Today we head back toward the Himalayas, But to a very different side. This time we go to Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga, and one of India’s most beloved river towns, where the Ganges river runs clean through the Himalayas.

We will drive from Delhi to Rishikesh and arrive in the afternoon. After checking in, we will head to Chaurasi Kutiya, better known as the Beatles Ashram. The Beatles stayed here in 1968 to study meditation, and the abandoned buildings are now filled with colorful murals, jungle growth, meditation chambers, and echoes of the music created during their time in India.

In the evening, we will attend the Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat. After experiencing the immense power of the ceremony in Varanasi, Rishikesh gives us a different setting: the sacred river flowing out of the Himalayas, surrounded by temples, chanting, lamps, and mountain energy.

After the aarti, we will have dinner at one of the local restaurants and settle into the softer rhythm of Rishikesh.

OVERNIGHT: Antalya Hotel and Spa or similar

MEALS: Breakfast