The Spirit of India

A Yoga & Spirituality Tour of North India

 

March 15-30, 2008

 

Tour Leaders: Michele Labelle is a certified Hatha Yoga Teacher, researcher, and has recently released the CD “Breath of Life”; and Mr. Karampal Singh, professional tour guide and teacher of the ancient spiritual wisdom of India. Read more about Michele at her website,
AZUR YOGA

Detailed Itinerary

Tour Inclusions & Price

Day 1:   Depart your home city

Day 2:   Overnight in your connection city (if necessary)

Day 3:   Arrive Delhi

Day 4:   Delhi/Jodhpur, Desert Camp

Day 5:   Jodhpur

Day 6:   Jodhpur/Jaipur

Day 7:   Jaipur

Day 8:   Jaipur/Agra

Day 9:   Agra/Delhi

Day 10: Delhi/Haridwar

Day 11: Haridwar

Day 12: Haridwar/Rishikesh, Ashram stay

Day 13: Rishikesh, Ashram stay

Day 14: Rishikesh/Ananda in the Himalayas

Day 15: Ananda in the Himalayas

Day 16: Ananda/Delhi. Depart Delhi

Day 17: Arrive back in your home city

Day 1 Sat, Mar 15:    Depart your home city

Depart your home city on your international flight.

Day 2 Sun, Mar 16:   Arrive in your connection city

Arrive in your connection city. Some airlines will require a forced overnight in the connection city. This may or may not be the case with the airline you choose (i.e. with Singapore Airlines an overnight in Singapore is required). Some of you will be able to fly to Delhi directly from your home city! You will want to arrive in Delhi on March 17^th. Please advise us of your flight arrival details as soon as you have them.

Overnight: Connection City (1 night – usually provided by airline)

Day 3 Mon, Mar 17: connection city/Delhi

Fly from your connection city to Delhi.

After arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport and proceeding through customs and baggage claim, you will be greeted by our representative carrying a sign “Spirit of India Group” in the arrivals hall. You will be transferred to The Vikram Hotel in Delhi. On the way, catch your first close-up look of the capital city by night, epitomizing India's extraordinary mix of historic grandeur and contemporary design.

Overnight: Vikram Hotel, Delhi (1 night)

Day 4 Tue, Mar 18:   Delhi/ Jodhpur; Manvar Desert Camp (B, D)

Morning Yoga and breakfast at hotel, then drive to visit the amazingly beautiful Bahai Temple – The Lotus of Bahapur – A Magnet for the Heart. (http://www.bahaindia.org) In the heart of New Delhi, the bustling capital of India, a lotus-shaped outline has etched itself on the consciousness of the city's inhabitants, capturing their imagination, fuelling their curiosity, and revolutionising the concept of worship. This is the Bahá'í Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, better known as the "Lotus Temple". With the dawning of every new day, an ever-rising tide of visitors surges to its doorsteps to savour its beauty and bask in its serenely spiritual atmosphere.

 

In the afternoon we return to the airport for a short flight to Jodhpur, departing at 1:10 pm and arriving at 2:00 pm (IC471), from where we will be driven to Manvar Desert Camp (www.manvar.com). Check in to the camp, with accommodations in deluxe tents surrounded by sand dunes in the Great Thar Desert. Manvar is located in the heart of the Great Indian Thar Desert. It lies between the cities of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner. It is an unprecedented tourist destination offering a rare opportunity to enjoy Rajasthan’s desert life, culture, wildlife & beauty. This evening we will enjoy a Jeep or camel safari to visit tribal villages, see the desert wildlife, watch local crafts people at work, and enjoy the beautiful sand dunes. The evening is livened up by campfire, mashaals, local musicians and dancers. Welcome to India!

Overnight:Manvar Desert Camp, Thar Desert, Rajasthan (1 night)

After an early morning yoga class with Michele and breakfast at Manvar Desert Camp, enjoy the drive to Jodhpur and check in at the Ummed Hotel. Visit majestic Mahrangarh Fort, with its spectacular palaces decorated with exquisite engravings and mirrors. We will enter through the gates which bear the handprints of the “Sati” – women of the royal harem, who took their own lives when their men were defeated in battle. Also visit Jaswant Thada, the dramatic white marble memorial.

Overnight: Ummed Hotel, Jodhpur (1 night)

Arise for an early breakfast before transferring to the railway station for a train trip to Jaipur, departing at 5:45 am and arriving at 10:43 am, where we will check in at the Shahpura House Hotel. Jaipur is the capital of India's state of Rajasthan. The city, with its harmonious pink walls, gates and stone buildings, was built in 1727 and is surrounded by dramatic, barren hills and ruined fortresses. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in Jaipur.

Evening yoga class with Michele.

Overnight: Shahpura House Hotel, Jaipur (2 nights)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then we will visit the picturesque 16th century Amber Fort with its fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. We will approach the fort by jeep, or possibly by Elephant! In the afternoon we will explore the sprawling City Palace, with its fabulous museum, ancient observatory, colorful market and the Palace of the Winds, built for the ladies of the royal harem.

