusrau Bagh (the 16th century fort
featuring the Ashoka pillar), Hanuman temple, All Saints Cathedral, Allahabad Museum and Anand Bhawan,
the former Nehru family home. You may also take a boat ride from the ghats to the Sangam, the confluence
Ganges and Yamuna rivers.
Overnight in Varanasi
Friday, January 1 | VARANASI – KHAJURAHO | Flight #9w-2423 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Breakfast at hotel
Depart to airport to board flight to Khajuraho
Afternoon | Sightseeing tour of Khajuraho Temples: Eastern group
Hindu and Jain Temples make up this eastern group of temples, close to Khajuraho Village. The largest Jain
temple, Parsvanath, is the finest of the group with exquisite sculptures surrounding the outer wall. The carvings
are timeless and include among many, a woman bending thoughtfully over a letter and a damsel removing a
thorn from her foot. The sanctum has a throne facing a bull, the emblem of the first Tirthankara, Adinath. The
actual image of Parsvanath, from whom the temple derives its name, was installed in 1860.
Overnight in Khajuraho
Saturday, January 2 | KHAJURAHO – ORCHHA | approx. 3 – 4 hour drive
Breakfast at hotel
Morning | Sightseeing tour of Khajuraho temples: Southern and Western group
The Southern and Western group of temples boast the largest and best known Khajuraho temples. The
Kandariya Mahadeo is perfectly symmetrical and soars 102 feet high. Its main shrine, almost perfectly
preserved, has an exquisitely carved entrance arch with a multitude of themes showing celestial beings, lovers
and serenading musicians that capture movement in the stone and radiate the warmth of pulsating life.
Drive to Orchha
Orchha is a medieval city founded in 1531 by the Bundela rulers along the Betwa River. The hand of time has
rested lightly on this medieval city with palaces and temples of the 16th and the 17th century remarkably well
preserved. Orchha boasts perfect examples of medieval fort palaces. Within the turreted walls are gardens,
gateways, pavilions, temples and ornamental battlements with a view that is enchanting.
Overnight in Orchha
Sunday, January 3 | ORCHHA
Breakfast at hotel
Sightseeing tour of Orchha
Visit the Jahangir Mahal built in a synthesis of Hindu and Muslim styles, the Raj Mahal with its superb murals, and
Ram Raja temple, the only palace-turned-temple in the country. Explore Chaturbhuj temple which is laid out in
the shape of a cross representing the four-armed god Krishna, and Lakshminarayan temple with its remarkably
preserved murals.
Overnight in Orchha
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON STUDENT TRIP TO INDIA
Delhi | Varanasi | Khajuraho | Orchha | Agra | Amritsar | Hyderabad | Prashanti Kuttiram
December 26, 2015 – January 14, 2016
Monday, January 4 | ORCHHA – AGRA | approx. 7 hour drive
Breakfast at hotel
Drive to the ancient Mughal Capital of Agra
Overnight in Agra
Tuesday, January 5 | AGRA
Breakfast at hotel
Morning | Sightseeing tour of Taj Mahal
Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most photographed monument in the world. However, no matter
how many pictures you have seen or how high your expectations are, it never disappoints—the unparalleled
beauty of the site surpasses all human imagination. This spectacular monument built for love posesses
perfect symmetry in every aspect of its construction, and the semi-precious stones inlaid in marble are crafted
in an exquisite pietra dura style.
Afternoon | Sightseeing tour of Agra Fort
The Agra Fort (Red Fort) began its life in the 10th century as a simple mud and brick fortress along the banks
of the Yamuna River. It was rebuilt during the Mughal Dynasty (1564 – 1570’s) by Akbar which accounts for its
irregular outer walls. Originally intended as a fortress, the site was partially converted into a palace during the
reign of Shah Jahan, who lived and died in the fortress—a prisoner of his own son. The outer walls are adorned
by the Amar Singh Gate and the Delhi Gate.
Overnight in Agra
Wednesday, January 6 | AGRA – DELHI | approx. 3 – 4 hour drive
DELHI – AMRITSAR | Flight #9w-740 5:05 – 6:05 p.m.
Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Delhi and board flight to Amritsar
Amritsar was founded in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, the 4th Guru of the Sikhs, and is considered the center of the
Sikh religion. Its main attraction is the Golden Temple, the holiest of Sikh sites, which houses the “pool of the
nectar of immortality”. The city is named after the sacred pool within this temple.
Overnight in Amritsar
Thursday, January 7 | AMRITSAR
Breakfast at hotel
Visit the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh
The spiritual center of the Sikh faith, also called Harmandir, the temple is made of white marble and copper gilt
with its dome covered in gold leaf. Within is the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs. The community
kitchen (langar) daily feeds 30,000 people free of charge with the help of volunteers.
Visit the historic Jallianwala Bagh, which commemorates the hundreds of innocent Indians killed or wounded by
British bullets in the most notorious massacre under their rule.
Evening | Wagah Border Closing Ceremony
The Wagah border lowering of the flags, or “Beating Retreat” ceremony is a daily military practice that the
security forces of India and Pakistan have jointly participated in since 1959. The ceremony starts with a
blustering parade by the soldiers from both the sides and finishes with the perfectly coordinated lowering of
the two nations’ flags.
