Welcome to Delhi, India's bustling capital city. After customs, our representative will meet you with a traditional Indian welcome and escort you to your hotel.

Delhi, one of the oldest and most progressive cities in the world, combines a unique ambience fusing the ancient with the modern. Tremendous ancient monuments stand side-by-side with futuristic buildings, rambling homes are dwarfed by towering luxury hotels, and technology intermingles with handicrafts — Delhi is India's show window. A truly cosmopolitan city, it has brought within its fold people of all ethnic groups and their traditions and cultures, reflected in the variety of arts, crafts, cuisines, festivals and lifestyles.

5:30 pm — Getting to know everyone, followed by dinner. Overnight in our hotel in Delhi.

Meals: Dinner

After breakfast we proceed to participate in and perform a ritual Agnihotra — a healing fire from the ancient science of Ayurveda, a process of purifying the atmosphere through a specially prepared fire, whose beneficial effects reduce stress, improve overall health and give one increased energy.

Akshardham Temple

After the ritual we proceed to visit the beautiful Akshardham Temple. This temple complex displays millennia of Indian tradition and modern Hindu culture, spirituality and architecture, spread over a hundred acres and entirely constructed from pink stone from Rajasthan and marble from Italy. It is intricately carved with flora and fauna, dancers, musicians and deities — numbering 20,000 — with 234 intricately carved columns and 9 domes, all adding to its charm.

Shri Bangla Sahib (Sikh Temple)

After lunch we will visit the famous Sikh temple known as Shri Bangla Sahib, associated with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan. The complex includes a large holy pond and a kitchen, or langar hall, where almost 10,000 people — regardless of race or religion — come to eat each day.

We end our day with a visit to Kashmir House to see how the process of hand-knotted carpet making is done. Overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, after an early breakfast, we drive to Agra. On arrival we will proceed to see the Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art" in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. This wonderful mausoleum was erected by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, the empress Arjumand Bano, later called Mumtaz Mahal.

Described as a lustrous pearl, the Taj Mahal's beauty stems from several factors: the charming site of the river bend on which it stands, the reflection of the building in the water mirroring its magnificence, and the white marble façade of the mausoleum in contrast with the natural background of the skyline when viewed from the garden in front, its color, moods and texture changing throughout the day. Within the Taj Mahal, we will experience a powerful vortex which connects us to the Divine Mother.

In the afternoon we will visit a marble factory where one can view craftsmen working with marble using the same technique that was used 400 years ago. Overnight at hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We drive to Jaipur. En route we stop for lunch, and later drive to a village known as Abhaneri to see Chand Baori, the world-famous stepwell. This is the deepest and largest stepwell in India, with 3,500 narrow steps across more than 13 stories, extending approximately 100 feet into the ground.

Here we will also see and experience the Harshad Mata Temple, or the Temple of Joy and Happiness, a wonderful Hindu temple. Overnight in our hotel in Jaipur.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Jaipur is an amazing city with all its beauty and mysticism. After breakfast, we will visit the Amber Fort — you are transported back in time today, riding royally atop elegantly draped and painted elephants, to the mountain fortress of Amber. Discover the amazing Amber Fort and immerse yourself in the lost world of the Rajput Maharajas who built this vast and imposing palace. Wander through the courtyards, admiring great halls and temples as well as awe-inspiring architectural features, intricate carvings and delicate frescoes — an evocative journey to the past that will live long in the memory.

Later we will drive to visit the Galtaji Temple, about 10 kilometers from Jaipur City. This site consists of a series of temples built into a narrow crevice in the ring of hills that surrounds Jaipur. A natural spring emerges high on the hill and flows downward, filling a series of sacred kunds (water tanks) in which pilgrims bathe. Visitors and pilgrims can ascend the crevasse, continuing past the highest water pool to a hilltop temple, with views of Jaipur and its fortifications spread out across the valley floor. It is believed a Saint Galav lived here.