Morning yoga class with Michele and breakfast at the hotel, we will drive from Jaipur to Agra, site of the Taj Mahal, stopping on the way at the "ghost city" of Fatehpur Sikri. Now deserted, it remains as perfect today as when it was built by Emperor Akbar in 1571.

On arrival at Agra, we will check in to the Holiday Inn. In the afternoon, we first visit Agra Fort, Akbar's palace, with its magical view of the Taj Mahal.

Overnight: Holiday Inn, Agra (1 night)

We will rise early and visit the magnificent Taj Mahal at sunrise - an enduring monument to love – the Taj Mahal is described as “A tear on the face of eternity” by the poet Laureate Tagore. Built by a grieving Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is built of glistening marble and fabulously decorated in a mosaic of semi precious stones – a stunning mausoleum.

Later, we will continue on to the temples of Mathura, revered as the birthplace of Lord Krishna and, as such, one of the most sacred places for the Hindu faith. Mathura served as one of the Kushan Empire's two capitals from the first to the third centuries and was home to a famous school of sculpture for 1,200 years. Today, the Mathura Museum still owns the largest collection of redstone sculptures in Asia, depicting many famous Buddha figurines. In stark contrast, though, Mathura's skyline is now dominated by the towering steel sculpture of a high-tech Indian Oil refinery, one of the largest in Asia.

Meditation at the temple

Overnight: Best Western Radha Ashok, Mathura (1 night)

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to the Delhi railway station and take the train to Haridwar, departing at 3:25 pm and arriving at 7:25 pm. Upon arrival in Haridwar we will check in to the Hotel Haveli Hari Ganga. A major Shakti Peetha (place of strength), Haridwar is known as "The Gateway to the Gods." Considered by some to be the second most holy pilgrimage site (after Varanasi), Hindus the world over flock here for a holy dip in order to attain salvation from their sins of birth.

Overnight: Hotel Haveli Hari Ganga, Haridwar (2 nights)

After a buffet style breakfast at the hotel, we will make a pilgrimage to the Goddess Mansa Devi Temple, riding a cable car to the holy hilltop shrine. We'll also visit the Chandi Devi Temple, built in 1929 by the King of Kashmir, Suchat Singh. Walk through the old streets where tiny stalls sell an assortment of goods including shawls, brassware and bangles.

In the evening, attend the spectacular Ganga Aarti Ceremony, when offerings of flowers and glowing lamps are made to the holy river Ganga (Ganges).
Evening yoga and meditation with Michele.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Rishikesh. Visit Mother Miracle School and check in at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram (www.parmarth.com). In the evening, learn about daily life in the ashram. You will enjoy the yoga and meditation classes held here each day.
Overnight: Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh (2 nights)

Early breakfast at the ashram, then we will enjoy the morning river rafting on the Ganges. Lunch and Dinner are included at the Ashram. Yoga and meditation classes at the Ashram.

Day 14 Fri, Mar 28: Rishikesh to Ananda in the Himalayas (B)

After breakfast at the ashram, we drive to Narendra Nagar and check in at the amazing Ananda in the Himalayas (www.anandaspa.com). Narendra Nagar is a place of great historic and mythological significance, known since ancient times as a seat of spirituality and meditation.

The next two days you will enjoy the amenities at Ananda in the Himalayas - such as nature walks, yoga classes with breathtaking views of the Himalayan foothills; meditation classes; Ayurvedic seminars and cooking classes; fitness classes and golf instruction; and use of the sauna, steam bath, Jacuzzi, gymnasium and swimming pool. Optional Ayurvedic treatments can be booked.

Overnight: Ananda in the Himalayas (2 nights)

Day 15 Sat, Mar 29:  Ananda in the Himalayas (B)

Your day is at leisure to choose from the many activities and treatments available at the spa.

After breakfast at the spa, we will be driven back to the International Airport in New Delhi for the return flight home. Most international flights will depart in the late evening. Please advise us of your flight departure details as soon as you have them. Depart Delhi on your international flight.

Arrive in your connection city. Connect to your flight to your home city, arriving the same day. Some of you will fly from Delhi directly to your home city.

(B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to conditions beyond our control.

 Tour does not include:

Tour Price

Note for Canadians: If you wish to pay in Canadian Dollars, please call us for the current exchange rate conversion.

Note: The single supplement is ONLY for those who would like to secure a private room throughout the tour, at the indicated additional price. If you are not traveling with anyone you know and would like to share a room, we will be happy to work to find you a suitable roommate. Per our Terms and Conditions, registration for the tour will be held open until two weeks before the departure date in order to try to match everyone with a roommate. If by that date we have not been able to match you with a suitable roommate, you will be responsible to pay for the single supplement. An early registration will facilitate this process.