India is a confronting contradiction. Spirituality and Capitalism co-mingle. The world’s largest privately owned residence overlooks the world’s largest slums. Temples are at capacity with devotees bringing food for gods, pouring milk on statues, while children starve in the streets. Women wear the same garment they’ve worn for thousands of years while taking customer service calls for tech companies. Food is medicine and antibiotics are over the counter. The sacred river that sustains millions of lives is poisoned by death by the time it reaches Varanasi, the holiest place in Hinduism.
Since my first visit in 2008, I’ve spent over two years traveling every inch of the Subcontinent. It can be intimidating to explore alone, but the reawrds, both tangible and ephemeral, are endless. The wealth of the culture is richer than the Ambanis. Over 40 languages are spoken in the giant, geographically diverse landmass, the country is a living Archeological museum and, of course, the food is fantastic. It’s my privilege to introduce others to the places that transformed me. You, too, will be changed by this experience, in ways you may expect and ways you never could. India invites the bravest travelers to follow in the footsteps of Shiva, The Buddha and countless teachers and students since.
I’m not promising you enlightenment. Though I owned 10 yoga studios in Brooklyn over a 16 year period, I’ve retired from teaching. That said, I’m thrilled to be a guide. You’ll learn about Hinduism from Hindus, Buddhism from Buddhists, Sikhism from Sikhs and so on. I’m just a well-meaning, woke, white woman who knows the etiquette of haggling in the market and how to eat with one’s hands while avoiding Delhi Belly.
I’ve streamlined this itinerary for almost two decades to strike the perfect balance between comfort and calculated risk and rest and activity. While leading my last group, a train got “lost” and we missed a flight because the internet was turned off by the government. For this reason, we’re traveling by luxury motorcoach. Though I prefer to stay in locally owned homestays when I travel solo, the size of our small group necessitates that we stay in larger, internationally recognized hotels. I’ve balanced this with a couple boutique hotels that served our standards, as well as my favorite tribally owned Himalayan Swiss tent Glamp…with slate floors and reliable Solar Heated water.
I’ve also left room for surprises. We’re not going to see EVERYTHING. It’s impossible and exhausting. I’m still exploring after two years! You’ll have a lot space to wander on our own, when you want to. That’s when and where the magic happens, but you’ll also have the safety and stability of your group of new friends.
For me, that’s the best part of hosting you: simply having your company. It’s so lonely on the road, traveling to a completely different destination every week. We’ll form friendships that will last far longer than our 15 days together. I can’t wait to share this time and these places with you.
Our Itinerary
Friday, April 10
Depart Your Origin in the Evening
Saturday, April 11
Arrive Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
Radisson Blu Provides Transfer from Airport
Sunday, April 12
Rest & Explore Delhi
Tour Delhi After Breakfast
Jama Masjid
Humayan’s Tomb
The Red Fort
Connaught Place
India Gate
Monday, April 13
Depart Delhi After Breakfast
Arrive Amritsar, Courtyard Marriott
Golden Temple from Golden Hour through Evening
Tuesday, April 14
Stay at Courtyard Marriott
Tour Amritsar After Breakfast
Partition Museum
Wagagh Border Crossing Ceremony
Wednesday, April 15
Depart Amritsar After Breakfast
Arrive Dharamshala Himalayan Camp
Lunch and Dinner Included
Thursday, April 16
Stay Dharamshala Himalayan Camp
Breakfast and Dinner Included
Explore Dharamshala
McLeod Ganj, Home of the Dalai Llama
Our Himalayan “Camp”, with slate floors, attached bathroom and abundant, reliable, Solar powered Hot Water.
Friday, April 17
Stay Dharamshala Himalayan Camp
Breakfast and Dinner Included
Tour Tea Plantation
Saturday, April 18
Stay Dharamshala Himalayan Glamp
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Hike & Rest
Sunday, April 19
Depart Dharamshala After Breakfast
Visit Virasat-E- Khalsa Museum
Arrive Chandigarh, J.W. Marriott
Bus Tour of Architecture
Monday, April 20
Depart Chandigarh After Breakfast
Arrive Haridwar, Hyatt Place
Sunset Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri
Tuesday, April 21
Tour Rishikesh After Breakfast
Maharishi Mahesh Ashram
Where The Beatles Found Jah & Wrote Dear Prudence
Stay at Hyatt Place, Haridwar
Wednesday, April 22
Depart Hyatt Place, Haridwar After Breakfast
Arrive Hotel Atulyaa Taj, Agra
Thursday, April 23
The Taj Mahal
Stay at Hotel Atulyaa Taj, Agra
Friday, April 24
Depart Hotel Atulyaa Taj, Agra, After Breakfast
Arrive Click Collection Grand Gateway, Varanasi
Golden Hour / Sunset River Tour
Saturday, April 25
After Breakfast, Explore Varanasi
Attend Cremation (Optional)
Sunday, April 26
Depart Click Collection Grand Gateway, Varanasi, After Breakfast For Varanasi Airport
Connect to Onward Flights at Indira Gandhi International Airport
Rates
Double Occupancy: $3999 Per Person / Single Occupancy: $5500 Per Person
Limited to 15 guests
Total cost is divided over equal monthly payments.
Payment in full will be completed 60 days prior to start date.
See Terms and Conditions for more details.
Includes
Accommodation for 15 Nights
15 breakfasts, 4 dinners
Transport in Luxury 16 passenger Minibus with Bathroom
Admissions to Museums & Attractions
Your Additional Expenses
Airfare to Delhi and from Varanasi
Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
Visas
Any activity not described in What's Included
Meals on your own
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
A minimum level of medical and emergency travel insurance is required in order to travel with me. Details are outlined in our Terms and Conditions and you will not be permitted to join the group until you have provided evidence of adequate travel insurance. Please read the trip details to learn more about recommended policy options.
Share this post