Jaipur, the first planned city in India, is also known as the Pink City. In addition to its role as the provincial capital, the economy of Jaipur is fueled by tourism, gemstone cutting and luxury textiles, and it is considered a major hub for arts and crafts. Many shops sell antiques, jewelry, gems, carpets and leather products. This afternoon we will visit a gem-cutting and textiles gallery, and later the Birla Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Some free time before dinner. Overnight at our hotel in Jaipur.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we fly from Jaipur to Chennai. Formerly known as Madras, it is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu and India's fifth-largest city, located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Chennai boasts a long history from the East India Company through British rule.

St. Thomas Cathedral

This afternoon we visit St. Thomas Cathedral. According to written records, Christianity was introduced to the Indian subcontinent by Thomas the Apostle in 52 AD. We will visit this ancient church, a holy place of international prominence and historical and religious significance. This five-century-old shrine has been renovated and restored in recent times.

Kapaleeswarar Temple

Late afternoon we will visit the Kapaleeswarar Temple. The prime idol is of Lord Shiva in the form of a Lingam. Built in the 7th century by the Pallavas, this Temple is said to be one of the oldest in Tamil Nadu, with inscriptions dating back to the 13th century AD and a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. The magnificent 140-foot-tall gopuram depicts intricate carvings of tales from Hindu mythology. We will have an opportunity to mingle with devotees and observe the various rituals of Hinduism. Overnight in Chennai.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we travel to experience and embrace the holy city of Kanchipuram.

Kanchipuram is known for its temple architecture, thousand-pillared halls, huge temple towers and silk sarees. It has been ruled by the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Pandyas, and later the British. The city was known as a center of education, called Ghatikasthana, or the 'Place of Learning,' and was also a religious center of advanced education for Jainism and Buddhism between the 1st and 5th centuries.

The city houses the Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kamakshi Temple and Ekambareswarar Temple, some of the foremost temples associated with the 108 Holy Temples of Lord Vishnu. Overnight in Kanchipuram.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we drive to Tiruvannamalai, a temple city synonymous with the fifth Hindu element of Fire, and ranked among the five holiest towns of Tamil Nadu. The name means "Red Mountain," referring to Mt. Arunachala and its "unearthly" crimson color in the dawn light, which is stunning to behold. Mythology identifies the mountain as the place where Shiva asserted his power over Brahma and Vishnu by manifesting himself as a Lingam of Fire, or Agnihotra. The event is commemorated annually at the November/December full-moon Karthigai Festival, known as the Pradakshina, the most auspicious of the monthly full-moon circumambulations of the mountain. The town is filled with shrines, sacred tanks, ashrams and paved pilgrim paths scattered around the mountain, with the vast Arunachaleshwara Temple, the "Temple of Eternal Sunrise," as its main focus. Over 1,000 years in the building, this enormous complex consists of three concentric courtyards. Here Sri Ramana sat in a state of Supreme Awareness while ants devoured his flesh.

On arrival we check in to our hotel for three nights and rest and relax as we prepare for the 14-kilometer walk. Today, being the full moon, pilgrims worship Annamalaiyar by circumambulating the Arunachala mountain, a distance of 14 kilometers. According to Hindu legend, the walk removes all sins, fulfills desires and helps achieve freedom from birth and rebirth. At 11pm we proceed to circumambulate the holy Arunachala Hill; the walk takes about 3 to 4 hours (optional).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, after a late breakfast, we go on a special pilgrimage to climb the hill and visit the cave where Maharishi Ramana lived for almost 17 years. One can feel beautiful special energy in this cave and the surrounding area where he prayed and stayed, with a breathtaking view of the temple city. Later we walk down the hill and have lunch, with free time to relax, journal or shop.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early morning we visit the Annamalaiyar Temple. This complex spans an area of 25 acres and houses four gateway towers known as gopurams. The tallest is the eastern tower, with 11 stories and a height of 217 feet, making it one of the tallest temple towers in India. The temple complex has many halls, the most notable being the thousand-pillared hall.

