Journey to India: Nourishment for the mind, body & soul
Learn to dream again as you embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
Have you had a deep desire to go to India, but just don’t know where to go or who to go with?
Do you feel called to step off the shore, travel light and awaken your spirit?
Do you crave something more than just a travel tour …a full immersion into this country, where you can make deep connections, and experience the culture up close?
Experience India and all it’s wonders through the eyes of a local.
As your trip director, born and raised in India and have spent more than half of my life in the US, my passion is to share the magic of Indian heritage, the beauty of the country and the richness of the culture with others from around the world.
Please join ME on an unforgettable transformational journey that takes you inward. Promising to open the heart, awaken the mind and body through pure joy, connection and discovery on this magical journey to India.
JOY WITH ELEPHANTS
Elephants have been worshiped in India for centuries and are considered sacred animals and represents Ganesh, the elephant headed deity. They are revered because of the unique characteristics—divine knowledge, wisdom & royal power.
In Indian society, elephants are believed to bring good luck & prosperity. Ganesh is the god of success & destroyer of obstacles and evils.
Spend an evening with elephants. You will have a special opportunity to feed and ride these stunning animals through a small village.
COOKING CLASSES
A trip to India is not complete until you have had a chance to taste and take in the aromas of different spices of Indian cuisine. Unravel the secrets of cooking with spices. Indian food is among the leading cuisines in the world. It is diverse, delicious and not as difficult as you think.
You will learn how to make masala chai, some simple snacks and finger foods along with Indian bread and a curry dish.
SARI DRAPING & HENNA PAINTING
We’ll learn the art of the traditional Indian sari style dress and have a fun evening learning traditional dance moves! You will get a chance to buy a sari of your choice and get a blouse stitched by a tailor to your measurement. Learn the intricate process of draping a sari, requiring deft handling of four meters or 13 feet of fabric.
Mehndi is a ceremonial art form which originated in the ancient Indian subcontinent. It is typically applied during Hindu weddings – for brides and during Hindu festivals. According to Vedic customs it represents, ‘awakening the inner light’.
You will have a chance to decorate your hands with one of many intricate Henna designs by local artists.
CAMPFIRE
At the end of the day, in the evenings sit under the stars around the campfire and relive your day. A place where we will gather around telling and hearing stories of all that you experienced that day.
For Indians, fire (Agni) represents divine energy and is considered to be sacred. It is part of many rituals and ceremonies for example during birth, prayers, weddings and at death
In stillness, witness its sacredness, allowing it to light up the fire within you, the fire of your deep desires and yearnings of who you are. A place where we will strengthen not only our bond to each other but to ourselves.
“Yours Again” VOWS
Vows renewed in India can be a dream come true event. Indian weddings are a lot of fun, frolic, celebrations, rituals and holy ceremonies.
Marriage holds a very sacred place in Indian society and renewing your vows is something that will stay with you forever!
The Hindu wedding ceremony at its core is essentially a Vedic ritual. The primary witness is the fire deity (Agni), where seven steps & vows are completed by the bride and the groom.
Traditional wedding songs: beautifully decorated Ganesh Abode; chanting of ‘shlokas’ (lines) from the Vedas around the sacred fire, will all be part of the celebration.
I was born and raised in India and moved to US when I was 17 years old. Like many women, I followed a very traditional path, going to college, getting undergraduate and masters degrees, finding a good job and getting married. I spent a good 20 years of my life living up to my own idea of the “ideal” daughter, wife and a mother. Although I had many joyful moments and wouldn’t trade any of it, I felt unhappy but couldn’t understand why. It seemed like there was something in me that wanted to be expressed but I just didn’t know what it was. Until one day in June 2014.
A Peruvian friend of mine asked if I would accompany her to India on a business trip. She needed someone who was from India and spoke both Hindi and Spanish and could help her with translating and connecting her with the people there. Having lived outside of India for more than half of my life, I didn’t know how I was going to be able to help her. But I followed my intuition and went. Little did I know that this trip was going to change my life forever – that instead of me helping her, she was sent to me to help me figure out what was missing in my life, something that I had been struggling to put into words.
Even though we did not get a chance to do any sightseeing and we didn’t get to rest the 10 days I was with her, I still came back feeling rejuvenated. That one trip cracked open the door inside me that I had shut down all these years. It brought me in touch with my child self, the part that I had suppressed to give way to cultural expectations and responsibilities. That one trip connected me to myself again.
If you are looking for an experience of the senses, one that will get you in touch with your child self and help you to find the key that will open the door to who you are, then I invite you to take this journey. As an uplifting, heart-warming life coach, I love to connect with people and it would be my pleasure to be your guide on this wonderfilled journey to India.
Retreat Center, Jaipur India
- 4 nights in New Delhi at a pleasant & quiet residential area of Delhi (sharing)
- 5 nights at a Luxurious Villa at a resort in Jaipur with your own private bedroom and Private bathroom
- 1 night at a luxurious hotel in Agra (sharing)
10-Day Magical Journey to India
After you have made your arrangements to arrive at Delhi International Airport, I will take care of every other detail.
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
- Accommodation in Delhi, Jaipur and Agra
- Transportation from Delhi to Jaipur and all transportation within the cities.
- Two Meals. Authentic Indian cuisine, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
- All Activities and sightseeing trips in Delhi, Jaipur and Agra
- Yoga sessions
- Tailor cost of stitching a saree blouse
- First Class Train Tickets from Jaipur to Agra and Agra to Delhi
- Entrance Fees–Taj Mahal & Amber Fort
- All applicable taxes
- Tips
- 1-hour informational group call October 24th in preparation for the trip.
