In The Footsteps Of Mahatma Gandhi

The memory of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Indian nation is, as strong today as it ever was. The humble, dhoti clad venerable gentleman is without doubt the Soul of India. This tour follows in Gandhi’s footsteps from his birthplace in Porbandar, spending time in his ashram near Nagpur and on to the place of his assassination in Delhi. This makes a great academic study tour in India, or as a fascinating holiday for anyone interested in Indian history and this remarkable man. Finish off your holiday with an excursion to Agra to see the immortal Taj Mahal.


Highlights

  • Explore the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi
  • Visit the town where the iconic protest against taxation on salt- a major strike on the British Raj
  • Experience a peaceful and simple stay in an Ashram
  • Visit the Historic Capital of India- New Delhi
  • Attend the Palki Ceremony at Golden Temple Amritsar
  • Join the Langar (free meal) for lunch at Golden Temple
  • Witness an iconic monument of love – Taj Mahal Agra
  • Best time is between October and March

The Itinerary

Mumbai – Porbandar – Ahmedabad – Wardha – Delhi – Amritsar – Delhi – Agra – Delhi

Meal Code: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner

Gateway of India, Mumbai

DAY 1: FLY TO MUMBAI
Fly from your home country to Mumbai.

DAY 2: ARRIVE IN MUMBAI
Arrive at Mumbai international airport, collect your baggage and proceed to the airport hotel at the domestic terminal for an overnight stay.
Depending on your international flight to Mumbai you may opt for a half-day city tour at an extra cost.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in hotel Niranta Airport, Mumbai.   JourneysFortheSoulB  
DAY 3: FLY TO PORBANDAR
Walk to the domestic terminal for your morning flight to Porbandar. On arrival in Porbandar, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in hotel Lords Inn, Porbandar.   JourneysFortheSoulB  

Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad

DAY 4: PORBANDAR SIGHTSEEING
Today we head out to explore the atmospheric city of Porbandar and really get a feeling for Mahatma Gandhi’s hometown, including a visit to the traditional haveli home in which he grew up. Next door to this is the Kirti Mandir, a memorial temple built in Gandhi’s honour in 1950, containing an intriguing exhibition on his life.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in hotel Lords Inn, Porbandar.   JourneysFortheSoulB  
DAY 5: TRAIN TO AHMEDABAD
Spend the day exploring and experiencing more of the coastal town of Porbandar. In the evening we transfer to the railway station for the overnight train (“Saurashtra Express”) to Ahmedabad, departing Porbandar at 20:25 and arriving in Ahmedabad the following morning at 06:00 (Airconditioned second sleeper class).

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight Onboard Train.   JourneysFortheSoulB D (packed dinner)  
DAY 6: VISIT TO SABARMATI ASHRAM
On arrival in Ahmedabad, transfer and check into the hotel. After a quick freshen up we head out to visit the Sabarmati Ashram on the banks of the River Sabarmati, where Gandhi was based from 1917 to 1930. Founded in 1917, it is also known as Gandhi Ashram or the Harijan Ashram. It was from here on 12th March 1930 that Gandhi spearheaded the important Salt March, a 24-day march to the coast to make salt at Dandi, in defiant protest against British salt taxation. In the evening head to the nearby Vishalla village restaurant for dinner, traditional music and dancing.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in hotel Diwans Bungalow, Ahmedabad.   JourneysFortheSoulBD  

Calico Museum of Textiles, Ahmedabad

DAY 7: VISIT TO CALICO MUSEUM OF TEXTILES, EVENING BOARD OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO WARDHA
In its heyday Ahmedabad was known as the ‘The Manchester of the East’, and the Indian textile industry was central to Gandhi’s swadeshi (“self-sufficiency”) movement. Today visit the world-class Calico Museum of Textiles, for a deeper understanding of this rich tradition (visit to Calico Museum is subject to availably on prior booking for which details of address, profession, contact etch required).

In the evening we will transfer to the railway station to board overnight train (ADI PURI EXPRESS) depart from Ahmedabad at 18:40 and arriving in Wardha the following morning at 09:35 (Airconditioned second sleeper class).

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight Onboard Train.   JourneysFortheSoulB D (packed dinner)  
DAY 8: ARRIVE WARDHA
On arrival in Wardha transfer to Sevagram Ashram for the next two nights, Sevagram Ashram was Gandhi’s headquarters from 1933 to 1947 where he and his followers lived out their ideals of village economics, and this is our base for the next few peaceful days.

Please note that accommodation at the ashram, in keeping with Gandhi’s own philosophy of life, is extremely simple and on a triple share basis, also no meals included, however there are good restaurants available for breakfasts, lunches and dinners at direct payment.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in Sevagram Ashram.  
DAY 9: SEVAGRAM ASHRAM
Today we have a day sightseeing in Sevagram where we visit the Adi Nivas (the first hut) and Prayer Ground, Ba Kuti (Kasturba's Hut), Gandhiji's Secretariat, Akhiri Nivas (The last abode) and Bapu's Kitchen.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in Sevagram Ashram.  