Overnight in Amritsar
Friday, January 8 | AMRITSAR – DELHI | Flight #9w-373 2:20 – 3:30 p.m.
DELHI – HYDERABAD | Flight #9w-649 5:00 – 7:10 p.m.
Breakfast at hotel
Depart to airport to board flight to Hyderabad
The twin cities of Hyderabad-Secunderabad comprise the capital of Andhra Pradesh and combine Islamic and
Hindu influences. Hyderabad, founded in 1589 by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, was planned in a grid pattern
with enormous arches. It is an important center of Islamic culture. While the city of Secunderabad, beyond the
Hussain Sagar lake, was established by the British in the early 1800’s.
Overnight in Hyderabad
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON STUDENT TRIP TO INDIA
Delhi | Varanasi | Khajuraho | Orchha | Agra | Amritsar | Hyderabad | Prashanti Kuttiram
December 26, 2015 – January 14, 2016
Saturday, January 9 | HYDERABAD
Breakfast at hotel
Morning | Visit Golconda Fort
The 16th century fort of Golconda lies 7 miles to the west of Hyderabad. Though the majority of the fort dates
from the time of the Qutb Shahi rulers (16th – 17th century), its origins have been traced to earlier Hindu
periods. It was originally surrounded by three walls with massive gates studded with iron spikes. They also
utilized an ingenious water supply system using clay pipes and Persian wheels. You will also see the Rani Mahal,
Mahakali temple, Darbar Hall and more.
Afternoon | Sightseeing tour of Hyderabad
Explore the Qutub Shahi tombs with domed mausolea in black granite or greenstone, the larger of which
have their own mosques attached, and enjoy the beautiful landscaped gardens that surround them. Visit the
Salarjung Museum, Charminar, the “Arc de Triomphe of the East” and Chowmahala Palace.
Overnight in Hyderabad
Sunday, January 10 | HYDERABAD – BANGALORE | Flight #9w-2742 8:10 – 9:45 p.m. BANGALORE – PRASHANTI KUTTIRAM | approx. 2 hour drive
Breakfast at hotel
Depart to airport to board flight to Bangalore
Bangalore, India’s sixth largest city, is known as the Garden City because of its countless parks and tree-lined
avenues. It was founded in 1537 by a local chieftain called Kempe Gowda, and later expanded by Tipu Sultan,
the Wodeyars of Mysore and the British. It is now known as the “Silicon Valley of India”.
Morning | Sightseeing tour of Bangalore
Visit the Lal Bagh, which has a variety of old trees, fountains, lotus pools, terraces and an assortment of tropical
and sub-tropical herbs. Also, see the Peninsular Gneissic Complex that is home to a 2,500 – 2,600 year old
rock. Explore the brilliantly carved and painted summer palace of Tipu Sultan, as well as the Bull Temple that is
home to a monolithic bull statue.
Afternoon | Drive to Prashanti Kuttiram S-VYASA University Campus
Dinner on campus
Overview of S-VYASA University Prashanti Kutriam Campus
S-VYASA (Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana) is a unique Yoga University translating the
vision and teachings of Swami Vivekananda into action through academic higher education programs. The
mission of VYASA is to combine the best of the East (yoga and spiritual lore) with that of the West (modern
scientific research).
Overnight in Prashanti Kuttiram
Monday, January 11 | PRASHANTI KUTTIRAM
Yoga session
Breakfast on campus
Tour campus
Visit the Saraswati Central Library and Anvesana Research Laboratories.
Lunch on campus
Yoga session | relaxation and meditation
Dinner on campus
Evening eye exercises
Overnight in Prashanti Kuttiram
Tuesday, January 12 | PRASHANTI KUTTIRAM – MYSORE – PRASHANTI KUTTIRAM |
approx. 4 hours each way
Breakfast on campus
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON STUDENT TRIP TO INDIA
Delhi | Varanasi | Khajuraho | Orchha | Agra | Amritsar | Hyderabad | Prashanti Kuttiram
December 26, 2015 – January 14, 2016
Day trip to Mysore
Mysore, once the area of brave warriors of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, is the second largest city
in Karnataka and one of the finest in southern India. Small, easygoing and famous for its silks
and sandalwood, it is a city of fine gardens, tree-lined boulevards, art galleries and an intriguing
palace. Mysore’s ten day Dussehra festival in September – October is still celebrated with
medieval pageantry.
Enjoy a tour of Mysore including the Maharaja’s palace. Built in 1911–12, the palace
harmoniously synthesizes the Hindu and the Saracenic styles of architecture with magnificent
archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures. Visit the art gallery and drive up to
Chamundi hill to see the Chamundeshwari Temple with a panoramic view of the city.
Overnight in Prashanti Kuttiram
Wednesday, January 13 | PRASHANTI KUTTIRAM – BANGALORE
Yoga session
Breakfast on campus
Tour campus with University Senior Faculty
Lunch on campus
Afternoon local shopping in Bangalore
Dinner in Bangalore
Drive to Bangalore Bangaluru International Airport to board flight
Arrive | Check in 11:45 p.m.
Thursday, January 14 | DEPART BANGALORE to USA | Air France Flight #191
Depart Bangalore 2:45 a.m.
Arrive Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport 2:25p.m.
Please note this itinerary is subject to change