Spiritual North India

Check in to your room at the Ananda in the Himalayas by Rishikesh. Strung along the sacred upper reaches of the Ganges, Rishikesh is a place famous for being the home of yoga, a magnet for Indian sadhus as well as soul searchers and seekers from around the world. Enjoy your four nights at the Ananda, perhaps India’s finest wellbeing resort, with a plethora of guided wellness experiences such as daily yoga and meditation classes, nature walks in the surrounding forested hills, spa treatments, wonderful food and fitness activities. During your time here you might also take some time to learn about Ayurveda treatments and practices and their importance in India and beyond.

With balance restored, venture west to Amritsar in the Punjab. A centre for the Sikh faith, it is a thriving city and something of a showpiece for the region’s wealth. At it’s heart is the great Golden Temple (also known as Harmandir Sahib) founded by Guru Ravidas in 1547 – the holiest Gurdwara of Sikhism. The temple is reflected in a serene pool of holy water from which the city takes its name. This is a site of pilgrimage for devout Sikhs, who travel here to take a purifying dip.

Spend the first of two nights here soaking up the atmosphere of the evening’s Palki Sahib, a breathtaking ritual where the holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, is carried in a heavy palanquin in a procession and put away for the night. See more of the city and learn about its history the next day, then head to the border with Pakistan to witness the bizarre but grand border closing ceremony.

An ancient settlement on the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi is India’s spiritual capital and important among numerous faiths.

Varanasi’s 84 ghats – stone embankments that step down into the river- are its most iconic sight. Most are crowded with pilgrims performing ritual ablutions in the river waters while a few are used solely for cremation – funeral pyres with their smoke drifting out over the sacred river, are perhaps some of the most spiritually evocative sights in the world.

The rest of city is home to some 23,000 temples, the sandstone Ramnagar Fort and numerous centres of education, philosophy, music and art. Small-scale industries and household production employ most of Varanasi’s residents and its winding alleyways are one of the best places to find fine silks, carpets and crafts: explore the old city’s winding back alleys and bazaars with your guide.

Sublime and sometimes overwhelming for visitors, Varanasi is utterly unforgettable.

India’s capital, Delhi, will be your host for the last two nights. With a population of over 18 million, Delhi is perhaps daunting at first sight, but a little exploration soon reveals a rich, diverse and fascinating culture. Throughout most of its history, it has served as the capital of various kingdoms and empires, captured and rebuilt time and time again. Every dynasty left its mark and as you start to explore, you’ll discover reminders and relics from this colossal game of pass the parcel.

As well as centuries worth of history to explore, Delhi is also one of the best places in India to shop, try many different styles of food and experience the buzz of a city where its millions of inhabitants are going about their daily business. And if weaving your way in and out of the rickshaws and cyclists ever starts to get too much, turn the corner and you’ll find a tranquil garden or a quiet enclave in which to stop, gather your thoughts and recharge.