Sikh Pilgrimage - Indian Himalayas &Punjab

The Sikh religion emerged during the early 16th century in the state of Punjab in North
India. The founder of this faith was Guru Nanak, who from his childhood was attracted to
both Hindu and Muslim saints. Born a Hindu, but also inspired by the teachings of Islam,
he began to preach the message of unity of both religions. According to him, the basic
teachings of both faiths were essentially the same. Nanak attracted many followers and
came to be known as a Guru or a teacher. His disciples came together to form a new
religious tradition called Sikhism. The Gurus who followed Nanak contributed to the
consolidation and spread of Sikhism. The teachings of Guru Nanak were incorporated in
the 'Guru Granth Sahib', the Holy Book of the Sikhs which became a symbol of God for
Sikhs. The fifth Guru, Guru Arjun built the Golden Temple at Amritsar which became the
holiest of Sikh shrines. The tenth Guru, Govind Singh imparted military training to the
Sikhs to help them defend themselves. Sikhism propounds monotheism, i.e. worship of
one God. It also opposes the caste system and believes that all men are equal. However
the ideas of karma and rebirth from Hinduism are accepted. Today, many Sikh practices
are common to Hindus. Intermarriages between the two communities are also common.
However the Sikh community has its own unmistakable identity. Though the Sikhs
constitute less than 2 percent of the Indian population, they have become a distinct
element in the configuration of the Indian religious tradition and the Indian society.
Odyssey Manager™: This tour is managed from Delhi airport to Delhi airport by in house
trained Indian Odyssey Manager™. They are trained to manage tours for foreign guest
and provide customized information based on Guest’s preferences including general
information and legends. Odyssey Manager spend 8-12 hours with our Guest after
receiving them on their arrival till their depart to make sure all the services are provided as
per the itinerary and manage any contingencies arising along the way, saving valuable
time of our Guest. Guest can request Odyssey Manager for any possible changes in
itinerary or visits along the way.
Bottled Water and Drinks: Every day 1000 ml of bottled water is provided by your
Odyssey Manager throughout your stay. We request all our guests to use bottled water
especially when brushing teeth to make sure they stay healthy during their stay in India.
Beside bottled water all other drinks provided includes all the drinks provided during
breakfast at your hotel. Extra soft or hard drinks, bottled water ordered in Restaurants or
at your hotel are not included in the cost and need to be paid by the guest.
Tipping/Rewarding: We believe tipping is rewarding the service staff and it is part of the
culture in India. Everyone in service industry expects to be rewarded. We encourage
rewards for good services by guest. We believe fixed tips become the part of wages and
even those who do not perform receives the same reward. Guest needs to be ready to
pay petty rewards to hotel staff and city guides and finally be ready to reward your long
term service provider like driver and Odyssey Manager and their assistant in case of big
group. All rewards need to hand over directly either by the foreign tour leader or by one of
the guest on behalf of the group based on performance and courteous services. You can
always check with your Odyssey Manager about the tipping or discuss with your agent
before flying to India.
 ITINERARY
20 Aug, Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi airport. On arrival transfer to Hotel.Free afternoon for shopping and own
activities.Transport and Odyssey Manager at your service to shop and prepare for long
journey and shopping for the long journey starting next morning.
21 Aug, Day 02: Delhi -Haridwar - Rishikesh
Early morning transfer to the railway station to your scheduled Shatabdi Train to Haridwar.
On arrival transfer to the car and start exploring the Holy City of India. You can witness the
grand event Aarti by the River ganges. Over night at Hotel
22 Aug, Day 03: Haridwar - Karanaprayag – Joshimath (1875M)
The day to enjoy your journey in the Garhwal Himalayas. The day is going to be long on
the road, so best is to keep peeping out of your window to enjoy the serenity along the
mighty river Ganges. We shall pass by Karanparayag, the confluence of Bhagirathi and
Alakananda, the tributaries of river Ganges. Further continue driving to reach Joshimath, a
stop over for winter games enthusiasts in winter season. Over night at Hotel in Joshimath.
23 Aug, Day 04: Joshimath – Govindghat – Ghangaria (3049M)
After breakfast in the morning, proceed further with driving around 23 km to reach
Govindghat. Start walking from Govindghat to Ghangaria with packed lunch. The distance
of 14 km will be done in 5-6 hours all uphill. Ghangaria is also known as GovindDham and
it is the base camp for the pilgrimage of Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers Trek. Over
night in guest house at Ghangaria.
24 Aug, Day 05: Ghangaria – Hemkund – Ghangaria
The toughest day of our trip is ahead and we shall start walking early in the morning to
reach Hem Kund Sahib. The distance of 7 km uphill will be done in half day and the same
distance to come down to Ghangaria. Hem Kund Sahib, one of the most revered Sikh
Shrines, is also known as Highest Gurudwara of the world situated at an altitude of 4330
meters above sea level. Set amidst towering snow-capped mountains and lying beside a
lake of pristine blue water, the Sikh shrine of Sri Hemkunt Sahib looks, even to the not-
particularly-pious, a place of almost unbelievable beauty and peace. Seven peaks - known
as the SaptSring- surround the shrine, looming over lush green pastures.Overnight stay at
Ghangaria.
25 Aug, Day 06: Ghangaria – Govindghat – Rudraprayag
Drive back the same way through Govindghat and further down to your next destination at
Rudraprayag. Rudraparayag is the confluence of Alakananda and Mandakini, the
tributaries of River Ganges. Overnight stay at Rudraprayag.
26 Aug, Day 07: Rudraprayag – Rishikesh - Haridwar – Paonta Sahib
Start driving in the morning along the River Ganges towards the direction of Rishikesh and
its all up to you that if you interested to visit Haridwar, else there is no need to go Haridwar
instead it can be by passed by continuing straight to Paonta Sahib from Rishilesh. On
arrival transfer to your Hotel for overnight stay.
27 Aug, Day 08: Paonta Sahib - Chandigarh
Morning visit Paonta Sahib Gurudwara. Paonta Sahib, a city sacred to the memory of Guru
Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, is also a bustling township with growing
industries. It retains tangibly memorials to the martial Guru in the form of his weapons and
a majestic Gurudwara and recalls his presence even in the name of the city which is
derived from "paon" meaning "foot" either because he set foot in this place or according to
an alternative story, because he lost an ornament which he wore on his foot called a
"paonta" while bathing in the river Yamuna which flows here.On completion drive to
Chandigarh.
28 Aug, Day 09: Chandigarh – Kiratpur – Anandpur Sahib
After breakfast drive take your time to visit the city of Chandigarh, one of the cleanest city
of India and also the only planned city of India by a French architect called Le Cabusier.
Presently Chandigarh is an Union territory and capital of Punjab and Haryana States.
There are plenty of places of interest in and around the city, opt according to your interest
and later proceed to Kiratpur on time. There are so many places to visit in and around
Kiratpur, which are greatly sacred and important to the Sikh religion e.g. Kesar sahib,
Gurudwara Sis Gaj, Shahidibagh, Anandgarh Sahib and Gurudwara, Lohagarh sahib Fort
Etc.
29 Aug, Day 10: Anandpur Sahib - Amritsar
"Wahe Guru", an expression praising the master of the universe is on the lips of every
devotee that comes to Anandpur Sahib. You will immediately feel the sense of serenity
that pervades this 'city of divine bliss', one of the four seats of authority of the Sikh religion,
where magnificent pure-white gurudwaras beckon pilgrims from afar. The gurudwara and
forts here have witnessed some of the most significant events in Sikh religious history. The
KhalsaPanth was founded here, a council of five wise men that governs Sikh religious
affairs was first established here, as was the practice of worshipping the Guru Granth
Sahib. Anandpur Sahib is the ideal place to gain an insight into the essence of Sikhism
that governs the life of tough, hardy Sardars from Bhatinda to Birmingham. During the
festivals of HollaMohalla (March) and Baisakhi (April) you can join the sea of devotees
who flock to Anandpur Sahib, converting it into a carnival zone brimming with religious
fervour, culture, tradition and gaiety.
30 Aug, Day 11: Amritsar
A day to explore the city of Amritsar. Amritsar is at the epicentre of the Sikh faith, for it is
home to the Golden Temple, the holiest of Sikh shrines. For Sikhs it is both a place where
Punjab's wealth is on full display, as well as an important pilgrimage. But it is not only
Sikhs who come here. People from all faiths come to the Golden Temple, a tribute to the
syncretist traditions of a faith whose holy book is a compilation of the writings of men of
different faiths. Outside the sacred precincts of the Golden Temple, you can enjoy this
chaotic city while you gorge on Punjabi specialities like makkiki roti, sarson da saag and
gur da halwa. It won't take you long to discover that food is an obsession for the locals,
and it is rumoured that more desi ghee is consumed here than anywhere else in the world.
Amritsar played an important role in India's fight for independence against the British, with
its residents providing active support to the freedom movement. Both the All India
Congress Committee and the Muslim league held their sessions in Amritsar in 1919, the
year of the JallianwalaBagh massacre.
31 Aug, Day 12: Amritsar/Tarn Taran / Gobindwal / Hazoor Sahib / Amritsar After
breakfast, excursion to Tarn Taran (22kms/ 3/4 hr), famous for a gurdwara standing on the
side of a large tank and built in honour of Guru Arjun Dev. Lepers come from far-off places
to have a dip in the tank, for it is believed that its water can help cure Leprosy. Proceed to
Gobindwal (22kms/'/;hr). a short run from Tarn Taran, connected to the memory of Guru
Amardas who lived there. A gurdwara built by the Guruji still stands there. Since no space
was available for a tank, an underground 'Baoli' was constructed near the gurdwara with a
flight of 84 steps leading to it. Continue onto Hazoor Sahib (10kms/1/4hr), where the
Samadhi (memorial) of the second Sikh guru, Guru AngadDevJi, was built by Maharaja
Ranjit Singh in 1815. Return to Amritsar and after lunch, visit the Golden Temple. Built in
the midst of the holy pool by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1803. It is also known as Darbar
Sahib or HarMandir Sahib. The dome of the temple is covered with an estimated 400kgs of
gold leaf, hence its popular name the 'Golden Temple'. The interiors of the temple, like-
wise, decorated by inlay work with delicate floral patterns is done with semi-precious
stones. Adjoining the pool is Akal Takht, established by the sixth Sikh guru, Guru
Hargobind Singh. It is the seat of the supreme head of the Sikh religious authority.
01 Sept, Day 13: Amritsar – Delhi
Early morning transfer to the Railway Station for your scheduled train to Delhi. The air
conditioned Shatabdi Train takes around six hours to reach Delhi. On arrival transfer to
your hotel and afternoon at Leisure.
02 Sept, Day 14: Delhi to visit Sheeshganj and Bangla sahib.
The day to explore the city of Delhi. You can opt to visit the sites and places of interest as
per your area of interest. The Odyssey manager and transport is at your disposal for the
day.
03 Sep, Day 15: Fly Home
Early morning transfer to the airport to board on your scheduled flight to Kuala Lumpur.

Cost for Private Tour in Singapore

Dollars
3 Star Hotels and Camp at Gangaria:
6-9 Pax : SGD 940/- Per Pax

4 Star Hotel at Delhi, Chandigarh. Jalandhar and Amritsar

and Camp at Joshimath and Gangaria&Best Available during
rest of Stay:
6-9 Pax : SGD 1255/- Per Pax

Cost Includes :
1. Airport transfers and all transport costs in chartered transport as per the itinerary.
2. Hotels as mentioned above with breakfast.
3. 1000 ml of bottle water per pax per day.
4. Delhi to Delhi Odyssey Manager™.

Cost Excludes :
1. All expenses of personal nature like drinks, tips, telephone calls etc.
2. Any other expenses paid due to any change in itinerary.
3. Medical evacuation and insurance charges if any.