Vinoba Bhave Ashram, Wardha

DAY 10: VINOBA BHAVE ASHRAM VISIT. SLEEPER TRAIN TO DELHI
Today we will visit the nearby ashram of Vinoba Bhave, an advocate of non-violence who is often considered the spiritual successor to Mahatma Gandhi. In the evening transfer to Wardha railway station to board the overnight train Duronto Express, which will leave from Wardha at 21:05 and arrive in Delhi the following morning at 10:40 (Airconditioned first sleeper class).

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight Onboard Train.   JourneysFortheSoulB D (packed dinner)  
DAY 11: ARRIVE DELHI, VISIT TO QUTUB MINAR & LOTUS TEMPLE
Arrive at Delhi in the morning and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon visit to the spectacular Qutub Minar and Baha’i Lotus Temple.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in hotel Suryaa, Delhi.   JourneysFortheSoulB  
DAY 12: OLD DELHI SIGHTSEEING. EVENING TRAIN TO AMRITSAR
Today visit India’s largest mosque, the Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk bazaar, before taking a late afternoon train to Amritsar Shatabdi train to Amritsar, depart Delhi at 1650 & arrive Amritsar at 2235 hrs. (airconditioned executive class). On arrival in Amritsar transfer to your hotel.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in hotel Hyatt Regency Amritsar.   JourneysFortheSoulB  

Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar

DAY 13: GOLDEN TEMPLE AND JALLIANWALA BAGH
Morning visit the beautiful Golden Temple to join in the daily devotions of the faithful and later visit the Jallianwala Bagh, site of General Dyer's massacre of civilians in 1919 following Gandhi's early non-cooperation speeches.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in hotel Hyatt Regency Amritsar.   JourneysFortheSoulB  
DAY 14: AMRITSAR
Morning at leisure and afternoon visit to Wagah border to see the lowering of the flag ceremony at the border of India and Pakistan.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in hotel Hyatt Regency Amritsar.   JourneysFortheSoulB  
DAY 15: TRAIN TO DELHI
Early morning transfer to the railway station to board the Shatabdi Express train, depart from Amritsar at 05:10, and arrive in Delhi at 11:15 (airconditioned executive class). Meeting assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel.

Afternoon visit to the Nehru Memorial Museum, originally the Prime Ministerial residence, now housing a record of Nehru’s role in the Independence movement.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in hotel Suryaa, Delhi.   JourneysFortheSoulB  

Red Fort, Agra

DAY 16: FULL DAY EXCURSION TO AGRA
Early morning transfer to railway station to board Gatimaan express train to Agra, which will leave from Delhi at 08:10 and arrives in Agra at 09:50 (An executive class). Meeting assistance on arrival and proceed for half-day guided sightseeing of Agra visiting an iconic monument of love – Taj Mahal and Agra fort.

In the evening board Gatimaan Express train to Delhi, leave from Agra at 17:50 and Arrives Delhi at 19:30. Met on arrival and transfer to your hotel.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in hotel Suryaa, Delhi.   JourneysFortheSoulB  
DAY 17: INTERNATIONAL DEPARURE
Morning transfer to Delhi airport to board flight from Delhi to your Home Country.

TOUR COST
Per Person sharing a twin or double room
£2965
Single Room Supplement
£675
  • It is essential to have adequate insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.
*This cost is valid from October 2022 to March 2023. December peak period supplements may apply.
Cost Includes
  • Internal flights Mumbai to Port Blair in economy class as per itinerary with 15 Kgs Checked in Baggage.
  • All train journeys are in air-conditioned class (from Port Blair to Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad to Wardha in second Class, from Wardha to Delhi first Class and from Delhi – Amritsar – Delhi and Delhi – Agra – Delhi in Executive class).
  • 11 nights' accommodation in hotels as per itinerary, sharing twin or double room with en-suite facilities (Check-in is 1400 hrs and checkout 12 noon. Early check-in late checkouts are subject to availability)
  • Daily breakfast at all hotels. Dinner at Vishala, Ahmedabad on day 5. 03 packed dinner while train journeys. (No meals provided in Sevagram Ashram) however, there are good restaurant options nearby to Ashram for breakfast, lunch & dinner)
  • All arrival, departure transfers, long drives and sightseeing by a chauffeur-driven private air-conditioned Innova Car.
  • Services of a local English-speaking representative for all arrival and departure transfers to assist you at the airports and railway stations.
  • Services of English-speaking guides during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary except Porbandar and Wardha, no local guides available in these places.
  • Entrance fees to all monuments during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary
  • Complementary Mineral water while travelling & sightseeing
Cost Does Not Include
  • International airfare.
  • Any meals are other than specified in the itinerary.
  • India Visa Fee: E-Tourist visa facility is now available for India for citizens of most countries. We will send you a step-by-step guide for an E-Tourist visa on the booking confirmation.
  • Any expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, beverages, etc.
  • Camera fees at monuments and other places of interest.
  • Travel Insurance: It is essential to have adequate insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.
  • Tips and gratuities.

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