New Delhi | Agra | Jaipur | Rishikesh
September 23 – October 8, 2019
Have you always felt in your heart that you would one day experience Incredible India? That you would journey across the globe to explore a country, culture and spirituality vastly different from your own? Do you long to go on a journey that will challenge your sense of what you think you know, open your heart beyond belief and send your senses to new heights of experience…all with a small group of intrepid souls seeking the same inner and outer adventure?
Matece Skow and Anuja Chaudhri have created an itinerary full of adventure, depth, culture, and spirituality that they are so excited to share with you. This fall you can join them on an unforgettable adventure to experience this remarkably beautiful country and culture for yourself. This two week trip ranges from the majesty of the Taj Mahal, to the “Pink City” in Rajasthan, to the ashrams of Rishikesh in the foothills of the Himalayas.
The first week of Experience India offers an opportunity to sightsee and explore the Taj Mahal, Rajasthan’s “Pink City” of Jaipur and go on a tiger safari in Ranthambore National Park. This first week is meant to be a week of touring and exploration, introducing you to the unique and vibrant culture and history of India.
During the second week in Rishikesh, we step into traditional ashram life, participating in Navratri, the sacred time in which the Divine Mother Goddess is celebrated. It is during this time that we will go deep into the spiritual practices of yoga, right on the banks of the Holy Ganges River. You may read more about the special Navratri Spiritual Retreat towards the bottom of the page.
Food and accommodations are always a consideration when traveling through India. We have done our best to find comfortable, western style hotels that will feel clean, safe and a little bit like home in a far away land. You’ll find a photo gallery of our hotel accommodations at the bottom of this page.
Most of the hotels provide an international cuisine with western style food options as well as Indian fare. When we arrive to the ashram in Rishikesh, however, we will be eating a very simple Indian vegetarian diet to support the spiritual practices we will be doing there.
COST
Double
$3350
Single
$3800
Payment Details:
Non-refundable deposit of $840 per person required to reserve your spot.
Option 1: Pay in full at time of registration.
Option 2: Pay in two installments.
First Payment of $1255 due March 30, 2019.
Second Payment of $1255 due May 30, 2019.
Experience India is non-refundable, but is transferable.
For those enrolled in the Nourishing Heart Yoga Advanced 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training program, Experience India qualifies as 50 hours towards your certification.
These hours are no additional cost to you and provide a $750 value towards your advanced yoga training. Extra work will be required such as reading and writing assignments, specific practices and/or other requirements. You will be notified of the specifics after your registration is complete.
DAILY ITINERARY
Schedule is subject to change as the Experience unfolds. We take into consideration group energy and environmental circumstances. We reserve the right to change the itinerary to provide the best possible Experience for all our guests.
Sep 23: Arrive in New Delhi by late night,
Meet your airport transport
Check into the Lemon Tree Hotel
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Sep 24: Morning Yoga
Breakfast at the hotel
Leave for Agra by 9am (3 hr drive time)
Check into Trident Hotel
Lunch at Hotel
Dinner at hotel
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Sep 25: Breakfast at hotel
Sightseeing at the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort
Carpet Shopping
Dinner at hotel
Evening Yoga
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Sep 26: Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Jaipur (5 hr drive time)
Lunch and shopping along the way
Check in to Castle Kanota
Chill and Dinner at the Hotel
Evening Yoga
Sep 27: Breakfast at the hotel
Sightseeing to Hawa Mahal, Amer Fort and Jantar Mantar
Dinner at the hotel
Evening Yoga
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Sep 28: Breakfast at the hotel
Drive to Ranthambore National Park (4 hour drive time)
Check into The Pugmark Resort
Evening Yoga
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Sep 29: Breakfast at resort
Morning Tiger Safari
Lunch at resort
Afternoon Yoga
Evening Tiger Safari
Dinner at the resort
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Sep 30: Breakfast at the resort
Drive to Jaipur (4 hrs drive time)
Free afternoon for shopping or rest
Oct 1: Breakfast at hotel
Flight to Dehradun (90 minute flight)
Drive to Rishikesh (1 hr drive time)
Check into Parmarth Niketan Ashram
Rest and Relax
Dinner at Ashram
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Oct 2 – 7: Special Navratri Spiritual Retreat at the ashram
During these 5 days, we will be following the ashram schedule. See below for a detailed description of this holy celebration along the sacred Ganges River. Each day we will continue to meet together as a group with time for sharing, reflection and outings.
In addition at the ashram, there are frequent special cultural, Hindi, Music, Sanskrit classes and spiritual programs given by visiting revered saints, acclaimed musicians, spiritual and social leaders and others during this special pilgrimage time.
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Oct 8: Depart from ashram
Drive to Dehrahdun (1 hr driving time)
Flight to New Delhi (1 hour flight)
Arrive to airport
Fly back to the United States
Special Navratri Spiritual Retreat at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh
Awaken the Divine Energy Within Yourself! As a part of our Experience India trip, while we are in Rishikesh on the holy banks of Mother Ganga in the lap of the majestic and sacred Himalayas, we will participate in a very special celebration called Navratri (sacred nine nights of the Goddess) and Dusshera, the holiday dedicated to the vanquishing of darkness by light.
Navratri is the sacred time in which the power of the Divine Mother Goddess — as Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati — is celebrated. This 5-day Special Navratri Spiritual Retreat includes pranayama, basic yoga asanas including surya namaskar, eternal sound healing with gongs, spiritual question & answer sessions, meditation, observing of silence, self-reflection, mantra chanting, sacred fire ceremonies, special ceremonies dedicated to the Mother Goddess, karma yoga, Himalayan walks and much more.
Each day concludes with Ganga havan and aarti at sunset followed by satsang {spiritual question & answer session]. Experience a transformative retreat, concluding on Dusshera with a special yagna/havan ceremony to transform and / or release all that is false and no longer serves you.
Together we will receive the blessings of the Mother Goddess, rejuvenate and re-energize ourselves, and let our own inner Light emerge as we discover our inner wisdom!
