PLEASE NOTE ~ If your trip starts with this tour, you will likely be leaving the UK (or where ever you are travelling from on the 22nd to arrive in India for the 23rd

Day 1 ~ February 23rd

Arrive in Delhi

Day 6 ~ February 28th

Jaipur ~ Amritsar by flight ~ 1355 - 1835 via Delhi

Morning yoga & breakfast at the hotel. Leaving for some travel that will land you in the amazing Amritsar. At the airport, you will be received by our representative & transfer to your new hotel.

AMRITSAR ~ A bustling city renowned for being the cultural & religious heart of Sikhism. The largest & most important city in the state of Punjab. Amritsar has at its heart, one of the most sacred Sikh sites ~ home to their Golden Temple. Covered in 400 kg of gold and surrounded by a serene sarovar (pond), which create a breath taking sight, with the glittering structure rising out of serene waters. The golden temple also houses one of the largest community kitchens (langar) in the country, (maybe even the world!?) serving about 20,000 people a day!

Accommodation ~ Overnight in Amritsar ~ Fairfield Marriott

Day 7 ~ March 1st

Amritsar

Enjoy a full day of adventure with many things to learn today ~ giving us a morning off yoga to rest up a bit. Visit Jallianwala Bagh, the site of the historic massacre of April 13, 1919. Next visiting Durgiana Temple, a Hindu temple with similar architecture to the Golden Temple. We will then visit the famous Golden Temple, or “Hari Mandir” ~ the most sacred temple of the Sikhs, sanctified since the times of the fourth guru, Ram Das. All Sikhs try to pay a visit to the temple in their lifetime & take a bath in the sacred pond that, fed by an underground spring is said to purify the soul & help achieve spiritual enlightenment. In the afternoon we will visit Wagah, the only open land border between India & Pakistan, located 28 km from the city of Amritsar, where we will witness the changing of the Guard ceremony at sunset. After the border visit Qila Gobindgarh which is famous for it’s museum sharing Sikh art, toshakhana & a sound & light show. Followed by a special stop visitting the iconic fort of Maharaja Ranjit Singh which within it holds a ancient war museum, Turban Museum & Sikh art.
End the day with dinner & a relaxation session including soothing sounds & words.

Accommodation ~ Overnight in Amritsar ~ Fairfield Marriott

Day 8 ~ March 2nd

Amritsar ~ Varanasi by flight ~ 1040 - 1520 ~ Via Delhi

Yoga session & breakfast at the hotel. Followed by check-out & transfer to airport as we voyage to Varanasi.

VARANASI ~ One of the oldest living inhabitations of the world, the sacred city of Varanasi or Benaras, nestled on the banks of the holy Ganges River, has been attracting pilgrims for millenia. Celebrated author Mark Twain, who visited India in the last decade of the 19th century, described the city as “older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend.” Believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva, Varanasi is among the seven sacred cities in the country. Centuries of history, art and tradition have conflated to add colourful layers to Varanasi’s aura, which is most spectacularly evident at its ghats (stepped banks of a river).
Once you land in this special part of the world you’ll go to your hotel to check in & for a little chill before heading out for the evening to visit the holy Ganges to experience the grand Ganges Aarti (Lamp Ceremony) on banks of the river. Ganga aarti is a fire ritual, performed to show gratitude to the river & ask for its blessings. It involves chanting, bells, fire, flowers & holds a lot of reverence & magic. Every evening around sunset, hundreds of people gather at Dashashwamedh Ghat to witness the Ganga Aarti of Varanasi. A true pilgramage site that gathers a lot of energy & has been a daily ritual for 1000’s of years. Having both experienced it before, we can share that the energy created is palpable! The aarti is performed on a stage by seven young priests & gathers interesting crowds, including an array of sadhus ‘holy men’.
End the day with dinner & a restful relaxation session.

Accomodation ~ Overnight in Varanasi ~ The Amaya Rivatas

Day 9 ~ March 3rd

Varanasi

Morning yoga session at the Hotel.

