SHANNON SKINNER

Host, EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN TV and Travel Writer

presents

VARANASI EXTENSION TOUR FOR WOMEN (OPTIONAL)

September 27-28, 2024

in partnership with Sunspots Holidays 

(TICO registration #1030981)

Delhi →Varanasi → Delhi

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ABOUT:

This guided tour is for guests of Shannon Skinner’s India Tour for Women (Sept. 16-27, 2024). Upon completion of the main tour in Delhi, guests have an option of flying to Varanasi for 2 days/1 night stay (Sept. 27-28, 2024), and returning to Delhi. It is a separate program and there is an additional cost. Shannon will be your host.

The tour can only be purchased through Sunspots Holidays. Please ask Shannon for details.

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ITINERARY

Day 01 (Sept. 27, 2024) – Delhi to Varanasi by flight

Morning: you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Varanasi.

Upon arrival in Varanasi, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Hotel check-in time is 2 pm.

Varanasi, also called Benaras, Banaras or Kashi, is said to be the oldest living city in the world, dating back 5,000 years. It has been the cultural and spiritual capital of North India for years. Hindus believe that death in Varanasi leads to salvation. Varanasi is also known as the holy city of India, the city of temples, or the city of learning.

Afternoon city tour: Varanasi – Hindus’ holiest city and the oldest living city on earth. Varanasi was already old when Rome was founded and a flourishing trade centre when the Buddha came to Sarnath to preach his first sermon. It was a city of great wealth and religious importance when the Chinese travelers, Hiuen Tsang, visited in the 7th century. Visit the Bharat Mata Temple with a big relief map of India in marble; Durga Temple; Tulsi Manas Mandir; Banaras Hindu University, which has an art gallery; and the Mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangazeb, built on the site of an ancient Hindu Temple.

Evening: ceremony of Aarti “prayer ceremony” to the holy river Ganges. The great ‘Aarti’ to the Ghat of Dasaashwamedh is held every sunset by five priests dressed in white. These five young people choreograph movements to worship the river goddess with incense, camphor, flowers and mud lamps. Thousands of lamps are lit and immersed in the water of the sacred Ganges. The floating lamps add a divine aspect to the river.

Overnight Varanasi.
Hotel: Madin (4 star) – 1 night
Included meals: buffet dinner at hotel

Day 02 (Sept. 28, 2024): Varanasi → Delhi by flight

Early morning: a sunrise boat ride on the River Ganges. Two of most renowned ghats, Manikarnika and Harishchandra, are frequented by hundreds of devotees. These two ghats are famous for taking a holy dip and for cremation purposes. Hindus believe that whoever dies in Varanasi and gets cremated on bank of river Ganga achieves salvation. You may witness numerous funeral pyres burning around these ghats.

You will be transferred to Delhi airport. No hotel stay in Delhi.

Arrive Delhi airport and stay in transit for onward flight.

Included meals: breakfast at Varanasi hotel.
No dinner in Delhi

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COST:

Please contact Shannon for price details.

 Cost includes the following specific services:

• Accommodation (based on double-occupancy, luxury hotel) with breakfast at hotel.
• 01 buffet breakfast /01 buffer dinner at hotel in Varanasi.
• Transfers/tours as per program.
• Assistance on arrival/departure transfers at the airport.
• English speaking local guide in Varanasi city as per program.
• Entrance fee at the monuments (one time visit).
• 01 private boat ride in Varanasi.
• E-rickshaw ride at Varanasi.
• Evening aarti “prayer ceremony” at holy river Ganges from the nearby ghat area.
• 02 water bottles (500 ml) during transfers & tours.
• Taxes as applicable on date.

Cost does *not* include – all other expenses such as:

• Airfare
• Visa fees
• Camera fees
• Tips
• Lunch
• Travel insurance
• Medical insurance
• Delhi hotel
• Delhi meals

Additional cost for the airfares – and flight options:

Option 1:

Day  Delhi – Varanasi – Air India AI-406 depart 1040 hrs. / arrive 1200 hrs.  

Economy class – Instant purchase airfares @ CAD 130 per person (Fares valid as of now; fares will fluctuate; FULL NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-REROUTABLE).
No snacks/no seat preference

Option 2:

Day Delhi  – Varanasi  Indigo airlines  6E- 236  depart 1120  hrs. / arrive 1235 hrs. 

Economy class – Instant purchase airfares @ CAD 88 per person (Fares valid as of now as fares will fluctuate every time – (FULL NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-REROUTABLE)
No snacks/no seat preference

Option 3:

Day  Varanasi – Delhi   Air Vistara airlines  UK- 674  depart 1520 hrs / arrive 1645 hrs

Economy class – Instant purchase airfares @ CAD  77 per person (Fares valid as of now as fares will fluctuate every time – (FULL NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-REROUTABLE)
No snacks/no seat preference

Option 4:

Day  Varanasi – Delhi   Air India airlines  A- 405  depart 1235  hrs. / arrive 1420  hrs

Economy class – Instant purchase airfares @ CAD  136 per person (Fares valid as of now as fares will fluctuate every time – (FULL NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-REROUTABLE)
No snacks/no seat preference

Check-in baggage allowance –25 kg per person
Hand baggage allowance – 7 kg. per person
(Extra baggage allowance will be chargeable extra)

Information about domestic flights:

Note: Internal airfares/taxes/flight schedules are subject to change without any prior information.

*Photos courtesy Services International

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About Sunspots Holidays:

Sunspots Holidays is a wholesale travel company based in Toronto. TICO registration #1030981.

Address: 150 Ferrand Drive, Ste 511, Toronto, ON, M3C 3E5. Phone: (416) 484-8144 +1 800 657-8721. Email: info@sunspotsholidays.com.