Kumbh Mela - The Fabled Festival
Join us on this once in a lifetime journey to the largest pilgrimage festival on earth. It is everything you have heard and more! The next amazing Maha Kumbh Mela is coming up in January/February 2025.
The Purna (complete) Kumbh Mela is one of the most highly auspicious Hindu gatherings which has occurred every twelve years since ancient times. It has always taken place in the city of Prayag/Allahabad at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers. It is the quintessential Indian experience. You cannot really know India until you have joined the throngs in their joy and reverence on the banks of Mother Ganga. There are massive crowds, flamboyant sideshows, naked Naga, and ancient mystics. Everyone is welcome, no one will leave unchanged by the teeming humanity that coexists on the banks of these holy rivers for the duration of the festival. The most recent Purna Kumbh Mela in 2013 attracted over 120 million pilgrims over the 55 days of the festival with the largest one day attendance of 30 million on 10 February 2013. Thus making it the greatest gathering of people anywhere in the world ever
| 12 Day Itinerary | ||
| Departure: | 28th January 2025 | (Tuesday to Saturday) |
|---|---|---|
| Price: | Inquire | |
Day 1 - Arrival day - Delhi Today is arrival day and we meet for a group get together before heading to one of our favourite restaurants Day 2 - Delhi (Agra day trip option) This morning we journey into the teeming centre of “Old Delhi”. Our first stop is to visit the stunning Jama Masjid Mosque then experience a colourful walk through the maze of laneways and alleys of Chandni Chowk. Here are the bazaars and stalls of Indian legend. Time for some bargaining and a cup of local Chai. This afternoon you are free to explore the city’s many sites including the Red Fort and Raj Ghat where Gandhi was cremated. Dinner tonight will be in Connaught Place where Delhi's “in” crowd can be found.
*For those that wish you will have an opportunity to take a day trip to Agra by train to visit the astonishing Taj Mahal Days 3 - Delhi (overnight train) We enjoy a free morning of exploration before meeting later in the day and then head to the Delhi train station for our overnight journey to Allahabad Day 4 - arrive Prayag/Allahabad The excitement builds as we approach the festival. On arrival we make our way to our tented camp which is our home for the duration of our stay. Our compound is perfectly located for access to the river as well as the fairgrounds and festivities. The noise is unabated with music and celebration throughout the night but the private and secured compound with our comfortable tents with private facilities will provide a welcome respite Days 5-7 - Prayag/Allahabad - Kumbh Mela Festivities We are present on one of the main bathing days, the ‘Basant Panchami’. We venture to the riverbank before dawn to experience the stunning ritual of the mass bathe that the Hindus will savour in their holiest of rivers. There is nonstop activity on the banks and we hope to enjoy a number of boat excursions into the heart of the river taking in the view from the water as well as the riverbank. In the evening the fairgrounds and sideshows come alive and there is action a plenty from the kitsch magic shows to the freakish rituals of the Naga ascetics. We will be spellbound by the vibrant crowds. The folk who journey from all over India (and indeed the world) are friendly and open. They are here to cleanse themselves and join in the biggest festival of the year and are all too happy to share the experience Day 8 - depart Prayag/Allahabad (3-4 hours on boats) In the afternoon we depart Prayag and journey to Vindyachal Ghat where we meet our boat crew for the Ganges. After a safety briefing we set sail. Our boats are about five metres in length and around two metres wide; all are equipped with life jackets. Accompanying our boats is a separate boat carrying our cook and camp staff. We take lunch on board and sail under the foothills of Vindhyachal Mountains. We cruise along to Mirzapur which has beautifully designed Ghats. Mirzapur is renowned for its famous carpet and brassware industry. In the late afternoon we moor up along the bank and our overnight camp is set up on the riverbank. Two person tents, mattresses and blankets are provided and a toilet tent is erected by our local staff. We enjoy a delicious vegetarian dinner on the riverbank Lunch and Dinner are included today Day 9 - on boats (6-7 hours) After breakfast we continue sailing as the river turns sharply near the imposing Chunar Fort which seems to rise vertically from the water. The sunrise and sunsets are spectacular. The impressive Chunar Fort dominates the Ganges, and it is part of a very important chapter in Indian history. We stop to visit a pottery and other crafts shops and lunch before a visit to Chunar Fort. Sailing continues and we overnight at camp on a sand bank of the Ganges. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.is included today Day 10 - arrive Varanasi (3-4 hours boat) We begin our final day sail with breakfast on the riverbank then set sail. We may stop on the way in local villages to experience life along the riverside. As we sail along, we begin to see the first signs of the sprawl of Varanasi ahead and we make landfall in the heart of old Varanasi at Assi Ghat. Saying goodbye to our boats and crew we make our way to our hotel where we can relax with a drink and a view of the Mother River we have so intimately come to know. Lunch is included today Day 11 - Varanasi This morning we have an early start back aboard a private boat to experience sunrise on the Ganges, cruising along, past the teeming bathing ghats as well as the ‘burning ghats’. The senses are tested, but the experience is unforgettable. After breakfast we travel by taxi to the Buddhist spiritual centre of Sarnath and the site where Buddha delivered his first sermon. There is a wonderfully gentle and spiritual feeling in the temple and monastic settlement not far from the masses along the Ganges. Take a look at the main shrine and the fabled Bodhi tree as well as having time to pop into any of the monasteries located nearby Day 12 - Varanasi departure You are free to depart today at your convenience |
Local Payment
Your Local Payment is collected by your group leader in cash at your group meeting on Day 1 of the trip and is part of your tour price. The money is spent locally on your tour.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Extra Accommodation
Pre and post trip accommodation is offered on most journeys pending availability. Please indicate in your enquiry if you require any rooms before or after your tour and the amount of nights requested.
Single Traveller
Global Drift encourages interactive experiences for all of our travellers. As such we presume that you will be happy to share accommodation with a same sex person should you be travelling alone.
However, for those that would prefer a single room for the tour we do offer a single supplement.
It must be stated however that on many of our tours we stay in small family owned guesthouse accommodation. In certain instances with full groups the passenger combinations may not always allow you to enjoy a single room. Please keep this in mind when booking your single supplement. We will however, always do our best to accommodate you.
Please make your request for this service a minimum of 3 months prior to your journey.
The quoted extra payment is for the entire trip.
Single Travellers
Global Drift encourages interactive experiences for all of our travellers. As such we presume that you will be happy to share accommodation with a same sex person should you be travelling alone.
Due to the exploratory nature of this journey no single supplement is offered.
Airport Arrival Transfer
Global Drift offers an optional arrival transfer to your hotel at the quoted fee.
In your trip dossier you will receive directions on how to make your way to your starting point hotel. It is quite easy and possibly cheaper than we are able to offer it.
Should you require this service please advise us at the time of your booking.