Next, we will visit the Ramana Maharishi Ashram and spend some time in quiet meditation. Later we return to our hotel with free time to explore on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we drive to Kumbakonam. En route we stop at Chidambaram, a temple town situated on the banks of the Vellar River where it meets the Bay of Bengal. The town is believed to be of significant antiquity and has been ruled at different times by the Pallavas, Cholas, Thanjavur Nayaks, Marathas and the British. It is famous for the Thillai Nataraja Temple and Kali Temple.

After visiting the temples we drive on to Kumbakonam. On arrival we check in to our hotel. Overnight in Kumbakonam.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we explore this beautiful city, bounded by two rivers — the Kaveri to the north and the Arasalar to the south. Known as the Temple Town for its abundance of temples, it is noted for its Mahamaham Festival, held once every 12 years, which attracts pilgrims from all over the country.

After breakfast we check out and proceed to see the famous Adi Kumbeswarar and Nageswarar temples. Later in the afternoon we drive to Thanjavur, with some free time along the way. Overnight in Thanjavur.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Thanjavur, or Tanjore, is the 8th-largest city in Tamil Nadu and an important center of South Indian religion, art and architecture. Most of the great Living Chola Temples, UNESCO World Heritage Monuments, are located in and around Thanjavur. Foremost among these is the Brihadeeswara Temple, built by the Chola emperor Rajaraja I, located in the center of the city.

Thanjavur is also home to Tanjore Paintings, a painting style unique to the region. The city is an important agricultural center located in the Kaveri Delta and is known as the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu.

After breakfast we visit the Brihadeeswara Temple and later view the famous Tanjore Paintings. Later in the afternoon we depart for Trichy. Overnight in Trichy.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trichy, also called Tiruchirapalli, has a recorded history beginning in the 3rd century BC, when it was under the rule of the Cholas, and later ruled by different dynasties including the Pallavas, Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, the Nayak Dynasty and the British. It is famous for the Ranganathaswamy Temple, dedicated to the reclining form of the Hindu god Vishnu, and is the largest functioning temple in the world. The city also played a critical role in the Carnatic Wars (1746–1763) between the British and the French. The presence of a large number of energy-equipment manufacturing units in and around the city has earned it the title of "Energy Equipment and Fabrication Capital of India."

After breakfast we check out and travel to enjoy the myriad temples. Later in the afternoon we drive to beautiful Madurai, where we will stay for two nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Madurai is the longest continuously inhabited city in the world and a major city in the state of Tamil Nadu. Located on the banks of the River Vaigai, Madurai has been a major settlement for two millennia and has a documented history of more than 2,500 years. It is one of the many temple towns built around the Meenakshi Amman Temple, a Hindu temple located on the south side of the Vaigai River, dedicated to Meenakshi and her consort, Sundareswarar. The complex houses 14 gopurams, or towers, ranging from 148 to 164 feet in height, the tallest reaching 170 feet, along with two golden sculptured vimanas (shrines) over the sanctum of the main deities.

The Temple is a significant symbol for Tamils and has been mentioned since antiquity in Tamil literature. The present structure was built between 1623 and 1655 CE. Today the Temple attracts 15,000 to 20,000 pilgrims daily, contains an estimated 33,000 sculptures, and was among the top 30 nominees for the New Seven Wonders of the World. The Temple has a hall of a thousand pillars, a remarkable piece of architecture believed to be carved from a single rock, and many ancient paintings inside its museum. The principal deity, Meenakshi, a form of Goddess Parvati, is carved in emerald-hued stone.

After our Temple visit, some free time, or return to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we fly to Delhi. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel, we relax, have lunch, and finish packing and preparing for your flight home. Later we meet for a farewell dinner and wish you all a very safe and smooth flight back home.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner