Thirteen days from Old Delhi to the ghats of Varanasi and the Himalayan foothills at Rishikesh — by rail and private car, at a pace built for a small group with Akhila Yoga and Soul Bliss Journeys.

Begin with three unhurried nights in Delhi: a garland welcome at the airport, the lanes and spice markets of Old Delhi, a blessing at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, and sunrise at the Taj Mahal.

The Vande Bharat Express carries you east to Varanasi, the oldest living city on earth, for the Ganga Aarti, a sunrise boat on the Ganges, a private classical concert and a private yoga morning.

An overnight train brings you into the foothills for five nights in Rishikesh: a priest's blessing on arrival, yoga with Mittra Rawat and at Anand Prakash Ashram, an Ayurvedic wellness day, Vashistha Cave, a kirtan evening, a 4 AM sunrise at Kunjapuri Temple and a closing circle together.

Heritage and boutique stays, private experiences, and generous unstructured time throughout. Breakfast daily, with lunch and dinner every day in Delhi and Varanasi and most dinners in Rishikesh.

Welcome to India! At Delhi airport you're greeted with a traditional fresh-flower garland and taken by private transfer to Colonel's Retreat, a boutique guesthouse in leafy Defence Colony. Check in from 2 PM and take the afternoon to rest. In the evening the group gathers on the rooftop for an intimate Indian welcome ceremony, followed by our first dinner together.

A cycle-rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, the Khari Baoli spice market and the old havelis and back lanes. Lunch is a chef's tasting menu at Haveli Dharampura, a restored 19th-century haveli with rooftop views over the old city. In the afternoon, a blessing at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and a look inside its langar, the community kitchen that feeds thousands every day. Dinner together in the evening.

A very early start (around 2 AM) to drive to Agra by coach for sunrise at the Taj Mahal, followed by breakfast. Then Agra Fort with an English-speaking guide, time for shopping, and lunch in Agra before the drive back to Delhi for dinner.

A slow morning after yesterday's early start, a late checkout and lunch. At 3 PM we board the Vande Bharat Express, with evening tea and dinner served on board, and arrive in Varanasi around 11 PM. No early start tomorrow.

An easy start, then the Saris and Weavers walk with Varanasi Walks: the riverfront ghats, Manikarnika Ghat and temple visits. In the evening, the grand Ganga Aarti fire ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

A pre-dawn boat ride on the Ganges as the city wakes and priests begin their morning rituals. Afterwards, a favourite café for lunch and a visit to a sadhu nearby. The rest of the day is yours.

A private yoga session at the hotel with Ayush Tiwari, a much-loved Varanasi teacher who adapts the practice to each guest. Lunch, then a free afternoon. In the evening, a private classical concert of sitar, tabla and dance arranged just for the group, dinner, and at 10:15 PM the overnight Durgiana Express towards the foothills.

Arrive in Roorkee around 10:15 AM and continue by private car to Rishikesh, arriving midday. Lunch on your own, then check in and rest. In the evening a local Hindu priest welcomes the group to Rishikesh with a blessing, followed by dinner together.

At 8 AM, a classical Hatha class with Mittra Rawat at Devi Ghar in Tapovan. Mittra has taught for more than twelve years in the Sivananda lineage. The afternoon is free for the markets, with lunch on your own. In the evening, the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan on the river, then dinner.

A calm, inward-facing day. It opens with a morning yoga class at Anand Prakash Ashram, followed by an Ayurvedic massage for every guest and an Ayurvedic lunch. An Ayurvedic consultation is available in the afternoon for anyone who'd like one (optional, paid directly). Dinner together.

A morning visit to Vashistha Cave, an ancient meditation cave in the forest by the river. The afternoon is free, with lunch on your own. In the evening, a kirtan of devotional singing at Anand Prakash Ashram, with dinner on your own before or after.

A 4 AM departure for the sunrise trek to Kunjapuri Devi Temple, with the Himalaya on the horizon. Back for breakfast and rest; the afternoon is free, with lunch on your own. In the late afternoon, a closing circle led by Nicola to reflect on the journey together, then a Sattvic Ayurvedic cooking class that becomes our farewell dinner.

Breakfast and checkout. The group travels together by bus to Dehradun (Jolly Grant) Airport for a short domestic flight to Delhi, connecting with your onward international flight.