- 1 hour group call 2 weeks after the retreat to support your integration back to your life.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
- International airfare
- Visa fees
- International/Travel Health Insurance
- One Meal per day
- Purchasing a Saree
- Laundry
- Alcoholic drinks or items of personal use
- Massage
- Vows renewal ceremony
Make your deposit ASAP!
Space Limited to Only 11
Payment Plans: There will be a 3% fee on payment option two.
Option 1: One payment of full amount
Option 2: Two monthly payments
If you hear the call to participate in this retreat, first thing get in contact with me. To guarantee your place at the retreat, make a deposit. Once you make the deposit, complete the registration form and I will send you more information.
Please view my cancellation policy here before you make your booking.
What kind of travel documentation do I need?
Passports must be valid for at least six months from the guest’s return date. It is recommended a validity of nine months to prevent any problems in this regard. There must be at least three blank VISA pages in the passport (not endorsement pages). Guests have been denied boarding due to not having enough visa pages in their passports.
Do I need vaccinations?
Visitors are advised to consult their personal physicians as to what vaccinations are necessary.
Travel clinics usually recommend: Hepatitis A, Diphtheria, Typhoid and boosters for Tetanus & Polio. The yellow fever injection is not recommended by travel clinics.
Should I purchase travel insurance?
It is strongly recommended that guests take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover personal effects, personal accident, medical & emergency travel expenses & flight cancellation. Most insurance offered by credit cards does not provide enough coverage.
Will I be able to use my phone?
Mobile network coverage throughout India is good and you will be able to use your mobile phone. Internet is available everywhere we are staying. It’s recommended that you download WhatsApp to stay in touch with friends and family (this app allows texting and even phone calls if the other person has the app). Note that it is expensive to call the U.S. from your phone.
Should I carry cash? Where are credit cards accepted?
- The Indian Rupee cannot always be purchased outside India.
- Bring $300 cash for small purchases at local bazaars. You can exchange cash and travelers’ cheques at the airport, banks and Western Union. There will opportunity to exchange money at the hotel in Delhi,
- It is good to have Indian Rupees in cash on you for small tipping and cash only shop situations.
- ATM machines can also be found in most places.
- Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities.
- Please ensure your card is valid during your period of travel and it is advisable to notify your card provider you are going to be out of the country to ensure they do not cancel your card.
Is it safe to drink the water?
Drink only bottled water from sealed bottles. Sometimes ice can be made from tap water, so avoid where possible or ask first.
What other safety precautions should I take?
Even though India is generally a safe place, it is always wise to take precautions and be alert when travelling. Don’t walk on your own at night. Use ATMs in populated well-lit areas. Be aware of your possessions, particularly wallets, handbags and cameras, especially in crowded areas.
We will always stay together as a group and will be accompanied either by a guide or city representative at most times. A useful travel tip is to carry a photocopy of your documentation: passport, visa and tickets and the serial numbers of your Traveler’s Cheques, in a separate bag.
PLANE TICKET AND ARRIVAL: At least 2 months before our tour together, purchase air travel to New Delhi. Plan on arriving by evening of November 3rd, 2019, and departing the evening of November 13th.
HOTEL: If you are in Delhi before November 3rd, you can book your hotel from either booking.com or hotels.com at the Aerocity area (next to the airport and arrangements will be made to pick you up from there on Nov. 3rd).
If you plan on staying longer, book your hotel in Delhi from November 13th. I can put you in touch with one of my tour companies for any assistance with within India travels.
Visas
You are responsible for your visa if required. Tourist visas (or eVisas) are required.
NOTE: US Citizens START HERE (https://www.in.ckgs.us/) You begin the process on CKGS Website and then are transferred to the Indian Government Website to fill in the forms and are then sent back to CKGS to submit your application. Citizens of other countries please check with your Indian Embassy or for more information see https://indianvisaonline.gov.in.
Health Concerns: You may be subject to jet lag, varied climatic conditions, train and bus rides, dust and air pollution, very different food, crowds of people, unfamiliar sites and sounds. These all take their toll. On a subtler level, daily yoga practice, darshan in the temples and daily rituals are often powerfully moving experiences and hidden feelings and emotions can be brought to the surface. These can be overwhelming for the first-time visitor to India, but Her incredible hospitality, warm humanity, and abundant spirituality always come through and touch everyone in a deep and mysterious manner.
Bring what comforts you in the way of any health needs or medications: anti-diarrhea tablets, stomach upset meds such as activated charcoal, a course of antibiotic for upper respiratory tract infection (air pollution), antihistamine nasal spray, anti-bacterial wipes, mosquito repellent, sun block, basic first-aid items, etc. In case of emergencies, there is medical doctor on site at the retreat center in Jaipur. In both Delhi and Agra doctors and pharmacies can be found. If you have any medications that you need, you must bring them with you. Bottled water is always available for you to purchase. Please let me know in advance if you have any special health concerns.
FOOD: Indian food can be quite spicy and intense. The meals served during the retreat are an experience in itself, you will experience traditional food from Rajasthan to street food in New Delhi and there will always be continental options available to suit your palate. All and all your taste buds will get to experience an array of mouth watering sensations and authentic flavors. If you are allergic to something, please inform as soon as possible so I am aware of your special requirements.
What to Bring: Bring comfortable clothes; for cultural respect avoid cleavages and shorts; bring sun cream; lip balm; indoor shoes and walking shoes.
I will send you a detailed packing list once you sign up. Passport and money must be kept secure in a neck pouch or money belt. Have a copy of the info page and visa page of your passport. Call your bank to tell them that you are traveling in India.