Begin the day early exploring the ghats by foot & then boat along the Ganges & it’s banks. During this you will see different pilgrims immersing themselves in the river to cleanse their souls. We will also witness the rituals of the crematory ghats ~ ceremonies in which corpses are cremated ~ what Varanasi is known for.
Returning back to the hotel for breakfast. Today we visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple ~ the Mosque of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb & the Durga Temple. In the afternoon we will visit the city of Sarnath, the place where Buddha preached his first ermon on Maha-Dharma Chakra Pravartan or The Wheel of the Law. Later visiting the local markets of Benares & some of the Ashrams in Varanasi, including; Mumukshu Bhawan, Jangambari Math & Ramakrishna Mission.

Dinner & relaxation session to end the day.

Accommodation ~ Overnight in Varanasi ~ The Amaya Rivatas

Day 10 ~ March 4th

Varanasi ~ Rishikesh by flight ~ 1240 - 1610 ~ Via Delhi

Morning yoga & breakfast at the hotel before checking-out to depart for onward travel to enjoy our last destination ~ A place we hold close to our hearts!

RISHIKESH ~ A sacred Hindu city located in northern India, nestled amongst the beautiful hills & mountains, known as the ‘gateway to the Himalayas’. According to legends, in ancient times holy sages lived in this area & in the last century many prominent gurus & yogis found refuge here, including the Beatles. It is in the Rishikesh region that the Ganges River emerges from the mountain gorges & flows over the plain, it’s power & waters powerful & mesmerising, whilst still crystal blue clean fresh waters at this point of it’s course. There are many ashrams along its banks & a famous place for spiritual gatherings, meat & alcohol are not allowed here.
The flight will take you to Dehradun, before a drive up into the hills of the Himalayas. Once you are settled into your hotel you can enjoy an evening explore & dinner out in one of the many welcoming & international cafes.
Ending the day with a cosy relaxation session.

Accommodation ~ Overnight in Rishikesh ~ Sterling Palm Bliss

Day 11 ~ March 5th

Rishikesh

Start the day with a yoga practice & breakfast before enjoying the slow paced magic that the Rishikesh area holds. Nestled within the lap of the Himalayas, with rich luscious trees as a back drop & the Ganges river flows a beautiful crystal blue & turquoise in all her glory. cutting through the valley. Both Sandra & Sofia have spent many weeks & months here over the years & Sandra looks forward to showing you around some of our favourite spots. In the afternoons at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, (where Sandra will be sharing sessions a few weeks later for the ‘International yoga festival’), there are afternoon Aarti’s (Ceremonies) to enjoy. Other amazing places we hope to visit include the famous ‘Beatles ashram’ named after the band who spent alot of time there learning transcendental meditation with Maharishi Mahesh. Also known as Chaurasi Kutia, the once upon an ashram now operates as a protected eco-tourism & heritage attraction within the Rajaji National Park. You can walk through the iconic dome-shaped meditation huts, view vibrant art & murals ~ A truly spectacular & interesting place!
Culminating the day with dinner before bedtime relaxation session.

Accommodation ~ Overnight in Rishikesh ~ Sterling Palm Bliss

Day 12 ~ March 6th

Rishikesh

Enjoy yoga & breakfast, before another wonderful slow paced day enjoying & exploring the surrounding area at your own pace.
Ending the day with a last relaxation session.

Accommodation ~ Overnight in Rishikesh ~ Sterling Palm Bliss

Early bird £2550
Full price £2650
February 24th - 8th March ~ 14 days ~ 13 nights
This tour includes 3 internal flights

The price is for a single bed in a twin room
Single occupancy price available upon request, or double bed arrangements if your sharing with somebody

Early bird ends November 2nd
A non refundable deposit payment of £800 secures your place
A second payment of £800 by December 8th
& The balance to be paid by Jan 15th
Comfortable payment plans always available ~ Get in touch to discuss!
If you are joining multiple tours, the deposit can count for both of them & we can create a payment plan that suits you.

Early bird ends November 2nd, as internal flight group booking deal reservations ends then.